Historical Record of the Eighteenth, or the Royal Irish Regiment of Foot / Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1684, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1848.

The regiment remained at Koolangsoo during the year 1843.

On the 1st of April the light company embarked at Koolangsoo, and arrived at Chusan on the 10th of that month. The head-quarters proceeded from Koolangsoo to Chusan in the middle of May, and remained there during the year.

The head-quarters of the regiment proceeded from Chusan to Hong Kong on the 22nd of February: the left wing arrived at Hong Kong from Chusan on the 12th of May.

During the year 1846 the regiment remained at Hong Kong.

The head-quarters, consisting of twenty-four officers, thirty-four serjeants, seven drummers, and four hundred and sixty-eight rank and file, embarked at Hong Kong for active service on the 1st of April, 1847, and were employed during the combined naval and military operations on the Canton river under Major-General D'Aguilar, C.B., and returned to Hong Kong on the morning of the 9th of April, 1847, leaving a detachment at Canton of three officers, six serjeants, and sixty-two men, which returned to Hong Kong on the 2nd of June following.

The regiment, consisting of twenty-five officers and six hundred and fifty-two men, embarked at Hong Kong for Calcutta on the 20th of November, 1847.

The regiment arrived at Calcutta on the 10th of January, 1848, and occupied the barracks at Fort William, where it continued to be stationed on the 1st of June, 1848, at which period the record is concluded.

The foregoing pages, after diligent research, contain, as far as possible, a faithful detail of the services of the EIGHTEENTH, ROYAL IRISH, REGIMENT OF FOOT.

The career of this highly honorable corps can only be appreciated as a public body, and as a portion of the military force of the British empire, after a perusal of its gallant deeds in the various situations and services on which it has been employed.

The circumstance of its first formation in the reign of King Charles II.,—of its adhesion to King James II. on his succeeding to the British throne in 1685,—and of the severe test to which the army was exposed at the Revolution in 1688,—all prove the value of the corps, and the difficulties with which its principal officers had to contend at a period when the English nation was endeavouring to rid itself of a sovereign of Popish principles, and to establish a Protestant Government.

The decided conduct of the EIGHTEENTH, ROYAL IRISH, regiment on the commencement of the Revolution in 1688, and throughout the contest in Ireland until 1691, evinced a steady loyalty and determination, on which King William III. found he could rely.

The same confidence was placed in this regiment by King William during the campaigns in Flanders from 1691 to 1697, for which the most distinguished honours were conferred by His Majesty on the corps on account of its heroic services.

In the war of the Spanish Succession, during the reign of Queen Anne, from 1702 to 1712, the EIGHTEENTH, ROYAL IRISH, regiment is recorded as having shared in the numerous sieges and victories under the Duke of Marlborough, as detailed in the Regimental Record.

After the cessation of hostilities by the Treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, the services of the regiment were equally efficient and useful in the British possessions, particularly at the island of Minorca, from whence it proceeded in 1727 to Gibraltar, when the Spaniards again besieged that fortress.

The ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT was again employed in Flanders during the war of the Austrian Succession, from 1743 to 1748.

The regiment shared also in the arduous duties of the British troops employed during the early part of the American war, which commenced in 1775.

The next important service on which the EIGHTEENTH, ROYAL IRISH, regiment was engaged, was the ever-memorable campaign of the British army in Egypt, which succeeded in repelling from that country the French army, which had vainly styled itself "invincible," and through the efforts of which Napoleon Bonaparte intended to open a route to India, and thereby disturb, if not annihilate, the British possessions in Asia.

After returning from Egypt, the services of this valuable regiment were employed in guarding the colonial possessions in the West Indies for a period of twelve years, during which the British army acquired additional honours and distinctions by its services in the Peninsula, which terminated in 1814, and afterwards by the decisive battle and overthrow of the French army at Waterloo.

The EIGHTEENTH was employed on garrison duty from 1821 to 1832 in the islands of the Mediterranean.

In 1837 the regiment was embarked for Ceylon, and in 1840 it formed part of the expedition to the Chinese seas, and by its gallantry eventually compelled the government of the "Celestial empire" to cede a portion of territory to the British Crown, and to pay an indemnity for losses sustained: the word China and the device of the Dragon, authorized by Her Majesty to be borne on the colours and appointments of the regiment, are proud memorials of its services in this distant scene of warfare, which was a novel arena, not only to the EIGHTEENTH, but to European troops generally. The regiment was again employed during the military operations on the Canton river in 1847, and towards the close of that year proceeded to the East Indies.

After a service of twelve years in the eastern parts of the world, the EIGHTEENTH, ROYAL IRISH, regiment has received instructions to be prepared to return to its native country, on being relieved by the ninety-sixth regiment from the New South Wales Colony.

In drawing this summary, the compiler could not conclude the record of the arduous services of so meritorious a regiment, without an endeavour to do justice to its loyalty and devotedness to ten successive sovereigns, and to its zeal and usefulness in the cause of its country, during a period of one hundred and sixty-five years.

1848.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF THE

EIGHTEENTH,

OR THE ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT OF FOOT.

Arthur Viscount of Granard.

Appointed 1st April, 1684.

Arthur Forbes, son of Sir Patrick Forbes, a Baronet of Nova Scotia, was a cavalry officer in the Royal army during the rebellion in the reign of King Charles I., and attained the rank of Colonel in 1646. In 1651 he held a considerable command in the north of Scotland, and after the defeat of the Scots army at Worcester on the 3rd of September, 1651, Colonel Forbes opposed the progress of the English under General Monk, afterwards Duke of Albemarle, but was eventually defeated, and fled to Ireland, where he was permitted by Oliver Cromwell to possess his paternal estate. He took an active part in bringing about the Restoration in 1660, and was appointed one of the commissioners of the Court of Claims in Ireland: he was also nominated captain of an independent troop of horse, and elected a member of Parliament for Mullingar. He took an active part in preventing the breaking out of a conspiracy against the government in Ireland, in 1663; in 1670 he was sworn a member of the Privy Council, and nominated Marshal of the army,—a rank not continued in the service; and in 1671 he was constituted one of the Lords Justices of Ireland. His services were rewarded, in 1675, with the dignity of Baron Clanehugh, and Viscount of Granard; and in April, 1684, his Lordship was nominated Colonel of one of the regiments, formed of independent companies in Ireland, at that period, now the EIGHTEENTH, or the ROYAL IRISH regiment. In September following he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General, and two months afterwards he was advanced to the dignity of Earl of Granard. In March, 1685, King James II. nominated the Earl of Granard one of the Lords Justices of the kingdom, and he was also appointed Chairman of the Council; in 1686 his Lordship resigned the colonelcy of the regiment in favour of his son, Arthur Lord Forbes. Being pressed upon to proceed with unusual severity against the Protestants, he wrote to the King for permission to resign; but His Majesty wrote an answer with his own hand, requesting him to continue in office: he, however, advocated the cause of the Protestants with so much warmth, that he was dismissed by King James in March, 1689. The Earl of Granard attached himself to the interests of King William III. He was sworn of the Privy Council in December, 1690; and he commanded the troops at the reduction of Sligo, in 1691.

The Earl of Granard built the Church of Castle-Forbes, and established the linen manufactory at that place. He died in 1694.

Arthur Lord Forbes.

Appointed 1st March, 1686.

Arthur Lord Forbes, son of the Earl of Granard, held a commission in the army in Ireland in the reign of King Charles II., and in 1686 he succeeded his father in the colonelcy of the regiment which is now the EIGHTEENTH, or the ROYAL IRISH regiment. He was a spirited young nobleman, and succeeded in retaining more Protestants in his regiment than were to be found in any other corps in the army in Ireland. He joined the Prince of Orange at the Revolution in 1688, when he withdrew from the service. He succeeded to the dignity of Earl of Granard on the decease of his father in 1694. He died in August, 1734.

Sir John Edgeworth.

Appointed 31st December, 1688.

This officer held a commission in the army in the reign of King Charles II., and was appointed Captain of a non-regimented company of pikemen and musketeers in Ireland. He was afterwards promoted to the Majority of the Earl of Granard's regiment, now EIGHTEENTH, which corps he accompanied to England at the Revolution in 1688, when he joined the Prince of Orange's interest, and was promoted to the Colonelcy of his regiment. Being afterwards found guilty of irregularity in providing clothing for his regiment, he was dismissed the service.

Edward Earl of Meath.

Appointed 1st May, 1689.

The Honourable Edward Brabazon, second son of Edward, second Earl of Meath, was appointed Captain of a non-regimented company of pikemen and musketeers in the summer of 1661, and he was afterwards nominated keeper of the royal parks in Ireland, and ranger of Phœnix Park, near Dublin. He subsequently commanded a troop of cuirassiers; but falling under the displeasure of the lord-lieutenant, the Earl of Essex, he was removed from his appointments: he was, however, restored to favour at a subsequent period. In 1684 he succeeded, on the death of his brother, to the dignity of Earl of Meath. He joined the Prince of Orange at the Revolution of 1688, and in May, 1689, he was appointed Colonel of the EIGHTEENTH regiment, which corps he accompanied to Ireland, and served at the siege of Carrickfergus and at the battle of the Boyne; he also evinced great gallantry at the siege of Limerick, where he was wounded. He was sworn a member of the Privy Council in December, 1690. After the deliverance of Ireland from the power of King James was accomplished, he chose to remain in that country in order to devote himself to its interests, and withdrew from the army. He died in 1708.

Frederick Hamilton.

Appointed 19th December, 1692.

Frederick Hamilton rose to the command of one of the independent companies in Ireland in the reign of King Charles II., and in 1684 his company was incorporated in Lord Mountjoy's regiment. Being a zealous Protestant, Captain Hamilton was deprived of his commission by Earl Tyrconnel, and remained unemployed until the Revolution of 1688, when King William III. gave him a company in Lord Forbes's, now the EIGHTEENTH foot, and promoted him to the Majority of the regiment. He accompanied the EIGHTEENTH to Ireland, served at the siege of Carrickfergus, the battle of the Boyne, and at the storming of Limerick, where he distinguished himself, and was promoted to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the regiment, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel Newcomb, who was mortally wounded. He served at the siege of Athlone, and at the battle of Aghrim, in 1691; also at the second siege of Limerick: and in 1692 he commanded the regiment in the expedition under Meinhardt Duke of Leinster; in December of the same year he succeeded the Earl of Meath in the Colonelcy of the EIGHTEENTH regiment. He served the campaign of 1694 under King William, and in 1695 he distinguished himself at the siege of Namur, and was wounded at the assault of the Castle. In May, 1702, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and the four regiments under his command were engaged in the sieges of Venloo and Ruremonde. He also commanded a brigade during the campaign of 1703; was promoted to the rank of Major-General on the 1st of February, 1704, and served the campaign of that year in Germany, taking part in gaining the victories at Schellenberg and Blenheim. Having become advanced in years and infirm, he retired from the service in 1705, Queen Anne giving him permission to sell the colonelcy of his regiment to Lieut.-General Ingoldsby.

Richard Ingoldsby.

Appointed 1st April, 1705.

Richard Ingoldsby entered the army in the reign of King Charles II., his first commission being dated the 13th of June, 1667. He adhered to the Protestant interest at the Revolution in 1688, and served under King William III., who promoted him to the Colonelcy of the Twenty-third Regiment in February, 1693. He commanded the Twenty-third at the siege of Namur, in 1695, and in June, 1696, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General. On the breaking out of the war in 1701, he was sent to Holland with a body of British troops, and he highly distinguished himself during several campaigns under the great Duke of Marlborough. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General on the 9th of March, 1702, and served in that capacity during the campaigns of that and the following year. In January, 1704, he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General, and his name is found among the officers who distinguished themselves at the battles of Schellenberg and Blenheim. After acquiring a high reputation in the field, he was honoured with the appointments of one of Her Majesty's Lords Justices, and Master of the Horse for Ireland. He died on the 29th of January, 1712.

Richard Stearne.

Appointed 18th February, 1712.

This officer commences a journal of his services in the following words:—"In the year 1678 I got a commission from King Charles II. to be Ensign to Captain John St. Ledger's company, then one of the independent companies of Ireland; and in the following year I was made Lieutenant to the same company. In the year 1684 all the independent troops and companies in Ireland were incorporated into regiments; Captain St. Ledger's company being one of those that composed the regiment commanded by the Earl of Granard"—now the EIGHTEENTH, or ROYAL IRISH regiment of foot. He accompanied his regiment to England at the Revolution in 1688, and on the 1st of March, 1689, he was appointed Captain of the company to which he belonged. He served with his regiment in Ireland, at the siege of Carrickfergus, the battle of the Boyne, the sieges of Limerick and Athlone, the battle of Aghrim, and the second siege of Limerick, besides several detached services. In 1692 he was promoted to the majority of his regiment. He served in the expedition under the Duke of Leinster; and afterwards joining the army in Flanders, was at the siege of Namur, where his regiment distinguished itself and acquired the title of the ROYAL IRISH regiment: Lieut.-Colonel Ormsby being killed on this occasion, King William promoted Major Stearne to the lieut.-colonelcy of the regiment. He served in the Netherlands and Germany during the whole of the wars of Queen Anne, was at the battles of Schellenberg, Blenheim, Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, and also at the forcing of the French lines in 1705, 1710, and 1711, and took part in numerous sieges, at which the EIGHTEENTH distinguished themselves. Lieut.-Colonel Stearne was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1707, and to that of Brigadier-General in 1711; in 1712 he was rewarded with the colonelcy of his regiment; he was also nominated Governor of the Royal Hospital at Dublin. He concludes the journal of his numerous, distinguished, and meritorious services in the following words:—

"In the month of May, 1717, the regiment received orders to march to Portsmouth, and there I take my leave of them, for, in the month of January following, His Majesty gave me leave to resign my regiment to Colonel William Cosby, after having served six crowned heads of England, and been forty years attached to one company without ever being removed from it; having made twenty-one campaigns; having been in seven field-battles—fifteen sieges—seven grand attacks on counterscarps and breaches—two remarkable retreats—at the passing of four of the enemy's lines—besides several other petty actions; and, through God's assistance, never had one drop of blood drawn from me in all those actions. After I had disposed of my regiment, I went to my government in Ireland." Brigadier-General Stearne died on the 1st of November, 1732.

William Cosby.

Appointed 24th December, 1717.

William Cosby was many years an officer in the cavalry of the royal household, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant and Lieut.-Colonel of the first troop, now first regiment, of life guards; from which he was promoted, in December, 1717, to the colonelcy of the EIGHTEENTH, or the ROYAL IRISH regiment. He accompanied the EIGHTEENTH to Minorca, and commanded a detachment of five hundred men sent from that island to Gibraltar, when the Spaniards besieged that fortress in 1727. He was subsequently nominated Governor of the Leeward Islands, and in January, 1732, he was appointed Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of New York and New Jersey, when he relinquished the colonelcy of his regiment. In 1735 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General. He died on the 2nd of May, 1737.

Sir Charles Hotham, Bart.

Appointed 7th January, 1732.

Charles Hotham entered the army in the reign of Queen Anne, and served on the Continent under the great Duke of Marlborough. In 1723 he succeeded to the dignity of a Baronet. He was nominated to the colonelcy of the EIGHTEENTH, or the ROYAL IRISH regiment, in 1732, and removed to the second troop of horse grenadier guards in 1735. He died in 1738.

John Armstrong.

Appointed 13th May, 1735.

This officer entered the army in 1704, and served with reputation under the celebrated John Duke of Marlborough. After distinguishing himself on several occasions he was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy of the fifteenth regiment, and was promoted to the rank of Colonel in December, 1712. In 1717 he obtained the colonelcy of a newly-raised regiment, which was disbanded in the following year. He was rewarded with the colonelcy of the EIGHTEENTH, and promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, in 1735, and in 1739 he was advanced to the rank of Major-General. He died on the 15th of April, 1742.

Sir John Mordaunt, K.B.

Appointed 18th December, 1742.

On the 25th of August, 1721, this officer entered the army, and after a progressive service of several years he rose to the rank of Captain and Lieut.-Colonel in the third foot guards, from which he was promoted to the colonelcy of a newly-raised corps, now forty-seventh, in 1741, and was removed to the EIGHTEENTH regiment in the following year. Having been promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General in June, 1745, he commanded a brigade against the rebel army, and distinguished himself, at the battle of Falkirk, on the 17th of January, 1746. He afterwards served under His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, and was detached with two regiments of dragoons and the Campbell Highlanders in pursuit of the rebels on their retreat from Stirling. At the decisive battle of Culloden he commanded a brigade of infantry, and gained additional reputation; and afterwards proceeding to the Netherlands, he distinguished himself at the head of a brigade at the battle of Val, in 1747. In the autumn of the same year he was promoted to the rank of Major-General; he was afterwards removed to the twelfth dragoons, and in July, 1749, to the fourth horse, now seventh dragoon guards; in November following he was removed to the tenth dragoons. He was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General in 1754, and to that of General in 1770. His services were also rewarded with the dignity of Knight of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, and the government of Berwick. He died in October, 1780.

John Folliott.

Appointed 22nd December, 1747.

After serving with reputation in the subordinate commissions, this officer was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy of the seventh horse, now sixth dragoon guards, in June, 1737, and his constant attention to all the duties of commanding officer of that distinguished corps was rewarded, in June, 1743, with the colonelcy of the sixty-second regiment (afterwards disbanded); from which he was removed, in 1747, to the ROYAL IRISH regiment. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1754, and to that of Lieut.-General in 1758; he was also nominated Governor of Ross Castle. He died in January, 1762, at which period he was Member of Parliament for Sligo.

Sir John Sebright, Bart.

Appointed 1st April, 1762.

John Sebright was many years an officer in the first foot guards, in which corps he was promoted to the rank of Captain and Lieut.-Colonel on the 2nd of May, 1749; and in October, 1758, he was nominated to the colonelcy of the eighty-third foot. In 1761 he was promoted to the rank of Major-General; and was removed to the ROYAL IRISH regiment in the following year. On the decease of his brother in 1765, he succeeded to the dignity of Baronet. He was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General in 1770, and to that of General in 1782. His decease occurred on the 23rd of February, 1794.

Sir James Murray, Bart.

Appointed 26th February, 1794.

James Murray served in the army in the Seven Years' War, and was appointed Major in the ninety-seventh foot in April 1762: in the following year his regiment was disbanded. In 1771 he succeeded, on the decease of his father, to the dignity of Baronet. He was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel in 1772; and served with reputation in the American war, particularly at the defence of St. Christopher. In 1789 he was honoured with the appointment of Aide-de-camp to the King, with the rank of Colonel; and in 1793 he was appointed Adjutant-General to the army in Flanders, commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, and promoted to the rank of Major-General; and while employed on the Staff in Flanders he was nominated Colonel of the EIGHTEENTH regiment, his commission being dated the 26th of February, 1794. Having married the Countess of Bath, he assumed the surname and arms of Pulteney. In the summer of 1800 he commanded an expedition against the fortress of Ferrol, in Spain; after viewing the town and defences he resolved not to lose time in attacking this place, but to join the armament under Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby. In 1807 he was nominated Secretary at War, and held that appointment two years: in 1808 he was promoted to the rank of General. His decease occurred on the 26th of April, 1811, and was occasioned by an injury received from the explosion of a powder-flask while shooting on his estate at Buckenham, in Norfolk.

John H. Lord Hutchinson, K.B.

Appointed 27th April, 1811.

The Honourable John Hely Hutchinson entered the army in January, 1774, as Cornet in the eighteenth light dragoons, and in October, 1776, he was promoted Captain of a company in the sixty-seventh regiment: in 1777 he was elected a Member of Parliament for Cork. On the 21st of September, 1781, he was advanced to Major in the seventy-seventh, or Atholl Highlanders, in which corps he rose to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel in 1783; but his regiment was disbanded soon after the termination of the American war. Having previously studied tactics at Strasburg, he again visited the Continent, and acquired additional information on military subjects. Soon after the commencement of the French revolutionary war he returned to the United Kingdom; was promoted to the rank of Colonel on the 1st of March, 1794; and, taking great interest in raising the ninety-fourth regiment, he was appointed Colonel of that corps in October. He served two campaigns in Flanders, as extra Aide-de-camp to Sir Ralph Abercromby. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1796; and, serving in Ireland during the rebellion in 1798, he was second in command at the action at Castlebar. He also served in the expedition to Holland in 1799, and honourable mention is made of his gallant conduct in the public despatches. Having given proof of his capabilities as a General officer, he was nominated second in command in the expedition to Egypt, under Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby; and after the death of that officer, from wounds received in the action of the 21st of March, the command of the troops devolved on Major-General Hutchinson, who found himself suddenly placed at the head of the army under circumstances of a peculiarly difficult character. In the subsequent operations in Egypt he evinced talent and energy, sustaining the honour of his Sovereign, promoting the glory of his country, and forcing the French "Army of the East" to evacuate Egypt. For his services in this enterprise he twice received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament; he gained the approbation of his Sovereign, was nominated a Knight of the Bath, received the Order of the Crescent from the Grand Seignior, was elevated to the peerage by the title of Baron Hutchinson of Alexandria and of Knocklofty in the county of Tipperary, and received an important addition to his income: he was also nominated Governor of Stirling Castle. In 1803 his Lordship was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General.

The subsequent services of Lord Hutchinson were of a diplomatic character: in November, 1806, he proceeded on an extraordinary mission to the Prussian and Russian armies; and he afterwards proceeded to the court of St. Petersburg. In 1806 he was nominated to the colonelcy of the fifty-seventh regiment, and was removed, in 1811, to the ROYAL IRISH regiment: in 1813 he was promoted to the rank of General. On the decease of his brother, in 1825, he succeeded to the title of Earl of Donoughmore. He died on the 6th of July, 1832.

Matthew Lord Aylmer.

Appointed 23rd July, 1832.

THE END.

London: Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street,
For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.