The second battalion having become considerably reduced in numbers by its arduous services in Spain and Portugal, the effective and efficient soldiers were formed into four companies, for service in the Peninsula; and the officers of the other six companies, with the remaining non-commissioned officers and soldiers, were ordered to proceed to England, under the command of Captain Poppleton. The four service companies marched to join the head-quarters of the fourth division, at St. Jaō de Pesquira, where they arrived on the 6th of January, and were formed with four companies of the second, or the Queen's Royal, into the second provisional battalion, which was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Bingham of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment.
Taking the field under a superior organization strengthened by reinforcements, and proudly confident in the skill and resources of its commander, the allied army penetrated Spain in May, to turn the French positions on the Douro. The FIFTY-THIRD formed part of the force under Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Graham (afterwards Lord Lynedoch), which proceeded through the mountainous regions of the Tras-os-Montes, and passed the Esla river, the French falling back on Toro. Pressing forward upon their numerous enemies, the British forced them to quit one position after another, until the legions of France were concentrated in the plain of Vittoria, under Joseph Bonaparte, titular King of Spain, where they prepared to oppose the victorious career of the allied army. In the battle of the 21st of June the FIFTY-THIRD formed part of the centre column, under the immediate command of Lord Wellington, and their bearing throughout the day, which ended in the complete overthrow and discomfiture of the French army, was afterwards rewarded with the Royal authority to bear the word "Vittoria" on the colours of the regiment. Their loss was four men killed and six wounded.
The following officers served at the battle of Vittoria,—viz.:
Colonel G. R. Bingham. Captains O. G. Fehrszen and James Mackay. Lieutenants C. F. Hunter, Thomas Impett, James Hamilton, Thomas Dowker, and John Fraser. Ensigns George Fitzgerald, Michael Nagle, and John Wilton. Adjutant John Carss. Surgeon Thomas Sandell; Assistant-Surgeon Charles MacLean. Volunteer John Fernandez.
From the field of battle the FIFTY-THIRD followed the rear of the defeated French army to the vicinity of Pampeluna, and were afterwards employed in the attempt to intercept General Clauzel's French division, which had not been at the battle of Vittoria: this body of troops having escaped by the pass of Jaca, the FIFTY-THIRD were employed in the blockade of Pampeluna; but were relieved by the Spaniards in the middle of July, and advanced into the Pyrenean mountains, where they were stationed in support of the troops occupying the head of the pass of Roncesvalles.
When the French army under Marshal Soult advanced to resume offensive operations, the allied army retired to a position in the Pyrenees in front of Pampeluna, where some severe fighting took place, and the repeated attacks of the French were repulsed. Speaking of the action on the 28th of July, Lord Wellington stated—"In the course of this contest, the fourth division, which has so frequently been distinguished in this army, surpassed its former good conduct." On the 30th of July the FIFTY-THIRD regiment had an opportunity of distinguishing itself, during the severely contested action in the mountains; and the light infantry, commanded by Captain Fehrszen, of the FIFTY-THIRD, signalized themselves in a particular manner. The meritorious conduct of Captain Fehrszen was rewarded with the rank of major. The French were driven from their post, and pursued to their own frontiers: and the word "Pyrenees" on the colours of the regiment commemorates the heroic conduct of the officers and soldiers of the second battalion on this occasion. Their loss was three men killed and twenty-one wounded.
The following officers served at the battle of the Pyrenees:—
Lieut.-Colonel G. R. Bingham. Captains O. G. Fehrszen and James Mackay. Lieutenants C. F. Hunter, Thomas Impett, James Hamilton, and Thos. Dowker. Ensigns George Fitzgerald, Michael Nagle, and John Wilton. Pay-Master J. MacLean. Adjutant John Carss. Quarter-Master R. Blackie. Surgeon T. Sandall. Assistant-Surgeon C. MacLean.
Pursuing the French army through the mountains, the FIFTY-THIRD captured some prisoners and baggage, and arrived at Puerto de Echalar on the 2nd of August, when Major-General Barnes's brigade was engaged with two French divisions, which it drove from the heights. Five days afterwards the FIFTY-THIRD were removed to the vicinity of Lezaca, where the head-quarters of the allied army were established; from this place a few volunteers of the FIFTY-THIRD proceeded to St. Sebastian, and were engaged in storming that fortress on the 31st of August, when two men of the regiment were killed and two wounded. On the same day the French crossed the Bidassoa in considerable force, and attacked the Spanish troops on the heights of San Marcial. On this occasion the FIFTY-THIRD were engaged in extended order in the pass of St. Antonio, where they had one man killed and twenty wounded. The French were repulsed, and giving up all hope of being able to relieve St. Sebastian, they re-crossed the river.
At the passage of the Bidassoa on the 7th of October, the FIFTY-THIRD supported the light division; and during the action on the following day they were in reserve.
Looking down from the lofty Pyrenees on the well guarded territory of France, the British Commander prepared to carry the war into the heart of that kingdom, and on the morning of the 10th of November his conquering divisions traversed the mountain passes by moonlight, to attack the enemy's fortified position on the Nivelle. The FIFTY-THIRD carried bags filled with fern, to fill up the ditch, and small ladders to mount the rampart of a redoubt, which they were directed to take. Advancing under the cover of a heavy cannonade, the soldiers raised a loud and confident shout, as they approached the redoubt, when the French fired a few shots and fled. The redoubt was taken possession of, and about thirty of the enemy, who had not time to escape, were made prisoners. The British were successful at every point, and the French made a retreat. During the action Major Fehrszen had an opportunity of making a sudden dash with a few men, and he succeeded in capturing a field gun. For their gallant services on this occasion the FIFTY-THIRD were rewarded with the Royal authority to bear the word "Nivelle" on their colours, in addition to the other inscriptions previously acquired.
One serjeant and three private soldiers were killed; Major Fehrszen, Captain Mackay, Lieutenant Hamilton, and a few private soldiers wounded.
Names of officers who served at the battle of Nivelle:—
Lieut.-Colonel G. R. Bingham. Major O. G. Fehrszen. Captains James Mackay and John Carss. Lieutenants C. F. Hunter, Tho. Impett, Tho. Dowker, James Hamilton, and John Fraser. Ensigns George Fitzgerald and M. Nagle. Adjutant John Wilton. Assistant-Surgeons James Dunn and Charles MacLean.
At the passage of the Nive river, on the 9th of December, and in the actions which followed, the FIFTY-THIRD were in reserve, and did not sustain any loss: they subsequently went into cantonments during the severe weather which followed.
Some movements were made by the FIFTY-THIRD in the early part of January, 1814; and on the 6th of that month they advanced to attack a body of French troops; but were prevented engaging by a brook, the stream of which was so swollen by the rains as to be impassable. The battalion was afterwards stationed at Ustaritz, where it remained until the middle of February, when active operations were commenced against the French army. After taking part in several movements, the FIFTY-THIRD marched to St. Jean de Luz, where they arrived on the 22nd of February, and were supplied with new clothing at that place.
On the 25th of February the FIFTY-THIRD commenced their march to re-join the army; but were not in time to take part in the battle of Orthes on the 27th of that month. They passed the Adour at St. Sever on the 3rd of March, and joined the fourth division at Grenade, where they remained a week, and afterwards marched in the direction of Bordeaux, which city was taken possession of by the troops under Marshal Beresford; the population renounced their allegiance to the Emperor Napoleon, and declared themselves in favour of the Bourbon dynasty.
In the meantime the six companies which returned to England in January, 1813, had been so successful in recruiting, and in obtaining volunteers from the militia, that they were reported fit for service, and embarked at Portsmouth on the 1st of March, 1814, to join the allied army; they landed at Passages in Spain under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Mansel, and advancing through the mountains into France, continued their march to Tarbes, where they arrived on the 30th of March, and were halted for the purpose of carrying on operations against the castle of L'Ourde, which remained in the possession of the enemy. Lieut.-Colonel Mansel joined the army and took the command of the second provisional battalion, Lieut.-Colonel Bingham having returned to England on leave of absence about two months previously.
The four companies of the FIFTY-THIRD, forming part of the second provisional battalion, had been withdrawn from the road to Bordeaux, and proceeded to the vicinity of Toulouse, where Marshal Soult had assembled the French army to arrest the progress of the allies, who did not receive the news of the abdication of Napoleon until the 12th of April. Marshal Soult's position was attacked on the 10th of April, on which occasion the four companies formed part of the force which turned the enemy's right, and carried the heights on that flank. On ascending the heights, the second provisional battalion encountered a French brigade, in column, which was soon routed. The enemy was driven from his positions; and the word "Toulouse" on the colours of the regiment commemorates the gallant bearing of the officers and soldiers of the FIFTY-THIRD on this occasion. The four companies had a few men killed and wounded; Lieutenant Hamilton died of his wounds, much regretted, being an officer of great promise. Captains Mackay and Mansel, and Lieutenant Impett, were wounded, and recovered.
Names of officers who served at the battle of Toulouse. Lieut.-Colonel J. Mansel. Major O. G. Fehrszen. Captains J. Giles (Major), James Mackay, and R. C. Mansel. Lieutenants C. F. Hunter, J. Hamilton, Thomas Impett, J. Fraser, and G. Fitzgerald. Adjutant J. Wilton. Assistant-Surgeons J. Dunn and C. MacLean.
Marshal Soult having retired from Toulouse, the allied army advanced a short distance beyond the town; and the six companies of the FIFTY-THIRD, from England, arrived and joined the fourth division.
Hostilities were soon afterwards terminated; the island of Elba was ceded to Napoleon Bonaparte in full sovereignty, with the imperial title for life; the Bourbon family was restored to the throne of France; and the victorious soldiers of the allied army were thus rewarded with a complete triumph over the enemies of their country. The Royal authority was afterwards given for the word "Peninsula" to be added to the honorary inscriptions on the colours of the FIFTY-THIRD, to commemorate their meritorious services in Portugal, Spain, and the south of France, where they had fought and conquered for the welfare of Europe.
After reposing a few weeks in convenient quarters, the FIFTY-THIRD marched to the vicinity of Bordeaux, where they were encamped a short period, and received the thanks of Lieut.-General Sir Lowry Cole, commanding the fourth division, in orders;—Colonel Bingham and Lieut.-Colonel Mansel being particularly mentioned. They were also reviewed by the Marquis of Wellington, whose congratulations and expressions of approbation were communicated to the army in general orders, and they afterwards embarked for Ireland. They landed at Monkstown on the 7th of July, and marched to Kinsale, but re-embarked on the 23rd of that month, for England, and landing at Portsmouth, proceeded from thence to Hilsea barracks, where Colonel Bingham joined and assumed the command.
During this period Napoleon Bonaparte had returned to France, his army had been overthrown at Waterloo, and he had surrendered himself to Captain Maitland, commanding the Bellerophon ship of war: the island of St. Helena was afterwards appointed for his future residence. The second battalion of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, having been very successful in recruiting, was selected to accompany Bonaparte to the island named as the place of exile for this extraordinary man. The battalion embarked from Portsmouth on the 1st of August, under the command of Major Fehrszen; Colonel Sir George Bingham[13] commanding the troops employed in this service. It arrived at St. Helena in October, and after occupying the barracks at James Town a few days, proceeded to the interior of the island, where new barracks were constructed, and it furnished the requisite guards, piquets, and sentries for the cordon of General Bonaparte.
At this period the serjeants of the battalion, who had distinguished themselves in the Peninsula, were presented with medals to be worn on their left breasts. The medals were issued by Colonel Sir George Bingham, in compliance with directions from the colonel of the regiment, Lieut.-General Sir John Abercromby, G.C.B., and were delivered to the following serjeants:—
During this year the second battalion remained on duty at St. Helena, where it received the thanks of the Governor, Lieut.-General Sir Hudson Lowe: in May Lieut.-Colonel Mansel arrived and assumed the command.
The second battalion of the FIFTY-THIRD remained on duty at St. Helena until July of this year, when the continued peace of Europe occasioning a considerable reduction in the army, it was ordered to return to England to be disbanded. It transferred thirteen serjeants, one drummer, and two hundred and eighty-eight rank and file to the first battalion in India; and embarking from St. Helena in the middle of July, received, previous to going on board of the ship "Baring," the expression, in general orders, of the Governor's approbation and admiration of its conduct while at St. Helena. Previous to the officers of the FIFTY-THIRD quitting the island, Napoleon Bonaparte expressed a wish for them to wait on him, and the Governor having consented, they attended at the residence of Napoleon. He expressed his thankfulness for the manner in which the corps had performed the duties on which it had been employed, and for the attention and respect he had always experienced from every individual belonging to it; and also expressed his wishes for the prosperity and happiness of every member of the corps.[14]
On the 14th of September the second battalion arrived at Portsmouth, from whence it proceeded to join the depôt at Canterbury, where it was disbanded on the 20th of October.
1817.
FOOTNOTES:
[14] Lord Bathurst, then Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, stated in the House of Peers, that he had heard that General Bonaparte had spoken in terms of high approbation of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment at St. Helena, and added, "Whatsoever the General could say in praise of that corps was not adequate to its merits."
CONCLUSION.
The foregoing pages contain detailed accounts of the meritorious conduct of the first and second battalions of the Fifty-third regiment in Europe, as well as in Asia, and afford abundant proofs of the value of the services of the regiment, which, on numerous occasions, has received the thanks of the General Officers under whom it has served, and the approbation of the Sovereign, as testified by the marks of distinction inscribed on the Regimental Colour.
1849.
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF THE
FIFTY-THIRD,
OR,
THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
William Whitmore,
Appointed 21st December, 1755.
William Whitmore served many years in the third foot guards; he was promoted to the rank of colonel in January, 1751; and in November, 1752, he was appointed major in his regiment. In the winter of 1755–6 he raised, formed, and disciplined a regiment of foot, now the FIFTY-THIRD, of which he was appointed colonel by commission dated the 21st of December, 1755. He was promoted to the rank of major-general in January, 1758, and removed to the ninth regiment of foot in October following. In December, 1760, he was advanced to the rank of lieut.-general. His decease occurred in 1771; at which period he was member of parliament for Portsmouth.
John Toovey,
Appointed 5th April, 1759.
John Toovey was a cavalry officer of reputation in the reign of King George II., and served some years in the thirteenth dragoons. In December, 1754, he was nominated to the lieut.-colonelcy of the first royal dragoons; and in April, 1759, his constant attention to all the duties of commanding officer was rewarded with the colonelcy of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment. In August, 1761, he was promoted to the rank of major-general. He died in 1770.
Robert Dalrymple Horne Elphinstone,
Appointed 5th February, 1770.
This Officer held a commission in the first, the royal regiment of foot, many years, and was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy of the first battalion of that corps on the 20th of June, 1753. On the 3rd of August, 1762, King George III. nominated him to the colonelcy of the 120th regiment, which was raised in the beginning of that year, and disbanded in 1764. In February, 1770, he was appointed Colonel of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment; and was promoted to the rank of major-general two months afterwards. In 1777 he was advanced to the rank of lieut.-general; and in 1793 to that of general. He died in 1794.
Gerard Lake,
Afterwards Viscount Lake,
Appointed 3rd April, 1794.
Gerard Lake, third son of Lancelot Charles Lake, Esq., choosing the profession of arms, was nominated to the commission of ensign and lieutenant in the first foot guards, on the 9th of May, 1758; in 1762 he was promoted to lieutenant and captain, and in 1776 to captain and lieut.-colonel. He served in North America during the War of Independence; was engaged in operations in the southern states, under Major-General the Earl Cornwallis, and had opportunities of distinguishing himself. When Earl Cornwallis's force was besieged in York Town, by the united French and American armies, Lieut.-Colonel Lake commanded a detachment of foot guards and grenadiers of the eightieth regiment, which made a sortie on the 16th of October, 1781, forced the entrenchments, spiked eleven heavy guns, and killed and wounded about a hundred French soldiers. On the surrender of York Town he became a prisoner of war; but hostilities were terminated soon afterwards, and he returned to England; having been promoted to the rank of colonel in February, 1782. In 1784 he was nominated major, and in 1792 lieut.-colonel in the first foot guards. In 1790 he was advanced to the rank of major-general. On the breaking out of the French revolutionary war, he was nominated to the command of the brigade of foot guards which proceeded to Flanders, and served under His Royal Highness the Duke of York. He commanded this brigade at the battle of Famars, and at the siege of Valenciennes; and highly distinguished himself at Lincelles, on the 18th of August, 1793, for which he was thanked in general orders. He also served before Dunkirk, and in other operations: and in 1794 he was rewarded with the colonelcy of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, and the government of Limerick: he was afterwards nominated governor of Dumbarton. In 1796 he was removed to the seventy-third regiment: in 1797 he was promoted to the rank of lieut.-general, and placed on the staff of Ireland, where he evinced talent and energy in suppressing the rebellion which broke out in 1798, and gained several important victories over the insurgents. When the French landed in Ireland, he was obliged to retire a short distance; but additional troops advancing to his aid, he intercepted the French soldiers and forced them to surrender prisoners of war. In 1800 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief in India, and colonel of the eightieth regiment; and in 1802 he was promoted to the rank of general. He arrived in India at the period when the Governor-General, the Marquis Wellesley, was displaying the energies of his mind in counteracting the intrigues of France among the native powers of Hindoostan; and the ambitious designs of the Mahratta chiefs soon called General Lake into the field, when his talents were conspicuously displayed. His spirited and judicious operations at Coel, on the 29th of August, 1803; the assault of Aly Ghur, on the 9th of September; and the overthrow of the Mahratta army near Delhi, on the 11th of September, on which occasion his charger was killed under him, produced decisive results. The country between the Ganges and Jumna rivers, called the Doab (a general name in India for the space between two rivers), became subject to British authority; and six days afterwards General Lake visited the Emperor, Shah Alum, whom he had rescued from oppression, and who conferred upon him titles which signified,—The Saver of the State,—Hero of the Land,—Lord of the Age,—and the Victorious in War.
Afterwards proceeding to Agra, General Lake speedily captured that place, and on the 1st of November he gained an important victory at Leswaree, when the French-officered battalions of Dowlat Rao Scindia were annihilated, the Mahratta army overpowered, and its colours, artillery, and baggage captured. His services on this occasion were of a distinguished character; he led the charge of the cavalry in the morning;—conducted in person the attacks of the infantry, and in the midst of the storm of battle he displayed valour, professional ability, promptitude, and decision; his magnanimous example inspired confidence and emulation in the troops, and they triumphed over very superior numbers. Two horses were killed under him on this occasion.
His important services were rewarded, in 1804, with the title of Lord Lake of Delhi and Leswaree.
Pursuing the war with vigour, Lord Lake routed the power of Holkar at Furruckabad; but the war was protracted by the defection of the Rajah of Bhurtpore; and when his Lordship besieged the city of Bhurtpore, he failed in capturing the place from the want of a battering-train. The Rajah of Bhurtpore was, however, brought to terms; and Lord Lake pursued the hostile Rajah of Berar from place to place, until this chief was brought to submission. The British military power in the East was strengthened by these successes, and the extent and stability of the dominions in India increased.
His Lordship returned to England, and in 1807 he was advanced to the dignity of Viscount Lake.
He caught cold while sitting on the general court-martial which tried Major-General Whitelocke; and died on the 30th of February, 1808.
Welbore Ellis Doyle,
Appointed 2nd November, 1796.
This Officer served in the army during the American war, and on the 21st of March, 1782, he was appointed lieut.-colonel of the 105th regiment of foot, then newly raised by Francis Lord Rawdon. This corps was disbanded at the termination of the American war; and in 1789 he was nominated to the lieut.-colonelcy of the fourteenth foot, at the head of which regiment he distinguished himself in Flanders under His Royal Highness the Duke of York. He was promoted to the rank of colonel in 1793, and to that of major-general in 1795; in 1796 he was nominated colonel of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment. He died in 1798.
Charles Crosbie,
Appointed 3rd January, 1798.
Charles Crosbie was appointed captain in the eighty-sixth regiment on the 24th of August, 1759, and he served with this corps on the coast of Africa, being stationed some time at Senegal. He was promoted to the rank of major, and afterwards to that of lieut.-colonel in the eighty-sixth, which regiment was disbanded after the termination of the seven years' war. In 1778 he was nominated lieut.-colonel of the sixty-seventh regiment; was promoted to the rank of colonel in 1780, and to that of major-general in 1787. In 1794 he was nominated colonel of the Royal Dublin regiment of foot, which was embodied at that period, and disbanded soon afterwards. He was appointed colonel of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment in January, 1797, and promoted to the rank of lieut.-general in December following: in 1802 he was promoted to the rank of general. He died on the 18th of March, 1807.
The Honorable John Abercromby,
Appointed 21st March, 1807.
John Abercromby was the second son of the celebrated General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., who commanded the expedition to Egypt, and was mortally wounded at the battle of Alexandria, on the 21st of March, 1801, thus terminating an honorable life with a glorious death in the hour of victory. As a reward for his gallant conduct his widow was created Baroness Abercromby of Aboukir, and of Tullibody in the county of Clackmannan, by patent dated the 28th of May, 1801.
On the 13th of April, 1782, John Abercromby was appointed cornet in the fifth, the Royal Irish dragoons; and in 1787, when the seventy-fifth regiment was raised by Colonel Robert Abercromby, he was appointed lieutenant in that corps; in 1792 he was promoted captain in the same corps. He served in Flanders under His Royal Highness the Duke of York; and obtained the rank of lieut.-colonel in 1794. In 1795 he was appointed lieut.-colonel in the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, which corps he commanded at the capture of St. Lucia, in 1796, and distinguished himself in the action at the pass of Morne Chabot, for which he was thanked in orders. He commanded the FIFTY-THIRD in the Caribbee war in St. Vincent in 1796,—at the capture of Trinidad, in February, 1797,—and at the unsuccessful attempt on Porto Rico, in April of the same year, under his father, Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby. In 1800 he was promoted to the rank of colonel, and in 1805 to that of major-general: on the 21st of March, 1807, he was nominated to the colonelcy of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment. He obtained the rank of lieut.-general in 1812, and was afterwards placed on the staff of the army in India, where he served two years as governor of Madras, and commander-in-chief of the coast army; but in September, 1814, he resigned his appointments to return to Europe for the benefit of his health. He was afterwards honored with the dignity of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. Proceeding to Marseilles, in the south of France, for the benefit of his health, he died at that place on the 14th of February, 1817, and was buried with military honors, by the French garrison; the funeral was attended by the French authorities, civil and military, of the department and of the city, and also by the consuls of several nations.
In announcing the death of Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir John Abercromby, G.C.B., in regimental orders, Colonel Sir George Bingham stated,—"The length of time he has served in the FIFTY-THIRD regiment,—his great attachment to the corps,—the interest he took in its welfare, as well as in that of every individual belonging to it, will cause him to be particularly regretted by those not personally acquainted with him; while his high military abilities and upright private character will occasion his loss to be regarded as a calamity to the service."
Rowland Lord Hill, G.C.B., G.C.H., K.C.,
Appointed 24th February, 1817.
Rowland Hill was appointed ensign in the thirty-eighth foot in 1790; and in 1791 lieutenant in an independent company, from which he was removed to the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, which proceeded to Flanders at the commencement of the French revolutionary war in 1793, and distinguished itself. In the same year he raised an independent company, was promoted to the rank of captain, and appointed to the eighty-sixth regiment, or Shropshire volunteers, then raised by Major-General Cuyler. He accompanied Mr. Drake on a mission to Genoa, and afterwards proceeded to Toulon, where he served as aide-de-camp to the three successive generals commanding there, viz., Lord Mulgrave, Lieut.-General O'Hara, and Sir David Dundas; and was wounded at the attack of the heights of Arenes, on the 30th of November, 1793, and narrowly escaped with his life, when Lieut.-General O'Hara was taken prisoner. On the evacuation of Toulon, he was sent with despatches to England. In 1794 he was promoted to a majority in the ninetieth regiment, raised at this period by Thomas Graham Esq., (of Balgowan, Perthshire,) afterwards General Lord Lynedoch; and in the same year to a lieut.-colonelcy in that corps. He served at Isle Dieu on the coast of France, at Gibraltar, Malta, and Minorca; on the 1st of January, 1800, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and commanded the ninetieth regiment in the expedition to Egypt under General Sir Ralph Abercromby, distinguishing himself during the action on the 13th of March, 1801, when his regiment was at the head of the right column, and repulsed a charge of cavalry with great gallantry. Colonel Hill fell from the blow of a musket-ball on the right temple, and was removed in a state of insensibility, but recovered; the force of the ball having been resisted by a strong brass binding in front of his helmet. On his return to England he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, and placed on the staff of Ireland, where he was presented with the freedom of Cork. He was promoted to the rank of major-general, and served in the expedition to Hanover, under Lord Cathcart, in 1805; and in 1808 he embarked from Ireland, with a brigade of infantry, to serve in the Peninsula, where he speedily gave presage of those military virtues which adorned his character. He commanded a brigade at the battles of Roleia, and Vimiera, under Sir Arthur Wellesley; and during the advance into Spain under Sir John Moore, and the corps under his orders covered the embarkation at Corunna. He acquired fresh honors at the passage of the Douro at Oporto, on the 12th of May, 1809, when he commanded the corps which first passed the river, after Lieut.-General Sir E. Paget was wounded: and at the battle of Talavera he again distinguished himself, particularly in repulsing the attack of the French on the hill on the left of the position; he was wounded in the head on this occasion. His services during the whole of the campaigns in the Peninsula and South of France were of a distinguished character, and have called forth the commendations of historians, the praises of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington, the thanks of Parliament, the approbation of his Sovereign, and the gratitude of his country. During the early part of 1811, he was absent from the army on account of ill health: but he returned to his post in the month of May with the rank of lieut.-general, and was placed in command of the troops in Estremadura. His abilities were conspicuously displayed in the surprise of a body of French troops at Arroyo dos Molinos, in October, 1811; in the capture of the forts and the destruction of the bridge at Almaraz, in May, 1812; and at the battle of the Nive, on the 13th December, 1813. His reputation was constantly augmented, and his talents, energy, and sound judgment became more conspicuous as the extent of his command was increased, and the nature of his services became difficult. His claim to military eminence was not established by a few solitary acts of courage and skill; but by a career of brilliant service, which will descend to posterity interwoven with the triumphs of the Duke of Wellington, whose victories were followed by the overthrow of the power of Napoleon, and the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty to the throne of France. The services of Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill were rewarded with the dignity of Baron Hill of Almaraz, and of Hawkstone in the county of Salop, by patent dated the 17th of May, 1814.
When the return of Bonaparte to France re-kindled the war in Europe, Lieut.-General Lord Hill was selected to hold an important command in the army in Flanders under Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington; and he was placed at the head of a corps of the allied army at the memorable battle of Waterloo, on the 18th of June, 1815, when the power of Bonaparte was annihilated by British skill and valour, and peace was acquired for Europe. The honorary distinctions conferred upon Lord Hill for his important services, were,—Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath,—Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order,—a medal for the battle of Waterloo,—a cross and three clasps for the battles of Roleia, Vimiera, Corunna, Talavera, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, and Orthes; the Turkish Order of the Crescent,—Grand Cross of the Tower and Sword of Portugal, Commander of Maria Theresa of Austria,—St. George of Russia, and Wilhelm of Holland. He was presented with the freedom of the city of London; and was appointed governor of Hull, and Colonel of the ninety-fourth regiment. In 1817 he was removed to the FIFTY-THIRD regiment.
In 1825 Lord Hill was promoted to the rank of general; and on the 15th of February, 1828, he was appointed General Commanding in Chief, the important duties of which appointment he performed with reputation and advantage to the service fourteen years. He was appointed Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, and Governor of Plymouth, in 1830. His Lordship's resignation of the command of the Army, in August, 1842, was announced in the following General Order:
"Horse Guards, 15th August, 1842.
"General Lord Hill finds it necessary to resign the Command of the Army on account of his Lordship's present state of health, and Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to accept his Lordship's resignation.
"When Lord Hill assumed the command which he now resigns, he expressed, in General Orders, his confident hope, that from the General and other Officers, as well as from the Public Departments of the Army, he should receive that support which should enable him to fulfil the important trust reposed in him.
"That hope has not been disappointed, but, on the contrary, realized beyond Lord Hill's most sanguine expectation.
"The conduct of the Troops has, both in the Field and in Quarters, furnished, during Lord Hill's command of them, an example of discipline, regularity, and general efficiency, not to be surpassed, and the Officers have, by their devotion to their duty, enabled his Lordship to maintain the Army in that creditable state. The Officers have, therefore, established their claim to Lord Hill's lasting gratitude and esteem.
"His Lordship cannot, then, but with painful feelings take leave of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Soldiers, whose conduct has been so uniformly approved by their Sovereign and by their Country.
"These feelings are, however, greatly alleviated and consoled by the reflection that the Command of the Army is now to be resumed by the Duke of Wellington, the ever vigilant and most influential Guardian of its Interests, and whose achievements have raised its character to the highest Pinnacle of Glory."
On the 3rd of September, 1842, Lord Hill was advanced to the dignity of Viscount, by Her Majesty, in consideration of his eminent military services, and in approbation of the ability with which His Lordship had discharged, for a lengthened period, the important duties of General Commanding-in-Chief.
The decease of General Lord Hill occurred on the 10th December, 1842, in the seventy-first year of his age, at Hardwicke Grange, Shrewsbury.
Lord FitzRoy James Henry Somerset, G.C.B.,
Appointed 19th November, 1830.
APPENDIX.
MEMOIR OF THE SERVICES OF MAJOR-GENERAL SIR GEORGE R. BINGHAM, K.C.B.
Sir George Ridout Bingham entered the army in June, 1793, as ensign in the sixty-ninth regiment, and served at Corsica and in the Mediterranean. He was promoted to captain in the eighty-first in 1796, and major in the eighty-second in 1801, and he served with those corps at the Cape of Good Hope and the island of Minorca. On the 14th of March, 1805, he was nominated lieut.-colonel in the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, and assuming the command of the second battalion in Ireland, on the 1st of April, he was at the head of that portion of the regiment during the whole of its arduous and distinguished service in the Peninsula, commencing with the expulsion of Marshal Soult's army from Oporto in 1809, and continued until the end of 1812, when the battalion was so reduced in numbers, that six companies returned to England to recruit; and during these campaigns his conduct reflected honour on the corps to which he belonged. In 1813 he commanded with reputation the second provisional battalion. He received a cross and one clasp for the battles of Talavera, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, and Nivelle; he was also nominated Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, and received permission to accept of the Order of the Tower and Sword of Portugal. He commanded the troops which proceeded to St. Helena with Napoleon Bonaparte, in 1815, and served as brigadier-general at that island until 1820, when he returned to England in consequence of having been promoted to the rank of major-general in 1819. In 1831 he was appointed colonel commandant of a battalion of the Rifle Brigade. He served on the staff of Ireland from 1825 to 1832. He died in 1833. As a soldier and a gentleman he stood high in the estimation of all who knew him; he was an ornament to his profession and an honour to his country.
LONDON:
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For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.