Historical record of the Sixty-Seventh, or the South Hampshire Regiment / Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1758, and of its subsequent services to 1849

Napoleon's reverses in Germany, and the brilliant successes of the allied army under the Marquis of Wellington, had a great effect upon the war in Catalonia, and the troops under Marshal Suchet withdrew from several posts. The SIXTY-SEVENTH marched, in February, 1814, to the vicinity of Barcelona, and formed part of the force employed in the investment of that place.

Hostilities were terminated in April by a treaty of peace. Napoleon abdicated the throne of France, and the island of Elba was ceded to him in full sovereignty with the imperial title for life, and a pension payable from the revenues of France; and on the 3rd of May, 1814, Louis XVIII. entered Paris, and ascended the throne of his ancestors.

Field-Marshal the Marquis of Wellington, in his despatch dated Toulouse, 19th of April, 1814, alluded to the conduct of the troops under Lieutenant-General William Clinton in the following terms:—

"Upon the breaking up of this army, I perform a most satisfactory duty in reporting to your Lordship my sense of the conduct and merit of Lieutenant-General William Clinton, and of the troops under his command since they have been employed in the Peninsula. Circumstances have not enabled those troops to have so brilliant a share in the operations of the war as their brother-officers and soldiers on this side of the Peninsula; but they have not been less usefully employed; their conduct, when engaged with the enemy, has always been meritorious; and I have had every reason to be satisfied with the General Officer commanding, and with them."

The SIXTY-SEVENTH withdrew from Barcelona, marched to Tarragona, and embarked at that port on the 24th of April for Gibraltar, where they arrived on the 4th of May.

Peace was of short duration. The return of Bonaparte to France, and his enthusiastic reception at Paris, caused Louis XVIII. to retire to Ghent. The Allied Powers, however, refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of Napoleon, and he was obliged to trust once more to the chances of war. The campaign was brief; totally defeated in the celebrated battle of Waterloo, on the 18th of June, 1815, Bonaparte was subsequently compelled to surrender himself a prisoner to Captain Maitland, commanding the Bellerophon ship of war; and the island of St. Helena was afterwards appointed for his future residence.

On the 6th of April, 1815, the second battalion of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment received the royal authority to bear on its colours and appointments the word "Peninsula," in commemoration of its services in Spain.

During this period the SIXTY-SEVENTH remained at Gibraltar, from which station the battalion embarked for England, on the 25th of March, 1817, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H. P. Davison, and arrived at Chatham on the 14th and 15th of May following.

All apprehensions that the peace of Europe would be disturbed having ceased, the Government decided on making certain reductions in the army, and the second battalion of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment was disbanded at Canterbury on the 25th of May, 1817.

1817.

CONCLUSION.

The details contained in the foregoing pages show, that the reputation acquired by the Twentieth Regiment in the wars during the reigns of King William III. and of Queen Anne,—in the defence of Gibraltar in 1727,—and at the battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy, has been preserved unsullied by the SECOND BATTALION of that corps since the year 1758,—at which period it was constituted the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment.

In the rocky and almost impregnable position of Belle-Isle may be traced an analogy between its capture, and that of Quebec, although in the acquisition of the former the Nation had not to regret the loss of such a Commander as Major-General James Wolfe, the first Colonel of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, whose death cast a gloom over the triumphs of the British Arms in the conquest of Canada.

The Royal Tiger, and the word "India" superscribed, borne on the regimental colour, record the services of the FIRST BATTALION in the East during a period of twenty-one years from 1805 to 1826; while the inscriptions of "Barrosa" and "Peninsula" denote the share taken by the SECOND BATTALION in support of Spanish Independence from 1810 to 1814.

Services like these, combined with arduous duties in the Colonies of Great Britain, have acquired for the regiment the confidence of the Nation and the approbation of the Sovereign, while its orderly conduct in quarters has obtained the commendation of the Military Authorities under whom it has been employed.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF

THE SIXTY-SEVENTH,

OR

THE SOUTH HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.

James Wolfe.

Appointed 21st April, 1758.

Major-General James Wolfe, son of Lieut.-General Edward Wolfe, was born at Westerham, in Kent, on the 11th of January, 1726, and entered the army as a second lieutenant in Colonel Edward Wolfe's First regiment of Marines, on the 3rd of November, 1741. On the 27th of March, 1742, he was removed to the Twelfth foot, in which regiment he was promoted lieutenant on the 14th of July, 1743. He was appointed to a company in the Fourth foot on the 23rd of June, 1744, and obtained his majority in the Thirty-third regiment on the 5th of February, 1747. The war of the Austrian Succession afforded him many occasions to show the bravery and decision of his character; and at the battle of Val, or Laffeld, on the 2nd of July, 1747, when only twenty-one years of age, his masterly exertions, at a critical juncture, procured his appointment as a major of brigade, and the highest encomiums from His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, then at the head of the army. He was removed to the Twentieth regiment on the 5th of January, 1749, in which he was promoted to the rank of lieut.-colonel on the 20th of March, 1750. After the peace he cultivated the arts of war, and introduced such exactness of discipline into his corps, that as long as the six British battalions[20] on the plains of Minden are recorded in the annals of Europe, so long will Kingsley's (Twentieth) stand amongst the foremost of that day. He received the brevet rank of colonel on the 21st of October, 1757, and in January, 1758, was appointed brigadier-general in America. He was appointed colonel of the SIXTY-SEVENTH on the 21st of April, 1758, on the second battalion of the Twentieth being constituted the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment. In July following he distinguished himself at the capture of the island of Cape Breton. On his return to England he was appointed to command the important expedition against Quebec, with the local rank of major-general. This was an expedition of considerable difficulty and danger. He was to sail up the St. Lawrence and capture Quebec, which is situated on its shores. The place was, by its natural formation, very strong, and succours of all kinds had been thrown into the town; and the garrison, consisting of French, Canadians, and Indians, was prepared at all points for the attack. Major-General Wolfe on landing at the Isle of Orleans found it necessary to seize and to fortify Point Levi, and the western parts of the isle, as the Canadians might otherwise prevent a ship approaching Quebec. These points having been attained, he ordered works to be constructed there for the bombardment of the town. The French endeavoured to prevent the construction of these works, and crossed the river for that purpose, but in vain. Finding, however, that an attack on the city from the river side would be of small effect, Major-General Wolfe resolved to carry on the attack on the land side. To effect this, he first attempted to land his troops some miles below the town near the falls of Montmorenci; here he was repulsed by a large division of the French forces, with loss. Undismayed by his repulse near the falls of Montmorenci, on the 31st of July, 1759, he saw, in this reverse, the necessity of greater efforts, and conceived the bold design of drawing the French from their unassailable position by scaling the heights of Abraham. The soldiers clambered up the heights with great difficulty, and the guns were hauled up by means of ropes and pulleys fixed round the trees, which covered the banks from top to bottom. At the top the plain commences, and extends close under the walls of the city. By this arrangement he forced the French to come out of the city. The Marquis de Montcalm was thus compelled to abandon his camp, and risk a battle for the protection of Quebec. While bravely animating his troops on the 13th of September, 1759, and at the moment when victory was almost within his grasp, he received a wound in the wrist, and another in the breast, which rendered it necessary to bear him to the rear. There, roused from fainting, in the agonies of death, by the cry of "They run! they run!" he eagerly, asked "Who run?" and being told the French, and that they were defeated, he exclaimed, "Then I thank God, and die contented;" and almost immediately expired.[21] He was in the thirty-fourth year of his age. Brigadier-Generals Monckton and Townshend, after the loss of their commander, completed the victory. On the 18th of September Quebec surrendered; and, like Gibraltar, conquered by a similar bold exploit, has, to the present time, continued an appendage to the crown of Great Britain. The remains of Major-General Wolfe were conveyed to Portsmouth, and at night on the 20th of November were deposited in the family vault at Greenwich. A handsome monument was also erected, by order of Government, to his memory in Westminster Abbey. The Major-General is represented as endeavouring to close, with his hand, the wound made in his breast, and is supported by a grenadier. An angel is seen in the clouds, holding a wreath ready to crown the expiring hero. On the pyramid is represented, in relief, the faithful Highland serjeant who attended him; and his sorrow at witnessing the agonies of his dying master is so pathetically expressed, that a spectator can scarcely view the sculpture unmoved. In the front, in alto-relief, is depicted the landing at Quebec, with a view of the precipices the troops had to ascend before the enemy could be attacked. The inscription is as follows:—
"To the memory of James Wolfe, Major-General and Commander-in-Chief of the British Land Forces on an expedition against Quebec, who, after surmounting, by ability and valour, all obstacles of art and nature, was slain in the moment of victory, on the 13th of September, 1759, the King and the Parliament of Great Britain dedicate this monument."

Lord Frederick Cavendish.

Appointed 24th August, 1759.

Lord Frederick Cavendish, third son of William (third) Duke of Devonshire, was honoured with having the Prince of Wales (father of King George III.) for his godfather. Choosing the profession of arms, he entered the army as ensign in the First foot guards, and was appointed lieutenant and captain in the Second foot guards in 1752; in 1755 he was nominated lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-ninth regiment; he was honoured with the appointment of aide-de-camp to King George II., with the rank of colonel, in 1758, and in 1759 he obtained the colonelcy of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, from which he was removed in 1760 to the Thirty-fourth. He was promoted to the rank of major-general in 1761,—to that of lieutenant-general in 1770,—general in 1782,—and field-marshal in 1796. In 1797 he resigned the colonelcy of his regiment. He died in October, 1803.

Sir Henry Erskine, Bart.

Appointed 30th October, 1760.

Sir Henry Erskine was an officer of the Royal regiment, in which corps he was appointed captain on the 12th of March, 1743; in April, 1746, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and held the appointment of Deputy-Quartermaster-General to the expedition under Lieutenant-General St. Clair, which made a descent on the French coast, in which service he was wounded. In June, 1759, he was promoted to the rank of major-general; and in October, 1760, he obtained the colonelcy of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, from which he was removed in 1761 to the Twenty-fifth regiment, and in 1762 to the colonelcy of the Royals. He was a Member of Parliament, and Secretary to the Order of the Thistle, and died in August, 1765.

Hamilton Lambert.

Appointed 29th May, 1761.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton Lambert, of the Thirty-first regiment, was promoted to the rank of colonel in the army on the 1st of March, 1761. Shortly afterwards he proceeded with the expedition for the attack of Belle-Isle, in the Bay of Biscay, under Major-General Hodgson. Colonel Lambert received the rank of brigadier-general on this expedition, and highly distinguished himself in the capture of Belle-Isle, which surrendered on the 7th of June, 1761. Brigadier-General Lambert's services at Belle-Isle are narrated at pages 5 and 6 of the Historical Record of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, the colonelcy of which was conferred upon him by His Majesty King George III., on the 29th of May, 1761. On the 10th of July, 1762, he was promoted to the rank of major-general, and was advanced to that of lieutenant-general, on the 25th of May, 1772. Lieutenant-General Lambert died in the year 1774.

Edward Maxwell Brown.

Appointed 11th March, 1774.

The early services of this officer are connected with the Twenty-first, Royal North British Fusiliers, which regiment served in Germany during the war of the Austrian Succession, and was present at the battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy. At the battle of Fontenoy, on the 11th of May, 1745, Lieutenant Maxwell was wounded. On the 7th of August, 1749, he was promoted to a company in the Twenty-first regiment; and on the 17th of September, 1757, was advanced to the rank of major. Major Maxwell was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the same regiment on the 27th of April, 1758. In the year 1761, Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Maxwell commanded the Twenty-first Fusiliers in the expedition under Major-General Hodgson, for the attack of Belle-Isle. The island was captured with much difficulty, but was restored to the French at the peace in 1763, in exchange for Minorca. Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell obtained the rank of colonel in the army on the 25th of May, 1772; and on the 11th of March, 1774, was appointed by His Majesty King George III. to the colonelcy of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment. He was further advanced to the rank of major-general on the 29th of August, 1777; and to that of lieutenant-general on the 20th of November, 1782. In 1786, Lieutenant-General Edward Maxwell was permitted to assume the additional surname of Brown. On the 3rd of May, 1796, he was promoted to the rank of general. The decease of General Edward Maxwell Brown occurred in the year 1803.

Francis D'Oyly.

Appointed 25th February, 1803.

The regimental services of Lieutenant-General Francis D'Oyly are associated with the First regiment of foot guards, in which he obtained a company, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, on the 27th of April, 1780. On the 18th of November, 1790, he received the rank of colonel in the army; and on the 3rd of October, 1794, was advanced to that of major-general. On the 11th of October, 1797, he became lieutenant-colonel in the First foot guards; and on the 25th of November, 1799, was appointed, by His Majesty King George III., colonel-commandant of the Fifteenth regiment of foot. Major-General D'Oyly was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general on the 1st of January, 1801; and on the 25th of February, 1803, was appointed by the King to the colonelcy of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment. The decease of Lieutenant-General D'Oyly took place suddenly on the 4th of March, 1803, at his residence in Half-moon Street, Piccadilly.

Peter Craig.

Appointed 9th March, 1803.

General Peter Craig commenced his military career as ensign in the Thirtieth foot, on the 28th of May, 1762; and on the 1st of June, of the following year, obtained his lieutenancy. He was promoted to a company in the Fifty-seventh regiment, on the 25th of March, 1768; and was advanced to the rank of major in that corps, on the 14th of December, 1774. On the 9th of January, 1779, he became lieutenant-colonel of the Fifty-sixth regiment, then stationed at Gibraltar, which had the honour of forming part of the garrison in the successful and gallant defence of Gibraltar against the combined power of France and Spain, from 1779 to 1783. On the 20th of November, 1782, he obtained the brevet rank of colonel; and on the 12th of October, 1793, Colonel Craig was promoted to the rank of major-general; on the 1st of January, 1798, he was advanced to that of lieutenant-general. His Majesty King George III. appointed Lieut.-General Craig colonel-commandant of the Sixty-second regiment, on the 25th of November, 1799; and on the 9th of March, 1803, he was nominated colonel of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment. On the 25th of September, 1803, he obtained the rank of general. His decease occurred in the year 1810.

Sir William Keppel, G.C.B.

Appointed 7th February, 1811.

This officer served fifty-six years in the army, having entered the service in the year 1778. He served in North America and the West Indies, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general in the year 1803; and colonel-commandant of the Sixtieth regiment, on the 24th of April, 1806; he was appointed by the Prince Regent, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty King George III., to the colonelcy of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, on the 7th of February, 1811, on the decease of General Peter Craig. His Majesty King George IV. removed General the Right Honorable Sir William Keppel to the colonelcy of the Second, or Queen's Royal regiment, in the year 1828, on the decease of Major-General Sir Henry Torrens. In 1813 Sir William Keppel was raised to the rank of general in the army; and was for many years Groom of the Bedchamber and Equerry to His Majesty King George IV., who bestowed on him the appointment of Governor of Guernsey, when it became vacant by the death of the Earl of Pembroke, in 1827. The Right Honorable General Sir William Keppel, G.C.B., died at Paris, on the 11th of December, 1834.

Sir John Macdonald, G.C.B.

Appointed 25th August, 1828.

Removed to the FORTY-SECOND, ROYAL HIGHLAND REGIMENT, on the 15th of January, 1844.

John Clitherow.

Appointed 15th January, 1844.

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