The Project Gutenberg eBook of Historical Record of The Fourteenth, or The King's, Regiment of Light Dragoons, by Richard Cannon.

After reposing a short period in quarters during very severe weather, the army resumed operations in the middle of February, 1814, and the Fourteenth light dragoons took the van in the advance against the enemy's left, which led to the actions at Hellette, Garris, and Sauveterre.

On the 27th of February the battle of Orthes was fought; the Fourteenth shared in the operations of the troops under Sir Rowland Hill, and passing the stream above Orthes, advanced towards the great road to St. Sever, thus operating against the enemy's left. The French were overpowered and driven from the field; the Fourteenth light dragoons earned another inscription, the word 'Orthes,' for their guidons and appointments, and Colonel Hervey was rewarded with another honorary distinction.

The French fell back in disorder, the Fourteenth followed the enemy; crossed the Adour on the 1st of March, and, continuing the pursuit, were engaged, on the following day, at Aire, from whence the French were driven by the troops under Sir Rowland Hill. Serjeant Vernor, and privates Craig and Rose, distinguished themselves on this occasion.

A party, favourable to the house of Bourbon, was known to exist in this part of France, and Marshal Soult sent a body of troops to Pau on the night of the 7th of March, to arrest the nobles who had assembled to welcome the arrival of the Duke D'Angouleme; but Major-General Fane had arrived at Pau with a brigade of infantry and two regiments of cavalry, and defeated the enemy's design. The Fourteenth light dragoons, with two guns attached, made a strong patrol to Pau on the 7th of March, and on the following day fell in with the French detachment, and Captain Townsend and four private soldiers were taken prisoners.

Some offensive movements were made by the enemy on the 13th and 14th of March, and General Pierre Soult proceeded with three regiments of cavalry to Clarac, on the Pau road, to intercept the communication with that town, and to menace the right flank of the allies. The piquet of the Fourteenth at Clarac, repulsed the enemy on the morning of 14th of March, but Captain Babington was taken prisoner. In the evening the piquet under Captain Badcock was attacked by the whole of the fifth regiment of chasseurs and being reinforced by a squadron under Captain Milles, kept its ground until another squadron arrived under Captain Anderson, when the French were repulsed with loss. Captain Milles was rewarded with the brevet rank of Major.

On the 16th of March the regiment repulsed an attack of the enemy in front of Castel Paget. On the 18th at daylight, the army was in movement; the French right was turned by the valley of the Adour, and their out-posts driven back upon Lembege: the leading squadron of the Fourteenth, under Captain Anderson, was engaged with the French on the Lembege road, and Lieutenant Lyons was killed.

A squadron of the regiment, under Captain Milles, was attached to Lieut.-General Stewart's division, and was engaged, on the 19th of March, near Vic Bigorre; on the 20th the regiment took part in the affair at Tarbes, and assumed the out-post duty in the evening; and it was in advance during the march of the army towards Toulouse on the 22nd of that month.

The Fourteenth light dragoons had the honor of serving at the battle of Toulouse on the 10th of April; they were attached to the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, and took part in the operations by which the French army was driven from its ground. Hostilities were soon afterwards terminated; Napoleon Buonaparte abdicated the throne of France, and the Bourbon dynasty was restored.

Thus terminated, with glory to the British arms, a war in which the Fourteenth, the Duchess of York's Own Regiment of Light Dragoons, had acquired a high reputation; it had become justly celebrated for the excellent esprit-de-corps which pervaded the ranks, and especially for the superior style in which the officers and soldiers had, during several years, performed the duties of piquets, patrols, videttes, and other services which devolve upon a corps employed in the out-post duty.

At the termination of the contest, the regiment marched into quarters at Monte Marsan, where the reputation it had acquired occasioned it to be selected from among the other cavalry corps of the army, to take part in the contest between Great Britain and the United States of North America. The regiment marched to Bourdeaux in May, and being there reviewed by Major-General Lord Dalhousie, was complimented on its appearance and efficiency; but the order for its embarkation for America was countermanded.

The regiment marched from Bourdeaux to Calais, where it embarked for England, and landing at Dover on the 17th of July, proceeded from thence to the vicinity of London. It was reviewed on Hounslow Heath, by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, who complimented Colonel Hervey on the appearance and efficiency of the several troops, adding, "They appear as if they had never been on service." After the review the regiment joined the depôt at Weymouth.

The non-effectives during the five years and a half the regiment had been on foreign service, including men invalided and sent home, and horses cast and sold, were 654 non-commissioned officers and private soldiers, and 1564 troop horses. From the period of its leaving Ireland in 1795, it had been recruited from the counties of Worcester, Warwick, Salop, and Bucks, with some volunteers from the fencible cavalry in 1800, and from the royal waggon train in 1810.

The contest in North America, which had been recommenced in 1813, had not terminated, and in the autumn two squadrons of the regiment, dismounted, embarked, and sailing from Plymouth, arrived, on the 24th of November, at Jamaica, where an expedition was assembled under Major-General (afterwards Lord) Keane, for an attempt on New Orleans, situate on the river Mississippi, one hundred and ten miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The approach to this place was particularly difficult; and when the fleet arrived, on the 10th of December, off the coast of Louisiana, the troops had to be removed into light vessels, and eventually into open boats, for the tedious navigation of Lake Bargne, and were afterwards obliged to traverse a difficult morass. Emerging from the morass, the soldiers were opposed by such immense bodies of Americans, with extensively fortified lines and batteries, and armed vessels on the river, that after extraordinary efforts, and exhibitions of valour and perseverance, the enterprise was relinquished.

In the attack on the enemy's lines, on the 8th January, 1815, the two squadrons served dismounted. Major-General the Honourable Sir Edward Pakenham, K.C.B., was killed; Major-Generals Gibbs and Keane were dangerously wounded; and the command devolved on Major-General Lambert, who stated in his public despatch, 'The conduct of the two squadrons of the Fourteenth light dragoons, latterly under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Baker, previously of Major Milles, has been the admiration of every one, by the cheerfulness with which they have performed all descriptions of service.'

The troops returned on board the fleet; and one boat, containing Lieutenant Brydges, Cornet Hammond, one serjeant-major, and thirty-nine rank and file of the regiment, was captured by the Americans.

Hostilities were soon afterwards terminated by a treaty of peace; and the two squadrons arrived in England, and joined the regiment at Hounslow in May; a third squadron which had embarked for America, also rejoined the head-quarters.

This year the regiment was authorized to bear the word "Peninsula" on its guidons and appointments, in commemoration of its services in Portugal, Spain, and France.

Napoleon Buonaparte having quitted Elba, and returned to France, and having regained the throne of that kingdom, war was immediately recommenced; three squadrons of the Fourteenth having sailed for America, the regiment was prevented sharing in the contest which followed; but Colonel Hervey and Major Percy served on the staff of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington.

In December the regiment embarked at Bristol for Ireland, and landed at Waterford and Cork in January, 1816: at the same time the establishment was reduced to eight troops.

A further reduction took place in the two following years; and in 1818 Captains Townsend and Badcock received the rank of major in the army for services in the field during the Peninsular war.

During its stay in Ireland the regiment was several times commended for its conduct and discipline by Major-General White, and Major-General Sir Sydney Beckwith: and on the 27th of May, 1819, it was formed in column and received the personal thanks of Sir George Beckwith, commanding the forces in that part of the United Kingdom. The regiment embarked from Dublin in June, and landed at Liverpool on the 11th of that month.

In the autumn of this year the Fourteenth light dragoons lost their commanding officer, Colonel Sir Felton Bathurst Hervey, Baronet, who died on the 24th September, 1819, and whose death was regretted by the corps.[13] His services had been rewarded with the dignity of a Baronet, and the following distinctions; a cross for the battles of Fuentes d'Onor, Salamanca, Vittoria, and Orthes; a medal for the battle of Waterloo; Companion of the Bath; Companion of the Guelphic Order; the Russian Order of Wladimir; Maria Theresa of Austria; St. Henry of Saxony; Tower and Sword of Portugal; Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria; and the Prussian Order of Merit. He was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Baker.

On the 1st of June, 1822, the regiment was reviewed on Hounslow-heath, with the first and second life guards, royal horse guards, tenth and fifteenth hussars, and a brigade of horse of artillery, by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Commander-in-Chief, who was pleased to express his approbation of the appearance and movements of the troops.

In the autumn of 1823 General the Earl of Bridgewater died, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by Lieut.-General Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur, G.C.B., whose regiment, the nineteenth light dragoons, had been disbanded two years previously.

The regiment remained in England until April, 1825, when it embarked at Bideford for Ireland, landed at Waterford, and marched to Cork and Fermoy.

In 1826 the Fourteenth marched to Dublin, where its appearance, discipline, and interior economy, were commended by Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant, K.C.B., at the inspections in June and September. From Dublin the regiment marched in January, 1827, to Athlone, Ballinrobe, Gort, and Loughrea; it returned to Dublin in March, 1828; was commended for its appearance, efficiency and discipline, and also for its good conduct while in Ireland, by Lieut.-General Sir George Murray, K.C.B., commanding the forces in that country, at the inspection on the 22nd of March; and embarked for Liverpool on the 26th of that month.

From Liverpool the regiment marched to Birmingham and Coventry, and while in these quarters Lieut.-Colonel Baker retired,[14] and was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel John Townsend, by commission dated the 16th of April 1829. In May, 1829, the regiment marched to Leeds, Burnley, and Rochdale.

In April, 1830, the regiment proceeded to Brighton and Chichester, and its appearance, discipline, and interior economy, were commended by Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian at the inspection on the 24th of May.

The regiment was inspected at Brighton on the 19th of June by its colonel, Lieut.-General Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur, G.C.B. who was pleased to express himself 'much gratified by the highly military appearance of the regiment, the celerity and precision of its movements in the field, and the clean and orderly state of the barracks, as well as the fine condition of the horses, all of which prove the zeal and ability of the commanding officer, and the active assistance he receives from the other officers, as well as the steady good conduct of the non-commissioned officers and privates, which he shall not fail to report to the Commander-in-Chief. He requests Lieut.-Colonel Townsend to accept his thanks, and also to communicate them to the officers, and to the regiment. He cannot omit observing the excellent management of the school, and the great progress of the pupils.'

In the same month Lieut.-General Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur was removed to the sixteenth light dragoons, and was succeeded by Major-General Sir Edward Kerrison, Baronet.

In July the regiment marched to London, and was reviewed by His Majesty, King William IV. on the 26th of that month, who was graciously pleased to express his royal approbation of its appearance, and to command that it should in future bear the distinguished title of "The Fourteenth, or The King's, instead of the Duchess of York's Own, Regiment of Light Dragoons." This distinctive appellation occasioned the regiment to discontinue the orange, and, as a Royal regiment, to assume the scarlet facing.

From London the regiment marched to Birmingham and Coventry, where it was stationed until July, 1831, when the head-quarters were removed to Gloucester.

In October, 1831, the political feelings of the lower classes of the city of Bristol being in a highly excited state, and riotous proceedings being anticipated, a troop of the Fourteenth Light Dragoons (with one of the third dragoon guards) was ordered to the vicinity, for the purpose of aiding the magistracy in the preservation of order. The arrival of the Recorder, Sir Charles Wetherell, on Saturday the 29th October, for the purpose of holding the sessions, was the immediate cause of the outbreak. Large bodies of the populace assembled from every quarter, parading the streets, throwing stones at the authorities, breaking windows, and committing other acts of violence. This continued throughout the day; but it was not until evening, that serious consequences began to be apprehended. At dusk, the mob attacked and forcibly entered the mansion house, the Riot Act was consequently proclaimed, and the troops were called to the immediate scene of outrage. They cleared the streets in the neighbourhood of the mansion house, but there not being at hand a sufficient body of constables to act in concert with the troops, the mob still retained possession of the courts and alleys of the city, whither the dragoons were unable to follow them. On Sunday the rioters assembled in greater numbers, and during that day, and the following night, succeeded in destroying the mansion house, custom house, excise office, the bishop's palace, and a vast amount of private property.

On the morning of the 31st October, an additional troop of the Fourteenth light dragoons arrived, and Major Beckwith, who had preceded it, (travelling post from head-quarters at Gloucester), having concerted with the magistrates, who saw the necessity of energetic measures, placed himself at the head of the squadron, and proceeded against the rioters, who were engaged in plundering the cellars of the bishop's palace, which they had destroyed on the day before: the troops were assailed with bottles, stones, &c., but they quickly dispersed the mob; and it having been ascertained that in another part of the city the rioters were about commencing the destruction of the remaining portion of Queen-square, the squadron of the Fourteenth proceeded thither, and put the mob to flight; thence it repaired to the jail, which was regained possession of, and restored to the charge of the civil authorities. The squadron then traversed the quays and wharfs, dispersing every riotous assemblage with which it came in contact, and driving out and pursuing, for some miles, a large body of colliers who had been attracted to the scene of outrage. To this energetic conduct of the Fourteenth Light Dragoons, under Major Beckwith, may be ascribed the restoration of tranquillity and the preservation of the remainder of the city of Bristol.

In June, 1832, the regiment was removed to Hounslow, and was employed on the King's duty, in furnishing escorts for their Majesties and the royal family, &c.

In 1832 the King's Crest was permitted to be borne on the Appointments; and the Prussian Eagle, which had been carried as the regimental badge from the year 1798, was authorised to be continued on the second and third corners of the Regimental Guidon.

In March, 1833, the regiment embarked at Bristol for Dublin, from whence it marched in April, 1834, to Longford.

On the 24th May, 1834, His Majesty commanded that the use of Guidons in regiments of Light Dragoons should be discontinued. The Guidons in regiments of Hussars and Lancers had been directed on 12th March, 1834, to be discontinued.

In May, 1835, the regiment was removed to Dundalk, and in May, 1836, it embarked at Belfast for Glasgow.

The regiment was stationed at Glasgow until the spring of 1837, when it marched to Edinburgh, and occupied Piershill barracks.

In the summer of 1838 the regiment left Scotland; it was stationed at Birmingham until April, 1839, when it marched to Hounslow, from whence it proceeded to Dorchester in May, 1840.

The regiment remained at Dorchester until the 30th of March, 1841, when it was removed to Canterbury, where it arrived on the 10th of April, preparatory to its being embarked for Bombay to relieve the fourth light dragoons.

The regiment being augmented to the India establishment, Major William Havelock, K.H. (from the fourth light dragoons) was promoted to be the second Lieut.-Colonel, and Captain Edward Harvey was promoted to be second Major, on the 30th April, 1841.

On the 24th of May, the first division, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Townsend, embarked at Gravesend for India in the freight ship "Repulse," and arrived at Bombay on the 8th of September, from whence it proceeded to Kirkee: the second division embarked at Gravesend on board of the freight ship "Reliance" on the 14th of June, under the command of Major Barton, and landing at Bombay on the 5th of October following, marched to join the regiment at Kirkee, where it arrived on the 13th of that month.

The Fourteenth light dragoons during the years 1842, 1843, and 1844, continued to be stationed at Kirkee: two squadrons however proceeded on field service to Kolapoor in October, 1844.

Lieut.-Colonel Townsend received leave from India, and he died at Castle Townsend, in Ireland, on the 22nd April, 1845.[15] He was succeeded by Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Edward Harvey, on the 23rd of April.

The two squadrons of the Fourteenth light dragoons, which had proceeded on field service in the southern Mahratta country, rejoined the head-quarters on the 19th of March, 1845, and in the following December the regiment marched from Kirkee, en route to Mhow and Agra.

On the 4th of March, 1846, the regiment marched from Agra to Meerut, arriving at the latter station on the 16th of that month; and in April, 1846, the regiment proceeded to Umballa, where it has continued to the end of the year 1846.

The statement of the services of the Fourteenth, or the King's, Light Dragoons, from the period of the formation of the regiment in 1715 to the present time, (as given in the preceding pages,) affords abundant proofs of the value of its services abroad, as well as at home; and its order, discipline, good conduct, and bravery, have, on numerous occasions, been attested by the general officers under whom the regiment has been employed.

During the Peninsular War, from 1808 to 1814, the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Light Dragoons were principally employed on the important duties of out-posts, on which the safety of an army in the field, and the success of its movements greatly depend.

In the mode of performing these peculiar and important services, the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Light Dragoons, under the direction of active and intelligent officers, acquired the confidence of the Commander of the Forces, and of the division of the army of which they formed a portion.

At the period of the conclusion of this Record, (1846) the regiment is reported to be in a high state of efficiency, and in readiness to evince its prowess whenever the public service may again require its assistance.

FOOTNOTES:

[10] See Memoir in Appendix. Page 75.

[11] See Memoir in Appendix. Page 75.

[12] Colonel Napier's History of the Peninsular War.

[13] See Memoir in Appendix. Page 76.

[14] See Memoir in Appendix. Page 76.

[15] See Memoir in Appendix. Page 76.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

James Dormer obtained a commission at the augmentation of the army in 1701, and his attention to duty, zeal for the service, and personal bravery, evinced while serving under the celebrated John, Duke of Marlborough, were rewarded in 1707 with the rank of colonel in the army, and he was soon afterwards appointed colonel of a newly-raised Irish regiment of foot, with which he embarked for Spain in 1709. He distinguished himself at the battle of Saragossa, and in the advance to Madrid, in 1710, but was surrounded and made prisoner, with his regiment, in the mountains of Castile in the following winter. He was exchanged, and on arriving in England, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General; and in 1712, he succeeded Lord Mohun, who was killed in a duel with the Duke of Hamilton, in the command of a regiment of foot, which was disbanded at the peace of Utrecht. At the augmentation in the summer of 1715, he was commissioned to raise a corps of dragoons,—the present Fourteenth, the King's Regiment of Light Dragoons. He commanded a brigade at the attack of the rebels at Preston, and was wounded at the storming of the avenue leading to Lancaster. He was removed in 1720, to the sixth foot; he was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1727, and to that of Lieut.-General in 1735. In 1738, he was rewarded with the colonelcy of the first troop of horse grenadier guards, and he retained this appointment until his decease in 1742.

This Officer entered the army at the Revolution in 1688, and he served under King William III, in the Netherlands. He also served in the wars of Queen Anne; was promoted to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of Munden's regiment of foot, with which he served in Spain, and signalized himself at the battle of Saragossa in 1710; but was made prisoner at Brihuega. He was shortly afterwards exchanged, and at the close of the campaign of 1711, he was rewarded with the rank of colonel in the army. At the peace of Utrecht, his regiment was disbanded; and in the summer of 1715, he was appointed Lieut.-Colonel of the thirteenth dragoons. In 1720 he was promoted to the colonelcy of the Fourteenth dragoons, from which he was removed to the eighth dragoons in 1737, and in 1739, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. In 1740, he was appointed colonel of the sixth horse, now fifth dragoon guards; and in 1743, he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General. He died in 1744.

Archibald Hamilton entered the army in November, 1688, and at the Revolution he adhered to the Prince of Orange, afterwards King William III, under whose command he served in Flanders. In the reign of Queen Anne, he served in Portugal and Spain, and his regiment (Montjoy's foot), was nearly annihilated at the battle of Almanza in 1707, where he was taken prisoner. This corps was subsequently incorporated into other regiments, and the officers sent home to recruit, and at the peace of Utrecht it was disbanded. In the summer of 1715, he was appointed Lieut.-Colonel of the eleventh dragoons, and in May, 1732, he was promoted to the colonelcy of the twenty-seventh foot: from which he was removed, in 1737, to the Fourteenth dragoons. He died in 1749.

The Hon. James O'Hara was appointed lieutenant in the royal regiment of fusiliers, commanded by his father, on the 15th of March, 1703, and in 1706 he proceeded with his regiment to the relief of Barcelona. In the following year he served on the staff of the army in Spain, and was wounded at the battle of Almanza, where, it is said, he was instrumental in saving the Earl of Galway's life. He served several years at Minorca, and, in 1713, obtained the colonelcy of the royal fusiliers in succession to his father, at whose decease, in 1733, he succeeded to the dignity of Baron Tyrawley. The rank of brigadier-general was conferred on his lordship on the 23rd of November, 1735; that of major-general on the 2nd of July, 1739; and in August of the latter year, he was removed from the royal fusiliers to the fifth horse, now fourth dragoon guards. In March, 1743, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and in the following month obtained the colonelcy of the second troop of horse grenadier guards, from which he was removed, in 1745, to the third troop of life guards, which gave him the privilege of taking the court duty of Gold Stick. In 1746, when King George II. had resolved to disband the third and fourth troops of life guards, his lordship was removed to the tenth foot; he was removed, in 1749, to the Fourteenth dragoons; in 1752, to the third dragoons; and in 1755, to the second, or Coldstream regiment of foot guards. He was appointed Governor of Portsmouth on the 1st of May, 1759, and was promoted to the rank of General on the 7th of March, 1761. He held the appointment of Governor of Minorca for several years, and was employed as envoy and ambassador to the courts of Portugal and Russia. He died at Twickenham on the 13th of July, 1773.

Louis Dejean served many years in the first troop of horse grenadier guards, in which corps he rose to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and in 1746 he was promoted to the colonelcy of a regiment of foot, which was afterwards disbanded. In 1752, he was appointed to the colonelcy of the Fourteenth dragoons; in 1756, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General; in 1757, he was removed to the third Irish horse, now sixth dragoon guards; and in 1759, he was advanced to the rank of Lieut.-General. He died at Dublin, in 1764.

John Campbell entered the army in the reign of King George II., and in 1745, he was promoted to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the fifty-fourth regiment, now forty-third, or Monmouthshire light infantry, with which corps he served a short period in the Netherlands. The rebellion breaking out in Scotland, he quitted Flanders, and in January, 1746, he joined Lieut.-General Hawley, with a thousand Argyleshire highlanders, on the day of the unfortunate battle of Falkirk. He subsequently joined the Duke of Cumberland at Perth, and accompanied His Royal Highness to the north. He was promoted to the rank of colonel, and appointed aide-de-camp to the King in November, 1755; in the following month he was nominated colonel of the fifty-fourth regiment, then first embodied, from which he was removed in 1757, to the Fourteenth dragoons, and in 1759, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General, and appointed colonel of the Argyleshire fencibles; in January 1761, he was advanced to the rank of Lieut.-General. On the decease of his uncle, Archibald, third Duke of Argyle, in 1761, his father, General John Campbell, of the Scots Greys, succeeded to that title, and Lieut.-General Campbell, of the Fourteenth dragoons, became Marquis of Lorne. In the following year he was appointed Commander-in-Chief in Scotland, and in 1765 he was removed to the royal regiment of foot. He was again appointed Commander-in-Chief in Scotland in 1767, and in 1770 he succeeded to the title of Duke of Argyle. He was promoted to the rank of General in 1778; removed to the third foot guards in 1782, and advanced to the rank of Field Marshal in 1796. Being distinguished for many social, private, and public virtues, he was highly honoured and respected in society, and he died lamented, on the 24th day of May, 1806, in the eighty-third year of his age.

Charles Fitzroy, brother of Augustus Henry, Duke of Grafton, was appointed ensign in the first foot guards in 1752; in 1758, he was promoted to the command of a company, with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and in 1762 he was appointed colonel of the 119th, or the Prince's Own regiment of foot, which was disbanded in the following year. He was appointed to the colonelcy of the Fourteenth dragoons, in 1765; was promoted to the rank of Major-General, and removed to the third dragoons in 1772, and in 1777, he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General; in 1780, he was created Lord Southampton. In 1793, he was advanced to the rank of General. He died in 1797.

Daniel Webb was many years an officer of the eighth horse, now seventh dragoon guards, at a period when that corps acquired a high reputation for discipline, efficiency, and valour, and was designated Ligonier's horse. He rose to the rank of major in the regiment; commanded a squadron at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, where his corps highly distinguished itself under the eye of its sovereign; and he also commanded a squadron at the battle of Fontenoy, in 1745. In a few days after the battle, he was promoted to the Lieut.-Colonelcy, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel Francis Ligonier, who was promoted to the colonelcy of the forty-eighth foot. Lieut.-Colonel Webb performed the duties of commanding officer of the eighth horse, until November, 1755, when he was rewarded with the colonelcy of the forty-eighth foot: in 1759, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He served in Germany under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and commanded a brigade of cavalry at the battle of Warbourg in 1760; in 1761, he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General. In 1766, he was removed to the eighth foot, and in 1772, to the Fourteenth dragoons, the command of which corps he retained until his decease in the following year.

This officer held a commission in the eleventh dragoons for many years, and was appointed major of the regiment in 1756. In 1758, he was promoted to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the fourth dragoons, and he brought that corps into so excellent a state of discipline and efficiency, that he received the expression of the high approbation of King George III., on several occasions, when His Majesty reviewed the regiment. He was promoted to the rank of colonel in 1772; in the following year, the King rewarded him with the colonelcy of the Fourteenth dragoons, and four years afterwards he was advanced to the rank of Major-General. In 1778, he was removed to the first Irish horse, now fourth dragoon guards, and he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General in 1782. In 1792 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief in Ireland, and while in that country he devoted much of his time in bringing his regiment into a perfect condition for active service. He possessed sound ideas of what cavalry ought to be; he had an aversion to slow movements, and, although nearly seventy years of age, he exercised his regiment five times a week,—often leading it across the country over hedge and ditch, to the astonishment of every one. In 1796, he was promoted to the rank of General. He was celebrated for philanthropy, and is represented by historians as a "man of inviolable disinterested integrity, public and private; and the bestower of benefactions scarcely less secret than extensive." He died in March 1803.

Robert Sloper was appointed by King George II., to a commission in the tenth dragoons, and at the augmentation of the army in December, 1755, His Majesty promoted him to the majority of the regiment. In February, 1759, he was promoted to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the first dragoon guards, and he commanded that regiment during the remainder of the seven years' war in Germany, where he was repeatedly commended by Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and other general officers under whose command he served. While under his orders, the first dragoon guards were preserved in a high state of discipline and efficiency. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1771, and in 1778, King George III. rewarded him with the colonelcy of the Fourteenth dragoons. In 1782, he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General, and to that of General in 1796; and in the following year he was removed to the fourth dragoons. He was further rewarded with the dignity of a Knight of the Bath, and the government of Duncannon fort. He died in 1802.

John William Egerton, (eldest son of the Rev. John Egerton, afterwards Lord Bishop of Durham), was appointed cornet in the seventh dragoons in January 1771; he obtained the command of a troop in 1776, and in 1779 he was promoted to the majority of the twenty-second light dragoons, from which he was removed to the twentieth in 1781; and in 1782, he was promoted to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the twenty-first light dragoons, which corps was disbanded in the following year, in consequence of the termination of the American war. In 1790, he was appointed to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the seventh light dragoons; he was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1793, and to that of Major-General in 1795. He served some time on the staff in Ireland, and was removed to the eastern district of England in 1796: in the following year His Majesty conferred upon him the colonelcy of the Fourteenth light dragoons, and promoted him in 1802, to the rank of Lieut.-General. On the decease of his cousin, Francis, third Duke of Bridgewater, in 1803, he succeeded to the title of Earl of Bridgewater, and in 1812, he was promoted to the rank of General. He retained the colonelcy of the Fourteenth light dragoons twenty-six years, and was particularly proud of the high reputation which his regiment acquired during the Peninsular war. He died in 1823.

General Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur, G.C.B., was removed to the sixteenth lancers on the 18th of June 1830.

APPENDIX.

General Sir Samuel Hawker, G.C.H., entered the army as a Cornet in the Sixteenth Light Dragoons, on the 15th May, 1779, and rose to the rank of Major in April, 1797. On the 6th June, 1799, he was appointed to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the Sussex Fencible Cavalry, and was removed to the Fourteenth Light Dragoons on the 12th of June, 1800. On the 25th April, 1808, he was appointed one of the aides-de-camp to King George III, with the rank of Colonel in the army, as a mark of His Majesty's approval of his services, and of the efficient state of the Fourteenth Light Dragoons. In December, 1808, he embarked for Portugal in command of the regiment, and was engaged in several actions with the French army, particularly at the memorable battle of Talavera, where the regiment distinguished itself, and was highly commended in the official despatches:—He was promoted to the rank of Major-General on the 4th June, 1811, and relinquished the command of the regiment at that period: he was appointed to serve as a Major-General upon the staff of Great Britain on the 25th November, 1811, and was employed in the eastern district until the 24th September, 1814: he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General on the 19th July, 1821; and on the 22nd July, 1829, was appointed Captain of Yarmouth Castle in the Isle of Wight.

On the 22nd April, 1831, he was nominated by His Majesty King William IV., to the Colonelcy of the Third, or Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards; he was advanced to the rank of General on the 28th June, 1838; and he died on the 27th December of that year, after a faithful service of nearly sixty years.

Lieutenant-Colonel Neil Talbot entered the army as an ensign in the twenty-seventh regiment on the 25th June 1789; was promoted to a lieutenancy on the 30th November 1791; and to a company in the hundred and eighteenth regiment, on the 10th July 1794. On the 19th October 1796, Captain Talbot was removed to the Fourteenth light dragoons; he was promoted to a majority on the 25th June 1802, and to a lieut.-colonelcy on the 22nd August 1805. In December 1808, he embarked with the regiment for the Peninsula. Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot was engaged in an affair with the enemy near Sexmiro on the 11th July 1810, when an attempt was made to cut off the French piquets on the Agueda. On this occasion Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot was killed.

Colonel Sir Felton Bathurst Hervey, Bart., entered the army as a cornet in the third dragoon guards on the 6th May 1800. He was promoted to a company of infantry on the 9th July 1803, and removed to the Fourteenth light dragoons on the 28th of July of that year; he was promoted major on the 8th May 1806. On the 2nd August 1810, he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the regiment in succession to Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot. He was appointed aide-de-camp to the Prince Regent with the rank of colonel, on the 4th June 1814. After commanding the regiment during four years of the Peninsular war, and obtaining several distinctions for gallant conduct, he died on 24th September 1819, to the great regret of the regiment, and of his numerous military and other friends.

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Massey Baker, entered the army as an ensign in the twenty-seventh regiment on the 30th March 1788; was promoted to a lieutenancy on the 30th November 1791; and to a troop in the twenty-second dragoons on the 31st August 1795. He was removed to the Fourteenth light dragoons on the 3rd March 1804; was promoted to a majority on the 30th January 1813, and to the lieut.-colonelcy of the regiment on the 30th September 1819 in succession to Colonel Sir Felton B. Hervey, deceased. Lieutenant-Colonel Baker retired from the service on the 15th April 1829, and was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Townsend.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Townsend, entered the army as a cornet in the Fourteenth light dragoons on the 24th June 1805; was promoted to a lieutenancy on the 27th February 1806; to be captain of a troop on the 6th June 1811. He served in the Peninsula from December 1808, until taken prisoner near the city of Pau in France on the 8th March 1814, including the different affairs of the 10th and 11th May and in crossing the Douro on the 12th May 1809; battle of Talavera in July 1809; affair with the enemy's advanced posts on the 11th July 1810 in front of Ciudad Rodrigo under the command of Colonel Talbot, who was killed; passage of the Coa; skirmishes of the rear guard from Almeida to the lines of Torres Vedras in 1810; affairs in the enemy's retreat from Santarem to the frontiers of Spain from 6th March to 4th April 1811; battle of Fuentes d'Onor, where he was wounded; affair with the enemy's lancers on the 25th September 1811; siege of Badajoz; affairs with the enemy's cavalry at Usagre, Llerena, in front of Salamanca, and near Castrillos; battle of Salamanca; affair with the enemy's rear guard near Panerandos; several skirmishes from Madrid to Ciudad Rodrigo, and from the 26th May near Salamanca to the battle of Vittoria; taking of a gun from the enemy near Pampeluna, and several engagements and skirmishes from the entrance of the British army into France, until the battle of Orthes. He embarked for America in October 1814, and was present at the attack on New Orleans on the 8th of January 1815. He was promoted to a majority on the 13th September 1821; and to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment on the 16th April 1829. He embarked in command of the regiment for India on the 24th May 1841, and was appointed aide-de-camp to the Queen, with the rank of colonel, on the 23rd November, 1841. He returned from India, on leave of absence, in the early part of the year 1845, and died at Castle Townsend, in Ireland, on the 22nd April 1845.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Havelock, entered the army as ensign in the forty-third regiment on the 12th July 1810; was promoted lieutenant on the 12th May 1812, and captain in the thirty-second regiment on the 19th February 1818: he exchanged to the fourth light dragoons on the 19th July 1821, and was promoted major on the 31st December 1830. Major Havelock was promoted from the fourth light dragoons to be lieut.-colonel, on the augmentation of the Fourteenth light dragoons to the India establishment, on the 30th April 1841.

Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Harvey, entered the army as cornet in the fourth light dragoons on the 24th March 1825; was promoted lieutenant on the 4th May 1826, and captain of infantry on the 12th October 1830; he exchanged to the Fourteenth light dragoons, on the 27th December 1833, and was promoted major on the 30th April 1841. On the 31st December 1841, he received the rank of lieutenant-colonel by brevet, and was appointed second lieutenant-colonel of the Fourteenth light dragoons, on the decease of Lieutenant-Colonel Townsend, on the 23rd April 1845.