On the decease of General Hargrave in January, 1751, the command of the Royal Fusiliers was conferred on Colonel John Mostyn, who was removed, in August, 1754, to the thirteenth dragoons, and was succeeded by Colonel Lord Robert Bertie.

In the spring of 1755 the regiment embarked from Dublin, and, having landed at Liverpool, occupied quarters in England until the breaking out of the Seven Years' War, when it was embarked on board the fleet commanded by Admiral Byng, in March, 1756, to serve as marines, and sent to the Mediterranean to endeavour to preserve Minorca from the power of the French. It served at the engagement with the French fleet off Minorca on the 20th of May; but the enemy had previously landed an army, and captured the whole island excepting Fort St. Philip, and the relief of this fort was not attempted. The admiral was afterwards brought to trial and shot.

The Royal Fusiliers landed at Gibraltar, and were stationed at that fortress during the remainder of the war. In 1763 they embarked for England; in 1765 they proceeded to Scotland; but returned to England in the spring of 1770, and in April, 1773, they embarked for Canada.

After performing garrison duty at Quebec several months, the regiment embarked for Montreal, and occupied several posts in Lower Canada.

While the Royal Fusiliers were in Lower Canada, the misunderstanding between Great Britain and her North American colonies, on the subject of taxes, attained a crisis; thirteen states united against the mother-country, and, hostilities having commenced, the Congress resolved to attempt the conquest of Canada. The only regular forces in Lower Canada, at this period, were the Seventh and twenty-sixth regiments, and their number being weak, they were unequal to the defence of this extensive province against the very superior numbers of the enemy: the eighth foot were in upper Canada.

In May, 1775, a body of Americans surprised and captured the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown-point; and this success was followed by the advance of two divisions of the American army at different points. The British governor, Lieut.-General Carlton, sent the Royal Fusiliers and twenty-sixth from Montreal to St. John's, where they were employed in constructing two redoubts.

In the autumn one division of the American army, under Colonel Montgomery (a native of Ireland, who had quitted the British service a short time before, and settled at New York), besieged St. John's. The garrison, consisting of five hundred and fifty men of the Seventh and twenty-sixth, and a few Canadian volunteers, commanded by Major Charles Preston of the twenty-sixth, had but a small supply of ammunition and provision, and the works were in an imperfect state, yet a most gallant resistance was made.

The American commander turned the siege into a blockade, and invested Fort Chambly, where Major the Honourable Joseph Stopford of the Royal Fusiliers, and about eighty men, were in garrison. This post kept up the communication between St. John's and Montreal; but the works were not in a good condition; the place was not deemed capable of resisting artillery, and no effectual resistance could, consequently, be made against the very superior numbers of the enemy. The garrison surrendered on the 20th of October.

After this success Colonel Montgomery resumed the siege of St. John's, and the Seventh and twenty-sixth regiments made a determined resistance. The hardships they endured were borne with patience; they were often knee-deep in mire, and were reduced to half-allowance of provision; yet they held out with the most heroic bravery until their strength was exhausted, and no chance of being relieved remained, when they surrendered. Thus at the commencement of the war the Royal Fusiliers were nearly all made prisoners.

The enemy subsequently advanced upon Montreal, and Lieut.-General Carlton, being deserted by the Canadians, and without the means of defence, retired down the river St. Lawrence to Quebec, accompanied by a party of the Royal Fusiliers.

Quebec was besieged by two divisions of Americans under Colonels Montgomery and Arnold, and the garrison, of which sixty men of the Royal Fusiliers formed part, defended the place with firmness and intrepidity; the winter was particularly severe, and the soldiers of both sides served amidst ice and snow. About five o'clock on the morning of the 31st of December, during a storm of sleet and snow, the Americans made a general assault with the view of carrying the place by storm; but the garrison withstood the tempest of war with such determined resolution, that the storming party was repulsed with the loss of between six and seven hundred men; Colonel Montgomery was killed, and Colonel Arnold wounded. The garrison only lost one officer and four private soldiers killed, and seven private soldiers wounded.

After this repulse the Americans turned the siege into a blockade, and placed their troops in village cantonments: in April, 1776, they resumed the siege, and the British defended the place with resolution. In the early part of May reinforcements arrived from England, and on the 6th of that month Lieut.-General Carlton marched out of the fortress at the head of the garrison to attack the American camp, when the besieging army made a precipitate retreat, leaving its artillery, stores, scaling ladders, &c., behind. The British followed their opponents up the country, recovered Montreal, and drove the Americans out of Canada.

In the meantime a detachment of the regiment had arrived at Boston from England, and on the evacuation of Boston, it proceeded to Halifax in Nova Scotia.

In October, 1776, Lord Robert Bertie was appointed to the command of the second troop (now second regiment) of life guards; and the colonelcy of the Royal Fusiliers was conferred on their lieut.-colonel, William Prescott, by commission dated the 12th of November, 1776.

In the autumn of this year the Royal Fusiliers transferred their services from Canada to New York; as the men taken prisoners were exchanged, the numbers of the regiment were increased; clothing and appointments arrived from England, and the regiment occupied quarters for the winter at Amboy in Middlesex county.

From Amboy the Royal Fusiliers were removed to Staten Island, which was attacked in August, 1777, by the Americans under General Sullivan, who were repulsed with loss.

At this period a British force under Lieut.-General Burgoyne was advancing from Canada upon Albany; at the same time another British army under General Sir William Howe was proceeding against Philadelphia; and Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton, who commanded at New York, resolved to penetrate into Jersey for a diversion in favour of both armies. The Royal Fusiliers, with several other corps, were accordingly embarked for this service, and on the 12th of September effected a landing at four different places without meeting with serious opposition. The Seventh, twenty-sixth, and fifty-second regiments, with a body of German grenadiers and three hundred provincials under Brigadier-General Campbell, landed at Elizabeth-Town-Point, at about four in the morning, and advanced up the country: the enemy opposed the march, and a sharp firing was kept up throughout the day. The King's forces, however, had the advantage; they took Newark, and were advancing on Aquakinack, when they received orders to halt and wait the advance of the troops which had effected a landing at the other points. The enemy afterwards appeared in force, and several skirmishes occurred, but the British succeeded in capturing four hundred head of cattle, four hundred sheep, and a few horses. On the 16th of September the Royal Fusiliers marched to Bergen Point, where they re-embarked and returned to Staten Island, without the loss of one man in this expedition, and with only Lieutenant Haymer and one private soldier wounded.

In October of the same year the Royal Fusiliers were embarked to join an expedition against the enemy's forts up Hudson's River. About three thousand men were collected for this service from New York and the lines at Kingsbridge; and having embarked on board of transports, were convoyed up the river by some frigates and other armed vessels under Commodore Hotham. The troops landed at day-break on the 6th of October at Stony-point, and arrangements were immediately made for the attack of Forts Montgomery and Clinton. The troops had to march a distance of twelve miles over mountains, and to overcome many obstructions; they, however, surmounted every difficulty, and attacked the forts by storm on the same day. As the Americans were prepared, and their works strong, they made an obstinate defence; but nothing could withstand the ardour of the royal troops, and every corps gained a share in the glory. Fort Constitution was also taken on the 7th of October. Not far from these forts was a new settlement called Continential Village, where there was a barrack for fifteen hundred men. The Royal Fusiliers, with two German corps and two three-pounders, were sent against this place, and having destroyed the settlement and burnt the barrack and stores, the troops returned.

Notwithstanding these successful diversions, Lieut.-General Burgoyne experienced great difficulties in his advance, and eventually, his troops being exhausted with fatigue and privation, his advance opposed by superior numbers, and his retreat cut off, he capitulated. The army under General Sir William Howe had better success, and captured Philadelphia. The enemy having despatched part of the force originally opposed to Lieut.-General Burgoyne, to join their army of the south under General Washington, the Royal Fusiliers were sent from the vicinity of New York to reinforce the army in Pennsylvania, and in the early part of December they were engaged in a skirmish with the Americans in front of Philadelphia; but only lost one man.

Louis XVI. having acknowledged the independence of the revolted British States in America, and concluded a treaty of alliance with them, Great Britain declared war against France; and as the French had agreed to assist the Americans, a concentration of the British forces was deemed advisable. The army accordingly retired in June, 1778, from Philadelphia, and crossed the Delaware, and proceeded through the Jerseys, from whence it embarked for New York. Numerous obstacles had to be overcome in this retreat, and the troops suffered much from the excessive heat of the weather: some sharp skirmishing also took place, but the Royal Fusiliers do not appear to have sustained any loss.

The regiment remained at the lines near New York until the summer of 1779, when it was employed in an expedition commanded by Major-General Tyron, sent into East Sound with a view of drawing General Washington from the strong post which he occupied in the mountains into Connecticut for the defence of the towns on that coast. The fleet arrived at the harbour of Newhaven on the 5th of July, and the first division of the Army, which consisted of the flank companies of the guards, Royal Fusiliers, fifty-fourth regiment, and a detachment of Jagars, with four field-pieces, under Brigadier-General Garth, landed about five o'clock in the morning a mile south of the town, and advanced, making a circuit of seven miles to gain the head of the creek on the western side of the place. Some skirmishing occurred on the march, but the King's troops overcame all opposition and took possession of the town: at the same time the second division landed and took post at Rock Fort. On the following day the troops destroyed all the public stores, and part of the ordnance, with a number of vessels, and afterwards re-embarked, bringing off six field-pieces and an armed privateer. On the 7th of July the fleet anchored off the village of Fairfield; the British troops landed and defeated a party of Americans; the enemy kept firing from windows and the tops of houses, which provoked a band of loyal emigrants to set the place on fire, by which the town and a number of boats were destroyed. On the 11th of July the fleet sailed to the bay of Norwalk. The troops landed on the following day and advanced against the town. "The Fusiliers, supported by the light infantry of the guards, began the attack, and soon cleared the quarters—pushing the main body of the enemy and an hundred cavalry from the northern heights, and taking one piece of their cannon. After many of the salt-pans were destroyed, whale-boats carried away on board the fleet, and the magazines, stores, and vessels set in flames, with the greatest part of the dwelling-houses, the advanced-corps were drawn back, and the troops retired in two columns to the place of our first debarkation, and, unassaulted, took ship and returned to Huntingdon bay."[12] This expedition did not produce the desired effect in the movements of the American general. The troops were ordered to return to New York. Major-General Tyron stated in his despatch—"I should do injustice if I closed this report without giving every praise to the troops I had the honour to command."[13]

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers lost five men in this expedition, and had three serjeants and nineteen men wounded.

During the autumn of this year the operations of the army were limited to defensive measures; but in December an attack on the opulent province of South Carolina was determined on, and the Royal Fusiliers formed a part of the force employed on this service, which was commanded by General Sir Henry Clinton.

The troops having embarked, the fleet and convoy sailed from New York on the 26th of December, and after experiencing much tempestuous weather, which separated the fleet and occasioned the loss of several transports, arrived at the Savannah about the end of January, 1780, and gained the harbour of North Edisto, on the coast of South Carolina, in February. The troops were immediately landed, and took possession of John's and James's Island, the Royal Fusiliers taking post at Stono-ferry on John's Island. The passage of the Ashley River was effected on the 29th of March, and on the 1st of April the army besieged Charlestown. The works were carried on with perseverance and judgment, and, on the 11th of May, all things being ready for a general assault, the governor capitulated, and ten American regiments, with three battalions of artillery, and the town and county militia, became prisoners of war.

The loss of the royal army in this siege was only seventy-six killed and one hundred and ninety wounded, including all ranks. The Royal Fusiliers had one man killed and two wounded.

The regiment appears to have been in garrison during the remainder of this year; and in January, 1781, it was ordered to proceed to Fort Ninety-Six, which place was then besieged by the Americans; but when on the march, the regiment received orders to join a body of troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, and march against General Morgan, who was posted at Pacolet with a strong division of the American army. "The progress of the King's troops was greatly impeded by heavy rains, which swelled the rivers and creeks; yet Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton conducted his march so well, and got so near to General Morgan (who was retreating before him), as to make it dangerous for him to pass the Broad-River, and came up with him at eight o'clock A.M. on the 17th of January, at a place called Cow-Pens. The attack was begun by the first line of infantry, consisting of the Seventh regiment, the infantry of the legion, and the corps of light infantry annexed to it: a troop of cavalry was placed on each flank: the first battalion of the seventy-first, and the remainder of the cavalry, formed the reserve. The enemy's line soon gave way, and their militia quitted the field; but our troops having been thrown into some disorder by the pursuit, General Morgan's corps faced about and gave them a heavy fire: this unexpected event occasioned the utmost confusion in the first line. The two three-pounders were taken, and I fear the colours of the Seventh regiment shared the same fate."[14]

In this unfortunate engagement the Royal Fusiliers sustained a very serious loss in killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.

The regiment was subsequently placed in garrison in South Carolina, where it remained until 1782; when, the British Government having been induced to concede the independence of the United States, pacific overtures were made, which were succeeded by a cessation of hostilities. South Carolina was evacuated, and the Royal Fusiliers proceeded to New York, where they remained until the conclusion of the treaty of peace in 1783, when they returned to England; at the same time the establishment was reduced to eight companies.

After occupying quarters at Gloucester and Plymouth, the regiment proceeded to Scotland in the spring of 1786.

On the decease of General Prescott in the autumn of 1788, the colonelcy was conferred on Major-General the Honourable William Gordon, who was removed in April, 1789, to the seventy-first regiment, and the colonelcy of the Royal Fusiliers was conferred on Prince Edward (fourth son of King George III.), afterwards Duke of Kent.

In 1790 the regiment embarked from Leith and the Isle of Man for Gibraltar, and, arriving at that important fortress in August, occupied the King's barracks, under the command of its colonel, His Royal Highness Prince Edward.

From Gibraltar the regiment embarked, in May, 1791, for Canada,—the right wing under Prince Edward on board His Majesty's ship "Ulysses," and the left wing under Captain Shuttleworth in the "Resistance;" both wings landed in August at Quebec, where the regiment was stationed, under Prince Edward's command, nearly three years: His Royal Highness afterwards proceeded to the West Indies, and acquired a reputation for valour and intrepidity at the capture of Martinique, St. Lucie, and Guadaloupe.

Two companies of the regiment were detached in June, 1794, from Quebec to Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and in October of the same year the regiment proceeded to that station.

A strong draft of recruits arrived from England in September, 1795, and the regiment was formed into two battalions. Both battalions were, however, incorporated, in April, 1796, into one,—consisting of fifty-four serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and a thousand rank and file; and the supernumerary men were transferred to the fourth, or the King's own regiment.

Prince Edward, having returned from the West Indies, was appointed Commander of the Forces in Nova Scotia and its dependencies, and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General. The Royal Fusiliers experienced the advantage of His Royal Highness's assiduous attention to their interests; his military virtues,—his liberality,—his care to bring merit into notice, and to procure suitable rewards for the well-conducted,[15] with his constant attention to everything calculated to promote the welfare of the regiment, endeared his name in the grateful remembrance of the officers and soldiers; at the same time, the facility with which he procured a constant supply of fine recruits for his corps, with his indefatigable efforts to inculcate the true principles of subordination in the regiment, and to bring it into a state of perfection in discipline, occasioned the Royal Fusiliers to become one of the most efficient corps in the service,—distinguished alike for its uniform and warlike appearance,—excellent conduct in quarters,—and the superior style in which it performed its exercises and field movements. His Royal Highness having returned to England on account of ill health, was created, on the 23rd of April, 1799, Earl of Dublin in Ireland, and Duke of Kent and Strathearn in Great Britain.

In August, 1801, the Duke of Kent was removed to the first or the royal regiment; and was succeeded in the colonelcy by Lieut.-General Sir Alured Clarke from the fifth foot, who had commanded the Royal Fusiliers during a great part of the American war.

After passing eleven years in the protection of the British North American provinces, the regiment embarked from Nova Scotia, the right wing under Lieut.-Colonel Layard, for Bermuda, and the left wing under Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Burrows for the Bahamas; and both wings arrived at their destinations in October and November, 1802.

While the regiment was in the West Indies, a second battalion was added to its establishment, and formed of men raised for limited service in the West Riding of Yorkshire, under the provisions of the Additional Force Act, passed in July, 1804. The second battalion was placed on the establishment on the 25th of December, 1804, and in 1805 it marched from Yorkshire to Winchester.[16]

In July, 1806, five companies embarked from Bermuda, and landed at Plymouth in August; they were followed by the five companies from the Bahamas, which landed at Plymouth in November and December. The first battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable E. M. Pakenham, received a draft of between four and five hundred men from the second, and, embarking at Liverpool for Ireland, landed at Dublin in the beginning of January, 1807: the second battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel William J. Myers, remained in England.

Information having been obtained that Napoleon, Emperor of France, purposed employing the navy of Denmark against Great Britain, an armament was prepared for obtaining possession of the Danish fleet by treaty or force. The first battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, having been inspected by Major-General Leith, and commended for its appearance and discipline, was withdrawn from Ireland to take part in this enterprise. It embarked from Dublin in July,—landed at Liverpool,—marched to Hull, from whence it sailed to Denmark, and, disembarking on the island of Zealand, joined the army under General Lord Cathcart, and was employed in the siege of Copenhagen. After a bombardment of three days the city surrendered, and the Danish fleet was delivered up. The British troops afterwards returned to England; the Royal Fusiliers landed in November at Portsmouth, from whence they proceeded to Lewes, where another draft of nearly four hundred men was received from the second battalion.

Returning to Portsmouth in January, 1808, the first battalion embarked immediately for Nova Scotia; the fleet called at Bermuda to leave the thirteenth regiment, and afterwards proceeding direct to Nova Scotia, the Royal Fusiliers landed at Halifax in the middle of April.

In May, 1808, the second battalion embarked at Tilbury Fort for Ireland, and landed at Monkstown in the middle of June.

Soon after its arrival at Nova Scotia, the first battalion was selected to proceed, with other corps under the command of Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost, to the West Indies to take part in an expedition against the French island of Martinique.

The armament assembled at Carlisle-bay in Barbadoes, under the command of Lieut.-General Beckwith, and sailing on the 28th of January, 1809, arrived off Martinique on the following day. At four o'clock on the afternoon of the 30th the Royal Fusiliers landed at Malgré Tout, in Bay Robert, and marched that evening through difficult roads to De Manceaux's estate. After a few hours' repose the troops resumed their march to Papin's, where part of the division halted; but the Royal Fusiliers and grenadier company of the first West India regiment pushed forward to the heights on De Bork's estate, where they passed the night. On the following day they were joined by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and the light infantry battalion; when Lieut.-Colonel Pakenham advanced with the Royal Fusiliers, supported by the light battalion, to the heights of Morné Bruno. From this post the Royal Fusiliers, with the rifle company of the twenty-third, and grenadiers of the first West India regiment, advanced, supported by the Welsh Fusiliers, against the height of Desfourneaux. The French, under General De Houdelot, were advantageously posted on the declivity of the hill, with a river in their front, and their left protected by artillery. Lieut.-Colonel Pakenham, with the flank companies of the Seventh, and rifle company of the twenty-third, turned the enemy's right; the light battalion moved against the enemy's left; and the battalion companies of the Seventh, and grenadiers of the first West India regiment, advanced against the front. Animated by a spirit of emulation and a thirst for glory, the British troops rushed onward with enthusiasm; the Royal Fusiliers forded the river under a heavy fire, and attacking their more numerous antagonists with signal gallantry, drove the French from their formidable position in disorder. Lieut.-Colonel Pakenham continued his victorious career against the heights of Surirey, and being gallantly supported by the twenty-third regiment, the soldiers under his orders, animated by the zeal and ardour of their brave leaders, overcame obstacles of a formidable character with heroic valour; they carried the hill, and, by a spirited charge, forced the French to take shelter under the guns of their redoubts. In this attack the valour and judgment of Lieut.-Colonel Pakenham, and the excellence of the Fusilier Brigade, were conspicuous. Lieut.-General Sir George Beckwith observed in General Orders:—"The Commander of the Forces desires to express his entire approbation of the manly conduct of the troops engaged yesterday, and desires that the general officers and soldiers will be pleased to accept his thanks, and to assure them that he will not fail to lay their merit before the King. Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost having reported the unremitting exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Edward Michael Pakenham, of the Royal Fusiliers, the Commander of the Forces feels great pleasure in making this known to the army."

The regiment had Captain Taylor (acting Deputy Quarter-Master-General) and nine rank and file killed; two serjeants, one drummer, and fifty-six rank and file wounded; four rank and file missing.

The French occupied a second position, strengthened by two redoubts connected by an entrenchment. On the 2nd of February the British made a movement to extend their right, and the Royal Fusiliers were again engaged, and manifested the same heroic ardour and superiority over the enemy as on the preceding day. Lieutenant-Colonel Pakenham led the Fusiliers, supported by the light battalion, against the enemy's advanced redoubt, in open day, and the spirited conduct of the officers and men was again eminently displayed: but it appearing to the commander of the expedition that the redoubts would be gained with a loss beyond the value of the acquisition, the Fusiliers were ordered to desist. The loss of the regiment was one serjeant and twenty rank and file killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Pakenham, Captains Row and Cholwich, one serjeant, one drummer, and fifty-eight rank and file wounded, three men missing. The enemy afterwards abandoned the redoubt and spiked the cannon.

On the following day a general order was issued, in which it was stated—"The benefit the advanced corps under Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost have produced to His Majesty's service, from the gallant and successful attack made upon Morné Bruno and the heights of Surirey, on the 1st instant, by the first brigade of the army and the light battalion under Brigadier-General Hoghton, demands from the Commander of the Forces a reiteration of his acknowledgments, and his assurance to the brigadier-general, and to the commanding officer of the Royal Fusiliers, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and of the light battalion, also to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of those regiments, that he will not fail to lay their meritorious exertions before the King. The exertions of all the corps engaged yesterday were conspicuous; and although the state of the works possessed by the enemy did not admit of their being carried by the bayonet, which rendered it the general's duty to direct the corps employed to retire, they manifested a spirit and determination which, when tempered by less impetuosity, will lead to the happiest results."

Fort Bourbon was afterwards besieged; and on the surrender of this place the French marched out (7th March) and laid down their arms; the Royal Fusiliers and the two other battalions of the first brigade receiving each an Eagle from the French regiments, with a proportion of brass drums, &c.

The capture of this valuable island having been achieved, the troops were again commended in general orders for their excellent conduct: and the Royal Fusiliers were subsequently honoured with the privilege of bearing the word "Martinique" inscribed on their colours, as a mark of royal favour and approbation. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeney received a gold medal for his conduct in this service.

After the completion of this brilliant enterprise, the Royal Fusiliers returned to Nova Scotia; before embarking they were again commended in general orders. They sailed from Martinique on the 15th of March, and arrived at Halifax in April.

Lieutenant-Colonel Pakenham being anxious to stimulate the Royal Fusiliers to good conduct by distinguishing merit, assembled a board of officers for that purpose, and the names of the following non-commissioned officers and soldiers were recorded in the "Book of Merit."

Serjeant Thomas Simpson for meritorious and gallant conduct at Martinique. Quarter-Master-Serjeant Timothy Meagher, Serjeants John Ledsam, John Henry, John Day, William Harris, William Inchbold, Joshua Redshaw, Thomas Beale, Thomas Miller, George Kenney, —— Willson, George Clementson, Corporal Dove, Drummer Thomas Maud, Privates William Vagg, Mark Ewing, Benjamin Price, James Haughney, Nathaniel Moss, and James Delamy for general good conduct; Serjeants Meagher and Henry were afterwards promoted to commissions.

In April, 1809, Lieutenant and Adjutant Orr, a most meritorious officer, was promoted to a company, on which occasion the serjeants presented him with an address, expressive of their regard and gratitude for the manner in which he had performed the duty of adjutant. This circumstance was, however, deemed a departure from strict discipline, and the Commander-in-Chief in North America, General Sir James Craig, declared in General Orders, that the serjeants had been guilty, unintentionally, of an act of insubordination.[17] The sentiments expressed in this order obtained the concurrence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, who stated in orders;—"The reason for which the Commander-in-Chief has directed the circulation of this Order, is, that he may avail himself of this opportunity of declaring to the army his most perfect concurrence in the sentiments therein expressed by the distinguished and experienced officer by whom it was framed, on a subject which appears to have been by some very much misunderstood.—The circumstance of inferiors of any class of military men assembling for the purpose of bestowing praise and public marks of approbation on their superiors, implies a power of deliberation on their conduct which belongs to the Sovereign alone, or to those officers who may be intrusted with the command and discipline of the troops. It is a procedure equally objectionable whether in the higher or lower ranks of the army; and as the Commander-in-Chief cannot but regard it as a principle subversive of military discipline, he trusts it is a practice which will be for ever banished the British service: and he directs commanding officers to act accordingly.

"By command of the Right Honourable the Commander-in-Chief,

"Harry Calvert,
"Adjutant-General."

In the meantime the second battalion had embarked from Cork to join the British army in Portugal under Lieutenant-General Sir John Craddock; it landed at Almeda, opposite to Lisbon, in April, and mustered upwards of six hundred and fifty officers and men, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Myers, baronet: the Royal Fusiliers and second battalion of the fifty-third regiment, with one company of the sixtieth, formed a brigade under Brigadier-General Alexander Campbell. Soon afterwards Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley arrived in Portugal to command the army.

In May the combined British and Portuguese forces advanced against the French under the celebrated Marshal Soult, who had captured Oporto by assault about five weeks previously, and occupied that city with a numerous body of veterans. The British general advanced upon Oporto, and the Royal Fusiliers had the honour of taking part in the masterly movements by which the legions of Napoleon were driven from that city on the 12th of May, pursued through the wild and mountainous districts in the north of Portugal, and forced to abandon their artillery and ammunition, and to save themselves by a precipitate flight.

After this success the army retired to Abrantes, where the Royal Fusiliers were encamped nearly three weeks; they subsequently advanced into Spain to aid the patriotic Spaniards in their attempts to expel the French from their country, the British being joined by a Spanish force under General Cuesta. Having entered Spain, the army proceeded along the valley of the Tagus, and halted near Talavera de la Reyna. The Spaniards pushed forward, but were speedily driven back by the advance-guard of the French army under Joseph Buonaparte, who bore the title of King of Spain. A British brigade covered the retreat of the Spaniards, and the allied army went into position near Talavera, the Spaniards occupying the strong ground on the right, and the British extending to the left along the more exposed part of the field. In the centre, between the two armies, there was a commanding spot on which a redoubt had been commenced, with some open ground in its rear; at this important post the Royal Fusiliers were stationed, with several other corps under Brigadier-General Campbell, and they proved themselves worthy of the trust reposed in them.

The French attacked the left of the British position on the evening of the 27th of July, and were repulsed. The attack was renewed at daylight on the following morning, and British skill and valour were again triumphant. A short respite ensued while the French generals held a council of war; but soon after mid-day their army was seen in motion. The British stood to their arms and calmly awaited the approach of the hostile legions; a cloud of light troops covered the front of the French army; they were followed by four dense columns, protected by eighty guns; and the Royal Fusiliers beheld the torrent of battle advancing towards them with the fury of a tempest, threatening instant destruction to all opposition. The fourth corps came rushing forward with such impetuosity that it speedily cleared the intersected ground in front, and attacked the Royal Fusiliers and other corps on the right of the British line with terrific violence. The British regiments met the storm of war with unshaken firmness, and breaking in on the front of the advancing columns, and assailing their wings with a heavy fire, forced them back with a terrible carnage: the Royal Fusiliers rushed gallantly forward to the muzzles of the French artillery, and, after an obstinate resistance, captured seven guns, which the enemy endeavoured to re-capture, but in vain. The French veterans rallied on their supports, and appeared resolute on another attack, but they were assailed by so tremendous a fire of artillery and musketry, that they retired in disorder, and thus victory was secured in this part of the field. Sir Arthur Wellesley observed in his despatch,—"I was highly satisfied with the manner this part of the position was defended;" he also mentioned the second battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Myers, among the corps which had particularly distinguished themselves, and thanked the battalion and its commanding officer in orders. The French were repulsed at every point of attack, and they withdrew from a contest in which the superiority of the British troops was eminently displayed.

The Royal Fusiliers had Lieutenant Beaufoy and six rank and file killed; Lieutenants Kerwan and Muter, Adjutant Page, one serjeant, two drummers, and fifty-one rank and file wounded; one private soldier missing. Their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Myers, was rewarded with a gold medal; and the regiment was subsequently authorised to bear the word "Talavera" inscribed on its colours as an honorary distinction for its gallantry on this occasion.

In the subsequent part of this campaign the battalion sustained considerable loss from disease; but it was not engaged in actual conflict with the enemy.

During the summer Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Edward Michael Pakenham, commanding the first battalion in Nova Scotia, was placed on the staff of the army in Portugal. The affable deportment, amiable disposition, and liberality of this brave and zealous officer, with his gallantry in the field, and his assiduous attention to the interests, comfort, reputation, and efficiency of the regiment during the series of years he had served with the Royal Fusiliers, had procured him the regard and esteem of every member of the corps. Previously to his leaving the battalion, the officers obtained his consent to have his portrait taken, and presented him with a sword valued at two hundred guineas, as a mark of their sincere regard for him as an officer and a gentleman, and of their admiration of his manly virtues and zeal for the service. The command of the first battalion devolved on Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Blakeney, who devoted himself to the good of the service, and preserved the battalion in its high state of discipline and efficiency; it was employed at the out-posts of Nova Scotia, and occupied George's Island, Melville Island, Point Pleasant, York Redoubt, &c.

On the 1st of January, 1810, the first battalion mustered upwards of a thousand officers and soldiers, and events occurred soon afterwards which occasioned the removal of this fine body of men from North America to the theatre of war in the Peninsula, where the Spaniards and Portuguese were struggling for independence against the forces of France, and where a British army sent to aid the patriots was acquiring never-fading laurels under Sir Arthur Wellesley, who had been created Viscount Wellington.

The French army in Spain having received numerous reinforcements, a powerful and well-appointed force advanced under Marshal Massena, Prince of Esling, to complete the conquest of Portugal; and the very superior numbers of the enemy rendered it necessary for the British army to limit itself to the defence of Lisbon. Lord Wellington, however, resolved to maintain a forward position as long as possible, and among the reinforcements sent to his aid was the first battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. On this occasion, Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost stated in orders:—"On the departure of the Royal Fusiliers the Lieutenant-General commanding acknowledges with pride and pleasure that this corps is an instance among British soldiers of the union of regularity and good conduct in quarters with patience and valour in the field of battle. Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost has that opinion of the commanding officer, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of this already distinguished corps which induces him to pronounce his confidence that the Royal Fusiliers will maintain their reputation on whatever service they may be employed, and that when called upon to face the enemy of their country, they will again add to their own fame, and exalt the glory of the British arms."

The first battalion landed at Lisbon on the 27th of July, every man in health and under arms, and after a short repose advanced up the country to join the army in the field. On passing Thomar, the battalion halted a few days, and was reviewed by Major-General Leith and the Portuguese General, Miranda, who expressed their admiration of the appearance of the officers and men, and of the ease and steadiness with which they manœuvred in battalion and performed light infantry movements. After the review the battalion advanced to Villa Cortez; and on the surrender of Almeida the army withdrew to the rocks of Busaco, where it took up a position to oppose the superior numbers of the enemy, whose commander vaunted he would drive the English into the sea, and plant the eagles of France on the towers of Lisbon. The first battalion of the Royal Fusiliers was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeney, and formed in brigade with the seventy-ninth, under Colonel the Honourable Edward M. Pakenham, in the first division commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir Brent Spencer; the second battalion was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Myers, Baronet.

The British and Portuguese troops were in line on the ridge of the lofty and precipitous hills of Busaco; in front lay the army of Massena on another range of heights, and the dark mountains were crowned with the bivouac fires of the opposing bands. On the morning of the 27th of September, as the light appeared, the fire of musketry commenced between the advanced posts stationed in the deep hollows which separated the two armies: shortly afterwards the French columns of attack appeared, and throwing forward crowds of skirmishers, they speedily emerged from the hollow beneath, and assailed the British position with that impetuosity which distinguishes the first onset of French soldiers. They were opposed by the unconquerable firmness of British soldiers; the heads of columns were pierced by musketry, and charged with the bayonet; and the formidable masses of veteran Frenchmen were overthrown and driven down the mountain sides with a terrible clamour and confusion, leaving crowds of killed, wounded, and prisoners behind. Being unable to overcome the steady valour of the British infantry, the French commander desisted, and the allied army stood triumphant on the contested heights. The Royal Fusiliers were stationed on a portion of this range of rocks which was not seriously attacked, and their loss was limited to two private soldiers killed, Lieutenant Mair, and twenty-two rank and file wounded. Colonel Pakenham, commanding the brigade, was rewarded with a gold medal. After this vain attempt to force the rocks of Busaco, the French commander made a flank movement to turn the left of his opponent's position; when the allied army withdrew to the lines of Torres Vedras, and there opposed a resistance which the French marshal did not attempt to force.

While the opposing armies confronted each other, several sharp actions took place between the advanced posts; and on the 13th of October a company of the Royal Fusiliers was ordered to drive back a reconnoitring party of the enemy which had entered the village of Burlada, situate between the two armies. This service was performed with distinguished gallantry, and the French were driven back at the point of the bayonet.

After searching in vain for a vulnerable part in the British lines, the French commander, instead of driving the English leopards into the sea, retired to the strong position of Santarem; Lord Wellington advanced, and, establishing a series of posts to watch his opponents, placed his army in cantonments.

The twenty-third, or Royal Welsh Fusiliers, having arrived from America, the two battalions of the Seventh and first battalion of the twenty-third were constituted a brigade under the command of Colonel the Honourable Edward M. Pakenham: it was designated the "Fusilier Brigade," and attached to the fourth division commanded by Major-General the Honourable Lowry Cole: the first battalion of the Seventh was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Myers, and the second by Lieut.-Colonel Blakeney.