List of Battles Fought by Land between 1704 and 1882, showing date when each was Fought, the Number we Lost, the supposed Number of the Enemy’s Loss; the Regiments that Fought them, and a few Remarks upon some of them—First Action of the 15th Hussars—A Gallant Regiment of Tailors—Singular Description of a Deserter, fromLondon Gazette, 1689—An Account of the Rise of the late Duke of Wellington—Loss of each Regiment on the Field of Waterloo—Some of the Duke’s Letters about the Field of Waterloo—Napoleon and the French Press—The British Amazon.
List of Battles Fought by Land between 1704 and 1882, showing date when each was Fought, the Number we Lost, the supposed Number of the Enemy’s Loss; the Regiments that Fought them, and a few Remarks upon some of them—First Action of the 15th Hussars—A Gallant Regiment of Tailors—Singular Description of a Deserter, fromLondon Gazette, 1689—An Account of the Rise of the late Duke of Wellington—Loss of each Regiment on the Field of Waterloo—Some of the Duke’s Letters about the Field of Waterloo—Napoleon and the French Press—The British Amazon.
The following is a list of all the battles of importance that have been fought on land by the British Army since 1704, with the Regiments that fought them, the dates on which they were fought, and the number of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and men that fell dead or wounded in each. The information contained in these tables cannot, I believe, be found in any other work—I have been at no little trouble in collecting it from various sources, and trust it will prove of more than passing interest to the general as well as the military reader:—
Names ofBattles orCampaigns.Date when fought.No. of Officers Non-Coms. and men who fell on our side.No. of Officers and men of the Enemy who fellRegiments that fought the Battles.Abyssinia9.4.1868211,2493rd Dragoon Guards, 4th, 26th, 33rd, 45th, and a number of Native Infantry Regiments from India.Afghanistan1839-40-413,45710,6704th Hussars (Queen’s), 16th Lancers, 2nd, 13th, 17th, and 101st, and a number of Regiments from India. (Native Infantry).Afghanistan1879-801,84014,7006th Dragoon Guards, 8th, 10th, 15th Hussars, 9th Lancers, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 25th, 30th, 31st, 37th, 47th, 49th, 51st, 53rd, 60th, 63rd, 72nd, 92nd, Rifle Brigade and a number of our best Native Regiments, both Horse and Foot, who fought well.Albuera16.5.18117,2548,3703rd Dragoon Guards, 4th Hussars, 3rd, 7th, 23rd, 28th, 29th, 31st, 34th, 39th, 48th, 57th, 60th, and 66th, Portuguese and Spaniards. It was at this Battle that the 7th and 23rd charged the whole French Army off the field. At the close of this Battle our Artillery had to gallop across the field over wounded, both friend and foe.Alma20.9.18543,6796,2404th, 8th, 11th, and 13th Hussars, 17th Lancers, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 1st, 4th, 7th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 28th, 30th, 33rd, 38th, 41st, 42nd, 44th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 55th, 63rd, 68th, 77th, 79th, 88th, 93rd, 93rd, 95th, and Rifle Brigade (1st and 2nd Battalions), and 25,000 French.Aliwal28.1.18466822,64516th Lancers, 31st, 50th, 53rd, and a number of Native Regiments, principally Cavalry. At this Battle our Cavalry broke up the enemy’s squares, and routed them. The 16th led the way, commanded by Col. Smyth.Assaye28.10.18031,2406,32419th Hussars, 74th, 78th, and a number of Native Infantry Regiments and Cavalry. This is one of Wellington’s crushing victories.Ava Campaign1824-253,95418,4601st, 13th, 38th, 41st, 44th, 45th, 47th, 54th, 87th, 89th, 102nd, and a number of Regiments, both Horse and Foot, from India (Natives).Ashantee Campaign18745243,87023rd, 42nd, and Rifle Brigade, and West India Regiments.Badajoz6.4.18125,7503,2404th, 5th, 7th, 23rd, 27th, 30th, 38th, 40th, 43rd, 44th, 45th, 48th, 52nd, 60th, 74th, 77th, 83rd, 88th, old 95th, and a number of Spaniards and Portuguese.Balaclava25.10.18546421,6204th and 5th Dragoon Guards, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th, and 13th Hussars, 17th Lancers, 93rd Foot. 1st and 4th Divisions marched into the field, but not engaged.Barrosa5.3.18111,2102,640Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 28th, 67th, *87th, old 95th, and Spaniards. *This Regiment charged a whole French Division off the field, and took an eagle from them. The late General Lord Gough commanded the 87th.Bhurtpore Siege18262,2803,54611th Hussars, 16th Lancers, 14th, 59th, 101st, and a good number of Native Infantry Regiments, who behaved splendidly.Bladensburg24.7.18142468704th, 21st, 44th, and 85th Foot.Blenheim13.7.170412,00035,0001st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th Dragoon Guards, 2nd Scots Greys, 5th Dragoons, Grenadier Guards, 1st, 3rd, 26th, 8th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 37th, united with Germans.Burgas Siege18122,850not knownA defeat for us; lost nearly all our guns.Busaco27.9.18101,3965,3251st, 5th, 9th, 38th, 43rd, 45th, 52nd, 74th, 83rd, old 95th, Spaniards and Portuguese. Our people defended the Heights and routed the enemy.Cabul18426203,2403rd Hussars, 9th, 13th, 31st, 40th, 41st, and Native Infantry and Cavalry Regiments.Cape of Good Hope1851-521,3423,89424th, 59th, 71st, 72nd, 83rd, 93rd, and Cape Mounted Rifles.Chillianwallah2.12.18482,7463,8903rd Hussars, 9th Lancers, 14th Light Dragoons, 24th (this Regiment lost nearly all its officers), 29th, 61st, 101st, and a number of Native Infantry Regiments. This was a close shave, we were beaten, but the enemy did not know it.China18411,0045,32518th, 26th, 49th, 55th, 98th, and a number of Native Infantry Regiments from India.Central India1857-583,47520,7808th and 14th Hussars, 12th and 17th Lancers, 71st, 72nd, 80th, 83rd, 86th, 88th, 95th, 108th, and 109th, and a number of Loyal Native Regiments.Ciudad Rodrigo, Siege of19.1.18122,2921,7425th, 43rd, 45th, 52nd, 60th, 74th, 77th, 83rd, 88th, old 95th, and a number of Spaniards and Portuguese. It was at this place, at the foot of the breach, that Sir T. Picton called for one more cheer, and in our people went.Corunna16.1.18091,0702,676Grenadier Guards, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 14th, 20th, 23rd, 26th, 28th, 32nd, 36th, 38th, 42nd, 43rd, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 59th, 71st, 81st, 91st, 92nd, old 95th, and a few Spanish troops. Sir J. Moore fell here.Delhi,18572,89010,9859th Lancers, 6th Carabineers, 8th, 52nd, 60th, 61st, 75th, 101st, 104th, and a number of Loyal Native Troops.Dettingen17432,4606,0001st and 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, 1st and 6th Dragoon Guards, 2nd Scots Greys, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th Dragoons, 1st Hussars, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 3rd, 8th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 37th, and Germans.Douro, the crossing of12.5.18092821,37414th Hussars, 3rd, 48th, 66th, and some Portuguese and Spaniards.Egmont-op-Zee18064721,47215th Hussars, 1st, 20th, 25th, 49th, 63rd, 79th, 92nd, and German Legion.Egyptian Campaign18014,75610,84511th Hussars, 12th Lancers, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 1st, 2nd, 8th, 10th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 30th, 40th, 42nd, 44th, 50th, 54th, 58th, 61st, 79th, 80th, 86th, 88th, 89th, 90th, 92nd, and German Legion.Egypt18824802,7401st and 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, 4th and 7th Dragoon Guards, 19th Hussars, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 18th, 32nd, 35th, 38th, 42nd, 45th, 49th, 50th, 53rd, 60th, 63rd, 65th, 71st, 72nd, 79th, 89th, 92nd, and Native Troops from India.Emsdorf16.7.17603022,65915th Hussars. This was the only British Regiment engaged; they were one too many for the French.Ferozeshah21 & 22.12.18452,7654,5903rd Hussars, 9th, 29th, 31st, 50th, 62nd, 80th, 101st, and a number of Native Infantry Regiments.Fuentes de Oñoro3 & 5.5.18113,8925,85014th Hussars, 16th Lancers, 24th, 42nd, 43rd, 45th, 52nd, 60th, 71st, 76th, 79th, 83rd, 86th, 88th, 92nd, old 95th, and a number of Spaniards and Portuguese.Ghuznee Siege18411,2722,8904th Hussars, 16th Lancers, 2nd, 13th, 17th, 40th, 41st, 101st, and Native Troops.Gibraltar, Defence17811,8958,67212th, 39th, 56th, 58th, old 73rd, Royal Marines, and some German Regiments. A number of the Enemy’s Ships were sunk and all were lost.Goojerat21.1.18491,8925,7543rd and 14th Hussars, 9th Lancers, 10th, 14th, 29th, 32nd, 53rd, 60th, 61st, 103rd, 104th, and a great number of Native Troops.Guadaloupe, Storming of17.3.17942231,02015th, 63rd, 70th, 90th, and 1st West India Regiment.Hindostan1780-1808[E]6,898[E]25,6708th Hussars, 17th, 36th, 57th, 71st, 72nd, and 76th. These Regiments did good service in India, and fought a number of small engagements.India1760-1857[E]18,490[E]58,75412th, 14th, 65th, 67th, 69th, 75th, 84th, and 86th. These Regiments have seen more service in India than any other Regiment in our service, except the late Company’s Regiments.Inkermann5.11.18543,43419,0584th, 8th, 11th, and 13th Hussars, 17th Lancers, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 1st, 4th, 7th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 28th, 30th, 33rd, 38th, 41st, 44th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 55th, 57th, 63rd, 68th, 77th, 88th, 95th, 1st and 2nd Rifle Brigade, and 6,000 French.Java4.7.18118902,67014th, 59th, 69th, 78th, 89th, and a number of Native Regiments from India.Louisburg Siege17581,6701,3401st, 15th, 17th, 28th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 47th, 48th, 60th.Lucknow, Defence18576928,64032nd, and a part of the 84th, and a few Loyal Natives, and non-combatants, who were determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible, and did so.*Lucknow, Havelock’s & Sir C. Campbell’s reliefs1857* 18585,68026,7542nd Dragoon Guards, 7th Hussars, 9th Lancers, *5th, 8th, 10th, 20th, 23rd, 34th,38th, 42nd, 53rd, *64th, 75th, *78th, 79th, 82nd, 84th, *90th, 93rd, 97th, 101st, 102nd, Rifle Brigade, and some 5,000 Loyal Natives, including Ghoorkas.Maida4.7.18073871,78520th, 27th, 35th, 58th, 61st, 78th, 81st. This was a Battle of bayonets, and it proved to the boasting French who were the best hands at using them.Malplaquet12.9.170911,50030,0001st, 5th, 6th, 7th Dragoon Guards, 2nd Scots Greys, 5th Hussars, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, combined with Germans.Martinique, Storming of17.3.17949822,0407th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 23rd, 25th, 60th, 63rd, 90th, 1st Native Infantry Regiments. Her Most Gracious Majesty’s father led them, and was then Colonel of the 7th Fusiliers.Minden1.8.17592,4825,34012th, 20th, 23rd, 25th, 37th, 51st, and German Legion. This was a desperately contended action.Moodkee18.12.18451,4953,6903rd Hussars, 9th, 31st, 50th, 80th, and a number of Native Regiments, both Horse and Foot. It was the first action against the Sikhs, and they fought well.Mooltan Siege18482,3406,89010th, 32nd, 60th, 103rd, and a number of Native Regiments. A large magazine was blown up, and destroyed a great number of the enemy; the most valuable diamond in Her Majesty’s Crown was taken here.Niagara25.7.18148902,0021st, 6th, 8th, 41st, 82nd, 89th, 100th, and Canadian Rifles.Nive9 to 13.12.18137,68212,42516th Lancers, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 28th, 31st, 32nd, 34th, 36th, 38th, 39th, 42nd, 43rd, 50th, 52nd, 57th. 59th, 60th, 61st, 62nd, 66th, 71st, 76th, 79th, 84th, 85th, 91st, 92nd, old 95th, and a number of Spaniards and Portuguese.New Zealand1875-76-771,5604,89012th, 14th, 18th, 40th, 43rd, 50th, 57th, 58th, 65th, 68th, 70th, 96th, and 99th.Nivelle9 & 10.11.18136,3909,3702nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 11th, 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th, 31st, 32nd, 34th, 36th, 39th, 40th, 42nd, 43rd, 45th, 48th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 57th, 58th, 60th, 61st, 66th, 68th, 74th, 79th, 82nd, 85th, 87th, 88th, 91st, old 95th, three Battalions, with some 30,000 Spaniards and Portuguese.Orthes27.2.18144,75614,54014th Hussars, 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th, 31st, 32nd, 34th, 36th, 39th, 40th, 42nd, 45th, 48th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 58th, 60th, 61st, 66th, 68th, 71st, 74th, 82nd, 83rd, 87th, 88th, 91st, 92nd, old 95th, and some 35,000 Spaniards and Portuguese. 10,000 prisoners were taken, and Wellington said if his cavalry had been up, it would have been another Vittoria.Oudenarde11.7.170712,00017,8001st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th Dragoon Guards, 2nd Scots Greys, 5th Dragoons, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 26th, 37th, with German Troops.Pegu21.11.18521,7606,98618th, 51st, 80th, 101st, 102nd, 104th, and a good number of Native Regiments, both Horse and Foot.Persia18563702,00514th Hussars, 64th, 78th, 106th, and Native Troops from India.Plassey23.6.17572202,90039th, 101st, 102nd, 103rd, and a number of Native Troops. This Victory was the foundation of the British dominions in India, and consequently one of the most remarkable on record; the 39th have on their coloursPrimusin Indis.Peninsula1808 to 181414,96026,5401st and 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Dragoon Guards, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 20th Hussars, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 34th, 36th, 37th, 38th, 39th, 40th, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 45th, 47th, 48th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 57th, 58th, 59th, 60th, 61st, 62nd, 66th, 67th, 68th, 71st, 74th, 76th, 77th, 79th, 81st, 82nd, 83rd, 84th, 87th, 88th, 91st, 92nd, old 95th, Four Battalions, German Legion, Spaniards and Portuguese, about 80,000.Punjab1848-49[F]4,790[F]12,9853rd and 14th Hussars, 9th and 16th Lancers, 10th, 24th, 29th, 32nd, 53rd, 60th, 61st, 98th, 103rd, 104th, and a great number of Native Regiments.Pyrenees28.7 to 3.8.181311,45018,9982nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 11th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th, 31st, 32nd, 34th, 36th, 39th, 40th, 42nd, 45th, 48th, 50th, 51st, 53rd, 57th, 58th, 60th, 61st, 66th, 68th, 71st, 74th, 79th, 82nd, 91st, 92nd, some 30,000 Spaniards and Portuguese. This was mountain fighting, ten Battles in all.Quebec12.8.17596481,46015th, 28th, 35th, 43rd, 47th, 48th, 58th, 60th, and 78th. It was at this Battle that the "Mad General" (Wolfe) fell; some of those about the King wanted to make out that he was mad, but the King knew better.Ramillies12.5.17065,70013,6001st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th Dragoon Guards, 2nd Scots Greys, 5th Hussars, Grenadier Guards, 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 37th, with German Troops.Roliça17.8.18086751,4925th, 6th, 9th, 29th, 32nd, 36th, 38th, 40th, 45th, 60th, 71st, 82nd, 92nd, old 95th, and a few Spaniards. This was the first action in the Peninsula under Wellington, and the French got a good taste of what they got plenty of afterwards (cold steel).San Sebastian, Siege of18133,9994,6001st, 4th, 9th, 38th, 47th, 59th, Spaniards and Portuguese. It was at this place that our Artillery swept the defenders from the breach by firing just over our men’s heads, which never was done before or since. It was at this place that the late Lord Clyde led the 9th or Norfolk Regiment; they formed a portion of the stormers.Salamanca22.7.18126,24012,5705th Dragoon Guards, 3rd, 4th, 11th, 14th, and 16th Hussars, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 23rd, 24th, 27th, 30th, 32nd, 36th, 38th, 40th, 43rd, 44th, 45th, 48th, 52nd, 53rd, 58th, 60th, 61st, 68th, 74th, 79th, 83rd, 88th, old 95th (2nd Battalion), 20,000 Spaniards and Portuguese. Wellington, in describing this Battle, said that he beat 40,000 French men in forty minutes.Seringapatam, Siege of17992,46010,75012th, 33rd, 73rd, 74th, 75th, 77th, 103rd, and a number of Native Troops. We took more booty from this town than from any fortress we ever took.Sebastopol,9.1854 to 8.9.185526,62595,6001st, 4th, 5th, and 6th Dragoon Guards, 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th Dragoons, 4th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 13th Hussars, 12th and 17th Lancers, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 13th, 14th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 28th, 30th, 31st, 33rd, 34th, 38th, 39th, 41st, 42nd, 44th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th, 50th, 55th, 56th, 57th, 62nd, 63rd, 68th, 71st, 72nd, 77th, 79th, 82nd, 88th, 89th, 90th, 93rd, 95th, 97th, 1st and 2nd Battalions Rifle Brigade, and 210,000 French, 40,000 Turks, and 15,000 Sardinians. It cast all other Sieges into the shade; my readers may wellsay what a slaughter! but there is no getting at the truth. I know that I am a long way below the loss of both Russians and French, as they will not acknowledge the truth. The French loss at the town alone was about 50,000.Sobraon10.2.18461,8428,8803rd Hussars, 9th and 16th Lancers, 9th, 10th, 29th, 31st, 50th, 53rd, 62nd, 80th, 101st, and a good number of Native Regiments (Sepoys). Some four or five thousand jumped into the river Sutlej out of the way of our men’s bayonets, and were drowned; the river is wide and the current rapid.Talavera27 & 28.7.18095,5868,2103rd Dragoon Guards, 4th, 14th, and 16th Hussars, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 3rd, 7th, 24th, 29th, 32nd, 40th, 45th, 48th, 53rd, 60th, 61st, 66th, 83rd, 87th, 88th, and a number of Spaniards, who ran away without firing a shot, and spread the news that we were beaten. General Crawford was coming up to join Wellington with the 43rd, 52nd, and old 95th, when these cowards came into his camp; they had been running all night; the 43rd, 52nd, and 95th, had done twenty miles that morning, but they at once packed up and marched forty more, without stopping, until they reached the Field of Talavera; but the Battle was won,and they at once took up the duty of outlying picquets to ease their comrades that had been fighting for two days. It is the longest march on record. The poor wounded on this field (or some hundreds of them) were burnt to death, and could not get out of the way of the long, dry, burning grass.Taku Forts18605602,4701st Dragoon Guards, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 31st, 44th, 67th, and a number of Native Regiments from India; all fought well. We were Allies with the French again here; some 15,000 of our neighbours were with us.Tel-el-Kebir18823551,8461st and 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, 4th and 7th Dragoon Guards, 19th Hussars, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 18th, 32nd, 47th, 60th, 65th, 71st, 72nd, 79th, 87th, 92nd, and Native Troops from India.[G]Toulouse10.4.18144,7505,2605th Dragoon Guards, 3rd and 4th Hussars, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 11th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, 36th, 40th, 42nd, 43rd, 45th, 48th, 52nd, 53rd, 60th, 61st, 74th, 79th, 83rd, 87th, 88th, 91st, old 95th, and a good round number of Spaniards and Portuguese.Umbeyla9.1863 to 24.12.18631,6405,0007th, 51st, 71st, 93rd, 101st, some twenty Native Regiments (horse and foot). The enemy’s loss was never exactly known.Vimiera21.8.18087802,6492nd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 20th, 29th, 32nd, 36th, 38th, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 20th, 29th, 32nd, 36th, 38th, 40th, 43rd, 45th, 50th, 52nd, 60th, 71st, 82nd, 90th, old 95th, and some Portuguese Regiments.[H]Vittoria21.6.18137,79013,6503rd and 5th Dragoon Guards, 3rd, 4th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Hussars, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th, 31st, 34th, 38th, 39th, 40th, 43rd, 45th, 47th, 48th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 57th, 58th, 59th, 60th, 66th, 68th, 71st, 74th, 82nd, 83rd, 87th, 88th, 92nd, old 95th, and some 30,000 Spaniards and Portuguese.[F]Waterloo16, 17, & 18.6.181518,95033,7001st and 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 16th Hussars, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 1st, 4th, 14th, 23rd, 27th, Scots Fusilier Guards, 1st, 4th, 14th, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 30th, 32nd, 33rd, 40th, 42nd, 44th, 51st, 52nd, 69th, 71st, 73rd, 79th, 92nd, and old 95th, King’s German Legion, Dutch, and[I]Belgian Troops.For Notes, see next page.
[E]: Fell in Minor Actions
[F]: The French lost all their guns on the field, and it put the finishing stroke upon Napoleon. The Sepoy General, as he used to call Wellington, was one too many for him, and it was a good wind up to a long war, upwards of 21 years. Waterloo is not the heaviest battle on record, but it was a decisive one and brought peace to Europe for nearly 40 years. It was nearly time that Napoleon was taken down; he had been the cause of more bloodshed than any man that ever disgraced this earth. Hanging was too good for him; as it was, he was the cause of upwards of 5,000,000 of poor creatures being launched into eternity, and then he was not satisfied. Had the Germans got hold of him, the old Suffolk Regiment, the 12th, would not have fired over his grave. For that was the Regiment that carried him to his last abode in St. Helena, May, 1821.
[G]: This was the last Battle in the Peninsula; all fought well. Wellington had taught them, since Talavera, how to fight; all those who bolted, after he took command, he shot, and the others might take the hint, and fight it out.
[H]: At this Battle 151 cannon were taken on the field, upwards of £1,000,000 sterling was captured, King Joseph’s coach and all his state papers, and a number of very valuable documents being taken as booty. It was reported to the Duke of Wellington that our people were plundering the Treasure Chests, and his Grace said, “Let them have it, they have earned it;” this is the only instance on record where his Lordship winked at plundering. Our men were selling Spanish silver by auction that night for gold. The French were routed from the field, they never after recovered that blow during the Campaign; they were off like a lot of frightened sheep, throwing their arms away in order to avoid the devouring swords of our cavalry. It was at this Battle that General Sir Thomas Picton went into action with his night-cap on, and did not find it out until he found both officers and men in the thick of the fight laughing at him; and, reader, this noble old hero was not a man to be laughed at. It was he, who, only a short time before, threatened to hang the Commissary-General if he had not the supplies for the Divisions by a certain time; the man whose duty it was to look after the needful, reported Sir Thomas to Lord Wellington, and his Grace informed him that Sir Thomas was a man of his word, and he, the Commissary, had better look after himself, and not trouble him, as he had other fish to fry.
[I]: Some of the Belgian Troops behaved badly, and bolted.
Names of Battles.Regiments that fought the Battles, and a few Remarks.Abu-Klea19th Hussars, Royal Sussex Regiment.Africa, Sth. 46-477th Dragoon Guards, 26th, 27th, 91st, and Cape Mounted Rifles.Africa, Sth. 51-52-5312th Lancers, 2nd, 6th, 12th, 43rd, 71st, 91st, Rifle Brigade, and Cape Mounted Rifles.Africa, Sth. 79-801st, 7th Dragoon Guards, 17th Lancers, 3rd, 4th,13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 25th,26th, 38th, 48th, 57th, 62nd, 88th, 91st, Rifle Brigade, and Cape Mounted Rifles.Ali Masjad 187910th Hussars, 17th, 47th, 51st, Rifle Brigade, and Native Troops. The enemy bolted, and there was little or no fighting.Ally Ghur 180333rd, 76th, with a number of Native Regiments.Almaraz50th, 71st, and 92nd Foot.Arroyo-dos-Molinos 181034th. They proved themselves one too many for the French 34th, for our people nearly destroyed them to a man or took them prisoners; our 34thnow carry the French 34th drums.Arabia65th Foot.Arcot102nd Fusiliers, with Native Regiments.Amboyna102nd Fusiliers, with Native Regiments.Aden103rd Fusiliers, with Native Troops from India.Banda102nd Fusiliers, with Native Regiments.Buxar101st Fusiliers, with a number of Native Regiments.--The 101st Regiment was made Fusiliers after, for its conduct at this battle.Bourbon69th and 86th Foot, with Native Troops.Bushire64th and 106th, with Native Troops from India.Beni-boo-Ally103rd, with a number of Native Regiments--3rd, 7th, 13th, and 18th Natives.Cabul 18799th Lancers, 9th, 67th, 72nd, 92nd, and Native Troops from India.Candahar 18809th Lancers, 7th, 41st, 60th, 66th, 72nd, 92nd, and Native Troops from India. The 66th were cut to pieces, but they left six times their own number of the enemy all around them. A star was given for the march in relieving Candahar.Condore102nd Fusiliers, with Native Regiments.Canton59th, with Native Troops from India.Copenhagen49th and old 95th, Sailors and Marines.Carnatic103rd Fusiliers, with Native Regiments.Deig 180333rd, 76th, 101st Fusiliers, and a number of Native Regiments.Delhi 180333rd, 76th, and a number of Native Regiments,both horse and foot; they had some rough fighting under Wellington, but got nothing for it but hard blows.Detroit41st Foot and German Legion.Dominica46th Foot and 1st West India Regiment.Guzerat101st and 103rd Fusiliers, with Native Regiments.Hyderabad22nd Foot, with Native Regiments. It was at this battle where the 22nd so distinguished themselves. The odds were very heavy against them. They were dropping for want of water, and when it was procured they made the Native Regiments drink first, although some of them were dying fora few drops of that precious liquid.Jellalabad Defence13th Foot, with the late General Havelock and Native Regiments. He was there in 1839; he died a noble Christian; but he knew well how to fight for his country’s honour, as he said "They can only kill the body."Khelat2nd and 17th Foot, with Native Regiments.KirbekanThe South Staffordshire Regiment & Black Watch.Kirkee103rd Fusiliers, with a number of Native Regiments. It was at this battle that this Regiment put ten times their strength into the Indus, and nearly all were drowned.Kroshab 185664th, 68th, 78th, with Native Troops from India,under Sir Henry Havelock, Bart.LeipsicRoyal Artillery. The heaviest battle that ever was fought since powder was invented; upwards of100,000 dead and wounded lay upon this field. It lasted three days. Bonaparte commanded the French, and the Emperor of Russia the Allies--Russians, Austrians, Prussians, and Swedes. Napoleon was beaten, and re-crossed the Rhine,with about 70,000 men out of 350,000. English gold did this for him; it kept the Allies in the field.Leswarree8th Hussars, 33rd, 76th, with Native Troops.Lincelles,Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, ScotsSiege of MaharajporeFusilier Guards, with King’s German Legion.16th Lancers, 39th and 40th, with Native Troops. A bronze star was given by the E. I. Company for this battle.Marabout54th and Marines.Mahidpoor102nd Fusiliers and Native Troops.Mandora90th, 92nd, and Native Troops.Mangalore73rd Foot and Native Troops.Maheidpore1st Foot, with a number of Native Regiments.Meeanee22nd Foot, with a number of Native Regiments. The 22nd fought with desperation, and a number of them concealed their wounds and marched after the enemy until they dropped.Miami41st Foot, with Native Troops.Monte Video38th, 40th, 87th, and old 95th, with Spaniards. The old Faugh-a-Ballaghs did not forget to use the bayonet. The Spaniards were struck with wonderment.Moro56th Foot, with Native Troops.Mysore 1803102nd, with Native Troops.Nagpoor1st Foot, with Native Troops, who ran away; butt he old 1st made them face up, and showed them the way to do it.Nieuport53rd Foot.Nile 1884-8519th Hussars, Royal Irish Regiment, Cornwall Regt., Royal Sussex, Staffordshire Regt., Black Watch, Essex Regt., Royal West Kent Regt.,Gordon Highlanders, Cameron Highlanders.Nundy-Droog102nd Fusiliers, with Native Troops. The 102ndleft upwards of 700 men on the field, and then won the day.Peiwar Kotal 18798th, 72nd, with Native Troops from India.Pondicherry102nd Fusiliers, with Native Troops. Here the old 102nd let the French see what sort of stuff they were made of; and the Natives went at them manfully.Punniar9th Lancers, 3rd, 50th, and Native Troops.Queenstown41st, 49th, and a number of Royalists.Reshire64th, 106th, and Native Troops from India.St. Lucia1st, 27th, 53rd, and 64th Foot, and West India Regiments.Sahagun15th Hussars. They were a Regiment of Tailors,and fought desperately.Scinde22nd Foot, with a number of Native Regiments.Sholingur102nd Fusiliers, with a number of Native Regiments.Suakin 18855th Royal Lancers, 20th Hussars, Grenadier Gds.,Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, East Surrey Regt., Royal Berks Regt., Shropshire Lt. Infantry.Surinam64th Foot, with Native Troops.Tarifa47th and 87th Foot, with Spaniards.Ternate102nd Fusiliers, with Native Troops.Tofrek 1885Royal Berkshire Regiment.Tournay14th, 37th, and 53rd Foot, with Native Troops.Villiers-en-Couche15th Hussars, with Germans.Wilhelmstahl5th Fusiliers, with Germans.Wyndewash102nd Fusiliers, with Native Regiments.
A portion of the Royal Artillery were in almost every battle. The Marines have often put their shoulders to the wheel, and these amphibious gentlemen have proved that they are second to none; and the late go-in at Tel-el-Kebir has shown that they have not degenerated from their forefathers, who went at it, at the call of that glorious old Nelson, of whom Norfolk may well be proud, for his name is immortal. And last, but not least, our noble Jack Tars, or Blue Jackets, have repeatedly helped to plant our glorious old Standard in many a hot corner—shoulder to shoulder with the land-crabs, as they like to call us sometimes. This little book must not attempt to unfold the glorious deeds of our sailors, but I would fain pay a tribute of respect to them for their manly conduct under the most trying circumstances. Nothing but death will stop these “Trafalgar lambs;” the Russians will not forget them for some time to come, and the Mutineers in India have had good cause to remember them.
FIRST ACTION OF THE 15th HUSSARS.
The first regiment of Light Dragoons formed for permanent service was the present 15th Hussars. In 1759 many journeymen tailors went up to London to lay a petition before Parliament against certain grievances in connection with the goose; failing to obtain their object, and becoming slightly ruffled, some hundreds of them at once enlisted into the new corps that was being raised by the afterwards celebrated defender of Gibraltar, Col. Eliott. It is an old saying, that it takes nine tailors to make a man; but in the maiden action, at Emsdorf, 16th July, 1760, they proved that one tailor was more than a match for nine Frenchmen. They put small oak branches intheir helmets, and displayed the firmness of that tree, proving themselves heroes of no mean quality; 500 of the enemy got separated from the main body, and had to lay down their arms to the tailors; the pursuit was then continued, and the enemy overtaken, and surrendered prisoners of war to the tailors; the total number of prisoners amounted to 2,659 officers and men; while sixteen standards or colours were captured by this regiment of tailors, in Germany, from the French, during the Seven Years’ War, from 1757 to 1763. The French say that it takes nine good men to make a tailor; they evidently have not forgotten the 15th Hussars.
SINGULAR DESCRIPTION OF A DESERTER.