H
BRITISH REGIMENTS AT TICONDEROGA, 1758.
With Notes From Farmer’s Regimental Records.
27th.
1751-1881, The 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot. Also 1758 “Lord Blakeney’s.”
1881 (from) First Battalion “The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.”
Nickname—“The Lumps.”
Notes.—Formed from three Companies of the Inniskilling forces. It is unique in using the old Irish war-pipes. While employed on the Isthmus of Darien all but nine of six hundred men succumbed. For distinguished gallantry at St. Lucia, in 1696, it was directed that the French garrison in marching out should lay down their arms to the 27th, other marks of favor being likewise accorded to the officers and men of the regiment.
Notes.—Formed from three Companies of the Inniskilling forces. It is unique in using the old Irish war-pipes. While employed on the Isthmus of Darien all but nine of six hundred men succumbed. For distinguished gallantry at St. Lucia, in 1696, it was directed that the French garrison in marching out should lay down their arms to the 27th, other marks of favor being likewise accorded to the officers and men of the regiment.
42nd.
1749-58, 42nd Regiment of Foot (The Highland Regiment).
1758-1861, 42nd (or Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot. Also “Lord John Murray’s,” 1758 and 59.
1881 (from) 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).
Regimental Badges-“The Royal Cypher within the Garter.” The badge and motto of the Order of the Thistle. Also (in each of the four corners) the Royal Cypher ensigned with the Imperial Crown. Also “The Sphinx” (for Egypt, 1801).
Notes.—The 1st Battalion of this famous corps, the oldest Highland regiment in the British army, was raised from six Independent companies of Highlanders. Its sombre dress of black, blue, and green tartan gave rise to its popular name. To enumerate its services is simply to narrate the military history of Great Britain since the early part of the last century. Hardly a campaign has been conducted, or a battle fought, in which the Black Watch—one battalion or the other, or both in company—has not participated; always with bravery, and frequently with conspicuous gallantry. Thereto its records of services abundantly testifies. At Fontenoy, Ticonderoga, and at Bushy Run “extraordinary and unexampled” gallantry was shown. It received Royal distinction in its change of title in 1758, and was privileged to wear the red heckle in the bonnet, in recognition of its conduct at the battle of Guildermalsen in 1795. In Egypt (in 1801, for which it bears “The Sphinx”), before Alexandria, it captured the Standard of the French Invincible Legion. Since then it has heaped fame on fame, and added “honor” to “honor” to its colours. Nor has the 2nd Battalion (raised in Perthshire in 1758 as the second Battalion of the 42nd, but, renumbered, long known as the 73rd prior to the territorial restoration of the ancient status) failed to win fresh laurels as occasion arose. At Mangalore (1783) against Tippoo Sahib, and side by side with the senior Battalion at Waterloo, in the Netherlands, in the Indian Mutiny, and in the Kaffir wars of 1846-53, it has worthily sustained the undying fame of the regiment. Recent events in South Africa show that neither the officers nor the men of today have lost one iota of that traditional dash, determination, and the bravery which have won for the Black Watch so glorious a place in British military annals.
Notes.—The 1st Battalion of this famous corps, the oldest Highland regiment in the British army, was raised from six Independent companies of Highlanders. Its sombre dress of black, blue, and green tartan gave rise to its popular name. To enumerate its services is simply to narrate the military history of Great Britain since the early part of the last century. Hardly a campaign has been conducted, or a battle fought, in which the Black Watch—one battalion or the other, or both in company—has not participated; always with bravery, and frequently with conspicuous gallantry. Thereto its records of services abundantly testifies. At Fontenoy, Ticonderoga, and at Bushy Run “extraordinary and unexampled” gallantry was shown. It received Royal distinction in its change of title in 1758, and was privileged to wear the red heckle in the bonnet, in recognition of its conduct at the battle of Guildermalsen in 1795. In Egypt (in 1801, for which it bears “The Sphinx”), before Alexandria, it captured the Standard of the French Invincible Legion. Since then it has heaped fame on fame, and added “honor” to “honor” to its colours. Nor has the 2nd Battalion (raised in Perthshire in 1758 as the second Battalion of the 42nd, but, renumbered, long known as the 73rd prior to the territorial restoration of the ancient status) failed to win fresh laurels as occasion arose. At Mangalore (1783) against Tippoo Sahib, and side by side with the senior Battalion at Waterloo, in the Netherlands, in the Indian Mutiny, and in the Kaffir wars of 1846-53, it has worthily sustained the undying fame of the regiment. Recent events in South Africa show that neither the officers nor the men of today have lost one iota of that traditional dash, determination, and the bravery which have won for the Black Watch so glorious a place in British military annals.
44th.
1751-82, The 44th Regiment of Foot. Also 1758, “General Abercrombie’s.”
1881 (from) The First Battalion “The Essex Regiment.”
Nicknames—“The Two Fours” (of the 44th). “The Little Fighting Fours,” (the regiment saw hard service in the Peninsula, and its men were of small average stature). “The Pompadours” and “Saucy Pompeys.” (Tradition relates that when the facings were changed in 1764 (the crimson not wearing well) the Colonel desired Blue, but the authorities objecting, he chose Purple, a favorite color of Madame de Pompadour, a mistress of Louis XV, of France).
Notes.—The 44th captured an Eagle of the 62nd French Infantry at Salamanica.
Notes.—The 44th captured an Eagle of the 62nd French Infantry at Salamanica.
46th.
1751-82, The 46th Regiment of Foot. Also 1758 “Lieut. Gen. Thomas Murray’s.”
1881 (from) Second Battalion “Duke of Cornwall’s Light infantry.”
Nicknames—These pertain to the late 46th; “Murray’s Buck’s” (from Colonel name (1743-64) and its smart appearance on home duty in Scottish Royal livery). “The Surprisers” (from an incident (1777) in the American War). “The Lacedemonians” (its Colonel once when under fire, made a disciplinarian speech concerning the Lacedemonians). Also in early days, “The Edinburgh Regiment.” “The Red Feathers.” “The Docs” (the initials).
Note.—“The Two Feathers” is a distinction of the 46th, a Light company of which, in 1777, with others were brigaded as “The Light Battalion.” The Americans were so harrassed by the Brigade that they vowed “No Quarter.” In derision, to prevent mistakes, the Light Battalion dyed their feathers red; the 46th Foot alone has retained the distinction.
Note.—“The Two Feathers” is a distinction of the 46th, a Light company of which, in 1777, with others were brigaded as “The Light Battalion.” The Americans were so harrassed by the Brigade that they vowed “No Quarter.” In derision, to prevent mistakes, the Light Battalion dyed their feathers red; the 46th Foot alone has retained the distinction.
55th
1757-82, The 55th Regiment of Foot. Also “Lord Howe’s” in 1858 and “Prideaux’s” in 1759.
1881 (from) Second Battalion “The Border Regiment.”
Nickname—“The Two Fives” (to the 55th for its number).
Notes.—The Dragon of China is on the Regimental Badge of the 55th in honor of the victorious campaign in China in 1840-42.
Notes.—The Dragon of China is on the Regimental Badge of the 55th in honor of the victorious campaign in China in 1840-42.
1st and 4th Battalions 60th.
1755-57, The 62nd (Royal American) Regiment of Foot; renumbered.
1757-1824, The 60th (Royal American) Regiment of Foot.
1881 (from) Second Battalion “The Border Regiment.”
Notes.—This regiment, though possessing no “Colors,” bears more honors than any other regiment, the Highland Light Infantry coming next with twenty-nine. Motto, “Swift and Bold,” bestowed according to tradition by General Wolfe in recognition of its conduct at Quebec.
Notes.—This regiment, though possessing no “Colors,” bears more honors than any other regiment, the Highland Light Infantry coming next with twenty-nine. Motto, “Swift and Bold,” bestowed according to tradition by General Wolfe in recognition of its conduct at Quebec.
80th.
1758-64, The 80th (Light-armed) Regiment of Foot. Also “Gage’s.” (Disbanded 1764).
The Royal Regiment of Artillery.
One arm or other of this branch of the Service has, obviously, taken part in every campaign; a particularized list is therefore unnecessary. The guns are the “Colours” of the Artillery, and as such are entitled to all “parade honours.” Formerly, regimental honors appear to have been worn by certain companies. Amongst such are “Niagara,” “Leipsic,” “Waterloo,” and “The Dragon of China.”
Nicknames—“The Gunners;” “The Four-wheeled Hussars” (of the Royal Horse Artillery).
Notes.—Trains of artillery seem to have been raised in the time of Henry VIII., and up to 1716 appear to have been disbanded after each campaign. In 1716 several companies received permanent corporate existence, since which exigencies of modern warfare have led to an enormous increase in the number of batteries. But from first to last, the record of the Royal Artillery has been one of distinction, and it may fitly be said to share the honors of all other regiments. The Royal Irish Artillery were absorbed in 1801, and the East India Company’s Artillery in 1858.
Notes.—Trains of artillery seem to have been raised in the time of Henry VIII., and up to 1716 appear to have been disbanded after each campaign. In 1716 several companies received permanent corporate existence, since which exigencies of modern warfare have led to an enormous increase in the number of batteries. But from first to last, the record of the Royal Artillery has been one of distinction, and it may fitly be said to share the honors of all other regiments. The Royal Irish Artillery were absorbed in 1801, and the East India Company’s Artillery in 1858.
BRITISH REGIMENTS AT TICONDEROGA, 1759.
1st.
1751-1812, The 1st, or The Royal Regiment of Foot, also the “Royals.”
1881 (from) The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment).
Nickname—“Pontius Pilate’s Body-Guard.” It is a legend of the Regiment that the Romans carried off a number of wild, war-like Highlanders as prisoners after their conquest of Britain, and these men and their descendants became soldiers of the Roman Empire and as such they guarded the tomb of Our Saviour after the crucifixion. This Scottish company, for it only consisted of one hundred men under a centurion, was kept distinct from the Roman Army proper. At the time of the crucifixion they were called Pontius Pilate’s Scots Guards, and their descendants were the nucleus of the First Royal Scots in later years.
Notes.—The oldest Regiment of Foot in the British Army. Traditionally regarded as the ancient body-guard of the Scottish kings, this famous corps was in the service of Sweden, as “Hepburn’s Regiment,” from 1625 to 1633; and in that of France from 1633 to 1678, when (under Dumbarton) it came to England. It received its title in 1684 in recognition of the capture of a Colour from the Moors at Tangier. At Sedgemoor (1685) it also captured the Duke of Monmouth’s Standard.
Notes.—The oldest Regiment of Foot in the British Army. Traditionally regarded as the ancient body-guard of the Scottish kings, this famous corps was in the service of Sweden, as “Hepburn’s Regiment,” from 1625 to 1633; and in that of France from 1633 to 1678, when (under Dumbarton) it came to England. It received its title in 1684 in recognition of the capture of a Colour from the Moors at Tangier. At Sedgemoor (1685) it also captured the Duke of Monmouth’s Standard.
17th.
1751-82, The 17th Regiment of Foot. Also “Forbes.”
1881 (from) “The Leicestershire Regiment.”
Nicknames—“The Bengal Tigers” (from its badge); “The Lily-whites” (from its facings).
Notes.—Mainly raised near London; twelve regiments in all were formed in 1688, but this and the 16th (The Bedfordshire) are alone in commission now.
Notes.—Mainly raised near London; twelve regiments in all were formed in 1688, but this and the 16th (The Bedfordshire) are alone in commission now.
27th.
See above,Ticonderoga, 1758.
42nd.
See above,Ticonderoga, 1758.
55th.
See above,Ticonderoga, 1758.
77th.
1756-63, The 77th (Montgomery Highlanders) Regiment; disbanded 1763.
80th.
See above,Ticonderoga, 1758.
Royal Artillery.
See above,Ticonderoga, 1758.