Historical Record of the First Regiment of Foot

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Cannon Richard. Historical Record of the First Regiment of Foot

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION TO THE INFANTRY

HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS OF THE FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT

Sir John Hepburn, Appointed 26th January, 1633

James Hepburn, Appointed 26th August, 1636

Lord James Douglas, Appointed in 1637

Lord George Douglas, Appointed 21st October, 1655

Frederick Duke Schomberg, Appointed 31st December, 1688

Sir Robert Douglas, Appointed 5th March, 1691

Lord George Hamilton, Appointed 1st August, 1692

Honourable James St. Clair, Appointed 27th June, 1737

Sir Henry Erskine, Bart., Appointed 17th December, 1762

John Marquis of Lorne, Appointed 11th September, 1765

Lord Adam Gordon, Appointed 9th May, 1782

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, Appointed 21st August, 1801

George Marquis of Huntly, Appointed 29th January, 1820

Thomas Lord Lynedoch, G.C.B., Appointed 12th December, 1834

Sir George Murray, G.C.B., Appointed 29th December, 1843

Sir James Kempt, G.C.B. and G.C.H., Appointed 7th August, 1846

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The natives of Britain have, at all periods, been celebrated for innate courage and unshaken firmness, and the national superiority of the British troops over those of other countries has been evinced in the midst of the most imminent perils. History contains so many proofs of extraordinary acts of bravery, that no doubts can be raised upon the facts which are recorded. It must therefore be admitted, that the distinguishing feature of the British soldier is Intrepidity. This quality was evinced by the inhabitants of England when their country was invaded by Julius Cæsar with a Roman army, on which occasion the undaunted Britons rushed into the sea to attack the Roman soldiers as they descended from their ships; and, although their discipline and arms were inferior to those of their adversaries, yet their fierce and dauntless bearing intimidated the flower of the Roman troops, including Cæsar's favourite tenth legion. Their arms consisted of spears, short swords, and other weapons of rude construction. They had chariots, to the axles of which were fastened sharp pieces of iron resembling scythe-blades, and infantry in long chariots resembling waggons, who alighted and fought on foot, and for change of ground, pursuit, or retreat, sprang into the chariot and drove off with the speed of cavalry. These inventions were, however, unavailing against Cæsar's legions: in the course of time a military system, with discipline and subordination, was introduced, and British courage, being thus regulated, was exerted to the greatest advantage; a full development of the national character followed, and it shone forth in all its native brilliancy.

The military force of the Anglo-Saxons consisted principally of infantry: Thanes, and other men of property, however, fought on horseback. The infantry were of two classes, heavy and light. The former carried large shields armed with spikes, long broad swords and spears; and the latter were armed with swords or spears only. They had also men armed with clubs, others with battle-axes and javelins.

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Meanwhile Douglas' Regiment had been removed from the Netherlands and placed under the orders of Prince Francis-Thomas of Savoy, who commanded the French army in Italy; and, having been engaged in several operations, it was employed in the autumn in the siege of the city of Turin, in Piedmont, which place was invested on the 14th of August. The Scots Regiment of Guards also arrived in Piedmont in time to take part in the siege, which was terminated on the 27th of September by the surrender of the city, when Douglas' Regiment was placed in garrison.38

Before the following campaign the regiment was, however, removed from Piedmont to Picardy; and passing from thence to the Netherlands, it served, in 1644, under the Duke of Orleans, who held, during the minority of Louis XIV., the title of Lieutenant-General to the King. The army in the Netherlands was this year of considerable magnitude, and Douglas' Regiment formed part of the division commanded by Marshal Meilleraie,39 and was engaged in the siege of Gravelines, a town situated on the river Aa, nine miles from Dunkirk. The communication of Gravelines with the sea rendered it a place of great importance to the Spaniards, who made strenuous exertions for its preservation. Two sorties were made by the garrison in the early part of July, when Douglas' Regiment was sharply engaged, and the enemy was repulsed. Every attempt made by the Spaniards to relieve the place was defeated, and the town surrendered on the 28th of July, 1644. This success was followed by the capture of several forts, and places of minor importance, near the sea.

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