Richard Cannon

“ By the conquest of Egypt, Great Britain effected a revolution, which, in a great degree, influenced the politics of nations throughout the world. The vaunting ambition of France received a timely check, by the defeat of the [54] boldest project which the mind of her greatest General had ever conceived; and the 'Army of the East' returned to their country, relieved, in a short campaign, of the fruits of four years' toil and glory. ”

“ Such acts of tyrannical ambition failed not to rouse the just resentment of England, and led to the bold determination of rescuing the Peninsula from the rapacious conqueror. Portugal was destined to receive the advance-guard of a British army, which, as in Egypt, was to encounter the victorious legions of Napoleon, and, as in Egypt, also to triumph. On the 1st of August, 1808, a body of British troops, commanded by Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, landed near Lisbon, and on the 17th of the same month they defeated a French force at Roleia. ”

“ The Queen Dowager's Regiment continued to form part of the army on the continent, serving with distinction in various operations there, and more particularly at the battle of Landen on the 29th of July, 1693, where it was posted in the left wing of the allied army, and in conjunction [23] with the regiment of Hamilton (the Royals) defeated a superior force of the enemy, and retarded, for a time, the disasters of the day. Nothing could surpass the courage and perseverance of King William, whose presence with this portion of his troops urged them on to deeds of the greatest heroism. ”

“ Beloved by the Army, honoured by his Sovereign, and respected by his country, he has terminated a life devoted to her service by a glorious death, leaving his name as a memorial, an example, and an excitement to those who shall follow him in the path of honour, and it is from his country alone that his memory can receive the tribute which is its due. ”

“ Napoleon, who by this time had become sensible of his inability successfully to invade Great Britain, sought the humiliation of his rival in excluding, by the above treaty, the manufactures of England from the markets of Europe. As a part of his scheme for universal empire, he gained the royal family of Spain into his power by treachery, placed his brother Joseph on the throne of that kingdom by force, and effected the conquest of Portugal. ”

“ Notwithstanding these disadvantages, the British troops employed in Holland upheld, by their gallantry and discipline, the honour of their country, and by the skill and attention of their officers, this short but active campaign prepared this little army to advance the glory of England in succeeding years, against the best organised troops in Europe.
Major-General Coote expressed, in orders, his approbation of the conduct of the Queen's Royal; and after the evacuation of Holland, the regiment landed at Yarmouth, from whence it proceeded to Ashford, in Kent, for the winter. ”

“ This war had been pursued with vigour by Great Britain, whose fleets and armies triumphed in all quarters of the world. The Queen's Regiment was kept on duty in Ireland, which country was threatened by France with invasion. That nation, however, found sufficient occupation for her troops elsewhere, and the threat of invasion, as on other occasions, terminated on the part of France in wasteful preparations and presumptuous boast. ”

“ In Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been undisturbed by the presence of war, which few other countries have escaped, comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service, and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or no interval of repose. ”

“ Upon the 21st of March, the united force of the French in Egypt attacked the position of the British Army.
An attack, begun an hour before daylight, could derive no advantage over the vigilance of an army ever ready to receive it. The enemy's most vigorous and repeated efforts were directed against the right and centre. Our infantry fought in the plain, greatly inferior in the number of their artillery, and unaided by cavalry. ”

“ Hostilities were commenced in 1775, and terminated in 1783, with the loss to Great Britain of that large portion of territory, the United States of America. During this important struggle, France had afforded active assistance in promoting the disunion of England and her American subjects. A spirit of republicanism soon afterwards began to spread in France. Anarchy, revolution, and bloodshed, and the execution of their king, followed in rapid succession. The latter act took place in 1793, and was the immediate cause of a war on the part of Great Britain and of Europe, against France. ”

“ The speedy reduction of Tongres was necessary to the success of the French Marshals, and it was accordingly attacked with great vigour; but the two regiments defended themselves, with extraordinary bravery, for twenty-eight hours; and when at length reduced to surrender, they had secured time for Marshal D'Auverquerque to collect his forces in a position under the cannon of Maestricht, so strong, that the enemy declined a general engagement. ”

“ These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the troops themselves; and the enemy has been taught, that whatever advantages of position or of numbers he may employ, there is inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows not how to yield,—that no circumstances can appal,—and that will ensure victory when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any human means. ”

“ Lucie, on the 1st of May, 1796, while serving with the army under Major-General Sir Ralph Abercrombie, he was severely wounded in the right thigh: after taking a prominent part in storming three French redoubts, he was employed for the space of seven months at an outpost in the woods against the Charibs: on the conquest of those people he was promoted to a company in the Sixth West India Regiment on the 28th of March, 1797. In 1798 he returned to England, and was appointed Aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Whitelocke, then acting as second in command under Earl Moira at Portsmouth ”

“ In the winter of 1695-6, the king of France assembled an army near Calais, for a descent upon England in favour of King James, who had privately concerted measures for a rebellion in this country, and had sent the [24] Duke of Berwick with a number of officers in disguise, through whose persuasions 2000 men were prepared to rise, at a moment's notice, under the directions of Sir John Fenwick [18] ; at the same time a conspiracy was formed in London for the assassination of King William, and fifty men were engaged and prepared with arms to commit the diabolical act. ”

“ In the month of July, 1795, the two flank companies of the regiment, already mentioned as being left on board the Fleet, were disembarked at Guernsey, and proceeded in the month following to Southampton: they had been augmented, and now formed the First Battalion of the regiment, which was already in a state of readiness for foreign service. In October, eight companies of the First Battalion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, embarked, and formed part of the memorable expedition destined for the West Indies, under Major-General Sir Ralph Abercrombie and Admiral Christian. ”

“ The King, in contemplating so glorious a display of the valour and prowess of His Troops, has been graciously pleased to command that his Royal approbation of the conduct of the Army serving under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley shall be thus publicly declared in General Orders. ”

“ The Queen's Royal Regiment has continued to be employed in the Presidency of Bombay to the end of the year 1837, the period of the termination of this Record. It remains an efficient corps, and the laurels which it acquired in every quarter of the globe are preserved untarnished in the distant shores of India. ”

“ Soon after the arrival of the troops from Egypt, hostilities broke out between the English and the Mahrattas: in this contest Major Torrens again evinced his natural courage and talents, and obtained the approbation of the officers under whom he served: his health giving way to the active exertions he had made in the execution of his duty, and suffering under the effects of a coup de soleil, he was compelled to have recourse to a change of climate, and accordingly obtained leave to return to England. ”

“ After the above defeat, Marshal Marmont withdrew the army of Portugal in the direction of Burgos, and Lord Wellington crossed the Douro and entered Madrid. The allied army made a further advance to Burgos, the siege of which was undertaken and pushed with vigour, but was abandoned in October, in consequence of a junction of the disposable French force in Spain, amounting to between 80,000 and 90,000 men, and the determination of the British commander to retire on the Douro, and subsequently to Salamanca and to Ciudad Rodrigo. ”

“ Sir John Moore, however, advanced with his army of about 23,000 men, until Bonaparte directed 80,000 veterans with 200 cannon against him: a retreat was immediately commenced. In all the fatigues, distresses, and privations of this memorable winter campaign, the Queen's regiment had its full share, and was brigaded with the 5th, 14th, and 32nd regiments under command of Major-General (now Lord) Hill. This brigade was posted in line on the left of Sir John Moore's position, when that officer fought and defeated the French forces in front of Corunna on the 16th of January, 1809. ”

“ In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,—on their sufferings,—and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which so many national benefits are obtained and preserved. ”

“ The successful efforts of the British fleet and army were followed by a treaty of peace with France, which was concluded at Amiens on the 1st of October, 1801, by which Egypt was again restored to the Ottoman empire. The troops, as opportunities offered, were withdrawn from the scene of their brilliant achievements, and about the end of the year 1801 the Queen's Regiment embarked for Gibraltar. ”

“ On extraordinary occasions, the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill and bravery, and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour of their Sovereign's Approbation, constitute the reward which the soldier most highly prizes. ”

“ It is presumed that a record of achievements in war,—victories so complete and surprising, gained by our countrymen,—our brothers—our fellow-citizens in arms,—a record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their gallant deeds before us, will certainly prove acceptable to the public. ”

“ It is recorded that 'never was a more desperate service, nor was ever exploit performed with more valour and intrepidity.' Lieut.-General De Ginkell, to whom King William had entrusted the command of his army, was created Earl of Athlone for his conduct and success on this occasion. On the 4th of July ten mounted grenadiers of the Queen's Regiment and twenty horse, engaged 400 of the enemy's cavalry in the woods of Clanoult, and displayed astonishing bravery. Our men defended a bridge until half their numbers were killed, and then retired. ”

“ The fortress was already surrounded by walls upwards of a mile and a quarter in extent, but the English began constructing, at immense cost both of money and labour, a series of external fortifications. It was also determined to form a secure harbour by building a pier, or mole, several hundred yards in length. A spirit of enterprise, which has since become so conspicuous in British subjects, was, at this early period, strongly evinced in these improvements, carried on amidst barbarian tribes on the unpromising shores of Africa. ”