Richard Cannon

“ The benefits derived to an army from the example of a distinguished Commander, do not terminate at his death; his virtues live in the recollection of his associates, and his fame remains the strongest incentive to great and glorious actions.
“In this view, the Commander-in-Chief, amidst the deep and universal regret which the death of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore has occasioned, recalls to the troops the military career of that illustrious officer for their instruction and imitation. ”

“ Great Britain has produced a race of lion-like champions who have dared to confront a host of foes, and have proved themselves valiant with any arms. At Crecy, King Edward III., at the head of about 30,000 men, defeated, on the 26th of August, 1346, Philip King of France, whose army is said to have amounted to 100,000 men; here British valour encountered veterans of renown:—the King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, and many princes and nobles were slain, and the French army was routed and cut to pieces. ”

“ THE INFANTRY. 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. ”

“ The introduction of the use of gunpowder in the destructive purposes of war, in the early part of the fourteenth century, produced a change in the arms and equipment of the infantry soldier. Bows and arrows gave place to various kinds of fire-arms, but British archers continued formidable adversaries; and, owing to the inconvenient construction and imperfect bore of the fire-arms when first introduced, a body of men, well trained in the use of the bow from their youth, was considered a valuable acquisition to every army, even as late as the sixteenth century. ”

“ There have all been surmounted by the conduct of the troops themselves: and the enemy has been taught, that whatever advantages of position or numbers he may possess, 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. ”

“ The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance, have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and their character has been established in Continental warfare by the irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against superior numbers. ”

“ Each battalion was to have ten companies, consisting of fifty-four serjeants, twenty drummers, two fifers, and a thousand rank and file.
At this period Bonaparte was making preparations for the invasion of England, for which purpose he collected an immense flotilla at Boulogne. The threat of invasion aroused the patriotism of the British people, and the most strenuous measures were pursued to defeat the designs of the French Ruler; volunteer and yeomanry corps were formed in every part of the kingdom, and all parties united in one grand effort for the preservation of Great Britain. ”

“ The fame of the deeds of the past and present generations in the various battle-fields where the robust sons of Albion have fought and conquered, surrounds the British arms with a halo of glory; these achievements will live in the page of history to the end of time. ”

“ Great Britain has produced a race of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood “firm as the rocks of their native shore:” and when half the world has been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their Country with unshaken fortitude. ”

“ The British Soldier is distinguished for a robust and muscular frame,—intrepidity which no danger can appal,—unconquerable spirit and resolution,—patience in fatigue and privation, and cheerful obedience to his superiors. These qualities, united with an excellent system of order and discipline to regulate and give a skilful direction to the energies and adventurous spirit of the hero, and a wise selection of officers of superior talent to command, whose presence inspires confidence,—have been the leading causes of the splendid victories gained by the British [xviii] arms. ”

“ The British troops received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and His Majesty King George III., conferred upon the NINETY-SECOND, and other regiments, which had thus exalted the military fame of Great Britain, by the expulsion of the “invincible” legions of Bonaparte from Egypt, from whence he had expected to extend his conquests throughout Asia, the honor of bearing on their colours and appointments the “Sphinx,” and the word “Egypt,” as a distinguished mark of His Majesty’s royal approbation of their conduct during the campaign. ”

“ 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. ”

“ The Dutch did not manifest a disposition to rise against the French. At daylight, in the morning of the 10th of September, the united French and Dutch forces, under General Brune, attacked the piquets; the troops repaired to their alarm-posts, and the action soon became general: the British troops repulsed the attack, and the orders of that day directed the regiment to its cantonments at Oude Sluys, and conveyed the thanks of General Sir Ralph [16] Abercromby [7] for its “noble and steady conduct during the day.” ”

“ Lieut.-General Hill has great satisfaction in congratulating the troops on the success which has attended their recent operations in Estremadura, and in so doing, he cannot but endeavour to do justice to the merits of those through whose exertions it has been obtained. A patient willing endurance of forced and night marches, during the worst of weather and over bad roads, of bivouacs in wet weather, oftentimes without cover and without fire, and a strict observance of discipline, are qualities, however common in British soldiers, which the Lieut.-General cannot pass unnoticed. ”

“ Napoleon took Alexandria by storm, and soon established himself at Cairo. The Sublime Porte, incensed by the invasion of Egypt, declared war against France, and formed an alliance with Russia. The fleet which had conveyed the expedition to Egypt, was almost destroyed by Admiral Nelson in Aboukir Bay, on the 1st of August. So large a portion of the French army, being thus secluded in a distant land, gave fresh impulse to the allies, and in November the island of Minorca surrendered to the British arms. In December, 1798, the co-operation of Russia against France was secured by Great Britain. ”

“ The left of the French army was posted and concentrated about Bergen, a large village surrounded by extensive woods, through which passed the great road leading to Haarlem; between which and the sea was an extensive region of high sand-hills, impassable for artillery. Behind the sand-hills, and to the enemy’s right, through the whole extent of North Holland, lies a wet and low country, intersected with dykes, canals, and ditches.
The army advanced before daylight to attack the enemy. The NINETY-SECOND regiment was ordered to escort twenty pieces of artillery to the front, along the sea-shore. ”

“ The weapons carried by the infantry, during the several reigns succeeding the Conquest, were bows and arrows, half-pikes, lances, halberds, various kinds of battle-axes, swords, and daggers. Armour was worn on the head and body, and in course of time the practice became general for military men to be so completely cased in steel, that it was almost impossible to slay them. ”

“ The memorable battle of Vittoria commenced by Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill obtaining possession of the heights of La Puebla, on which the enemy’s left rested. The enemy immediately sent a reinforcement of about seven thousand men, with some artillery to this point, and made several attempts to recover his lost ground, but was as frequently repulsed by the troops which were opposed to him; and by that means they covered the remainder of the second division, while filing across the Zadorra, and in its movement to [69] attack the enemy in the village of Subijana de Alava. ”

“ 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 [v] 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Each corps kept its ground with coolness and steadiness, until everything was prepared on the left, and the allied army advanced across the plain.
At this juncture, the NINETY-SECOND was again directed to advance, and drive the enemy from every post in its front, which duty it performed in its usual manner, and the French having given way at all points, the battalion continued a rapid pursuit along the Pampeluna road, until about midnight, when it was halted near Ganuz.
On this occasion, the French suffered a great loss of men, together with all their artillery, baggage, and stores. ”

“ Marshal Soult, Duke of Dalmatia, having taken up a position above the town of Corunna, made arrangements for attacking the British army as soon as the troops should commence their embarkation. The sick men, women, and baggage having been conveyed on board ship, preparations were made for embarking the troops on the 16th of January, 1809. The French instantly descended from the heights in three columns, and advanced about two o’clock to attack the British position in front of Corunna; a sanguinary action ensued, and before dark, the French were defeated in all their attacks. ”

“ The fleet sailed for England on the 3rd of July, with orders to rendezvous at Yarmouth. A vessel, with orders from England, however, changed the place of rendezvous to the Downs, where the fleet arrived on the 20th of July, and proceeded to Spithead. A draft of seventy rank and file was received from the second battalion.
Spain was at this period the centre of political interest. Portugal, deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the people of each rose in arms to recover the national independence. ”

“ After the peace in 1697 the Marine regiments were disbanded, but were again formed on the breaking out of the war in 1702. [2]
During the reign of Queen Anne the pikes were laid aside, and every infantry soldier was armed with a musket, bayonet, and sword; the grenadiers ceased, about the same period, to carry hand grenades; and the regiments were directed to lay aside their third colour: the corps of Royal Artillery was first added to the Army in this reign.
About the year 1745, the men of the battalion companies of infantry ceased to carry swords ”

“ The irreparable loss that has been sustained by the fall of the Commander of the Forces (Lieut.-General Sir John Moore) , and the severe wound which has removed Lieut.-General Sir David Baird from his station, render it the duty of Lieut.-General Hope to congratulate the army upon the successful result of the action of the 16th instant.
“On no occasion has the undaunted valour of British troops ever been more manifest. ”

“ After eulogising the gallantry of the ninetieth regiment, which formed the advanced guard of the right column, Lieut.-Colonel Wilson, added:—
“The conduct of the NINETY-SECOND had been no less meritorious. Opposed to a tremendous fire, and suffering severely from the French line, they never receded a foot, but maintained the contest alone, until the marines and the rest of the line came to their support.” ”

“ The regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, subsequently shared in the general operations of the army, but was not engaged in any very serious affair.
The gallant exertions made on behalf of the Dutch were not seconded by them; and in the meantime the French army had been reinforced. Instead, therefore, of fighting for a people who were not resolved to be free, it was decided that the British troops should be withdrawn from Holland. ”

“ In December the regiment received its colours on Windmill Hill, after being consecrated by the garrison chaplain; the regiment was marched under them by files in ordinary time, previously to which the Marquis of Huntly made a very impressive address, calling the attention of the officers and men to the duties which their King and Country expected from them, and to the honors which he trusted they would acquire under these banners. ”

“ His mode of formation was copied by the English, French, and other European states; but so great was the prejudice in favour of ancient customs, that all his improvements were not adopted until near a century afterwards.
In 1664 King Charles II. raised a corps for sea-service, styled the Admiral’s regiment. In 1678 each company of 100 men usually consisted of 30 pikemen, 60 musketeers, and 10 men armed with light firelocks. In this year the King added a company of men armed with hand grenades to each of the old British regiments, which was designated the “grenadier company.” ”