Dragoon Guards

“ The Fourth Dragoon Guards, under a well-regulated system of discipline and the direction of intelligent officers, in whom the men have confidence, have evinced their usefulness to the country by their firm and temperate conduct on home duty, as well as by their bravery in the field when called upon to combat a foreign enemy. Instances frequently occur, in which the magistrates call for [80] the aid of the military, without whose co-operation the civil police would sometimes be unequal to repress and control the violence of a lawless mob. ”

“ The regiment only lost one man and five horses in this engagement, with eight men and three horses wounded.
Notwithstanding the signal bravery of the British troops, the enemy, by superior numbers, was enabled to gain possession of several important towns; and, on the advance of the main army under the Duke de Broglio, the Dragoon Guards left their advanced post at Wilda, repassed the Dymel, and joined the lines near Warbourg on the 3rd of August. During the remainder of the campaign many brilliant services were performed by the British troops and their allies. ”

“ After the conclusion of the peace of Amiens with the French government, the establishment of the Fourth Dragoon Guards was reduced to eight troops, and the total numbers to 550 officers and soldiers and 500 troop horses. In August, 1802, the regiment proceeded to Ireland, and, having landed at Donaghadee, it occupied Belturbet, Longford, and Enniskillen. ”

“ All this time the sickness, though decreasing, continued to affect us. The 5th Dragoon Guards suffered so much—their commanding officer (Major Le Marchant) absent from ill-health, the senior Captain (Duckworth) , the surgeon (Pitcairn) , and the veterinary-surgeon (Fisher) , dead, as well as a number of non-commissioned officers and privates—that it was dis-regimented for a time, and was placed under the command of Colonel Hodge, who incorporated it with his own regiment, the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoons. ”

“ The Dragoon Guards had originally been regiments of cavalry, or horse, armed like the Household cavalry, and receiving a higher rate of pay than the mere dragoon, who, essentially a mounted infantry soldier, and armed at first with an infantry weapon, did not provide his own horse. ”

“ While the Second Life Guards and First Dragoon Guards pursued the cuirassiers down the slope, the Royals, Scots Greys, and Inniskillens rode to the assistance of Pack's brigade, which had been assailed by four strong brigades of the enemy. ”

“ The wild and disorderly rush of the undisciplined multitude was opposed by the troops with firmness, and after a contest of an hour's duration, the rebels were repulsed with the loss of one-hundred and forty men left dead in the streets. The Fourth Dragoon Guards and fencibles charged several times and slaughtered many of the rebels in the pursuit. ”

“ Since the Regiments of Horse were formed into Dragoon Guards, additional improvements have been introduced into the constitution of the several corps; and the superior description of horses now bred in the United Kingdom enables the commanding officers to remount their regiments with such excellent horses, that, whilst sufficient weight has been retained for a powerful charge in line, a lightness has been acquired which renders them available for every description of service incident to modern warfare. ”

“ Our will and pleasure is, that a Regiment of Dragoones which we have established and ordered to be raised, in twelve Troopes of fourscore in each beside officers, who are to be under the command of Our most deare and most intirely beloved Cousin Prince Rupert, shall be armed out of Our stoares remaining within Our office of the Ordinance, as followeth ”

“ Several regiments of Horse and Dragoons were raised in the first year of the reign of King James II.; and the horsemen carried a short carbine [6] in addition to the sword and pair of pistols: and in a Regulation dated the 21st of February, 1687, the arms of the Dragoons at that period are commanded to be as follow:—
"The Dragoons to have snaphanse musquets, strapt, with bright barrels of three foote eight inches long, cartouch-boxes, bayonetts, granado pouches, bucketts, and hammer-hatchetts." ”

“ The ranks of the Troops of Horse were at this period composed of men of some property—generally the sons of substantial yeomen: the young men received as recruits provided their own horses, [iv] and they were placed on a rate of pay sufficient to give them a respectable station in society.
On the breaking out of the war with Holland, in the spring of 1672, a Regiment of Dragoons was raised [3] ”

“ It was nicknamed “the Dumpies” when raised, from the diminutive size of the men.
The first 19th Dragoons was raised in 1759, renumbered 18th in 1763, and disbanded in 1822.
The second was raised from the Light Troops of the 1st and 2nd Dragoon Guards, 4th and 10th Dragoons in 1779. Its uniform was scarlet with green facings; it was disbanded in 1783.
The third was raised as the 23rd Dragoons in 1781, and renumbered 19th in 1783; it served at the battles of Assaye (for its conduct at which it was presented with honorary standards by the East India Company) , Seringapatam, Niagara, &c. ”

“ On page 133, Dragoons are recorded. There is no mention of a gunsmith. There is one "Hoboy" 2s. per diem.
Then on page 161 we reach the Establishment of Guards and Garrisons, 25th April, 1700.
The Dragoon Regiments, as detailed on page 168, had only 40 private soldiers to each troop.
The 1st of June (1702) Establishment gives the Dragoons 54 private soldiers to a company.
The following relates to the title of the Regiment:—
William and Mary, by the Grace of God, King and Queen of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, &c., &c. ”

“ A Squadron under Major W. C. Middleton located the enemy on left flank en route, who opened with heavy rifle fire, and then retired. Casualties, several horses wounded.
5th.—The regiment marched from Welgelegen to Bonnefoi. Snipers met with en route.
6th.—The regiment marched from Bonnefoi to Carolina. No enemy.
7th.—Lieut. R. Lomer, 3rd Dragoon Guards (attached) , invalided to England.
9th.—The regiment marched from Carolina; enemy occupied strong position in front of advance, but retired when darkness set in. Bivouacked at Bruffelspruit. ”

“ The battle honours are: Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde; Malplaquet; Warburg; Beaumont; Willems; Talavera; Albuhera; Vittoria; Peninsula; Abyssinia; South Africa, 1901-02. (Fig. 11.)
4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards.—The Dragoon Guard type of standard is again followed. The central badge contains the Harp and Crown, and the Star of the Order of St. Patrick; the second and third corners are filled with the initials IV. D.G. on a blue ground, and the battle honours are: Peninsula; Balaklava; Sevastopol; Egypt, 1882; Tel-el-Kebir. The motto, “Quis separabit,” is inscribed below the union wreath. ”

“ The Thirteenth regiment of Light Dragoons, during its long and faithful services to its sovereign and country in various quarters of the globe, has, in peace and in war, under every circumstance of service, vicissitude of climate, and the trials incident thereto, distinguished itself by the display of those qualities which ever acquire unfading laurels in the field of action, and gain respect and esteem for the British soldier. ”

“ Everywhere cavalry came trampling and crowding out of the woods and cantering away toward the north, hussars mostly, at first, then chasseurs-à-cheval, an entire brigade of these splendid lancers, pouring out into the road and taking the Ausone route at a gallop.
More motor cycles flashed past; then half a dozen automobiles, in which officers were seated examining maps; then up the road galloped dragoon lancers, wearing grey helmet slips and escorting three light field guns, the drivers of which were also dragoons—a sight Warner had never before seen. ”

“ When any Discovery is made from which there is reason to belive the Enemy is on the Coast A Patrole to be sent both ways along the Coast with all Expedition with a Report and to be Communicated from Seaford to the Party of the King's Light Dragoones at Newhaven to be forwarded to the Officer commanding that Regiment.
A patrole of a Dragoon Mounted to set out every Morning soon after Sun Rise from Dover and Seaford to the next Post on the Road to Hastings—they are to have a sealed card on which is written the time the patrole left each Station. ”

“ I was one of the advanced guard formed of men selected from the 8th Hussars, 4th Light Dragoons, 17th Lancers, 13th Light Dragoons, and 11th Hussars, and we were, of course, the first to come within sight of the enemy, who, in place of advancing to meet us, set fire to houses, corn-stacks, and every vestige of harvest produce on the land for miles around. ”

“ On the other hand, the desperate infantry will thrust their bayonets up to the hilt into the breast or behind the shoulder of a horse and pierce his heart, so that he rolls over, and before the trooper can clear his stirrups, and rise to form his guard, his foe has pinned him to the ground with a thrust through the pit of his stomach, and leaves man and horse to mingle their life’s blood together. The cuts one and two with the point are the most effective in close fighting with infantry ”

“ When they come within reach, and Captain E. is just going to give them a round shot, we find them to be the 15th Dragoons!
Ride to the river, where the enemy attempt to form again on the other side and fire at our videttes with their carbines; but the horse artillery soon come up, and give them a few shrapnels, which disperse them and send them up the hill.202 Result (of the whole engagement) about twenty on each side killed and many badly wounded, about twenty French prisoners of the Imperial Guards, their General, Colonel of the 2nd Imperial Guards, and several officers. ”

“ On all occasions the Royal Dragoons have evinced a dauntless bearing, united with steady valour, and unshaken firmness, the characteristics of a British corps. These qualities, as well as the temper, patience, and forbearance which have distinguished their conduct, when employed in aiding the civil power on duties at home, have rendered the regiment a valuable acquisition to the crown, and have afforded the strongest proofs of its usefulness to the country. ”

“ A squadron of Dragoons cantered to the West, towards Halensee, their triangular pennants fluttering in the low wind, their lance butts creaking against the saddle leather, their sabers flickering like evil cressets. ”

“ An important crisis in the battle had arrived, and stupendous results depended on the valour of the Royals, Greys, and Inniskilling dragoons. The three regiments advanced steadily to meet these numerous and formidable bands of opponents, who were concealed from their view by the rising ground: they paused a short time to permit the retreating infantry and artillery to pass through the intervals of squadrons, and the next moment these powerful horsemen raised a loud and terrific shout, and rushed furiously upon the adverse ranks of war. ”

“ Men and horses rolled indiscriminately upon the earth. Then would come a charge of our clashing squadrons, who, riding recklessly upon the foe, were in their turn to be repulsed by numbers, and fresh attacks poured down upon our unshaken infantry.
“That column yonder is wavering. Why does he not bring up his supporting squadrons?” inquired the duke, pointing to a Belgian regiment of light dragoons, who were formed in the same brigade with the 7th Hussars. ”

“ During the remainder of the siege the Royal Dragoons were almost constantly on duty, the besieging army not having a sufficient number of men to form two reliefs of the ordinary guards in the trenches and on the batteries: the siege was, however, persisted in, and the governor capitulated on the 9th of October. ”