1788
On the death of Lieut.-General Tryon in January, 1788, Charles, Earl of Harrington, was on the 28th instant, transferred from the colonelcy of the 65th Foot to that of the 29th.
Previous to the County Militia assembling at Worcester for its annual training in April, the 29th was ordered to march to Pershore, and whilst there was, on the 31st of May, reviewed by Lieut.-General J. Douglas, who, in his report, made the following remarks:
"Officers.—Only 3 captains and 4 subalterns present with the regiment, all the rest being employed on the recruiting service.
Men.—Only 28 file under arms ; several old men.
Recruits since last Review.— 101 ; some rather under size.
Number of Men to be Discharged.-26, for reasons approved.
Arms.—Bad and deficient.
Clothing. Good, what was seen.
Gaiters.—According to order."
As swords for the non-commissioned officers, rank and file, are not mentioned in the Return of Arms and Accoutrements, it appears they were discontinued on the regiment's return to England.
Leaving Pershore in July, the 29th marched to Tewkesbury, whence a detachment was sent to Cheltenham to do duty over Their Majesties. On the 26th, the King and Queen, accompanied by the Princesses, passed and repassed through Tewkesbury, on their way to, and from, the seat of the Earl of Coventry, upon which occasion the inhabitants gave every proof of their loyalty and attachment to their Sovereign. A grand triumphal arch, adorned and decorated with flowers and garlands, was erected across the street at the post-office. On the top of the arch were placed Their Majesties' arms, with the following inscription: "King George I., before his Accession to the Throne, was Baron Tewkesbury. May the illustrious House of Hanover flourish to its latest posterity." A band of music was placed on an eminence close by, which, as Their Majesties passed, played "God save the King." The 29th Regiment was drawn up by the Earl of Harrington, and every other method was used to testify the pleasure the inhabitants received from the visit of the Royal Family.
Towards the end of August, the King having left Cheltenham, the detachment rejoined head quarters, and the regiment marched, by Worcester, for Scarborough, where, on arrival, it was ordered to aid and assist in preventing owling† and smuggling, by seizing uncustomed goods, and by apprehending and securing the offenders, but not to repel force by force, unless in case of absolute necessity.
On the 13th of October, new looping was approved of for the 29th Foot.
1789
On the 11th of May, 1789, Major-General G. Scott reviewed the regiment, and made the following remarks:—
"Officers.—Dressed according to regulation, except that they have adopted the use of feathers, which is not sanctioned by H.M. Regulations, either for officers or men.
Accoutrements.—A new supply ordered ; as also the Grenadier caps.
Colours.—Bad, want replacing ; very nearly worn out.
Towards the end of the month, the regiment was ordered to Tynemouth, and such a detachment as the magistrates and principal inhabitants of Sunderland might think expedient was to proceed there, and to Newcastle, to aid in preserving peace, and quelling any riots or disturbances that might happen.
On the 6th of July, all officers of infantry regiments were ordered, when on duty, and appearing with their sash on, in future to wear their swords slung upon their right shoulder, over their uniform. When off duty, and having their uniform on without the sash, to wear the sword slung over their waistcoats.
The regiment received new colours on the 17th of August.
On the 6th of October, William, Lord Cathcart, exchanged from the Coldstream Guards to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the 29th Foot; and on the 14th instant the regiment left Tynemouth en route for Dover.
LETTER FROM LORD HARRINGTON TO LIEUT.-COL. LORD CATHCART.
"Harewood House, Oct. 18th, 1789.
"My dear Lord,
I beg you a thousand pardons for not having before answered a Letter which I received from you previous to my departure from Tynemouth, which place I left with the Regiment on Wednesday. I marched with them to Durham, from whence Ldy Harrington and I went on a visit for a day to Ld Darlington, and passed them again to-day at North Allerton. I must beg you, my dear Lord, to intirely consult your own convenience in regard to residence with the twenty-ninth, we shall be flattered with your company when you have no calls elsewhere, but as there is a Field Officer constantly resident, and ready to supply both your place and mine, you will be perfectly at liberty on that head. I propose being myself in London about the time the Regiment will pass through it, and shall be happy to introduce you to it. You will find us excessively week & equaly undisciplined, there not being more than a hundred men fitt for duty, & many of them totaly worn out—the rest are all Recruits. There is an Officer at Chatham with 30 or 40 Recruits who are to join us on our march through it, together with about the same number of men on Furlough, who are ordered to rendezvous there on account of the distance of our former Quarter.—I inclose a march-route which will shew you the detail of our progress. We have given, as you will see, a Halt of 3 days, that the Soldiers may get their shoes repaired on the road.—There has been such a continuance of rain that the Roads are in a terrible state, & a great deal of the Country under water, the Corn is still in the fields in many places, & the Beans almost everywhere. Should you have any Commands for me, I beg you to direct to me at Elvaston, near Derby, where I shall probably remain till I sett off for London. I beg you to be assured of the truth & regard with which,
I am,
My dear Lord,
Your most faithful
and obedient Servand,
HARRINGTON."
To LORD CATHCART.
"Elvaston, Novr 7th, 1789.
My dear Lord,
As I am about to sett off from hence for London, & propose overtaking the first Division of the Regiment at Barnet on the tenth, I shall be excessively happy to present the Officers who are with it to you, either there or on their Way through London the following day——You will find us extremely weak having very little more than a hundred men in each Division owing to the number of our recruiting Parties & to so many men having been left in the north on furlough; most however of the latter will join the Regiment on its Way through Chatham together with about 40 Recruits who are now in those Barracks.—— Lady Harrington joins me in congratulations on the addition to your family, & in hopes that Lady Cathcart will Speedily 1789 recover from Her present Confinement.
Believe me, with great regard,
My dear Lord
Your most faithful
& obedient Servant,
HARRINGTON."
Lord Cathcart having kindly supplied me with several copies of a correspondence between his grandfather (the lieut.-colonel, and afterwards full colonel of the 29th) and his grandmother, extracts have been made, and the letters numbered consecutively 1 to 28.
[LETTER 1].
Dartford, 15th Novr, 1789.
"Having on Friday (13th) ridden to Barnet to take command of troops, I invited the officers to supper at 9 o'clock. I marched from Barnet a little before 5 o'clock a.m., and reached Dartford about 4, without leaving a man behind us. It is full 30 miles; and as I found the officers with this division much mortified at being smuggled through the City, lest people should say the best men were picked to be seen in the first division, I marched boldly down St. James Street and through the Horse Guards, where Lord Henry FitzGerald's guard was getting ready for him. But it was too early, as we passed under the Horse Guards as the clock struck 9. I am quite pleased with the 29th Regiment; they are mere boys, almost children; but so willing, so good humoured, and so well-behaved. Not a prisoner on the whole march; not a man confined or punished.
I halted an hour and a-half on Blackheath, and gave them a breakfast to the same amount as I had given the others. I then put their knapsacks in a cart, and I am sure they would have gone on to Rochester. I have the adjutant, one lieutenant, and 2 ensigns with me, and in excellent quarters. They gave us a good dinner, and we had a rubber of shilling whist, and were all in bed before o. Most of them lay above 14 hours, for, as they make a point of marching on foot every step with the men, they were not a little fatigued.
I have given up all that idea, as I know a field officer is of much more use mounted. However I walked several miles in the course of the day. I am now in expectation of Ld Harrington, with whom I shall go on to Rochester; and indeed, if he does not, I shall go by myself, as I should like to pass the entire day of to-morrow there. The whole regiment will be there to-morrow."
[LETTER 2].
"Chatham Barracks,
Monday, Nov. 16, 1789.
"Who should arrive at Dartford at 3 o'clock but Major Campbell and Major St. Clair, and who should they be followed by but Ld and Lady Harrington and their charming 5-year-old boy Leicester. They dined with us and went on to Rochester, and they go to Dover with us.
I marched before 7 this morng, and got to Rochester at half-past 11 o'clock, when I marched in with the band, &c., in great style.
We march again to-morrow all together to Sittingbourne, when I shall go with five companies to Faversham, and, if I can do it well, shall go and dine at Eastwell, and get back to march to meet the other five companies at Aspringe, when we shall all proceed to Canterbury on Wednesday, and either halt there on Thursday or march on to Dover.
The day has been spent in barracks, where the parade has been filled with a succession of corps. Colonel Crosby has shown us his regiment, and all our officers dine with that corps; the 22nd are in very fine order, and Crosby, a wonderful prince, at their head. I marched most of the way from Dartford, and I am very hungry. But I shall go early and drink tea with Lady Harrington, where several of our officers are to be. I have not seen such a military world a great while. Lord H. is delighted, and is strutting about the parade with Crosby, viewing a parcel of raggamuffins of different corps who are being tormented in different corners by a variety of drill serjeants. The Botnay Bay Corps are too fit for that service to be what we hoped to find them. Our recruits are in general good, and we shall march to-morrow near 300; which, considering all, is very strong. Adieu! here comes Crosby. I send his compliments at a venture."
[LETTER 3].
"Sittingborne, Nov. 17, 1789.
"Pleasant march. Dinner of yesterday agreeable; the band and much laughing, without much drinking, and no pressing. The band good; they introduce the fifes in lively tunes with good effect. We have left one of the band to learn this. I do not choose to go to Eastwell because it is so against my own principles that officers should absent themselves on the march. Lady Harrington dines with us, and we drink tea with her. There was a supper in her appartment last night, but, being sleepy, I took my milk and went to bed. I am up at 5 every morning, and generally call up the house. I am wonderfully pleased with everything but your absence. Had we remained at Chatham Bks I would certainly have brought you. You would like these officers much better than any you have seen me with. No noise and swaggering, but the fashion is to be as well bred and gentlemanlike as possible. We march early to-morrow for Canterbury."
[LETTER 4].
"Canterbury, Nov. 18, 1789.
"Pleasant dinner; drank tea with Lady H.; and all asleep by 10 o'clock. Marched at 6 this morng, arrived soon after one. I walked almost all the way, and fell asleep whilst dressing, to be aroused by Governor Graham [of Georgia], who came to offer the regiment all sorts of hospitality, and was vastly civil. My morning is gone, dinner is coming, and by mistake the Lt Dragoons dine with us. We met Lord Eardley a mile from here on a prancing troop horse, wh took fright at the regt and carried his lordship off, but not till he had splashed Lord Harrington from head to foot. We sent after him to invite him and his friend to dinner, and this friend understood the invitation was for all the corps.
The regiment marched in by divisions, and really made a good appearance."
[LETTER 5].
"Dover Castle, Nov. 20, 1789.
"We arrived about half-past 1. Pleasant march. The women were there, having, with the stores, come by sea. Dinner for the men was served the instant the parade was dismissed. The officers found bare walls. We chose our rooms, and then went down to the "City of London" where we all dined and slept. To-day we begin a mess in barracks. I have chose my rooms next to Lord Harrington's, so that when one is away the other may have his rooms. Lord H. has a slight fit of the gout, brought on by walking on the Canterbury march. People are assembling for breakfast, and I am writing on their table."
[LETTER 6].
"Dover Castle, Nov. 22, 1789.
"Poor Lord H. is unable to walk ; no pain, but weakness and swelling, and is forced to hop about his room with the help of the walls. Molineux,†‡ in following me to the inn, was made prisoner by a watchman, as a suspicious person, and detained from 9 to 12, when the watchman got tired of standing sentry, and let my man go. Lord & Lady H. had furniture wh came by sea, and they are quite comfortable. I have got a small bed, 3 chairs, and a dirty table, with no other furniture for two large rooms; but I never slept better. I am now going to breakfast with Lord Harrington. No milk can be had for money; we must order that better, otherwise I will hire an ass or buy a goat. I continue much pleased with everything and everybody. Our mess will be extremely comfortable and well-regulated under 1s. 6d. a day. Nor is there any tendency to drinking; there are a sufficient number of elderly people to keep up all matters in very steady order. Lady H. dined with us yesterday."
[LETTER 7].
"Dover Castle, Dec. 13, 1789.
"I missed the post, because I had the band in my outer room to play over new music that I might select, & I kept them longer than I intended. Lord H. has his leg on a stool and has had three relapses, and has suffered much pain; they will return to town as soon as he is able. We had a card party in their room last night, and this evening a little supper. I have now my baggage unpacked. I am to have 2lbs. of the finest tea at 6s. 6d., and other things as cheap in proportion. They have got the mess in very good order. Candlesticks & knives from Birmingham; a good cook and good wine; so that I never saw a mess better served. Major Campbell breakfasted with me, and we have had our parade within the keep. Our men would have been very healthy but for the itch, which they contracted on the march, and wh it has been very troublesome to eradicate, and for a nest of the most abandoned women who have concealed themselves under the old gateways of this place, but who are now banished."
[LETTER 8].
"Dover Castle, December 15, 1789.
"We have a frenchman in the ranks, Guibert, who is a very good draftsman. Great interest is made for his discharge. Lady H. has been learning perspective of him, and has made great progress. If I find I can allot an hour to such a purpose, I think I will take some lessons in return for those he receives on parade."
[LETTER 9].
"Dover Castle, Dec. 17, 1789.
"Thanks for the haunch of venison, wh will be a treat to the mess, and it will arrive the very day the command devolves on me. Stormy weather continues. The rooms of the keep are so spacious that 2 of them hold the whole regt, and in bad weather we parade there, and even march off our guards with drums and music. I like being here very much. Poor Lord H. is again laid up as bad as ever; his ankle and foot much swelled, so lame, he cannot put it to the ground."
Lord Cathcart sends for his violoncello and music books.
[LETTER 10].
"Dover Castle, Dec. 20, 1789.
"Lord and Lady H. dined with us, and as she and my lord happen to like venison, I was glad it was there. They are to leave us, and their things are packed; so I invited Lady H. to tea in my room, and I also asked the whole regt and Mrs. Monsell. I had two card tables, and some cold meat, &c., in the mess room; all which succeeded extremely well. Lord and Lady H. left us at eleven this morning. You will like her because she really wishes to be agreeable and civil; I do not recollect to have heard her abuse anybody, or say anything illnatured or satirical. I am to dine on Xmas day at Major Monsell's. The great rooms of the keep were King Arthur's rooms of State. There are 2, each of which is capable of holding a wing of the regt, and there we parade in bad weather. The effect of the band in these rooms is very fine when we "beat the troop," and march off the guard. I began the command by desiring the major not to take the trouble of taking post on the ordinary parades, but to walk about with me; and that really worthy man seemed pleased with that trifling attention. I shall really be proud in Town to introduce almost all who are here to you; and when I except any, it is only they are not so much formed as the rest. It is a prodigious advantage when the Com. Off. is not called upon to interfere in keeping order in the mess room, and in the domestic behaviour of young officers, as is the case here.
The captains and senior lieutenants are in themselves perfectly well bred, and never suffer the slightest indecorum to pass unnoticed. The allowance of wine is half-a-pint a man; when that is out, the President calls for more, which is a signal for those who choose it to take their hats and withdraw. The cost to them is 1s. 6d. for dinner, 4½d.— 5d. for wine. Surely in these times no gentleman can live cheaper. My bill for 6 days' dinners, and every expense, with, on one day, two guests besides—Saturday to Friday—was £1 1s. 0½d. The bills are paid every Friday. The men buy coarse beef at 3d. per lb."
[LETTER 11].
"Dover Castle, Dec. 24, 1789.
"From ten to four, officers call on me; then I have the parade; now and then attend drill; regtl letters and papers, and the number of soldiers' letters to be 'franked,' time goes fast. A visitor, a young gentleman from Dublin, but last from France, caused a drinking bout at mess. Even my friend the major sat late, and made a night of it. I retired early; the seniors are all in bed; the youngsters none the worse. But this is the first time since I have been down that the mess has sat after 8 o'clock. I am not sorry this Irish gentleman's visit is over, as I do not wish for more of his countrymen at this juncture. We have but two, and they do extremely well by themselves.
I worked my parade about in the long room, making the best of bad weather. They were like horses in a manage,' marching round in single file, in slow time, without music and without arms, saluting the serjt major with the opposite hand; this gives the men wonderful grace and air. The men have Christmas dinners given by the officers, and ½ a guinea per company given by Lord Harrington. Lady H. has given a brown flannel great coat, neatly made up like her own children's, to every soldier's child in this regt; you cannot imagine how comfortable and creditable it makes the little things look. I have also been tempted to deal in flannel. The men are miserably in debt to their captains; we are here in rags and tatters, that we may get out of debt and be able to keep ourselves out of rags when we go to Windsor. Our waistcoats & breeches are all darned and patched, and scarce hold together, and many men have nothing to turn the wind under their jackets but their shirts. I have bought a quantity of flannel, and have given each man in the regt a flannel shirt to wear next his skin. I have 20 or 30 hands at work 6 hours by candlelight, and make 50 in an evening. They will not cost 15d. each when made up. Flannel at 11d., the whole will cost £23, and for that extravagance, wh I can recoup from public places and club dinners, I am sure I shall save many useful lives and constitutions."
[LETTER 12].
"Dover Castle, Dec. 29, 1789.
"One of my lieuts of Light Infantry, who was major of brigade and confidential friend to poor Col. Hope, in Canada, and who stands very high in my estimation, is going to town to meet his sister. His name is Farquhar. If he calls when you are at home, and it is not inconvenient, pray see him. I have been all morning fitting on new clothing and penning orders for certain interior arrangements of cleanliness. We have a dinner in the town, ladies and men ; also a private ball. I shall go, because the people are inclined to be extremely civil to the regiment & because it is not inconsistent with my system to encourage balls, and the service of the ladies, for my young officers. We have Strephons amongst us, and whose toasts are repeated as regularly as the port is set before them. I have a party of about 7 or 8 every evening, half-past 7 till 10. I ask all the elder officers and boys in turn; this is well, and makes the day go off pleasantly enough.
You would laugh could you see me to-morrow evening superintending the washing of the feet of half the regiment, an operation which I have ordered to be repeated by half the regiment at a fixed hour every Thursday and Saturday, and seen by an officer ; the water to be milk warm. I have got 260 of my flannel shirts made up & given out. They are to be washed once a fortnight, half at a time, every Saturday; They are to be worn night and day. I shall be much mortified if I do not reduce the sick list considerably, before I leave the Castle, by these regulations, and some other attentions."
1790.
[LETTER 13].
"Dover Castle, 6 Janry, 1790
"My men are all cased in flannel, and I hear less coughing in the ranks. We have 5 low-fever cases, which have lasted several weeks; the dangerous symptoms have gone off, but they do not recover, nor do I expect they will till the frost sets in, and I have the mortification to see the wind veering back to the old rainy quarter. I have had a letter from Lord H. to say he has been to inquire for the Grenadier caps he bespoke a year ago, and has been told they were sent many months ago. I have searched the stores and found the package all in good order, and I have a Grenadier dressing in my ante-chamber, that I may report his appearance. All our boys are so much pleased with this novelty that I fear it will distract their devotion. The caps have a plain brass front, the rim of which goes all round with the 'Plait en bandeau,' like the Coldstream, and a small neat leather shade for the eyes, like my Light Infantry cap. The last part I do not like ; yet, on the whole, they are the handsomest and most martial-looking caps I ever saw. The Grenadier captn was lamenting to me yesterday that the caps were not bespoke--he does not yet know they have been found; but I am going to send for him and surprise him."
[LETTER 14].
"Dover Castle, April 4th, 1790.
"I find all going on well here, the men growing in height, and really grown fat and healthy-looking; which is all I can yet judge of. We have been at church, where I find the institution I have planned answers in every respect. The band are very much improved, and had prepared an hymn for the day to surprise me. It was extremely well performed, and set with a great deal of taste and variety, and would have surprised any audience. The accompanyment was rather too powerful, as the men were shy of singing loud, but it had a fine effect. They also sung a psalm very well. I have got the offer of a house at Windsor."
[LETTER 15].
"Dover, April 7th.
"I am out from 8 o'clock until dinner enjoying myself and fancying myself busy. We dine at 4½ o'clock. This day the ladies of the regt dine with us, and it is now dinner time. But this early hour is very tiresome.
I am provoked the major's horse is lame; the whole regiment have been playing with it, like children with a toy, ever since it arrived. The serjeant-major has been 'lounging' it, and riding it with the soldiers; and now it has two evils, a sprain and a farrier."
|
| [LETTER 16].
"Dover Castle, April 9, 1790.
"It rains and blows; yet I have been out with the regiment in a valley near, where I made experiments and marched the regt about for an hour or two. I mean to leave to-morrow, and, having sent on a fresh horse, to sleep at Sittingbourne. A pleasant incident happened this morning. Just as I was preparing to march off the parade with the regiment, I saw Mrs. Tinling, the lady lately married to an officer of the regiment, arrive breathless, and almost blown away by the wind. I went up to her and recommended her to take a more sheltered situation. She said she was not come from curiosity, but that she had just received accounts that a brother of her husband's, whom they had supposed to have been killed in a duel abroad, and for whom they had been some time in mourning, was alive and safe. Her husband and their servant being under arms, she could not resist running up the hill herself with the news. I immediately sent the lieutenant to her, and it produced an interesting scene of emotion."
On the 31st of May, Major-General Scott reviewed the regiment at Dover, and reported that the officers were dressed conformable to regulations, with exception of feathers in their hats.
The Spaniards having this year sent an armed force to dispossess the British traders and settlers of their possessions on the N.W. coast of North America, demands were sent to the Court of Spain for the restitution of these places, and a powerful fleet, under the command of Lord Howe, was ordered to be equipped, and to rendezvous at Spithead, in case the demands should be refused. With the view of doing duty as marines on board this fleet, in June the regiment marched from Dover, for Portsmouth, where, on arrival, detachments were embarked on board the following ships:—
23rd July—on H.M.S. "Egmont," 74 guns; 4 serjeants, 2 drummers, 94 rank and file, from the Colonel's, Lieut.-Colonel's, and Grenadier company. The officers were Captain Hugh Dickson, Lieut. Alexander Saunders, Ensign Daniel White. On the 21st of September, Lieut. Saunders was ordered to rejoin the head quarters of the regiment, and Lieut. Sir John Wrottesley, Bt. (afterwards 1st Baron Wrottesley) to relieve him. On the 15th of November the detachment was transferred to the "Royal William," from which it was soon afterwards discharged.
24th July—H.M.S. "Courageux," 74 guns; Captain John Mallory, Lieut. Stuart Douglas, Ensign James Allen; 3 serjeants, 2 drummers, 84 rank and file. These, on the 16th November, were turned over to the "Alfred," and landed, by order, at Chatham on the 24th inst.
29th July—H.M.S. "Gibraltar," 80 guns; Major Wm. Monsell, Lieut. John Riky, Ensign Patrick Ewing; 4 serjeants, 2 drummers, 92 rank and file. These were discharged to the "London" on the 16th of October; thence, on the 16th of November, to the "Bellerophon," and shortly afterwards landed.
July—H.M.S. "Charlotte," 100 guns (Lord Howe's ship); by the Monthly Returns dated the 1st of November, a detachment of 1 serjeant, 9 rank & file, were still serving on board the admiral's ship. Colonel Enys wrote that "the band which served on Lord Howe's ship received 10 guineas from the admiral when they went ashore."
23rd October—H.M.S. " Duke," 98 guns ; Ensign Joseph Clavey; 1 serjeant, 43 rank & file. These were discharged at Chatham on the 1790 16th of November.
October — H.M.S. "Captain," 74 guns; Monthly Returns, dated the 1st of November, show Ensign Wm. Hosea as being on board this ship.
In consequence of a Convention signed at the Escurial on the 28th of October, the armaments were discontinued; several ships of war ordered to be paid off; and the detachments of the regiment rejoined their head quarters, which had returned to Dover Castle. In December, Lord Cathcart presented the drum-major with a large silver-headed bâton.
It having been intimated that the regiment was to take the Windsor duty on the 15th of February, 1791, every effort was made that time allowed to improve both its discipline and appointments after its service on board the fleet.
1791
[LETTER 17].
Writing from Dover Castle on the 18th of January, 1791, to Lady Cathcart, Lord Cathcart says:—
"At 6 this morng it was a stark calm, but at 7 there came a sudden squall, with hail, and it has blown hard ever since. Our parade (Queen's Birthday) was much disturbed by it, and the wind perversely attacked the very place I had yesterday pitched upon. However, I marched to it in great pomp, and was very much pleased with the appearance of the men and their numbers. We took up a line according to the exact Prussian principle, wh line required no correction; and as soon as the Castle had fired all the great guns they could fire, we fired three volleys; the first, and last, as good as I ever heard, the other not much amiss. But the wind blew so hard, I have roared myself as hoarse as a bullfrog! We marched back and formed a line better than the first, and the whole was over in less than an hour."
On arrival at Windsor, the regiment relieved a party of the Guards on the King's duty. It was no doubt a great honour to be so employed; but as 4 companies were detached to Salthill, Datchet, Slough, and Clewer-cum-Chalvey, 1 company to Maidenhead and Maidenhead Bridge, the remaining 5 companies at Windsor, 'being on guard every third day,' found the duty very hard.
On the 27th of May, Major-General Hyde reviewed the regiment at Windsor, and in his report made the following remarks:—
Officers.—Dressed with great uniformity, extremely attentive, and expert at their duty.
Drummers and Fifers.—The drummers, black, beat and play well.
Men.—A fine corps of young men, in general tall, upright, and well dressed.
Clothing.—The Grenadier and Light Infantry caps have useful flaps to shade the eyes, and are at the same time ornamental. These, as well as the hats, are of a better size to fit the head than some regiments at present; but as they are still so small as to make it necessary to tie them on, they are, in my opinion, smaller than the covering for a soldier's head should be, for use and convenience.
The regiment wear worsted tufts, in imitation of feathers, but they were given by the colonel.
|
| At this period it was the custom to employ the troops on Windsor duty in making roads or some other work about the park, with the intention of benefitting the soldiers, whose pay was certainly very small; and we find that towards the end of June, 200 strong spades, 50 large stout pickaxes, 50 stout mattocks, 50 large strong shovels, 50 strong iron wire sieves, and 100 wheelbarrows were issued to the regiment, which was to be employed during the summer on the rides in Windsor Forest. Early in July, the regiment encamped just outside the Great Park, on Egham Wick Common, and was employed in an attempt to turn the turnpike road near the tower at Virginia Water; but for some reason this plan was given up, and the road remained in an unfinished state for many years.
[LETTER 18].
"Camp at Egham Wick, July 7, 1791.
"I was out before 5 yesterday morning, and did not return to dress till past 10, having breakfasted near the work. My toilet was interrupted by regtl business, and I was in my shirt when a serjeant came running into my tent to tell me the King was approaching the camp on horseback. I immediately put on my coat and sword and went to receive him about an hundred yards from my lines.
His Majesty began by rallying me about my fall, and then was pleased to dismount and minutely to visit every part of the camp—beginning with the men's kitchens, and doing me the honour to go into my tent, which the servants had the attention to have cleared out and put into order. After viewing the rear of the camp, mess tent, &c., His Majesty came upon the parade, where he was received by the major, the officers of the day, and 2 ensigns, who touched the colours which were displayed. The King then examined the new tents, and after walking some time with Colonel Campbell and me, got on horse-back, when I conducted him to see the work, which already makes considerable figure, and afterwards, when I took my leave, I was commanded to ride with the King to see the ridings about Virginia Water, which are beautiful and well kept, and in short I was carried to a place near Windsor, where I was most graciously dismissed. In the evening I presented myself on the Terrace, and returned to camp extremely ready for my bed."
Having been employed on duty in the forest till the 16th of October, the camp was broken up, and five companies returned to King's duty at Windsor, whilst the remainder re-occupied their former detachments.
During the winter Princess Augusta presented the regiment with the music of a March* of her own composing, which received the name of "The Royal Windsor March." In 1881 it became by authority the Quick Step of the four battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment.
On the 10th of December, an order was issued that the effective field officers of all regiments should in future be distinguished by wearing an epaulette on each shoulder. The officers of the flank companies, who already wore two epaulettes, were to have the addition of a grenade, or bugle-horn, embroidered on each.
The men were this year supplied, by their colonels, with black stocks, instead of rollers or neckcloths; also with cockades, as being equally with their hats, a part of the soldiers' clothing.
1792
On the 24th of March, 1792, 1 serjeant and 12 privates were ordered to Kensington, and on the 29th inst. were brought before the King, Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Dukes of York, and Gloucester, and Sir Wm. Fawcett, at the Queen's Riding House, Pimlico, where they went through the new manual exercise which had been brought forward by their two commanding officers, the Earl of Harrington and Lord Cathcart. The King, Prince, and all the officers present seemed highly pleased with this plan of shortening the drill.
On the 4th of April, serjeants of infantry regiments were ordered to be supplied with, and make use of, pikes, instead of halberds, which were to be laid aside.
On the 8th of May, officers of Grenadier, Light Infantry companies, and Fusilier regiments were ordered to make use of their swords, instead of fusils, and the serjeants of Grenadiers, and Fusiliers to carry pikes, but the Light Infantry serjeants were to keep their fusils.
Major-General D. Dundas had in 1788 compiled a set of movements and manoeuvres, principally from the writings of Prussian tacticians, but it was not until the 1st of June, 1792, that His Majesty, thinking it highly expedient and necessary that a uniform system of field exercise, &c., be adopted, was pleased to direct that the Rules and Regulations for the Formations, Field Exercise, and Movements of H.M. Forces approved of by him, and published that day, be implicitly complied with. Previous to this there had never been any general system of discipline; on the contrary, a few review regulations excepted, every commander-in-chief, or officer commanding a corps, adopted or invented such manoeuvres as were thought proper.
Early in June, the Maidenhead detachment was withdrawn, and on the 11th, Major-General Ainslie reviewed the regiment at Windsor.
On the 2nd of July, 1 serjeant, 1 corporal, and 11 privates were detached to Oakingham.
H.M. QUEEN CHARLOTTE TO LADY CATHCART.
"My dear Lady Cathcart,
I know you can do much with Ld Cathcart, pray use all the influence you have to obtain a Holiday for your two Etonians to-morrow, that I may have the pleasure compleat in seeing the 29th. I hope for a fine day, and still more to hear that you are better wh will give every pleasure to
Your affectionate friend,
CHARLOTTE."
"The 16 July, 1792."
On the 23rd July, the regiment joined the Camp of Exercise, formed about eight miles from Windsor, at a place called Caesar's Camp, or Wickham Bushes. There were assembled here 2 battalions of Royal Artillery, the 10th and 11th Light Dragoons, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 29th Regiments of Foot, the whole under command of the Duke of Richmond, with Sir Wm. Howe as second in command.
After practicing the new system of drill, arrangements were made for a sham fight and an attack on a wooden redoubt constructed for the occasion. After a continued series of field days and reviews, the grand review before His Majesty took place on the 6th of August. The day was remarkably fine, the concourse of people prodigious, and, as usual on such occasions, the troops did less than on any other day; they were, however, under arms, and the band played the greater part of the day for the amusement of the spectators.
The sutlers had a plentiful harvest, for "Wade" relates that for a single mutton chop, a cucumber, and a pint of bad wine they charged 18s.; and 5s. for tea or coffee, with two thin slices of bread and butter.
On the 8th, the camp broke up, and the troops returned to their respective quarters, with the exception of the 29th Foot, which encamped close to the park, at Bishop's gate, and was again employed on the rides, till the 22nd of October.
On the 5th of December, Lieut.-Colonel Lord Cathcart was appointed colonel of the regiment, vice Lord Harrington, transferred to the command of the First Regiment of Life Guards, and Lieut.-Col. Archibald Campbell, who a short time previously had been promoted into the 21st Foot, was transferred to the lieut.-colonelcy of his old regiment.
STANDING ORDERS OF THE 29TH REGIMENT OF FOOT, CONCERNING
THE DRESS AND APPEARANCE OF THE OFFICERS, &C.
WEYMOUTH, 24 OCTOBER, 1797.§
A Copy of the Standing Orders of the Regiment is to be made out for every Officer.
Hair.—The hair to be dressed with one curl on each side; the toupee turned up, and not too long; the club to be tyed high, and to be more spread at the top than at the bottom.
The rosette to be of ribband, and not more than three inches in diameter; the ribband and rosette to be perfectly black, and put on after powdering.
The Grenadier and Light Infantry officers to have their hair dressed the same as the men, excepting their side locks, which may come down so as to cover the open part of the ear, but never lower, and must be frizzed so as not to blow about.
Hats.—The hats, and caps of all sorts, to be worn very high behind, and the exact centre of the front close upon the hose before, the left-hand corner of the hats a good deal raised, and the right-hand low; the Battalion officers at all times to wear their laced regimental hats, which are expected to be cocked exactly according to the regimental pattern.
The Grenadiers to wear plain hats, with a small grenade button and black loop, a silver cord round the bottom of the crown, and roses at the corners the same as the officers of the battalion; the button and loop to be worn forward, and no part of the loop to be concealed by the cockade; the button to be at equal distance from the lace, and the bottom of the hat.
The feathers to be white, and exactly nine inches above the brim of the hats ; they are to be very small, and equal in circumference at the top and bottom, and must be fixed so as to be perfectly upright and steady.
Stocks.—The stocks to be made of black silk, plaited and stiff, without any appearance of the shirt above them.
Coats.—The officers to have standing collars, the same as the men; one button on the collar and nine on each lappel; the buttons to be put on very distinctly two and two, beginning from the top, including the one on the collar; the lappels to reach as low as the top of the hip bone, to have one hook and eye at the second button-hole from the top, and another in the middle of the space between the fourth and fifth button; the first of these to be hooked through the frill; the breadth of the lappels and cuffs, must be exactly according to the King's regulations; the yellow cloth must be of a pale lemon colour originally, and must be kept bright and clean, by using English pink; the pocket must be in the inside of the coat, the flaps on the outside to be sewn down, and to have an edging of white cloth round them and round the skirts; the skirts to be fastened back at the corners, and to have one button, with two hearts,¥ which are to be laced with a braid the same as that which confines the epaulette ; the skirts are never to be let down. The length of the coat to be such that if an officer was to kneel down, the skirts of his coat should be exactly three inches from the ground.
N.B.—This order is not meant to countermand the exceptions made for the flank companies.
Epaulettes.—The epaulettes are to pass under a silver band, which is to be put upon yellow cloth and sewed to the coat, and buttoned to a button which is to be put on close to the collar, and very near, but rather behind, the seam on the shoulder; the braid is to be sewed on so tight as to confine the epaulette and keep it perfectly steady; the pad of the epaulette must come up close to the braid, and it must often be new stuffed to prevent it from getting lower. When the epaulette is fixed, the centre of that part to which the bullions are fastened must be half an inch to the rear of the highest part of the shoulder.
The length of the strap of the epaulette down the middle, where it is longest, five inches; width in the broadest part above the fringe, two inches; breadth at the lower part of the button hole, one inch and three-quarters. The epaulette to be sewed on yellow cloth and very stiff.
Waist Coats.—To have a flap to the pockets and four buttons under.
Breeches.—To be white cloth or casimir, and not to come lower than the upper part of the calf of the leg; they must buckle at the knee.
White leather breeches, with regimental buttons, may be worn with boots, but not till they have been made perfectly white.
Gaiters.—Gaiters must be constantly worn with the sash and gorget, except by the mounted officers; they are to come up before, fully to the point of the knee, and close into the hollow of the joint behind; allowances must be made for their shrinking, and they are to be fixed by a button behind, the same as the men's; the shoe buckles, if any, must not be seen.
Boots.—Boots, and steel spurs, to be constantly worn by the field officers and adjutant ; boots may also be worn by the other officers at common parades and when not on duty; they must be uniform, and come up fully to the cap of the knee.
Gorgets.—To be worn as high as possible; the loops and roses to be of crimson ribband, and to be renewed whenever they lose their colour.
Sashes.—To be of sufficient length to go twice round the body and tye before; they are to have taggs at each end; the knott is to be over the left pocket of the waist coat, and the ends to be drawn through, under the sash, so that the taggs may hang over the knott and cover it, so as to hang down nine inches from the top to the end of the taggs.
Great Coat.—Great coat to be blue, with a single row of regimental buttons in front; white lining and edges; square pockets, with four buttons, under the sleeve; not to be made too long, and to have buttons and braids for the epaulettes.
Shoes.—In the evening, and when there is no parade of any kind, officers who are engaged to balls, or parties with ladies, may wear shoes with silver buckles, but never with shoe strings. Officers are never to be seen on the parade of their own, or any other corps, in regimentals, without boots or gaiters.
Swords.—Regimental swords, only, to be worn with regimentals; they are always to be carried in the belt, and never in the scabbard.
Officers are particularly requested to accustom themselves always to wear their swords when in regimentals,∆ except in their own rooms ; and the sword must never be worn without a sword knott, the oldest rag of a sword knott being better than none.
Regimentals to be always worn at Quarters.—No officer must appear at head quarters, or any quarters of the regiment where there is an officer's command, even though he may be on leave of absence, or belonging to a different quarter, or upon the recruiting, or any other detached service, otherwise than in regimentals.
Exceptions.— The only exceptions which can be made to this Order are as follows:—
The day officers arrive at quarters; the day officers are going from quarters; when officers are going to ride, or walk above a mile from quarters, or when going out of quarters for the purpose of any sport or amusement; but on all these occasions they are to observe that they are to shew themselves as little as possible in quarters.
Absent Officers.— Officers are never to wear their regimental coat, either with the regiment or when absent from it, without being regimentally dressed in every respect; and officers will oblige the colonel if they will pay as much attention to the uniformity of their dress in regimentals when absent from the regiment, even when in foreign countries, as they do at head quarters. The staff officers, except the chaplain, will conform to these regulations as far as their particular uniform will allow.
Horses.—His Majesty having been pleased, by a late regulation, to order the field officers and adjutant of regiments, to do their duty in the field, and on some other occasions, mounted, those officers will in future have their horses brought to the parade, regimentally appointed, every time the regiment is under arms.
Leave of Absence.— A book will be kept in the orderly room in which the dates of officers' leave of absence are to be entered.
No officer is to absent himself a night from quarters till he has made a memorandum of his leave of absence; and when officers obtain permission to exchange duties, or to take duty for each other, a memorandum must be made or affixed to this book, signed by both officers, before any notice can be taken of it by the adjutant. No memorandum of leave or exchange of duty to be made without the knowledge of the commanding officer.
Words of Command.—Words of command to be given strong and smart, but more particularly sharp in the latter part.; and to whatever number of men addressed, should be given loud, to the full extent of the voice. Words of command given in a careless manner, will always produce motions equally so.
Mess Regulations were also drawn up this year [v. 1835].
1793
Early in January, 1793, orders were received for the regiment to go to Ireland, and on the 17th inst. it marched in 2 divisions, viz., 5 companies to Petersfield, and 5 to Alton, Chewton, and Farringdon, where, on arrival, instructions were received for the detachments to halt.
STANDING REGIMENTAL ORDERS.
"Petersfield, Janry 22nd, 1793.
"To prevent misconceptions of the King's order, or of regimental orders concerning mounted officers, it is thought necessary to define what is expected as to the appearance of those officers when on duty. Unless when these orders are expressly dispensed with, mounted officers, viz., the field officers and adjutant, are expected to be provided with horses fit for the duty required of them; they are by no means expected to purchase high-priced, or tall and showy horses; hardy, stout little horses, under 15 hands, and not less than 14 hands high, are, on the contrary, quite sufficient. But, although figure and action, are not insisted upon, it is presumed that field officers will not, for their own sakes, or the credit of the corps they belong to, think of appearing under arms, on horses that bear evident marks of being draft horses, or are otherwise deform'd so as to be unfit to be rode by gentlemen. The horse appointments consist of, a pair of pistols, a regimental bridle with nose band, a black bredoon, and a white bredoon, a saddle, regimental stirrup irons, crupper, half cover with holsters, and black bearskin flounce; a regimental saddle cloth. The saddle cloth is only to be worn when the colours are carried, and the white bredoon at reviews, or field days in review order: on other occasions the bridle, holster, and crupper are to be worn. The bridle is .always to have a noseband, which is not to be buckled over the headstall of the bredoon; the front is to be covered with yellow ribband, and to have a yellow rosette at each end of the same size as the hair rosettes (not more than three inches in diameter). The end of the ribband is not to be seen.
On a march, or without white bredoons, the front may be covered with facing cloth, and kept clean with English pink.
The furniture, with black bredoons, to be worn when on duty or grand parades.
[LETTER 19].
"Petersfield, Jan 23, 1793.
"I am interrupted by General Dundas, who has drank tea with me on his way to take the command at Guernsey and Jersey.
I am very unlucky in getting recruits, and two of my recruiting officers have independent companies of their own; and I am so weak in officers that I cannot at present replace them. I have not lost a man since Windsor, nor had reason to find fault with a man; nor has there been a fault in the other division. I have been out with five companies here, and Campbell with the others, to fire ball, in which we succeeded tolerably considering the badness of the flint. I fired divisions, and volleys three deep with ball, which they did full as well and regularly as with bran and powder cartridges. I go to-morrow to Alton to see the 5 companies there. The miserable difference of the English and Irish Establishment ensures the 29th going Cork."
The destination of the regiment was, however, altered, orders being received for it to march to Hilsea Barracks, and subsequently to act as Marines, on board the fleet then fitting out at Portsmouth. In consequence of these latter orders, detachments were embarked, but as the services afloat of some of these extended over four years, they will be dealt with separately.
On the 4th of February, each company of the regiment was directed to be augmented by 1 serjeant, 1 drummer, and 17 private men.
[LETTER 20]
"Hilsea Barracks, Feb 6, 1793.
"Our serjeants teach those of the Militia in the morning and evening, and there are now above 20 squads of Militia learning to march, under my window, exactly in our time and upon our principle, with 'my pendulum' swinging in the middle of the parade. The Lieut.-Governor and the officers of the Suffolk Militia dine at our mess to-day. I have put the militia captains on duty with ours; they are exceedingly correct, and anxious to be so. I have a strong party in the Isle of Wight, all Grenadiers in caps, with drum and fife, wh has taken the lead of all the partys, and are very popular. We have got one very fine recruit there, and sent him back dressed out, and covered with ribbands."
[LETTER 21].
"Hilsea Barracks, Tuesday, Feb 12, 1793.
"I have been disappointed of seeing Capt. Kirkman, which is essential. He commands on the other side of the harbour where he has much to do in guarding the roads by which those seamen who would attempt to escape the 'Press' must fly. To-morrow Captn Marton is to embark with Clayey and Egerton, the Light Compy, Enys', and Farquhar's (late St. Clair's), in all 70 men. I shall see them embark, and try to be with you by noon.
Do not think me idle. Since last Friday night I have equipped my regiment in trousers, check shirts, and blue jackets lined with flannel, and with yellow capes# and shoulder straps, by which they will look like soldiers even when mixed with tar and oakum ; and when they are called upon to take up their arms, they will have their regimentals fit to appear as becomes H.M. infantry. The eagerness to punish the French is the first consideration, and nothing can equal the sobriety and good behaviour of the men."
REGIMENTAL ORDERS.
"7 July, 1793.
"During the present campaign, and until further orders, the side curls required by the Standing Order concerning officers' dress, are dispensed with. The officers of the regiment, them belonging to the flank companies included, are to wear their hair short, both upon the toupee and at the sides, so that the hair, when undressed, should not come lower than to cover half the ear, and no hair to be on the cheek lower than the point of the ear.
"The Colonel takes this opportunity of repeating the directions formerly given to officers absent from head quarters, or commanding detachments, that they will on all occasions maintain that uniformity of appearance by which the 29th Regiment has been so much distinguished."
The King having been pleased to appoint Lord Cathcart, Brigadier-General with local rank, to serve with the Earl of Moira, Lord Cathcart on the 23rd of November, applied for Capt: Jas. Kirkman to act as his Major of Brigade with the army serving in Germany, and the following day handed over the command of the regiment to Lieut.-Colonel Campbell.
In November, another plan for recruiting the army was made by offering to such regiments, as could raise a certain number of men in a given time, an additional lieut.-colonel, and major; the promotion to go in the regiment ; each officer benefitted thereby to pay a certain sum towards the recruiting service. This proposal was cheerfully embraced by the regiment, and the band was sent to Birmingham, Manchester, and Nottingham with such success that the required numbers were obtained, and Major Hugh Dickson promoted to the junior lieut.-colonelcy, whilst Captain John Enys obtained the majority, on the 1st of March following.
On the 1st of December, 17 serjeants, 10 drummers, and 576 rank and file, in addition to officers, were serving on board the fleet.
1794
Early the following year, Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, who had remained in command of the part of the regiment ashore, moved out of Hilsea Barracks to make room for the Irish volunteers, and his men were billeted in the neighbouring villages. On the 12th of June, the staff of the regiment, with all the recruits, having assembled at Hilsea Barracks, embarked for Plymouth, where, on the 4th of August, they moved into the Dock Barracks.
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS± OF LIEUT.-COLONEL CAMPBELL TO LORD CATHCART.
"Plymouth Dock, 20 Sept., 1794.
"My Lord,
. . . . Would it be practicable to exchange an equal number of our Draughts, for the Detachments of our Our Old, and best men, serving on board the "Alfred" and "Minotaur," the first is now in Torbay, and the latter in the Sound of this Harbour. I heartily wish your Lordship would exert your Interest with the Mighty Lords of the Main to bring a measure to bear, which must tend so much to the good of the King's Service and the credit of the Regiment.
. . . . Shall we carry with us the Grenadier caps, and shall they be the Brass front or those of Order ? The Brass Drums I think had best be left in Store."
"Plymouth Dock, 28 Sept., 1794.
"My Lord,
By yesterday's post I had the Honor of receiving your Lordship's letter of 24th by which I find the destination of this part of the Regiment is still a secret; we have received no Orders here since my last, except that the Draughts are to have a Guinea and a half allowed to each man, for the purpose of putting them on necessaries. Your Lordship may assure yourself, that there is nothing I shall at all times have more at heart, than the appearance, and Discipline of the 29th Regiment, and that what I mentioned in my last, respecting the Band was in consequence of the information given here, that every part of the pageantry of Parade was discountenanced by the Duke, and in consequence of which the Band of the 25th Regiment were disposed of the manner formerly mentioned (put on board the Marlboro'), much to the Dissatisfaction of Lord George Lennox, but more particularly to Lady Louisa, whose chief amusement they were. I shall beg leave to assure your Lordship that no change of plan shall make a change in any part of the present Dress of the Regiment, which I think must suffer by any alteration."
"Plymouth Dock, 23 October, 1794.
"Here we still remain in the same state of uncertainty as when I last wrote to your Lordship, except that the last letter from the Adjutant-General expressly says, we are intended for the Continent. We received two days ago a hundred and thirty-three Draughts, from the 91st Regiment now at Plymouth, which will still leave a deficiency of 45 men to compleat this part of the Regiment to the numbers ordered of 600 Rank and File. I have not heard a syllable upon the subject of the Exchange of Officers and men your Lordship flattered me with a prospect of in your last, and cannot help looking toward the "Glory," "Robust," and "Minotaur," now here; the two former, together with five more Sail of the Line, are a Detached Squadron from the Grand Fleet, under the orders of Sir Thos. Rich, sent to take in a large supply of Stores, Provisions, &c., at this place, and to sail to-morrow, 'tis Conjectured, for the West Indies. We have a Captain Fitzherbert, from the Independents, attached to the 29th. There has been nothing as yet said respecting the person from the Life Guards of whom your Lordship formerly spoke.
Your Lordship's
Most obidt
Most Humble Servt
A. CAMPBELL."
On the 28th of December, Lieut.-Colonel Campbell embarked with all the effectives, their destination, however, being kept a secret. Major Enys was left ashore in charge of the sick, viz., 2 serjeants and 75 rank and file, with orders to collect the detachments then serving on the fleet, whenever they might be landed.
On the 31st, Mr. Joseph Skinner, surgeon 29th Foot, died at Plymouth; he had been a faithful American Loyalist, and, contrary to the sentiments of his mother and relatives, had joined the King's army at Bunker's Hill in 1775, and afterwards Lord Cornwallis, by which he forfeited for ever the affection of his family.
|
