Read Ebook: Memoirs and Services of the Eighty-third Regiment County of Dublin from 1793 to 1907 Including the Campaigns of the Regiment in the West Indies Africa the Peninsula Ceylon Canada and India by Bray Edward William

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 404 lines and 38414 words, and 9 pages

The very severe loss of the 83rd in this hard-fought battle, amounting to nearly half its number present, fully testifies the honourable service it performed.

Its commanding officer, Colonel Gordon, while cheering and leading on his men, fell in the first burst of the glorious charge at their head.

Three lieutenants--Montgomery, Dahman, and Flood--with 2 sergeants and 64 rank and file, were killed with him. Two captains--Summerfield and Reynolds; 7 lieutenants--Abel, Johnstone, Nicholson, Pine, Boggie, Baldwin, and Ferris; 4 ensigns--Lord Tulloch, Barry, Carey, and Irwin; and Adjutant Brahan, with 15 sergeants, 2 drummers, and 265 rank and file, were wounded; making the total casualties of the battalion 365 rank and file killed and wounded, and amongst the latter many were so badly injured that on the subsequent abandonment of Talavera by the Spaniards, the greater part, being unable to move, fell into the hands of the French.

For the services of the regiment in this arduous battle, Sir William Gordon, the brother of Colonel Gordon, received the medal which would have decorated that gallant soldier's breast, had he happily survived the action.

Lieutenant Pine, the subaltern of the Grenadier Company of the 83rd, was promoted to a company in the 66th Regiment for his distinguished valour in hastening to the assistance of the colours--in carrying which through this battle, officer after officer had been shot down. Lieutenant Pine seized one of the colours and bore it gallantly forward, and did not relinquish it till he was himself severely wounded and obliged to be relieved of his honourable burden. Many sergeants also were killed and wounded in protecting the colours through this fierce battle.

Its casualties, however, had so weakened the 83rd, that it was deemed unable to keep the field any longer; it was on this account ordered to Lisbon, and on its departure from the army General Cameron expressed his approbation of the corps, and his appreciation of its conduct in the battle of Talavera, in the following brigade order:--

"BRIGADE ORDERS

"The conduct of the 83rd Regiment in the arduous contest of Talavera merits the Brigadier-General's warmest thanks, and he hopes that Major Napper will justly appreciate the merits of those few that are left.

In addition to the above honourable testimonial to its services in this action, the 83rd has been graciously permitted to have the word "Talavera" inscribed on its colours and appointments, in commemoration of its distinguished gallantry in that battle.

The battalion arrived in Lisbon in October, 1809, and remained there till the beginning of September, 1810, during which period Lieutenant-Colonel Collins joined from the 1st Battalion and assumed the command.

In the beginning of September, 1810, the battalion being re-established in health, and numbering 600 rank and file, marched under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Collins, to join Lord Wellington, at that time retiring to the frontiers of Portugal. It effected its junction with the army the same month, and was placed in the left brigade of the 3rd Division, commanded by General Picton, and in the celebrated division which acquired in the army the distinguished appellation of the "Fighting Division" the 83rd had the honour of serving throughout the remainder of the Peninsular campaigns.

With it, therefore, and its heroic commander, Sir Thomas Picton, the services of the battalion in this memorable war are henceforth identified, being engaged in every skirmish, battle, and assault which this renowned division fought and won, and in every glorious deed of daring and honour it was ever so nobly performing.

On the 26th and 27th of September the battalion was engaged in the actions on the Sierra de Busaco; but the brunt of the battle falling to the good fortune of the right brigade, its casualties were few, amounting only to 1 lieutenant and 6 rank and file wounded. For the services of the regiment on this occasion Colonel Collins received a medal, and his Majesty was pleased to sanction the word "Busaco" being borne on its colours and appointments.

Shortly after Lieutenant-Colonel Collins was removed to the command of a brigade in the Portuguese service, and the command of the 83rd devolved upon Major H. W. Carr.

After the decisive and signal repulse of the French at Busaco, the British army continued its retrograde movement until it was halted by its skilful commander in the strongly fortified lines of Torres Vedras, and the regiment remained in position in these celebrated lines till the month of March, 1811, when the French, under Marshal Massena, commenced its retreat.

The British army followed in eager and hot pursuit, and the 3rd Division hanging closely on the rear, the 83rd was in constant and warm engagement with the enemy.

It came up with them at Leyria, Pombal, and Condeixa, and in the skirmishes at those places, and at Fleur-de-Lis, Guarda, and Sabugal, its casualties amounted to 2 sergeants and 52 men killed and wounded.

In May following, the battalion was actively engaged in the actions at Fuentes d'Onor, on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of that month, and was mentioned in Lord Wellington's despatch of the battle, as being distinguished in the defence of the village of Fuentes d'Onor, and the repulse of the enemy therefrom. Its casualties, however, were fortunately but few, amounting to 1 lieutenant and 6 rank and file killed, and 1 lieutenant , 1 sergeant, and 22 rank and file wounded, and his Majesty was pleased to sanction the word "Fuentes d'Onor" being inscribed on the colours and appointments of the 83rd, in commemoration of the distinguished conduct of the battalion in that battle.

The same month the battalion was employed in the first siege of Badajoz, and had 6 rank and file wounded in the trenches.

The siege being raised, the regiment assisted in the blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo, and on the 25th September, when Marshal Marmont advanced to the relief of that fortress, the 83rd, with Colville's brigade, then composed of the 5th , 77th, 83rd, and 94th Regiments, greatly distinguished itself. On that occasion immense bodies of French cavalry, supported by artillery and infantry, attacked the 5th and 77th Regiments in their position on a hill, covering the road to Guinaldo; but these two gallant regiments nobly sustained their assault, and repeatedly repulsed the enemy. Their flank, however, being threatened, Lord Wellington gave the order to retire, when, being joined by the remaining regiments of the brigade, the whole, driving back the French horsemen whenever they approached them, fell back steadily, until they reached Guinaldo, where they were halted, and joined the day after by the right brigade, which, stationed at Pastores, had been cut off by the movement. In this gallant affair the 83rd had 1 sergeant and 5 rank and file killed, and 3 sergeants and 16 rank and file wounded.

CIUDAD RODRIGO

In the month of January, 1812, the regiment was employed in the siege and capture of Ciudad Rodrigo; and on the 19th of that month, when that fortress was taken by storm, the Light Company of the 83rd, under the Hon. Captain Powys, led the right attack, and escaladed the outwork in front of the castle. The remainder of the battalion lined the trenches and covered the advance of the storming parties of the 3rd Division in their assault on the great breach. The loss of the regiment in the siege amounted to 4 men killed, and 2 lieutenants and 12 men wounded; and the word "Ciudad Rodrigo" has been inscribed by the royal authority on its colours and appointments for its services on this occasion.

BADAJOZ

At Badajoz, in April, the same year, the regiments of the 3rd Division were again called upon to display the burning, irresistible courage of British soldiers, and the capture of that fortress by storm on the 6th April was mainly attributed to the impetuous valour with which they escaladed and took the castle.

On this, as on former occasions, the 83rd highly distinguished itself, and its services on the 25th March were most conspicuous.

On the 25th March, fire was first opened on Badajoz, and it was determined to storm the outwork, La Picurina, after nightfall on that day. For this purpose, General Kempt, with 500 men from the 3rd Division, was ordered to carry it by assault. These he divided into three divisions, the centre of which, composed of 100 men from the 83rd, under the Hon. Captain Powys, was held in reserve. The flank divisions rushed impetuously to the attack, but the strength of the work, and the destructive musketry of the French, having rendered their courageous efforts fruitless, Powys and his reserve were also sent headlong against it. Running vehemently forward, the men of the 83rd soon cleared the intervening space, and in spite of a most galling fire escaladed the work, at a salient angle, and mounted the rampart. Here a desperate struggle ensued. Powys, first and foremost of his men, fell dangerously wounded, but Sergeant Hazlust of his regiment, defending him stoutly with his halberd, kept the French at bay, and held his ground till the remainder of the men, clambering up thickly and resolutely, came to his aid, and driving the enemy before them, cleared the ramparts, and enabled the flank divisions to enter also. For this gallant service, Captain Powys received the rank of brevet major, but did not survive to enjoy the fruits of his bravery. With his dying breath, however, the gallant fellow recommended Sergeant Hazlust to the notice of his superiors, and that valiant soldier, for his conduct on this occasion, was almost immediately promoted to be sergeant-major of the battalion.

On the 6th April, also, the memorable night of the storm of Badajoz, the 83rd most successfully and nobly availed itself of the glorious opportunity of distinction afforded it. The distinguished honour of leading the 3rd Division in the assault on the castle was assigned to it, and, rapidly and resolutely filing over the narrow bridge of the little River Rivillas, the regiment rushed impetuously to the walls, and under a most galling and murderous discharge of shells and combustibles, planted the ladders against them. Four out of the seven ladders were broken and destroyed, but officers and men, mounting the remainder, made the most determined efforts to force themselves in, repeatedly driven back and thrown down, crushed and bruised, from the parapets of the ramparts. The 83rd still persevered, and at length Major Carr, Captain Hext, Lieutenant Broomfield, Adjutant Swinburne, with others, followed closely by their men, effected an entrance at the right angle of the work, and established themselves on the rampart. At about the same time, the remainder of the division scaling the wall at another angle, the French turned and made in full flight for the gate. The officers and men of the 83rd rapidly pursued, and closing the gate, and blocking it with stones, wood, and other materials, secured the castle from recapture by the French, who, crowding from the breaches, and pouring volley after volley through it, endeavoured in vain to retake it. The castle thus being won, the French abandoned the remaining defences, and surrendered the fortress to the British.

The regiment's loss in this siege and assault was necessarily very severe, amounting to one-third of its number engaged. Three officers--Captains Powys, Fry, and Ensign Hackett--with 1 sergeant, and 36 rank and file, were killed; and 6 officers--Lieutenants Broomfield, O'Neill, Bowles, Lane, Vavasour, and Baldwin--and 81 rank and file, wounded. Major Carr received a clasp and the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Hext that of brevet major, for their own and their regiment's highly distinguished conduct in this assault, and his Majesty has been pleased to permit the 83rd to bear the word "Badajoz" on its colours and appointments, in commemoration of the important and successful service it there rendered.

CAMPAIGN OF SALAMANCA

The fall of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz having opened the way into Spain, the British army was enabled to commence its march into that country, and the 2nd Battalion 83rd, serving throughout the glorious campaign of 1812, had its full share of danger and honour, in the memorable victory of Salamanca, when the French army, under Marshal Marmont, was signally defeated on the 22nd July, 1812.

On that glorious day, the 3rd Division, commanded by Major-General the Hon. Edward Pakenham was posted in a wood, behind Aldea Tejada, completely concealed from the enemy, and securing the main road to Ciudad Rodrigo. About 2 p.m., the French, endeavouring to turn the British right and gain the road to Ciudad Rodrigo, extended their left in the direction of that fortress, thereby weakening their centre, and affording Lord Wellington the favourable opportunity he had so long desired of attacking them. He immediately took advantage of it, and assailing in front, with the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Divisions, ordered the 3rd Division to attack the French columns, which were moving down on the Ciudad Rodrigo road, and nobly and gallantly did General Pakenham launch the battalions of the "Fighting Division" against the enemy; forming line by regiments, they rushed impetuously forward, and bearing on with resistless force, carried everything before them.

The 83rd Regiment, with Colville's brigade, was in the full brunt of this decisive and successful attack. At one time charging gallantly forward, it overthrew the enemy whenever he stood to meet it; at another, halting, and wheeling by divisions, to allow the British cavalry to pass through, it re-formed, and followed hotly on, encouraging and cheering the pursuing troopers.

Three thousand prisoners were taken by the division this day, and special mention of its commander and it was made by Lord Wellington in his despatch. Colonel Campbell, also, who commanded Colville's brigade , received his lordship's thanks for its services on the occasion.

The casualties of the battalion in this battle amounted to 13 rank and file killed, and 1 lieutenant and 32 rank and file wounded; and it had, moreover, the great misfortune to lose, though not in its own ranks, its gallant lieutenant-colonel , who, commanding a Portuguese brigade, had previously, at the sanguinary battle of Albuera, lost a leg, and now, in this great action again distinguishing himself, received a mortal wound.

Lieutenant-Colonel Carr had one horse, and Adjutant Swinburne two horses, shot under them, and in commemoration of the distinguished services of the battalion of the 83rd in this action, his Majesty has been graciously pleased to sanction the word "Salamanca" being inscribed on its colours and appointments.

The battalion was next employed in the investment of the "Retiro," a fortified building at Madrid; at which two men of the battalion were wounded. It subsequently retired with the 3rd Division, when the whole of the army retreated from before Burgos.

CAMPAIGN OF VITTORIA

The next service which the battalion had the good fortune to be engaged in was the triumphant battle of Vittoria, on the 21st June, 1813, when the 83rd bore a prominent part and highly distinguished itself. On that occasion, Colville's brigade being in front, the 83rd had the honour of leading the 3rd Division in its passage across the River Zadara; and the advance of the brigade against the enemy drew forth the especial approbation of Lord Wellington, who mentioned it in his despatch in the following terms:--

"Major-General the Hon. C. Colville's brigade, of the 3rd Division, was seriously attacked in its advance by a very superior force, which it drove in, supported by General Inglis's brigade of the 7th Division, under Colonel Grant, of the 82nd; these officers and the troops under their command distinguished themselves."

Maxwell, an historian of the great duke's life, also, in his description of this memorable victory, thus vividly recounts the advance of Colville's brigade:--

"The subsequent advance of the allied columns against the enemy's right centre was beautifully executed, as in echelon of regiments it crossed the hallowed ground on which tradition placed the chivalry of England when the Black Prince delivered battle to Henry the Bastard, and by a decisive victory replaced Don Pedro on the throne. As if animated by some glorious impulse, the battalions advanced not to combat, but to conquer; Colville's brigade of the 'Fighting Third' led the attack, and the first enemy's corps that confronted it was gallantly defeated. Pressing on with characteristic impetuosity, and without halting to correct the irregularity a recent and successful struggle had occasioned, the brigade encountered on the brow of the hill two lines of French infantry, regularly drawn up, and prepared to receive the assailants. For a moment the result was regarded with considerable apprehension, and means were adopted by Lord Wellington for sustaining the brigade, when it should be repulsed by the enemy; but valour overcame every disadvantage, and the perfect formation of the French could not withstand the dashing onset of the assailants; their rush was irresistible. On went the daring soldiers, sweeping before them the formidable array which, circumstanced as they were, appeared calculated to produce annihilation."

The 83rd, moreover, had this day the good fortune to obtain particular commendation from General Colville himself; with the 94th it attacked and captured a battery of guns, and in an assault on a village, led by General Colville in person, the men of the 83rd rendered themselves so conspicuous by their daring valour, that he directed Adjutant Swinburne to take the names of a large number of them, to whom, after the action, he awarded a guinea apiece.

The casualties of the 83rd in this glorious victory were severe: 3 officers , 4 sergeants, and 28 rank and file were killed; and 4 officers , with 6 sergeants and 68 rank and file, were wounded. Its gallant conduct in the battle was acknowledged by medals being awarded to its commanding officer, Colonel Carr, and to Major Hext. Volunteer Nugent also was appointed to an ensigncy in the battalion, and his Majesty was graciously pleased to permit the word "Vittoria" being inscribed on the colours and appointments of the 83rd, in commemoration of the distinguished service it rendered in that battle.

After this crowning victory, Lord Wellington undertook the sieges of San Sebastian and Pampeluna, and the 3rd Division was employed in the investment of the latter place; but being shortly after relieved by the 7th Division, it was formed in right support of the remainder of the army, which was so disposed as to cover the operations against these strong and important fortresses.

On the 25th and 26th of July, the French under Marshal Soult having, after a desperate struggle, forced the Roncesvalles and Maya Passes, General Picton moved his division up in support, and, forming in order of battle on the right of the 4th Division, in front of Huarte, and extending to the hills beyond Olaz, there awaited the further advance of the French.

In the ensuing hard-fought battles on the 27th and 28th July, the brunt of the fight fell to the good fortune of the 4th Division, and the 3rd was but slightly engaged. Its picquets and light infantry, however, skirmished with the enemy's tirailleurs, and the division itself advancing on the right of the victorious 4th, turned the enemy's left and completed his signal repulse. In this affair the battalion lost only 8 men wounded.

The French having been thus driven back, the siege of San Sebastian was prosecuted with redoubled vigour; and at last, after a second most sanguinary assault, the city was carried by storm. Pampeluna also having been reduced, the British general led his victorious troops from their lofty positions, and, descending from the snow-clad summits of the Pyrenees, launched them on the fair and fertile provinces of France.

In this battle, as on former occasions, the 83rd was in the heat of the engagement, and proved itself worthy of the noble division to which it belonged.

Its casualties amounted to 10 rank and file killed, and 5 officers , and 28 rank and file wounded; and the royal authority has been received for the regiment to bear the word "Nivelle" on its colours and appointments, to commemorate its gallantry in that action.

The next service the regiment was employed in was the passage of the Gare d'Oleron, when the 3rd Division, under General Picton himself, attacked the ford above the bridge at Sanvetterre; the regiment, with the left brigade commanded by Colonel Keane, was in this encounter warmly engaged, and sustained a loss of 5 rank and file killed, and 12 rank and file wounded, and lost some prisoners from the Light Infantry, which had crossed the river.

At Orthes, on the 27th February, 1814, the 3rd Division was again in the very heat and brunt of battle, and highly distinguished itself, attacking the heights, on which the left and centre of the enemy were strongly posted. It, after severe fighting, gained possession of them, and with the simultaneous assaults of the 52nd Regiment on the left, dislodged the enemy from his position and secured the victory.

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet