The first and two last of the coloured plates in this book have been taken from original drawings by Mr. J. P. Beadle. The remainder are from old drawings, by one G. Salisbury, in the possession of the regiment. They have been deliberately chosen as giving, on the whole, a more faithful presentment of the old and extinct British soldier than could easily be obtained at the present day, while their defects are of the obvious kind that disarm criticism. The portrait of Colonel John Hale is from an engraving after a portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, the original of which is still in possession of his lineal descendant in America. That of Lord Bingham is after a portrait kindly placed at the disposal of the Regiment by his son, the present Earl of Lucan. Those of the Duke of Cambridge and of Sir Drury Lowe are from photographs. _May, 1895._ Contents CHAP. PAGE 1. The Rise of the 17th Light Dragoons, 1759 1 2. The Making of the 17th Light Dragoons 10 3. Reforms after the Peace of Paris, 1763–1774 20 4. The American War--1st Stage--The Northern Campaign, 1775–1780 31 5. The American War--2nd Stage--The Southern Campaign, 1780–1782 49 6. Return of the 17th from America, 1783--Ireland, 1793--Embarkation for the West Indies, 1795 65 7. The Maroon War in Jamaica, 1795 73 8. Grenada and St. Domingo, 1796 87 9. Ostend--La Plata, 1797–1807 96 10. First Sojourn of the 17th in India, 1808–1823--The Pindari War 110 11. Home Service, 1823–1854 121 12. The Crimea, 1854–1856 128 13. Central India, 1858–1859 144 14. Peace Service in India and England, 1859–1879 166 15. The Zulu War--Peace Service in India and at Home, 1879–1894 174 Appendix PAGE A. A List of the Officers of the 17th Light Dragoons, Lancers 181 B. Quarters and Movements of the 17th Lancers since their Foundation 236 C. Pay of all Ranks of a Light Dragoon Regiment, 1764 241 D. Horse Furniture and Accoutrements of a Light Dragoon, 1759 243 E. Clothing, etc. of a Light Dragoon, 1764 244