A History of the British Army, Vol. 1: First Part—to the Close of the Seven Years' WarFortescue, J. W. (John William), Sir
History
A History of the British Army, Vol. 1: First Part—to the Close of the Seven Years' War
Fortescue, J. W. (John William), Sir
Great Britain -- History, Military; Great Britain. Army -- History
But meanwhile William of Orange had received his invitation to come
with an armed force for the delivery of England from the Stuarts,
and for some months had been making preparations for an invasion.
It was long before James awoke to his danger, but when at last he
perceived it he hastened to strengthen the Army. Commissions were
issued for the raising of new regiments, of which two are still
with us as the Sixteenth and Seventeenth of the Line, and of new
companies for existing regiments. Four thousand men in all were
added to the English establishment; three thousand were summoned
from Ireland, and as many more from Scotland; and James reckoned
that he could meet the invader with forty thousand men. On the 2nd
of November William, after one failure, got his expedition safely
to sea, and by a feint movement induced James to send several
regiments northward to meet a disembarkation in Yorkshire. These
regiments were hastily recalled on the intelligence that the
armament had passed the Straits of Dover steering westward, and
fresh orders were given for concentration at Salisbury.
In a short time twenty-four thousand men were assembled at the new
rendezvous, but before James could join them, he received news that
Lord Cornbury, the heir of his kinsmen the Hydes, had deserted to
the enemy. Cornbury had attempted to take his own regiment, the
Royal Dragoons, and two regiments of horse with him; but officers
and men became suspicious, and with the exception of a few who fell
into the hands of William's horse and took service in his army,
all returned to Salisbury. Before setting out for the camp James
summoned his principal officers to him--Churchill, since 1683 Lord
Churchill, and recently promoted lieutenant-general; Henry, Duke of
Grafton, colonel of the First Guards; Kirke and Trelawny, colonels
of the Tangier Regiments. One and all swore to be faithful to him;
and the King left London for Salisbury.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account