A History of the Coldstream Guards, from 1815 to 1895Ross, J. (John)
History
A History of the Coldstream Guards, from 1815 to 1895
Ross, J. (John)
Great Britain -- History -- Victoria, 1837-1901; Great Britain. Army. Coldstream Guards
In July, 1832, the 2nd Battalion proceeded to Dublin by Bristol,
returning to London in the following summer. Ireland was then passing
through one of the phases of popular discontent and resistance to law so
common in her history, and which have for so long troubled the
government of that island. The anti-tithe agitation was then in full
swing, and was accompanied by incidents very similar to those that
occurred during the recent anti-rent struggle, with which we are
familiar. As a means of pacifying the disturbed districts, troops were
quartered in them, just as was done in 1880. The 2nd Battalion furnished
three companies for this duty during the latter end of October, when it
appears that this force, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Hon. J.
Forbes, was stationed at Leighlin Bridge, in Carlow, and was quartered
there for a fortnight. The Battalion gained the approbation of the
military authorities in Dublin, shown by two orders (dated May 23 and
August 12, 1833), testifying to the high opinion entertained by them of
the “exemplary conduct,” and of the discipline of the corps whilst
serving in Ireland.
The next two years passed without much incident until 1836, when the
Regiment was put into mourning by the unexpected death of the
Lieut.-Colonel (Colonel MacKinnon), who, having served in the Coldstream
throughout the whole of his military career, from the early age of
fourteen to the day of his death, in every rank from Ensign to
Lieut.-Colonel, through the Peninsular war and at Waterloo, where he was
wounded, may be considered as an Officer peculiarly belonging to the
Regiment.[159] In spite of illness, he remained at his post until the
middle of June, when he obtained a year’s leave; but he was unable to
avail himself of it, for a few days later, on the 22nd, he died, only
forty-six years of age, respected alike by the Officers and the men. The
public exercises of the Regiment were immediately suspended till after
the interment of the Commanding Officer, and, on the 8th of July, the
following order was promulgated by Colonel Sir W. Gomm, who succeeded
him, on the occasion of an inspection of the two Battalions by Lord
Hill, the Commander-in-Chief:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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