Historical Record of the Fifth Regiment of Foot, or Northumberland Fusiliers: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1674, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1837Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Fifth Regiment of Foot, or Northumberland Fusiliers: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1674, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1837
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Northumberland Fusiliers
The battalion took part in the battle of _Orthes_, on the 27th
of February; also in frequent and successful skirmishes with the
French rear guard during its retreat through the vineyards between
Pau, Vicq, and Tarbes, and finally, in the battle of _Toulouse_,
the closing struggle and crowning victory of the Peninsular war, on
which occasion the first battalion of the FIFTH behaved with its
usual gallantry; its commanding officer, Colonel Pratt, received
medals for the battles of Orthes and Toulouse, and by authority,
dated July the 4th, 1818, the names of these battles are inscribed
upon the colours. The loss of the battalion in the battle of Orthes
was one Lieutenant, Hopkins, and eleven rank and file, killed; and
thirty-three wounded: in subsequent actions it had one rank and
file, killed, and twelve wounded.
The gallant exploits of the British troops having caused the
overthrow of the tyrannical power of Buonaparte, hostilities ceased
on the continent: the regiments went into quarters of refreshment,
and the veterans of the FIFTH could now look back with exultation
at the scenes of victory and triumph which had attended their
career in this war. They could reflect with delight on the fame
they had acquired, but especially at the glorious result, that
their valour had preserved their native land from the presence of
war, and their efforts had acquired peace for Europe.
On the extension of the most honourable military order of the
Bath in 1815, Colonel Charles Pratt, of the FIFTH, was nominated
a Knight-Commander, and Colonels the Honourable Henry King, and
Edward Copson, Companions of the Order. The regiment also, in
reward and commemoration of its services throughout the Peninsular
war, received permission by authority, dated April the 22nd, 1815,
to inscribe, in addition to its other distinctions, the word
"PENINSULA" upon its colours.
Although peace had been restored to Europe, war was continued in
America, and the first battalion of the FIFTH was allowed but a
few days repose, before it was ordered to the scene of conflict.
It marched out of quarters on the 11th of May, and arrived on
the 20th at Bourdeaux, from whence, after a halt of eleven days,
it embarked, and sailed for Canada, disembarking on the 7th of
August at Sorel, on the river St. Lawrence, about one hundred
miles above Quebec. From Sorel it marched to Chambly to join the
troops encamped there under Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost,
and formed, with the Third, Twenty-seventh, and Twenty-eighth
regiments, the brigade of Major-General Sir Manley Power. It was
present at the unsuccessful attack made by Sir George Prevost on
the Americans near _Plattsburg_, in the early part of September,
and afterwards went into barracks at La Prairie; in November it
marched to Montreal, detaching five companies to Coteau du Lac.
[Sidenote: 1815]
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