[28] According to the embarkation return the strength of the regiment when it quitted Germany was, 27 officers, 692 men, 54 women, and 67 horses. [29] A full account of these medals is given in a work published in America by General Donkin in 1777. [30] How the badge of St. George and the Dragon with the motto "_Quo fata vocant_" above mentioned, were first acquired by the regiment, has not been ascertained. There is a tradition in the corps that they were conferred as an honorary distinction for gallant conduct either in the German war or that of the Spanish succession; but it is probable they might have been assumed when the regiment in 1675 was given to Colonel John Fenwick, and became English. A portrait of Major Bernardi (who was an Ensign in this corps at its formation in 1674, and rose to the rank of Captain in it) prefixed to his Memoirs published in 1729, is surmounted by the motto "_Quo fata trahunt_," evidently a metamorphosis of, and borrowed from the "_Quo fata vocant_" of the regiment. The Royal Warrants of the 1st of July, 1751, and 19th of December, 1768, while they recognise and confirm the badge, are silent respecting the motto; an omission, however, not confined to the FIFTH Regiment only, for the warrants do not notice the motto of any one infantry regiment, though others (the Royal Scots for instance,) must have had mottoes. It will be seen in the text that the motto surmounted the badge on the medal of merit, one of which from the original die with the date 10th of March, 1767, is now (1837) in possession of Colonel Sutherland, commanding the regiment. This motto and badge has for many years been borne on the officers' and men's appointments, and there is no doubt but they form one whole, and are coeval with each other. [31] "Lord Percy now formed his detachment into a square, in which he enclosed Colonel Smith's party, who were so much exhausted with fatigue that they were obliged to lie down for rest on the ground, their tongues hanging out of their mouths like those of dogs after a chase."--_Stedman's History of the American War._ [32] London Gazette. [33] London Gazette. [34] "If any thing had been wanting to show the bravery and discipline of the British troops, the action at Bunker's Hill furnished an ample proof of both. Twice they were stopped and twice they returned to the charge. In the middle of a hot summer's day; encumbered with three days' provisions, their knapsacks on their backs, which, together with cartouch-box, ammunition, and firelock, may be estimated at 125lbs; with a steep hill to ascend, covered with grass reaching to their knees, and intersected with walls and fences of various enclosures; and in the face of a hot and well-directed fire,--they gained a complete victory over three times their own numbers."--_Stedman._ [35] Stedman. [36] London Gazette.