Historical Record of the Fifty-sixth, or the West Essex Regiment of Foot: Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1755, and of its subsequent services to 1844. — John Shaqi
Historical Record of the Fifty-sixth, or the West Essex Regiment of Foot: Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1755, and of its subsequent services to 1844.Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Fifty-sixth, or the West Essex Regiment of Foot: Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1755, and of its subsequent services to 1844.
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army. Regiment of Foot, 56th (West Essex) -- History
While at these stations, the regiment was conspicuous for its
correct discipline and efficiency, and after the usual inspection,
on the 29th of October, the following garrison order was
issued:--“Major-General Sir Charles Ross is happy to have this
opportunity of expressing his approbation of the steadiness and
appearance of the FIFTY-SIXTH Regiment this day, and returns his
thanks to the officers and men for the zeal and attention which
they have displayed on all occasions since he has had the honor of
commanding them.”
[Sidenote: 1801]
The regiment, after its return from the West Indies, in the
early part of 1799, had been recruited with men for limited
service in Europe; but when the glorious triumphs of the British
army in Egypt, under General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., were
made known to the corps in general orders, this announcement
of splendid victories, gained by English troops, created so
lively an interest in the regiment, that the soldiers instantly
responded with a tender of service in any quarter of the globe,
which was communicated to the general officer of the district,
Brigadier-General Champagne, by Major H. S. Keating, commanding the
regiment at the time, in the following terms:
“SIR,--I have the honor to inclose you the offer of the
FIFTY-SIXTH Regiment, of serving in any part of the world, where
His Majesty may deem it necessary; which I beg you will have the
goodness to lay before his Excellency the Commander-in-chief.
I should consider myself acting with injustice, were I not to
notice the very enthusiastic manner in which the orders of the
16th May, 1801[4], of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, were
received, and the consequent tender of those services excited by
a contemplation of the animated conduct of our gallant army in
Egypt; and I feel a confidence in adding, that should they be
accepted, I have every reliance, that the spirit and energy of
the regiment, will support with honor the interest of its king
and country.”
The commander of the forces in Ireland directed the
adjutant-general to convey to the non-commissioned officers and
privates of the regiment, “his thanks and approbation of their
spirited offer of general service, which is transmitted to His
Royal Highness the Commander-in-chief, to be laid before the
King.” The Duke of York also communicated “his thanks to the corps
for their spirited and loyal offer to extend their service to any
part of the world.”
[Sidenote: 1802]
This tender of service was, however, so speedily followed by the
peace of Amiens, concluded in the early part of 1802, that no call
was made, at this period, for the regiment to proceed on foreign
service. In October it marched to Limerick.
[Sidenote: 1803]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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