Historical Record of the First, or the Royal Regiment of Dragoons: Containing an Account of Its Formation in the Reign of King Charles the Second, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1839Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the First, or the Royal Regiment of Dragoons: Containing an Account of Its Formation in the Reign of King Charles the Second, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1839
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Dragoons, 1st (Royal)
Continuing the pursuit during the four succeeding days, the
ROYAL DRAGOONS passed the Ebro with the leading column under
Major-General Carpenter, and on the evening of the 19th of August
the French and Spanish forces were discovered in order of battle on
the right of _Saragossa_, a city pleasantly situated on the river
Ebro, in a very plentiful country, abounding with every necessary
for the support and convenience of life, and once the delight of
Julius Cæsar, who erected a splendid palace there. Preparations
were made to attack the enemy on the following day; the ROYAL
DRAGOONS formed part of the cavalry of the left wing, commanded by
Lieut.-General STANHOPE, and were opposed to the enemy's right on
the brow of a steep hill.
Early on the morning of the 20th of August a heavy cannonade
commenced; and as the mountains re-echoed the sound, and the smoke,
tinged with the rays of the sun, rose in curling clouds and formed
a glittering dome over the opposing armies, King Charles and his
suite galloped along the line, and his Majesty's presence infused
a glowing ardour into the troops. About mid-day Lieut.-General
Stanhope led the ROYAL DRAGOONS and other British horsemen on the
left against their adversaries, and a sharp cavalry action ensued,
in which the French troopers (being superior in numbers) had the
advantage; but Stanhope's second line of cavalry repulsed the
enemy. The British dragoons rallied, and returning to the charge, a
sanguinary sword-fight took place at the foot of the hill; but six
squadrons of Portuguese dragoons on the extreme left fled before
the troops advancing against them, without waiting to be attacked.
The battle extended along the front to the banks of the Ebro, and
the Imperial, Dutch, and Palatine troops vied with the British
in feats of gallantry. The Royals, Pepper's (now eighth) and
Stanhope's dragoons, continuing the fight, gained some advantage;
Harvey's horse signalized themselves; and four English battalions,
commanded by Major-General WADE, being mixed with the cavalry of
the left wing, behaved with remarkable intrepidity and heroism.
The British infantry, throwing off their knapsacks, sprang up the
acclivity and attacked their opponents sword in hand: finally, the
enemy was driven from the field with prodigious slaughter, and
the loss of six thousand prisoners, twenty-two pieces of cannon,
seventy-two standards and colours, the ammunition, baggage, and
plate of King Philip; and the city of _Saragossa_ was captured,
with its military stores of ammunition, provision and clothing. The
ROYAL DRAGOONS passed the night in the fields near the town, and
were thanked by King Charles for their distinguished gallantry.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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