Historical Record of the Fourteenth, or, the Buckinghamshire Regiment of Foot: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1685, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1845Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Fourteenth, or, the Buckinghamshire Regiment of Foot: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1685, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1845
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Regiment of Foot, 14th (Buckinghamshire)
As the FOURTEENTH quitted their post on the left, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Ramsay, the Duke of York addressed them in the
most flattering manner, declaring his perfect reliance on their
gallantry. The three regiments moved at a running pace; though
weak in numbers, they were strong in valour and resolution, and
being conscious of their own prowess, they rushed upon their
numerous opponents fully determined to conquer or perish in the
attempt. The FOURTEENTH charged along the chaussée,--overpowered
all resistance,--carried the village,--re-formed beyond the houses
under a heavy fire[8],--raised a loud shout, and rushed forward
to storm a battery on a rising ground near a windmill, which
the French defended a short time, but afterwards abandoned it,
leaving the regiment in possession of several pieces of cannon.
This sudden burst of British valour, coming like an explosion of
thunder, amazed and confounded the French, who gave way before
the superior prowess of the British soldiers, and the current of
the battle flowed in favour of the allies. There was, however,
a protracted resistance in an orchard, where the grenadiers and
light infantry of the FOURTEENTH Foot were engaged, and several
instances of individual contempt of danger occurred. A grenadier
named RYAN refused to avail himself of the advantage of standing
behind a tree, saying "They cannot touch me;" but the next moment
he fell forward apparently dead, when Captain Clapham turned him
over, and said, "Ryan, you are only shot through the face, you will
do well yet;" "Is that all?" replied the grenadier, and jumping up
and commencing loading his firelock, he added, "Then I will have
another rap at them," and he was with difficulty prevailed upon to
go to the rear[9]. The French were eventually driven out of the
orchard; the British pressed upon their opponents, and a victory
was gained over the Republican troops, who were forced to quit the
field of battle with severe loss.
The FOURTEENTH Regiment gained great honor on this occasion;
its loss was one serjeant and four rank and file killed;
Captain Cochrane, Major of brigade, died of his wounds; one
serjeant and twenty-eight rank and file wounded; five men
missing. Lieutenant-Colonel Ramsay's horse was killed, and the
Lieutenant-Colonel received four musket balls through his hat.
The following general order, dated Tournay, 23rd of May, 1794, was
published.--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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