Historical Record of the Fourth, or Royal Irish Regiment of Dragoon Guards.: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1685; and of Its Subsequent Services to 1838Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Fourth, or Royal Irish Regiment of Dragoon Guards.: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1685; and of Its Subsequent Services to 1838
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, 4th
In the ensuing campaign the regiment was again engaged for several
weeks in marches, manœuvring, and occupying positions on the rich
plains of the Netherlands, to defeat the designs of the enemy; and
on the 19th of July it was engaged in the hard-contested battle of
_Landen_, where it had an opportunity of distinguishing itself. It
was formed, during the early part of the action, near the village
of Neer-Landen, to support the infantry on the left, and sustained
some loss from a heavy cannonade to which it was exposed. At length
Marshal Luxembourg, by means of an immense superiority of numbers,
carried the village of Neer-Winden, forced the position occupied by
his opponents, and his numerous cavalry overpowered the squadrons
in the right wing of the confederate army. King William instantly
ordered the English horse on the left to oppose the victorious
career of the enemy; and LANGSTON'S REGIMENT, galloping to the scene
of conflict, charged the French horsemen with signal gallantry.
The right squadron of this regiment, led by its Colonel, FRANCIS
LANGSTON, broke the French squadron to which it was opposed, and
made great slaughter; and the heroic LANGSTON, an officer remarkable
for prowess and valour, who had served against the Moors in Africa,
and at the battles of the Boyne, Aghrim, and Steenkirk, was seen
using his broadsword with terrible execution, but he was eventually
surrounded, severely wounded, and taken prisoner. Fresh squadrons of
French cavalry, flushed with the prospect of victory, renewed the
fight, and, notwithstanding the bravery evinced by the English horse,
superiority of numbers prevailed. King William ordered a retreat,
which, having to be made across bridges and by narrow defiles, was
not executed without much confusion and loss. His Majesty remained on
the ground until nearly surrounded by the enemy; but he was rescued
by a party of his Life Guards and a troop of Horse.
[Illustration: COLONEL FRANCIS LANGSTON, FIFTH HORSE
_At the Battle of Landen 19^{th} July, 1693_]
After retiring from the field, the regiment proceeded to Tirlemont;
it was subsequently engaged in several movements, and on the 5th of
August it was reviewed by King William, with the remainder of the
cavalry, near Wemmel. In November it marched into quarters at Ghent.
[Sidenote: 1694]
Having been joined by a body of recruits and remount horses from
England, to replace the losses of the preceding campaign, the
regiment marched out of Ghent in May, 1694, to cantonments in the
villages between Brussels and Dendermond. The campaign of this year
was remarkable for the long and fatiguing marches performed by the
troops; but no general engagement occurred. After traversing Flanders
and Brabant in various directions, and experiencing much privation
from the country having so long been the seat of war, the regiment
returned to its former quarters.
[Sidenote: 1695]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account