Historical Record of the Second, or Queen's Royal Regiment of Foot: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in the Year 1661, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1837Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Second, or Queen's Royal Regiment of Foot: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in the Year 1661, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1837
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
The advance of the army, on the 13th of March, towards Alexandria,
presents the spectacle of a movement of infantry through an open
country, who, being attacked upon their march, _formed_, and
_repulsed_ the enemy; then advanced in line for three miles,
engaged along their whole front, until they drove the enemy to seek
his safety under the protection of his entrenched position. Such
had been the order and regularity of the advance!
Upon the 21st of March, the united force of the French in Egypt
attacked the position of the British Army.
An attack, begun an hour before daylight, could derive no advantage
over the vigilance of an army ever ready to receive it. The enemy's
most vigorous and repeated efforts were directed against the right
and centre. Our infantry fought in the plain, greatly inferior in
the number of their artillery, and unaided by cavalry.
They relied upon their discipline and their courage. The desperate
attacks of a veteran cavalry, joined to those of a numerous
infantry, which had vainly styled itself _Invincible_, were
everywhere repulsed: and a conflict the most severe terminated in
one of the most signal victories which ever adorned the annals of
the British nation!
In bringing forward these details, the Commander-in-Chief does
not call upon the Army merely _to admire_ but _to emulate_ such
conduct. Every soldier who feels for the honour of his country,
while he exults in events so splendid and important in themselves,
will henceforth have fresh motives for cherishing and enforcing the
practice of discipline, and by uniting, in the greatest perfection,
order and precision with activity and courage, will seek to uphold,
and transmit undiminished to posterity, the _Glory_ and _Honour_ of
the _British Arms_.
Nor is a less useful example to be derived from the conduct of the
distinguished Commander who fell in the field.
His steady observance of discipline,--his ever watchful attention
to the health and wants of his troops,--the persevering and
unconquerable spirit which marked his military career,--the
splendour of his actions in the field, and the heroism of his
death,--are worthy the imitation of all who desire, like him, a
life of honour and a death of glory.
By Order of His Royal Highness
The Commander-in-Chief,
HARRY CALVERT,
Colonel and Adjutant-General.
* * * * *
The following regiments were employed in Egypt, in 1801, and
were permitted by His Majesty King George the Third to bear on
their Colours the _Sphynx_, with the word "EGYPT," as
a distinguished mark of His Majesty's Royal approbation, and as
a lasting memorial of the glory acquired to His Majesty's Arms
by the zeal, discipline, and intrepidity of his troops in that
arduous and important campaign, _viz._:--
11th Light Dragoons, 1 Troop, Captain Money.
12th Light Dragoons, Col. Archdall.
26th, afterwards 23rd Light Dragoons, Lieut.-Col. R. Gordon.
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