Historical Record of the Third, or Prince of Wales' 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 Third, or Prince of Wales' 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. Regiment of Dragoon Guards, 3rd
In June one troop was actively employed in suppressing the violent
proceedings of the pit and ironfoundry men at Merthyr-Tidvil and its
vicinity. During the remainder of this year the regiment was almost
constantly in motion to support the civil power, and to prevent the
occurrence of serious breaches of the peace. The labouring classes,
being strongly excited by designing men, frequently violated the
laws, and burnt great quantities of agricultural property.
The subject of a reform in parliament had created considerable
discussion and interest throughout the country, and the resistance
of certain members to the extensive changes proposed in the
representation and elective franchise had excited the indignation
of the populace in various places, particularly at _Bristol_, of
which city one of the members, Sir Charles Wetherall, was recorder.
He arrived at Bristol on Saturday the 29th of October, to open the
King's commission, when he was assailed by an outrageous rabble,
with insult, menace, and showers of stones. The tumult increasing,
the Riot Act was read, when the mob became more violent than
before,--broke open the Mansion-house, demolished the windows,
doors, and furniture, and prepared to set the building on fire. At
this moment a troop of the 14th Light Dragoons arrived, and the
Mansion-house was saved, and the rioters dispersed. On Sunday the mob
again assembled, and plundered the Mansion-house, where they found
a quantity of wine and spirits, and they soon became intoxicated.
In this state the rioters became more furious than before. They
broke open the Bridewell, liberated the prisoners, and set fire to
the building. The new gaol and the Gloucester county prison were
treated in like manner. The Bishop's palace, the Mansion-house,
the Excise-office, the Custom-house, and many private dwellings,
were plundered and set on fire, and several of the drunken rioters
perished in the flames. In the midst of this scene of tumult and
conflagration a detachment of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS was seen
endeavouring to arrest the progress of the mobs. Unfortunately the
magistrates did not give the necessary instructions; and as the
soldiers were proceeding in one direction, destruction was going on
in another, and property to an immense amount was destroyed, before
the exertions of the civil and military powers restored order. About
one hundred of the rioters were killed or wounded before the tumult
was suppressed; and one hundred and eighty were committed to prison,
of whom fifty were capitally charged with rioting and burning.
[Sidenote: 1832]
In 1832 the regiment was stationed at Brighton, Chichester, and
Worthing; and in August four troops proceeded to London, occupied
Regent's Park barracks, and performed the duties of the metropolis
during the absence of the Life Guards for the purpose of being
reviewed by His Majesty. After performing this duty, the four troops
returned to Brighton and Chichester.
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