Historical Record of the Twenty-first Regiment, or the Royal North British Fusiliers: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1678, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1849Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Twenty-first Regiment, or the Royal North British Fusiliers: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1678, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1849
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Royal Scots Fusiliers
These events were followed by the battle of _Blenheim_, on the
13th of August, when the French and Bavarians, commanded by
Marshal Tallard and the Elector of Bavaria, were overpowered by
the allies under the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene of
Savoy, and a victory was gained which reflected lustre on the
British arms. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to lead the
attack against the French troops in the village of BLENHEIM, and
their colonel, Brigadier-General Row, placed himself at the head
of his regiment, which was followed by four other corps. In the
Annals of Queen Anne it is stated--"The five English battalions,
led on by Brigadier-General Row, who charged on foot at the head
of his own regiment with unparalleled intrepidity, assaulted the
village of Blenheim, advancing to the very muzzles of the enemy's
muskets, and some of the officers exchanged thrusts of swords
through the palisades;"--but the avenues of the village were found
strongly fortified, and defended by a force of superior numbers.
Brigadier-General Row led the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS up to the
palisades before he gave the word "fire," and the next moment he
fell mortally wounded; Lieut.-Colonel Dalyel and Major Campbell,
being both on the spot, stepped forward to raise their colonel,
and were both instantly pierced by musket-balls; the soldiers,
exasperated at seeing the three field officers of the regiment
fall, made a gallant effort to force their way into the village,
but this was found impossible, and the regiment was ordered to
retire. The moment the soldiers faced about, thirteen squadrons
of French cavalry galloped forward to charge them, and one of the
colours of the regiment was captured by the enemy; but the French
horsemen were repulsed by the fire of a brigade of Hessians, and
the colour was recovered.
Another attempt to capture the village of Blenheim having failed,
the firing was continued against this post, and the army advanced
against the enemy's line, which was driven from the field with
great slaughter, and the loss of its cannon, and of many officers
and soldiers made prisoners, among whom was the French commander,
Marshal Tallard. Additional forces were then brought against the
French troops in Blenheim, and they surrendered prisoners of war.
The Germans, who attacked the enemy's right, were also victorious;
and the gallant achievements of the allied army raised on the banks
of the Danube a trophy which time cannot destroy.
The regiment had Lieut.-Colonel Dalyel, Captain Stratton, jun.,
Captain Stratton, senior, Lieutenants Vandergracht, Hill, Campbell,
and Travallion killed; Brigadier-General Row and Major Campbell
died of their wounds; Captains Craufurd and Fairlee, Lieutenants
Dunbar, J. Douglas, Elliott, Ogilvy, Maxwell, Stuart, Primrose, and
Gordon wounded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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