History of the Royal Sappers and Miners, Volume 1 (of 2): From the Formation of the Corps in March 1712 to the date when its designation was changed to that of Royal EngineersConnolly, T. W. J. (Thomas William John)
History
History of the Royal Sappers and Miners, Volume 1 (of 2): From the Formation of the Corps in March 1712 to the date when its designation was changed to that of Royal Engineers
Connolly, T. W. J. (Thomas William John)
Great Britain. Army. Royal Sappers and Miners
Designation of corps modified—Uniform—Working-dress—Arms—Mode of
promoting non-commissioned officers—Rank of colour-sergeant
created—Company to Canada—Reinforcement to Bermuda—Sub-Lieutenant
Mackenzie appointed Town-Major there—Sickness at Gibraltar—Services of
company in East Catalonia—Malha da Sorda—Services on the advance to
Vittoria—Bridge at Toro—Blockade of Pampeluna—Pyrenees—Stockades near
Roncesvalles—San Sebastian and services of the corps at the
siege—Valour of sergeants Powis and Davis—Of private Borland; and of
corporal Evans—Casualties in the siege—Restoration of the
fortifications-Pontoon train—Bidassoa—Bridge across it, and conduct of
privates Owen Connor and Nowlan—Vera—Nivelle, and behaviour of
corporal Councill—Bridge over that river—Bridges over the Nive, and
daring exertions of private Dowling—Fording the Nive, and posts of
honour accorded to corporal Jamieson and private Braid—Strength and
distribution of corps in the Peninsula—Recruiting.
To correspond with the intentions of the Government with respect to the
future duties of the corps, the title was again changed on the 5th
March, from “royal military artificers or sappers and miners,” to “Royal
Sappers and Miners.” Some mistrust and discontent were occasioned by
this second alteration, but conciliatory explanations restored
confidence and satisfaction.
A change of dress followed the change of name. This originated with the
war officers in the Peninsula. Working with the line at the sieges, it
was considered desirable to assimilate the dress of the two services;
and scarlet with blue facings was introduced to render the men less
conspicuous to the enemy and less subject to danger. No material
alteration was made in the cut and frogging of the coatee. For
particular parades, the white breeches and long gaiters were continued,
except in the Peninsula, where grey trousers and ankle gaiters were
substituted. The chaco—a singular concoction from the German mitre,
preserved in Hogarth’s “March to Finchley,” and the “smoke-jack”—was
much higher in front than in rear and decorated with yellow cords and
tassels. A short white feather, worn at the left side of the chaco, just
peered above the curve of the fan. See Plate X.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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