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
waggon drove on waggon, and smashing in the roadway, the passage was
at length blocked up with an impenetrable barricade, which effectually
checked the efflux of the fugitives to Antwerp, and calmed the
agitation of the people.
Footnote 226:
The only soldier of the corps actually in the battle was
lance-corporal Henry Donnelly, who was orderly to Captain and
Brigade-Major, now Major-General Oldfield, K.H. He was present on the
17th and 18th, and Colonel Carmichael Smyth, who was seriously
indisposed on the night of the 17th, was much indebted to him for his
care and attention. His claim to a medal was warmly advocated by the
Major, who testified to his presence in the field for two days, but
Colonel Smyth never would allow that he was entitled to it. At the
final rejection of his just right corporal Donnelly was so much
affected, that shortly after he went into hospital, and died on the
25th July, 1817.
The claim of corporal Donnelly had been officially recognized at one
time in the following order by the officer commanding his company:—
“Company orders. Argenteuil, August 6, 1815. In consequence of private
Henry Donnelly being present at the battle of Waterloo, he is entitled
to two years advance of service. He will therefore be mustered
according to the regulations of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent,
dated 29th July, 1815.—(Signed) ED. COVEY, Lieutenant Royal
Engineers.” And he was so mustered until July 1816, when Colonel Smyth
ordered its discontinuance, making at the same time these
remarks:—“The sapper in question rode out a horse of Major Oldfield’s
on the 17th, and returned to Brussels on the morning of the 18th,
without having seen an enemy or heard a shot fired. He was in Brussels
during the actions of the 16th and 18th; and under these circumstances
I should have been guilty of a dereliction of duty to have certified
that he was entitled to a medal, and which he could hardly have worn
on the parade of his company, in preference to the very good
non-commissioned officers and men of that company, who have constantly
done their duty much to my satisfaction and their own credit; and who
could not but have felt aggrieved to have seen a mark of distinction
bestowed upon private Donnelly without his having in any way deserved
it.”
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