The History of the 2nd Dragoons: "Royal Scots Greys"Almack, Edward
History
The History of the 2nd Dragoons: "Royal Scots Greys"
Almack, Edward
Great Britain. Army. Dragoons, 2nd (Royal Scots Greys)
After several changes of position, the Greys and other corps were
ordered to be ready to march immediately after dark on the evening
of July 17th; and the regiment was formed on this occasion as usual
in brigade with the Royal Irish Dragoons under the command of
Brigadier-General Lord John Hay. The French lines to be taken were very
formidable, for besides the height of the rampart, and the largeness of
the ditch, they were further defended by the difficulties of the ground
over which they were to be approached; and by the river Geet, which
could not be crossed without laying bridges over it, and which was near
enough to the lines to be defended by the fire from the parapet. Our
troops continued their march throughout the night, which was extremely
dark, and at four in the morning surprised the French guards and
took the position. Scarcely had the Greys and Irish Dragoons, with a
few squadrons of horse, passed the lines, when the Marquis d'Allegre
appeared with twenty battalions of infantry and fifty squadrons of
cavalry. The Duke of Marlborough led his horse and dragoons forward,
and by an impetuous charge, broke the enemy's ranks. A short but fiery
conflict followed with varied success, and the Greys displayed their
usual spirit. Finally the enemy's squadrons were dispersed, their
standards and kettledrums were captured, and many officers and men were
taken prisoners. The enemy's infantry also suffered severely; a few
battalions however retired in a square in admirable order.
The campaign closed, and the Scots Greys marched to Dutch Brabant,
where they spent the winter.
From the archives of the Regiment:--
"Early in 1705 the sheriff (_i.e._, Sir James Agnew) parted with
his eldest son (Andrew), who at seventeen joined the army in
Flanders as a volunteer. Pleased at the idea of the boy's winning
his own spurs, he supplied him with a moderately well-filled purse,
while his mother, along with her blessing, furnished him with an
introduction to the Duke of Marlborough, as well as other letters
of introduction. Thus furnished, the youth embarked, and reached
the camp in February in safety, where he attached himself to the
'Royal Grey Dragoons.' At the mess of this distinguished corps he
met many friends from Galloway. His brother-in-law, Colonel Agnew,
was Major, whose brother Thomas was also a Captain in the regiment;
and among the subs. were the young Laird of Mochrun, George Dunbar,
as well as John Dunbar, his youngest brother. Within a few weeks
of his arrival he received, to his no small gratification, a
commission signed by the Duke of Marlborough in camp at Rastad on
the 11th of May, 1705, appointing Andrew Agnew to be cornet of that
troop in Her Majesty's Royal Regiment of Scotts Dragoons, commanded
by the Right Honourable John Hay, whereof Major Andrew Agnew is
Captain."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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