In compiling these Annals I have received assistance from many unexpected sources. To Mr W. C. L. Floyd I am indebted for much assistance from the papers of his grandfather, under whom the 19th Light Dragoons won their spurs in the Mysore campaigns; to Major General Gillespie, who has kindly placed at my disposal the only authentic portrait of his celebrated grandfather; and to Lieut. General Sir Francis Norman, who collected notes of the career of the old 19th Light Dragoons, many years ago. My thanks are also due to Mr James Wilson and Major Ernest Cruikshank of the Lundy’s Lane Historical Society, who have done so much to rescue from oblivion the details of the war on the Niagara frontier, and to Mr Douglas Brymner, the Dominion Government Archivist at Ottawa. I am also indebted to Mr S. M. Milne for the kindly interest he has taken in my work; to Lt. Colonel Frank Barrow who placed at my disposal the letters written by his distinguished brother during the Soudan campaigns of 1884 and 1885, to Colonel K. J. W. Coghill, C.B., who commanded the regiment at Tel-el-Kebir, and to Colonel J. C. Hanford, C.B. (formerly Hanford-Flood) who commanded the squadron with the River Column, without whose encouragement and aid this work would not have been undertaken. I refrain from adding more names, but the list of those to whom my thanks are due is not exhausted. CONTENTS PART I THE NINETEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS DROGHEDA’S HORSE--1759-1763 PAGE State of affairs in Europe in 1756--Declaration of War against France--Increase of the Army--Early Years of the War--Invasion expected--Orders for raising the 19th Light Dragoons--Death of George II.--End of the Seven Years’ War--Reduction of Military Establishments--19th Light Dragoons become the 18th--Uniform of the Regiment 1 PART II THE NINETEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS 1779-1783 War in America--Declaration of War by France--Increase of the Army--Orders for raising the 19th Light Dragoons--Uniform--Peace proclaimed--Reduction of Military Establishments--Regiment disbanded 10 PART III THE TWENTY-THIRD, AFTERWARDS THE NINETEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS (1781-1822) CHAPTER I.--1781-1782 THE TWENTY-THIRD LIGHT DRAGOONS. Alarming state of Public Affairs--Want of Cavalry in India--Orders for raising the 23rd Light Dragoons--Colonel Sir John Burgoyne--Regiment embark for India--Arrive in Madras--Desperate State of Affairs--Madras Misgovernment--Horses for the Regiment 19 CHAPTER II TROUBLES AT MADRAS--1783-1785