The Nineteenth and Their Times. J. Biddulph
was defeated, and Lord Howe, described by Wolfe as “the noblest Englishman that has appeared in my time, and the best soldier in the British army,” was slain in a skirmish. In Germany, the British troops, under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, drove the French out of Hanover, while two successful raids were made on the French coast, in which Cherbourg and St. Servan were temporarily occupied, and a great quantity of warlike stores destroyed or captured.
Pitt’s genius was now beginning to be felt in every branch of the service, and, from this time, matters improved steadily, by land and sea. In May 1759, Guadaloupe was captured. In July, Rodney destroyed the French boats in Havre prepared for the invasion of England, while Hawke blockaded Brest. In August, Boscawen defeated a French fleet in the Bay of Lagos. In the same month, the French were decisively defeated at Minden by an inferior English and Hanoverian force: on the 13th September, Quebec was taken by Wolfe, who fell in the moment of victory, and French interests in America received their death blow. To complete the year’s triumphs, on 20th November, Hawke destroyed a French fleet under Conflans in Quiberon Bay, in an action fought in the midst of a tempest. The nation could breathe freely again; there was no more fear of invasion, and England was confident of ultimate success. But Pitt’s efforts were not relaxed, and many regiments of Cavalry and Infantry were added to the Army during the year.
By Royal Warrants, dated respectively 17th March, 4th August, 10th October and 17th November 1759, the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th Light Dragoons were raised for service abroad and at home. In December, steps were taken to raise the 19th Regiment of Light Dragoons in Ireland, and, in the following month, a Notification to that effect was issued from Dublin Castle.
By the Lord Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland.
1760.
Bedford,
His Majesty having been pleased to Order a Regiment of Light Dragoons to be forthwith raised in this Kingdom, under the Command of the Earl of Drogheda,[1] to consist of one Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, one Lieutenant Colonel, one Major, three Captains, six Lieutenants, six Cornets, one Chaplain, one Surgeon, one Surgeon’s Mate, one Adjutant, six Quartermasters, eighteen Serjeants, eighteen Corporals, twelve Drummers, six Hautboys, and six Troops of seventy Men per Troop: and His Majesty’s Letter being shortly expected for placing the said Regiment upon the Military Establishment of this Kingdom from the seventh day of December last past inclusive, to be paid at such times and in such manner as other Regiments of Dragoons in this Kingdom are paid, the pay of such Commission and Staff Officers and the Subsistance of the Non Commission Officers to commence from the date of their respective Commission, Warrants, and Appointments, and the Subsistance of the private Men, approved by the Officer who shall be appointed to review them from the Days of their being severally attested inclusive. And whereas We have authorized and required the said Earl of Drogheda by Beat of Drum or otherwise, forthwith to raise such number of able bodied Protestants in this Kingdom, as shall be willing to enlist themselves and may be wanting to compleat the said Regiment to the Establishment before mentioned, in the Execution of which Service the said Earl of Drogheda or one of the Field Officers of the said Regiment is to make the like returns to your Office as are usually made upon raising Regiments: We do hereby give you Notice thereof and do direct you upon Receipt of the Returns aforesaid to allow the names of all such Recruits on the Muster Rolls of the said Regiment in Order to their being entered for Pay, pursuant to His Majesty’s Letter aforesaid. Given at His Majesty’s Castle of Dublin the 15th Day of January 1760.
By His Grace’s Command
Richard Rigby.
To the Muster Master General of this Kingdom or his Deputy.
A month later followed the Royal Warrant.
1760.
George R.—Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin and Councillor. We greet you well. Whereas the Commissioners of our Treasury have laid before us your Letter of the 29th of December last transmitting unto them the following Establishment of a Regiment of Light Dragoons to be raised according to a Proposal from Charles Earl of Drogheda which had been laid before and approved by Us and also an Estimate of the Expence of each particular to be provided and defrayed by Us for the use of the said Regiment which said Establishment for One Year commencing from the seventeenth day of December last will amount to the sum of seventeen thousand four hundred and thirteen pounds ten shillings and tenpence according to the following particulars thereof that is to say—
| Per day. | Per annum. | |||||
| For one Lieutenant Colonel Commandant | £0 | 7 | 0 | £127 | 15 | 0 |
| One Lieutenant Colonel | 0 | 7 | 0 | 127 | 15 | 0 |
| One Major | 0 | 5 | 0 | 91 | 5 | 0 |
| One Chaplain | 0 | 6 | 8 | 121 | 13 | 4 |
| One Surgeon | 0 | 4 | 0 | 73 | 0 | 0 |
| One Mate | 0 | 2 | 6 | 45 | 12 | 6 |
| One Adjutant | 0 | 4 | 0 | 73 | 0 | 0 |
| For One Troop | ||||||
| Captain 10 sh. and two servants at ½ each | £0 | 12 | 4 | £225 | 1 | 8 |
| Lieutenant 6 sh. and one Servant at ½ | 0 | 7 | 2 | 130 | 15 | 10 |
| Cornet 5 sh. and one Servant at ½ | 0 | 6 | 2 | 112 | 10 | 10 |
| Quarter Master | 0 | 4 |
0
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