WAR-100 YEARS AGO

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3162, 14 August 1917, Page 9

WAR-100 YEARS AGO

REGIMENTAL ORDER OF 1803 A QUAINT OLD DOCUMENT "Among eomo old family papetv; in m.v pospossion," write-Jlr. Wnlkr S. Ticid, or LSI) The Tcrr.ico, "T have an original copy .tf Iho regimental orders of • the 'First licgimont of Itoynl Edinburgh Volunteers,' set out Itolon-, and I thought it might lie of somo interest ,ki others to publish these, albeit a Jittlo lengthy, us contrasting Iho simplicity in the. modes of warfare lit the beginning of tho nineteenth century with tho complex and .stupendous measures, necessary at tho present liinn. Tho occasion which called forth ■ the military ardour of Scotland in 1803 was fiio threatened invasion of Great Britain by Napoleon. Scotland was then, more or less, a camp, and full of military fervour in all directions, but especially so in Edinburgh- The lieuten. nnt-colonol commandiiiK tho above-men-tioned: regiment was Sir Charles Hope, then Lord Advocate, who as your readers ,iro aware, is the Chief Law Officer of the Cron-n for Scotland. I" those days the Lord Advooato represented tho British Ministry of tho day in. all Government matters that concerned Scotland, but now t'her'o i.s a Secretary of State for Scotland, who has taken over the ordinary business . of Government in that country. However, in 3503, Hope was tho 'framer of these regimental orders, retaining his command of the regiment oven after ho had been raised to the Scottish . Bench ■ as Lord Justice Clerk, and was always regarded as an excellent officers. Lord Cockbiirn in his 'Memorials of His Time,' speaks of theso ordera as Hope's "famous" orders, and Cockburn whs then an' advocate practising in Edinburgh, and an officer in this regiment. Indeed, they were famous, in Edinburgh at all events, for while-there is in tliera details apparently of small moment, yet these only serve to show the thoroughness of their framer, while there is a breadth and dignity about them as a whole -which in stirring times must have warmed tho hearts of all true Scotsmen. I may add tho original order (now in a very tattered condition) was the property of my grandfather, who 6ervetl in the regiment, and at that time held one of the principal offices in the Exchequer at Edinburgh."

Ist REGIMENT R.E.V. REGIMENTAL ORDERS. Edinburgh, October IS, ISO 3. "Lieutenant-Colonel Hope congratulates the gentlemen of the regiment on the distinguished appearance which they made yesterday, anil on the marked approbation which was bestowed on them by Lieutenant-General Vyse, commanding His Majesty's Forces- in Scotland. "Tho lieuteriunt-colonel has also the pleasure of assuring.- the jegiment that their appearance and- discipline received the unanimous approbation of tho other general officers present, and likewise of His Grace the ■ f.ord-Lieutenant of the County, himself an excellent judgo of military- duty. The lieutenant-colonel, however, trusts tho regiment will consider that the object of all their labour is not the parade of an inspection and review, but the serious and important duty of qualifying themselves to defend all that is dear'to them against an implacable enemy whose avowed_ intention is the utter ruin and extirpation of .the people of this country. He trusts, therefore, that Hie gentlemen of the'regiment will not allow their zeal to abate, but will persevere in such- attendance during the winter months as shall at least prevent them from forgetting what they Save already attained; for nothing could be so absurd ■ as to acquire' such a state of discipline as they have done, only to lose it as .fast as possible. When all the gentlemen of the regiment are returned to town for the winter, the lieutenant- ' colonel ,will make such an arrangement for exorcise as may enable every, gentleman to attend at least once a week, which cannot be a""n"ardship!or.inconvenience- to anyone. In the meantime, the lieutenant-colonel earnestly expects them still to.examine and keep their, firelocks in the very best order; and all of them, but especially such of the regiment as lingo not been much accustomed to fire- . arms, to form themselves into small squads for ball practice. Tho lieutenantcolonel_intends to institute prizes for tiding at a target, to bo shot for by such Pentlemen of each company only, as shall m>clare upon 'honour that they have iifed forty rounds of ball between 24th, October and the 19th November. Four ■prizes will bo given to each company: One for the J>est shot, one for the second best shot, one for the greatest number of balls through the target, one for the next number. In other respects the fl'jih inent may .have "» better opporhißity of improving their discipline than, by .private drills of thoir own, as Lieuten-ant-General Vyse 'has signified to tho lieutenant-colonel his intention of brigading tho volunteers- and of having several .fiold-days with the troops in tho'neighbourhood, of- Edinburgh.- For- this r.ea : eon* although , tho lieutenant-colonel never wishes tho duty of the regiment to interfere'with : real business, yot, on the other Jmnd, ! and considering tho stato of the times, -ho hopes thjat. no gentleman, officer: or private, will leave quartora except on. particular business. ■: In tho view of tho >rogimqntbeing called into actual service, tho Heutonanc-colonel thinks it'necessary'to issue orders applicnblo to that event. As it is tho first duty of a commanding officer to attend to the health.of those •under his charge, tho lioivtoriftut-colonel. assures tho regiment, that ho will: not permit a singlo gentleman, officer or -pri-vato, to march o-ut of Edinburgh on BOtvico unices lio is provided' with a flannol ' under-dress. This is at all times the best clothing .for ii soldier; 'but for a winter campaign, in such a-climato as this,, and with <!onstilutions.'.not accustomed. to hardships, it is essentially necessary, and on no ac-count-will bo dispensed with. "In this regiment, the officers cannol;. bo permitted to havo any indnlgenco or accommodation beyond tho privates. They must therefore march-, with. t heir whole baggago on their backs, of which the lieutenant-colonel--shall sot (lie example, never mounting his horse, but for tho- purposo of; commond. In camp or quarters no distinction of tents or rooms will be permitted. Officers and privates must faro alike, but tho officers will mess together, as it will give opportunities, not. otherwise to bo easily obtained, .of conversing on many points of regimental duty.' ' - , "The'horses, which' by the Kings Regulations aro allowed to tho officers, will.be appropriated to general purposes.-' TRo only exception.to this is to bo in favour of the chaplain, adjutants, and surgeons. "Every officer, and private, tliorcforc, will immediately provido himself with tho following articles, aJid keep them con;.tantly packed up 'in the neatest .urn most compact manner:— ' "One worsted or flannel nightcap to Lieunder tho chin. . "Two flannel under waistcoats, with sleeves, oval'least'halftfleeves to tho elbows, and to comu down over tho loina. "Two pairs of flannel drawers. "Two pairs thick worsted stockings or ankle socks. . ■ ' "Two: pairs of strong shoes. (One ,ot I these to bo on tho body and tho other in the knapsack.) *T)no pair of worsted gloves. "One ijbod', warm blanket—one blanket easily covers two men; and to bo so used, if tfio cold requires it. "Comb, brush, and implements for shaving—but as few us possible. A piece of pipe-clay' rind blacking ball. A. few nwulc.-), and worsted and thread. "Each gentlemau may also bring Willi him his ordinary great coat, as the blankot renders it less necessary to havo uronor watc'hcoals. "Ivncli officer and private will also provide himself, and repair to tho alarm post (mi Uio "north, side of St. Andrew Sua l- e, Viuless differently ordered), with ■Hlb. .of biscuile or bread. Hnvorsacke, cantcous. camp kettles, and billhooks rro h> bo issued to the reginiMit from Hie Kings Stores. Knapsacks will be furnishod out of the Regiment Fund. "On hulling for tho day or night the lieutenant-colonel..- earnestly recommends !, Unit no gentleman sliall lie'down to sleep while warm, or with wet, feet, but, however fatigued, always to -take timoto cool gradually, and to put ou his dry ! stockings and shoes. In caso of being ! -very wet; it ie highly useful to nib the body and.limbs with spirits, witrm if possible, taking at' tho Bamo time a mouthful, and not moro, inwardly, tlilul- | od with warm water if to bo had. Gen- ' tlemeu will sec tho propriety of not lak-1

Jup too much money will) them. Ono or "to guineas, at mos!, partly in silver, »m bo sufficient. "As In tho field, fholieulnnßnt-colonel has little to Hay. Much will bo expoclcd ».}' thoir country from giieh a regiment. ■Uio lieiilenant-colonol has no anxiety on thei subject, except from its impetuosity. It the regiment worn nntingsingly against another small body, this might rimduco no bad effect. But acting- in combination with other troops, perhaps in tli« centre of a line, or chain, of posts, nil movements nuist bo relative, and by rushing- fonm.nl prematuirely the line may be broken—other regiments, or posts, exposed to ha taken in flank, and tho whole pkns of the commander disconcerted, by tho necessity of supporting a, body wliich has improperly pushed forward; or reinforcing tho post it, has quitted. Tho tcgimont, therefore, will recollect that truo courage consists us much in suffering as in acting; as much, or more, ; in coolly fiicing danger as in furiously rushing on it. There is little probability that ihe general will allow young and liigh-spirited troops to' bo long galled by distant five. Tho regiment may bo assured that they will bo allowed to close with tho enemy, whenever it cau bo done to advantage.

When that moment comes tlio lieuteiiantcolonel reminds tho regiment of tho instructions ho has been inculcating on them at drill, to make (heir charge with ihe utmost steadiness and precision, ea that al! parts of the line, by coming in contact with the enemy at the same instant, may support one another. The leading company will fako care not to hurry too much, but to_ carry on the line, so that eacli individual may'preserve 'the entire command of his person; that he may bo able freely to use his bayonet, not only to thrust, but to parry. If tho charge is made,with too great rapidity the line will lie broken —one part of tho regiment will be cut to pieces before another comes up. tn;l the whole will rush on certain destruction.: wherons if the charge is mnrto steadily and correctly, the superior strength and impetus of this regiment must bear down whatever is in .its way. "If the force of the enemy in immediate contact with this reeimeivtbp broken, fhe pursuit is by. no means to be made without orders. It may be necessary to wheel to the right or left to support other parts of the line. "In firing, the regiment will see the folly and. danger of firing at random. If their fire is ineffectual thev mnv as well stand to be shot at with ordered arms. Every individual must take a steady aim, so as to- bo certain that his shot will take place in some part of the platoon opposite to him. If the smoke prevents the regiment from seeing the enemy's line distinctly, Khoy.will always see the flash from tho muzzles of their musquets by which the regiment can direct its own h'i-e. In short, let the object rather be to keep up a well-directed than a quick nro-nlways remembering that as little time be lost in loading as possible. It will be the business of the supernumary rank in the rear to look over the shoulders of the ranks in front, and to correct any error in tho aim. AYhori prisoners are taken, they are to be immediately disarmed and passed to tho rear. If the regiment (which is not likely) should be charged in front by cavalry, they will on no account fire till ordered-and then only the two front ranks; the front rank taking aim at tho horses, the centre rank at the men. If the fire is reserved, and.then given, within a few yards, in the faces of tho cavalry—one liftlf will drop, and the horses in all probability will carry tho other half to the right about, and, at all events, if the regiment will oitly receive them steadily without breaking, though the whole may be overthrown, very few will be killed or .hurt. Eeceiving a, charge from cavalry, each rank will charge their bayonets,- one over the other. The supernumerary rank to close well up to fhe rear,.so 'that the cavalry may have no time to make a cut at thorn. "Should tlio regiment be drawn up on a beach to oppose the landing of the enemy, it will probably be ordered to reserve its fire, as tho horizontal lire of musquetry against men well covered in boats must be very ineffectual. In such cases it is only cannon which can play on the enemy with effect. Tho battalion, therefore,'will reserve its firo till tho boßts take the ground, when each officer commanding a platoon will pour 111 his fire on the boat opposite to him at the instant the enemy exposo themselves, by rising up in the i]»at to leap on shoroa well-directed fire against men eo huddled together must be destructive, and the battalion will instantly give them tho bayonet before they have time _ to form and recover from their confusion. It is hardly possible that any troops can withstand "this mode of attack, whercM if met, only by a distant Kk from the heights' they will suffer little-will infallibly land and form and press on with all the spirit and advantage which usually attend, tho assailants. .Tine was precislly the error which the: French committed, when opposing the landing ot our trooiis in Egypt: * - • "Should the boats of the enemy be fitted with guns in their bows tho battalion will endeavour to shelter lUclt behind Band-hills, walls, or broken ground, while the enemy pull for the shore- and it will not be advanced to tho beach till .the boats " are . nearly aground, when, of course, tho enemy cannot givo above ono discharge of their "uns which, becoming useless the moment they attempt to land, tlio regiment will attack them as already directed. "Adhering to these hints, steadily oboyins orders, restraining their impetuosity, and fighting with the cool determined courago of their nativo minds, ■instead of initiating the intoxicated and blind iury of their enemy, and above all. calling on tho God of Battle*"to aid thorn in the preservation of thoao blessings which He has conferred upon them, this regiment may hope to Tender essential service, and to merit'a large sharo of that glory which shall bo aenmreA by nil the forces of thoir country in repelling tho threatened invasion. .' ."Capt. and Adjt. Ist Kegt., EiE.V."