Saturday, October 24, 2015
Positive Review of Protecting the Empire's Frontier.
The Irish Sword Vol XXX (120) the Winter 2015 issue includes an extremely positive review of Protecting the Empire's Frontier. The journal is produced by the Military History Society of Ireland. It is extremely positive and ends with "Dr. Baule's work is distinguished scholarship, and not a white less readable for being detailed and closely-researched. It deserves the consideration of those who award the prizes that are open to writers on military history." The book is a collective biography of the officers of the 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot which served in America from 1767 through 1776.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
William Osborne, the Chaplain's Servant
William Osborn(e) appears to have enlisted in the British Army about 1755. He was about 32 years old making him a rather old recruit. It isn't clear from available sources if he enlisted directly into the Royal Irish Regiment or if he was drafted (transferred to) the 18th Foot at some time prior to 1767. In that year, He was listed as being from Westfall, but no such places existed. He was most likely from Westphaltown, about 12 miles from Dublin. He embarked for America from Cork Harbor in May 1767 arriving at Philadelphia in July. He was assigned as a private in Captain Hugh Antrobus's Coy which become Benjamin Johnson's Company after Antrobus's death on the ocean voyage to America. With Johnson's Coy, he was ordered to Fort Pitt where he remained from the summer of 1768 until the post was mostly abandoned in the summer of 1772. Johnson's Coy returned to the North Barracks at Philadelphia where it remained for the next two years. In June of 1773, Osborne was transferred to the General's Coy. This may be the direct result of his being selected by the chaplain as a servant. He remained as the chaplain's servant through his service in Boston. In October 1774, that company was one of five marched through New Jersey to NYC where that detachment replaced the 23rd Foot which had been ordered to Boston. Osborne was most likely involved in the stand off against the NYC Sons of Liberty on June 6, 1775, when the remaining troops of the Royal Irish evacuated from the NYC Barracks and took shelter aboard the HMS Asia. Osborne and his mates arrived in Boston shortly before Bunker Hill, but they observed the battle and didn't participate.
Osborne was transferred to the Lt. Colonel's Coy of the 5th Foot at Boston in December 1775 when the men of the 18th were drafted into the other regiments remaining in Boston. Osborne was later transferred to Captain Baker's Company in the 5th Foot by 1777. He was listed as sick on the returns of 23 April 1777 and 8 March 1778. It isn't clear but appears unlikely he had been wounded. He was listed as discharged and recommended from the 5th Foot on 5 May 1778, but he examined at Chelsea on 13 May 1778. Most likely he had been embarked for England earlier in the spring and simply paid through 5 May 1778. According to the Chelsea records, he was "worn out" from 23 years of service. He listed his trade as a bucklemaker prior to enlisting.
Osborne was transferred to the Lt. Colonel's Coy of the 5th Foot at Boston in December 1775 when the men of the 18th were drafted into the other regiments remaining in Boston. Osborne was later transferred to Captain Baker's Company in the 5th Foot by 1777. He was listed as sick on the returns of 23 April 1777 and 8 March 1778. It isn't clear but appears unlikely he had been wounded. He was listed as discharged and recommended from the 5th Foot on 5 May 1778, but he examined at Chelsea on 13 May 1778. Most likely he had been embarked for England earlier in the spring and simply paid through 5 May 1778. According to the Chelsea records, he was "worn out" from 23 years of service. He listed his trade as a bucklemaker prior to enlisting.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Joseph Fordice, an American who marched to Concord with the Regulars
Grenadier Joseph Fordice (also Fordue) was first listed as enlisted 9
March 1773 on the 27 July 1773 return of the Grenadier Company at
Philadelphia. He appears to have been born in the colonies at Roxbury, Massachusetts and was between 26 and 30 years old when he enlisted. His trade was that of a carpenter. He may have had some previous service as he was the only new enlistee assigned to the
Grenadier Company on that return. He remained with the Grenadier Coy at Philadelphia in the North Barracks until
October 1774 when the Grenadier Coy was sent to Boston. He was Court Martialled
on 8 November 1774 for sleeping on his post and sentenced to 400 lashes which
were all remitted. There is no other record of his being disciplined during his military career; so he may have learned his lesson and the remission of his punishment by his superiors appears to have been a wise decision.
As a member of the Grenadier Coy, Fordice was with Colonel Smith's column that marched through Lexington to Concord. Most likely, he was involved in searching the town of Concord for munitions. He also participated in the assault on Bunker Hill and escaped any significant injury in that battle. He was listed as on duty on 7 October 1775 while the
Grenadier Coy was encamped on Charles Town Heights outside of Boston, near where the assaults on Bunker Hill had taken place.
Fordice was promoted to corporal
on 25 December 1775 and remained with the grenadiers. He was listed with the Grenadier
Coy throughout his career, which was somewhat uncommon and may allude to his having been a rather tall man. He returned to England in February 1776 and was
promoted to sergeant on 16 November 1777. He was reduced to private on 25 December
1778. He was at Warley Camp on 19 July 1779 as part of the large training exercised that summer. He was promoted to corporal on 13
April 1780. He was most likely in London along with the rest of the Royal Irish at the end of the Gordon Riots from late June through the early fall of 1780and was at Finchley in October 1780. He was reduced to private between
June and December 1781. He was listed as a private in the Grenadier Coy in July 1784
but not in the February 1784 or December 1784 returns. He appears to have been discharged in late
1789 and appeared before the Invalid Examination Board on 4 December 1789. His reason for discharge after 19 years of service with the Royal Irish was listed as his being an asthmatic. It isn't clear why he is listed with 19 years of service but according to the returns of the Royal Irish, he would have only had 16 1/2 years of service at his time of discharge.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
The Royal Irish's Colonel Sir John Saunders Sebright
Above is a portrait of
Sebright that Francis Wheatley painted around 1770. Sir John Saunders
Sebright was born on October 19, 1725, in Flamstead Parish
in Hertfordshire, England. He was the second son of Sir Thomas
Saunders Sebright, Fourth Baronet, and his mother was Henrietta Dashwood, the
daughter of Sir Samuel Dashwood. Sebright began his military career at an
early age, obtaining an ensign’s commission in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards on April 18, 1741. He was
promoted to lieutenant and captain on February 20, 1744, and to captain and
lieutenant colonel on November 20, 1750. Sebright left the 1st Foot Guards to become the colonel of his own regiment, the
83rd Regiment of Foot, on October 14,
1758. Raised in Ireland for garrison duty, the 83rd was also known as “Sebright’s Invalids.” The 83rd underwent conversion into a line infantry regiment in 1759. Sebright
exchanged his colonelcy of the 83rd for that of
another of another Irish regiment, the 52nd Regiment of Foot
Foot, on November 27, 1760. Promotion to major general came on March 13,
1761. On April 1, 1762, Sebright exchanged the colonelcy of the 52ndFoot for that of yet a third Irish regiment, the Royal Irish.
April 28, 1763,
he was elected to the House of Commons from Bath. He would hold that
seat from 1763 to 1774, and again from 1775 to 1780. With the death of
his elder brother, Sir Thomas Sebright, Fifth Baronet, in 1765, Colonel
Sebright inherited the baronetcy. In the following year, Sir John Saunders
Sebright, Sixth Baronet, found the time to take a wife. On May 15, 1766,
he married Sarah Knight, the daughter of Edward Knight and Elizabeth James, in
St. George’s Church, St. George Street, Hanover Square, in London.
Sarah would bear her husband five children – three boys and two girls.
The 18th Foot
sailed to North America in 1767, but it appears its colonel remained home
in England. Such conduct was not exceptional among British
regimental commanders at that time, however, and Sir John Sebright received a
promotion to lieutenant general on April 30, 1770. He did seem to take an
active interest in the regiment and definitely was involved in approving the
purchase of officers into the regiment
in at least three cases. He made full general more than twelve years
later on November 20, 1782. He died at his London home on
February 23, 1794, at the age of sixty-eight.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Some Thoughts about Books on the British Army.
Below are ten of what I consider the best books for beginning to learn about the American Revolution; particularly from the British point of view. If you have other thoughts, please let me know.
Boyle, J. (2009). From Redcoat to Rebel: The Thomas Sullivan Journal. Heritage Press.
Hagist, D. (2012). British Soldiers, American War: Voices of the American Revolution. Westhomle Publishing.
Harvey, R. (2001). A Few Bloody Noses: The Realities and Mythologies of the American Revolution. The Overlook Press.
Houlding, J. (1981). Fit for Service: The Training of the British Army, 1715-1795. Oxford University Press.
Lamb, R. (2004). A British Soldier's Story: Roger Lamb's Narrative of the American Revolution. Don Hagist, ed. Ballindalloch Press.
Martin, J. (1979). Private Yankee Doodle: Being a Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier. Center for Cultural Resources.
McConnell, M. (2005). Army and Empire: British Soldiers on the American Frontier, 1758-1775. University of Nebraska Press.
Peebles, J. (1998). John Peebles' American War: The Diary of a Scottish Grenadier, 1776-1782. Stakepole Books. Spring, M. (2008). With Zeal and Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783. University of Oklahoma Press.
Urban, M. (2007). Fusiliers: The Saga of a British Redcoat Regiment in the American Revolution. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Boyle, J. (2009). From Redcoat to Rebel: The Thomas Sullivan Journal. Heritage Press.
Hagist, D. (2012). British Soldiers, American War: Voices of the American Revolution. Westhomle Publishing.
Harvey, R. (2001). A Few Bloody Noses: The Realities and Mythologies of the American Revolution. The Overlook Press.
Houlding, J. (1981). Fit for Service: The Training of the British Army, 1715-1795. Oxford University Press.
Lamb, R. (2004). A British Soldier's Story: Roger Lamb's Narrative of the American Revolution. Don Hagist, ed. Ballindalloch Press.
Martin, J. (1979). Private Yankee Doodle: Being a Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier. Center for Cultural Resources.
McConnell, M. (2005). Army and Empire: British Soldiers on the American Frontier, 1758-1775. University of Nebraska Press.
Peebles, J. (1998). John Peebles' American War: The Diary of a Scottish Grenadier, 1776-1782. Stakepole Books. Spring, M. (2008). With Zeal and Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783. University of Oklahoma Press.
Urban, M. (2007). Fusiliers: The Saga of a British Redcoat Regiment in the American Revolution. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Nativity of the Royal Irish, 1767 & 1776
One may think that the Royal Irish Regiment would be plum full of O'Briens, O'Roukes and McFaddens. However, in fact the Royal Irish was about 30% Irish when it was inspected in April 1767 at Dublin. The drafts to the four regiments embarking for America from Cork that May were also about a third Irish, so the regiment most likely retained a similar character to that it had when inspected at Phoenix Park, Dublin on 11 April 1767. The return of the men by "Nativity" is below for the 1767 and the 1777 Inspection Returns. Only a return for Johnson's Coy, stationed at Ft. Pitt, has been found for the intervening period.
Dublin, April 11, 1767 WO
27/11
|
Countrys
|
Companies
|
||||||||||
|
|
Col.
|
Lt.C.
|
Maj.
|
Gren.
|
I.H.
|
H. A.
|
J.S.
|
G.S.
|
Shee
|
Total
|
|
|
English
|
17
|
20
|
21
|
17
|
24
|
18
|
22
|
21
|
17
|
177
|
|
|
Scotch
|
|
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
|
|
3
|
15
|
|
|
Irish
|
15
|
10
|
8
|
11
|
6
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
92
|
|
|
Foreigners
|
|
2
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
4
|
|
|
Totals
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
288
|
|
Dover Castle, May 15, 1777 WO 27/36
|
Countrys
|
Companies
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Col.
|
Lt.C.
|
Maj.
|
Lord
|
B.C.
|
B.P.
|
R.H.
|
W.R
|
W.B.
|
H.F.
|
Total
|
|
|
English
|
29
|
35
|
25
|
30
|
35
|
32
|
29
|
32
|
33
|
27
|
307
|
|
|
Scotch
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
18
|
|
|
Irish
|
12
|
9
|
18
|
13
|
19
|
10
|
14
|
11
|
23
|
15
|
144
|
|
|
Foreigners
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Totals
|
45
|
45
|
45
|
45
|
57
|
44
|
45
|
45
|
59
|
44
|
474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For those wondering, there were two O'Haras, an O'Neill and and an O'Kane who served in the Royal Irish between 1767 and 1775.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
The Royal Irish Prepares for America
Unfortunately, there are no extant muster rolls for the period prior to leaving Ireland (1765-1767) for North America , so much is unclear about the men of the Royal Irish Regiment. However, in order to expand from the Irish Establishment strength of 28 private men per company to the 45 private men per company, the regiments, including the Royal Irish, leaving Ireland needed to either recruit the difference or accept drafts (transfers) from other regiments. Most regiments sent out recruiting parties in Ireland and potentially to England or Scotland, but the most common and reliable way to expand the strength of a regiment in a short time was to draft from regiments that were to remain in Ireland. In late April and early May 1767, the Royal Irish, received 203 drafts from eight other regiments. In total, 794 men were drafted to the 10th, 16th, 18th and the 26th Regiments from 20 other regiments which were to remain in Ireland. The 10th, 16th, and 26th Regiments were ordered to America as part of a rotation of regiments along with the Royal Irish.
The most one of the other regiments gave were 50 men. Both the 58th and the 64th Regiments gave up 50 men. The 58th's all were received by the Royal Irish. Twenty-six of those men were Irish; the other 24 were British from the 58th Foot.
Court martial returns identify a few of the individual soldiers drafted, but the individual identities of the vast majority of the drafts cannot be identified. The 203 drafts to the Royal Irish came from the 5th Foot (48 men), the 40th Foot (3 men), the 44th Foot (3 men), the 49th Foot (2 men), the 50th Foot (49 men), the 58th Foot (50 men), one man from the 61st Foot and 47 men from the 69th Foot. The men of the 50th Foot were definitively drafted at Cork Harbor immediately before the Royal Irish embarked for America. Although mythology often states that the ranks of the red coated regiments were filled up with the dregs of society being dragged out of prison, in fact, only three men were obtained from Irish Gaols. All three men were sent to the 10th Foot.
The most one of the other regiments gave were 50 men. Both the 58th and the 64th Regiments gave up 50 men. The 58th's all were received by the Royal Irish. Twenty-six of those men were Irish; the other 24 were British from the 58th Foot.
Court martial returns identify a few of the individual soldiers drafted, but the individual identities of the vast majority of the drafts cannot be identified. The 203 drafts to the Royal Irish came from the 5th Foot (48 men), the 40th Foot (3 men), the 44th Foot (3 men), the 49th Foot (2 men), the 50th Foot (49 men), the 58th Foot (50 men), one man from the 61st Foot and 47 men from the 69th Foot. The men of the 50th Foot were definitively drafted at Cork Harbor immediately before the Royal Irish embarked for America. Although mythology often states that the ranks of the red coated regiments were filled up with the dregs of society being dragged out of prison, in fact, only three men were obtained from Irish Gaols. All three men were sent to the 10th Foot.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
William Miller, Philadelphian
Miller entered the Royal Irish on 27 May 1771 most
likely somewhere near Philadelphia. He was originally assigned to the General’s
Coy. So he may have travelled to Ft. Pitt in the fall of 1771 and then down the
Ohio to Illinois in the spring of 1772. If so, he returned from Illinois
shortly and was back in Philadelphia by the end of October 1772, at which point
he was transferred to Payne’s Coy. When the regiment prepared to leave
Philadelphia, Miller was transferred to the Grenadier Coy on 9 October 1774 for
the trip to Boston.
While in Boston, Miller stayed out of trouble and
wasn’t mentioned in any of the documents related to the regiment other than in
muster returns. He most likely fought at both Concord and Bunker Hill. He was
present with the company at Charles Town Heights on 7 October 1775 and was
drafted into the Grenadier Coy of the 52nd Foot in December
1775. He was present with the 52nd
Grenadiers for the Long Island Campaign, being listed as present at Staten
Island on 12 July 1776. He was at Brunswick on 19 April 1777 prior to the start
of the Philadelphia Campaign. He fought at Brandywine and Germantown. He was
still present with the 52nd on 9 February 1778 when the company was
mustered at Philadelphia. He decided to end his service on his own terms and
deserted on 19 June 1778 from Philadelphia. It is probable he was a native
Pennsylvania and took the opportunity go back to his previous life before the
army left Philadelphia.[1]
Monday, May 27, 2013
Archibald McEwan (also McOwen), Draftee to the 35th Foot
McEwan arrived with the Royal Irish at Philadelphia
on 11 July 1767. He served with the Grenadier Company throughout its American
Service travelling to Ft. Pitt, Ft. Chartres, Cahokia and then from
Philadelphia to New York City before embarking on the Empress of Russia for
Boston in October 1774. He would have been on the March to Concord and at
Bunker Hill. He was present when mustered on 7 October 1775 at Charles Town
Heights.
On 5 December 1775, McEwan was drafted into the 35th
Regiment of Foot and received into Capt. Phillip’s Coy. He was present with
that company on 25 June 1776 at Staten Island. He was transferred to Cpt.
Massey’s Coy on 19 April 1777 while at Brunswick, New Jersey. He was then
transferred to the Grenadier Coy for the Philadelphia Campaign which included
fighting at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. He wintered at
Philadelphia being still present on 6 February 1778. He returned to New York
City and was mustered their on 22 July 1778 with his regiment. That fall,
McEwan was embarked for the Caribbean with General Grant’s Command and the 35th
Foot fought at St. Lucia in December 1778. He was listed as present on St.
Lucia on 10 April and 19 August 1780. No further record of McEwan shows up
until he is listed as present at Dorchester, England on 4 August 1783. He was a
lucky man to have survived several years of active campaigning as well as the
disease ridden climate of the West Indies.[1]
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
John Tyrrel, Drunkard but excellent Soldier?
Tyrrel arrived in America with the Grenadier Coy in
July 1767. He was one of the two “supernumerary” privates beyond the
establishment of 45 privates. He wasn’t listed as a supernumerary on the April
1768 return, but was listed as the last soldier on the roster. This was due to
the transfer of James Knight to a battalion company in November 1767. He
remained with the Grenadier Coy during the entire time of its American Service.
He must have had some redeeming military qualities to consistently remain a
grenadier however, since his behavior was less then outstanding during his
tenure in America. The complete regimental court martial rolls are only
available for the three companies in Boston from October 1774 through June
1775. During that time, Tyrell was brought before a court martial four separate
times.
On 7 October 1774, Tyrell was charged For constant
Drunkenness & unsoldierlike Behavior. He was to receive 300 lashes.
However, all were remitted Clearly his near miss with the drummers and the cat
didn’t impact his behavior as Cpt. Shee had hoped. For a month later, Tyrell
reappeared before a regimental court on 8 November 1774, this time for being
drunk on Guard. He was found guilty and ordered to receive 300 lashes. He received 260 on 15 November 1774. Only 40 lashes
were remitted. Two months later on 27 January 1775, Tyrell added some larceny
to his bag of tricks about appeared before a regimental court charged with “being
beastly drunk on the time of Devine Service, and defrauding of his Comrade of
his Bread.” He earned 50 more lashes, but once again his officers remitted the
sentence and we escaped without any additional punishment. However, he did
remain out of trouble for three months.
Potentially, it was the stress of the march to
Concord that sent Tyrell back over the edge. On 25 April 1775, he was charged For being drunk at Roll callg &
threatening the life of Serjt Bell of sd Compy. This was not the behavior
of a model soldier. He was found guilty and sentenced to 300 lashes. Justice
was swift and Tryell received 160 lashes later that same day. One hundred and
forty were remitted. Tryell was listed as present for duty on 7 October 1775 on
Charleston Heights.
One might think that the officers of the Royal Irish
would be thrilled to get rid of a drunkard like Tyrell when the regiment was
drafted in December 1775, but amazingly, he was one of the few privates not
drafted. He returned to England in early 1776 and finally left the Grendaider,
being posted to the General’s Coy. He actually listed as on furlough in March
1777. One might think a soldier who received so many punishments would desert,
but Tyrell returned. He received additional furloughs in March 1780 and
February 1781. He was still listed as one furlough in October 1781. He isn’t
listed in the February 1782 returns. It is unclear if he deserted, died or was
discharged.[1]
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
John Walker (also Watson), Drummer
Walker was the drummer of the Grenadier Coy when it
mustered on 27 October 1767 at Philadelphia. He embarked with the regiment from
Cork on 1 May 1767 and arrived at Philadelphia in July 1767. He traveled with
the regiment to Ft. Pitt in the spring of 1768 and went down the Ohio to the
Illinois Country. He was listed as on command in the April 1768 muster, so he
may have been among the advance party that went to Ft. Pitt prior to the main
body of the regiment. Once in Illinois,
Walker was among those who succumbed to the sickness rampant in the Illinois
Country. He died at Ft. Chartres on 10 January 1769. He was listed as a private
under the casuals on the April 1769 muster as private, but he almost certainly
remained a drummer until his death. His replacement was appointed on 5 February
1769.[1]
Even a man with a simple last name like Walker could have his name appear in multiple ways on muster rolls. It isn't clear if different men were filling out the returns or if the clerk simply wasn't being careful or potentially the orderly sergeant was dictating the return from another list or roster and the clerk misheard the name.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
William Namock, 18th Regiment
Namock arrived in America as a private in the Lt.
Colonel’s Coy at Philadelphia on 11 July 1767. He remained with the Lt.
Colonel’s Coy for the trip overland to Ft. Pitt in the spring of 1768 and then
down the Ohio to Ft. Chartres. He was most likely stationed at Kaskaskia with
the Lt. Colonel’s Coy during at least part of 1769. On 25 October 1770, he was
transferred to the General’s Coy as a corporal. So, at least at the time, he
would have been in the good graces of Lt. Col. Wilkins who would have approved
of the promotion. He remained a corporal of the General’s Coy until reduced to
private on 7 March 1773.
He was transferred to the Grenadier Coy on 24
September 1773 and was present in Philadelphia with that company when it was
mustered on 21 January 1774. When the regiment was reorganized in October 1774
prior to leaving Philadelphia, Namock remained in the Grenadier Coy. Soon after
arrival in Boston, however, Namock got himself into some significant trouble.
He was arrested for robbery and tried on 18 November 1774. He was found guilty
of “disguising himself in colour’d
Cloaths. Absenting himself from Quarters & biding Guilty of Robbery.”[1]
For this he was to receive 800 lashes. However, he
deserted prior to being punished. His desertion date is listed as 25 January
1775. It is possible that he did receive some of his lashes and his desertion
made entering the rest of the sentence in the punishment book a moot issue.
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