After the peace of
1697 and the drastic reduction of the army, England
had little of a fighting force. Four Infantry regiments
were authorized in June 1701 another fourteen ordered,
six for sea service. One Officer now authorized was
Thomas Meredith of Dollardstown, County Meath who
was first commissioned as a Captain in the Duke of
Leinster's Horse (7th Dragoon Guards) in 1691. In
1702 The Flying Post of May 24th speaks of Meredith's
as being raised around Dublin Ireland but February
13th was the actual date. Thomas Meredith, raised
a regiment of twelve companies each containing 50
men. On this day William III King of England, Scotland
and Ireland approved Meredith's choice of officers,
12 Captains, 12 Lieutenants, 12 Ensigns, 1 Adjutant,
1 Surgeon, 1 Chaplain, 1 Quartermaster. King William
died 1 month later.
Below is a list of
officers in the order they appear in the official
document. To see the official document also showing
the date February 13th 1702 Click
here
Interesting thing here is that James Stewart shows
up on the below list but not in the officers list
taken from Volume 1 Regimental History The Royal Hampshire
Regiment by C.T. Atkinson.
| Name |
Rank |
Date |
To |
Regt |
Date |
| Thomas Meredith |
Colonel |
|
to |
21st Fusiliers |
1.5.1710 |
| Richard Carthy |
Capt/ Lt |
|
|
Drowned |
22.8.1711 |
| Nicholas
Bissell |
Ens. |
|
|
Drowned |
22.8.1711 |
| Thomas Bellew |
Maj. |
|
|
went |
9.3.1705 |
| Toby Cramer |
Lt. |
|
to |
Claytons
Foot |
|
Phillip Finney
(phinney) |
Ens. |
|
|
Retired |
27.7.1717 |
| James Douglas |
Capt. |
|
to |
Waynne's
Foot |
25.3.1705 |
| James
Stewart? |
Lt. |
|
?? |
????? |
???? |
| Ralph Walsh |
Ens. |
|
|
went |
11.5.1720 |
| Owen Norton |
Capt. |
|
|
gone before
Blenheim |
Thomas Thompson
(Timpson) |
Lt. |
|
Military
Knight of Windsor 18.2.1710 |
Roger Neile
(Nield?) |
Ens. |
|
|
Gone by 1708 |
| Robert Munday |
Capt. |
|
|
Soames Foot |
25.3.1705 |
| John Cairnes |
Lt. |
|
|
Gone by 1709 |
| William Cornwall |
Ens. |
|
|
KIA |
1.7.1704 |
| Frederick
La Penotiere |
Capt. |
|
to |
18th R. Irish |
13.2.1703 |
| Henry Birum
(Byron) |
Ens. |
|
|
Gone by 1.6.1715 |
| Thomas Bennet |
Lt. |
|
to |
Pastons Foot |
25.8.1706 |
| Richard St.
George |
Lt.Col |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| John Wallis |
Lt. |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| Thomas Carnes |
Ens. |
|
|
Gone by 1709 |
| Thomas Buckeridge |
Capt. |
|
|
KIA |
6.11.1708 |
| John Boyer |
Lt. |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| Conway Mace |
Ens. |
|
to |
35th Foot |
5.3.1710 |
| Charles Barry |
Capt. |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| John Armstrong |
Lt. |
|
to |
Wynne's Foot |
25.7.1705 |
| Fredrick
Edmunds |
Lt. |
|
to |
Ikerrins's
Dragoons |
1708 |
| William Wilkinson |
Capt. |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| Henry South |
Lt. |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| Thomas Jones |
Ens. |
|
|
Dead by 1721 |
| James Browning |
Capt. |
|
|
Gone by 1709 |
| Charles Mabbott |
Lt. |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| Philip Maynard |
Ens. |
|
to |
Inchiquins
Foot |
1.3.1704 |
| Hemington
La Penotiere |
Lt. |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| Philip Fletcher |
Capt. |
|
|
Retired 1710 |
| Charles Stedman |
Ens. |
|
|
Gone by 1.6.1715 |
not on the list.
| Peter De Rose |
Surgeon |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| George Smith |
Chaplin |
|
|
No trace |
| James Jones |
Quartermaster |
|
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| Samual Moore |
Lt. |
March 1702 |
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
| George Thompson |
Ens |
March 1702 |
|
Gone before
Blenheim |
|
The
War Of Spanish Succession
In March 1703 it
was announced that two Regiments were selected from
Ireland for Flanders these were Stanhope's (11th Devonshire)
and Meredith's. On May 3rd they were at Falmouth in
Cornwall and on May 20th they were reported at Rotterdam
and placed in garrison at Breda. The Duke of Marlborough
Began his second campaign in the War of the Spanish
Succession when Meredith's reached the Netherlands.
This gave no chances for Meredith's to prove itself.
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Schellenberg
Merediths
were authorised to raise a thirteenth company recuiting
took place in Coventry on 28th February. At the end
of April 1704 The Duke of Marlborough's troops started
to move towards and rendezvous at Bedburg, 20 miles
NW. of Cologne. The British being 15 squadrons and
14 battalions formed nearly a quarter of the 90 squadrons
and 51 battalions. Meredith's being in Fergusons brigade
with one battalion of Orkney's (Royal Scots) Howe's
(15th East Yorkshire) and Ferguson's own regiment
(26th Cameronians). On May 9th Marlborough's men began
the march to Coblentz, Marlborough and his cavalry
leading the infantry the infantry reached Coblentz
in a week and crossed the Moselle Then to the surprise
of the men crossed the Rhine on bridges of boats.
The Force then moved up the right bank of the Rhine
being delayed by bad weather and roads. On May 24th.
The infantry crossed the River Main and on June 8th
reached Heidelburg. At Heidelburg there was ample
supplies and the Infantry was in good order when it
reached its destination, Gingen in the Danube valley,
fifteen mile NE. of Ulm. 6 weeks after leaving Bedburg.
21st June
Marlborough needed
to capture Donauworth which was cover on the west
by the River Wernitz and was difficult to approach,
and on East by the hill of the Schellenberg which
protected it and needed to be taken. Just before day
break Marlborough set his troops into motion, the
advance guard being 130 picked men from each of the
46 battalions along with 30 squadrons. The advance
guard began the 14 mile advance to the River Wernitz.
The main body was headed by five British battalions,
the Guards, Royal Scots (two battalions), Welsh Fusiliers,
and Meredith's. In a heavy rain the advance guard
reached the River Wernitz by 8:00 am to find the bridges
down, this caused a delay and it wasn't until late
in the afternoon that the advance guard were in position
to attack. Marlborough could see the defenders feverishly
working to fortify there unfinished positions. Marlborough
decided to attack and at 5:00 PM the advance guard
started up the slope followed by the cavalry and then
the main body Meredith's being in the front line.
Enemy artilleryd
fire, the advance guard were carrying fascines because
a deep ditch surrounded the entrenchment, but the
troops had mistaken a hollow some distance in front
of the ditch and used there fascines. The attackers
came within 80 paces and the defendersd with
a shattering volley, but still they advanced only
to find they could not force an entrance. After a
savage struggle, the enemy counter-attacked driving
back the advance party who's devotion and determination
greatly impressed the defenders. The attackers rallied
on the supporting cavalry then advanced again when
the head of the main body came forward.
The defenders again
put up a strong defences, but eventually grenadiers
from several British regiments forced the enemy back,
putting the British in control of a small wood on
the left. The enemy took forces from its flanks to
defend against the main attack to the centre this
weakening the right flank where the fortifications
where not complete so that Imperialist infantry could
exploit anng. This action was decisive the cavalry
followed in behind, and the defenders found itself
taken in flank. The cavalry then pursued the defenders
who tried to cross a bridge of boats which gave way
drowning many.
Allied casualties exceeded
5,000 the British alone having 450 killed and 1,100
wounded, the defenders lost 10,000. This battle was
Marlborough's first real victory. Marlborough wrote
later is his dispatches about Meredith's, who looked
to me,' worth the bloodying on this important objective.'
4 officers and nineteen men were killed, ten officers
and sixty men wounded.
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Blenheim
On the 2nd
of August 1704 at 2 am the attack on Blenheim began,
Meredith's played a very small part engaged mainly
in routing the depleted French from the center. Meredith's
received the battle honour for Blenheim it being a
vastly more decisive battle then Schellenberg. The
recruiting campaign of 1705 was when the connection
between Meredith's and the county of Hampshire was
established.
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Ramillies
On
the 23rd of May 1706 at the Battle of Ramillies.
Half way up a hill were two enemy fortified villages,
Ramillies, and Taviers, and on the crest of the hill
the enemy had massed its cavalry which were poised
to swoop down on the attackers if they were to cross
two rivers south of the villages.
Marlborough's strategy
was to push 6 of his 19 battalions of Infantry across
the rivers and marshes that protected the French center.
Once there the 6 battalions one of which was Meredith's
were to engage the left flank of the French Infantry,
which would cause the French to reinforce its left
with troops from the center. When this was accomplished
it left Ramillies inadequately protected. Meredith
himself was commander of the whole brigade. Marlborough's
main cavalry charge was made upon Ramillies, shattering
the weaken French defence.
After chasing the French
through the night, on the morning of May 24th the
French had been pushed 20 miles to Louvain. One by
One the French gave up the fortified towns of Flanders.
From Brussels to Burges, Marlborough's greatest victory
was complete, and Meredith's had justified their share
in the battle honour of Ramillies.
After Ramillies there
was no opportunity for success for the allied forces,
more a test of morale, Vendome the French commander's
new strategy was to evade rather than defend or fight.
1707 was a year of bad weather and a few skirmishes,
the allied forces became weaken by scurvy, other afflictions
caused by food deficiencies, lack of medical services,
and failure of supplies to arrive. After letting the
weather and disease fight for them the French renewed
there offensive and captured the cities of Bruges,
and Ghent early in 1708. Vendome's next objective
was to capture Oudenarde on the river Scheldt.
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Oudenarde
On
June the 30th Marlbrough established a bridgehead
across the Scheldt. The Bridgehead consisted of a
contingent of cavalry and 4 Infantry Battalions, under
General Sabine. Meredith's was one of these battalions,
who soon came under attack form 1 of 7 battalions
of Swiss Infantry. After a short engagement the Swiss
were routed and 3 of there battalions were wiped out
and the remainder put to flight. For several days
there was heavy fighting and the British lost 250
men compared to 6000 killed and wounded French and
9000 prisoners. Meredith himself was wounded in the
upper arm.
In the summer of 1708
Marlborough set siege to Lille, and the allies losses
mounted to 15,000, the French held out for 3 months.
Meredith's stayed in place until the fort fell on
29th November, then they went on to capture Bruges
and Ghent, where they spent the winter. The winter
of 1708 was bad all over Europe and again the French
were on the defence and Meredith's again took siege
to the fortresses of Tournai, Douai, Bethune, Aire,
and St. Venant.
Malplaquet
Then on September
11th 1709 Malplaquet was the last stand for the French
before Mons. Allied losses were immense no fewer than
20,000. Meredith's escaped lightly. The successful
investment of the last 6 fortresses of the French
defences now accomplished. Meredith's and 4 other
Regiments were diverted from Flanders to help the
colonist fight the French in Quebec. Meredith himself
left his Battalion in 1710 due to political reasons.
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1710 Meredith's becomes Windress's
Quebec
Windress's and 4 other
Regiments were diverted from Flanders to help the
colonist fight the French in Quebec. On August 22nd
1711. Under General Hill, and Sir. Hovenden Walker.
While trying to ascend the Lawrence River, Windress's
and many other ships wrecked in a storm Windress's
lost 8 officers and 253 other ranks the operation
was abandoned.
The treaty of Utrecht
brought peace in 1713 and Windress's had won 4 battle
honours BLENHEIM, RAMILLIES, OUDENARDE, MALPLAQUET.
There was little for
Windress's to do in peace time they helped suppress
the First Jacobite Rebellion in 1715 and became known
as Fane's until 1717.
In the 30 years between wars drunkenness and crime
was rampant, because soldiers of this time had no
peace time roll. The regiment had one Commanding Officer
and 383 ranks disgracefully discharged. This was about
to change King George II brought discipline to the
Army in 1727.
The
War Of The Austrian Succession
On June 17th 1742 the
Regiment was shipped put to Holland and became part
of King George's army in The War Of The Austrian Succession.
In the spring of 1743 the Army marched up the
Rhine to remove the French from Bavaria.
Dettington
The King arrived to
lead the allied forces, and found the French in retreat,
but did not pursue the enemy. This This has been of
interest to this very day. Instead he ordered his
forces to halt, which gave the French time to regroup
its forces and advance on the Allies positions and
on June 27th an allied retreat was ordered which gave
the French time to attempt too surround the allied
force. The only cover being the town of Dettington,
the army would have to stand and fight. While the
French Infantry began to cross the River Main, French
Cavalry prepared to charge from the right Five Battalions
of British Infantry one of which being Meredith's.
The British Infantry dropped to one knee and fired
a volley at the French Cavalry. The King then led
a Cavalry charge against the famous French Mousquetaires,
during this assault his horse bolted and almost ran
into the enemy lines, he was rescued by his Infantry.
The French brought up its Infantry on the left who
having crossed a river threatened the allied left
flank. The British Infantry Pivoted on there knees
and brought fire to bare on them, and the French were
ranked for there trouble. The British in fine order
and stead fast only paused to recharge there weapons.
It was at this time that the French Mousquetaires
reformed and attempted another charge, only to be
beaten off by the King and his Dragoons. The French
began to withdraw, but it was a victory that was not
exploited. The Battle lasted four short chaotic hours.
It was the last time a King of England would lead
his forces into battle.
Ostend was to be the
winter quarters. Meredith's and the Black Watch the
2 junior battalions were to stay at Ostend as the
garrison battalions. The Black Watch later left being
replaced by Beauclerk's (later the 1st Northamptonshire)
1745 Meredith's and
nine other battalions were sent to England to fight
against Bonnie Prince Charlie at Falkirk on the 17th
of January 1746.
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Scottish
Rebellion
Falkirk, and Culloden
In the Autumn of 1745
Meredith's was one of nine battalions sent to England
to fight the rebellion of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Under
Lieutenant-General Henry Hawley, Meredith's was one
of twelve Battalions and a total of 8,000 men who
set up camp near Bantaskin House west of Falkirk.
The Jacobite Army 9,000 strong had set up on Plean
Moor. On the 17th of January 1746. The Jacobite Army
moved off to occupy the hill over Falkirk catching
the British General by surprise. After realizing the
situation he ordered his troops to the ridge on Falkirk
Moor, and a hard rain began to soak the two opposing
armies.
The British Infantry
were in two lines of six regiments with the Dragoons
on the left, just as the Infantry had finished forming
up Hawley's cavalry began the attack. The Jacobite
Infantryd up killing eighty horsemen sounding
the retreat the surviving horsemen stampeded its own
Infantry. Seeing this the center of the Jacobite line
charged at the Royal Army who managed to fire a unorganized
volley and then withdrew. If it had not been for two
regiments on the right and one in reserve giving covering
fire the casualties would have been worse, even these
three regiments were forced to withdraw. 300 Royal
troops were captured and 350 lay dying on the moor.
The Jacobite's army lost 50 dead and eighty wounded.
The Colonel of regiment Sir Robert Munro was killed.
The Battle lasted twenty minutes, and was not exploited
by the Jacobite Army who withdrew to fight another
day.
Culloden.
On the 16th of April
1745 the Jacobite Army was moving into position one
mile from Culloden House. The Royal Army under Cumberland,
was brought to a halt and told to form up two miles
from the Jacobite Army. The Royal Army with bayonets
fixed advanced toward the Jacobite lines, and came
to a halt five hundred yards from them. The front
was seven hundred yards long and in some places to
two opposing armies were less than one hundred yards
apart this being that the Jacobite's had not formed
up in a straight line.
The Royal Armyd
up with a cannonade of grape shot which devastated
the Jacobite lines for thirty minutes, anxiety swept
through the eager highlanders the Royal army showed
no sign of advancing and smoke was blinding and confusing
the highlanders. At 1.30 PM the Jacobite's charged
the Mackintoshes of the clan chattan in the center
broke the ragged line and rushed towards the Royal
Army the clan chattan lost eighteen officers, and
hundreds of men getting twenty yards from the Royal
Army lines.
The Highlanders
did penetrate the Royal lines about five hundred men
got between the 1st and 2nd ranks of the Royal lines.
The 2nd rank had to use there bayonets for fear of
shooting there own troops in the 1st rank. The Jacobite
Army began to withdraw when the Royal Cavalry had
began a flanking move at 1.50 PM. At 2.00 PM the Jacobite
Army leaves the field and the Royal Army advances
across the field leaving the two battalions who bore
the brunt of the Jacobite attack in place. One of
these battalions was the Meredith's. After the battle
and for many days in neighbouring towns, people were
killed by the Royal troops and many British Regiments
emerged dishonourably including Meredith's six men
were lashed and two officers were court-martialled
for disgraceful conduct. None of the Royal Army that
fought that day bears the battle honour for Culloden
on there Colours. Meredith's were to say in Scotland
until 1747 when they were sent back to fight in the
last of the War of The Austrian Succession which ended
in 1748.
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Lauffeldt
The last campaign
in the War of the Austrian Succession. 14 Battalions
of British Infantry five Cavalry regiments, Hanoverians
and Hessians on the left held the villages of Kesselt,
Vlytingen, and Lauffeldt. The Austrians with 25,000
men were on the right. The enemy was Marshall Saxe
massed his troops facing the villages. Lauffeldt
was a small village and was defended by 3rd Brigade
under Price and consisted of 37th 13th and the 25th
also 2 battalions of Hanoverians. The Brigade started
to build defence's but had no communication with
the rear. On the night of June 21st Marshall Saxe
attacked with 5 Brigades. The British 3rd Bridage
held on against overwhelming odds and kept the attackers
at bay. The Brigades attacking Vlytingen now turned
their guns against Lauffeldt to assist a new attack
by 2 fresh Brigades which where checked Saxe then
sent in the Irish Brigade(six Battalions) "wild
Geese" which pushed the defenders back Cumberland
moved in three battalions to reinforce his men and
drove the Irish back.
Saxe sent in his
Cavalry to cover his infantry as they rallied. Cumberlands
Dutch squadrons broke and galloped into the British,
one battalion broke another fired upon the Dutch
saving itself. Cumberland's attack came to a halt
Saxe seeing a gap poured his cavalry into it his
infantry rallied and again attacked Lauffeldt. Three
enemy brigades had gotten behind Lauffeldt saxe
now sent in his reserves and brought all fire to
bear on the village the British brigade running
low of ammo and not wanting to be cut off were forced
to attempt a retreat. This was done with the help
of the Cavalry ( Greys, the Inniskillings, and the
Duke's) the Dragoons lost 400 men.
Saxe's loses were
more than the allies and he could not do anything
to stop the withdrawal of the British. The 37th
were one of the hardest regiments hit 12 men killed,
91 missing, 36 wounded. Winter quarters were at
Williamstadt until they returned to England
England
The 37th arrived
in England. To find that they were headed for Minorca.
Minorca.
Name
change 37th Regiment of Foot
Meredith's were sent
to Minorca in 1749. During there stay Meredith's name
changed in 1751 to The 37th Regiment Of Foot. The
37th stayed in Minorca until 1754. Then shipped out
to England until 1756 when it was sent to fight in
the Seven Years War.
Seven
Years War
The Struggle for power
in Europe during the 18th century led to the Seven
Years War which saw England allied with Prussia and
Portugal against France, Russia, Austria, Poland,
and Sweden. Britain and France each competing to increase
to increase their colonial power, while Prussia was
fighting for control of the German speaking speaking
people in the Austrian and Russian Empires.
Minden
Click Picture to
see high quality picture of below Photo by Ben May
The
battle of Minden was fought on the 1st of August 1759.
9,000 cavalry nine Battalions of Infantry( including
6 British Infantry Battalions) one of which was the
37th of Foot massed on Minden heath. The 37th formed
up front line center between the 23rd on the left
and 12th of Foot on the right. The British Infantry
advanced towards the French cavalry taking fire from
60 French cannons. The British Infantry stopped and
formed up into 3 ranks, 2 kneeling and 1 standing.
The French cavalry attacked the British red line 3
times being beaten back each time, 11 squadrons in
all including the elite French Gendarme's, and the
Carabineer's. 17 battalions of French Infantry now
advance on the British Infantry's right flank. The
6 British Battalions are given the order to wheel
to face the advancing French Infantry where volley
after volley is exchanged and the French soon retreated.
The British where then given the order to reform when
they come under fire from the French Grenadiers who
soon got beaten back to a safe distance by the advancing
British. Marshal Conrades, the French commander saw
his forces dissipated, largely because, and against
all odds, the British advance towards the French through
the crossfire of some sixty enemy cannons which shot
them to bits. Seeing the British still advancing the
French withdraw from the battlefield. It was not a
winning battle but will always be remembered as an
outstanding example of the discipline of the British
Soldier. The Six British Regiments were:
Photo by Ben May
The total allied casualties were
13 Officers, and 337 men killed and missing with 63
Officers and 960 men wounded of these the 37th suffered
3 Officers, 1 Sergeant and 69 men (total 73) killed
and 12 Officers, 4 Sergeants, 4 Drummers and 180 men
( total 200 ) wounded a total of 54% of its strength,
the French lost 7,000 - 11,000 men 40 cannon 20 colours
and standards. Roses grew in profusion on the battlefield
the British troops picked them and placed them in their
hats. This was the first time British Infantry had attacked
massed squadrons of cavalry.
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Minorca
After the Seven Years
War ended and peace came in 1763 the 37th of Foot
was sent to Minorca where disease reduced the ranks
and the effectiveness of the Regiment. In 1769 the
37th was sent back to England. It took the Regiment
until 1775 to get back into shape, when they were
sent to America in July 1776. To fight in the American
War of Independence.
American
War of Independence
Long
Island
The
37th were ordered to America about October 1775 and
found themselves posted to the 111rd Brigade under
Major General Jones alongside the 10th 38th and the
52nd foot and landed at Long Island. One man being
wounded in the 37th shows that they were hardly engaged.
On September the 15th Howe crossed the East River
and landed at Kipp's Bay the 37th being in the second
wave. The enemy were retreating Northward to Haarlem
on the north end of Manhattan Island. Washington soon
evacuated for fear of being cut off but have left
a strong for holding Fort Washington which the 1st
and 111rd Brigades now under Lord Percy to attack,
3,000 enemy surrendered with 150 guns. Cornwallis
now attacked Fort Lee which was captured andd
up the Hudson to British shipping. Washington retired
across the Delaware and secured himself form further
pursuit.
The
111rd an Vth Brigades along with the 3rd Grenadiers
and the 3rd L.I. Boarded ships on December 1st and
headed for Weaver's Bay Rhode Island where they landed
on December 8th and secured their objective. The 37th
saw little of Rhode Island. Washington had crossed
the frozen Delaware and surprised the Hessians at
Trenton and took 900 prisoners. The 111rd Brigade
was called back to be used in an attack on New Jersey
which due to bad weather never happened.
The
37th went under a change and now was Brigaded with
the IV Brigade with the 17th, 46th, and the 64th foot.
Its Grenadiers going to the 1st Grenadiers, and their
Light Company going to the 2nd L.I.
Brandywine
On
August 25th British forces under Howe landed at Elk
Ferry, and on September 3rd they moved off. Washington
crossed Brandywine Creek and set up his troops at
Chad's Ford hoping for a decisive battle. Howe sent
Cornwallis's Division which contained the Flank battalions
of the IV Brigade 12 miles north of Washington's positions
in a flanking move. The remaining troops were to attack
Chad's Ford which they did but did not press the attack,
about noon Washington received news that he was being
flanked and sent a large force to assault them. As
Cornwallis's troops advanced the IV Brigade was to
reinforce. The Guards and the 1st Grenadiers got entangled
in a large wood the 2nd Grenadiers and the L.I. Advanced
unsupported and soon met heavy resistance, and the
IV Brigade had to reinforce.
The
troops attacking Chad's Ford finally pressed home
the attack and the opposition gave way but it was
getting dark Cornwallis had still not dislodged his
opponents, and Washington withdrew his main force
under cover of darkness. The next day Howe resumed
the advance his left flank reached the Schuylkill
River at Valley Forge on September 20th. Washington
had left 1,500 men near Paoli's Tavern this was only
3 miles from Howes camp. The 2nd L.I. And two other
battalions routed these men with Bayonets no flints
were used 300 enemy were killed or taken prisoner
and the British had eight casualties. The British
forces entered Philadelphia on September 28th.
Washington's
Ships in the Delaware
Around September 28th
several battalions including 37th's Grenadiers the
were sent to deal with enemy shipping in the Delaware
and the batteries raised to obstruct the rivers navigation.
Germantown
The 2nd L.I. Were on
outpost when a strong force approached them early
on October 4th driving them back to the main British
camp. The fighting retreat gave the camp time to give
alarm, and the 40th were placed into a stone house
where they successfully withstood all attacks and
allowed for the III rd Brigade to counter attack successfully
causing heavy enemy losses. The attackers now retired
in disorder, and where pursued by Cornwallis who had
arrived from Philadelphia with some 16th Light Dragoons
and the Grenadiers. The 37th had 3 men killed and
20 wounded this were the heaviest looses in their
Brigade.
Monmouth
Court House
The
evacuation of Philadelphia had been decided on and
the main body was to return to New York by land on
June 28th Cornwallis was preparing to move out when
Washington's advance guard began appearing. Clinton
who had taken over command from Howe about faced Cornwallis
who closed with the enemy who he pushed back. The
enemy then rallied at Monmouth Court House and the
Guards and grenadiers soon dislodged them. Again the
enemy rallied behind a marshy hollow after Washington
himself rallied them but British troops overcame this
position and occupied ground beyond it. The heat was
so intense that men were falling down dead, Clinton
buying time for the main body did not press the attack
and halted his men until darkness at 10pm Clinton
ordered Cornwallis to retire.
Clinton
had 350 casualties 60 deaths from heat, the grenadiers
had 150, the Guards 60 and the IV Brigade 16. The
37th found itself committed to a defensive war around
New York and in June 1783 They left for Nova Scotia,
and Newfoundland
While
in New York the Commanding Officer received a letter
from the Commander-in Chief which said:
" His
Majesty having been pleased to order the the 37th
Regiment of Foot, which you command, should take the
county name of the 37th or North Hampshire Regiment,
and be looked upon as attached to that division of
the county, I am to acquaint you it is His Majesty's
further pleasure that you should in all things conform
to the idea, and endeavour by all means in your power
to cultivate and improve that connection, so as to
create a mutual attachment between the county and
the Regiment, which may at all times be useful towards
recruiting the Regiment.'
The 37th had a new
name The 37th North Hampshire
Regiment.
