Carole Divall

2nd Battalion – Cadiz

Contemporary small set of surgical instruments as would have been carried in the field by a surgeon. (By kind permission of Mick Crumplin FRCS)

Sergeant William Hassell is serving as a hospital orderly, while Corporal Ben Humphries was promoted to sergeant on the 9th September.  Private John Stevens died on the 11th September, the battalion’s first natural death in Cadiz.
Ensign Neville continues to be returned absent without leave.  Ensign Garvey has been promoted to Lieutenant.
The general situation continues to be quiet but there was one moment of interest when Private John McCormick unexpectedly joined the battalion in Cadiz.  Private McCormick, from Captain Hawker’s company, was on the transport, Jenny, when it was wrecked on the French coast at Gravelines on the 16th December, 1805.  He was assumed to be a prisoner in France and there is some mystery as to how he reached Cadiz.  In the next muster he will be returned as “joined from French prison”.

1st Battalion -  Trichinopoly

A carved statue in the Ajanta caves

There have been three deaths, William Beeby on the 3rd September, John Smith on the 4th and Thomas Draper on the 5th.
Lieutenant Richardson has the Commander-in-Chief’s leave to return to Europe for twelve months for recovery of health.
Ensign John Herring is on his way to join from Poonamallee.  There is no news of Ensign James Light, who is supposed to have travelled with him.
Sergeant William Ledge has been promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major.

Depot – Wakefield

Musket drill, from a contemporary manual of instruction

Two recruits have enlisted at headquarters, both for unlimited service.  One man has joined from India, having been invalided to Europe.
There is some sickness at the depot; six privates are currently unfit for duty.

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2nd Battalion: Cadiz

A sergeant of the 30th Regiment of Foot, 1807

There have been some changes in the complement of NCOs.  Three men, Charles Haughey, John Masterson and John Wilson, were promoted to corporal on the 25th August, while Ben Gammage was promoted a day later.   Yesterday, Corporals James Jayes and William Blackwell were promoted to sergeant.  There have also been two reductions: Corporal Ned Shearin on the 27th and Sergeant Matthew Donnellan on the 30th.  This last has surprised the battalion since Donnellan, a long-serving and gallant soldier, has never been in trouble before.  The popular opinion is that the punishment will be temporary, that being the policy of Lieutenant-Colonel Minet when a worthy man has to be reduced to the ranks.

Three men have re-joined from Gibraltar, all having recovered from extended periods of sickness.  There has been one death, however, George Hoxley on the 25th August, while two sergeants and ten rank and file have been invalided to England.

A private joined from England, a volunteer from the Tipperary Militia and particularly welcome as a trained soldier.

In a wider context, little is happening in Cadiz and there are rumours that some of the battalions serving here will soon be sent elsewhere.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

Musket drill; illustrations from a contemporary instruction manual

The comments that General Wilkinson attached to the inspection return have been received with pleasure.  Having noted that all movements and manoeuvres were performed appropriately and that all arms, accoutrements and clothing are in good condition, he added:

“The Battalion is improved both in discipline and field exercises since the last review in May 1809.  Major Vaumorel has been in command on the Battalion the last eight months.  He is an old officer, has seen a variety of service, and is very zealous.”

Wilkinson also suggested that the battalion is “fit for immediate service”.

There have been two deaths: Robert Height on the 16th August, and James Bateman on the 30th.  The latter left a small sum of money to his brother, Moses, with the regiment.

On the 20th August last Sergeant Thomas Bird resigned.  On the same day Francis Garland was promoted to corporal.  Garland was reduced in May, but Major Vaumorel, like Lieutenant Colonel Lockhart before him and Lieutenant Colonel Minet with the second battalion, is always inclined to give a good man a second chance.

Depot: Wakefield

Framework knitting as a cottage industry

There are fourteen recruits with the various recruiting parties, particularly those operating in the east midlands.  Seven men have joined in Sleaford and three in Leicester, both areas where men are becoming increasingly disgruntled with changes in their employment.  The former are labourers from an area where enclosure is making life even harder for agricultural workers; the latter are framework knitters, an occupation which is traditionally a cottage industry but one which is becoming increasingly absorbed into the industrial infrastructure.

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The Siege of Cadiz, part 3

General Graham Continue Reading »