Cited from Historical Record of the Fourth, or the King's Own, Regiment of Foot

Transcription

While the din of hostile preparation resounded throughout the country, the regiment which forms the subject of this memoir had the honour of forming part of an advanced-corps to the forces selected to cover the coast opposite Boulogne where Bonaparte was expected to land; for this purpose it was encamped at Shorncliffe, and was brigaded with the fifty-second, fifty-ninth, and seventieth regiments and five companies of the rifle corps, under the command of that distinguished officer, Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore. This corps was conspicuous for a high state of discipline; and the officers and men felt a degree of honest pride at being selected to commence the attack of the invaders whenever they appeared. The noble attitude which the nation assumed, the strength and energy it evinced while breathing defiance to the gigantic military power by which it was menaced, caused the spirit even of Napoleon to quail, and his legions did not venture to cross the British channel. Thus the daring project of subjugating Britain, a project suited to that spirit of enterprise and ambition which characterized the martial leader of the French nation, was defeated by the vigour and promptitude of the government, and of the people, at the only period when it was likely to prove successful. If Bonaparte could have assembled in the ports of France and Holland a naval armament for the transport of one hundred thousand men across the channel, before the British fleets had been manned, the militia called out, and the people arranged in military array, the mischief he might have effected is incalculable. The immense preparations which were made on the opposite side of the Channel, particularly at Boulogne, the assembling of a large army in that quarter, the construction of vessels calculated to cross the Channel and approach near the shore, and his utter disregard of the loss of men, so that he accomplished his designs, prove beyond doubt Bonaparte's determination of invading the British territory; but the unanimous and glorious resolution evinced by the people to preserve their country, their freedom, and their privileges from the contamination of republicanism, and to shed their blood in the defence of what they valued above life, deterred him from carrying the threats he had so often repeated into execution. The King's Own remained encamped at Shorncliffe; Martello towers were constructed along the shore, and batteries were raised to command the important points; and the soldiers, imbibing the spirit of their distinguished commander, calmly awaited the arrival of their vaunting adversaries. The Right Honourable William Pitt, who was at this period warden of the Cinque Ports, raised two regiments of a thousand men each; he frequently rode over to Shorncliffe, and Major-General Moore explained to this great statesman all his plans. On one occasion Mr. Pitt observed,—"Well, Moore, but as on the very first alarm of the enemy's coming I shall join you with my Cinque Porte regiments, you have not told me where you will place us?" "Do you see," said Moore, "that hill? you and yours shall be drawn up on it, where you will make a most formidable appearance to the enemy, while I with the soldiers shall be fighting on the beach." Mr. Pitt was exceedingly amused with this reply. On the 28th of November, the King's Own proceeded into the newly-built barracks at Hythe.

Full Citation

Historical Record of the Fourth, or the King's Own, Regiment of Foot; Page 85, 1803.

Source

Historical Record of the Fourth, or the King's Own, Regiment of Foot available at:

• Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55391