The Scots Greys during the Battle of Dettingen
Their next tour
of active service came in 1742, when they were ordered abroad. George II
was assisting Austria against Bavaria, France and Prussia. Lord Stair upon
whom the mantle of Marlborough had certainly not descended, managed to get
himself shut up in a regular trap. The army was closed in on nearly every
side in a narrow valley, a sort of gut between the river Maine and the
hills, cut off from forage and supplies of all sorts by the French
Marshal, Noailles. It was at this critical juncture that George himself,
with his son the Duke of Cumberland, who was soon to gain unenviable
notoriety as the "Butcher of Culloden", joined his army. Nothing
could be done except to retreat to Hanau, in order to join hands with the
Hanovarians and Hessians who were there. Accordingly the army moved away,
silently and stealthily. But the French received notice of the movement,
and a large force was drawn up directly in their path, with orders to
engage the English until the main body of the French could cross the river
and fall upon them. The French tactics were simple - tremendous volleys
musketry fire followed by cavalry charges. The Greys, now wearing the
high-pointed grenadier caps, supported the infantry for a time, but
chafing at their restraint, the colonel, James Campbell, a splendid leader
let them loose at the enemy. Uttering a tremendous yell, the Greys charged
like a whirlwind, and so admirably was the distance calculated, that they
fell at just the right moment upon the French and Prussian armour-clad
horsemen, whom they hurled back and chased to the very rear of their line.
The blood of officers and men alike was at fever heat. Nothing could
withstand their onslaught. With renewed impetus they dashed at the French
Household mailed warriors, utterly swept them off the field, and captured
their standard - a magnificent affair, made of white damask, richly
embroidered with gold and silver - and the field of Dettingen was won. The
most amazing circumstance in connection with the prominent part which the
regiment took in the battle was the extremely slight casualty list. One
officer and a few troopers were wounded, and only four horses were killed,
and two wounded.
Excerpt from the Navy and Army Illustrated January 15th
1897 by G F Bacon
