51-714: This is a list of British fencible regiments . The fencibles (from the word defencible ) were British Army regiments raised in Great Britain and in the colonies for defence against the threat of invasion during the Seven Years' War , the American War of Independence and French Revolutionary Wars in the late 18th century. Usually temporary units, composed of local volunteers, commanded by Regular Army officers, their role was, as their name suggests, usually confined to garrison and patrol duties, freeing up
102-584: A covering force on the Niagara Peninsula, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Pearson . Later, on 25 July, the regiment formed part of a light infantry brigade under Pearson and played a major part in the Battle of Lundy's Lane . They harassed the left flank of the American army but suffered casualties when mistaken for Americans by other inexperienced British troops. During the remainder of 1814,
153-467: A force of between 14,000 and 15,000 men. Along with the two Irish regiments, those British regiments that volunteered for service in Ireland served there. Each regiment consisted of eighteen commissioned officers and troops of eighty privates per troop. The regiments were always fully manned as their terms of service were considered favourable. The reduction of Fencible Cavalry was announced to take place on
204-568: A letter of service authorising the raising of the unit on his own authority. He was forced to withdraw it a month later as the unit's officers could not raise the promised number of men in time. In 1812 however, as war with the United States appeared to be inevitable, Craig's replacement as Governor General, Sir George Prévost , again decided to raise the unit on his own responsibility. He appointed Captain George MacDonnell of
255-518: A nucleus around which the local militia could form in a crisis. On 3 October, two companies were stationed at Prescott on the Saint Lawrence River and were involved in a failed attack on Ogdensburg on the American side of the river. The attack was called off when American artillery ranged in on the boats carrying the attackers. On 22 February 1813, George MacDonnell (who had been promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed to command
306-848: The de facto existence of the United States of America to be formalised by the Peace of Paris (1783) . There is a far larger list for the French Revolutionary Wars and the Irish Rebellion of 1798 . The regiments were raised during a time of great turbulence in Europe when there was a real fear that the French would either invade Great Britain or Ireland, or that radicals within Britain and Ireland would rebel against
357-472: The 8th (King's) Regiment to raise the "Glengarry levy", which initially was to have a strength of 376 other ranks. Recruits came from districts as far away as Nova Scotia , New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island . Most were of Scottish origins or extraction. French-speakers or recent immigrants from the United States were not allowed to join the unit. (Many of the French-speakers served instead in
408-613: The Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry .) Recruits were granted a bounty of four guineas on enlistment, and were promised 100 acres of land after the war. Partly through the efforts of the unit's chaplain, Alexander Macdonell , the unit grew during formation to a strength of 600. Prévost raised the corps' status to that of a regiment and renamed it the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles. He appointed his adjutant-general, Edward Baynes , as
459-778: The Channel Islands and Gibraltar . A detachment of the Dumbarton Fencible Regiment escorted prisoners to Prussia , and the Ancient Irish Fencibles were sent to Egypt where they took part in the operations against the French in 1801. When it became clear that the rebellion in Ireland had been defeated and that there would be peace between France and Britain in 1802 (The preliminaries of peace were signed in London on 1 October 1801)
510-541: The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse . Tradition holds that Radelmüller was killed by several soldiers from Fort York in a dispute over alcohol. Research by Eamonn O'Keeffe identified Blueman and Henry as the pair tried in March 1815 for the keeper's murder, although they were ultimately acquitted of the crime. The regiment was disbanded in 1816. Today, the regiment's history and service is commemorated by
561-518: The Peace of Amiens , however, was not concluded until March 1802. Fortescue writes "most, if not all, of the fencible infantry were disbanded in May 1801, before the signature of the preliminaries of peace", but Ian Scobie states that this was not so, as the greater number were not disbanded until late in 1801 or early in 1802, and that many of the Scottish fencibles, were not disbanded until some time after
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#1732765202382612-706: The Rebellion of 1798 where they fought in some pitched battles. The 3rd Argyllshire Regiment , who like some other fencible regiments had terms of service that extended to any part of Europe, garrisoned Gibraltar (as did Banffshire Fencibles , 2nd Argyllshire Fencibles , and the Prince of Wales Own Fencibles ) The Dumbarton Fencibles Regiment was raised in Scotland, garrisoned Guernsey , fought in Ireland, and detachment escorted prisoners to Prussia. The Ancient Irish Fencibles were sent to Egypt where they took part in
663-905: The Royal 22nd Regiment ), the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles (perpetuated by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment ), and the New Brunswick Regiment of Fencible Infantry (perpetuated by the Royal New Brunswick Regiment ). The Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles (perpetuated by the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders ) was formed in February 1812, several months prior to the war. In addition to these Canadian units,
714-642: The Royal Malta Fencible Artillery until 1881. The term 'Fencible' was dropped in 1889 and it became the Royal Malta Artillery . In 1847 the Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps were raised and sent to New Zealand for the defence of the early settlers there. They were settled in four new outlying villages around Auckland, (then the capital), at Onehunga , Otahuhu , Panmure , and Howick ,
765-689: The Royal Manx Fencibles (third corps, 1803–1811) no more fencible regiments were raised for home defence. In the early years of the 19th Century, regiments of Fencibles were raised in the Canadas , New Brunswick , Newfoundland , and Nova Scotia. The regiments were liable for service in North America only (although the New Brunswick Fencibles volunteered for general service and became the 104th Regiment of Foot in
816-723: The Sea Fencibles (raised in 1798 and disbanded in 1810). By the Peace of Amiens in 1802, all Fencible Regiments had been disbanded and those members willing to continue serving had been transferred to regular army regiments. When the Napoleonic Wars resumed the British used alternative methods to defend the Home Nations (see for example the Additional Forces Acts 1803 ) and with the exception of
867-587: The Seven Years' War , the American War of Independence , the French Revolutionary Wars , the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Usually temporary units, composed of local recruits and commanded by Regular Army officers, they were most often confined to garrison and patrol duties, freeing Regular Army units to perform offensive operations. Most fencible regiments had no liability for overseas service. They included naval forces known as "River Fencibles", made up of sailors on
918-455: The Thames and other southern English towns and cities, as well as Sea Fencibles , who, among their other duties, crewed small commercial vessels converted to coastal defence. The first regiments were raised in Scotland in 1759. In England county militia regiments were raised for internal defence in the absence of the regular army; but it was not deemed prudent to extend the system to Scotland,
969-565: The 25th March, 1800. Early in 1800 all of the regiments were disbanded. Lieutenant-colonel F.J.Scott (1802) In February 1812, a regiment known as the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles was raised in Canada, a proportion of which was made up of soldiers of the former fencible regiment or members of their families. The colonel of the regiment was E. Baynes and a major in the regiment was George Macdonnell . It
1020-673: The Canadian Army's Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders , an Army Reserve regiment, headquartered in Cornwall, Ontario, which incorporates the title "GLENGARRY FENCIBLES" on its badge. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, the regiment was awarded the NIAGARA battle honour earned by the Glengarry Light Infantry and NIAGARA is now among the 20 battle honours carried on the regimental colour of
1071-874: The Envy of the World, have now a glorious opportunity of shewing their Zeal in the Warwickshire Regiment of Cavalry, to serve only during the present War, and within the Kingdom of Great Britain, to be commanded by the Right Hon. Earl Brooke and Warwick, and other officers of the County. A Bounty of Five Pounds will be given to each young man who is approved of, and One Guinea to any Person bringing such Recruit. They will be all mounted on fine Hunters , superior to most Regiments of Light Dragoons. Let them repair to
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#17327652023821122-748: The Fencible Corps," writes Sir John Fortescue "were created either in 1794 or 1798, and to judge by the old Monthly Army Lists of 1799, the greatest number of them in existence at one time in Great Britain was 31 regiments of cavalry and 45 battalions of infantry. But by March 1800 the greater part of the cavalry had been disembodied, so that it would not be wise to reckon the Fencibles as exceeding, at their highest figure, twenty to twenty-five thousand men". The preliminaries of peace were signed in London on 1 October 1801. The final ratification of
1173-539: The Fencible regiments were disbanded. The final ratification of the Peace of Amiens was concluded in March 1802. When hostilities were renewed with France during the Napoleonic Wars the British used alternative methods to defend the Home Nations (see for example the Additional Forces Acts 1803 ) and with the exception of the Royal Manx Fencibles (third corps, 1803–1811) no more fencible regiments were raised for home defence. Several fencible regiments were raised in
1224-468: The Fencibles were to be raised by the ordinary mode of recruiting, and like the regiments of the line, the officers were to be appointed, and their commissions signed by the king. Most fencible regiments had no liability for overseas service however there were exceptions. Ireland while not united with the Kingdom of Great Britain until 1801 was the destination for several British fencible regiments during
1275-528: The Michigan Fencibles, a small unit of 45 troops, was raised at Fort Mackinac in 1813. The Bombay Fencibles were raised in 1799 by the following order of the Bombay Army: "A regiment consisting of two battalions of natives to be, under the denomination of the 'Bombay fencibles,' raised from the inhabitants of Bombay, Salsette, and Caranjah, on condition of not being liable to serve out of
1326-553: The New Land Service version, with rudimentary backsight) rather than the Baker rifle . Also, unlike the 95th Rifles, the Glengarry Light Infantry were granted colours. The regimental badge, worn on the front of the shako , was a strung bugle on which the letters "G L I" were superimposed, in white metal. The crossbelt plate featured a thistle surrounded by the words "Glengarry Light Infantry." Officers' uniforms consisted of
1377-663: The Peace of Amiens had been signed (as will be seen from the preceding lists). The disbandment of the fencibles in 1802, and "the establishment in that year of a permanent Scots Militia, rendered unnecessary any further organisation on a large scale of this more ancient but partial system of national defence". June 2, 1794.—Warwickshire Regiment of Fencible Light Dragoons, commanded by the Earl of Warwick. All high-spirited Young Men, who are able and willing to serve their King and Country, in support of their most excellent and happy Constitution,
1428-769: The Ross-shire Fencibles (which are not included, as their number was small), the total number of Fencibles raised in the Highlands, and considered as exclusively Highland, amounted to twenty-six battalions Some of the other Scottish Fencibles, however, although not nominally Highland, had a number of men from the Highlands in their ranks, and this fact is noted in the above list under the regiments concerned. Three other Fencible Corps may have been raised between 1795–1798, which were disbanded in 1801–2 viz.: In 1803 four Fencible Corps were raised for service in Canada. They were: They were all disbanded in 1816. Besides
1479-791: The Sergeant, at Mr. Owen's, the sign of the Eagle, in Hill Street: and at the Rose and Crown, in Moor Street, where they will enter into present Pay and Good Quarters. God save the King. In a rare work, consisting of four quarto pages, compiled by Colonel Sir John Sinclair, and entitled, Account of the Rothesay and Caithness Fencibles , there is an excellent frontispiece illustrating the uniform of
1530-471: The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders. When Craig first tried to form the unit he proposed that it wear the dress of Scottish highland regiments, with a Glengarry tartan plaid. Prevost intended the unit to be used as skirmishing light infantry and it adopted a dark green uniform with black facings as worn by the 95th Rifles . However, they were armed with the smoothbore Brown Bess musket (possibly
1581-567: The early 1800s in Britain for the defence of Canada , some of these saw active service during the Anglo-American War of 1812 (see the section ( Further information ). The total number of British fencible infantry regiments raised during the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence was nine, of which six were Scottish, two were English and one was Manx . The British cavalry and light dragoon regiments were raised to serve in any part of Great Britain and consisted of
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1632-416: The established order. There was little to do in Britain other than garrison duties, escorting and guarding prisoners as happened at Edinburgh Castle and some police actions. In Ireland there was a French supported insurrection in 1798 and British fencible regiments were engaged in some minor pitched battles. Some regiments served outside Great Britain and Ireland. Several regiments performed garrison duties on
1683-488: The established regiments there were seven regiments (each of one battalion) for which Letters of Service were issued, but which never appear to have been formed. Five were to have been raised in Scotland and two in England, with a strength of ten companies each: The total number of fencible infantry corps embodied 1793–1802 was thus 61 battalions of which 29 were Scottish, 15 were English, 4 Irish, 1 Welsh and 2 Manx. "Most of
1734-457: The garrison at Prescott) mounted another, successful, attack across the frozen river. In the Battle of Ogdensburg , a company of the Glengarry Light Infantry and some militia made a frontal attack, while the main body of Macdonell's force turned the American right flank. The Reverend Alexander Macdonell was conspicuous in urging on the Glengarry soldiers and militia in their advance. A company
1785-558: The inhabitants of which, it was supposed, could not yet be safely entrusted with arms because of The 'Fifteen' and The 'Forty-Five' rebellions . Groundless as the reasons for this caution undoubtedly were in regard to the Lowlands, it would certainly have been hazardous at a time when the Stuarts and their adherents were still plotting a restoration to have armed the clans . Unlike the militia regiments which were raised by ballot,
1836-538: The largest of the four. About 75 fencibles and their sons took part as militia in the 1860s New Zealand Wars . Attribution: Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles The Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles were a light infantry unit, raised chiefly in the Glengarry District of Upper Canada shortly before the outbreak of the Anglo-American War of 1812 . The unit fought throughout
1887-500: The later part of 1813, the entire regiment was concentrated around Fort George, and was engaged for several weeks in harassing the American outposts around the captured fort. The regiment was built back up to strength during the following winter. A company took part in the Raid on Fort Oswego in the spring of 1814. During the following summer the full regiment, together with the light infantry companies of four regular line regiments, formed
1938-443: The operations against the French in 1801. Fencible regiments tended to be less effective than regular troops for military duties; with problems of lack of education and vulnerability to disease. In Ireland, fencibles would take part in inter-regimental brawls and attacks on regular army soldiers. Some regiments of fencibles, however, were noted for exceptional service. The Scottish Highlands supplied fencible regiments for most of
1989-465: The previous corps being embodied for service in their own country only, ( Scobie 1914 , p. 360 citing Old Scottish Regimental Colours , by Andrew Ross, S.s.c. , p. 126.) Attribution: Fencibles The Fencibles (from the word defencible ) were British regiments raised in the United Kingdom , Isle of Man and in the colonies for defence against the threat of invasion during
2040-434: The regiment performed outpost duty during the unsuccessful Siege of Fort Erie , and a detachment was present at the Battle of Malcolm's Mills , the last action of the war on the Niagara Peninsula. Two Irish-born soldiers of the regiment, John Henry and John Blueman, are notable for their alleged involvement in one of Toronto 's most enduring historical mysteries – the 2 January 1815 murder of John Paul Radelmüller, keeper of
2091-559: The regiment's Colonel . Major Francis Battersby, who like Captain George MacDonnell was from the 8th (King's) Regiment, was promoted to be the unit's lieutenant colonel. MacDonnell was promoted to be the unit's major. The unit first gathered for training at Trois-Rivières during the first half of 1812. During the later months of the year, the unit's companies were deployed to various locations in Upper Canada, to act as
List of British fencible regiments - Misplaced Pages Continue
2142-421: The regiment, which is exactly as General Stewart describes it ( Scobie 1914 , p. 360). This "Account" was "particularly addressed to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and private soldiers of the (1st) Battalion, that they might remember they belonged to so respectable a corps". From it we learn that this battalion might claim the distinction of being the first fencible corps raised for service in Britain,
2193-531: The regular Army units to perform offensive operations. The article is broken into two periods the first list is for the fencible regiments raised during the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence the first was raised in 1759 two years after the start of the Seven Years' War and the last was disbanded in 1783 when active hostilities with the America colonies ended and the British recognised
2244-536: The regular army). All but one of these regiments saw action in the War of 1812 . The regiments were disbanded in 1816 and 1817, after the War of 1812. Although the units were disbanded, several regiments in Canada continue to perpetuate their historic lineage. Most of the Fencible regiments were formed in 1803, including the Nova Scotia Fencibles , the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry (perpetuated by
2295-420: The said bounds; at the * pay to each private of 5 rupees 2 quarters per month, besides clothing: which last they will receive from the honorable company ". The 5th battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry was raised in December 1800 from the Bombay Fencibles as the 1st Battalion, the 9th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry. The Royal Malta Fencible Regiment was in existence from 1815 to 1861 when it became
2346-463: The second half of the 18th century. The first regiment raised was the Argyle Fencibles in 1759 and the last was the MacLeod Fencibles in 1779. In all over 20 regiments were created, although they were not all in existence at the same time. Some Highland fencibles regiments saw action in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 , while other performed garrison and policing duties in Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. The Royal Fencible Americans
2397-454: The war between Britain and Republican France . During that time they had performed garrison duties in the Channel Islands and fought in the Irish rebellion of 1798 . The fencible units raised in Canada would serve under the same terms of enlistment as regular soldiers but would be obliged to serve in North America only. The Secretary of State for War and the Colonies rejected the scheme but in 1808, Governor General Sir James Craig issued
2448-409: The war, and was disbanded shortly afterwards. It was proposed to form a unit of fencibles in the Glengarry district in Upper Canada as early as 1807. Many of the inhabitants of the district were Catholic emigrants from Glengarry, Scotland , and many had served in the Glengarry Fencibles , which had been raised in 1794 and disbanded in 1802 shortly after the Treaty of Amiens had been signed, ending
2499-404: Was a Loyalist unit raised by the British in Nova Scotia in 1775, that successfully withstood an attack by Patriot forces under Jonathan Eddy at the Battle of Fort Cumberland . Fencibles were raised for the entirety of the Irish Rebellion . Fencible units were raised in the United Kingdom and Isle of Man during the early years of the war. This included not only land regiments but also
2550-542: Was disbanded in August 1816. The Scottish Fencibles raised in 1793 had eight companies each, except the Orkney , which had three. Those raised in 1794–1802 had ten companies, except the 1st Battalion Rothesay and Caithness Regiment, which had eight, and three others — the Angus Volunteers, Ross-shire and Shetland Fencibles — which had only two companies. Of the total number of Scottish corps raised from 1739 to 1802, independent of Colonel Macneil's Argyll, Colonel Robertson's Perthshire (both having very few Highlanders), and
2601-508: Was present at the Battle of York but was able to play little part, as they were misdirected by the commander of the Upper Canadian militia. Another company suffered severe losses at the Battle of Fort George , trying to prevent American troops landing on the lake shore to outflank the fort. Yet another company was present at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor , where troops under Prevost and Baynes withdrew after failing to drive American troops from buildings and hastily constructed defences. During
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