Royal Scots (Jacobite)

Last updated

Royal Scots
Reg de Roy Ecossais 1744.png
Regimental standard
Active1744–1762
CountryRoyal Standard of the King of France.svg  France
Branch French Royal Army
Type Infantry
Role Line infantry
Size12 companies; 600 men
Motto(s) Nemo me impune lacessit ('No one assails me with impunity')
Engagements War of the Austrian Succession'
1745 Jacobite Rising
Seven Years' War
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment		 John Drummond

The Jacobite Royal Scots, sometimes called the Royal-Ecossais, [lower-alpha 1] Lord John Drummond's Regiment or French Royal Scots, was a French military regiment made up mostly of Scottish Jacobite exiles. Formed in 1744 under a 1743 order, they are perhaps best known for serving in Scotland during the Jacobite rising of 1745.

Contents

The regiment was disbanded in December 1762; [1] its men were mostly incorporated into Bulkeley's regiment of the Irish Brigade.

Formation

John Drummond, younger son of the 2nd Duke of Perth, was responsible for the regiment's formation and served as its first colonel. John Drummond, 4th Duke of Perth.jpg
John Drummond, younger son of the 2nd Duke of Perth, was responsible for the regiment's formation and served as its first colonel.

The regiment was formed in August 1744 by John Drummond, a younger son of the 2nd Duke of Perth; Perth was a Catholic and Stuart loyalist who was attainted for his role in the 1715 Jacobite rising. In May 1745 Charles Edward Stuart wrote of Drummond that it was "impossible that he can escape having his throat cut, for he is dayly affronting people," but during the 1745 Rising he proved to be a reliable and experienced officer. [2]

A number of Scottish exiles were already in French service in the Irish Brigade, including Drummond, who held the rank of captain. However, further recruitment in Scotland proved difficult as many Scots disliked serving under Irish officers, joining Dutch regiments for preference. [3] The French government accordingly made formation of a Scots regiment a key element of its plan for a possible campaign in Scotland, with an intention to "confer captaincies on those Highland chiefs known to be loyal to the House of Stuart". [3] A narrative written by "A.M." or "Pickle the Spy", a British intelligence agent now thought to have been Alastair Ruadh MacDonnell of Glengarry, claims that he was responsible for the regiment's formation when he was presented to Louis XV after Dettingen. [4] "A.M." also suggested that Sir Hector Maclean was intended to be Lieutenant-Colonel, but Drummond "got a stop to [his] obtaining the Commission". [5] An ordnance to raise the regiment was dated 3 December 1743; France declared war on Britain in March 1744, and the regiment's first commissions were issued on 1 August. [2]

In addition to those Scots already in the Irish Brigade, Jacobite recruiting parties were active in Scotland in late 1744 and into 1745. [6] Recruits were embarked at east coast ports like Montrose, where there were a number of Jacobite shipmasters. A further source of recruits was among deserters from the British Army on the Continent and the regiment eventually included men from England and Ireland in addition to those of Scottish or French origin. Later in its career its composition became even more varied; in 1749 one company included 41 Scots, 18 English, 16 Irish, 23 Germans, 15 Flemish and 33 French, as well as 24 'other'. [7]

Organisation and equipment

The establishment of the Regiment Royal-Ecossais was set at 12 companies, each of 55 men; [4] one grenadier company and 11 fusilier companies. While officers in the period were still reluctant to adopt standard uniforms, the men were issued with dark blue coats of French cut and facings of orange-red "rouge a l'Ecossoise", waistcoats of the facing colour, white breeches and a laced hat. [7] Uniforms were kept for special occasions, like battles; rough grey was usually worn for everyday use. [7] During the 1745 rising, Jacobite service was indicated by white cockades worn in the hat: while they are sometimes said to have worn the distinctive woollen blue bonnet while in Scotland, [8] this probably applied only to officers or to those recruits raised later in Perth.

Their colours, recorded in a French document of 1748, featured a St Andrew's Cross and thistles with a fleur-de-lis and the motto Nemo me impune lacessit. [9]

Service

The Royal-Ecossais initially served under Saxe and are widely said to have been present at Fontenoy in May 1745, though this may refer only to elements of the unit.

In late November 1745 they were embarked for Scotland. Not all units sent by the French were able to pass through the British blockade; one company (including MacDonnell of Glengarry) was captured with L'Esperance off the Dogger Bank, but Drummond and the remainder, under cover of a gale, were able to reach Montrose on 7 December. Most of the regiment was employed at Stirling in late January; constructing gun emplacements under fire caused regular casualties. In February recruitment began in Perth to raise a second battalion; this was not especially successful but the regiment was around 350 strong by the time of Culloden.

At Culloden the Royal-Ecossais appear to have been positioned flanking the right of the second line, though one source places them in the centre. [10] After the failure of the Jacobite first line's attack, Lt-Col Lewis Drummond's battalion formed square before surrendering; other elements of the regiment under Maj. Matthew Hale covered the retreat of some of the Jacobite units towards Ruthven, surrendering two days later.

The government was initially unsure whether to regard British subjects in the Royal-Ecossais as rebels or prisoners of war. France responded by demanding the passports of all British people in France and threatening to arrest any found without one; the British government backed down and most from the French regiments were eventually discharged. [1] Although many of them were found to be Scots or English Protestants, the authorities decided not to risk making further difficulties from the situation apart from 16 found to be deserters, who were hanged after courts martial. [11]

During 1747 the regiment rebuilt to make up for losses sustained at Culloden and as prisoners of war returned from Britain. Back on the Continent, John Drummond served at the Siege of Bergen op Zoom in July–September 1747, where he was Brigadier in command of the piquets in the trenches; his regiment however does not seem to have joined him, being first recorded in October as part of the Armee de Saxe at Nieuport. [12] Drummond died at Bergen op Zoom towards the end of the siege and Lewis Drummond took over as Colonel, with Lancelot Cuthbert of Castlehill as Lieutenant-Colonel.

The Royal-Ecossais' colonel from 1757 onwards was David Wemyss, Lord Elcho, an exiled veteran of the 1745 Rising; Elcho was left embittered by the regiment's disbandment, as well as with his experience of Jacobite and French service in general. [11] Several other prominent Jacobite exiles also continued to serve as officers, amongst them Ewen MacPherson of Cluny, Donald MacDonnell of Lochgarry and Archibald Cameron of Lochiel, who was captain of the regiment's grenadier company. [11]

It continued service during the Seven Years' War, often on garrison duties, until disbandment as the war was ending. The Royal-Ecossais regimental traditions were preserved by the French Army's 87th Infantry Regiment until the latter was disbanded in 1940. [11]

Related Research Articles

Battle of Culloden Final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745

The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745. On 16 April 1746, the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart was decisively defeated by a British government force under Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, on Drummossie Moor near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It was the last pitched battle fought on British soil.

Battle of Prestonpans Battle in Scotland during the Jacobite rising of 1745

The Battle of Prestonpans, also known as the Battle of Gladsmuir, was fought on 21 September 1745, near Prestonpans, in East Lothian; it was the first significant engagement of the Jacobite rising of 1745.

Irish Brigade (France) Military unit

The Irish Brigade was a brigade in the French Royal Army composed of Irish exiles, led by Lord Mountcashel. It was formed in May 1690 when five Jacobite regiments were sent from Ireland to France in exchange for a larger force of French infantry who were sent to fight in the Williamite War in Ireland. The regiments comprising the Irish Brigade retained their special status as foreign units in the French Army until nationalised in 1791.

Battle of Falkirk Muir Battle on 17 January 1746 during the Jacobite rising of 1745

The Battle of Falkirk Muir, also known as the Battle of Falkirk took place on 17 January 1746 during the Jacobite rising of 1745. While a Jacobite victory, lack of co-ordination meant they failed to take advantage of their success and it had little impact on the campaign.

Alastair Ruadh MacDonnell

Alastair MacDonell of Glengarry, also known as Alasdair Ruadh MacDomhnaill, was the 13th chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry. Brought up as a Catholic and largely educated in France, he was arrested in November 1745 on his way to join the 1745 Jacobite Rising.

Lord George Murray (general)

Lord George Murray (1694-1760), sixth son of John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl, was a Scottish nobleman and soldier who took part in the Jacobite rebellions of 1715, 1719, and played a senior role in that of 1745.

Donald Cameron of Lochiel

Donald Cameron of Lochiel, was hereditary chief of Clan Cameron, traditionally loyal to the exiled House of Stuart. His father John was permanently exiled after the 1715 Rising and when his grandfather Sir Ewen Cameron died in 1719, Donald assumed his duties as 'Lochiel.'

William Drummond, 4th Viscount Strathallan

William Drummond, 4th Viscount Strathallan was a Scottish peer and Jacobite, who died at the Battle of Culloden.

John Murray of Broughton

Sir John Murray of Broughton, 7th Baronet of Stanhope, also known as Murray of Broughton, was a Scottish baronet, who served as Jacobite Secretary of State during the 1745 Rising.

David Wemyss, Lord Elcho Scottish Jacobite earl (1721–1787)

David Wemyss, Lord Elcho and de jure 6th Earl of Wemyss, was a Scottish peer and Jacobite, attainted for his part in the 1745 Rising and deprived of titles and estates.

John Huske

Lieutenant General John Huske was a British military officer, whose active service began in 1707 during the War of the Spanish Succession, and ended in 1748.

Jacobite rising of 1745 Attempt by the House of Stuart to regain the British throne

The Jacobite rising of 1745, also known as the Forty-five Rebellion or simply the '45, was an attempt by Charles Edward Stuart to regain the British throne for his father, James Francis Edward Stuart. It took place during the War of the Austrian Succession, when the bulk of the British Army was fighting in mainland Europe, and proved to be the last in a series of revolts that began in 1689, with major outbreaks in 1708, 1715 and 1719.

Manchester Regiment (Jacobite) Military unit

The Manchester Regiment was a Jacobite unit raised during the 1745 Rebellion and the only significant number of English recruits willing to fight for Charles Edward Stuart in his attempt to regain the British throne for his father. Raised in late November 1745, the majority were captured in December at Carlisle; eleven officers and sixteen members of the rank and file were executed in 1746, over a quarter of all those executed for their role in the Rising.

Lewis Gordon (Jacobite)

Lord Lewis Gordon was a Scottish nobleman, naval officer and Jacobite, remembered largely for participating in the Jacobite rising of 1745, during which Charles Edward Stuart appointed him Lord-lieutenant of Aberdeenshire and Banffshire.

James Drummond, 3rd Duke of Perth

James Drummond, 6th Earl and 3rd titular Duke of Perth was a Scottish landowner best known for his participation in the Jacobite rising of 1745, during which Charles Edward Stuart attempted to regain the British throne for the House of Stuart.

John Drummond, 4th Duke of Perth Scottish noble

John Drummond (1714–1747), titular 7th Earl and 4th Duke of Perth, often referred to by his courtesy title Lord John Drummond, was a Franco-Scottish nobleman, soldier and Jacobite.

John OSullivan (soldier) Irish soldier

Sir John William O'Sullivan was an Irish professional soldier. He spent most of his career in the service of France, but is perhaps best known for his involvement in the Jacobite rising of 1745, an attempt to regain the British throne for the exiled House of Stuart. During the Rising he acted as adjutant general and quartermaster general of the Jacobite army and had a major influence on the campaign.

Siege of Stirling Castle (1746)

The Siege of Stirling Castle took place from 8 January to 1 February 1746, during the 1745 Rising, when a Jacobite force besieged Stirling Castle, held by a government garrison under William Blakeney.

Jacobite Army (1745) Military unit

The Jacobite Army, sometimes referred to as the Highland Army, was the military force assembled by Charles Edward Stuart and his Jacobite supporters during the 1745 Rising that attempted to restore the House of Stuart to the British throne.

John Gordon of Glenbucket Scottish Jacobite

John Gordon of Glenbucket was a Scottish Jacobite, or supporter of the claim of the House of Stuart to the British throne. Laird of a minor estate in Aberdeenshire, he fought in several successive Jacobite risings. Following the failure of the 1745 rising, in which he served with the rank of Major-General, he escaped to Norway before settling in France, where he died in 1750.

References

  1. ↑ In the French of the period this was generally spelt Ecossois.
  1. 1 2 McCorry, H. "Rats, Lice and Scotchmen: Scottish infantry regiments in the service of France, 1742-62" in Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, 297 (Spring 1996), 21
  2. 1 2 McCorry (1996), 18
  3. 1 2 Wemyss, A. (2003) Elcho of the '45, Saltire Society, p.46
  4. 1 2 Maclean-Bristol, Nicholas. "JACOBITE OFFICERS IN THE SCOTS BRIGADE IN DUTCH SERVICE" Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research vol 82, no. 330 (2004), 101
  5. ↑ Maclean-Bristol (2004), 102
  6. ↑ Wood, S. (1989) The Auld Alliance: Scotland and France, the Military Connection, Mainstream, p.80
  7. 1 2 3 McCorry (1996), 15
  8. ↑ Reid (1996), 1745: A Military History of the Last Jacobite Rising, p.90
  9. ↑ McCorry (1996), 16
  10. ↑ Pittock, M (2016) Culloden, Oxford University Press, p.27
  11. 1 2 3 4 McCorry (1996), 22
  12. ↑ Maclean-Bristol, 104-105
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.