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Records

of the

Monaghan Militia

1793-1870

by

Quarter-Master William Watson

Monaghan Regiment of Militia

(1871)

Transcribed by Brendan & Donal Hall, 1999 й

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CONTENTS

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 2

1793-1816 ............................................................................................................................. 3

1817-1854 ............................................................................................................................. 16

1855-1871 ............................................................................................................................. 20

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Introduction

Completed in January 1871, the following article was printed in the

'Northern Standard' (Monaghan) in nine weekly parts, from 02 March 1928

- 27 April 1928.

The first newspaper instalment was introduced as follows:

We Publish this week the first instalment of "Records of the

Monaghan Militia" written my Quarter Master Wm. Watson in the

year 1871, and dedicated by the writer to the Col.-in-chief of the

Regiment, Charles Powel (sic) Leslie, Esq., M.P.

The records are exceedingly interesting and will be continued from

week to week in the ''Northern Standard.''

Some obvious typographical errors have been corrected and the

weekly chapter headings have been omitted, but otherwise the contents

stand as in the newspaper publication.

Brendan Hall

Donal Hall

July 1999

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Records of the Monaghan Militia

1793-1816

The 1st or Monaghan Regiment of Militia, was formed and

enrolled in the Year 1793. Colonel John Montgomery of Ballyleck, near the

town of Monaghan, was appointed Head Colonel of the Regiment by the

then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (the Earl of Westmoreland), being a loyal

and popular man in the County. As Colonel-in-Chief, in him was vested the

appointing of all the officers in his Regiment, and who were all supposed to

be gentlemen of the county, or else having property therein. It was

considered that Colonel Montgomery's first selection of his officers was the

very best which could have been made as to the respectability, standing, and

efficiency, of the gentlemen whom he selected. His choice of the Adjutant

of the Regiment, who had formerly served in the Regular Army, was most

happy, and turned out to be both fortunate and judicious, being a brave

soldier and an experienced and well drilled officer; and who was the means

of bringing the Regiment into a most efficient state of discipline; within a

very short period he taught every man his duty, from the Lane-Corporal to

the Sergeant-Major, and his accurate knowledge of the duties of the higher

grades in the Regiment, and the kindly and gentlemanlike manner in which

he imparted it, was pleasing and agreeable to all his brother officers.

The Regiment originally consisted of six companies, but was

augmented in 1795 to eight companies, and again in 1797 every company

was brought up to the full strength of 70 men per company. It should have

been previously mentioned that Colonel Montgomery chose white to be the

colour of the facings for his Regiment, considering it to be clean and

handsome looking as well.

The following are the names of the officers found upon the roll of

those receiving commissions in the first year of the Regiment being raised:-

Colonel John Montgomery, Lieut. Colonel Charles P. Leslie, Major Alex.

Montgomery, Captain John Ker, Captain Edward Richardson, Captain John

James, Captain Robert Minnett, Captain A. N. Montgomery, Captain Thos.

Singleton, Lieutenant Garmoney, Lieutenant Nixon. Lieutenant Johnston,

Lieutenant Henry, Lieutenant Evatt, and Adjt.. Lieutenant Rawdon, and Q.

M. Ensign Gouldsberry. Ensign Hamill, Ensign Cochrane, Ensign Dundas,

Ensign Dudgeon, Ensign Tuton, Adjutant Evatt, and Lieut. Quarter Master

Rawdon and Lieut. Surgeon R. Montgomery, Surgeon's Mate Mr. Hamill.

It may be here stated that upon the first enrolment or raising of the

Regiment so many were the persons offering themselves for Sergeants that

many of them were considered eligible for the situation of subaltern

officers; and so difficult was it to make choice that at the formation of the

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corps, lots were drawn in several instances to decide which of some of those

offering themselves should be appointed Ensigns.

Colonel Montgomery being a gentleman of refined tastes and most

polished habits was very anxious to have a band formed in his Regiment

and which should be a first-class one, but failed in obtaining a master to his

liking until the Regiment had been stationed in the City of Cork in 1795,

some couple of years after its embodiment; here he procured an efficient

person. (Lodge was the name of the first Band Master in the Regiment),

with whom he at once made an arrangement, had him attested in the

regiment as Sergeant, appointing him instructor and leader to the Band, and

choosing his bandsmen from amongst the rank and file and drummers of the

regiment in course of some few years, the Monaghan Militia band under

this man's training became a really good and efficient one, taking rank

amongst the best of the Militia bands in Ireland; and with the exception of

the Royal Tyrone Militia band, who were so fortunate as to have amongst

them a family of musicians - 4 brothers (their names being Willman) the

Monaghan band was second to none other in the service. Here it is right to

mention that the corps of drums and bugles in the Regimen was most

efficient and none better supposed to be in the Militia force in the Kingdom

- Atwood being the name of the first Drum Major who had served in, and

was brought up in the Regular Army.

Granard in the County Longford, on the borders of Westmeath was

the first place to which the regiment, after its enrolment was ordered to do

duty in, and was quartered in that town 1793-4, thence they received the

route to Longford 1794, and they were found in the beautiful city of Cork in

1795-6, giving detachments to garrison and several towns in the country, as

was the custom in those times. It is stated that during the period of the

Regiment remaining in Cork, both officers and men were highly thought of

by the inhabitants, as well as by the gentry of the surrounding

neighbourhood. The officers, being chiefly gentlemen of property, mixed a

good deal with the gentry of the city and its vicinity; and the general

conduct and behaviour of the men being such as became soldiers, tended

much to their being well thought of and respected by the middle and lower

classes of its citizens.

From some cause of a domestic nature, Colonel Montgomery

resigned his commission and command of the Regiment early in the year

1797, and it was not very long after until his death took place in Dublin,

from whence his remains were brought, and buried in Kilmore churchyard

in the neighbourhood of Monaghan and very convenient to his late

residence in the county.

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Powell Leslie of Glaslough upon the

resignation of Colonel Montgomery, was appointed by the late Lord

Lieutenant of Ireland (Earl Camden) Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment,

whose father was one of the representatives of the county in Parliament,

Colonel Leslie himself representing the county afterwards during the

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greater part of his life. As head Colonel, in him was now vested the

appointment of all officers of the Regiment. He was popular with the

Government, and very much liked by the entire Regiment, ever taking the

most lively interest in all its concerns and everything in connection with it.

It was during his command that it became and was looked upon as one

crack Militia Regiment, and under him supposed to have given more

volunteers to the Regular Army than any other Militia Regiment in Ireland;

and it is believed that no other Colonel obtained as many commissions in

the line for their subaltern officers as he did, always judicious and careful in

the selection of those officers. From his influence with the Government and

his discernment of fitting men, those of his Regiment were in most part

gentlemen of steadiness and ability. He could boast of having sent a

Dundas, and a Bartley, etc. etc. to the line, the latter who became a General

and commanded the 49th Foot, which he never left until his death from his

first entering it as an ensign from the Monaghan Regiment. He was one of

several sons of Dr. Bartley, of the town of Monaghan, a highly respectable

practitioner, and some of whose relatives are living still in the

neighbourhood.

Colonel Leslie, also, upon his promotion to the command of the

Regiment, found his non-commissioned officers, generally speaking, a

respectable body of men; and from taking his command, used his influence

with his well-to-do tenantry and neighbours, being a gentleman of large

property in the county, to send their son, or younger brother, into his

Regiment, promoting them if worthy, and by so doing, always kept up a

number of non-commissioned officers, upon whom he could rely and place

confidence in as to their usefulness, truth, and trustworthiness.

It was in the year 1797 that an increase of one shilling per diem was

allowed to all officers under the rank of Captain and a warrant for that

purpose was forwarded to all regiments granting the increase.

In the early part of the year the Regiment is quartered in Belfast, and

there stationed 1797-98, during the entire of the Irish rebellion. Whilst the

Regiment was quartered here, a newspaper called the 'Star' was published in

Belfast, having its office somewhere in the neighbourhood of High street

and Waring street, and from which disseminated a vast amount of treason

and disloyalty, publishing sentiments most injurious to the peace and good

order of the community. Frequently was its broad sheet to be seen posted up

in the most conspicuous parts of the town where public placards or

announcements were customarily placed, and numbers of persons eagerly

reading and literally swallowing its contents. On a certain day early in the

month of May, 1798, the Commanding Officer of the Monaghan's (sic) and

General Nugent, then in command of the Northern district, rode out one

evening, as was often their want, around the neighbourhood for recreation,

and to take note of the circumstances of an extraordinary nature that might

come under their observation, when a few of the wild spirits of the

Regiment assembled around the house in which the 'Star' newspaper was

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published, and within a period of 40 minutes, the printing presses, types,

frames, and even the windows of the house, were torn up, scattered and

destroyed, and the few fellows who committed the outrage off to the

barracks, so than when the affair was investigated, and enquired into, not a

single man could be identified or sworn as having been present at the

sacking of the house, so suddenly and quickly was the act of destruction

performed, and so well did those engaged in it keep their own secret.

At this period the Light Company of the Regiment was, with several

other Militia Light Companies, brigaded at Blaris camp, near Lisburn, a

distance of about 8 miles from Belfast under the command of Col. Barbour,

and sad to relate whilst here stationed, the regiment had four men shot for

treason and being United Irishmen. During this summer the embers of

disaffection was fast-spreading among large numbers of the peasantry and

farming classes, and a goodly number of them, chiefly belonging to the

counties of Down and Antrim, rose in rebellion against the constitutional

authorities in the State, and as a first beginning, determined to possess

themselves of the town of Antrim, being by them considered rather a central

situation, and suitable for the objects they had in view, which when

becoming known to the authorities, they at once despatched the Light

Company of the Monaghan Regiment stationed at Blaris camp, who were

obliged to make a forced march in order to be up in time, and three

companies of the Regiment from Belfast, with the 64th foot of the line, part

of the 22nd Light Dragoons, and some Yeomanry, both infantry and

mounted; the Mounted troop was commanded by the late James Watson,

Esq., J.P., one of the most perfect gentlemen of his day. His father,

Commodore Watson, had done good service to his country, and the son

proved himself well worthy the fame of his parent. In 1798 Mr. Watson led

a troop of the local Yeomanry at the battle of Antrim, and, in the heat of the

throng, he cheered on his men with such lusty vigour as to call forth the

thanks of the commander. During the latter part of the day his horse was

shot under him, and quickly releasing himself from the dying animal he

dashed forward on foot, and did not cease his efforts until the army of the

United men had been completely routed. The after career of Mr. Watson

was that of a country gentleman of that good old school, which, we regret to

note, is fast passing away. Brookhill House had long been famed as the seat

of a hospitality truly baronial, and during Mr. Watson's day of sturdy

strength no one more delightful than he did to see his friends round him. As

a sportsman he had few equals, and to this day the equestrian feats of the

Lord of the Brookhill Harriers form the subject of many legends. But, while

he indulged freely in the sports of the turf and the hunting-field, he did not

forget his duties as a resident gentleman. He was an active member of the

Grand Panel of the county and an upright magistrate, and in each of these

capacities had earned for himself the highest respect from people of all

ranks.

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The Royalists prevented the rebels obtaining their object of gaining

possession of the town, who were encamped in the suburbs and outskirts of

it, and upon their attempting to possess themselves of the town were driven

back with much loss, though it was judged the commander of the Royalist

Forces, Col. Clavering, committed a serious error in making his attack upon

the rebels so soon as he did, and in not waiting for all his infantry force to

be up, both from Blaris camp and from Belfast. Had he wisely deferred his

attack for a short period, so many of his splendid Dragoons would not have

been lost to him. They had charged and drove the enemy before them

through the town, cutting the pikemen down like twigs, but before they had

time to reform and get back to their former position, the rebels had placed

some guns in a most favourable spot, and with their musketry, who were

entrenched behind a dead wall, which at the time ran through part of the

town, emptied the saddles of the Dragoons most fearfully. Fortunately

however, the infantry coming up at this juncture, and at once going into

action, the route and defeat of the rebels became general, and a large

quantity of both muskets and pikes, with the guns, fell into the hands of the

royalists who pursued and followed the rebels into Randalstown, where

they had taken refuge, and which Col. Clavering burned and sacked, and

previous to doing so, allowed the soldiery two hours plunder.

The next affair the Regiment was involved in was at the battle of

Ballynahinch, in the County Down, which was fought on the 13th of June

1798, the Regiment having marched from Belfast the day previous, under

the command of General Nugent, with some foot and horse Yeomanry and

part of the 22nd Light Dragoons. The rebels were commanded by General

Munroe, who had been formerly an officer in the Irish Volunteers, a good

and brave man, but considered too impetuous and unstrategic as a

commander. He had some ship's guns well placed and capable, if well

served, of doing much mischief. On the Monaghan Regiment marching into

action, they were met by the fire of these guns, forced back, but only

momentarily, the Regiment having instantly rallied, repulsed and drove

back the rebels, who appeared completely stunned by a well directed fire of

musketry just then poured into them by the grenadier company of the

Regiment; and here it should be stated how a man of pluck and mettle may,

at times, inspire his men with a portion of his own heroism. Lieutenant

Gouldsberry, cheering the men of his company (the Grenadiers) led them on

in a most gallant manner, and doing good service during the entire

engagement. The Regiment had to deplore the loss of their Adjutant (Evatt)

in this engagement. He was shot out of a window whilst the rebels were

being pursued through the town. He was the only officer of the Regiment

killed, and its loss in rank and file was very trifling. The town was pillaged,

sacked, and fired, and was given up to the soldiery to plunder for upwards

of twelve hours.

From Belfast the Regiment now gets the route for Enniskillen, the

county town for Fermanagh, remaining there for the greater part of 1799,

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and from which place, towards the end of the year, they received the route

for Londonderry, where they were quartered during part of 1799 and 1800,

giving detachments to many of the neighbouring towns of the county, also

one to Buncrana, in the county Donegal.

Whilst the Regiment was quartered here, the late rebellion having

being chiefly stamped out, the most harassing duty now to be performed by

the troops was on behalf of the revenue, Revenue officers almost weekly

calling upon the commanding officer for parties to assist in the suppression

and detection of illicit distallation, vulgarly called 'still-hunting', the

manufacturing of illicit whiskey being very much in vogue my the

peasantry and farmers of the county at this period; but as each man of the

party called out to perform this duty was paid a small amount, according to

his rank, it in some measure atoned for the fatigue and disagreeableness

attending thereon.

Early in the year 1801 the Regiment was ordered to the town of

Sligo, in which place they remained until the spring of 1802, from whence,

in consequence of the Peace of Amiens, the Regiment was ordered home to

their county home of Monaghan, there to be disembodied, and which they

were but yet only a remarkably short period of time, for in consequence of

the war with France and this country breaking out again early in the year

1803, the Regiment was ordered to be a second time embodied, clothed,

equipped, and drilled, and becoming efficient, and up to their strength, in a

very short while, they receive the route for Baltinglass, in the county

Kildare, to which they marched, and there remained until the latter end of

1804; thence to Cashel, in the county Tipperary, from whence they receive

the route for Clonmel, the capital of the county, in 1805, a town in which at

all times a considerable body of troops were stationed, and required most

probably from the disturbed and unruly state of the peasantry in the county.

In July of this year the light company was ordered to the Curragh of

Kildare, there to be brigaded with the light companies of several other

Militia Regiments under a general officer, to be ready for any emergency,

or urgent duty for which they might be required.

It was during the Regiment being quartered here that at the half-

yearly inspection General Meyrick gave the commanding officer the

greatest praise for the state of efficiency in which he had the Regiment and

expressed himself much pleased with the appearance and cleanliness of the

men, finding fault only with some of their accoutrements and forthwith

ordering the Regiment to be supplied with a quantity of new belts and

pouches and also a number of pioneers new appointments as well. From

Clonmel the Regiment receives the route for Prosperous, in the county

Kildare, remaining here during the greater part of 1806. In this year a very

strict order was issued from Dublin Castle enjoining all commanding

officers of regiments, and officers on detachment, to forward to

headquarters the state of the country in which they may be located, as to the

quietness, peaceability, and the general disposition of the inhabitants; and in

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this year also was promulgated stringent orders from the authorities that a

special return be forwarded to the Adjt.-General's Office in Dublin stating

the number of parties given every month for the assistance of the Revenue

officers in the execution of their duty when still-hunting, the number of the

men, the name of the person in command, the time the party were out from

quarters engaged in such service, and their success or failure in obtaining

stills, heads, worms, malt, singlings, etc., etc.; also stating the amount each

person of the party under the Revenue officers would become entitled to in

the case of securing the still or any portion of it. If the whole apparatus of

an illicit still was secured, each private soldier was to receive a sum of 5s

5d, Corporal 8s 11/2d., sergeant 11s 41/2d., and so down, in proportion to the

success of the party. Notwithstanding the reward, liberal as it might be

called, it was a duty never much desired by the soldiery, because of its

extreme fatigue and harassing nature.

It was during the stay of the Regiment at this place that one of the

Sergeants (Duncan) unfortunately for himself, remained out of his quarter,

too late in some low public house in the town one market day, was set upon,

cast into the street, and so dreadfully beaten that when found by the piquet

on duty, he was quite insensible and died from the effects of his beating

within two days. The country people not having been yet reconciled with

the soldiery from the days of '98, many of them, no doubt from just causes,

as not unlikely they or some of their friends had suffered from the cruelties

of the soldiers in days now past, in retaliation for the barbarities perpetrated

by the insurgents also of former days. No clue could ever be found as to the

actors in this murder although much pains was taken at the time to

investigate and probe the matter, but no sifting could ever find out the guilty

parties.

From Prosperous the regiment was ordered to the city of Dublin, and

were quartered in James'-street barrack still retaining its name as a Crack

Militia Corps, its officers being highly thought as a body of intelligent

gentlemen and well disciplined officers, those of them who were married,

with their ladies attending in general, all the levees and drawing-rooms held

by the then Lord Lieutenant in the castle.

It was whilst the Regiment was quartered in Dublin that an order for

the augmentation of the regiments took place, from 70 to 100 rank and file

each company as well as two field officers, making an increase to the

Regiment of 240 men and ordered to be kept at its full strength of 100 men

per company, with a proportionate number of non-commissioned officers.

At this period, also, was raised the daily pay of the officers of the Army,

advancing it from what it was in 1797 to the present rate (1870), the

increase to date from the 24th of June, 1806, so that now for upwards of 64

years has the regimental pay of all the officers, both in the Regular Army

and Militia, remained at the appointed rates; and at this period, also, was

given a bounty of Ten Guineas to every Militiaman found of to serve in the

line, and who chose to volunteer into the Regular Army.

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From Dublin, in the autumn of 1808, the Regiment receives the

route for Enniscorthy, in the county Wexford which has been the scene of

many tragic events during the late rebellion of 1798, for in the

neighbourhood of the town, or rather close by it, stands Vinegar Hill, upon

which the rebels of that period had fixed their encampment whilst in

possession of the town of Enniscorthy, and here were very many cruelties

committed upon the persons of the royalists in those unhappy days of

violence and oppression. A very severe and bloody engagement took place

on this hill in the summer of 1798, when the soldiers and yeomanry

succeeded in overcoming and dispersing the insurgents.

It was whilst the Regiment was being quartered here that General

Floyd, the inspecting officer, at the usual half-yearly inspection of the

Regiment, expressed his great satisfaction with the discipline, fine

appearance, and phisique (sic) of the men, so much so, that he afterwards

forwarded a letter to the commanding officer, stating that so satisfied and

please was he with the entire Regiment, its general appearance, internal

economy, and everything connected with it, that he would take the earliest

opportunity of making a special and most favourable report respecting it to

the commander of His Majesty's forces in Ireland, thereby showing how

deservedly was the regiment entitled to its appellation of a crack corps.

It may be here related that a young lady in the neighbourhood, the

daughter of a Yeomanry officer, fell in love with one of the Grenadier

Sergeants of the Regiment, a remarkably fine looking man at that period. It

occurred in this way: She, like many others of her rank, used frequently to

drive out on revue and field day to see and admire the soldiery, and on one

day on the Regiment being engaged at ball practice, she stepped forward

and asked this Sergeant (he being only armed with a halbert as all Sergeants

in those days were) to procure her a firelock until she would try a shot at the

target. The man did so, and loaded the piece several times for her, she

hitting the target every shot. It transpired that on a certain day, during that

past rebellion, when her father being from home and engaged with his

corps, that a party of six men came to the house in which the family resided,

determined on plundering it, and most likely, if resisted, to commit a worse

crime. The house was, at this time, only occupied by this young lady, her

sister and mother, an old man (the butler), and a young servant maid. Being

the residence of a Yeomanry officer, it was well supplied with both arms

and ammunition; and upon the alarm being given that the house was already

surrounded, this lady immediately procured a firelock which was loaded,

went to the drawing-room window, and demanded from those outside their

object or business, or what they wanted? They replied they wanted

everything - money, silver, and all the pewter plates and dishes in the house.

She warned them off, stating at the same time, that the house was well

secured and barricaded, and they could obtain no entrance, upon which two

of the fellows, more daring than the others, made to rush to the hall-door,

intending to force it open, upon which she fired from the window, taking

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shelter as well as possible behind the shutters, and wounded one of the

party. This quite exasperated them, and they appeared more determined

than ever to obtain an entrance into the house, on which she again fired,

killing this time one of the men. Her sister and the old man being inside the

room loading the firelocks for her, she eventually fired twenty rounds,

killing two and wounding one out of the six rebels, on which they

decamped bringing with then their two dead comrades. This young lady was

afterwards married to the Grenadier Sergeant, and upon his being

discharged form the Regiment, returned with him to her native place in the

county of Wexford.

In Enniscorthy the Regiment remained until 1810, when ordered to

Caher, in which town it remained but for a very short while until again

being sent to Clonmel, where the Regiment was quartered for a

considerable time. It was while the Regiment was stationed here that

Corporal Robert Cherry of the band, who had been a drummer boy at the

formation of the Regiment in 1793, was sent for 6 months to London by the

commanding officer, to be under the tuition of the celebrated music master,

Briscoli, in order to his being taught and made capable of instructing and

made capable of instructing and taking charge of the band, previous to his

being made Sergeant and Band Master. Whilst being quartered in this town,

many of the surrounding peasantry, still tainted with the disaffection of '98,

and in general, almost as a rule, troublesome and turbulent, and now under

the name of Whiteboys, Chanivests, Caravats, etc., etc., gave great

annoyance to the gentry and magistrates, frequently committing the most

daring acts of wanton and unprovoked robbery, and even among themselves

blood was very often shed from what was called faction fights taking place,

and not unfrequently ending in murder, from their utter lawlessness and

disregard of the constituted authorities.

In those days, and for nearly twenty years until the law was changed,

the going (sic) Judge of Assize and the Quarter Sessions Barrister, had the

power of ordering persons brought up for trial before them, if found guilty,

to be flogged, according to the nature of the crime charged against them;

and it was a made of punishment frequently resorted to at this period. The

manner was to tie the culprit's hands to a car or cart, himself walking

behind, and the horse being led by a constable at a slow pace, and according

to the greatness or malignity of the crime was the measure of the

punishment judged by the distance which the car or cart had to traverse, and

the duty of administering this punishment at this period, though afterward

changed, was committed to military drummers. If the man to be flogged was

a likely man and considered fit to serve in the regular army, and provided

his crime had not been of a very aggravated nature, he not unfrequently got

his choice of enlisting into a regiment serving abroad or take his

punishment. Numbers enlisted under the terms, and many others elected to

take the flogging. The following incident is related of a drummer boy of the

Monaghan's then barely 14 years of age, and who afterwards became big

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drummer in the band. A remarkable fine looking fellow of the county,

described as being 6 feet 3 inches in height, and being represented as only

23 years of age, had been sentenced to be flogged for being engaged in a

faction fight in which another young man had lost his life, and the

punishment ordered to be delivered by military drummers, and the car to

which the prisoner was to be drawn from the main guardhouse in Clonmel

to the end of the main street and back. When the day of his having to

receive his punishment arrived, and when stripped and undressed, his fine

and manly appearance struck everyone present who must necessarily attend

at these distressing scenes, with pity and commiseration, and every

legitimate argument was used by the Sheriff and others present to induce

him to enlist and escape the sore ordeal, but no; he cursed the 'sogers', said

he hated and despised them and would die before he would put a red coat

upon his back, with many other bitter epithets against King George, his

Government and Army. Four soldiers had been told off for the punishment

of this man, two of them belonging to the Wexford Militia, then also

quartered in Clonmel, and two of the Monaghan's. It had been arranged that

one of the Wexford drummers would inflict the first 25 lashes. The lad of

the Monaghan's above alluded to being so much vexed and ryled at hearing

so many vile expressions from the culprit about the King and the army, that

he offered to give the Wexford drummer, who was to inflict the first 25, a

day's pay if he would allow him to take his place and wager half a crown

besides that if he did so that before the first 25 lashes were administered he,

the culprit, would be glad to enlist. The arrangement took place between the

lads, the Monaghan drummer getting the cats, and as he prophesised, the

prisoner, previous to his receiving the twentieth lash, cried out in the most

piteous manner for mercy, and that he would 'list, the Sheriff, however, and

others, telling him it was too late, and the man received his punishment.

After remaining in Clonmel for a considerable period, the Regiment

receives the route, 1811, for Rathkeale, in the [county of] Limerick, a town

of no considerable importance, seated on the river Deel, and having only a

very small barrack, the Regiment giving detachments to some neighbouring

towns, and thence, 1811-12, they received the route to march to Limerick,

there to be quartered, and in which city they remained until getting the route

for England.

The Regiment was marched from Limerick to the City of Cork in

two divisions, embarking from the latter city, and landing at Plymouth,

where they were quartered, and also at Dartmoor, chiefly engaged in doing

duty over a very large number of French prisoners whom the English

Nation had here confined as prisoners of war. In Plymouth the Regiment

remained until peace was concluded with the Emperor of the French in the

year 1814, and from Plymouth it was ordered home to its own county in

Ireland there to remain until an order for its disembodiment should be

received from the Government. The Regiment was landed at Newry, and

remained there for several weeks previous to its being marched to

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Monaghan. It arrived in Monaghan early in the autumn of 1814, and in due

course the order for disembodiment coming to the officer commanding, the

Regiment was accordingly disbanded, but only for a few months, for upon

the Emperor of the French, Napoleon 1st, flying from Elba, or rather

escaping therefrom, authority arrived to Colonel Leslie to recruit, enrol and

again embody the Regiment to its full quota of volunteers, and which was

effected within a very short space of time, for large numbers of the men,

who had been but a few months previously dismissed joined again, and the

Regiment was got up within a remarkably short period, clothed, equipped

and drilled, remaining in the county town after embodiment, the men in

billets and the officers in lodgings until the month of September, 1815,

when a route was received by the commanding officer ordering the

Regiment to proceed to Roscrea, in the county Tipperary, to which town

they marched in two divisions, band and headquarters with the first

division, being a march of seven days, as in those times the luxury of

railways was then unknown, by which troops now-a-days are so

conveniently and quickly despatched from place to place. In Roscrea the

regiment remained, giving detachments to Borrisokane, and Borrisnorsory,

until March 1816, peace in the meantime having been concluded with the

French nation, and in the latter end of the month the Regiment was ordered

back to Monaghan, there to remain until inspected by the general officer,

and until an authority for the disembodiment of the Regiment would arrive

to the commanding officer, which did in due course. The General's

inspection of those to be retained upon the staff having taken place, the

Regiment was disbanded in April, 1816.

It may be here mentioned that an incident took place upon the arrival

of the Regiment very nearly turning out both unpleasant and disagreeable.

The Spring Assizes for the town were being held at the time, and the Judges

sitting on the bench in the old Courthouse, which was then situated in the

diamond or square, where troops when passing through the town were

generally marched into previous to being dismissed to their billets. As the

Regiment was marching through Church Square, on their way to the

Diamond, the band playing, and the colours of the Regiment unfurled,

Lieut.-Col. Ker, the officer in command, riding in front, a message came

from the Courthouse to 'stopt the music'. Col. Ker at once, and on the

moment, requested to know if the message came from the High Sheriff, for

if it did he would challenge him within twenty minutes; but on hearing that

it came from one of the Judges, he treated it with silence, not however

permitting his band to cease playing until the proper time, when the men

had marched into the square, were halted, dressed, and dismissed to their

billets. It was remarked that the Colonel was very indignant at the message,

though he attended the Assizes most punctual himself as a Grand Juror and

country gentleman for many years of his life, afterwards having, so far as he

himself was concerned, turned his sword into a pruning hook.

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The following is a list of the several officers holding commissions in

the Regiment upon its disembodiment; and it may be observed that all the

subaltern officers serving on full pay at this period were allowed a retiring

pension of 2s 6d per diem during life, bur liable to serve in case of re-

embodiment, or when called up for active service.-

Colonel Chas. P. Leslie, Lieut.-Colonel John Ker, Major A.

Montgomery, Major Thomas Coote, Captains, Robt. Minnett, Thos.

Cottnam, Walter Tyler, R.W. Maxwell, R. Atkinson, Thos. Seaver, John

Cronin, Chas. Dawson, Lieutenants, Jas. Nixon, Alex. Dudgeon, Wm.

Johnson, Robt. Thetford, Alex. Moutray, Francis Hanna, Robt. Forster,

James Seton, William Ley, Wm. Anketell, Francis Lucas, John Dawson,

Wm. Murdock, Alex. Wright, Pay Master James Nixon, Adjutant John

Ross, Quarter Master Wm. Johnson, Surgeon R. Montgomery, Assistant

Surgeon Charles Ley.

The permanent staff, band, and drums of the Regiment were ordered

by Colonel Leslie to Glaslough, there to remain until further orders. The

Regiment as before stated being an eight company one, the staff consisted

of four officers and ninety-one men, viz:-

1 Adjutant Ross.

1 Quarter-Master Johnson.

1 Pay-Master Nixon.

1 Surgeon Montgomery.

1 Sergt.-Major Rowlands.

1 Quarter-Master Sergt. Stokes.

1 Drum-Major Somers.

40 Sergeants.

32 Corporals.

16 Drummers.

Being four sergeants, five Corporals, and two Drummers for each

company.

Here the staff of the Regiment was quartered, having a large house

in the centre of the village fitted up for the stores and guardroom, but with

the exception of a few old drum shells, some old musical instruments, and

the store chests of the Regiment, which contained the books and papers

belonging thereto, there was no other description of stores, as the arms and

accoutrements of the Regiment had all been forwarded and lodged in the

Government store at Charlemont, with the exception of a firelock and set of

accoutrements for each man on the strength, as every one upon the

permanent staff was considered capable of bearing arms, no boys being

allowed upon it. The staff were allowed in those days only one complete

suit of clothing every two years, with a small allowance for fuel, light, and

lodgings. A parade was kept up by order of Col. Leslie every Wednesday

and Friday, and on Sundays a Church parade, at which all were to attend,

sick and on duty alone excepted, when the men marched to Church and

played thereto by the band; and on the 24th of every month, then the

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muster-day, though since changed to the last day of the month, a parade in

heavy marching order, with full kits in knapsack was, as a matter of duty,

always kept up.

Colonel Leslie did everything possible in the way of getting his staff

comfortably housed and fixed in the village and its immediate

neighbourhood, and it must not be forgotten that his care went even to the

welfare of their families, and in the matter of their education he was very

mindful and considerate. A Regimental school had always, when the

Regiment was embodied, been kept up in it, and an efficient Master

provided only, however, as supernumery (sic) of his rank of Sergeant,

therefore, when the Regiment came to be disembodied, this non-

commissioned officer must naturally be struck off the strength, but Col.

Leslie still wishing to retain a school-master for the benefit of the children

of his staff, had him retired upon the strength by allowing a Sergeant, who

from his length of service was entitled to receive a pension, to be

discharged, thereby showing his best wishes for the education and welfare

of the children of the men of whom he was in command.

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1817-1854

From the year 1816-1822 the staff of the Regiment remained

at the same strength as when disembodied, when an order arrived from the

War Office to reduce the permanent staff of the Regiment of 1 Sergt.-Major

Rowland, 1 Quarter-Master Sergt. Stokes, 1 Drum-Major Stokes, 24

Sergeants, 16 Corporals, 12 Drummers, being three Sergeants, two

Corporals, and one Drummer, including two extra Drummers for each of the

flank companies. This reduction to many members of the staff was a sad

disappointment, at least to those whose length of service did not entitle

them to receive pensions; most luckily, however, just at this period the

Police or Constabulary force of Ireland was being organised, and every man

of Col. Leslie's staff not entitled by length of service to receive a pension

was, through his interest placed in the force, and being well drilled and in

general intelligent men, the greater number of them were promoted at once

to be Sergeants in the force.

The Permanent staff, now reduced to 55 men, still retaining the four

staff officers, remained so until the year 1828 when an order from the War

Office was issued to the commanding officer ordering a further reduction in

the Militia staff, discharging all the Corporals, two Drummers, eight

Sergeants, and the Quarter-Master Sergeant, the order desiring to retain

upon the permanent staff only one Sergt.-Major., one Drum-Major, sixteen

Sergeants, and ten Drummers, being two Sergeants and one Drummer for

each of the flank companies, thereby reducing the number of men to be

retained upon the staff to 28. As was mentioned before, Colonel Leslie

never omitted to promote or interest himself on behalf of any of his well-

deserving non-commissioned staff. It may be stated that through his

interest, previous to this reduction, the Sergt.-Major of the Regiment

(Rowland) obtained the governorship of the county prison. Reed, a former

Quarter-Master Sergeant of his, he had procured a situation for in the

revenue, Crowe, another of his non-commissioned officers, was appointed

governor of the Louth prison at Dundalk. Two of the bandsmen were

appointed county and assistant surveyors, and several others of them to

highly respectable situations of trust and emolument, chiefly through his

interest. Being a member of the Imperial Parliament for the greater part of

his life and generally popular with the Government, his influence and

interest was very considerable.

In November 1831, Colonel Leslie died, much and deservedly

regretted by a large and numerous circle of friends, as well as by many in

the humbler walks of life who had opportunities of knowing his sterling

worth and goodness of heart.

Some year or two previous to the death of Colonel Leslie, an Act of

Parliament had passed the legislature creating the office of Lord Lieutenant

in every county in Ireland same as in England, and in those gentlemen was

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vested the appointment of the Head Colonels and all other officers of the

county Militia Regiments which had hitherto been under the patronage of

the Head Colonel commanding; and Lord Rossmore, being the then Lord

Lieutenant of the County Monaghan, appointed Lieutenant Colonel John

Madden of Hilton Park (whose father had been Lieutenant-Colonel in the

Regiment as far back as 1806, he being himself at the same time a Captain

in the Regiment, but in some years past promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-

Colonel) to the command of the Regiment, his commission as such bearing

date January 23rd, 1832, and in conformity to his wish, the permanent staff

was removed from Glaslough into Monaghan, he considering it much more

central and convenient to himself.

The staff was provided with quarters and suitable accommodation

for the stores by Lord Rossmore, and a guard of two men mounted daily

over them, nothing of moment taking place upon the staff, except an

occasional new appointment of a Sergeant when one entitled to a pension or

otherwise becoming unfit for service may have been discharged.

In the year 1834 an order from the Horse Guard (sic) was issued

desiring a further reduction of the permanent staffs of all Militia regiment's,

this time reducing three of the staff officers, viz.: the Pay Master, Quarter

Master, and the Surgeon, these officers to receive a retiring allowance if

entitled thereto by length of service. The first two names officers did

receive pensions, but the latter officer (Robinson) being only appointed in

1822, after the death of Doctor Montgomery, who had been in the Regiment

since 1793, was considered ineligible for a pension from his short term of

service.

The Permanent staff of the Regiment was now to consist of:-

1 Adjutant with the rank of Captain.

1 Sergeant-Major, and

8 Company Sergeants.

The order went on to state that in the event of any of these ten men

dying or being discharged, no vacancies were on any pretence whatever to

be filled up, but the men allowed to die off.

Early in the year 1836, Colonel Madden, from declining years,

resigned his commission and command of the Regiment, and Lord

Rossmore, the Lieutenant of the county, appointed his brother, Colonel the

Honbl. Henry Westerna, of Camla Vale, near Monaghan, a most gallant and

distinguished officer, to the command of the Regiment, a gentleman who

had been a soldier from his youth, had seen much foreign service, and been

engaged in every action his regiment, the 8th Royal Irish Hussars, had taken

part in and which he commanded for many years; Indeed retaining his

command until pretty far advanced in life so devoted was he to the Army

and his regiment; but the entire family of the Westernas might be called a

family of soldiers, Col. Westerna's commission as Colonel-in-Chief of the

Monaghan Militia bearing date 22nd March, 1836, and about ten years

afterwards we find him resigning his command, and Lord Rossmore, his

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nephew (old Lord Rossmore having died in the autumn of 1842, and his

eldest son, the Hon. Henry Westerna, now Lord Rossmore inheriting his

father's estates and titles), Lord Lieutenant of the county and Head Colonel

of the regiment, having been appointed thereto by the Lord Lieutenant of

Ireland, his commission in the regiment bearing date 28th day of November,

1846.

In the month of July 1850, Capt. Ross, his Adjutant, died, but no

appointment made in his stead, agreeable to the former order as issued from

the War Office, the Sergeant Major of the regiment being entrusted with the

payment of the staff, rendering his accounts through the Head Colonel, Lord

Rossmore.

It should be here mentioned that his lordship from taking command

of the regiment was careful, as occasion offered, to apply to the Lord

Lieutenant for commissions in the regiment for such gentlemen as he

conceived eligible to receive appointments in the corps, although the rank

was at that period, and for some time after, merely honorary.

In the year 1854, war breaking out with Russia, towards the latter

part of that year an order was issued to Lord Rossmore from Dublin Castle,

acquainting him that he should at once commence to recruit and enrol

volunteers in the county regiment, and a beating order authorising him to do

so was forwarded to him in due course, and in accordance with the 'Census'

of the county, his regiment was to consist of six companies, with a proper

number of officers, the rank and file to number 647 men independent of the

permanent staff; and it may be here stated that upon arrival of the order

authorizing the enrolment and organizing of the regiment, the permanent

staff, from death and other causes, had been reduced down to two men, viz:-

the Sergt.-Major (Harvey) and one Sergeant (McCoy).

Lord Rossmore being so thoroughly esteemed and respected, and so

well known as a nobleman of exalted worth and kindness, it was who

amongst a large number of the gentry could now procure commissions for

either themselves or their sons to serve under him and be able in a short

period to select the greater number of his officers. It required all his

lordship's well known tact, judgement and discernment, now to look out and

procure a suitable officer for his Adjutant, it being an understood and well-

known fact that much depends upon the discipline and energy of the officer

in making a good and efficient regiment. His choice, which proved both

wise and judicious and which turned out most fortunate for the discipline

and conduct of the regiment, fell upon his own brother-in-law, Captain

Jesse Lloyd, of the 47th Foot, in which regiment he had serve as Captain for

a lengthened period, having entered the army when very young, to him was

entrusted and most justly so (Lord Rossmore himself having never been in

the Regular Army) the arranging of the many details connected with a

regiment, and on him devolved the very onerous and arduous duty of seeing

everything connected with the regiment correctly and fairly carried out. Of

him it might with all truth be said, he was the right man in the right place.

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His influence, also, was the means of bringing a large number of good non-

commissioned officers from his old regiment who helped much now in

conducting the internal arrangements of their new corps, from their known

ability, steadiness and good character, as Capt. Lloyd was careful only of

bringing such into the regiment. He also got his old Sergt.-Major (Purcell)

from the 47th, a man of most exemplary character and efficient and

experienced drill, of kindly disposition, though strict withal; he was a most

useful and intelligent man, and became a general favourite in the regiment,

particularly with the youngest men and recruits, they would do anything for

him, though at times duty demanded sterness (sic) and decision, but in him

it was at all times accompanied with kindness and impartiality as well.

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1855-1871

Theregiment was ordered to be embodied on the 22nd January,

1855, and it was not until June of the same year that Lieut.-Colonel Forster

joined from the Crimea, where he had been with his regiment, the 77th foot,

when he and the Adjutant, both so qualified for their respective duties, very

soon brought the regiment up to what in years gone by it had been justly

names, viz:- 'A Crack Militia corps,' both gentlemen intent in making it earn

a character for itself, which would reflect honour upon them and its noble

commander, and also be creditable to the entire body.

The following are the names of the officers found upon the muster

roll of the regiment at the embodiment of 1855.

Colonel Lord Rossmore, Lieut.-Colonel Thos. O. Forster, Major

Walter D. Shirley, Captains: Thomas Coote, Joseph Whitsitt, Charles

Boyle, Edward W. Bond, E.P. Murphy, Thomas Stopford, Lieutenants: M.

Blakley, M.E. Lewis, John Welsh, Richard Coote, George Smith, Adam

fuller, Ensigns: George A. Shegog, Frank Dudgeon, Richard Ross, Robert

Thompson, Edward Fiddes, John C. Dawson, Adjutant: Jesse Lloyd, Pay

Master: William Watson, Surgeon: William Temple, Asst. Surgeon: George

F. Adams.

It is worthy to remark that out of all the officers on the muster roll of

the regiment when last embodied (1816) three only remained alive, and who

from their advanced age were excused by the Lord Lieutenant from now

serving, and permitted to retain their pensions.

The regiment from being the 1st, or Monaghan Regiment of Militia,

became now the 121st. As the militia force had for so long been in

abeyance, the numbers of the different regiments were balloted for, and thus

the change in the number took place, a change much and greatly regretted

by the connexions of some of those who had formerly served in the corps

when it ranked first after the line, and which it always did from its first

formation up to the present time. The regiment remained in the town of

Monaghan from January to September, occupying the small barrack up to

the number which it could accommodate, the remainder of the men being

billeted amongst the inhabitants of the town, recruiting parties being

stationed at Clones and Carrickmacross, the other smaller towns in the

county being visited regularly by the Adjutant and a recruiting party for the

purpose of enrolling volunteers for the regiment, and numbers of

respectable young fellows in the neighbourhood coming in every day to join

at head quarters, wishing to let Lord Rossmore see their willingness to be

enrolled in his regiment and their wish to serve under him.

His lordship being a nobleman of polished habits, very refined tastes

and acquirements, and particularly fond of music, was determined upon

having a first rate band in his regiment, and his experience and judgement

led him in the right path to having such. He went himself to London,

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obtained a band-master, had first class, and the newest improved

instruments purchased, and a very short time elapsed until he had his band

formed and under training he besides, procuring from the line a number of

experienced musicians which added greatly to the efficiency of the band, so

that they were soon able to perform very respectably, his lordship taking the

most lively interest in their success, and in procuring new and first-class

music for them.

The corps of drums and bugles belonging to the regiment were not

only fair, but in course of a few months, remarkably good, the Adjutant

having obtained Drum-Major (McGann) from the 64th foot of the line fully

capable of instructing and teaching in his department. A good number of

intelligent and goodly fellows offering, they in a short time became

excellent drummers a circumstance chiefly to be attributed to the vigilance,

activity, and discernment of the Adjutant in choosing out smart boys for this

duty.

During the period the regiment was in Monaghan, hardly a week

passed without a large party of the officers dining with Lord and Lady

Rossmore at the Park; and Lady Rossmore, previous to their leaving the

town, gave a very grand ball to the officers and gentry of the county. Indeed

it might truly be said that her ladyship took as much interest in the regiment

as did Lord Rossmore. She it was who presented the regiment with its new

colours, her interest in it never appearing to flag, being almost daily upon

the parade ground in her carriage during the summer. And such was Lord

Rossmore's attention and punctuality to his duties that he was to be found

daily in the orderly-room with as much regularity as his Adjutant. It may be

here mentioned that the day selected for the presentation of the colours to

the regiment was one of royal weather; and her ladyship mounted on a

white charger took occasion after the consecration of them by the Rev. Mr.

Bury and in giving them over in charge of the two junior Ensigns, to pay a

very marked compliment to Lord-Lieut. Forster, and all the officers and

men of the regiment, trusting that as in years gone by they had always been

deemed worthy of admiration and praise, so they would still continue by

their character and conduct, to merit the esteem and regard of those placed

in command over them and concluded by saying that she had every

confidence in the event of the Monaghan's being called upon to protect the

colours in defence of Queen and country, as they had in all troublous times

now happily long past, her Majesty might rely upon the affection, fealty and

loyalty of the officers and men of her Monaghan Regiment of Militia.

Col. Forster made a most happy and suitable reply to her ladyship,

thanking her most warmly for her kindness, and on behalf of himself and

the regiment returning his best thanks for all the many compliments she had

paid them, assuring her she would not soon be forgotten in he regiment, and

her address would sink deep into the hearts of everyone then assembled

around her.

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In the month of May 1855, the regiment was inspected for the first

time after its embodiment by General Thomas, and Colonel Lord Rossmore

was highly complimented by that officer upon the men under him. During

this summer also the regiment was called upon at two different periods to

give volunteers to the line, and so pleased had been General Thomas with

the regiment from his inspection of it previously that he had a non-

commissioned officer from his own old regiment, the 29th foot, sent

specially to canvas and solicit the men of the Monaghan's who were so

inclined, to enlist into that old and distinguished corps, but the larger

number by far went into the 46th and 47th regiments of the line, whilst a

good many chose to enter the artillery and cavalry.

Early in the month of September the regiment received the route for

Armagh, in which city it only remained for some months, getting the route

thence for Cavan, and only remaining in that town for a few weeks; thence

January, 1856, ordered to Belturbet, a small place in the same county, but

much better accommodated with barracks, leaving however a detachment of

two companies under the command of Major Shirley, in Cavan, there to

remain until further orders.

Late in the month of May in this year the regiment was inspected by

General Gough, attended by Colonel Brough, who complimented Lord

Rossmore upon commanding so fine a body of men, and Lieut.-Col. Forster

for the state of discipline in which he found the regiment. He remarked that

their appearance, cleanliness, steadiness under arms, and general good

conduct, reflected much credit upon every officer in the regiment, being

convinced that great pains must have been taken by both officers and non-

commissioned officers to bring the regiment up to its present state of

training, adding that it would give him much pleasure to convey this report

to the higher authorities. He also examined the regimental books, and

expressed himself satisfied with the correct manner in which they were

kept, and being particularly gratified at seeing so very few entries in the

company defaulters books.

During the stay of the regiment in Belturbet it was called upon a

third time within a few months for more volunteers to the line, and this

time, as before, responded very heartily to the call, a goodly number of

smart, active young men, indeed amongst them some of the very best

recruits in the regiment, cheerfully offering themselves for extended service

in the line, this time the bulk of them going into the 47th foot; and to their

credit be it observed that in a few years afterwards many of the non-

commissioned officers of the 47th regiment were composed of the men who

had previously volunteered from the Monaghan Militia.

Lord Rossmore was enabled from the number of his men which

volunteered to serve in the regular army, to claim three commissions in the

line, and which he bestowed upon his three Ensigns, viz.: Ross, Thompson,

and Dudgeon, all rising to higher grades in the service within a short period,

and becoming good steady and efficient officers.

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Peace with Russia having been concluded the Regiment was ordered

back to Monaghan in the month of July, there to remain until authority

should arrive for its disembodiment. Meanwhile Lord Rossmore had desired

and ordered a grand banquet to be given to all non-commissioned offices

and privates of the regiment, and which took place, upwards of five hundred

persons having been regaled and feasted with a most substantial dinner of

roast beef, plum pudding, with fowls and other delicacies &c. Several fair

speeches were made by some of the non-commissioned officers upon the

occasion, and many were the good-natured and cordial remarks upon the

urbanity, kindness, and goodness of his lordship and his family.

The authority for the disembodiment of the regiment having arrived

from Dublin Castle, it took place on the 29th August 1856. It may be

mentioned that Lieut.-Colonel Forster and the officers of the regiment,

wishing to pay a compliment to Lord and Lady Rossmore for their many

acts of kindness and attention, entertained them to a very grand ball at the

County Courthouse, inviting the gentry of the county and neighbourhood to

meet them. It was got up in the most stylish and luxurious manner, a

purveyor having been brought from Dublin specially for the occasion; and it

was a source of great satisfaction to the officers that it came off so

remarkably well, everyone present, and there were some hundreds, being

highly pleased and delighted with the politeness shown by Colonel Forster

and the other officers for their comfort, amusement and enjoyment, Lieut.-

Colonel Forster and his brother, Captain Forster, deserving much credit

being the moving springs in the entire arrangement of the whole matter.

The author would here beg to narrate although most unwilling to be

thought either anxious or wishful of introducing into these records anything

that would be thought or considered as relating to self; yet in justice to Lord

Rossmore and his brother officers, whose kindness, cordiality, and regard is

ever to be remembered, with the most lively and pleasing recollection, he

must not omit to state that he was on a guest night at the mess, after dinner,

presented with a very handsome silver snuff-box by Lord Rossmore, who,

whilst presenting it took occasion to pass a very complimentary elogium

(sic) on a man, and the manner in which the several duties of the Quarter-

Master had been embodied, and (sic) well as his usefulness and example in

the early part of a previous year when the regiment was being organised and

in course of being disciplined.

The box, a very richly chased one, bears engraved inside the lid the

following inscription:-

'Presented by Lord Rossmore and the Officers to Quarter-Master William

Watson on the disembodiment of the Monaghan Regiment as a small token

of their esteem and regard for the great interest displayed, and the able

manner in which he carried on the arduous duties as President of the Band

and Mess Committee during a lengthened period, September 1st. 1856'.

The authority desiring the regiment's disembodiment contained an

order to retain as a permanent staff

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1 Adjutant, Lloyd

1 Quarter-Master, Watson

1 Sergt.-Major, Purcell

1 Quarter-Master Sergt., Walls

12 Sergeants

6 Drummers

which were to serve in any future embodiment as a nucleus of the regiment.

An act of Parliament having being passed in the year 1854 whereby the

rank and file were still to be retained upon the strength of the regiment,

receiving no pay whilst in a disembodied state, but liable to be called up at

any time altogether, or once in every year for 27 days training, their

clothing and accoutrements etc. etc. being retained in store for their use

when so called up.

Colonel, afterwards General Doyle, was appointed the first

Inspector-General of the Irish Militia, and in the month of November, 1856,

made his first inspection of the permanent staff stores, clothing and books

of the regiment, expressing himself very well pleased with the state in

which he found the clothing and accoutrements, and the manner of keeping

them by the Quarter-Master.

In the following year, Lord Rossmore, finding his health rather

declining. and wishing to be relieved from the duties and attention

necessarily required from the head Colonel of a militia regiment, resigned

his commission in, and command of, the Monaghan Militia, appointing

Charles Powell Leslie, Esq., M.P., of Glaslough, in his own stead, and

whose commission bears date August 6th, 1857. It was a graceful

compliment paid to the son of its old commanding officer, and no doubt

very pleasing to Mr. Leslie to be appointed to a situation held in early and

middle life by his late father with so much honour and credit to himself, and

with results of much utility to his country.

Early in the following year, 1858, Capt. Lloyd, the Adjutant,

desirous for more leisure and wishing to have more of his time at his own

command, resigned the Adjutancy, but still retaining his commission of

Captain in the regiment, and promoted afterwards to a Majority, his

commission as such bearing date February 18th, 1865.

In the June of 1858 took place the first training after the

disembodiment, when the regiment was called up for 21 days, all the

officers and above 500 men answering the roll call. The regiment was

inspected by Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, commanding a line regiment,

quartered at Newry and was pleased to compliment Lieut.-Colonel Forster

upon the very effective state he appeared to have the men in, and upon there

(sic) general appearance and discipline, the men being dismissed at the end

of 21 days to their respective homes.

In 1859 an augmentation to the permanent staff took place of 1

Drum-Major, and 3 sergeants, making the number to consist of two officers

and 25 men, viz.:-

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1 Adjutant Crofton

1 Qr.-Master Watson

1 Sergt.-Major Steenson

1 Orderly room Clerk, Boyle

1 Pay-master Sergt., Hanna

1 Musketry Instr. Sergt. McKinley

1 Hospital Sergt. Atkinson

1 Drum-Major Duffy

6 Color Sergeants

6 Company Sergeants, and

6 Drummers

In the year 1859 the regiment was called up for training for 21 days

from 8th July, and was inspected by Lieut.-Col. Baumgarton of the 65th

foot, who said he was very well pleased with the regiments general

appearance, but considered the very short time allowed for the exercise of

the regiment was not sufficient to bring either officers or men to a perfect

knowledge of their duty or drill.

In 1860, the regiment was called up for 27 days training, from the

1st May and towards the latter end of the training period, was inspected by

Colonel Hobbs, of the 14th depot battalion, when stationed in Belfast. He

paid Lieut.-Colonel Forster the compliment of stating that he found the

militia regiment in course of his inspection superior to his in its general

appearance, cleanliness, discipline or phisique of the men; and expressed

himself well pleased and satisfied in the manner in which he found the

stores and clothing of the regiment kept, and everything altogether so

satisfactory that he promised to Colonel Forster making a most favourable

report of all coming under his eye connected with the regiment to the then

Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

In 1861, the regiment was again called up for 27 days training from

the 4th of June and it having been reported to general Doyle that a row had

taken place between some men of the regiment and the police force in town

and some few of the loose characters in the regiment becoming quite

insubordinate, he came himself down from Dublin, specially to inspect the

regiment, and at the same time, to enquire into the cause of the row, or how

the ill-feeling between the men and police had arisen. He was much

displeased and expressed himself highly so, at the conduct of the ring-

leaders in it, and could he, with any degree of certainty have found them

out, would not allow a single man of them ever the privilege of wearing her

Majesty's uniform again. It should, however, in all fairness be stated that

there was more made of the affair than it was ever really worthy of. It was

created by a few men immediately belonging to the town, of very middling

character, and rather incline to drink, and who had, at some time in their

'cups' came under the grasp of the police, and most probably smarting under

what they may have considered harsh or undue severity when in the hands

of the force, immediately on donning the red coat, imagining that they

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might not be easily found out, and when opportunity offered, attempted to

insult the police, and which led to a company of regular army being

telegraphed for to Belfast, who arrived in Monaghan within a few hours and

the commanding officer of which thought it expedient not to allow the

militiamen their arms for several days, but placed at once a guard upon

them in the store in which they were kept, so that the men were drilled

without arms for several days, and nothing appeared to ryle general Doyle

so much upon his arrival as to have to inspect a regiment without arms.

Although much and greatly annoyed with those characters, who had

brought disgrace upon themselves and nearly the whole of the regiment,

yet, he admitted their general appearance to be good, but condemned their

marching both in slow and quick tune, no doubt therefore hinting that a

little more drill would be necessary to the perfecting of the men in their

duties.

In this year, towards the latter end of it, Lord Rossmore's death took

place at Rossmore Park near Monaghan, when in the 70th year of his age,

the former Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, whose loss was felt and

deplored by a large and numerous circle of relatives and friends, his death

casting a gloom over the entire neighbourhood, every individual from the

humblest rank in life to the highest, feeling that a nobleman of real worth,

exalted birth, kindly disposition, and whose goodness of heart could not be

over-estimated, had departed from amongst them, and who by his many acts

of genuine friendship had endeared himself to all classes of the community.

He left an interesting family of four sons and two very beautiful daughters

to mourn his removal. Of the latter rumour speaks that they are as good as

they are beautiful, and the former gives hopes of walking in the steps of

their departed parent. The permanent staff of the regiment made a request

through their commanding officer to be permitted to be present in uniform

at the funeral, notwithstanding his late lordship had been unconnected with

the regiment for a good while previous yet, so impressed were the members

of the staff with his many acts of kindness and attention to them in days

gone by, that they felt most anxious and desirous to be present at the

obsequies. The permission was granted, the soldiers taking their place at

either side of the hearse, marching in funeral order, officers in rere, and all

supplied with mourning scarfs and bands. At the arrival of the cortege at the

Church gate in Monaghan the Sergeants of the staff carried the coffin into

the church, and the service was performed, from thence to the family vault,

there depositing the remains of as true and worthy a nobleman as coronet in

this life ever adorned.

In the year 1862 a new Inspector-General of Militia was appointed

viz.: - Colonel Selby Smyth, unattached, in the room of General Doyle,

whose time upon the staff had expired, and who made his first inspection of

the permanent staff and stores early in the Spring. The Adjutant being on

leave, the staff was under the command of the Quarter-Master, who paraded

the men and accompanied Col. Smyth round the stores in course of his

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inspection. He expressed himself as being very well satisfied with the

manner in which he found the clothing and accoutrements kept. Thence to

the orderly-room, where he inspected the regimental books, and with only

asking some very few questions of no moment, bade good-bye, continuing

his route of inspection, going from Monaghan to Armagh to make a similar

inspection of the staff of that regiment.

On the 4th of June in this year the regiment was called up for 21

days training and as a sort of punishment on account of the row with the

police force the previous year, it was ordered to assemble at Drogheda, in

the county Meath, staff and drums being marched there, volunteers being

obliged to find their way as best they could, recruits being ordered to join

on the 4th, and the remainder of the volunteers within 14 days after the

regiment, occupying Mill Mount barrack up to the number of men and

officers it would contain and the remainder being billeted amongst the

inhabitants of the town, who treated the men with marked attention and

civility.

Col. Smyth arrived from Dublin to inspect the regiment towards the

later end of the month, and he was much pleased with the appearance of so

fine a looking body of men (the regiment mustering considerably upwards

of 500 men) but would have wished to see some of the officers of the

regiment better acquainted with their drill, particularly company and

battalion drill, remarking at the same time that good officers invariably

made good soldiers. He expressed himself very well pleased with the

internal economy of the regiment, and the manner in which he found the

regimental books kept. In course of his inspection through temporary stores

and barrack rooms he came down upon the Quarter-Master for not having a

number of the mens' accoutrements and all the forage caps marked and

numbered. Hitherto it had not been the custom to mark the forage caps and

as to the accoutrements, a certain number was issued out to each company,

the same being required to be returned into store at the end of each training.

The clothing, knapsacks, and necessaries of the regiment, had already been

marked from 1 upwards, agreeable to the circular upon the subject (694);

however between that and the next training Colonel Smyth's wishes were

attended to, and all articles in possession of the volunteer were marked and

numbered as directed, so that no complaint under this head could at any

future time take place.

It may be mentioned that previous to the regiment leaving

Drogheda, Captain Henry Henderson, from the 10th foot, joined as

Adjutant, a gentleman of mild and pleasing manners, well disciplined and

thoroughly up to his duty, and who had seen a good deal of service for his

years, having been all through the Indian Mutiny of 1857; served upon the

staff of General Frank's (sic) and did the State some service, possessing a

medal and two clasps, and his services honorably mentioned and recorded

in Hart's Army List. When Lieutenant he served on the staff in India as

assistant executive Engineer in 1855-56; in June 1857 was appointed to an

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irregular levy of 1,400 men engaged in the district of Agra and was vested

with the powers of joint magistrate in the district of Agra, Allyghur, and

Muttra. In his duty his conduct was highly approved of by the Governor,

Mr. Colvin. Present as the action fought at Agra on the 5th July 1857,

afterwards appointed assistant field Engineer in the fort of Agra; in October

was appointed orderly officer to Colonel Greatheads' column; present at the

action of Dilkorsha; at the relief of Lucknow by the Commander-in-Chief;

affair at Avougal on the 2nd, and action of the 6th December at Cawnpore;

with Brigadier Franks as A.D.C. at the action of Chanda, Umperapoona,

Douraha, and the siege and capture of Lucknow in March 1858. At the

expiration of the training period, the volunteer non-commissioned officers

and men were dismissed to their respective homes from Drogheda after

being settled with, and each man receiving a portion of bounty due to him.

It is fair to them to state that their conduct upon departure was most orderly

and also very pleasing to Lieut.-Colonel Forster to receive from the local

authorities and inhabitants a testimonial in praise of the good conduct and

bearing of the men whilst quartered amongst them and regretting that their

stay in Drogheda had been so short. The permanent staff remained behind

for two days in order to regulate and pack up the clothing and stores, &c., of

the regiment previous to their being forwarded to the depot at Monaghan,

the Quarter-Master remaining to hand over the barracks to the authorities.

In 1863, the regiment was called up for training in Monaghan for 21

days, from the 15th June, and inspected by Colonel Smyth, the Inspector-

General of Militia, on the 2nd July, he expressed himself very well pleased

and satisfied with everything coming under his inspection, observing a

marked improvement in the drill of the officers since his former meeting of

them at Drogheda, nothing of importance occurring during the year more

than the usual drills and parades of the staff.

In 1864, the regiment was again called up for training at Monaghan

for 21 days, from 15th June, the men occupying the cavalry barrack to the

extent it would accommodate, the remainder being as usual billeted

amongst the inhabitants. They were inspected by Colonel Smyth on

Tuesday 28th same month, who expressed himself, as he did in 1863, as

perfectly satisfied with the general appearance and cleanliness of the men,

and again remarking an improvement in the drill of the regiment since his

last inspection. He was very particular this year in his examination of the

regimental books, and making enquiries as to the amount of barrack

damages stopped from the men, he having in course of his inspection in the

South, seen as much as 9d.and 10d. charged per man for barrack damage,

and which he considered most unfair. He examined our barrack damage

account, found it correct, and admitted it to be quite satisfactory, as in no

instance did the barrack damage in Monaghan ever exceed two pence per

man and which appeared to please him much; for it was not until his

inspection of it that he mentioned about the practice in the Southern

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regiments of what he considered excessive damages being charged to the

men.

Early in the month of May in this year, 1865, the regiment obtained

a new Sergt.-Major (Dobbs) from the 92nd foot, the third since the

discharge of Purcell. He has proved a great acquisition to the regiment - a

man of remarkably steady habits, upright and straightforward, an

experienced and competent drill, and fully acquainted with all his duties in

every particular and his worth is very justly appreciated by both the

Adjutant and the Commanding Officer. On the 12th of June in this year the

regiment was called up for 27 days training, and for a fourth time inspected

by Colonel Smyth, the Inspector-General of Militia. He arrived in

Monaghan on the 30th of the month in the early part of the day and at 1

o'clock commenced his inspection of the regiment in a large field in the rere

of the barrack, hired for the purpose, having complained at every former

inspection of not having room in the barrack square to move the men in, or

to be able to properly judge as to the drill or real efficiency of the regiment.

Upon no former occasion did Colonel Smyth ever express himself so

pleased or satisfied with the men as he did this time, giving Lieut.-Colonel

Forster much and deserved praise for the discipline of the regiment; to the

Adjutant and the field officers, the Captains and subalterns, he gave much

credit, observing how much pleased he was himself with the general

appearance and cleanliness of the men; remarked their clothing and

accoutrements as fitting well, and so thoroughly satisfied with everything

coming under his inspection that he promised himself great pleasure in

being able to make a most favourable report of the regiment officers and

men to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland upon his return to Dublin Castle. Col.

Smyth dined same evening with Lieut.-Colonel Forster and the officers in

their mess-room in the county Courthouse (officers in full dress) where a

very pleasant and social assembly of brethren-in-arms were met, and a most

agreeable evening spent by friends, some of whom were never destined to

meet again. In the same social way, two of the number having been called

hence within a few short months afterwards, much and greatly regretted by

those they left behind.

The following is a list of the officers present at the training of 1865

and, although in these records the names of the officers attending at the

several trainings have not been usually inserted, yet as so long a period

intervened between and the next training of the regiment the compiler

considers it advisable to diverge a little from the usual custom and give the

muster-roll of those present as recorded in the regimental books. Were it

only for the sake of some of those as mentioned above whose last training it

was their privilege to attend, but who yet at this distant period live in the

memory of the survivors, who cherish in their hearts for those departed

comrades a most fond and kind recollection:-

Hon. Colonel C.P. Leslie M.P., Lieut.-Colonel Thos. O. Forster,

Major C. Woodwright, Major Jesse Lloyd, Captains: E.W. Bond, Robert

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Forster, M.E. Lewis, Adam Fuller, John Leslie, Thos. Coote, Lieutenants:

M. Blakley, Frith Thompson, John Crozier, M.B. Naughton, Henry S. Bird,

James McMath, Pay Master Rob. Thompson, Adjutant H. Henderson, Qtr.

Master William Watson, Surgeon W.N. Irwin.

In 1866 the regiment was not called up for training in consequence

of a spirit of Fenianism having broke out in the Southern and Eastern parts

of the Kingdom and spread itself to nearly every county in the country. The

Habeas Corpus Act having been suspended, and a general uneasiness

arising amongst every class of the community, it was considered by the

authorities more prudent to allow the volunteers to remain in their own

homes and their several employments and occupations, than to call them up

for training. In this year a guard of three Sergeants and one drummer was

ordered to mount daily over the stores, clothing, accoutrements, &c., &c., of

the regiment.

In 1867 the same wild spirit of disaffection continuing amongst a

fraction of the people, it was considered by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland

inadvisable to call out the militia for training or exercise this year either, the

Habeas Corpus Act still having to be kept suspended, chiefly caused by an

influx of Americans pouring over in large numbers by wicked arts and

means, to keep alive a spirit of lawlessness and disaffection amongst the

lower order of the peasantry. Towards the Autumn of this year, the guard

over the stores of the regiment was reduced to what it had been in former

days, viz., one Sergeant and one drummer, but before the end of the year,

was again augmented to two Sergeants and one Drummer, continuing so all

the winter, the authorities allowing an extra quantity of fuel for the guard-

room, owing to the severity of the season, and the additional duty the guard

had to perform, having to patrol round the barrack and stores every quarter-

of-an-hour, this, being the orders issued, and most strictly adhered to, the

guard having also to be visited occasionally by an officer or the Sergt.-

Major, which was duly attended to.

In 1868 the guard of two sergeants and one Drummer still continued

ever the stores, until the month of April, when the order arrived to the

commanding officer, empowering him, should he think it advisable to

reduce the guard to one Sergeant, as in former years; yet, early in the Spring

of this year, a number of sand-bags were supplied, a portion to be kept in

the stores and guard-room, filled and ready in case of their being required,

either for the purpose of defence or against Greek-fire.

In the early part of this year Col. F. Maude V.C., and late of the 3rd

Buffs, was appointed Inspector-General of the Irish Militia, vice Col. Selby

Smyth whose term of staff service had expired. On the 4th of July of this

year the permanent staff of the regiment was inspected by Colonel Maude,

the new Inspector-General. The men were paraded in heavy-marching-

order, with full kits in knapsacks, and after a most minute and close

inspection, were ordered to take off their packs; they were again paraded,

Drummers falling in upon the left, and were severely called to the front and

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were desired to sound the different regimental calls; afterwards the

Sergeants were called upon and each man tested as to his qualifications as a

drill, and examined in company and squad drill, as well as in light infantry

exercise. After a period of about two hours upon the parade ground, the men

were dismissed for an hour, Col. Maude, in the meantime, visiting the mens'

quarters and examining the several buildings connected with the barrack,

also the Quarter-Master's stores, clothing and accoutrements of the

regiment; thence to the orderly room, where he made a most painstaking

examination of the books of the regiment, inspecting the Quarter-Master's

books at the same time. He again ordered the whole of the staff to be

paraded, and after enquiring if they had any complaints to make and finding

they had none, he addressed them in very complimentary terms, giving

Captain Henderson much credit for the efficient state in which he found his

men, praising their very clean and soldierlike appearance. He also gave the

Quarter-Master (Watson) due praise for the manner he kept the stores,

observing the tidy and correct way in which he found everything connected

with his department in, also stating his satisfaction with the manner he

found the regimental books; winding up by remarking some few of the

Sergeants might be a little improved in their drill; and also recommending

the Drum-Major to give his drummers somewhat more bugle practice, at

same time making allowance for the timidity and nervousness which he

thought he discerned in one or two of the Sergeants as well as the junior

buglers. After dismissing the men he started for Armagh, leaving a most

favourable impression of his kind and soldierlike qualities on both officers

and men, notwithstanding his very minute and close inspection, an

inspection so stringent as they had never underwent before, at least since

their appointment to the permanent staff.

A circumstance may here be noted incidentally connected with the

regiment and nearly proving fatal to the Adjutant. An assembly of

Orangemen had taken place on Monday, 13th July, at the residence of a

gentleman, within about two miles of Monaghan, where a very large

number had met, and towards the evening of the day, those returning into

Monaghan were set upon by an opposing party, and obliged to take refuge

in a public house in the town; but so exasperated appeared the mob at their

getting under shelter, that they commenced throwing stones and smashing

the windows and shutters of the house into which the Orangemen had

retreated, when some shots were fired out of the upper windows, upon the

mob, and one man shot dead. This maddened them so, that the police who

had been previously called upon were completely powerless, and Mr.

Young, a magistrate present, sent a note to Captain Henderson,

commanding a permanent staff, and asking him for God's sake to come and

bring his men with him to assist in keeping the peace. The Adjutant, acting

upon the Magistrates order, went at once, but before calling at the barrack

for the men, wished to see Mr. Young, as the following correspondence

between the Inspector-General of Militia and the Quarter-Master of the

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regiment, upon whom the command of the staff devolved, shows. So

serious, however, was the riot, and the appearance of the mob, that it was

deemed necessary by the local authorities, as a precautionary measure, to

telegraph to Armagh, a distance of 14 miles, for a company of soldiers, who

arrived late at night, and remained under arms until 6 o'clock the next

morning, and not leaving until the Wednesday following:-

Monaghan, July 15th 1868

'Sir I have the honour to state, for your information, that a riot of a

party nature took place in this town, on the evening of Monday of the 13th

instant; that a magistrate of the town, Mr. Young, considered it advisable to

write a note to Captain Henderson calling on him for the assistance of the

permanent staff to aid in quelling the riot; and on Captain Henderson going

to see Mr. Young to consult with him upon the matter, he was struck down

with a missile of some description, and for a considerable time rendered

quite insensible. The surgeon of the Regiment, Dr. Irwin, was at once sent

for and had him removed to his own residence, it being nigher hand than

Captain Henderson's own house., and he there remains still in a very

precarious state, under the care of Dr. Irwin, who informs me that he has

had a good night, but by no means yet out of danger. I have to add that Mr.

Young had also telegraphed to Armagh, a distance of 14 miles, for a

company of military there stationed to come on to Monaghan at once. Four

officers and 101 men of the 72nd regiment arrived at 9.30 o'clock by rail the

same evening, and still remain here, the cavalry stables at these barracks

being cleared out for their accommodation, and a quantity of straw provided

for them by the barrack contractor. I have further to add that the permanent

staff was not called upon after the accident to Captain Henderson, but

remained in quarter, and ready to act if called upon. I beg also to state that I

have assumed the command of the permanent staff until further orders, or

until Captain Henderson shall be pronounced fit for duty by the surgeon of

the regiment.

'I have the honour to be Sir,

Your Obedient Servant,

William Watson, Quarter-Master

Acting Adjutant, Monaghan Militia'

'Inspector-General of Militia

Dublin Castle'.

'Monaghan, 16th July, 1868'

(Pressing)

'Sir: - I have the honour to report for your information that the

company of the 72nd regiment, which arrived here on Monday evening, left

for Armagh yesterday; and a very uneasy feeling appears to exist amongst

the inhabitants of the town, and a dread of more rioting taking place, I beg

to be informed, if called upon by a magistrate as commanding officer of the

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permanent staff and be guided in acting according to the instructions as laid

down in page 188, 189, and paragraph 912 to 823 (sic) of the Queen's

Regulations.

In the event of such taking place, I shall be obliged to leave a guard behind

to protect my stores, say the Quarter-Master-Sergeant and three Drummers,

taking with me the Sergeant Major, sixteen Sergeants and three Drummers'

I have the honour to be Sir, your obedient servant,

William Watson,

Acting Adjutant, Monaghan Militia'

'Inspector-General of Militia

Dublin Castle'.

'Militia Office, Dublin Castle,

July 17th 1868'

(to be copied and returned)

'The Quarter-Master Monaghan Militia'

If called upon by a magistrate to turn out the permanent staff in aid

of the civil power, obtain a requisition to that effect in writing if there is

time to do so and proceed at once to carry out the Magistrate's orders.

The Queens Regulations quoted by you are applicable to your case.

A guard as proposed, to be left in charge of the stores. Keep me informed if

anything unusual occurs.

F.F. Maude, I.G.M.'

'Monaghan, 18th July, 1868

Sir - Herewith I beg to return the enclosed copied as directed, and

shall attend to your instructions as to keeping you informed should anything

unusual occur in town. I wish to state for your information that in addition

to the usual number of police which are quartered in Monaghan (about 20

men) ten other men arrived here on yesterday, to remain for a longer or

shorter period, as may be required. Matters appear settling down since the

arrest of a person named Baird, who is accused of shooting the man on last

Monday.

I have the honour to be Sir, your obedient servant,

William Watson, Quarter-Master

Acting Adjutant, Monaghan Militia'

'Inspector-General of Militia

Dublin Castle'.

Militia Office, Dublin Castle

July 18th, 1868.

Sir:- I have the honour to transmit for your information and

guidance, copy of a letter of this day's date. addressed to Captain and

Adjutant Bellingham, Louth Militia, directing him to proceed to Monaghan,

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and to take command of the Monaghan Militia permanent staff for the

present.

I have the honour to be Sir, your obedient servant,

F.F. Maude, I.G.M.

Quarter-Master William Watson

Monaghan Militia'

Militia Office, Dublin Castle

July 18th, 1868.

Sir, Their Excellencies the Lords Justices direct you to hand over

temporarily command of the permanent staff of the Louth Militia to the

Quarter-Master, and to proceed at once to Monaghan to take command of

the permanent staff of the Monaghan Militia, vice Captain and Adjutant

Henderson, who is in a precarious state from the effects of a blow received

on the 13th instant during a riot that occurred in Monaghan.

I have the honour to be Sir, your obedient servant,

F.F. Maude, I.G.M.

Captain Bellingham

Adjutant Louth Militia, Dundalk'.

'Monaghan, July 19th, 1868

Sir - I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated

Dublin Castle, July 18th, 1868, and in reply, beg to state, that upon the

arrival of Captain Bellingham, Louth Militia, I shall be prepared to hand

over the command of the permanent staff Monaghan Militia '

I have the honour to be Sir, your obedient servant,

William Watson, Quarter-Master

Acting Adjutant, Monaghan Militia'

'Inspector-General of Militia

Dublin Castle'.

Captain Bellingham arrived in Monaghan on Sunday evening, 19th

July, taking over the command of the permanent staff on the following day,

remaining in Monaghan about a fortnight, when Capt. Henderson was again

sufficiently recovered from the effects of his wound to resume command of

the staff as usual.

After the inquest upon the body of the man shot in the riot had been

held, matters were cooling down, and apparently everything becoming quiet

in the town. Yet the inhabitants thought it prudent to petition the Lord

Lieutenant to quarter a company of regular soldiers in a cavalry barracks for

the peace of the town, with which he complied after some routine

correspondence, and the permanent staff which had been living in the

barrack were ordered to vacate them upon two hours notice delivered at 8

o'clock at night, and which they did, seeking lodgings as best they could, a

troop of dragoons arriving from Dundalk by special train same night at 11

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o'clock, and occupying the barracks. The arrival of the troops gave great

satisfaction to the town's people, all feeling confident that an end had been

put to any more rioting, as the very knowledge of the soldiers being at hand

would have the effect of preventing any evil disposed persons showing any

disposition to turbulence or quarrelling.

A company of regular troops - sometimes dragoons, sometimes

infantry - still continue to occupy the barracks, the permanent staff of the

militia getting settled either in small houses or lodgings, mostly all in the

neighbourhood of the barracks, nothing of any moment taking place except

the ordinary drills and parades under the Adjutant and Sergeant-Major, no

training having taken place this year.

In the year 1869, although fully expecting to be called up for

training none took place, the authorities considering it more prudent not to

embody the Irish militia this year either, though all matters of a political

nature had quite settled down, and the Habeas Corpus Act allowed to drop.

Early in the Spring of the year the sandbags which had been served out to

the regiment for the protection of the stores and barrack buildings were

ordered to be forwarded to the government stores at Enniskillen thereby

showing that the authorities had no alarm as to the safely of their stores or

buildings at Monaghan.

Captain Maude, V.C. Inspector General of Militia, made his second

inspection of the permanent staff, stores, clothing and accoutrements of the

regiment on Tuesday, the 25th May of this year. He made a very strict

inspection of each member of the staff, as to age, health and efficiency, the

men being drawn up in the barrack square, and receiving him with the usual

salute. He made a most careful examination of their clothing, arms and

accoutrements upon the parade ground, taking down in writing his own

observations, as he considered right. His inspection was very similar to the

one of the previous year, calling upon one or two of the Sergeants to drill

the others, and making each bugler to sound the different regimental calls;

ordered the men to be dismissed and paraded in an hours hence in their

great coats, which order was compiled with, he, at the same time minutely

examining the coats, and enquiring as to the length of time ther (sic) had

them in wear. This closed the inspection of the men who were dismissed to

their several quarters. He then visited the stores of the regiment, appeared

pleased and satisfied as to the care taken in keeping the clothing and

accoutrements, and the several multitudinous articles requisite for the

turning out of a regiment. Thence he proceeded to the orderly-room,

inspecting the regimental books, and making several enquiries as to the

manner in which the men were housed, and the locality, and if we could

procure accommodation for the stores in any house in the town or suburbs.

We, however, could not, for a building suitable for such a purpose is not in

the town or neighbourhood, nor could we be better suited in stores than

those we have in the barrack, if only allowed to hold them permanently.

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Upon Colonel Maude's departure from Monaghan to inspect the

Louth regiment he told Captain Henderson that he was very well pleased,

and quite satisfied with everything coming under his observation regarding

the permanent staff of the Monaghan Militia.

In the early part of this year a circular was received from Dublin

Castle, by the authority of the Lords Justice, desiring that all future

appointments to commissions in the regiment under the rank of Captain, the

officer so appointed must attend at the depot of the regiment to be drilled by

the Adjutant and staff for at least one month, and afterwards to be attached

to a regiment of the line, for the purpose of being further instructed in

battalion and company drill, and perfecting him in a full knowledge of his

duties as a subaltern officer; and shortly after a circular from the Inspector

General arrived, stating that an allowance of 5s per diem for one month

would be allowed to such officers whilst attached on this duty, but not to be

paid unless vouched by a certificate from the Commanding officer of the

regiment to which he may be attached, stating that he is fully acquainted

with his drill and duties and perfectly competent to move a body of troops

on the parade ground.

In accordance with the foregoing instructions Lieutenant Watson

was the first officer so attached after the receipt of this order, he attended at

the depot in Monaghan barracks and was drilled by the Adjutant and

permanent staff for an even longer period than was required, but which

made his duty much lighter when afterwards attached to the 54th regiment

then quartered in Belfast. He remained with them for upwards of a month,

obtaining the requisite certificate from the commanding Officer and was

complimented by the Adjutant, Lieutenant Tarleton as having picked up his

drill and duties in so short a space of time.

Copy of certificate of Colonel Thompson 54th Regiment: -

'I certify that Lieutenant Watson of the Monaghan Militia has been

attached to the 54th Regiment for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of

his duties as a subaltern officer, which I consider him fairly acquainted

with.

James S. Thompson, Lieut.-Colonel

Commanding 54th Regt.

Belfast, August 1st, 1869.

At a later period in the year a communication was received from the

Inspector General stating that an allowance of 4s per day would in future be

allowed by the Government to all officers of Militia attending the training

of their respective regiments in addition to their regimental pay for the

purpose of covering any additional expense which they are of necessity put

to whilst so attending training; also fourteen days additional training pay to

the Quarter-Master, making a boon of 21s to those officers for their very

arduous and additional work during the period for which the regiment is up

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for drill and exercise; same order doing away with all property

qualifications in future for any officers appointed to Militia regiments.

The following is the list of the officers found upon the muster roll of

the regiment on the 1st January, 1870: -

Hon. Colonel C.P. Leslie, M.P.

Lieut.-Colonel Thos. O. Forster.

Major C. Woodwright.

Major Jesse Lloyd.

Captain, E. W. Bond

Captain, Robert Forster

Captain, M.E. Lewis.

Captain, John Leslie.

Captain, Thomas Coote.

Captain, W.W. Madden.

Lieutenant M. Blakely

Lieutenant Frith Thomson

Lieutenant M.B. Naughten

Lieutenant James McMath

Lieutenant Robert Watson

Pay Master Robert Thomson

Adjutant H. Henderson

Quarter-Master William Watson

Surgeon W.N. Irwin.

1870 onwards the latter end of the month of January, an order was

received from Colonel Maude, Inspector-General of Militia, dated from

Dublin Castle ordering a guard of one Sergeant and one bugler to be

mounted daily over stores, &c., &c., of the regiment, with instructions that

should anything unusual occur or take place, he was to be immediately

communicated with, and an extra Sergeant, if considered necessary to be

added to the guard. Regimental orders were at the same time issued, that

each member of the permanent staff provide himself with quarters within

sound of the bugle and if found necessary for the assembly to be sounded,

or the men to be brought together, the militia stores were appointed as the

general rendezvous as the place of assembly.

At the assembly of the House of Commons, Mr. Cardwell, the

Secretary of State for War, announced from his place in Parliament that the

War Office authorities had come to the resolution of abolishing the office of

Quarter-Masters upon the permanent staff of all disembodied regiments of

militia, stating that the duties performed by that officer were in future to be

undertaken by the Adjutant, with the assistance of the Quarter-Master

Sergeant; and when the regiment shall be called up for training or

embodiment should the officer commanding find that the Adjutant was

unable to attend or perform the duties connected with the Quarter-Master's

department efficiently, then a subaltern officer was to be appointed by the

Colonel for that duty, being also allowed additional pay while so acting.

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The Secretary of State for War, whilst making his announcements,

stated that when doing away with the Quarter-Masters upon the staffs of

disembodied regiments he at the same time wished to say that in obedience

to the wishes of both sides of the House of Commons, he had resolved upon

granting a retiring allowance to each of the officers according to their length

of service and at the same time remarking he wished to deal in a most

liberal manner with these gentlemen, and would do so by allowing them the

following rates of pension, viz.: From and after 1st day of April 1871, under

5 years of service, 2s 6d: over 5 and under 10, 3s: over 10 and under 15, 3s

6d: and over 15, 4s per diem.

As to the liberality of this allowance there will likely be a difference

of opinion on that point, as all the older officers who had served with their

regiments whilst embodied considered themselves hardly treated by being

put off with less than 5s per diem, as was granted when a similar reduction

took place in the year of grace, 1829.

Late in the month of March this year a circular letter was received

from the Inspector-General of Militia ordering a minute inventory of all

public property viz. clothing, accoutrements, and all description of stores in

possession of the regiment and in charge of the Quartermaster, and sent to

him between the 1st day of April and the 1st day of July, 1870 in order to its

being forwarded through him to the War Office authorities at the same time

stating the condition and state in which the several articles were in, viz.,

whether new, part worn, or unserviceable. This order was compiled with

Capt. Henderson, the Adjutant, and Mr. Watson going over the several

articles, and the returns made out and forwarded, as directed, to the

Inspector General, previous to the 1st of May.

The guard which had been ordered on in January of this year over

the stores was, towards the summer months, allowed to be done away with

so long as a detachment of the line should occupy the barracks.

Early in the month of May in this year the permanent staff of the

regiment were supplied with the Snider rifle, Quarter-Master Watson and an

escort of two Sergeants being ordered to meet a similar one at Cavan to

receive the arms over from them, as despatched from the Pigeon House

Fort, Dublin, via Mullingar railway, which duty was performed according

to route and detailed orders from the Inspector-General.

Towards the latter end of the month of June, the following circular

letter was addressed to the commanding officer from the inspector-General

of the Irish Militia ordering a reduction on the permanent staff as vacancies

would occur, just following the precedent of 40 years previous when similar

reductions upon the militia staff took place: -

'Dublin Castle

June 29th, 1870

The Secretary of State for War has directed the following reductions

to take place, as vacancies occur, on the permanent staff of the Irish Militia,

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viz., the suspension of appointments to the rank of Hospital Sergeant, and

the reduction of the company Sergeant from two to one per company.

In carrying out the reduction amongst the company Sergeants when

a vacancy occurs the one whose time has expired is not necessarily to be

discharged, but the least efficient company Sergeant is to be discharged. By

carrying out the reduction in this way, the most efficient non-commissioned

officers will be retained.

F.F. Maude

Inspector-General Irish Militia'

To what to attribute the rescinding of the order for reducing the staff

no one could tell if not to be accounted for by the war between France and

Prussia, the former having declared war against the latter power early in the

month of July, 1871, and which proved to be a most deplorable and

disastrous one for both parties, particularly France - beaten almost to the

dust, as the history of this period will show, and which must take very many

years of peace and industry ere either of the combatants will have regained

their former position as to either their trade or commerce.

Colonel Maude, V.C., Inspector-General of the Irish Militia, made

his annual inspection of the permanent staff on Thursday, December the 1st

arriving in Monaghan about 12 o'clock, and making as is his wont, a very

minute inspection of the men, stores, clothing and accoutrements; he had

the men upon the parade ground for nearly two hours, calling upon several

of the Sergeants to drill each other in order to test their knowledge in the

new drill which they had been engaged in learning for a very short time

previous, the instruction books having only been issued about the month of

October. He wound up by skirmishing drill, and the men were dismissed for

a short period, when the assembly, after about half-an-hour's interval, was

sounded, the men falling in, and the Inspector-General addressing them in a

few telling words, stating his being very well pleased with their appearance,

general good conduct, and soldierlike bearing, and their having obtained a

fair knowledge of the new drill, but still expecting and looking forward to

an improvement in some of the Sergeants, who were not quite up to the new

manoeuvres or words of command, at the same time giving orders for a

march out once a week during the season, and also desiring a requisition to

be forwarded to him, which he would send on to the Secretary of State for

War, requiring six new breech-loading Snider rifles, for the use of the

Drummers of the permanent staff, as he wished them to be drilled with the

Sergeants, and to become thoroughly acquainted with the rifle exercise.

Whilst in course of inspecting the stores and examining the clothing

of the regiment, he had a conversation with the Adjutant and Quarter-

Master relative to the clothing of volunteers, called up for 27 or 28 days

annual training, and requested the Quarter-Master to place on paper and

forward to him what clothing he considered would be sufficient, add his

views as to the requirement of a volunteer when up for training.

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Agreeable to the wish of the Inspector-General, Mr. Watson made

out a list of what in his opinion would be necessary for each man, a copy of

which is here stated, forwarding it, as directed to the Inspector-General,

acquainting his commanding officer, and also submitting a copy to him:

One forage cap of a better quality than the one now in use to be

returned to store at the end of training and to last five years. One cloth

tunic, one serge do., one cloth trousers, one serge do., to be returned at the

end of the training, to last five years, and to become the property of the man

in whose possession it is at the end of the training, and the usual pair of

boots, shirts and socks. When embodied or called out for service to be

clothed in all respects as the line.

Towards the latter end of the month of December, an order arrived

from the Secretary of State for War, addressed to the Officer Commanding

through the Inspector-General of Irish Militia informing him that he was to

commence from that date (23rd December, 1870) to enrol and re-enrol

volunteers for the regiment until it should be brought up to its full strength,

which order was at once and promptly acted upon and the beginning of the

new year, 1871, saw the Sergeants and Drummers actively employed in

recruiting and beating up for volunteers, when numbers of recruits offered

themselves daily for enrolment so that it is calculated that ere many weeks

expire, the regiment will be recruited to its original strength, as from the

length of time since the last time since the last training (1865) and from no

enrolments having taken place since it had dwindled down to a mere

skeleton.

Having now brought these few words of our gallant county regiment

over a period of nearly 80 years, I shall for the present conclude. Trusting

that those of my readers who have had the patience of reading them

through, will look with indulgence on my feeble but earnest effort in

collecting and putting together the foregoing incidents and travel of our

County Militia and which I feel proud in having belonged to, and served so

many years of my life in my first entry into the regiment dating so far back

as the year 1827.

William Watson

Quarter-Master Monaghan Regiment of Militia

Monaghan, January 1871

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Notes

Dundalk Democrat

01 August 1908

The Monaghan Militia were finally disbanded yesterday and some people

seem inclined to weep tears of regret over the disappearance of the corps.

Major Madden of Orange Hall fame, newly fledged GNR director in

handing over the regimental colours to the keeping of the Protestant Church

in Monaghan, delivered himself of quite a pathetic speech. He recalled the

fact that 200 years ago the county supported a dragoon as well as a foot

regiment and that in the rising (or as the Major called it, the Rebellion), of

‘98 the Monaghan Militia took part in the battles of Ballynahinch and

Ballinamuck. If the Major had not recalled the fact we should have been

disposed to allow the regiment to pass to its repose in the Protestant Church

of Monaghan 'unwept, unhonoured and unsung.

The Gallant Major, on occasions a howling Orange dervish screeching for

the withdrawal of the British Army in order to allow the brethren a free

hand to drive the papists into the Atlantic Ocean, posed in this instance as a

critic of the new army arrangements which swept the Monaghan Militia out

of existence. The two positions would be irreconcilable were it not for the

historic memories which the Major invoked. What was the Monaghan

Militia of 200 years ago? Obviously part of the Protestant Arms of William

of Orange engaged in just the work which Major Madden pants to

recommence - the extirpation of Papishes and the clearance of the fair lands

of Ireland to make way for Scotch, English and Dutch settlers. What part

did the Monaghan Militia play at Ballynahinch and Ballinamuck? Well

history is unaccountably silent as to the heroic deeds of the men of

Monaghan on either field, but since Major Madden says they were there we

take his word for it. They were fighting in Ballynahinch as the hirelings of

England against their own fellow countrymen, and we presume co-

religionists, the heroic Presbyterian freemen of Down who were risking life

and liberty and all that men hold dear in one glorious effort “to right their

native land”. Alas, sad record of the men of Monaghan! And again at

Ballinamuck they were somewhere doubtless to the rere - of Marquis

Cornwallis’ grand army of 20,000 men with which he ventured to oppose

500 French soldiers and 1,500 half naked and half armed Connaught

peasants. Inglorious achievement! Had even the Monaghan Militia done as

the Louth men did who were at the famous “Races of Castlebar” and who

went over as a body and fought on the side of the French, we might drop a

tear over the flags that had been borne by men of courage and patriotism.

But in this record of the deeds of the Monaghan Militia as given by Major

Madden we see nothing to move a Monaghan man do else than blush for

shame.

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Monaghan can afford to see its militia pass. The county will be non the

poorer, its people none the worse. And a day may come when we shall see

the people of the country once more enrolled in a citizen army like that

which in 1782, in the Church in Dungannon and again behind the guns in

the streets of Dublin, asserted and upheld and forced England to admit

'There is no body of men competent to make laws to bind this nation except

the King, Lords and Commons of Ireland.'

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