124
NOTES AND QUERIES. [ii s. VIL FEE. LI, 1913.
THE FOOT GUARDS IN LONDON,
1812-13.
THE following excerpts are from a volume of manuscript Brigade Orders of the Guards Regiments. The details of their duties in connexion with the public buildings afford some information which is worth preserving in these pages. The divergences of spelling
- ,nd style are explained by the varying
degree of education possessed by the sergeant or corporal entering the orders.
27 Nov., 1812. " M(ajor) General Disney directs that the non-commissioned officers com- manding Guards do not incommode the public by occppying [sic] the whole pathway. When it is not broad enough to admit of individuals passing with ease, they must form single files until the passage is broad enough to allow of their marching in the usual manner."
2 Dec., 1812. "The orders of the 27th of Nov. respecting the public convenience not being properly attended to, M.G. Disney directs that the Guards march in the road excepting in very bad weather, when they may be allowed to march in file two deep on the causeway, the officers and non-commissioned officers remaining in the ranks, which will admit of individuals passing without inconvenience."
"When the high road is very wet and dirty the Guards are directed to file up Constitution Hill, - one rank to keep the footpath next Buckingham House Gardens, and the other two in compact order on the causeway."
10 Dec., 1812. " The second sentry at the new Armourer's Gate in the Bird Cage Walk, which has hitherto been taken off in the night, to be in future continued during the 24 hours."
12 Dec., 1812. " The Batt" will be formed on the Parade Horse Guards at a before 11 o'clock to-morrow morning, to be from there marched with the whole of the Ensigns to Whitehall -Chappie for Divine Service."
23 Dec., 1812. The detachment at Kew then changed, marching from Knightsbridge at 8 o'clock, consisted of 1 subaltern, 3 sergeants, 3 corporals, 1 drummer, and 37 rank and file, made up from the Coldstream 1st and 3rd Regiments.
18 Jan., 1813. " The field officer in waiting orders the Batt" in Knightsbridge Barracks to furnish the usual Guard to the King's Theatre in the Hay Market to-morrow and every evening of performance during the season. All men of the flank companies who mount the Guard and the Grenadiers in Fur Caps."
27 Jan., 1813. " A Board of Survey to as- semble at the Depot of Camp Equipage, Wiggins Quay, Thames Street."
30 Jan., 1813. " 2 Sentrys to be furnished from the King's (Guard) every day except Sun- days and good fridays, between the hours of 10 and 6, to be stationed att the Street door in Pall Mall of the British Institution of fine Arts of the United Kingdom."
19 Feb., 1813. "Brigade orders. The field officer in waiting orders the Brigade of Guards to change quarters on Thursday the 25th inst. according to the following distribution. 2nd
Batt" 1st Regt. to be quartered in the Savoy
Square, Queen's Guard and Hyde Park Barracks,
and Westminster. The 2nd Batt" Coldstreams to
occupy Knightsbridge Barracks, and that part
of Upper Westminster most contiguous thereto.
The 2nd Batt" 3rd Regiment to occupy Portman
Street Barracks and that part of Hojborn most
contigious thereto. The Batt" in Knightsbridge
Barracks will furnish the usual guard to the
Antient Music Concerts, commencing Wednesday,
24th inst."
10 April, 1813. " The Sentries at the British Gallery, Pall Mall, to be discontinued till further orders from to-day."
22 April, 1813. " To-morrow being St. George's day, the Brig d of Guards will commence wearing theire new clo. No non-commissioned officer or soldier is on any account to weaire Greay Panti- loons when in Reg(imen)tals, whitch are to be Preserved to go on Particklar dutys during the winter months."
5 May, 1813. " Two Sentries to be furnished from the King's Guard on the 10th inst., and every day except Sundays, between the hours of 11 and 5, to be stationed at the street doore, Pall mall, of the British Institution for promoting the fine harts [sic] of the Unighted Kingdom."
16 May, 1813. " From the badness of the weather the Batt" did not attend divine service this morning. By order of the Field officer in waiting, the officer on the Opera Guard will be relieved by an officer from the Barrack and sent to his Quarters for not having his guard there at the proper time."
[This officer was Ensign Gooch, and on the 17th there are further orders that the Guard will parade, and, after a quarter of an hour has been " allowed for the difference of clocks," will be marched off under the command of the senior non-com- missioned officer.]
29 May, 1813. Leave was given for men of good character to assist in getting the hay and corn harvest within distance of not more than two days' march from their quarters/
4 June, 1813. " The field officer in waiting orders the Sargeant of the Magazine Guard to send out Patrols every two hours during the day and night to take up and confine any men that may be found breaking down the trees or com- mitting any depredations in the Park, especially those that are lounging about after dark. Partickler [? particulars] required about the Bank of the Serpentine River. ( Irregularities have been lately commited by the Soldiers bathing." Two lines indecipherable.
27 June, 1813. " The Guard furnished to the Royal Academy, Somerset house, to be dis- continued till further orders."
30 June, 1813. On the occasion of a ball being given at Carlton House, a detachment of 336 officers and men composed the Guard of Honour, and, accompanied by the three bands in State clothing, assembled at 8 o'clock P.M. on the Parade fronting the Horse Guards, and marched so that all the details were posted by 9 o'clock. Several pages are devoted to particu- lars of the positions occupied by the Guards. The following are the most interesting references : Eighteen men to be posted " in the Private Passage leading from the Park to the Ordinance Office. No person to pass or repass that way."
