Full Description
This highly readable illustrated biography on the Percy Tenantry Volunteers has been written with exclusive access to the current Duke of Northumberland's treasure trove of archive records. This book is for anyone interested in military history, especially Revolutionary and the Napoleonic war period, and for those looking at the local history of Northumberland, and especially Alnwick Castle.
The history of Britain's conflict with France between 1793 and 1815 is well documented. Nevertheless, one aspect that has scant coverage, is that of the role of Volunteers. In 1798, afraid of impending invasion by France's all-conquering armies the British desperately needed to defend their shores. To The Call of Bugles reveals, for the first time, how among those who stood forward in Home Guard style military bodies, there was no finer example than that of the valiant Percy Tenantry Volunteers, created by the 2nd Duke of Northumberland, General Hugh Percy. This amateur body of men, 1,500 strong, consisting of cavalry, artillery and riflemen, was put together, trained, armed, dressed and operated by General Hugh Percy. This book provides stories from the original volunteers, an in-depth understanding of how such a corps was organised and reveals how they were fashioned into an elite and innovative fighting force.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 Thorighwegeri - The Warrior Duke
What's in a name
An unlikely soldier
Europe beckons
Settling down
The Boston dinner party
The smell of powder
Lexington
The cartographer
The leaving of Boston
New York and Rhode Island
Home and Portugal
Chapter Two: Countdown to War
The world turned upside down
'Britain to arms'
Invasion!
The response
Alnwick. A storm brews
Chapter Three: Organisation
Structure
Second Embodiment 1803
Recruitment
Regulations and discipline
Transport
Cost
Supplies and maintenance
Ammunition
Chapter Four: Incidents and Accidents and cause for celebration
The casualties of war
The False Alarm
Impressment
Mass resignation
The Battle of Brizlee Tower, 1805
The Kings Jubilee
Fire
Presentation of new standards
Chapter Five: The Percy Infantry
Light Infantry and irregulars
The Percy Infantry 1798
Marksmanship
1803 Riflemen
Aiming for the bullseye
Musters and ale
Permanent duty
Chapter Six: The Cavalry and Artillery
Horses
First steps, 1798
Exercise
Mastering
The artillery: the beginning
The crew
Training and inspections
Experiments
Wall gun detachments
Chapter Seven: Bugles and Song
The bugle horn
Training
Parades and pay
Duties of a bugle
Verse and song
Uniform
Chapter Eight: Uniforms and Equipment
Cavalry uniform
Weapons
Infantry and riflemen
Weaponry 1798
Riflemen uniform 1803
Ill-fitting uniforms
Accoutrements
Cartridge boxes
Powder horns and flasks
Brush and prickers
Screw and worm
Bullet bags
Frogs
Ancillary items
Rifles
The artillery
Wall guns (amusettes)
Ancillary equipment
Tubes
Linstock
Flint strikers
Balls and sabots
Chapter Nine: Burning Embers (peacetime Volunteers)
Disbandment
A third embodiment
The household artillery
The Tenantry column
Chapter Ten: The Men
Sir David William Smith 1764 -1837
The railway men: Blackett, Hedley and Hackworth
Christopher Blackett 1751-1829
William Hedley 1779 -1843
Timothy Hackworth 1789 -1850
Major John Watson
Major Latham Blacker
John Craven, Sergeant Major
Reverend James Birkett, Sergeant
Forster Rattray, Sergeant
Captain John Toppin
Appendix
Northumberland military forces 198-1814
The militia
Army of reserve
Fencibles
Sea fencibles
Provisional cavalry
Yeomanry cavalry
Pioneer companies
Instructions for the Armed Association of Percy Tenantry Infantry 1798
Select Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Author Biography
