THE DIARY OF A VETERAN - CHAPTER 7

By Sergt. Peter Facey

1814 - Preparing to sail to America
1815 - Sailing to Belgium 
         - The Battle at Waterloo
         - To Calais and return to England
         - The Mediterranean and Greek Islands 
         - The Island of Zanta 

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PREPARING TO SAIL TO AMERICA

Accordingly we marched to the Cove of Cork and embarked, and remained on board 3 days, and disembarked again, for what reason I never learnt. We again remained in Cork until the 19th of January (1815) when we again embarked for North America. We lay in Cove harbour until the 14th of March waiting for a fair wind. Accordingly on the 14th we sailed under convoy of the Boyne 3-decker and 4 Brigs. That same night the wind became foul so that we was obliged to put back into the Cove of Cork again. Here we again received welcome news, Peace with America. We then received orders to sail for the North of Ireland, accordingly we landed at Wearings Point on the 20th of March and marched to Newry, and from thence to Dundock on the County Louth where we remained until the 24th of April. We then received orders to march to the City of Dublin where we arrived on the 26th and went into quarters. Here we found we was going in search of new adventures. Accordingly on the 28th of April we embarked for Holland on board of small vessels, and on the 3rd of May, sailed from Dublin.

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SAILING TO BELGIUM

Accordingly on the 10th of May anchored in The Downs, we then received orders to embark on board of Transports which was immediately complied with, and accordingly, on the 11th, at 8 am. we got under weigh, and sailed for Ostend in Holland where we arrived on the 12th, and immediately landed and embarked on board of boats on the canal which was drawn by horses for a distance of about 12 English miles. When we arrived at a town called Bridges (Bruges) where we halted, still remaining in the boats. Here we received 3 days rations. We immediately proceeded on our way for a city called Ghent where we arrived on the 14th of May, where we remained until the 23rd. Accordingly on the 24th we received orders to march for the City of Brussels where we arrived on the 26th. We remained in Brussels until the 15th June and no expectation of any sudden movement. Accordingly, at the hour of 11 at night we was awaken from our slumbers by the bugle sounding to arms.

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THE BATTLE AT WATERLOO

Every man, at hearing this, immediately made the best of his way to the place of rendezvous where his regiment was ordered to fall in. At this time we all received three days bread and meat. By 3 in the morning the whole of the troops were formed in front of the King of the Netherlands Palace. We immediately received orders to advance, the music playing 'The British Grenadiers' and the inhabitants giving three cheers. We continued our march until 7 in the morning. We then halted in the skirts of a thick pine wood where we were ordered to cook our provisions. Accordingly, in about an hour we was again ordered to march. We then proceeded to Quarter Bras, a distance of about 3 leagues. On our arrival near this place, we was attacked by the enemy out-posts, and immediately on our arrival a general action commenced, which lasted until after sunset. Accordingly we bivouacked for the night sending out our line piquets. On the morning of the 17th, the enemy not making any advance, we were ordered to retreat about 3 leagues where we halted on the Plains of Waterloo, the enemy at the same time advancing on the 17th and took up a position.

Accordingly, on the 18th of June, about 11 o'clock in the morning the enemy commenced an attack with our out-line piquets. Immediately the Army at large stood to their arms and a general action commenced which lasted until about 7 o'clock in the evening, but about 5 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy's cavalry, consisting of men dressed in steel jackets and helmets, charged the 28th Regiment, which immediately formed a square and totally repulsed the enemy with great loss. At this time the action became most obstinate, but about half past 6 in the evening the Prussian Army arrived, commanded by Prince Blucher. As soon as the enemy saw the approach of the Prussian Army they immediately commenced a retreat, closely pursued by the Prussian Cavalry and Infantry. On the 19th, in the morning, the whole of the allied army received orders to march and follow the enemy. Accordingly, we proceeded through a pleasant country passing through Balle, Alliones, Mons, Malplacon, being at the entrance to France, and continued our march crossing the Plains of Calais until we came to a place called St. Denis, about 2 leagues from the City of Paris, the capital of France, where we arrived on the 5th of July and remained until the 29th of October.

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TO CALAIS AND RETURN TO ENGLAND

We then received orders to march into contoonments in the adjacent towns and villages round the City of Paris where we remained until the 1st of November 1815, when we received orders to march for embarkation to England. Accordingly, on the 1st of November we commenced our march, passing through Point Wise, a large town, and Boevee (Beauvais), Abevela (Abbeville), a garrison town, and Montreal (Montreuil), a garrison town, and Bologne (Boulogne), until we arrived at Calais, where we arrived on the 19th of December, and immediately embarked on board of Transports and sailed for Dover in England, where we landed on the 21st of December, and immediately marched for Hythe, where we was quartered for the night, and next morning, commenced our march for Hilsey (Selsey), about 3 miles from Portsmouth where we arrived on the 27th of December. We remained there until the 8th of January (1816). We then received orders to march to Gosport and Selsey where we continued until the 10th of December 1817.

We then embarked on board of transports, destined for the Mediterranean. Accordingly, on the 20th the fleet got under weigh and proceeded through The needles, at the same time passing a fine American '74', sailing for Portsmouth, and the 'Glasgow' frigate, then bound for the Mediterranean, and as she passed us, we gave them three cheers, our band playing ¾¡God save the King¾±, and immediately was answered by the frigate, with yards and shrouds manned, three cheers, she then crouded sails and was in a few minutes, out of our sight.

Having a fine pleasant breeze, on the 25th of December, passing Lisbon, Portugal, and on the 31st Dec. passed the Rock of Gibralta, which is on the coast of Spain, and the garrison of Ceuta on the opposite coast of Barbary. Having at that time a pleasant breeze, on the 5th of January, passed the island of Yica, and on the 7th the island of Majorca, and on the 9th, the island of Minorca, and not passing very near those islands I can give you no description of them.

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THE MEDITERRANEAN AND GREEK ISLANDS

Accordingly, on the 12th passed the island or Kingdom of Sardinia, the land of which appeared very high, particularly next the sea. Accordingly, on the 14th came in sight of Sicily, which appeared to be a fine level country. On the 15th passed Mount Etna, one of the burning mountains in Sicily next the sea. On the 17th arrived at the island of Malta, and landed on the 19th. The island is only 21 miles long and 15 broad. The principal town is called La Valletta. About 5 miles from this town is a bay called St. Paul's Bay where St. Paul was driven into and landed when on passage to Rome which you will find in the 27th and 28th chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. The principal produce of this island is cotton which grows here in a curious manner. There is also all sorts of vegetables in abundance and everything is very cheap; Tea 2s. and 2s.6d. per pound, and bread one penny per pound, meat 2s. and 3d. per pound, and wine from 2 pence to 6 pence a bottle, and in short, everything in proportion.

We remained in this island until the 12th of March when we again embarked for the Ionian Islands where we landed on the 21st of March in the island of Corfu, Ionian island. It is about 40 miles long and about 10 miles broad. There is 7 island called the Ionian Islands, all inhabited by Greeks, but governed by the English. Corfu is a string garrison town having a number of forts and batteries that guard the town, also a small island called Vielo in front of the town, and about 2 miles from it. There is also a Saint called Saint Speradan that they say has been dead about 12 hundred years, and was living upon earth near three hundred. He is embalmed, lying in a coffin, placed in a tomb of solid silver of at least a ton weight, beautifully decorated with angels and other curious devices. He is carried about the town four times a year in his coffin, standing upright. Part of the coffin is glass so that spectators may see him and, guarded by three hundred British soldiers, and accompanied with two English Bands of Music, followed with at least two thousand inhabitants, each carrying a large lighted wax candle, or flambeau, which at night makes a most beautiful appearance. When the procession arrives opposite the Citadel, or palace gate, a Royal Salute is then fired of 21 guns, the music playing 'God Save the King'.

The Greeks here keep their Easter Sunday one week after ours. They have erected a large stage on the esplanade in front of the town, a place place where the British troops parade. At 12 o'clock in the day the High Priest is accompanied with 12 other priests, followed by the whole of the clergy. The High Priest and the 12 priests, and 12 young girls, as virgins, ascend the stage where there is erected a mast, a magnificent altar richly decorated with gold and silver, and after they sing and pray for some time, the High Priest arose and threw off his garments and took a silver basin and silver jug, and poured water on the 12 priests' feet, and washed them. He then took a towel wherewith he was girded, and wiped them. The whole in representation of our Saviour, washing the Apostles feet, which you will find in the 10th chapter of the 1st Saint John.

The Greeks here keep the Lord's Passover which is on old Christmas Day. They kill a male lamb, of kid of the first year, and they then take the blood with hyssop, or other bitter herbs, and sprinkle the two side posts and upper lintel of the door with blood. They then take the lamb or kid and roast it on the fire whole, and eat it, and if any part thereof remains until the morning, it is burned with the fire. You will find this in the 12th chapter of Exodus.

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THE ISLAND OF ZANTA

'We remained in the island of Corfu until the 7th of March 1819 when we embarked for the Island of Zanta, a distance of about one hundred and seventy miles, and on the 11th of March landed and marched into quarters. The Island of Zanta is a fine island, producing great quantities of grapes and currants of which they make fine wine. There is also here a fine castle which stands in the rear of the town on a stupendous mountain which commands the town and harbour, and the adjacent part of the country. The island is only about 4 leagues from the Island of Morca, a Turkish island. The inhabitants here, on Good Friday, which is 7 days after ours, have a grand procession. They have an effigy, dressed in very rich garments in representation of our saviour which they carried round the different churches and chapels, attended by 12 men dressed in white robes, representing the apostles, attended by a guard of British soldiers, and followed by at least two thousand inhabitants, each carrying a large wax candle, but not lighted, the whole representing our Saviour taking up to Mount Calvary to be crucified. And on Easter Sunday morning, before day break they have another procession attended by the whole of the British troops, off duty, accompanied with an English band. This is representing our Saviour rising from the dead. The whole of the inhabitants and troops each carrying a large lighted wax candle or flambeau, which makes a most brilliant appearance.

During the time of those processions the troops are kept up 5 nights out of seven, for the inhabitants here are very familiar, more so than in the Island of Corfu. We remained in this island until the 27th of June when we again embarked, and on the 28th sailed for the Island of Corfu, where we arrived on the 7th of July, and on the 9th landed in Corfu again. There is a great sickness prevails here during the summer months which is called Brain Fever. The weather here is excessive hot in what is called the summer months so that the troops are not allowed to go out of their quarters from 8 in the morning until 5 in the evening, except those on duty, on account of the excessive heat of the sun. In the winter season there is excessive heavy rains, attended with immense thunder and lightning, sometime continuing for a fortnight together.

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At this point the diary finished. Sergt. Peter Facey returned to his home parish of Chittlehampton and married Rebecca Arthur at Filleigh Church on 6 November 1823.

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David Ryall

Colleytown, Chittlehampton.

This page last updated on 15 Jul 2004