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Documents on the Defense of Great Britain
General Orders Issued by Sir Charles Grey
"Barham-Court, May 6.
"General Sir Charles Grey, judging it necessary to announce to
the troops he has the honour to command in the southern district. That,
from the vicinity of the coasts of Essex, Kent, and Sussex, to that
of France, and the very great preparations the enemy are said to be
making to carry their long-threatened invasion of this kingdom into
execution, which though he cannot bring himself to believe, from the
impossibility of its success, yet it is not impossible but they may
be mad and desperate enough to try the experiment, to make a little
confusion without hope: he is therefore persuaded of being more successful,
should the daring attempt be made on the coasts of the district, namely,
Essex, Kent, and Sussex, in which he is most immediately concerned;
and he does not hesitate to say, that it is an event more desirable
than not, from the reception he is convinced they will meet from the
troops under his command, seconded by the loyalty, zeal, and spirit,
of all ranks of the community, in defence of their king and country,
their lives and properties, dearest interests and attachments; and,
whom he doubts not, will, with the usual spirit of Britons, unite hand
and heart in repelling, and severely chastising, the insolent foe, who
come for the declared purpose of striking at their dearest rights and
privileges, by the overthrow of their happy constitution."
"And although general sir Charles Grey will pledge himself for
the result being most brilliant, honourable and glorious, for England,
yet it would be unwise not to be prepared at all points, as we are;
but, nevertheless, and to guard against accidents, the general apprizes
the troops, that, in case a landing should be made by the enemy, after
escaping the vigilance of our well-conducted and numerous navy, to the
eastward in Kent or Sussex, and which are certainly more immediately
threatened, it may be necessary to embark a part of the troops, to make
a successful landing behind the enemy, whilst an army is acting on their
front, in which situation their communication would be cut off; and
their flanks and rear being acted upon, it would not be a contest of
many hours duration, before the invaders would feel the fatal effects
of their temerity, by being ignominiously driven back into the water,
killed, or made prisoners."
"In case of this event happening, and sudden orders given for
embarkation, general sir Charles Grey positively orders, that every
regiment and corps, of all descriptions, included in the orders for
embarkation, leave the whole of their heavy baggage behind, under a
proper guard, composed of the worst and weakest men, commanded by an
officer, the soldiers carrying only a change in necessities, their blankets,
haversacks, and canteens; and not one woman, on this occasion, must
accompany the soldiers. The officers commanding regiments and corps
will see them, and be responsible for their being, strictly complied
with."
"General sir Charles Grey pledges himself that every attention
shall be paid by him to the care of the soldiers' wives, and in having
them conveyed to their respective regiments should their absence be
of any length, and they not return to the quarters from whence they
embarked, which is by no means likely to happen, but on the contrary
they will quickly return."
"The general is sure that every thinking good soldier will readily
see the convenience to themselves, and propriety, of this order, and
cheerfully submit to a short separation."
"(Signed) John Vischer, A.D.C."
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