All military records point to the Grenadier Guards as the earliest formed of any infantry regiment in the service. In the spring of the year 1657, a faithful hand of English Royalists, who had clung without flinching to the fallen fortunes of the exiled Charles, gladly rallied round him when he unfurled his standard in the Netherlands to join the Spaniards in their war against France. These veteran soldiers were formed into six regiments by the Duke of York, the first being styled "The Royal Regiment of Guards," and placed under the command of Lord Wentworth. With him they passed through the disastrous campaign of 1657-8, proudly distinguishing themselves upon all occasions, but more particularly at "the battle of the Downs," which was fought upon the 14th June, 1658. In this engagement they acted with consummate gallantry, till at length, worn down by severe losses, they surrendered upon terms dictated by themselves, and accepted by Turenne.

Misfortune, however, still pursued them. After their retreat from Dunkirk, they wandered in isolated bands through all the border towns of Flanders, suffering extreme privations, with scarce anything but their loyalty to sustain them. So passed two dismal years. At length the cloud of adversity, which had for so long a period overshadowed these gallant soldiers, displayed its silver lining, as we find that immediately after the Restoration, namely, on the 26th of August, 1660, they were once more commissioned under Lord Wentworth, and ordered to Dunkirk, where they performed garrison duty until 1662, when they returned to England.

On the 23rd of November, 1660, a Royal commission was granted to Colonel John Russell, brother of the Duke of Bedford, to raise another regiment of Royalists, which was to consist of twelve companies of 100 men each, and to be called "The Royal Regiment of Guards." There were thus embodied two regiments of Royal Guards, one re-established under Lord Wentworth in 1660, and the other formed under Colonel Russell a few months later in the same year.

In February, 1665, Lord Wentworth died, and Charles the Second incorporated these two regiments, thereby constituting one corps, consisting of twenty-four companies of 100 men, each, which was subsequently increased by four companies of Grenadiers, and was styled "The First Regiment of Foot Guards."

Such is a brief history of the original constitution of a regiment which bears a name associated with a long list of glorious victories, extending over a period of more than two centuries -- Lincelles, Corunna, Barossa, Peninsula, and Waterloo, the Alma, Inkermann, and Sevastopol, are proudly recorded on its banners, but History points to other names not less glorious, as to which these Colours are silent -- Namur, Blenheim, Ramilies, Oudenarde, Dettingen, and Malplaquet, one and all speak loudly of the prowess of a regiment to which in after ages the "Imperial Guards" of France, hitherto invincible, were forced to succumb at Waterloo. There is yet another quality besides that of undaunted bravery which has marked this regiment from its earliest formation--that of unswerving loyalty to its sovereign.

At the darkest period of English history, when loyalty was deemed a crime, and civil war raged triumphantly, when wealth and promotion were accorded to the traitor, the Grenadier Guards ever proved true to their sovereign. Their conduct on the gloomy field of Sedgemoor, when pitted against the gallant Monmouth, their lengthened struggle in America, when supporting their King against his revolted provinces, are examples of the loyal spirit which influenced them at all times.

Most abundant evidence exists of the gallantry of this splendid regiment. None can be higher than the despatches of the Duke of Wellington. On the 4th of March, 1811, His Grace specially exempts the brigade of Guards from attendance at certain military punishments, because during the two years it had been under his command, not only no soldier had been brought to trial, but not one had been confined at a police guard. And again, at Barossa, on the 24th March, 1811, His Grace authenticates Lieutenant-General Graham's mention. of the Guards "as gloriously maintaining the high character of the Household troops;" and concludes his Waterloo despatch by declaring "this brigade to have set an example that was followed by all."

The distinguished gallantry of the Foot Guards at Waterloo was recognised in the following letter:

War Office, 29th July, 1815.

The Prince Regent, as a mark of his Royal approbation of the distinguished gallantry of the brigade of Foot Guards in the victory of Waterloo, has been pleased, in the name of, and on behalf of, His Majesty, to approve of all the Ensigns in the three regiments of Foot Guards having the rank of Lieutenants, and that such rank shall be attached to all the future appointments to ensigncies in the Foot Guards, in the same manner as the Lieutenants in these regiments obtain the rank of Captain. His Royal Highness has been also pleased to approve of the First Regiment of Foot Guards being made a regiment of Grenadiers, and styled the First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards, in commemoration of their having defeated the Grenadiers of the French Imperial Guard on this memorable occasion."

The following is an historical precis of the services of the Grenadier Guards from their formation, in 1660, to the breaking out of the Crimean war, in 1854:

DUTCH WAR, 1665

Part of the regiment (300 men) was on board the fleet during the war, and was present in the engagements of the 3rd of June and 3rd of August, 1665. Another draft embarked for an expedition to Guinea.

1666. Were present in the naval engagements of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of June, and 25th and 27th of July in this year, against De Ruyter and Van Tromp.

1671 Some companies of the regiment, under Major Rolleston, were quartered at Rochester to defend that part of the country in case of attack by the enemy's fleet against Sheerness and Chatham.

In May, 1672, several detachments of the regiment were also embarked on the fleet, and were in the engagement of the 28th of May, 1672. Five companies were on board.

1672. Two more companies were sent to France, forming part of a "royal regiment" which Charles lent to Louis XIV, to serve in the French army in the wars against the Emperor. They remained in the French king's service from 1672 to the 8th of April, 1674. Drafts from each' company were embarked on board the fleet during the war.

1676. Two companies of the regiment were sent out to Virginia to put down an insurrection.

THE SEVEN YEARS WAR

War again broke out between France and England in 1756, in consequence of the French having overrun the Electorate of Hanover, and other causes.

1758. Two squadrons were fitted out, and sixteen battalions joined the expedition to make a descent on the coast of France. The 1st battalion of the 1st Guards embarked. The expedition landed, first, in the Bay of Cancalle; then, re-embarking, landed near and took Cherbourg; again re-embarking, they landed in the Bay of St. Cas. After marching a short distance in the interior, it was determined to re-embark. The embarkation was covered by the Grenadiers of the Guards and a half battalion of the 1st Regiment of Guards-about 1500 men. The Coldstreams and the rest of the army had embarked; but the covering party suffered great losses, from want of ammunition.

1760. The Guards also took part in the campaigns of 1760, '61, and '62, under the Marquis of Granby. The 2nd battalion of the 1st Guards embarked for Germany in July. The 3rd battalion of the regiment proceeded to Portsmouth and embarked on the 25th of October, forming part of an expedition intended against the coasts of France. In December the expedition was countermanded, and the 3rd battalion returned to London. The 2nd battalion took part in the battles of Zierenberg and Campden.

1761. In the battle of Kircbdekern.

1762. In the battle of Gravenstein, and in the actions on the Fulda and at Amonebourg. The Seven Years' War was concluded this year, and the 2nd battalion of the 1st Guards returned to England. Peace with foreign countries continued now for several years, but the Guards were frequently employed in putting down disturbances at home.

AMERICAN WAR

In 1775 the American war broke out, and in March, 1776, a provisional battalion of 1000 men from the three regiments of Guards was sent across the Atlantic. This battalion took its share in all the campaigns which followed, including the assault and capture of Fort Washington, in 1776; the battles of Brandywine and Germanstown, in 1777; the battle of Freehold Courthouse, and the action at Fairfield, in 1778; and the sacking of Norwalk and Greenfield, in 1779. In March, 1779, further detachments from the three regiments of Guards proceeded to North America, and additional detachments proceeded again in January 1781.

1780. In the meantime the Guards took a conspicuous part in the action at Young's House. They were present at the crossing of the Catawba, and they took part in the battle of Guildford Courthouse, under Lord Cornwallis. The accounts of the period describe the Guards as having on every occasion distinguished themselves when before the enemy. The war generally, however, was not successful, and it terminated in October, 1781, by Lord Cornwallis being obliged to surrender himself and his army. The detachments of the three regiments of Guards returned to England in 1783-4.

1783. A peace of ten years succeeded, during which the Guards were on more than one occasion called upon to put down civil commotions.

WARS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

The French Revolution broke out in 1789; but it was not till after the French had beheaded their king that England engaged in any Continental war. In February, 1793, the French invaded the Netherlands, and an English army, under the Duke of York, proceeded abroad to join the Austrians and Prussians. The 1st battalion of all three regiments, and a fourth battalion, made up of the grenadiers of the three regiments, embarked on the 25th February, under Major-General Lake, and joined the Allies, near Tournay, on the 25th of April. The 1st battalion of the 1st Guards, and the rest of the brigade, took part in the affair in the wood of St. Amand, at the attack on the camp at Famars, and at the siege and capture of Valenciennes.

On the 18th of August, the 1st battalion of the 1st Guards deployed and led the attack upon the enemy's position at Lincelles, supported by the other battalions of the brigade. No other troops took part in this attack, and the Guards were allowed to inscribe the name of 'Lincelles' on their colours.

1794. In the following year large drafts were sent out (766 men for the brigade) to join the service battalions; and the light companies of the 2nd battalions were also despatched in July to Flanders. The 1st Guards were present in this campaign at the capture of Vaux, and in the actions at Roubaix and Rhenen: at the first-mentioned battle the Allies were above 170,000 strong. The Guards greatly distinguished themselves on the 26th of April, in the action near Troixville, where the enemy, 30,000 strong, were completely defeated, with great slaughter. Notwithstanding these successes, the British army, during the winter of 1794-5, retreated to Bremen, and suffered much from the inclemency of the weather. During the retreat all attacks of the enemy were defeated.

1795. The army finally embarked at the mouths of the Elbe and Weser, and the Guards returned to England.

1799. The third battalion of the 1st Guards and the Grenadier battalion of the brigade embarked in August for Holland, forming part of an expedition under Sir Ralph Abercromby. They were present in the actions at the disembarkation at Helder Point and St. Martin, and at the battles of Bergen and Alkmaar. The army returned to England in October of the same year.

1806. The 1st and 3rd battalions of the 1st Guards formed part this year of the expedition to Sicily.

1807. A brigade of Guards accompanied the expedition under Lord Cathcart to Denmark.

PENINSULAR WAR

In 1808 a battalion of the 1st Guards joined Sir John Moore in Spain, upon the breaking out of the Peninsular War; and in Janaury, 1809, was present at the battle of Corunna.

1809. An expedition, of which the 1st Guards formed a part, was sent to the island of Walcheren.

1810. The 3rd battalion of the 1st Guards was at Cadiz, under Lieutenant-General Gilham.

1811. The 3rd battalion highly distinguished itself at the battle of Barossa, and was present at the affair at the bridge of Seville.

1812. The 1st and 2nd battalions were present throughout the campaign of 1812.

1813. Took part in the several actions in the Pyrenees, in the storming and capture of St. Sebastian, in the attack on the heights of San Marcial, at the passage of the Bidassoa, in the battles of Nive and the Nivelle, and, in 1814, at the passage of the Adour and investment of Bayonne.

1814. In this year the 2nd battalion of the 1st Guards was present at the attack on Bergenop-Zoom.

1815. The 2nd and 3rd battalions proceeded to the Low Countries, and took part in the battle of Waterloo.

They were subsequently present at the taking of Peronne and at the occupation of Paris, forming part of the army of occupation till 1818. On the 18th of June, 1815, the rank of Lieutenant was conferred upon Ensigns.

1826. A long peace succeeded the wars of the French Revolution, but in 1826 the 1st battalion of Grenadier Guards formed part of an expedition to Portugal, returning in 1828.

1838. The 2nd battalion was sent on an expedition to Canada, where it remained four and a half years, returning in 1842."

Crimean War

On the breaking out of the war in 1854, a brigade of Guards, including the 3rd battalion of the Grenadiers, was the first to leave England. All London remembers their departure, as so eloquently described by Dr. Russell in his history of the war:

The march of the Guards through London on that dull morning in February, 1854, left an impression on all who witnessed it, which has been revived and strengthened by every particular of the great struggle in which they took such a prominent part. Their cheers, re-echoed, as it were, from Alma and Inkermann, bear now a sad and glorious significance, and may be rendered as the farewell 'morituri te salutant' of devoted soldiers addressed to their sorrowing but grateful country. Then, indeed, no such weight was attached to that grand procession of the Household troops; for, ignoring the persistent character of Russian policy, and the preparations and resolutions of the Czar, the English ministry believed that a mere demonstration on their part would be sufficient to induce the cabinet of St. Petersburg to abandon the long-cherished project which has become a traditional aim of their existence to Russian statesmen.

They will never go farther than Malta. Such was the general feeling and the common expression at the time. To that march, in less than one year, there was a terrible antithesis: a handful of men-wasted and worn, and badly clad--crept slowly down from the plateau of Inkermann, where their comrades lay thick in frequent graves, and sought the shelter of the hill-side of Balaklava till they could recover their strength, and be ready for battle once more. They had fought at Alma and at the memorable battle of the Soldiers, and then they bad wasted slowly away, amid dreadful privations, till that proud brigade had nearly ceased to exist. Such was the result of less than six months' service before the enemy, aided by the inevitable result of their position, as the Guards."

On the 14th September the brigade landed in the Crimea, subsequently taking part in the entire of the three years' campaign, and returning to England in June 1856. Their gallant bearing at the Alma, at Inkermann, and at Balaklava, has formed a theme of admiration for all who have written on the subject. Dr. Russell thus describes the former:

"As the Light Division retreated behind the Guards to re-form, the Russian battalions on the flanks and behind the worh fired on them continuously, and at the same moment the guns, which had been drawn out of the work to the high ground over it, opened heavily. The Guards were struck in the centre by this iron shower. The fragments of Codrington's brigade poured through them. In their front was a steel-bound wall of Russian infantry, our own men were fast falling back, firing as they retired, after them came a glistening line of Russian bayonets, as if to clear the field. The Grenadiers, under Colonel Hood, and Coldstreams, were as steady and in as perfect order as if they were on parade."

Again, when describing the terrible day of Inkermann, he thus speaks of the Guards:

"Further to the right, a contest the like of which never perhaps took place before occurred between the Guards and dense columns of Russian infantry, of five times their number. The Guards for a second time had charged them and driven them back, when they perceived that the Russians had outflanked them. They were out of ammunition, too. They were uncertain whether there were friends or foes in the rear. They had no support, no reserve, and they were fighting with the bayonet against an enemy who stoutly contested every inch of ground, when the corps of another Russian column appeared on their right, far in the rear.

Then a fearful mitraille was poured into them, and volleys of rifle and musketry. They had lost fourteen officers, they had left one half of their number on the ground, and at last they retired along the lower road of the valley. They were, however, reinforced by a wing of the 20th, under Major Crofton, and speedily avenged their fallen comrades by a desperate charge, in which they drove the Russians before them like sheep."

The same undaunted bravery marked the conduct of the Guards throughout the entire of the Crimean war. On these bloody fields the Grenadiers added fresh laurels to those already gained by their regiment at Lincelles, at Corunna, at Barossa, and, finally, at Waterloo. The losses suffered were severe, the glory gained is imperishable.

1861. On the occasion of the "Trent" affair, the 1st Battalion was sent out to Canada, where it remained nearly three years, returning in 1864.