The Yeomanry Cavalry of Gloucestershire and Monmouth (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898. Excerpt: ... THE YEOMANRY CAVALRY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND MONMOUTH CHAPTER I THE exact origin of our Yeomanry Force is most difficult to trace, owing to the fact of its being almost inseparably connected with the Militia and Volunteers during the earlier part of its existence. As long ago as the reign of Charles n., as we learn from the Acts of that time, the Militia was composed of both horse and foot. A century later the mounted portion appears under the designation of 'Hunter Volunteers, ' being armed by order of King George in., on December 18th, 1761. It was not, however, until the year 1794 that a body 1794 of this kind was given any definite position in the land defences of Great Britain. The Government was then thoroughly alarmed at the extensive military preparations that were being set on foot by the French. An invasion was feared, and on the 5th of March the Prime Minister, Mr. Pitt, proposed in the House of Commons various A 1794 measures for strengthening our internal means of resistance: his speech being remarkable as affording the very first mention of the expression 'Yeoman Cavalry.' He said, after enumeration of several propositions: --' There were other means by which the zeal and spirit of the country might be exerted with regard to its security and defence, which might give us the fullest confidence of safety and protection at home. He did not mean to enter into them, nor did they immediately call for Parliamentary provision. As an augmentation of the Cavalry for internal defence was a very material object, they might, under certain circumstances, have a species of Cavalry consisting of Gentlemen and Yeomanry, who could not be called upon to act out of their respective counties, except on the pressure of emergency, or in cases of urgent necessity.' Sh...