190 KEMINISCENCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



long tails. For effect the Grreys were placed in the centre 

 of the other two regiments, and nothing could be finer 

 than the men and horses, the former tall and athletic, and 

 the latter very powerful animals. In a short charge they 

 were a most formidable enemy against infantry. 



In a charge made by this brigade on some French 

 infantry at Cateau in Flanders, they did great execution 

 on the enemy. The late Colonel Boardman, who com- 

 manded the Grreys, was in weight nearly twenty stone, 

 but a man full of wit and humour. On this occasion, 

 having one of his spurs shot off, he said to one of his 

 officers, " These rascally sans-culottes have unknighted 

 me." There was a singular instance of the escape of 

 Serjeant Shields, a rough rider, who was then shot 

 through the body. He recovered, married a young wife, 

 and when I left the Grreys was second riding-master. 

 Much of the time of the soldiers was occupied then in 

 powdering and dressing each other's hair. The Grreys, 

 as grenadiers, had their hair formed behind into large 

 clubs, the other regiments wore their hair in long tails. 

 All the officers wore the latter. The only advantage one 

 can suppose to be derived from these clubs and queues, 

 is that they might sometimes have the effect of warding 

 off a sabre cut. 



When the head-quarters of the army were at Contigues, 

 one day's march from Antwerp, an event occurred which 

 proved very fortunate for my promotion at so early an 

 age. Each brigade of cavalry sent orderly officers to 

 the head-quarters. (These officers always dined at the 

 Duke of York's table). They remained on this duty 

 for twenty-four hours, and were supposed to be at all 

 times ready in their turn to convey despatches to the 

 generals commanding the different corps of the allied 



