The Colonel, Comte de Marton, became Earl of Lifford in 1698 — and his regiment has since been known as Lifford’s. The half-pay of its officers amounted in 1719 to £1483, and in 1722 to £1925.
4. la callemotte’s foot — afterwards belcastel’s (pp. 186, 187).
La Caillemotte, younger son of the old Marquis de Ruvigny, was the first colonel of this regiment; and his valiant services in Ireland were done at its head. Of its officers Major De Lavard was killed in 1690 in a skirmish before Charlemont. Captain Dumont, brother of the Sieur Desmahis, De Bostaquet’s relation, died at Lurgan. The Colonel (as my readers know) was killed at the Boyne. His successor was Pierre Belcastel, a brave soldier and an able officer. The family of Belcastel (of Montvaillant, Castanet, and Prudelles) was a noble one, according to genealogy, and was also eminent for zeal and courage in the Protestant cause. It is believed that the refugee Belcastel belonged to it, though the connection is not authenticated. Belcastel took a prominent part in the Irish campaign, and was wounded. He opened the siege at Limerick in 1690. In 1691 his regiment lost at Athlone Captains Duprey de Grassy and Monnier, and Lieutenants Madaillon and La Ville Dieu; and at Aughrim its wounded consisted of the colonel, the lieutenant-colonel, 9 captains, 6 lieutenants, 5 ensigns, and 54 privates, while 1 lieutenant and 21 privates were killed. At Flanders, in June 1696, His Majesty made Belcastel a Brigadier. On the Irish Establishment, there was a “Grant to Brigadier Peter Belcastell and his assigns of £500 per annum for twenty-one years,” dated 8th January 1701. (The half-pay of his regiment in 1719 amounted £857, and in 1722 £999.)
The French regiments being disbanded, Belcastel turned his eyes towards Holland. Luttrell says, 1st Nov. 1701, “Holland letters say that the king has given Colonel Belcastel a regiment of French refugees.” On the death of King William, Belcastel formally quitted the English service: he was made a Major-General in the Dutch army, his commission bearing date, “The Hague, 28th April 1704.” He was appointed to command the allied troops collected for the invasion of France and the succour of the Cevenols. But that expedition being nipped in the bud by untoward events, he obtained the command of the Dutch contingent in the Duke of Savoy’s forces. Marlborough says of him, “He is a very good officer, and I am glad he stands so well with the Duke of Savoy.” In 1709 he was with his men in Spain; he earned his share in the glory of the victory at Saragossa, but was killed at the battle of Villa Viciosa, 10th Dec. 1710.
5. miremont’s dragoons (p. 187).
There is reason to believe that this was not originally a French regiment, but that refugee officers and men were gradually incorporated into it. The name of Captain Addée occurs in 1695. At the time of its disbandment it was altogether Huguenot. Its senior officer on half pay in 1719 was Lieut.-Colonel John de Savary. Its half-pay in that year amounted to £605, and in 1722 £597.
