The six regiments raised in Britain were to form a Brigade, and to have as Colonels, the Earl of Lifford, the Comte de Paulin, Count Francis of Nassau (youngest son of Monsieur Auverquerque), Colonel Sibourg, Colonel Montargis, and Colonel de la Barthe. On its being announced that the Marquis de Guiscard was to command this Huguenot Brigade, Lifford, Paulin, and Montargis declined to serve, and were succeeded by Brigadier josias Vimare (or Veyniar), Colonel Fonsjuliane, and Colonel Blosset. I copy from a contemporary printed list the names which formed the skeletons of six regiments:—
1. Colonel Josias Vimare, Brigadier,
Lieut.-Col. Jeremiah Bancous,Major Peter Bruse,
Rev. Peter De Seure, Chaplain.
2. Colonel Louis Fontjuliane,
Lieut.-Col. John Trapaud, Major Anthoine La Maria,
Rev. Charles La Roche, Chaplain.
3. Colonel Paul Blossett,
Lieut.-Col. Pierre De Puy,Major Paul Gually,
Rev. John Rogue, Chaplain.
4. Colonel Frederic Sibourg,[1]
Lieut.-Col. Balthazar D’Albon,Major Francis Vignoles,
Rev. Bernard Richon, Chaplain.
5. Colonel Count Francis de Nassau d’Auverquerque.
Lieut.-Col. La Bastide,Major Constantine Magny,
Rev. John Majon, Chaplain.
6. Colonel John Thomas La Barthe,
Lieut.-Col. John Brasselay,Major Gideon La Maiia,
Rev. Isaac l’Escott, Chaplain.
The descent upon France was not made. Unfavourable winds prevented the junction of the English and Dutch fleets in sufficient time, and the project was abandoned. But, for the reinforcements required for Spain, one dragoon regiment commanded by Count Nassau, and two of infantry under Colonels Sibourg and Blosset, were fully equipped and sent out.
As to Nassau’s Dragoons, we know only the names of officers included among the casualties of the battle of Almanza (1707). The killed were Captain de Coursel, Lieutenants Ripère and Nollett; wounded prisoners, Major Labatie, Captain Desodes, Lieutenants Sellaries, Rocheblave, Verdchamp, and Du Fau; other prisoners, Captains Le Barry, St Maurice, Gignons, Beaufort, and La Ravaliore; Lieutenants Santillie, Compan, Osmond, Lestry, Lostall, and Lescure. Blosset’s and Sibourg’s were not present at that Battle, but were in garrison at Alicant.
Of Blosset’s Foot, as finally enrolled, no officer’s name is preserved, except the Colonel’s. His descendants seem to have held landed property in the county of Dublin. Towards the end of last century, Miss Blosset [“descended from an ancient French family long settled in Touraine, who, being expatriated at the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and seeking an asylum in Ireland, settled in the county of Dublin, where the family estates lie,”] married Rev. Dr Henry Peckwell, Chaplain to the Marchioness of Lothian, and Rector of Bloxham-cum-Digby, who died 18th August 1787, aged 40. Mrs Peckwell survived till 28th Nov. 1816. Her only son was the late Sir Robert Henry Peckwell, knight, and her only daughter was Selina Mary, wife of George Grote, sen., and mother of the historian, George Grote,
- ↑ Two brothers, Frederic and Charles Sibourg, were reputed to be illegitimate sons of Charles, 2d Duke of Schomberg. Of Frederic we shall speak in the text. Charles was Lieut.-Colonel of Mainhardt. Duke of Schomberg’s Horse till 1711, and was Colonel of that regiment from 1713 to 1720. He was made Governor of Fort-William in Scotland; he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General, and died 25th January 1733, leaving a widow, a son, a daughter, and the reputation of being worth £80,000. His wealth, however, consisted chiefly of South Sea Stock, and neither his widow nor Charles his son administered to it. It was not till 8th May 1758, that his daughter Catherine, wife of Richard Reade, Esq., came forward, and was sworn to administer.
