Col Robert Hammond's Regiment of Foote
A Parliamentary regiment in the Sealed Knot Re-enactment Society
Col
Robert Hammond 1621 - 1654
Born in 1621 to a distinguished family with lands in Chertsey, Surrey, Hammond was a fascinating character in his own right. After education at Magdalen,Oxford, he left in1636 without taking his degree and entering the army, serving in both the Scots and Irish campaigns of 1640 - 42. He first distinguished himself at the storming of Camickmain by leading an assault on the breach after the death of the Regiment Commander, Sir Simon Harcroft, and overcoming the defences, whereupon he "carried himself very gallantly". Hammonds bravery in battle was remarked upon many times in his career. His second cousin, OLiver Cromwell, wrote to him 1648, "Thou hast naturally a valiant spirit" no small praise in deed!
In the Civil war, Hammond was first a Captain at Hull under Sir John Hotham, then Captain-Lieutnant of Essex's Lifeguard with who he defeated a party of 400 Royalist horse at Bicester on 31st August 1643. Receiving his Majority soon afterwards, Hammond was appointed to Colonel Massey's Garrison Regiment of Horse at Gloucester and led the party of Parliament troops that captured Tewkesbury. Soon afterwards he killed a brother officer in a dual over a point of honour, but was unanimously aquitted on 28th November 1644 by a London court-martial who gave a verdit of self defence.
With the fromation of the New Model Army in the winter of 1644/5, the unit oriinally intended for the Scots Major-General Crawford, was given to Robert Hammond, newly promoted to Colonel. ammond led his regiment at the Battle of Nasby, and throughout the New Model Army's campaign in the West Country. At Torrington he commanded a brigade. Following the Leveller mutinies in the autumn of 1646 Hammond " desired retirement......... thought of quiet in the Isle of Wight".
Hammond had his quiet backwater suddenly, and dramatically disturbed by the arrival of the King, who had escaped from Hampden Court. On the 13th November 1647, Hammond reported to Parliament the whereabouts of Charles and for the next year had the uneviable task of confining the King. It would appear that Hammond had a good deal of sympathy for Charles, shown int he amount of freedom he was allowed, the two men often dining together. Nonetheless, Hammond foiled several escape and rescue attempts and two additional Companies of his old regiment were detailed to the guard at Carisbrooke Castle. The decision to bring the King to trial resulted in Hammond receiving orders from the Army to more closely confine the King, in readiness for transfer. Without direct orders from Parliament Hammond refused to obey. As a result he was ordered to Farnham where he was arrested. Hammind's repalcement as the King's gaoler was Cololnel Ewer who succeeded hammond in command of the regiment.
Hammond died at Dublin in 1654 and he is buried there.