|
|
|||
|
Col Robert Hammond's Regiment of Foote A Parliamentary regiment in the Sealed Knot Re-enactment Society |
|||
|
The Original Regiment Despite the heavy defeat at Marston Moor in 1644, the King's army was still a potent and dangerous force, well officered, with veteran troops and numbering, as a field force,around 12,000 men. The hopes of Parliament rested with the newly raised New Model Army. robert Hammond recently promoted Colonel was given command of a regiment originally intended for the Scots Major-General Crawford. Hammond's regiment consisted partially of new recruits and partly of experienced troops drwan from the Earl of manchester's Eastern Association army. The unit's officers were as follows:
The New Model Army's trial of strength came on 16th June 1645 at the field of Nasby where the King's forces were comprehensively defeated. The Royalists were never again able to bring together an army of this quality and size. Hammond's Regiment was in the second line of infantry. When the units to their front were pushed back by the seasoned Royalists they "repelled the enemy, forcing then to a disorderly retreat". For the remainder of the first Civil War the regiment was involved in the New Model's campaigns in the South West fighting at Bridgewater, Bristol and Torrington. With the end of the war it was proposed that the regiment be sent to garrison Dublin, however the distrust between the Army and Parliament had reached near mutiny. Hammond's were amongst those regiments which marched towards London in late 1646, seeking redress of their grievances. Hammond's appears to have been one of the regiments that maintained discipline. Following the meetings of the Army Council at Putney in November 1664 Hammond sought retirement. He was succeeded by Isaac Ewers on 1 September 1647. During the second Civil War of 1648 the regiment was again serving in South Wales with Cromwell. Ewers lead the Regiment at the storm of Chepstow Castle and tehn marched to join Fairfax at Colchester. In 1649 the regiment was chosen to go to Ireland. They lost very heavy casualities, including Colonel Ewers who probably died at Kilkenny in the winter of 1650 / 51, of plague. The regiment stayed in Ireland on garrison duties until the restoration.
|
|||