History of the 95th - South America

THE SOUTH AMERICAN EXPEDITION

A Rifleman of the 95th Rifles (from a drill manual). Image courtesy of the RGJ Association.

	9 Oct	3 Cos 2/95 (Maj Gardner, H. Smith Adj) join expedition to Monte Video under Gen Auchmuty
	24 Oct	5 Cos 1/95 (Maj McLeod) embark for the "Remote Expedition" (Gen Whitelocke) as part of Robert Craufurd's Brigade.
1807	16 Jan	Auchmuty's expedition lands near Monte Video
	19 Jan	Advance on Monte Video
	20 Jan	Garrison of Monte Video attack the British, beaten back to walls of fort. Start of siege of Monte Video
	3 Feb	Assault on and capture of Monte Video
	Mar-Apr	Outposts established up river at Colonia del Sacramento (opposite Buenos Aires)
	May-Jun	Spanish force from Buenos Aires (Gen Elio) cross the river and attack Colonia. Scott and his Rifle guard hold them off until the garrison falls in and repulses the attack. The Spanish retire (?up river) to San Pedro
	6-7 Jun	Col Pack leads an attack on San Pedro (95^th, Light Cos + 40th) & carries the position. Major Gardner seriously wounded when the Spanish ammunition dump explodes prematurely.
	Jun	Whitelocke's expedition arrives (5 Cos 1/95, Maj McLeod, H. Smith retained as adjutant)
	17 Jun	Army embarks for assault on Buenos Aires.
	28 Jun	Landing at Buenos Aires. Rifle form part of "Light Brigade" under R Craufurd, part of Leveson-Gower's division.
	29 Jun	Leveson-Gower disobeys orders to advance to Spanish piquet line and advances into suburbs. The division makes good progress until L-G panics and stops the advance, leaving the division exposed to counter attack.
	5 Jul	Assault on Buenos Aires. Disastrous failure due to makeshift defenses put up as a result of L-Gs premature attack. Craufurd's brigade suffers heavily, takes shelter in a church and eventually forced to surrender.
	Jul	Whitelocke negotiates the British withdrawal
	12 Jul	Lumley's division (H Smith) sails from Monte Video
	5 Nov	H. Smith's transport is towed into Falmouth. Rest of fleet arrive around this time
1808	Jan	Sth American Force disembarks at the Downs

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