To The Call of The Bugles: A History of the Percy Tenantry Volunteers 1798-1814

The history of Britain's conflict with France between 1793 and 1815 is well documented. Nevertheless, one aspect that has scant coverage, is that of the role of the Volunteers. With the fear of invasion from France's all-conquering armies desperately needed to defend their shores. 'To The Call of Bugles' reveals, for the first time, how among those who stood forward in Home Guard style military bodies, there was no finer example than that of the valiant Percy Tenantry Volunteers. This amateur body of men, 1,500 strong, consisting of cavalry, artillery and riflemen, was put together, trained, armed, dressed and operated by the 2nd Duke of Northumberland, General Hugh Percy. Not only does the author provide an in-depth understanding of how such a corps was organised but reveals how they were fashioned into an elite and innovative fighting force. The final chapters looks a at some selected men themselves, who made their own personal mark in the world. For instance, Lieutenant Colonel D.W. Smith, ex Surveyor General of Upper Canada and a revered figure in the creation of that country. Other members of the PTV were Timothy Hackworth and William Hedley, the builders of the famous 'Puffing Billy' steam locomotion, an innovation that would revolutionise the world of transport. AUTHOR: Bill Openshaw, born in Sunderland, now lives in Northumberland. A radio engineer by trade, he later served as a prisoner officer for 16 years. With a lifelong interest in military history and the Napoleonic wars, Bill has been a Napoleonic reenactor for over 20 years. He has written this book having benefited from exclusive access to the current Duke's treasure trove of archive records on the Percy Tenantry Volunteers. Bill now works as a guide at Alnwick Castle - he would be delighted to meet you there! b/w photographs

Table of Contents:
Introduction Chapter 1 Thorighwegeri - The Warrior Duke What's in a name An unlikely soldier Europe beckons Settling down The Boston dinner party The smell of powder Lexington The cartographer The leaving of Boston New York and Rhode Island Home and Portugal Chapter Two: Countdown to War The world turned upside down 'Britain to arms' Invasion! The response Alnwick. A storm brews Chapter Three: Organisation Structure Second Embodiment 1803 Recruitment Regulations and discipline Transport Cost Supplies and maintenance Ammunition Chapter Four: Incidents and Accidents and cause for celebration The casualties of war The False Alarm Impressment Mass resignation The Battle of Brizlee Tower, 1805 The Kings Jubilee Fire Presentation of new standards Chapter Five: The Percy Infantry Light Infantry and irregulars The Percy Infantry 1798 Marksmanship 1803 Riflemen Aiming for the bullseye Musters and ale Permanent duty Chapter Six: The Cavalry and Artillery Horses First steps, 1798 Exercise Mastering The artillery: the beginning The crew Training and inspections Experiments Wall gun detachments Chapter Seven: Bugles and Song The bugle horn Training Parades and pay Duties of a bugle Verse and song Uniform Chapter Eight: Uniforms and Equipment Cavalry uniform Weapons Infantry and riflemen Weaponry 1798 Riflemen uniform 1803 Ill-fitting uniforms Accoutrements Cartridge boxes Powder horns and flasks Brush and prickers Screw and worm Bullet bags Frogs Ancillary items Rifles The artillery Wall guns (amusettes) Ancillary equipment Tubes Linstock Flint strikers Balls and sabots Chapter Nine: Burning Embers (peacetime Volunteers) Disbandment A third embodiment The household artillery The Tenantry column Chapter Ten: The Men Sir David William Smith 1764 -1837 The railway men: Blackett, Hedley and Hackworth Christopher Blackett 1751-1829 William Hedley 1779 -1843 Timothy Hackworth 1789 -1850 Major John Watson Major Latham Blacker John Craven, Sergeant Major Reverend James Birkett, Sergeant Forster Rattray, Sergeant Captain John Toppin Appendix Northumberland military forces 198-1814 The militia Army of reserve Fencibles Sea fencibles Provisional cavalry Yeomanry cavalry Pioneer companies Instructions for the Armed Association of Percy Tenantry Infantry 1798 Select Bibliography Index Acknowledgements Author Biography

About the Author :
Bill Openshaw, born in Sunderland, now lives in Northumberland. A radio engineer by trade, he later served as a prisoner officer for 16 years. With a lifelong interest in military history and the Napoleonic wars, Bill has been a Napoleonic reenactor for over 20 years. He has written this book having benefited from exclusive access to the current Duke's treasure trove of archive records on the Percy Tenantry Volunteers. Bill now works as a guide at Alnwick Castle - he would be delighted to meet you there!