Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew vol 2.djvu/110

 and Colonel Blosset. I copy from a contemporary printed list the names which formed the skeletons of six regiments:—

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 Ripere and Nollett; wounded prisoners, Major Labatie, Captain Desodes, Lieutenants Sellaries, Rocheblave, Verdchamp, and Du Fau: other prisoners, Captains De Barry, St Maurice, Gignous [Query, Gignoux], Beaufort, and La Ravaliere; 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, formerly M.P. for the city of London. Sir Robert (who died unmarried in 1828), assumed the name of Blosset, and had for many years a highly respectable forensic reputation as Mr Sergeant Blosset, author of “Reports of Cases on Controverted Elections,” 2 vols., 1804. “He was afterward Lord Chief-Justice of Bengal, where he afforded his countenance in the support and encouragement of Christian missionaries” (See “Lady Huntingdon’s Life and Times," vol. ii., page 200). [Major Paul de Gualy reappears with higher rank.]

Sibourg’s Foot were quartered in Alicant during the memorable siege. The garrison of the Castle of Alicant was besieged by the French and Spaniards in 1708, and held out all winter. The enemy undermined part of the fortress and gave warning to the garrison, that, if afraid, they might surrender; and two British engineers were allowed to come out and examine the mine. On their report a council of war resolved to hold out still. The enemy then sprang the mine, and, as far as the demolition of the castle was concerned, it proved a failure. But Major-General Richards and Colonel Sibourg, out of curiosity, had approached too near,