The Coldstream Guards - now part of the Household Division - has the unique distinction of being the oldest Regiment of the British Army. It traces its origins to 1650 when it was founded at Coldstream on the English-Scottish border by George Monck, the Cromwellian General who ten years later was instrumental in restoring the monarchy of Charles II. This two volume history of the early years of the Regiment was written by Col. Daniel Mackinnon in 1833. Mackinnon (1791-1836) was a particularly gallant officer, who had three horses shot under him at Waterloo. The first volume narrates the fascinating story of Moncks'' foundation of the Regiment, and its first battle honours in 1650 at Cromwell''s great victory over the Scots at Dunbar. It also narrates the Regiment''s proud part in the Anglo-Dutch wars of the 17th century and the 18th Century wars against Spain and France - including Marlborough''s victory at Oudenarde; and the battle of Dettingen against France - the last battle at which a British monarch (George II) fought. Volume II, which takes the story down to the battle of Waterloo in which the author himself fought, is dominated by the American War of Independence; and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. This is a book to treasure for anyone interested in his fine old regiment and in the early history of the British Army.
