Agnews of Lochnaw

I705-] THE PRETTY DRAGOON. 485
and Dunbars soon showed the way through the morass, as be-
came true sons of Galloway ; and the eager squadrons engaged
in a short but terrible struggle with the enemy, whom they
completely routed.
The Greys next charged madly into the village of Autreglize,
sabred the infantry in the streets, and coming suddenly upon
the French king's own regiment of foot, that magnificent corps
surrendered en masse, giving up their colours to the victorious
Scotchmen.
Leaving a guard over their prisoners, they dashed on further
in pursuit, when the Frenchmen, breaking their parole, made
a sudden attempt to regain their liberty, and partially succeeded
in recovering their arms. A messenger, despatched by the officer
in command of the small detachment, happily succeeded in over-
taking the main body of the Greys in time ; " Threes about !" was
the word, and the dragoons, galloping back to their rebellious
prisoners, cut down all who attempted a defence. 1
The battle was now over, and the Greys commenced to pre-
pare their camp. Their first care was for the wounded. Among
those carried to the hospital-tent was an interesting and comely
:^ 'young soldier known as "The Pretty Dragoon," and considered
One of the model men of the corps.
t*** . Some of the young officers soon after hastened to inquire
after their favourite, when great was the astonishment on their
.bringing the news that the doctors had discovered the horse-
^sgrenadier to be a lady.
Her story is so perfectly authenticated that it deserves repe-
tition. This woman's father was a brewer in Dublin, and
1 An officer, who was present, writes thus, —
" When the dragoons faced to the pursuit of their army, they (the Regiment du
Roi) attempted to take up their arms again, for which they dearly suffered hy the
same dragoons." — Milner's Journal, London Gazette.
The official account is as follows : —
" Our dragoons, pushing into the village of Autreglize, made a terrible
slaughter. The French king's own regiment of foot, called the Regiment du Roi,
begged for quarter, and delivered up their arms and colours to Lord John Hay's
dragoons." — London Gazette, 1705.