Framed manuscript recounting the history of the 'Jingling Johnny' captured from the French by the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) at the Battle of Salamanca, 22 July 1812, 1903 (c)

This document recounts the history of the musical instrument known as the 'Jingling Johnny' (or 'Turkish Crescent') which was captured by the Connaught Rangers during the famous charge of Edward Pakenham's Third Division at the Battle of Salamanca in 1812.

As part of the spearhead brigade led by Lieutenant Colonel John Alexander Wallace, the Connaught Rangers launched a devastating attack which shattered the left wing of the French Army and helped to bring about a crushing British victory. The regimental history recorded how the decisive moment of the attack came when a Major Murphy, who was ahead of the regiment on horseback, was shot dead:

'his body, with one foot caught in the stirrup-iron, was dragged along the front of the Connaught Rangers by his frightened horse. The sight caused the men to become greatly excited. Packenham immediately afterwards, seeing that the right moment was now at hand, called to Wallace "Let them Loose". Instantly the three regiments surged forward and with the impact the French column quickly went to pieces.'

The Jingling Johnny became one of the Connaught Rangers most treasured relics and was always carried in front of the bands and drums on ceremonial parades by the tallest man in the regiment. The history recounted here contains one notable inaccuracy in that it states that it was captured from the French 88th Regiment. Later research revealed that the 88th Regiment had not been present at Salamanca and so it was most likely to have been taken from the French 101st Regiment.