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GENERAL ORDERS.
_HORSE GUARDS_,
_1st January, 1836._
His Majesty has been pleased to command that, with the view of doing
the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals who have
distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with the Enemy,
an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the British Army
shall be published under the superintendence and direction of the
Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall contain the following
particulars, viz.:—
—— The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of the
Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time
employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations
in which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any
Achievement it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies,
&c., it may have captured from the Enemy.
—— The Names of the Officers, and the number of Non-Commissioned
Officers and Privates Killed or Wounded by the Enemy, specifying
the place and Date of the Action.
—— The Names of those Officers who, in consideration of their
Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the
Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other
Marks of His Majesty’s gracious favour.
—— The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and
Privates, as may have specially signalized themselves in Action.
And,
—— The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been
permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges
or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.
By Command of the Right Honorable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
_Commanding-in-Chief_.
JOHN MACDONALD,
_Adjutant-General_.
PREFACE.
The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend
upon the zeal and ardour by which all who enter into its service are
animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that any
measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which alone
great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.
Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable
object than a full display of the noble deeds with which the Military
History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright examples
to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to incite him to
emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have preceded him in
their honorable career, are among the motives that have given rise to
the present publication.
The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the
“London Gazette,” from whence they are transferred into the public
prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the
time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and
admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions,
the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on the
Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their orders,
expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill and bravery;
and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour of their
Sovereign’s approbation, constitute the reward which the soldier most
highly prizes.
It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which
appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies)
for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services
and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in
obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic account
of their origin and subsequent services.
This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty
having been pleased to command that every Regiment shall, in future,
keep a full and ample record of its services at home and abroad.
From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth
derive information as to the difficulties and privations which
chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In
Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to
the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and
where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been undisturbed
by the _presence of war_, which few other countries have escaped,
comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service
and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the
British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or
no interval of repose.
In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country
derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist
and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to
reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,—on
their sufferings,—and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which so
many national benefits are obtained and preserved.
The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance,
have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and
their character has been established in Continental warfare by the
irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in
spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and
steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against
superior numbers.
In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample
justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the
Corps employed; but the details of their services and of acts of
individual bravery can only be fully given in the Annals of the
various Regiments.
These Records are now preparing for publication, under His Majesty’s
special authority, by Mr. Richard Cannon, Principal Clerk of the
Adjutant-General’s Office; and while the perusal of them cannot fail
to be useful and interesting to military men of every rank, it is
considered that they will also afford entertainment and information
to the general reader, particularly to those who may have served in
the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.
There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or
are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_—an attachment to
everything belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a narrative
of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove interesting.
Authentic accounts of the actions of the great, the valiant, the
loyal, have always been of paramount interest with a brave and
civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race of heroes who,
in moments of danger and terror, have stood “firm as the rocks
of their native shore:” and when half the world has been arrayed
against them, they have fought the battles of their Country with
unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of achievements in
war,—victories so complete and surprising, gained by our countrymen,
our brothers, our fellow-citizens in arms,—a record which revives
the memory of the brave, and brings their gallant deeds before
us,—will certainly prove acceptable to the public.
Biographical Memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished Officers
will be introduced in the Records of their respective Regiments,
and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to time, been
conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value and importance
of its services, will be faithfully set forth.
As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment will
be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall be
completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.
INTRODUCTION
TO
THE INFANTRY.
The natives of Britain have, at all periods, been celebrated for
innate courage and unshaken firmness, and the national superiority
of the British troops over those of other countries has been evinced
in the midst of the most imminent perils. History contains so
many proofs of extraordinary acts of bravery, that no doubts can
be raised upon the facts which are recorded. It must therefore be
admitted, that the distinguishing feature of the British soldier is
INTREPIDITY. This quality was evinced by the inhabitants of England
when their country was invaded by Julius Cæsar with a Roman army,
on which occasion the undaunted Britons rushed into the sea to
attack the Roman soldiers as they descended from their ships; and,
although their discipline and arms were inferior to those of their
adversaries, yet their fierce and dauntless bearing intimidated the
flower of the Roman troops, including Cæsar’s favourite tenth legion.
Their arms consisted of spears, short swords, and other weapons of
rude construction. They had chariots, to the axles of which were
fastened sharp pieces of iron resembling scythe-blades, and infantry
in long chariots resembling waggons, who alighted and fought on
foot, and for change of ground, pursuit or retreat, sprang into the
chariot and drove off with the speed of cavalry. These inventions
were, however, unavailing against Cæsar’s legions: in the course
of time a military system, with discipline and subordination, was
introduced, and British courage, being thus regulated, was exerted to
the greatest advantage; a full development of the national character
followed, and it shone forth in all its native brilliancy.
The military force of the Anglo-Saxons consisted principally of
infantry: Thanes, and other men of property, however, fought on
horseback. The infantry were of two classes, heavy and light. The
former carried large shields armed with spikes, long broad swords and
spears; and the latter were armed with swords or spears only. They
had also men armed with clubs, others with battle-axes and javelins.
The feudal troops established by William the Conqueror consisted (as
already stated in the Introduction to the Cavalry) almost entirely
of horse; but when the warlike barons and knights, with their trains
of tenants and vassals, took the field, a proportion of men appeared
on foot, and, although these were of inferior degree, they proved
stout-hearted Britons of stanch fidelity. When stipendiary troops
were employed, infantry always constituted a considerable portion of
the military force: and this _arme_ has since acquired, in every
quarter of the globe, a celebrity never exceeded by the armies of any
nation at any period.
The weapons carried by the infantry, during the several reigns
succeeding the Conquest, were bows and arrows, half-pikes, lances,
halberds, various kinds of battle-axes, swords, and daggers. Armour
was worn on the head and body, and in course of time the practice
became general for military men to be so completely cased in steel,
that it was almost impossible to slay them.
The introduction of the use of gunpowder in the destructive purposes
of war, in the early part of the fourteenth century, produced a
change in the arms and equipment of the infantry soldier. Bows and
arrows gave place to various kinds of fire-arms, but British archers
continued formidable adversaries; and, owing to the inconvenient
construction and imperfect bore of the fire-arms when first
introduced, a body of men, well trained in the use of the bow from
their youth, was considered a valuable acquisition to every army,
even as late as the sixteenth century.
During a great part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth each company
of infantry usually consisted of men armed five different ways; in
every hundred men forty were “_men-at-arms_,” and sixty “_shot_;” the
“men-at-arms” were ten halberdiers, or battle-axe men, and thirty
pikemen; and the “shot” were twenty archers, twenty musketeers, and
twenty harquebusiers, and each man carried, besides his principal
weapon, a sword and dagger.
Companies of infantry varied at this period in numbers from 150
to 300 men; each company had a colour or ensign, and the mode of
formation recommended by an English military writer (Sir John Smithe)
in 1590 was the colour in the centre of the company guarded by the
halberdiers; the pikemen in equal proportions, on each flank of the
halberdiers: half the musketeers on each flank of the pikes; half
the archers on each flank of the musketeers, and the harquebusiers
(whose arms were much lighter than the muskets then in use) in equal
proportions on each flank of the company for skirmishing.[1] It
was customary to unite a number of companies into one body, called
a REGIMENT, which frequently amounted to three thousand men: but
each company continued to carry a colour. Numerous improvements
were eventually introduced in the construction of fire-arms, and,
it having been found impossible to make armour proof against the
muskets then in use (which carried a very heavy ball) without its
being too weighty for the soldier, armour was gradually laid aside by
the infantry in the seventeenth century: bows and arrows also fell
into disuse, and the infantry were reduced to two classes, viz.:
_musketeers_, armed with matchlock muskets, swords, and daggers; and
_pikemen_, armed with pikes from fourteen to eighteen feet long, and
swords.
In the early part of the seventeenth century Gustavus Adolphus, King
of Sweden, reduced the strength of regiments to 1000 men. He caused
the gunpowder, which had heretofore been carried in flasks, or in
small wooden bandoliers, each containing a charge, to be made up
into cartridges, and carried in pouches; and he formed each regiment
into two wings of musketeers, and a centre division of pikemen. He
also adopted the practice of forming four regiments into a brigade;
and the number of colours was afterwards reduced to three in each
regiment. He formed his columns so compactly that his infantry could
resist the charge of the celebrated Polish horsemen and Austrian
cuirassiers; and his armies became the admiration of other nations.
His mode of formation was copied by the English, French, and other
European states; but so great was the prejudice in favour of ancient
customs, that all his improvements were not adopted until near a
century afterwards.
In 1664 King Charles II. raised a corps for sea-service, styled the
Admiral’s regiment. In 1678 each company of 100 men usually consisted
of 30 pikemen, 60 musketeers, and 10 men armed with light firelocks.
In this year the King added a company of men armed with hand grenades
to each of the old British regiments, which was designated the
“grenadier company.” Daggers were so contrived as to fit in the
muzzles of the muskets, and bayonets, similar to those at present in
use, were adopted about twenty years afterwards.
An Ordnance regiment was raised in 1685, by order of King James II.,
to guard the artillery, and was designated the Royal Fusiliers (now
7th Foot). This corps, and the companies of grenadiers, did not carry
pikes.
King William III. incorporated the Admiral’s regiment in the second
Foot Guards, and raised two Marine regiments for sea-service.
During the war in this reign, each company of infantry (excepting
the fusiliers and grenadiers) consisted of 14 pikemen and 46
musketeers; the captains carried pikes; lieutenants, partisans;
ensigns, half-pikes; and serjeants, halberds. After the peace in 1697
the Marine regiments were disbanded, but were again formed on the
breaking out of the war in 1702.[2]
During the reign of Queen Anne the pikes were laid aside, and every
infantry soldier was armed with a musket, bayonet, and sword; the
grenadiers ceased, about the same period, to carry hand grenades;
and the regiments were directed to lay aside their third colour: the
corps of Royal Artillery was first added to the Army in this reign.
About the year 1745, the men of the battalion companies of infantry
ceased to carry swords; during the reign of George II. light
companies were added to infantry regiments; and in 1764 a Board of
General Officers recommended that the grenadiers should lay aside
their swords, as that weapon had never been used during the Seven
Years’ War. Since that period the arms of the infantry soldier have
been limited to the musket and bayonet.
The arms and equipment of the British Troops have seldom differed
materially, since the Conquest, from those of other European states;
and in some respects the arming has, at certain periods, been allowed
to be inferior to that of the nations with whom they have had to
contend; yet, under this disadvantage, the bravery and superiority of
the British infantry have been evinced on very many and most trying
occasions, and splendid victories have been gained over very superior
numbers.
Great Britain has produced a race of lion-like champions who have
dared to confront a host of foes, and have proved themselves valiant
with any arms. At _Crecy_, King Edward III., at the head of about
30,000 men, defeated, on the 26th of August, 1346, Philip King of
France, whose army is said to have amounted to 100,000 men; here
British valour encountered veterans of renown:—the King of Bohemia,
the King of Majorca, and many princes and nobles were slain, and
the French army was routed and cut to pieces. Ten years afterwards,
Edward Prince of Wales, who was designated the Black Prince,
defeated, at _Poictiers_, with 14,000 men, a French army of 60,000
horse, besides infantry, and took John I., King of France, and his
son Philip, prisoners. On the 25th of October, 1415, King Henry
V, with an army of about 13,000 men, although greatly exhausted by
marches, privations, and sickness, defeated, at _Agincourt_, the
Constable of France, at the head of the flower of the French nobility
and an army said to amount to 60,000 men, and gained a complete
victory.
During the seventy years’ war between the United Provinces of the
Netherlands and the Spanish monarchy, which commenced in 1578 and
terminated in 1648, the British infantry in the service of the
States-General were celebrated for their unconquerable spirit and
firmness;[3] and in the thirty years’ war between the Protestant
Princes and the Emperor of Germany, the British Troops in the
service of Sweden and other states were celebrated for deeds of
heroism.[4] In the wars of Queen Anne, the fame of the British army
under the great MARLBOROUGH was spread throughout the world; and
if we glance at the achievements performed within the memory of
persons now living, there is abundant proof that the Britons of the
present age are not inferior to their ancestors in the qualities
which constitute good soldiers. Witness the deeds of the brave men,
of whom there are many now surviving, who fought in Egypt in 1801,
under the brave Abercromby, and compelled the French army, which had
been vainly styled _Invincible_, to evacuate that country; also the
services of the gallant Troops during the arduous campaigns in the
Peninsula, under the immortal WELLINGTON; and the determined stand
made by the British Army at Waterloo, where Napoleon Bonaparte,
who had long been the inveterate enemy of Great Britain, and had
sought and planned her destruction by every means he could devise,
was compelled to leave his vanquished legions to their fate, and
to place himself at the disposal of the British Government. These
achievements, with others of recent dates, in the distant climes of
India, prove that the same valour and constancy which glowed in the
breasts of the heroes of Crecy, Poictiers, Agincourt, Blenheim, and
Ramilies, continue to animate the Britons of the nineteenth century.
The British Soldier is distinguished for a robust and muscular
frame,—intrepidity which no danger can appal,—unconquerable spirit
and resolution,—patience in fatigue and privation, and cheerful
obedience to his superiors. These qualities, united with an excellent
system of order and discipline to regulate and give a skilful
direction to the energies and adventurous spirit of the hero, and
a wise selection of officers of superior talent to command, whose
presence inspires confidence,—have been the leading causes of
the splendid victories gained by the British arms.[5] The fame
of the deeds of the past and present generations in the various
battle-fields where the robust sons of Albion have fought and
conquered, surrounds the British arms with a halo of glory; these
achievements will live in the page of history to the end of time.
The records of the several regiments will be found to contain a
detail of facts of an interesting character, connected with the
hardships, sufferings, and gallant exploits of British soldiers in
the various parts of the world where the calls of their Country and
the commands of their Sovereign have required them to proceed in the
execution of their duty, whether in active continental operations,
or in maintaining colonial territories in distant and unfavourable
climes.
The superiority of the British infantry has been pre-eminently set
forth in the wars of six centuries, and admitted by the greatest
commanders which Europe has produced. The formations and movements of
this _arme_, as at present practised, while they are adapted to every
species of warfare, and to all probable situations and circumstances
of service, are calculated to show forth the brilliancy of military
tactics calculated upon mathematical and scientific principles.
Although the movements and evolutions have been copied from the
continental armies, yet various improvements have from time to time
been introduced, to insure that simplicity and celerity by which the
superiority of the national military character is maintained. The
rank and influence which Great Britain has attained among the nations
of the world, have in a great measure been purchased by the valour
of the Army, and to persons who have the welfare of their country
at heart, the records of the several regiments cannot fail to prove
interesting.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A company of 200 men would appear thus:—
__|
| |
|__|
|
20 20 20 30 2|0 30 20 20 20
|
Harquebuses. Muskets. Halberds. Muskets. Harquebuses.
Archers. Pikes. Pikes. Archers.
The musket carried a ball which weighed 1/10th of a pound; and the
harquebus a ball which weighed 1/25th of a pound.
[2] The 30th, 31st, end 32nd Regiments were formed as Marine corps
in 1702, end were employed as such during the wars in the reign of
Queen Anne. The Marine corps were embarked in the Fleet under Admiral
Sir George Rooke, and were at the taking of Gibraltar, and In its
subsequent defence in 1704; they were afterwards employed at the
siege of Barcelona in 1705.
[3] The brave Sir Roger Williams, in his Discourse on War, printed
in 1590, observes:—“I persuade myself ten thousand of our nation
would beat thirty thousand of theirs (the Spaniards) out of the
field, let them be chosen where they list.” Yet at this time the
Spanish infantry was allowed to be the best disciplined in Europe.
For instances of valour displayed by the British Infantry during the
Seventy Years’ War, see the Historical Record of the Third Foot, or
Buffs.
[4] _Vide_ the Historical Record of the First, or Royal Regiment of
Foot.
[5] “Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes
the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in
Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but
His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly forcibly impressed on the
consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a strict
observance of order, discipline, end military system, which has given
the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and has enabled
them proudly to assert the superiority of the national military
character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under circumstances
of peculiar difficulty.”—_General Orders in 1801._
In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope
(afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the
successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January,
1809, it is stated:—“On no occasion has the undaunted valour of
British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a
severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority
which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired
the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be
encountered. There have all been surmounted by the conduct of the
troops themselves: and the enemy has been taught, that whatever
advantages of position or numbers he may possess, there is inherent
in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows not how to
yield,—that no circumstances can appal,—and that will ensure victory,
when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any human means.”
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE NINETY-SECOND REGIMENT,
ORIGINALLY TERMED
“THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS”
AND NUMBERED
THE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT;
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1794
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO 1850.
COMPILED BY
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.
ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES.
LONDON:
PARKER, FURNIVALL, & PARKER,
30, CHARING CROSS.
M DCCC LI.
LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE.
THE NINETY-SECOND REGIMENT
(HIGHLANDERS),
BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR AND APPOINTMENTS
THE WORD “EGMONT-OP-ZEE,”
IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS GALLANT CONDUCT IN ACTION ON THE
2ND OCTOBER, 1799;
THE WORD “MANDORA,”
IN CONSIDERATION OF ITS GALLANTRY AND GOOD CONDUCT
ON THE HEIGHTS OF MANDORA, NEAR ALEXANDRIA
ON THE 13TH OF MARCH, 1801;
AND THE SPHINX, WITH THE WORD “EGYPT,”
IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS SERVICES DURING THE CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT
IN THE YEAR 1801;
ALSO THE WORDS,
“CORUNNA,”—“FUENTES D’ONOR,”—“ALMARAZ,”—
“VITTORIA,”—“PYRENEES,”—“NIVE,”—
“ORTHES,”—AND “PENINSULA,”—
IN TESTIMONY OF ITS SERVICES IN SPAIN AND SOUTH OF FRANCE,
FROM 1808 TO 1814;
AND THE WORD “WATERLOO,”
IN HONOR OF ITS DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT
ON THE 18TH OF JUNE 1815.
THE
NINETY-SECOND REGIMENT
(HIGHLANDERS).
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD.
Year Page
1793 INTRODUCTION 1
1794 Letter of Service to the Duke of Gordon,
authorizing His Grace to raise a regiment in
Scotland —
—— Appointment of the Marquis of Huntly to be
lieut.-colonel commandant —
—— Establishment of the regiment 2
—— Embodied at Aberdeen, and called _The Gordon
Highlanders_ —
—— Embarked from Scotland for Southampton —
—— Uniform of the regiment 3
—— Embarked for Gibraltar —
—— Received its colours at Gibraltar 4
1795 Embarked for Corsica —
—— Inspected by Lieut.-General Thomas Trigge —
1796 Reviewed by Lieut.-General Sir Gilbert Eliott 5
—— Proceeded to Corte to suppress a rebellion —
—— Received the thanks of Lieut.-General the
Honorable J. T. De Burgh, commanding in
Corsica —
1796 Lieut.-Colonel Commandant the Marquis of
Huntly promoted to the colonelcy of the
regiment; Major Charles Erskine to be
lieut.-colonel; and Captain Alexander Napier
to be major 5
—— Expedition against _Porto Ferrajo_ in the Isle of
Elba 6
—— The British troops withdrawn from Corsica, and
returned to Gibraltar —
—— Received the thanks of the Lieut.-General
commanding, on leaving Corsica 7
—— Landed at Gibraltar, and inspected by the
Lieut.-Governor —
—— Holland having leagued with France, declared
war against Great Britain —
—— Spain also joined France, and declared war —
1797 Attempts were made to negociate a pence with
France, but did not succeed 8
1798 Regiment embarked for England, and arrived at
Portsmouth —
—— Embarked for Ireland, and arrived at Dublin —
—— Serious disturbances took place in Ireland 9
—— Regiment conveyed in carriages to certain disturbed
places —
—— Encamped in the vicinity of Gorey —
—— Received the thanks of the inhabitants, through
the Dean of Ferns, for its conduct 10
—— Landing of a detachment of French under Gen.
Humbert at Bantry Bay 11
—— Surrender of the French and rebel forces to
Lieut.-General Lake —
—— Thanks of Parliament communicated to the
troops employed —
—— The numerical title changed from 100th, to
NINETY-SECOND regiment 12
1798 Proceeded into quarters at Athlone 12
—— Bonaparte’s invasion of Egypt —
—— Admiral Nelson’s victory over the French fleet
in Aboukir Bay —
—— War declared by the Sublime Porte against
France in consequence of the invasion of
Egypt —
—— Co-operation of Russia against France —
1799 Conjoined expedition of British and Russian
forces against the French in Holland 13
—— Regiment marched to Cork for embarkation —
—— Expression of thanks, and complimentary address
from the inhabitants of Athlone on the regiment
quitting that garrison —
—— Embarked at Ramsgate for Holland 14
—— Arrived on the Dutch coast, and advanced to
Oude Sluys 15
—— Engaged the French and Dutch forces under
General Brune on the 10th September —
—— H. R. H. the Duke of York joined and assumed
the command of the British and Russian forces
on the 14th of September 16
—— Attacked the French at _Alkmaar_ —
—— Retired to former position on the Zuype —
—— Again engaged the French at _Egmont-op-Zee_
on the 2nd of October —
—— Convention concluded for withdrawing the British
and Russian troops from Holland 19
—— Received the Royal authority to bear the word
“_Egmont-op-Zee_,” on the regimental colour
and appointments —
—— Regiment returned to England 20
—— Proceeded to Chelmsford, and formed in brigade
under Major-General Moore —
1800 Marched to the Isle of Wight, and embarked for
the _Isle of Houat_ on the coast of France 21
—— Proceeded against _Belle-Isle_ —
—— Returned to the Isle of Houat —
—— Embarked for Minorca —
—— Assembled with other corps under the command
of General Sir Ralph Abercromby —
—— Embarked and proceeded to _Cadiz_, but abandoned
the enterprise on account of a disease
prevailing in that city —
—— Proceeded to Gibraltar and Minorca, and thence
to _Malta_, which had surrendered to Great
Britain 22
—— Sailed from Malta to _Egypt_ with the expedition
under General Sir Ralph Abercromby —
—— Arrived in Marmorice Bay —
1801 Proceeded to the Bay of Aboukir —
—— Landing of the British troops on the 8th of
March —
—— Engagement with the French troops on the
heights of _Mandora_, near Alexandria, on
the 13th of March 23
—— Lieut.-Colonel Erskine was killed; two captains,
six lieutenants (three of them mortally), and
two ensigns were wounded; 22 rank and file
were killed, and 77 were wounded 24
—— Received the Royal permission to bear the word
“_Mandora_,” on the regimental colour and
appointments —
—— Received the thanks of General Sir Ralph
Abercromby, for its conduct in the action of
Mandora 25
—— Furnished the guard at the head-quarters of the
Commander-in-Chief —
1801 _Battle of Alexandria_ on the 21st of March 26
—— Death of General Sir Ralph Abercromby on
28th of March —
—— Marched to Aboukir, thence to _Rosetta_, and arrived
before _Grand-Cairo_ —
—— Convention concluded at Cairo by which the
place was surrendered, and the French troops
were to be conveyed to France —
—— The thanks of His Majesty, and of both Houses
of Parliament, communicated to the army for
the bravery evinced at the landing at Aboukir,
and in the actions on the 13th and 21st of
March 27
—— Promotion of Major Alexander Napier to be
lieut.-colonel, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel
Erskine, killed in action on the 13th of
March —
—— Letter from H. R. H. the Duke of York,
Commander-in-Chief, announcing His Majesty’s
approval of the promotions taking place in
the regiment in filling up the vacancies
occasioned by the loss of Lieut.-Colonel
Erskine —
—— Regiment proceeded to Aboukir, and encamped
before Alexandria 28
—— Alexandria surrendered by capitulation, and the
campaign in Egypt terminated —
—— The thanks of His Majesty, King George III.,
and of the two Houses of Parliament, communicated
to the army employed in Egypt, and
the Royal authority given for the _Sphinx_
with the word “_Egypt_,” to be borne on the
regimental colours and appointments —
—— The Grand Seignior conferred the order of
Knighthood of the Crescent on the General
Officers, and presented gold medals to the
officers employed with the army in Egypt:
he also erected a palace at Constantinople for
the future residence of the British Ambassadors 29
1801 List of the names of the officers of the NINETY-SECOND
regiment, who received gold medals
for service in Egypt —
—— Regiment marched for Aboukir and embarked
for Malta, from whence it proceeded to
Ireland 30
1802 The Peace of Amiens concluded —
—— Regiment embarked from Ireland, and proceeded
to Glasgow 31
1803 War declared against France —
—— A second battalion added to the regiment formed
from men raised under the _Army of Reserve Act_ —
—— Regiment removed from Glasgow to Weeley,
where the second battalion was formed —
—— Great preparations made in France for the invasion
of England 32
1804 Napoleon Bonaparte created _Emperor of the
French_, and _King of Italy_ —
—— The _Additional Force Act_ passed as a further
measure of defense —
—— The two battalions marched to Colchester, and
encamped on Lexden Heath, from whence they
returned to Weeley 33
—— Second battalion proceeded to Ireland —
1805 First battalion brigaded with 42nd, 91st, and
95th (Rifle) regiments at Weeley —
—— Reviewed at Colchester by H. R. H. the Duke of
York, the commander-in-chief —
—— Marched from Weeley to Ospringe and thence
to Canterbury 34
1806 Marched to London and attended the public
funeral of Admiral Viscount Nelson at St.
Paul’s Cathedral 34
—— Major-General Honorable John Hope (afterwards
Earl of Hopetoun) appointed to be colonel in
succession to the Marquis of Huntly, removed
to the 42nd regiment —
1807 Embarked at Harwich on an expedition for
Elsineur, under Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart,
to take possession of the navy of Denmark 35
—— Advanced to attack the Danes at Kioge with the
troops under Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley 36
—— Bombardment of Copenhagen, and surrender of
the Danish fleet and stores to the British
Government 37
—— General Orders expressing the approbation of
His Majesty King George III., and of the
Commander of the Forces, to the General and
Staff Officers, and troops employed 38
—— Re-embarked for England and marched to
Colchester 39
1808 Embarked at Harwich with an armament under
Lieut.-General Sir John Moore and proceeded
to Sweden 40
—— Returned to England and rendezvoused at
Yarmouth, from whence the fleet proceeded
to Spithead —
—— Embarked for Portugal and joined the British
army in that country —
—— Proceeded with the force employed in Spain
under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore 41
1809 Placed in position and bivouacked in front of
Lugo 42
1809 Arrived at Corunna, and engaged in action with
the French army 43
—— Lieut.-General Sir John Moore killed —
—— Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Napier killed at the
head of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, and
Lieut.-Colonel John Lamont succeeded to the
lieut.-colonelcy of the regiment —
—— Received the thanks of the two Houses of Parliament,
and the Royal permission to bear
the word “_Corunna_” on the regimental colour
and appointments 44
—— Embarked at Corunna and disembarked at
Portsmouth, from whence it marched to
Weeley Barracks —
—— Received orders to prepare again for foreign
service 45
—— Embarked with the expedition under Lieut.-General
the Earl of Chatham, for the
Scheldt —
—— The object of the expedition being thwarted, and
much disease occurring among the troops, they
re-embarked for England; the NINETY-SECOND
regiment proceeded to Woodbridge 46
1810 Embarked a second time for the Peninsula, and
joined the army under Lieut.-General the
Viscount Wellington 47
1811 Marched from Lisbon and joined the army under
Viscount Wellington in the lines of Torres
Vedras 48
—— Brigaded with the 50th and 71st regiments 49
—— Marshal Massena retreated from his position near
Santarem, and pursued by the troops under
Viscount Wellington —
—— The siege of Badajoz commenced 50
1811 Regiment engaged at the Battle of _Fuentes
d’Onor_ 50
—— Received the Royal authority to bear the words
“_Fuentes d’Onor_” on the regimental colour
and appointments 51
—— The French retreated towards Ciudad Rodrigo,
crossed the Agueda, and evacuated Almeida —
—— The siege of Badajoz raised 52
—— _The battle of Albuhera_ —
—— The siege of Badajoz again commenced —
—— The siege of Badajoz again relinquished —
—— The British army recrossed the Guadiana —
—— Marched to Elvas, and thence to Portalegre —
—— Investment of Ciudad Rodrigo —
—— Engagement at El Bodon —
—— Withdrew to Portalegre —
—— Advanced towards Arroyo del Molinos —
—— Attack and defeat of General Girard’s division
at Arroyo del Molinos 54
—— The thanks of Lieut.-General Hill to the troops
for their conduct in the action of Arroyo del
Molinos 55
—— The approbation of H. R. H. the Prince Regent,
and of H. R. H. the Commander-in-Chief,
conveyed to the troops for their services in
this action —
—— Preparations made by Viscount Wellington for
the recapture of _Ciudad Rodrigo_ 56
—— The British troops entered Merida —
1812 _Storm and capture of Ciudad Rodrigo_ 57
—— Regiment marched to Albuquerque —
—— Preparations made for the siege of Badajoz the
_third_ time —
—— _Capture of Badajoz by assault_ 58
1812 Marched to the attack of Almaraz 59
—— Destruction of the works and bridge at Almaraz 60
—— Received the Royal authority to bear the word
“_Almaraz_” on the regimental colour and
appointments —
—— Marched to various stations preparatory to an
attack on the forts of Salamanca 61
—— _The Battle of Salamanca_ 62
—— The Marquis of Wellington entered Madrid 63
—— Regiment moved to Aranjuez —
—— Siege of the castle of Burgos, which was afterwards
raised 64
—— Defence of the town of Alba de Tormes 65
—— Marched into quarters at Coria 66
1813 The French blew up the _Castle of Burgos_, and
retreated 67
—— The French army took up a position in the
neighbourhood of Vittoria 68
—— _The Battle of Vittoria_ —
—— The Royal authority was granted for the regiment
to bear the word “_Vittoria_” on the regimental
colour and appointments 69
—— Skirmish at Almandoz 70
—— Siege of St. Sebastian —
—— Investment of Pampeluna by the Spaniards —
—— Marshal Soult appointed to the command of the
French army, with the title of _Lieutenant of
the Emperor_ 71
—— Regiment engaged at the Pass of Maya —
—— Lieut.-Colonel Cameron permitted by His Majesty
to bear the word _Maya_ on his shield 72
—— Number of officers and men killed and wounded
in the action at Maya Pass 73
—— Engaged at a village between Lizasso and
Eguaros 74
1814 Again engaged on a height at Dona Maria 74
—— Received the Royal authority to bear the word
“_Pyrenees_” on the regimental colour and
appointments 75
—— Marched from Maya, and encamped near
Roncesvalles —
—— St. Sebastian and Pampeluna being taken, the
British commander resolved to carry the
war into France —
—— Attack of the position on the _Nivelle_ 76
—— Went into quarters at Cambo —
—— Crossed the river _Nive_ 77
—— Engaged in action at _St. Pierre_ —
—— Received the Royal authority to bear the word
“_Nive_” on the regimental colour and appointments 78
—— Marched to St. Jean de Luz, and returned to
Urt 79
—— Attacked and defeated the enemy at _Hellette_ —
—— Also at _Garris_ —
—— Affair at _Arriverete_ 80
—— The Royal authority granted to Lieut.-Colonel
Cameron, to bear on his crest the figure of a
Highlander of the 92nd regiment, up to the
middle in water, &c., &c., with the word
_Arriverete_ —
—— Crossed the Gave d’Oleron, and moved on the
road to _Orthes_ 83
—— Engaged at the _battle of Orthes_ —
—— Received the Royal authority to bear the word
“_Orthes_” on the regimental colour and
appointments —
—— Attack and defeat of the enemy at _Aire_ 84
—— Orders issued to the troops engaged in the action
at _Aire_ 85
1814 Address from the mayor and inhabitants of Aire 86
—— Regiment moved to Vic Bigorre, in pursuit;
thence to Tarbes and to Muret, on the road
to Toulouse 87
—— The French evacuated _Toulouse_, the white flag
was hoisted; and the British army entered
the city 88
—— Abdication of Napoleon announced —
—— The intelligence disbelieved at _Bayonne_, from
whence a desperate sortie was made by the
French garrison —
—— Regiment marched into Villa Franche, to Beziege,
and thence to Toulouse 89
—— Peace established between Great Britain and
France: Louis XVIII. placed on the throne of
France; and Napoleon Bonaparte proceeded to
the Isle of Elba —
—— Regiment marched to Blanchfort; thence to
Pouillac —
—— Received the Royal authority to bear the word
“_Peninsula_,” on the regimental colour and
appointments —
—— Moved down the Garonne in small craft, and
embarked for Ireland —
—— Disembarked at Monkstown, and marched to
Fermoy —
—— Received the thanks of Parliament for its meritorious
and eminent services during the war —
—— Inspected at Fermoy by Major-General Sir
William Aylett, who testified his approbation
of its appearance and interior economy —
—— The second battalion disbanded at Edinburgh 90
1815 Napoleon Bonaparte quitted Elba, and returned
to Paris: Louis XVIII. withdrew to Ghent;
and _Napoleon_ resumed the dignity of _Emperor
of the French_ —
—— Preparations for war immediately recommenced —
—— Regiment embarked at Cork for Ostend;
from thence proceeded to Bruges, and to Ghent 91
—— Marched to Brussels and brigaded —
—— Reviewed by Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington —
—— Action at Quatre Bras 92
—— Colonel Cameron killed —
—— Received the particular commendations of the
Duke of Wellington 93
—— Number of officers and men killed and wounded
at Quatre Bras —
—— _The Battle of Waterloo_ 94
—— Destructive charge on a French column at _La
Haye Sainte_ by the Scots Greys and _92nd
Regiment_ 96
—— The boldness and intrepidity of “_Les Braves
Ecossais_” attracted the astonishment of Napoleon
Bonaparte —
—— The Prussian army on the road from Wavre —
—— The French made a last effort by a general
attack, and were repulsed —
—— The allied troops advanced in pursuit, and
forced the enemy to abandon every position,
his artillery, arms, stores, &c. &c. —
—— The victory at Waterloo thus was achieved, and
a lasting peace has ensued 97
—— Numbers of officers and men killed and
wounded at _Waterloo_ —
1815 Honors and rewards conferred on the officers
and men engaged in the battle of Waterloo 97
—— Received the Royal authority to bear the word
“_Waterloo_” on the regimental colour and
appointments —
—— The thanks of the Houses of Parliament communicated 98
—— Received also the thanks of the Highland
Society of Scotland —
—— The Allied army continued the pursuit of the
French to Paris —
—— General order issued by Field Marshal the
Duke of Wellington, announcing that, in concert
with Field Marshal the Prince Blucher,
he had concluded a military convention
with the Commander-in-Chief of the French
army near Paris, by which the French were
to evacuate St. Denis, St. Ouen, Clichy,
Neuilly, the heights of Monte Martre, and
Paris, at specific and immediate periods; and
congratulating the army upon the results of
their glorious victory —
—— Louis XVIII. returned to Paris, and was reinstated
on the throne of France 99
—— Napoleon Bonaparte fled to the South of France,
and surrendered himself to the Captain of the
British ship of war, the “Bellerophon.” He
was subsequently removed to the Island of
St. Helena, which was agreed upon to be
fixed as his future residence —
—— The British army was reviewed in camp near
Paris by the Emperors of Austria and Russia,
and other Sovereigns in alliance with Great
Britain —
1815 Regiment marched to St. Germains, and thence
to Boulogne 99
—— Complimentary orders issued by Major-General
Sir Denis Pack on the regiment quitting his
command —
—— Marched to Calais, and embarked for England 100
1816 Landed at Margate, and thence proceeded to
Colchester, and subsequently to Edinburgh —
—— The Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia, while on a
visit at Edinburgh, was present at an inspection
of the regiment —
1817 Embarked for Ireland —
1819 Embarked for Jamaica 101
—— Sustained serious losses in officers and men from
yellow fever 102
1820 Appointment of Lieut.-General John Hope to
be Colonel in succession to General the Earl
of Hopetoun, removed to the 42nd regiment 103
1823 Appointment of Lieut.-General Hon. Alexander
Duff to be Colonel in succession to Lieut.-General
Sir John Hope, removed to the 72nd
Regiment 106
1824 Address from the magistrates and vestry of
Trelawny on the good conduct of the regiment
while stationed in that part of the island 107
1825 The regiment formed into six _service_, and four
_depôt_ companies 109
1827 Embarked for England on being relieved by the
84th regiment 110
—— Landed at Portsmouth, and proceeded to Edinburgh
castle —
1828 Embarked for Ireland 111
1829 Lieut.-Colonel John McDonald, appointed from
half-pay, assumed the command of the regiment 112
1830 Orders received for tartan trousers to be adopted
on all occasions, when the kilt is not worn 112
—— Inspected by Lieut.-General Sir John Byng,
commanding the forces in Ireland, by whom
great approbation was expressed on the state of
the regiment —
—— Address received from the magistrates of
_Queen’s County_ on the good conduct of the
regiment, particularly when called upon to aid
the civil power 114
—— New colours presented to the regiment by Lieut.-General
Sir John Byng, K.C.B., with a complimentary
address 115
1831 Orders expressive of the approbation of the
General Commanding in Chief of the conduct
of the regiment, and of the zeal and exertions
of Lieut.-Colonel McDonald 118
—— Appointment of Lieut.-General Sir John Hamilton
Dalrymple, Bart. (afterwards Earl of
Stair) to be Colonel in succession to Lieut.-General
Hon. Alexander Duff, removed to
the 37th regiment 119
—— Inspected by Major-General Sir Edward Blakeney,
K.C.B., by whom great commendation
was bestowed —
1832 Detachment employed in aid of the civil power,
and in the protection of the magistrates 120
1833 Regiment formed into six service and four depôt
companies preparatory for foreign service —
—— Depôt companies embarked for Scotland 121
1834 Service companies embarked for Gibraltar —
1836 Ditto for Malta —
—— Depôt companies embarked for Ireland —
1837 Service companies inspected by Major-General
Sir Henry Bouverie, K.C.B., commanding at
Malta —
1838 Inspected by H. R. H. Prince Maximilian of
Bavaria, on his visit at Malta 121
—— Furnished a Guard of Honor to receive Her
Majesty the Queen Dowager, on her arrival
at Malta 122
—— The Officers presented to Her Majesty —
—— The Regiment passed in review before Her
Majesty —
1840 Depôt companies embarked for Scotland 123
1841 Service companies embarked from Malta for the
West Indies —
1843 Appointment of Lieut.-General Sir William
Macbean, K.C.B., to be Colonel in succession
to General the Earl of Stair, removed to the
46th regiment 124
—— Service companies embarked from the West
Indies for England —
1844 Proceeded to Scotland, and joined by the depôt
companies at Aberdeen —
1846 Received the thanks of the Magistrates and
Commissioners of Police at Edinburgh —
—— Embarked for Ireland —
—— Colonel John McDonald promoted to the rank
of Major-General, and Major John Alexander
Forbes promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel 125
1850 Stationed in Ireland, and moved to Kilkenny —
—— Received orders to prepare for Foreign Service —
—— Received complimentary address from the
Mayor and Citizens of Kilkenny —
1851 Embarked for Corfu —
—— THE CONCLUSION 126
PLATES.
Costume of the regiment _to face page_ 1
Colours of the regiment ” 28
Plan of Arroyo-del-Molinos ” 54
Two soldiers on duty ” 126
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF THE
NINETY-SECOND REGIMENT,
(HIGHLANDERS.)
Year Page
1796 George, Marquis of Huntly, G.C.B. 127
1806 John, Earl of Hopetoun, G.C.B. 129
1820 Sir John Hope, G.C.B. 131
1823 Honorable Sir Alexander Duff, G.C.B. 132
1831 John, Earl of Stair, K.T. —
1843 Sir William Macbean, K.C.B. —
SUCCESSION OF LIEUTENANT-COLONELS 133
SUCCESSION OF MAJORS 134
APPENDIX.
Page
General Order, dated 16th of May, 1801, relating to
the campaign in Egypt, and the death of
General Sir Ralph Abercromby 137
List of regiments, and names of the Commanding Officers,
employed in Egypt in 1801 139