Copenhagen in 1807 141
General Orders, dated 18th of January, and 1st of
February, 1809, relating to the _Battle of
Corunna_, and the death of Lieut.-General Sir
John Moore, on the 16th of January, 1809 142 & 144
List of regiments, and the names of the Commanding
Officers, which composed the army under
Lieut.-General Sir John Moore at Corunna 146
List of the British and Hanoverian regiments, as
formed in brigades and divisions, and the names
of the General Officers, and of the Commanding
Officers of Regiments, at the _Battle of Waterloo_,
on the 18th of June, 1815 147
[Illustration: 92nd REGIMENT (GORDON HIGHLANDERS.)
_For Cannon’s Military Records._
_Madeley Lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE NINETY-SECOND REGIMENT,
(HIGHLANDERS.)
[Sidenote: 1793]
The French Revolution, which commenced in the year 1789, by its
destroying and sanguinary course, menaced Europe with universal
anarchy. On the 21st of January, 1793, Louis XVI. was decapitated,
and on the 1st of February the National Convention declared war
against Great Britain and Holland.
Augmentations were in consequence made to the army; volunteer
companies were formed by the patriotism of the British people, and
every exertion was made to defend those institutions which had raised
England to a high position among the nations of Europe.
[Sidenote: 1794]
To these events the NINETY-SECOND regiment owes its origin. A letter
of service was addressed to the Duke of Gordon on the 10th of
February, 1794, authorizing him to raise a regiment in Scotland, and
the commission of Lieut.-Colonel Commandant was conferred upon his
son the Marquis of Huntly.
The establishment of the regiment was directed to consist of
one lieut.-colonel commandant, two majors, ten captains, one
captain-lieutenant, twenty-one lieutenants, eight ensigns, one
adjutant, quarter-master, surgeon, assistant-surgeon, chaplain,
serjeant-major, quarter-master serjeant, forty serjeants, twenty
drummers, two fifers, and one thousand rank and file.
On the 24th of June, 1794, the regiment was embodied at Aberdeen,
and was generally known as “_The Gordon Highlanders_;” the regiment
was inspected on the following day by Lieut.-General Sir Hector
Munro, K.B., who expressed himself highly pleased with the general
appearance of the corps.
The following officers were present, namely:—
_Lieut.-Colonel Commandant_ George Marquis of Huntly.
_Major_ Charles Erskine.
_Captains._
Alexander Napier. | William McIntosh.
John Cameron. | Alexander Gordon.
Honorable John Ramsay. | Simon McDonald.
Andrew Patton. | John Gordon (_Capt.-Lieut._)
_Lieutenants._ | _Ensigns._
|
Peter Grant. | Charles Dowie.
Archibald McDonell. | George Davidson.
Alexander Stewart. | Archibald McDonald.
John McLean. | Alexander Fraser.
Patrick Gordon. | William Todd.
| James Mitchell.
_Adjutant_ John Henderson. | _Surgeon_ William Findlay.
_Quarter-Master_ Peter Wilkie. | _Assistant-Surgeon_ John Clark.
_Chaplain_ William Gordon.
On the 9th of July, the regiment embarked at Fort George for England,
and landed at Southampton on the 16th of August, when it was encamped
on Netley Common. About this period it was numbered the _Hundredth_
regiment.
The uniform of the officers was as follows:—
JACKET.—Scarlet, facings yellow, with lappels turned back, and laced
two and two; lace, silver, with a blue silk-worm in the centre; flat
buttons, silver or plated, with the number of the regiment ‘100’ in
the centre.
EPAULETS.—Two for all ranks, of silver bullion, having two stripes of
yellow silk in the centre of the strap, with a thistle, and a binding
of blue round the edge.
WAISTCOAT.—Scarlet, with regimental buttons, and laced with silver.
BELTED PLAID.—Twelve yards of blue, black, and green tartan, with a
narrow yellow stripe.
PURSE, SHOES, AND HOSE.—Badger skin, ornamented with six white
tassels, mounted with silver, and having a rim of silver round the
top. The shoes were low-quartered, with silver buckles. The rosettes
and garters were of red tape. The hose were tartan of white and red
chequer.
The sword was the Highland claymore; the sword belt of buff leather,
and the breastplate oval, of silver, ornamented with a crown and
thistle, encircled by the words “_Gordon Highlanders_.”
The sash was of crimson silk, and was worn across the left shoulder.
The bonnet was ornamented with black ostrich feathers, and the dirk
was silver mounted.
The dress of the serjeants and privates was similar, the arms of the
former being the claymore and halbert, and the latter had muskets;
queues were worn by officers and men.
On the 5th of September, the regiment embarked at Southampton for
Gibraltar, where it landed on the 27th of October: at this station
the drill of the regiment was completed, and it was immediately
placed on the garrison roster. The effective strength consisted of
three field officers, seven captains, nine lieutenants, six ensigns,
four staff, twenty-nine serjeants, twenty-one drummers, and seven
hundred and twenty-seven rank and file.
In December the regiment received its colours on Windmill Hill, after
being consecrated by the garrison chaplain; the regiment was marched
under them by files in ordinary time, previously to which the Marquis
of Huntly made a very impressive address, calling the attention of
the officers and men to the duties which their King and Country
expected from them, and to the honors which he trusted they would
acquire under these banners.
The first or King’s Colour was, as usual, the Great Union. The
second, or Regimental Colour, was composed of yellow silk; in the
centre of both, the number ‘100,’ surmounted with a crown, and the
words “_Gordon Highlanders_,” the whole within a wreath of thistles
and roses.
[Sidenote: 1795]
On the 11th of June, 1795, the regiment embarked for Corsica, and
landed at Bastia on the 11th of July.
In February of the previous year a landing was effected in Corsica by
the allied troops, and, through the influence of General Paoli, the
Commander-in-Chief of the island, a decree was made by the Assembly
of Deputies, declaring the separation of Corsica from France, and its
union to the British dominions.
In December, 1795, Lieut.-Colonel the Marquis of Huntly obtained
leave of absence, and the command of the regiment devolved on Major
Erskine.
[Sidenote: 1796]
The regiment was inspected on the 14th of April, 1796, at Bastia, by
Lieut.-General Thomas Trigge, commanding at Corsica, who expressed
his gratification at the appearance of the men, and the very correct
manner in which they performed the different movements.
On the 14th of May, His Excellency the Viceroy, Lieut.-General Sir
Gilbert Eliott reviewed the regiment, and signified his highest
approbation of its appearance.
On the following day, the greater portion of the regiment, under the
command of Major Alexander Napier, to which rank he had been promoted
in March of this year, proceeded to _Corte_, in order to suppress
a serious rebellion which broke out in that part of the island,
and upon the return of the troops, a general order was issued by
Lieut.-General the Honorable John Thomas De Burgh, who had succeeded
to the command of the forces in Corsica, expressive of his best
thanks for the exertions and good conduct displayed during the above
fatiguing service.
Lieut.-Colonel Commandant the Marquis of Huntly was promoted to
the rank of colonel of the regiment on the 3rd of May, 1796; Major
Charles Erskine was also promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, the
commission of the latter being ante-dated 1st May of the previous
year.
In July Lieut.-Colonel Erskine obtained leave of absence, and the
command of the regiment devolved upon Major Napier.
On the 14th of August, a detachment, consisting of one field officer,
two captains, four subalterns, seven serjeants, eight corporals,
and two hundred privates, was ordered to be held in readiness at a
moment’s notice, to embark upon a secret expedition. The zeal and
spirit of the corps showed itself in a most conspicuous manner, by
the unanimous wish of the whole to be employed upon it; and in
consequence of which, Major Napier, then commanding the regiment,
made an offer to that effect to the Commander-in-Chief, who was
pleased to give the following answer:—
“The Commander-in-Chief is sensible of the zeal and laudable motive,
which have induced the officers and men of the Hundredth regiment to
offer their services on the present occasion, and he desires Major
Napier to express his best thanks to them, as well as his assurance,
that he will be ready at all times to testify his satisfaction at
their general good conduct and appearance, although circumstances
will not at this time allow him to avail himself of their services to
the extent they offer them.”
This expedition proved to be against _Porto Ferrajo_, in the Isle of
Elba, and was completely successful, without any loss on the part of
the troops employed.
Meanwhile the brilliant career of General Bonaparte in Italy had
produced a change of sentiment among the inhabitants of Corsica, of
which island he was a native. The Corsicans, therefore, gloried in
him as a man who reflected honor on their country, and they regretted
that the island had been annexed to Great Britain, as this event
placed them in hostility to their victorious countryman, and they
began to concert measures to effect its separation. It appearing
evident that the expense of the defence would exceed the advantage
derived from the possession of the island, the British troops were
withdrawn, and on the 6th of September the regiment embarked for
Gibraltar.
The regiment mustered one major, five captains, seven lieutenants,
five ensigns, three staff, thirty-seven serjeants, twenty-one
drummers, and seven hundred and six rank and file.
The following General Order was issued upon this occasion:—
_5th September, 1796._
“The Hundredth regiment being to embark for Gibraltar,
Lieut.-General De Burgh cannot suffer them to leave Corsica,
without testifying his approbation and satisfaction of their
general good conduct and soldier-like behaviour, since he had
the honor to command them; at the same time he desires they will
accept of his best wishes for their success and welfare on all
occasions.”
During the voyage, the British Admiral fell in with a large fleet of
Spanish men-of-war, and the first intimation he had of Spain being at
war with Great Britain, was their firing upon his ships. Perceiving
this, and the enemy being so superior in force, he made signal
to crowd all sail. The Spaniards, however, captured the “Granby”
transport, having on board two staff officers, three serjeants, and
forty-eight rank and file of the regiment.
The regiment landed at Gibraltar on the 4th of October, and on the
10th of that month was inspected by the Lieut.-Governor, who was much
pleased with its appearance.
In the previous year, Prussia had concluded a peace with the French
Republic, and in consequence of the United Provinces of Holland
having leagued with France, England had taken possession of the Cape
of Good Hope and of Ceylon. The former allies of England now became
converted into enemies. War was declared by Holland, which had been
constituted the Batavian Republic, against Great Britain, in May,
and Spain followed the example in October. In the same month, Lord
Malmsbury was sent to Paris to negociate a peace on the part of
the British Government; but the French insisted upon retaining, as
integral parts of the Republic, the conquests lately made; these
terms could not be acceded to consistently with the general interests
of Europe, and the negociation was discontinued.
[Sidenote: 1797]
In April, 1797, Lieut.-Colonel Erskine arrived at Gibraltar, and
assumed the command of the regiment.
In April, the preliminaries of peace were signed at Leoben, in
Styria, between Austria and the French Republic, so that Great
Britain was left to continue the contest single-handed with France
and her allies. In July Lord Malmsbury was sent a second time to
negociate a peace, but the demands of the French Directory rendered
the attempt abortive. On the 17th of October the definitive treaty
of peace between Austria and the French Republic was signed at Campo
Formio.
[Sidenote: 1798]
The regiment embarked in transports for England on the 16th of March,
1798. The ships put into the Tagus on the 9th of April, and sailed
again on the 15th. After a tedious and boisterous passage, the
regiment disembarked at Portsmouth on the 15th of May, and occupied
Hilsea Barracks.
The effective strength of the regiment at this period consisted of
two field officers, four captains, eleven subalterns, three staff,
thirty-seven serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and seven hundred and
forty-two rank and file.
By a General Order, dated 26th of May, 1798, it was directed that the
coats of the army should be worn buttoned over the body down to the
waist.
On the 31st of May, the regiment embarked in ships of war at Southsea
Beach, Portsmouth, for Ireland, and arrived at Dublin, on the 15th
of June, where it went into barracks.
His Majesty King George III., appointed Colonel the Marquis of
Huntly to serve as a Brigadier-General upon the Staff of the Army in
Ireland, in which country a spirit of discontent had been fomented
by a party of unprincipled men, who had expected aid from France
to carry out their designs. On the 21st of June, Lieut.-General
Lake defeated the main body of the rebels at Vinegar hill, and the
troubles in Ireland would have subsided, had it not been for the
expected aid to be derived from France.
On the 2nd of July, the regiment marched at a moment’s notice, in
consequence of the disturbed state of the country, the urgency of the
service being such that the troops were conveyed in carriages.
The regiment encamped in the vicinity of Gorey on the 7th of July,
and on the 18th marched suddenly to Blessington, where it encamped.
On the 29th it marched and encamped at the Glen of Emall.
On the 10th of August, Lieut.-Colonel Erskine and three hundred men
were detached and encamped at Torbay.
The following letter, expressive of the good conduct of the regiment
during their stay at Gorey, was addressed by the Dean of Ferns, to
Colonel the Marquis of Huntly:—
“MY LORD,
“I have the honor of enclosing to you that part of the
proceedings in the last vestry, held in Gorey, wherein your
Lordship and your regiment are mentioned. This mark of our
respect and gratitude should have been sooner expressed and
conveyed to you, had not our calamitous situation delayed the
calling of a vestry, which we conceived the most regular mode of
expressing our sentiments collectively.
“It may be pleasing to your Lordship to hear that, in the
attendance of my parish, I have heard all the poor loud in the
praise of the honesty and humanity of the privates of your
regiment. They not only did not rob them of the wretched pittance
that was left by the rebels, but refused such trifling presents
(of provisions, &c.,) as were offered them, saying their King
paid them nobly, and enabled them to supply every want at their
own expense.
“I have the honor to be,
“With great respect,
“Your Lordship’s obedient Servant,
(Signed) “PETER BROWN,
“_Dean of Ferns_.”
“We the loyal inhabitants of the parish and vicinity of Gorey,
in vestry assembled, beg leave thus publicly to acknowledge the
goodness and humanity evinced by the Marquis of Huntly, during
his short stay amongst us. We are proud to add, that during that
short stay, rapine ceased to be a system, and the confidence
of the people in the honor of government began to revive. We
should be wanting in gratitude if we omitted our testimony, that
the humanity of the colonel was emulated by the soldiers, and
we request the Hundredth regiment to accept our thanks for the
moderation and honor which marked the conduct of every individual
officer and private who composed it.
(Signed) “PETER BROWN, _Rector_.
“J. JERMAN, _Churchwarden_.”
The French, to the number of about nine hundred men, commanded
by General Humbert, landed at Killala, and being joined by a few
malcontents marched to Castlebar.
On the 24th of August the regiment marched to Blessington; on the
26th encamped at Kilbeggan; on the 28th at Athlone; on the 29th
at Ballymore, in a position in front of the town; on the 1st of
September it encamped at Crophill, and moved every day until the
16th, when it encamped near Moat.
Meanwhile the united French and rebel force had been attacked by
Lieut.-General Lake, at Ballinamuck, on the 8th of September, and the
French troops were compelled to surrender at discretion.
Major-General John Moore, in brigade orders, dated 25th of September,
1798, after detailing some irregularity on the part of the troops,
added—
“The Major-General must, in justice to the Hundredth regiment,
state, that hitherto he has had no complaint of any one of them,
nor has he ever met them in town after the retreat beating.”
The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were, on the 15th of October,
conveyed to the troops, “for their meritorious exertions on the
present important crisis.”
While the regiment was encamped near Moat, the following order
was received, by which the corps was numbered the NINETY-SECOND
regiment.[6]
_Adjutant-General’s Office, Dublin, 16th October, 1798._
“It is His Majesty’s pleasure, that the Hundredth regiment shall
in future be numbered the NINETY-SECOND, and that it be placed
on the same establishment with regard to field officers as other
regiments of the line.
(Signed) “G. HEWITT, _Adjutant-General_.”
On the 30th of October, 1798, the regiment broke up from camp, and
went into quarters at Athlone.
Napoleon Bonaparte, against whose legions in Egypt and the Peninsula,
the NINETY-SECOND regiment, in subsequent years, acquired great
renown, was now rising, step by step, to that imperial sway which he
afterwards attained. The National Convention had been succeeded in
October, 1795, by the French Directory, and the latter, jealous of
Bonaparte’s popularity, sent him, in May, 1798, on the expedition
to Egypt. Napoleon took Alexandria by storm, and soon established
himself at Cairo. The Sublime Porte, incensed by the invasion of
Egypt, declared war against France, and formed an alliance with
Russia. The fleet which had conveyed the expedition to Egypt, was
almost destroyed by Admiral Nelson in Aboukir Bay, on the 1st of
August. So large a portion of the French army, being thus secluded
in a distant land, gave fresh impulse to the allies, and in November
the island of Minorca surrendered to the British arms. In December,
1798, the co-operation of Russia against France was secured by Great
Britain.
[Sidenote: 1799]
War was declared by the French Directory against Austria, in March,
1799, and the combined Austrian and Russian armies recovered the
greater portion of Italy.
Great Britain now determined to make a corresponding attempt, in
conjunction with Russia, to recover Holland from the dominion of
France, and a numerous army was selected to proceed to that country
under His Royal Highness the Duke of York, previous to whose
arrival, the troops were to be commanded by Lieut.-General Sir Ralph
Abercromby.
A plan of co-operation was concerted between Great Britain and
Russia, in the expectation that the Dutch would rise in arms
against the French, in favour of the Prince of Orange, and, aided
by the Anglo-Russian force, would exert themselves to effect their
emancipation.
On the 15th of June, the NINETY-SECOND regiment, which had been
selected to embark on the expedition to Holland, commenced its
march by divisions for Cork, on which day the following address was
received by the commanding officer:—
“At a numerous meeting of the inhabitants of Athlone and its
vicinity on the 15th June, 1799, Thomas Mitchell, Esq., in
the chair: the following Address to Lieut.-Colonel Erskine,
commanding His Majesty’s NINETY-SECOND regiment in this garrison,
was unanimously agreed to:—
“SIR,
“We heard with concern, that His Majesty’s NINETY-SECOND
regiment, which you have commanded in this garrison, has been
ordered to march for the purpose of joining those troops intended
for a foreign expedition: but however we may regret your
departure, we are not surprised that a regiment, so eminently
conspicuous for its steadiness and discipline, should be selected
for an arduous enterprise.
“We have during your continuance amongst us, experienced a
polite attention from the officers of your regiment, and the
uninterrupted peace and tranquillity, which have prevailed in
this town and neighbourhood, evince the attention of the soldiers
under your command.
“Permit us, therefore, to return you our thanks, and to request
that you will convey the same to the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and soldiers of your regiment.
“By order of the meeting,
(Signed) “THOMAS MITCHELL.”
The regiment arrived at Cork on the 24th and 25th of June, and
encamped at Monkstown, until orders for its embarkation should
arrive. On the 19th of July, the regiment embarked at Cove, and
arrived at Dover on the 30th, when it encamped on Barham Downs, where
the troops were assembling for the expedition to Holland under the
orders of Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby.
The NINETY-SECOND regiment was placed in the fourth brigade,
commanded by Major-General, afterwards Sir John Moore, which
consisted of the Royals (second battalion), twenty-fifth,
forty-ninth, seventy-ninth, and NINETY-SECOND regiments.
The regiment marched for Ramsgate on the 7th of August, and on the
following day embarked in transports, which sailed on the 11th
for the coast of Holland. Its effective strength consisted of one
colonel, one lieut.-colonel, two majors, six captains, twelve
lieutenants, seven ensigns, five staff, forty serjeants, twenty-one
drummers, and seven hundred and thirty rank and file.
The British troops landed on the Dutch coast, near the _Helder_,
on the 27th of August. A considerable body of French and Dutch
troops assembled near the point of debarkation; some sharp fighting
occurred, and in the evening the enemy retreated to a position six
miles in his rear. Although one of the first to get a footing on
the Dutch shores, it did not fall to the lot of the NINETY-SECOND
to be materially engaged this day in the affairs on the sand-hills.
The regiment had one serjeant and fourteen rank and file drowned
in the landing on the Dutch coast. The enemy having abandoned his
fortifications, and evacuated the town during the night, the regiment
moved into Helder on the 28th of August. A numerous train of heavy
and field artillery was found in this important post; two days
afterwards the Dutch fleet surrendered without striking a blow, and
hoisted the colours of the Prince of Orange.
On the 1st of September, the regiment marched out of Helder, and
on the 2nd advanced to Oude Sluys, on the Zuyder Zee, where the
army took up a position, along which the troops were placed in
cantonments, the NINETY-SECOND being in advance of the right.
The Dutch did not manifest a disposition to rise against the French.
At daylight, in the morning of the 10th of September, the united
French and Dutch forces, under General Brune, attacked the piquets;
the troops repaired to their alarm-posts, and the action soon became
general: the British troops repulsed the attack, and the orders of
that day directed the regiment to its cantonments at Oude Sluys,
and conveyed the thanks of General Sir Ralph Abercromby[7] for its
“noble and steady conduct during the day.”
Captain the Honorable John Ramsay was wounded in this action, which
was fought near the villages of _Crabbendam_ and _Schagen_.