and the sixth division, with the Portuguese division immediately on
the left, having turned the redoubts to the right of the enemy’s
position on the heights of Ainhoe, the French in front of the
NINETY-SECOND made little resistance, running out of the redoubts
in the utmost confusion; the enemy giving way at all points, left
the allies a complete victory, and abandoned all his artillery and
stores. The NINETY-SECOND occupied the huts in the French position
for the night, and the next day advanced to Espelette.
On the 12th of November, the division moved in advance to reconnoitre
the enemy at Cambo, and after driving in his outposts and effecting
the object in view, the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked at a short distance
from the town.
The battalion went into quarters in Cambo on the 16th of November;
the enemy having previously blown up the bridge, retired across the
_Nive_, leaving some pieces of heavy artillery behind.
On the 27th of November, a detachment of one hundred men joined from
the second battalion, which still remained in Scotland.
The rivers, which had been greatly swollen by the rains, having
partly subsided, the allied army was put in motion across the
_Nive_ on the 9th of December. The NINETY-SECOND, commanded by
Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, forded that river near Cambo, but did not
meet with much opposition, as the enemy retired to prevent his
retreat to Bayonne from being cut off by the sixth division, which
was crossing lower down the river. The NINETY-SECOND advanced on the
same day to Urcuray: on the 10th and 11th, the French attacked the
troops on the left of the Nive, but on each day were repulsed.
On the 11th of December, the NINETY-SECOND advanced to Petite
Moguerre, a small village near Bayonne, situated between the rivers
Nive and Adour.
The enemy was observed at daylight in the morning of the 13th of
December, formed in very heavy columns between his entrenched camp at
Bayonne, and the village of St. Pierre, on the road leading to St.
Jean-Pied-de-Port.
The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, was
ordered to advance to the centre of the position at _St. Pierre_,
against which the enemy appeared to direct his principal attack.
The battalion had scarcely arrived on its ground, when it was led
into action, and by a most opportune and determined charge, drove
the French from the British position (of which they had for a moment
possessed themselves) to the very point from whence they had started.
The NINETY-SECOND was recalled to its proper position, and no sooner
was it formed there, than the enemy again attacked, and was again
repulsed. Besides being exposed during this day to a continued
fire of musketry and artillery, the battalion made _four_ distinct
charges with the bayonet, each time driving the enemy to his original
position in front of his entrenchments.
Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir William Stewart, K.B., in his
report of the action, stated, that “several brilliant charges were
made by our troops in the centre, against which the enemy’s principal
attack was directed, more particularly that by the NINETY-SECOND
Highlanders.”
In speaking of the defeat of the enemy’s principal attack on the road
to St. Jean Pied-de-Port, where the first brigade was stationed, the
Marquis of Wellington said in his despatch, “they were particularly
engaged in the contest with the enemy at that point, and these troops
conducted themselves admirably.”
On this occasion Lieutenants Duncan McPherson, Thomas Mitchell,
and Alan McDonald were killed. Major John McPherson (mortally),
Captains George W. Holmes, Ronald McDonald, and Donald McPherson;
Lieutenants John Catenaugh, Ronald McDonald, James John Chisholm,
Robert Winchester, and George Mitchell, and Ensign William Fraser
were wounded. Twenty-eight rank and file were killed, and one hundred
and forty-three wounded.
In commemoration of this action, an honorary badge was conferred
by His Majesty on Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, bearing the word “NIVE,”
and the senior captain of the regiment (Captain James Seaton) was
promoted to the brevet rank of major. The royal authority was
also granted for the NINETY-SECOND to bear the word “NIVE” on the
regimental colour and appointments.
The enemy retired into Bayonne a little before dark, and the
NINETY-SECOND went into its former quarters in Petite Moguerre.
On the 14th of December, the following order was issued by
Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir William Stewart, K.B.:—
“Head Quarters, near Petite Moguerre,
“14th December, 1813.
“The second division has greatly distinguished themselves, and
its gallantry in yesterday’s action is avowed by the Commander of
the forces and the allied army.”
The NINETY-SECOND marched from Petite Moguerre on the 17th of
December, and on the 19th occupied cantonments in Arquite.
[Sidenote: 1814]
On the 4th of January, 1814, the battalion marched from Arquite,
and encamped near Urt; on the 8th it went into cantonments in that
village. On the 20th of January the battalion marched from Urt for
St. Jean de Luz, where it received new clothing, and on the 20th
returned to Urt.
The enemy attacked on the 27th of January a piquet of the
NINETY-SECOND, stationed in an island on the Adour, but was driven
back.
At this period the allied army was put in motion, and the
NINETY-SECOND marched from Urt to Urcuray.
The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron,
marched on the 14th of February to attack a considerable body of the
enemy under General Harispe at _Hellette_, which was forced to retire
to Meharin. On this occasion Lieutenant Richard McDonell was wounded;
one private was killed, and seven rank and file wounded.
On the morning of the 15th of February, the NINETY-SECOND marched
in pursuit of the enemy, who was discovered, late in the evening,
strongly posted on the heights in front of _Garris_, which the
division attacked and carried in gallant style. The French
obstinately disputed their ground, and made several attempts to
recover it after dark, but finding the British troops immovable,
they retreated with considerable loss through St. Palais. On this
occasion Major James Seaton was mortally wounded, and expired on the
22nd of the following month. The other casualties were three rank and
file wounded.
During the night the enemy destroyed the bridge at St. Palais, and
every exertion was made to repair it. On the 16th of February, the
NINETY-SECOND crossed in the afternoon, and occupied a position in
advance.
On the 17th of February, the enemy was discovered in the village of
_Arriverete_, on the right bank of the Gave de Mauleon, endeavouring
to destroy the bridge over it. A ford was discovered a little higher
up, which the NINETY-SECOND crossed under cover of the British
artillery, and immediately attacking the troops in the village
with its usual success, drove the enemy out of it, and secured the
bridge by which the troops were enabled to cross. The enemy retired
across the Gave d’Oleron, and the battalion, which had ten rank and
file wounded in this enterprise, was cantoned in Arriverete and the
neighbouring villages.
In honor of this occasion, it was granted by royal warrant, that
Lieut.-Colonel Cameron should bear for his crest a Highlander of
the NINETY-SECOND regiment, up to the middle in water, grasping in
his right hand a broad sword, and in his left a banner inscribed
92nd, within a wreath of laurel; and as a motto over it the word
“_Arriverete_.”
The following is an extract of the Marquis of Wellington’s despatch
on this occasion:—
“St. Jean de Luz, 20th February, 1814.
“The enemy retired across the river at St. Palais in the night,
destroying the bridges, which, however, were repaired so that
the troops under Sir Rowland Hill crossed on the 16th, and on the
17th the enemy were driven across the Gave de Mauleon.
“They attempted to destroy the bridge at Arriverete, but they had
not time to complete its destruction; and a ford being discovered
above the bridge, the NINETY-SECOND regiment under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, supported by the fire of Captain Beane’s
troop of horse artillery, crossed the ford, and made a most
gallant attack upon two battalions of French infantry posted in
the village, from which the latter were driven with considerable
loss.”
The Marquis of Wellington addressed the following letter to
Lieut.-General Lord Niddry (afterwards Earl of Hopetoun), colonel of
the NINETY-SECOND, relative to an application to be permitted to bear
the word “ARRIVERETE” on the regimental colour and appointments:—
“Cambray, 13th April, 1816.
“MY DEAR LORD,
“I have received your letter of the 2nd, regarding the desire of
the NINETY-SECOND regiment to bear the word “_Arriverete_” on
their colour, &c., to which I have no objection, and I will apply
for the distinction, if after this explanation they should still
desire it.
“Arriverete is a village on the Gave de Mauleon, at which there
is a wooden bridge. We had passed the river at other points, but
our communication across it was difficult, and the enemy was of
such a force at Sauveterre, in the neighbourhood, that we could
not venture to move along it, and I wished to get possession of
the bridge before the enemy could destroy it. The NINETY-SECOND
forded the river, and attacked and took the village, against a
very superior force of the enemy, in the most gallant style, (in
the manner in which they have always performed every service in
which they have been employed), but without much loss; there the
affair ended; we were not prepared at that time to do more, and
we held that village as a _tête-de-pont_ till our means were in
readiness for our further operations.
“There is no doubt but the troops behaved as gallantly in this
affair as they could in any of greater importance, but the
result was not of that consequence to the ulterior operations of
the army, to have rendered it notorious to the army at large;
and although I reported it as I ought, I know there are many
belonging to the army, some even who were present, have no
recollection of the name of the place which was the scene of the
action, and some not even of the action itself.
“It appears to me to be beneath the reputation of the
NINETY-SECOND to have to explain for what cause the name of
a particular place has been inserted in their colours; and
notwithstanding that on no occasion could they or any other
troops behave better than they did upon that, I acknowledge that
I am anxious they should not press the request. But if after this
explanation they continue to wish it, I will take care it shall
be granted.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “WELLINGTON.
“Lieut.-General Lord Niddry, K.B.,
&c., &c.”
The NINETY-SECOND marched in the morning of the 24th of February,
1814, and crossed the Gave d’Oleron by a ford near Villeneuve, and
on the 25th moved on the road towards _Orthes_, and encamped near
Laas, where the battalion halted. The allied army was at this period
crossing the Gave de Pau, near Peyrehorade, with the exception of the
corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill.
On the 27th of February, the army under the Marquis of Wellington,
on the right bank of the Gave de Pau advanced to attack the French
position near _Orthes_, and the action soon became general. The first
brigade, to which the NINETY-SECOND under Lieut.-Colonel Cameron
belonged, was directed to a ford above the town of Orthes, and had
the honor of leading the second division across the Gave de Pau,
under a very heavy fire of musketry and artillery, and possessing
itself of the road from Orthes to the town of Pau, immediately
in rear of the enemy’s left flank, his retreat on that line was
consequently cut off. The NINETY-SECOND was ordered to move upon the
road to St. Sever, along the rear of the enemy, whose retreat, which
had been conducted hitherto with some degree of order, now became a
perfectly confused flight. The pursuit was at an equally rapid pace,
in which the battalion was conspicuous for several miles, until it
halted at Sault de Navailles.
In commemoration of this victory, which cost the enemy twelve pieces
of cannon, and about seven thousand men, the NINETY-SECOND received
the royal authority to bear the word “ORTHES” on the regimental
colour and appointments. His Majesty was also pleased to confer
honorary badges, bearing the word “_Orthes_,” on Lieut.-Colonel
John Cameron, who commanded the first battalion, and on Major James
Mitchell, who commanded the light companies; the latter officer was
promoted to the brevet rank of lieut.-colonel.
The NINETY-SECOND had only three rank and file wounded, and one
killed, in the battle of Orthes.
On the 28th of February, the NINETY-SECOND marched to St. Medard, and
on the 1st of March proceeded to Grenade; the main body of the allied
army had at this period crossed the Adour at St. Sever.
The enemy, on the 2nd of March, was seen strongly posted on a
ridge in front of the town of _Aire_, with his right resting on
the Adour. The allied army advanced to the attack, and compelled
him to retire; but a brigade of Portuguese troops on the British
flank giving way, the French became encouraged, and in their turn
advanced. The _fiftieth_ and NINETY-SECOND regiments, after clearing
their own front, were moved rapidly to the point where the enemy was
successful, and by a most splendid charge immediately put him to
flight.
These regiments now became considerably separated from each other,
from having to occupy the ground destined for the Portuguese troops,
and the NINETY-SECOND was again opposed to a strong column on its
flank, which it immediately charged, and pursued through the town of
Aire, in which the battalion was afterwards cantoned.
Captain William Fyfe, Lieutenants John A. Durie and Richard McDonell
were wounded. The other casualties of the battalion were three rank
and file killed, and twenty-nine wounded.
His Majesty, in honor of this occasion, granted permission for
Lieut.-Colonel Cameron to bear upon his shield a view of the town,
with the word “AIRE.”
The following Division and General Orders were issued, alluding to
the action of this day:—
“DIVISION ORDERS. Aire, March 3rd, 1814.
“Lieut.-General Sir William Stewart congratulates the division
on its further advance and success against the enemy. To the
admirable conduct of the fiftieth and NINETY-SECOND regiments led
by their gallant commanders, and by Major-General Barnes, the
good fortune of yesterday’s action is decidedly attributed, which
the Lieut.-General has to state to Lieut.-General Sir Rowland
Hill, for the information of the Commander of the Forces.”
“GENERAL ORDERS. Aire, March 5th, 1814.
Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill congratulates Lieut.-General Sir
William Stewart, Major-General Barnes, and Major-General Byng,
on the brilliant part which they bore in the action of the 2nd
instant.
“The gallant and steady conduct of the fiftieth regiment, under
Lieut.-Colonel Harrison, and of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, under
Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, excited the admiration of all who were
witnesses of it.”
On the 10th of March, a letter and address, of which the following
are copies, were received, and promulgated to the first battalion of
the NINETY-SECOND regiment.
“DEAR SIR, Aire, March 10th, 1814.
“The mayor and inhabitants of this town having requested me
to convey to you, with their sentiments of gratitude, the
accompanying address, I feel infinite pleasure in so doing; as I
deem the sentiments expressed in it justly due towards you, and
the distinguished regiment under your command.
“I have &c.,
(Signed) “WILLIAM STEWART,
“_Lieut.-General_.
“Lieut.-Colonel Cameron,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”
(Translation.)
“SIR, Aire, 9th March, 1814.
“The inhabitants of the town of Aire are not ignorant that if
they were preserved from pillage and destruction at the close
of the obstinate and sanguinary conflict of the 2nd of March,
they are indebted for such preservation from that calamity to
your honorable conduct, and the strict discipline which you have
maintained amongst the troops under your command.
“Penetrated by sentiments of the liveliest gratitude towards a
commander distinguished by such noble qualities, the town of Aire
has charged me to be their interpreter in communicating their
thanks, and to offer you the homage of their esteem.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “CODROY, _Mayor_.
“To Lieut.-Colonel Cameron,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”
Information having been received that the enemy was making a movement
to his left, and attempting to throw himself upon the right flank
of the British, a corresponding move was made by the Marquis of
Wellington, and the NINETY-SECOND marched from Aire on the 13th of
March, by the road to Pau, and halted in a position near Garlin, the
French being posted behind the river Gros Lees. On the 18th, the
battalion marched to Conchez, the enemy retiring towards Lembege on
the approach of the allies.
The NINETY-SECOND moved upon Lembege on the 19th of March, where a
skirmish took place, the enemy falling back to Vic Bigorre; here he
seemed determined to make a stand, but the third division, which
moved by a road to the British left, drove him in excellent style
from his position, and he retired across the Adour. The battalion
halted for the night in front of Vic Bigorre.
On the 20th of March, the left of the army crossed the Adour, and
moved upon the enemy’s right near Rabastens, while the right marched
upon Tarbes, the French having retired from it, as the allied columns
were forming for their attack.
The NINETY-SECOND continued in pursuit of the enemy on the main road
from Tarbes to Toulouse, by St. Gaudens, Mariemont, and St. Julien,
and halted on the 26th of March at Muret: there had been constant
rain for several days previous, which impeded operations; on the
27th, the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill were withdrawn
to St. Roque.
On the 31st of March, 1814, the division crossed the Garonne by a
pontoon bridge, and proceeded to Miremont; on the 1st of April to
Cintegabelle, and crossed the Arriege. No road for artillery could
be discovered from this place to Toulouse, and the NINETY-SECOND
recrossed the Garonne at St. Roque, the pontoons being removed
towards Grenade.
The NINETY-SECOND marched on the 5th of April to cantonments at
St. Simon. At this period the river Garonne had swollen, and this
circumstance made it necessary to remove the pontoons by which part
of the allied army had crossed; they were however replaced, and on
the evening of the 9th of April the main body of the British army was
on the right of the Garonne.
On the 10th of April, the NINETY-SECOND advanced by the Muret road to
the vicinity of _Toulouse_, and drove Marshal Soult’s outposts into
his entrenchments on that side. The services of the battalion were
not again required during this day; it however witnessed the gallant
conduct of its comrades on the opposite bank of the river, driving
the enemy from his redoubts above the town, and gaining a complete
victory.
During the 11th of April nothing particular occurred beyond a
skirmish, and confining the enemy to the suburbs. The French
evacuated Toulouse during the night, and the white flag was hoisted.
On the 12th of April the Marquis of Wellington entered the city
amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants. The NINETY-SECOND
followed the enemy on the Villa Franche road, and encamped in advance
of that town.
In the course of the afternoon of the 12th of April, intelligence
was received of the abdication of Napoleon: had not the express been
delayed on the journey by the French police, the sacrifice of many
valuable lives would have been prevented.
A disbelief in the truth of this intelligence occasioned much
unnecessary bloodshed at _Bayonne_, the garrison of which made a
desperate sortie on the 14th of April, and Lieut.-General Sir John
Hope (afterwards Earl of Hopetoun), the Colonel of the NINETY-SECOND
regiment, was taken prisoner. Major-General Andrew Hay was killed,
and Major-General Stopford was wounded. This was the last action of
the Peninsular war.
On the 20th of April, 1814, the NINETY-SECOND marched into Villa
Franche; on the 24th to Beziege; and on the 25th occupied quarters in
Toulouse.
A treaty of peace was established between Great Britain and France;
Louis XVIII. was restored to the throne of France, and Napoleon
Buonaparte was permitted to reside at Elba, the sovereignty of that
island having been conferred upon him by the allied powers.
The war being ended, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Toulouse on the
5th of June, and continued on the move until the 19th of that month,
when it encamped at Blanchfort, about two leagues from Bourdeaux.
In addition to the other distinctions acquired during the war in
Spain, Portugal, and the south of France the NINETY-SECOND received
the royal authority to bear, the word “PENINSULA” on the Regimental
Colour and Appointments.
On the 9th of July, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Blanchfort, and
encamped near Pouillac. On the 17th of July, the battalion was
conveyed down the Garonne in small craft, and embarked in H. M.’s
ship “Norge,” which sailed immediately, and on the 26th entered Cove
of Cork harbour.
The NINETY-SECOND disembarked at Monkstown on the 29th of July, and
marched to Fermoy barracks, where the thanks of Parliament were
communicated to the officers and soldiers for “the meritorious and
eminent services which they had rendered to their King and Country
during the course of the war.”
On the 6th of August, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND
regiment, commanded by Colonel Cameron, was inspected at Fermoy
by Major-General Sir William Aylett, who expressed in orders his
great satisfaction at its appearance under arms, as well as of
its interior economy. Its effective strength consisted of fifty
serjeants, sixteen drummers, and seven hundred rank and file.
Two captains and three lieutenants were ordered on the 12th of
October to proceed to Scotland to take under their charge the
non-commissioned officers and men of the second battalion, about to
be transferred to the first battalion.
On the 24th of October, the second battalion of the NINETY-SECOND
regiment was disbanded at Edinburgh, and twelve serjeants, thirteen
drummers, and one hundred and sixty-one rank and file were
transferred to the first battalion, which they joined at Fermoy in
January following.
[Sidenote: 1815]
The NINETY-SECOND regiment marched on the 27th of January, 1815, from
Fermoy to Cork barracks, where an authority was received for the
establishment to be one thousand rank and file.
The NINETY-SECOND regiment was not destined to remain long on
home service. The peace of Europe was again disturbed. Napoleon
Bonaparte returned from Elba, landed at Cannes, in Provence, on the
1st of March, 1815, with a handful of men, and on the 20th of that
month entered Paris at the head of an army which had joined him on
the road. Louis XVIII. withdrew from Paris to Ghent, and Napoleon
assumed his former dignity of Emperor of the French; but the allied
Powers refused to acknowledge his sovereignty, and determined on his
dethronement. Preparations for war commenced accordingly, and the
NINETY-SECOND regiment was ordered to proceed on foreign service.
The regiment marched to the Cove of Cork on the 1st of May, and
embarked in transports, which sailed on the 3rd of May. Its effective
strength consisted of forty-seven serjeants, sixteen drummers, and
six hundred and twenty-one rank and file. The regiment anchored near
Ostend on the 9th of May, was removed in boats on the following day,
and subsequently proceeded by the canal to Bruges.
On the 11th of May the regiment proceeded to Ghent, where it landed,
and was quartered. Louis XVIII. was residing there at this period.
The regiment marched from Ghent to Alost on the 27th of May, and
on the 28th to Brussels, where it was placed in Major-General Sir
Denis Pack’s brigade, with the third battalion of the Royals,
the forty-second Highlanders, and the second battalion of the
forty-fourth regiment.