joined on the 25th of April. At this period the officers of the
NINETY-SECOND were directed to wear wings, instead of two bullion
epaulets for all ranks as heretofore.
One of the two companies stationed at Lucea marched on the 23rd of
August to Montego Bay, and on the 27th of November was moved from
thence to Maroon Town.
[Sidenote: 1823]
Major-General Sir John Keane, K.C.B., assumed the command of the
troops in Jamaica, on the 1st of May, 1823, and in the early part of
June visited the different stations of the regiment, when he approved
highly of its discipline and appearance.
Lieut.-General the Honorable Alexander Duff was appointed colonel
of the NINETY-SECOND on the 6th of September, 1823, in succession
to Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, G.C.H., who was removed to the
seventy-second regiment.
[Sidenote: 1824]
A detachment of thirty recruits joined on the 10th of February, 1824,
and they were stationed at Fort Augusta.
The head-quarters of the regiment marched from Falmouth to Montego
Bay on the 5th of April, where they arrived at daylight on the
following morning; and on the 7th embarked in H. M. ship “Pyramus,”
the other two divisions embarking about the same time. The regiment
landed at Fort Augusta on the 10th, 12th, and 16th of April. Six
companies and the head-quarters remained at Fort Augusta, and two
companies were detached to Kingston Barracks.
During the two years the regiment was stationed on the north side,
the men enjoyed a high state of health, considering the climate
of Jamaica. Of their conduct in quarters, the best judgment may
be formed from the following address presented to Lieut.-Colonel
Williamson, by a committee of the magistrates and vestry of Trelawny
appointed for that purpose:—
“Court House, Falmouth.
“5th April, 1824.
“SIR,
“We, the magistrates and vestry of Trelawny, cannot permit the
departure from this post, of the distinguished regiment under
your command, without declaring our sense of the exemplary
conduct of the officers and orderly demeanour of the men, during
the time they have been stationed among us. In expressing our
satisfaction at the cordiality that has prevailed between your
regiment and the inhabitants of the district, we cannot but
ascribe to you the excellent state of discipline which has led to
this desirable result.
“We beg to offer our best wishes for the health of yourself and
officers, in whatever part of the world your military duties may
call you to.
(Signed) “HENRY GORDON.
“_Magistrate Presiding._
“Lieut.-Colonel Williamson,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND regiment.”
About the middle of April, the recruits which had lately joined were
attacked by fever, which carried off one-third of their number.
On the 21st of June, the regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel
Williamson, was inspected by Major-General Sir John Keane, who
expressed himself highly pleased with the movements, and the
attention which the men appeared to have paid to the new system of
drill, prescribed by the General Order of the 10th of March, 1824,
according to the improvements introduced by Major-General Sir Henry
Torrens, K.C.B., Adjutant-General of the Forces.
Symptoms of insurrection having appeared among the slaves on the
north side of the island, four companies of the regiment were
embarked on the 25th of June on board His Majesty’s ship “Hussar”;
two of them were landed on the 28th at Savanna la Mar, and were
stationed there; and on the 30th another was landed at Black River;
while the fourth remained on board the frigate on its cruise
round the island, and was again landed at Fort Augusta, where the
detachments at Savanna la Mar, and Lacovia, joined the head-quarters
on the 6th and 7th of August.
On the 13th of September, Major Andrew Robert Charlton assumed the
command of the regiment, Lieut.-Colonel Williamson having obtained
leave of absence to return to Europe.
[Sidenote: 1825]
The head-quarters and the six companies at Fort Augusta proceeded on
the 13th of January, 1825, to Up-Park Camp, where the two companies
stationed at Kingston joined on the following day, and the regiment
became united, having been more or less detached since the 10th of
March, 1820.
On the 14th of February, a detachment of twenty-four recruits
arrived from England; and a detachment of two officers and sixteen
recruits joined from England on the 25th of June.
In July orders were received fixing the establishment of the regiment
at ten companies; six _service_ and four _depôt_ companies.
About the middle of July, the regiment was attacked with fever,
which, in the course of two months, carried off Major Andrew Robert
Charlton, Captain Andrew Donaldson, Lieutenant and Adjutant James
Deans, and sixty men; the command then devolved on Captain Robert
Winchester, who was subsequently promoted to the rank of major in the
regiment.
[Sidenote: 1826]
On the 10th of February, 1826, Lieut.-Colonel Williamson and a
detachment of three officers and sixty men arrived from England on
board of His Majesty’s ship “Magnificent.”
Major-General Sir John Keane, K.C.B., on the 11th of March, inspected
the head-quarters of the regiment, at Fort Augusta, under Major
Winchester, he having been in command the greater part of the
time since the last annual inspection, and expressed his entire
satisfaction at the soldier-like appearance of the men, and their
correct performance of the field exercises: the flourishing state of
the regimental school attracted his particular notice amongst the
various points of interior economy.
In August the regiment received orders to be in readiness for
embarkation for England upon being relieved by the eighty-fourth
regiment.
The two companies at Kingston, marched, on the 23rd of December, to
Up-Park Camp; two companies from Fort Augusta replaced them; and, on
the 24th, the other two companies proceeded to Kingston Barracks,
where the head-quarters were established, leaving the sick and
hospital establishment at Fort Augusta, a station which had been
found an excellent convalescent post.
Sickness prevailed to a considerable extent at Kingston, and
therefore changes continually took place between the three stations,
Fort Augusta, Kingston, and Up-Park Camp.
[Sidenote: 1827]
The first division of the eighty-fourth regiment having arrived
at Fort Augusta on the 3rd of February, 1827, the convalescents
of the NINETY-SECOND were removed to Up-Park Camp, to await their
embarkation for Europe.
On the 19th of February, the head-quarters of the regiment, under
Lieut.-Colonel Williamson, embarked, at Kingston, on board the “Arab”
transport, and sailed on the 24th, arriving at Spithead on the 25th
of April.
The head-quarter division was transshipped from the “Arab” to the
“Amphitrite” and “Zephyr” transports, in Portsmouth harbour, and
sailed for Leith Roads. It landed at Leith on the 10th of May, and
marched to Edinburgh Castle, where the four depôt companies, from
Glasgow, joined on the 23rd of that month, and were consolidated with
the regiment.
The three companies which had been left at Up-Park Camp, under the
command of Major Winchester, embarked at Kingston on the 30th of
March, sailed on the 3rd of April, landed at Portsmouth on the 21st
of May, and were quartered in Forton Barracks, re-embarked on the
25th of May, and on the 31st, joined the head-quarters at Edinburgh
Castle, where the regiment was assembled.
On the 27th of June, the regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Williamson,
was inspected by Major-General Sir Robert W. O’Callaghan, K.C.B.,
commanding in North Britain. Its strength consisted of thirty-seven
serjeants, eleven drummers, and six hundred and thirty-one rank and
file.
[Sidenote: 1828]
Four companies, under the command of Major Winchester, marched on the
25th of February, 1828, for Glasgow Barracks.
The six companies at head-quarters in Edinburgh Castle, were
inspected by Major-General Sir Robert O’Callaghan on the 3rd
of April; on the 23rd, two companies marched for Glasgow, and
on the 24th were followed by the other two companies with the
head-quarters. Two companies being left at Edinburgh Castle, joined
the head-quarters at Glasgow on the 30th of April.
Lieut.-Colonel Williamson having, on the 26th of May, obtained leave
of absence until further orders, the command of the regiment devolved
on Major Winchester.
The regiment embarked on the 29th of July, and two following days, on
board the “Eclipse,” “Sheffield,” and “Frolic” steam-boats, arriving
at Belfast on the 30th of July, and the two following days, where the
regiment was billeted.
On the 3rd of August, the regiment embarked at Belfast, and landed on
the following day at Dublin.
The regiment, commanded by Major Winchester, was inspected on the
5th of August, in the Phœnix Park, by Lieut.-General Sir John Byng,
K.C.B., commanding the forces in Ireland, and on the 6th and 7th of
that month marched for Fermoy, where the divisions arrived on the
15th and 16th of August.
[Sidenote: 1829]
On the 19th of January, 1829, Lieut.-Colonel John McDonald,[17]
joined and assumed the command of the NINETY-SECOND, he having been
appointed to the regiment from the half-pay on the 21st of November
of the previous year.
Orders having been received directing that steel-mounted swords
should be adopted by Highland regiments, the officers of the
NINETY-SECOND, immediately supplied themselves with “_Claidheamh
mor_,” similar to those originally used in the regiment.
[Sidenote: 1830]
A letter, dated 13th of April, 1830, was at this period received
from the Adjutant-General of the Forces, authorising the adoption of
regimental tartan trousers for all occasions when the kilt is not
worn.
On the 11th of May, the first division of the regiment marched for
Kilkenny, and was followed next day by the head-quarters, at which
place they arrived on the 14th and 15th of May; detaching a company
to each of the following places—Carlow, Athy, and Maryborough. On the
8th of June, another company marched from head-quarters for New Ross.
The regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel John McDonald, was reviewed on the
5th November, by Lieut.-General Sir John Byng, K.C.B., commanding the
forces in Ireland, who directed the commanding officer to make known
“the gratification which he felt at witnessing their soldier-like
appearance, and the correctness of their movements, as well as
the excellent style and cleanliness in which their barracks are
kept.
“That from their former services together, he considers them to
be old friends, and was therefore the more pleased to find the
NINETY-SECOND greatly improved since he last saw them, and in a
state, which, in their best days, they never surpassed; and that
immediately on his return to Dublin, he would make a point of
reporting the very high state of discipline in which he found the
regiment, and which, he was sure, would also afford to General
Lord Hill, a pleasure the most sincere.”
The head-quarter division, consisting of three companies, marched,
on the 26th of May, _en route_ to Birr, and the remaining three
companies, under the command of Major Winchester, marched next day
for the same place, detaching one company to Nenagh.
The head-quarters arrived at Birr on the 29th of May, and the second
division on the 31st of that month; the companies from Maryborough,
Carlow, Athy, and Wexford arrived about the same period.
The following is an extract from the regimental orders, of the 9th of
June, relative to the receipt of an address from the magistrates of
Queen’s County:—
“The commanding officer directs the following address from the
magistrates of Queen’s County may be entered in the orderly
books, and is confident that every soldier will feel proud
at the high estimation in which the regiment is held by the
inhabitants of every quarter where it has been stationed, and
that the approbation[18] so lately expressed by His Majesty’s
representative, and the Commander of the forces in this country,
will act upon their minds as a strong stimulus to persevere in
the same steady and unerring line of conduct.”
“SIR, Maryborough, June 7, 1830.
“We, the undersigned magistrates of Maryborough district, at
petty sessions assembled, avail ourselves of this, the earliest
opportunity of expressing our high approbation of the conduct
of the different detachments of the NINETY-SECOND Highlanders,
quartered in the town of Maryborough for the last twelve months.
In justice to the excellent character of the men, we feel called
upon to testify, that not a single complaint was made by the
inhabitants against any of them, and that their conduct was
uniformly correct and exemplary.
“The general zeal and intelligence of the officers, supported
by the steadiness and discipline of the men, when co-operating
with the civil power, particularly during the last winter (in
suppressing outrages of a _white-boy_ nature, which unhappily
extended to our hitherto peaceable county), demand our cordial
thanks; and we beg that you, Sir, will be pleased to make known
to the officers and men these our sentiments, and to assure them
that their services will long be gratefully remembered by every
respectable inhabitant of this town and vicinity.
“We have, &c.,
(Signed) “W. PERCEVAL, J. P.
“D. O’DONOGHUE, J. P.
“MATT. CASSAN, J. P.
“Lieut.-Colonel McDonald,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders,
&c. &c. &c.”
On the 18th of June, the regiment was reviewed by Major-General
Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., commanding the Western District. It
being the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, the regiments
performed a variety of movements, as executed on that memorable day;
the NINETY-SECOND afterwards went through the sword exercise, &c.,
and the Major-General was pleased to express his approbation of the
splendid appearance which the regiment made on that occasion.
On the 8th of October, the head-quarter division, under the command
of Lieut.-Colonel McDonald, and, on the following day, the second
division, under Major Winchester, marched from Birr _en route_ to
Dublin, arriving there on the 13th and 14th October respectively, and
were quartered in the Royal Barracks.
The regiment was inspected on the 30th of October by Major-General
Sir Edward Blakeney, K.C.B., who expressed his unqualified
approbation of its appearance and interior arrangements.
At this period an address was received from the magistrates of
Nenagh, (Lord Dunally in the chair,) relative to the good conduct of
the detachment of the regiment, under Captain William Prittie Bayly,
lately stationed at that place.
On the 13th of December, the regiment was formed in the Palatine
Square to receive His Excellency Lieut.-General the Right Honorable
Sir John Byng, K.C.B., commanding the forces in Ireland. A new stand
of colours (the gift of the officers) was escorted by the grenadier
company from the Lieut.-Colonel’s quarters. His Excellency then made
a most appropriate and flattering speech, in which he alluded to the
anniversary of that day (the battle of the Nive), and the brilliant
and distinguished conduct of the NINETY-SECOND on the occasion,
as well as on many others of which he himself was an eye-witness.
After receiving the colours from the officers of the grenadiers,
and remarking how delighted he was to see the names of so many
well-earned battles emblazoned on them, he placed them in the hands
of the ensigns, and the regiment saluted.
Addressing Lieut.-Colonel McDonald, His Excellency observed,
“that he made no allusion to the necessity of defending those
colours,—that any such remark would be out of place when addressing
the NINETY-SECOND,—however, he could not give the young officers
and soldiers better advice, than to follow the steps of those who
preceded them.”
To which the Lieut.-Colonel replied, “That if anything could enhance
the value attached to those colours by the regiment, it was their
being placed in the hands of the ensigns by one who had that day
seventeen years shown himself so very conspicuous in planting the
colours of a regiment on the enemy’s redoubts,[19] and that he
pledged himself in the name of his brother officers and soldiers for
their honor and safety.”
On the 23rd of December, the troops in garrison at Dublin, were
paraded in review-order to receive General the Marquis of Anglesey,
K.G., on his arrival to assume the government of Ireland, and lined
the streets through which the procession passed to the Castle.
[Sidenote: 1831]
A company of the regiment, in light marching order, under the command
of Captain James McIntosh, proceeded on the 22nd of February, 1831,
by forced marches to Drumcondra, in the county of Meath, which was
in a state of disturbance, and where immense assemblages of the
population were traversing the country.
The following letter was received from the Assistant Adjutant-General
(Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Charles Fitzroy) on the 23rd of February:—
“Royal Barracks, Dublin, 23rd February, 1831.
“SIR,
“I have the honor to enclose an extract of a letter from the
Adjutant-General of the Forces, that the same may be entered
in your regimental order book, and read to the regiment; and
moreover, to express the infinite satisfaction Major-General Sir
Edward Blakeney feels in the good opinion, therein expressed,
of the General Commanding in Chief, for your zeal and exertions
in the command of the NINETY-SECOND regiment (Highlanders), and
to congratulate the regiment on having so well merited this
testimony.
“I have, &c.
(Signed) “CHARLES FITZROY, _Lieut.-Colonel_,
“_Assistant Adjutant-General_.
“Lieut.-Colonel McDonald,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”
Extract from a letter, dated 9th of February, 1831 (before alluded
to), addressed by the Adjutant-General, to the Lieut.-General
commanding in Ireland:—
“_9th February, 1831._
“The Report on the NINETY-SECOND regiment, so creditable
throughout to the zeal and successful exertions of Lieut.-Colonel
McDonald in the management of his command, is very satisfactory
to His Lordship the General Commanding in Chief.”
(Signed) “JOHN MACDONALD,
“_Adjutant-General_.”
The company which had been detached in the county of Meath returned
to its quarters on the 22nd of March, and on the following day a
letter was received, expressive of the entire approbation of the Lord
Lieutenant of the services performed in the disturbed district by the
troops employed.
The regiment was removed from the Royal Barracks on the 19th of
April: the head-quarters, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel
McDonald, consisting of four companies, with the recruits, were
stationed in the New Barracks, and six companies, under Major
Winchester, at George-street.
Major-General Sir Edward Blakeney, K.C.B., inspected the regiment on
the 3rd of May, in the Phœnix Park, in the presence of His Excellency
the Lord Lieutenant and a great concourse of spectators, on which
occasion its movements and appearance drew forth the admiration of
its military superiors.
The head-quarters and four companies from the New Barracks, and
four companies from George-street, marched, on the 18th of May, to
Richmond Barracks, leaving two companies stationed in George-street,
under the command of Major Hugh Henry Rose.
Lieut.-General Sir John Hamilton Dalrymple, Bart., (afterwards the
Earl of Stair) was appointed by His Majesty King William IV., to
be Colonel of the NINETY-SECOND on the 20th of July, in succession
to Lieut.-General the Honorable Alexander Duff, removed to the
thirty-seventh regiment.
Major-General Sir Edward Blakeney, K.C.B., again reviewed the
regiment in the Phœnix Park, on the 10th of September, in heavy
marching order, and addressing the officers and men, he said, “that
they were all he could wish, and that their movements excelled
everything he had ever seen.”
On the 26th of September, His Majesty conferred the honorary
distinction of a Knight Companion of the most Honorable Military
Order of the Bath on Lieut.-Colonel John McDonald, of the
NINETY-SECOND regiment.
The first division, consisting of four companies, under the command
of Brevet-Major Stephen Noel, embarked on the 13th of October, and
proceeded by canal-conveyance to Killaloe: two companies followed on
the 17th, and the head-quarters and remaining companies, on the 18th
of October, under the command of Major Winchester, Lieut.-Colonel
McDonald, having proceeded direct to the head-quarters at Clare
Castle, where they were stationed on the 22nd of October, and the
regiment was distributed at several places in the county of Clare.
[Sidenote: 1832]
On the 9th of February, 1832, the head-quarter division from Clare
Castle marched into Limerick, and was quartered in the New Barracks,
where it was joined by the several detachments in the course of
February and March.
A company, under the command of Captain John Gilbert Ogilvie,
proceeded, on the 22nd of March, to Mount Pleasant, near Askeaton,
in the county of Limerick, for the protection of property: it
rejoined at head-quarters on the 4th of April.
Major-General Sir George Bingham, K.C.B., made his inspection of
the regiment on the 7th of May, and stated that he was particularly
gratified by the manner in which the officers and men went through
the whole of the sword and stick exercise, being the first time he
had ever seen it performed by an entire regiment. The appearance,
movements, and interior economy of the regiment drew forth his
commendation.
On the 9th of May, the regiment marched from Limerick for Fermoy.
Lieut.-General the Right Honorable Sir Hussey Vivian, Bart., K.C.B.,
commanding the forces in Ireland, inspected the regiment on the 6th
of August, and expressed himself highly pleased with its appearance.
The subaltern’s detachment, stationed at Galbally, in the county of
Limerick, was, on the 21st of December, called upon to protect the
persons of two magistrates whose lives were endangered by the attack
of a mob, while proceeding from thence towards Tipperary; at a place
called Knockballinamaloo-Cross, the party were assailed with stones,
and a general assault made on the troops, to their imminent danger.
The magistrates ordered them to fire, and the result was that two of
the mob were killed and several wounded.
The regiment was frequently employed in aid of the civil power, in
keeping the peace, and in enforcing the collection of tithes; and
in every instance its conduct and discipline received unqualified
approval.
[Sidenote: 1833]
On the 1st of August, 1833, the regiment was divided into six service
and four depôt companies, preparatory to the embarkation of the
former for Gibraltar.
The depôt companies marched from Fermoy to Cork, and embarked for
Londonderry, where they arrived on the 17th of August.
The depôt companies embarked at Londonderry on the 28th of October,
and arrived at Glasgow on the 29th of that month; on the 30th of
November they marched for Greenlaw.
[Sidenote: 1834]
The service companies having marched from Fermoy to Middleton, were
conveyed in boats to Cork Harbour, where they embarked on the 21st of
February, 1834, and arrived at _Gibraltar_ on the 10th of March.
On the 1st of May, 1834, the depôt companies were removed to Fort
George.
[Sidenote: 1835]
The depôt companies were stationed at Fort George during the first
six months of the year 1835, and in June were removed to Perth.
[Sidenote: 1836]
In January, 1836, the service companies proceeded from Gibraltar to
_Malta_, where they arrived in February.
The depôt companies were removed in July from Perth to Ireland, and
were stationed at Londonderry.
[Sidenote: 1837]
During the year 1837, the NINETY-SECOND remained stationed at Malta.
The regiment was inspected by Major-General Sir Henry Bouverie,
K.C.B., commanding at Malta, on the 28th of November, when he
remarked “the singular intelligence and steadiness shown by all the
officers and men;” and added, “that the field-day had the best effect
of any he had ever witnessed.”