“Think on Scotia’s ancient heroes,
Think on foreign foes repell’d,
Think on glorious Bruce and Wallace,
Wha the proud usurpers quell’d.”
LIFE GUARDS—SEVENTH HUSSARS—SEVENTEENTH LIGHT
DRAGOONS—SEVENTIETH FOOT.
Not to exceed the limits we prescribed in setting out, we are
reluctantly compelled, in fulfilling our promise, to group into a single
brief chapter a variety of records incidental to our history.
LIFE GUARDS.
It is only fitting to note, that two troops of Scots Life Guards, raised
in Scotland shortly after the Restoration, and engaged with the Scots
Greys and Claverhouse’s Scots Horse in putting down Presbyterianism by
the sword, were at the Revolution included in the splendid cavalry of
the Life Guards, which have since been retained in waiting upon the
sovereign—their magnificent equipment and martial appearance, lending
dignity to the pageant of Royalty. Their excellence as soldiers has been
proved in the memorable victory of “Waterloo.”
THE SEVENTH HUSSARS—“QUEEN’S OWN.”
Viscount Dundee’s regiment of Scots Dragoons, or, as familiarly known in
Scottish song, “the bonnets o’ Bonnie Dundee,” refusing to enter the
service of William and Mary upon the involuntary abdication and flight
of James II., retiring into Scotland, becoming partners in the treason
and rebellion of their fiery leader, involved in his ruin, was lost to
the country. As if to replace this regiment, which had thus fallen to
pieces, the King, in 1690, raised a new cavalry corps in Scotland, known
as Cunningham’s Dragoons. It shares much of the history, and
participates largely in the honours, which we have already attempted to
describe as belonging to the “Scots Greys.” The regiment was disbanded
in 1713; but, two years later, re-formed from three companies of the
Scots Greys, two companies of the Royal Dragoons, and one newly raised.
As the “Seventh Queen’s Own Hussars,” it has never since ceased to
sustain its early reputation for steadiness and valour—the tokens of
which, emblazoned upon its colours and appointments, are comprised in
these two words: “Peninsula” and “Waterloo.”
SEVENTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
Whilst France and Britain fiercely contended as to the extent of their
dominions in the American continent, where each might well be supposed
to have enough and to spare, Lord Aberdour, in 1759, raised a regiment
of cavalry in Scotland. Light dragoons had just then been introduced
into the service, and proved a most valuable arm thereof. We have failed
to discover precisely in what services this corps was employed, but are
inclined to think, with the Fifteenth Light Dragoons, the Inniskilling,
and Scots Greys, it must have served in Germany, under the Duke of
Brunswick, during the Seven Years’ War. It was disbanded in 1763.
The Seventeenth Lancers, inheriting the martial ardour of this
old regiment, have more than sustained the credit of the
“Seventeenth”—bearing upon its colours and appointments “The Alma,”
“Balaklava,” “Inkermann,” and “Sevastopol”—and has gained a mightier
fame as one of the five regiments who formed the Light Cavalry Brigade
under the Earl of Cardigan in his memorable charge during the Crimean
war, fitly styled, from its fatal glory—“The Death’s Ride.”
THE SEVENTIETH FOOT, OR SURREY REGIMENT.
The disputes arising in 1758 between France and Britain as to the
boundary line of their American colonies failing to be amicably
adjusted, war was accepted as the stern arbiter. To meet the emergency,
our army was increased, and the—
Second Battalion of the 3d Foot constituted the 61st Regiment.
” ” 4th ” ” 62d ”
” ” 8th ” ” 63d ”
” ” 11th ” ” 64th ”
” ” 12th ” ” 65th ”
” ” 19th ” ” 66th ”
” ” 20th ” ” 67th ”
” ” 23d ” ” 68th ”
” ” 24th ” ” 69th ”
” ” 31st ” ” 70th ”
” ” 32d ” ” 71st ”
” ” 33d ” ” 72d ”
” ” 34th ” ” 73d ”
” ” 36th ” ” 74th ”
” ” 37th ” ” 75th ”
Thus the Seventieth was born out of the second battalion of the
Thirty-first English Regiment, (raised about the year 1702, during the
reign of Queen Anne, and for some time serving as marines in the fleet).
Shortly after its formation, being stationed in Scotland, and largely
recruited in Glasgow, the Seventieth was styled, in consequence of its
interest in that city and its light grey facings, the “Glasgow Greys.”
Ten years later the facings were changed to black. In 1782, probably in
compliment to its colonel, it became the “Surrey Regiment.” From some
unaccountable reason, in 1812 it was restored to somewhat of its
original character as the “Glasgow Lowland Regiment;” and again in 1823,
likely for recruiting purposes, it was re-christened the “Surrey”—which
designation it still retains. Although stationed in British America
during the war which raged amid the wilds of the New World, we do not
find it fortunate enough to be engaged. Indeed, the captures of the
islands of Martinique in 1794, and Guadaloupe in 1810, seem to be the
only trophies which it has been honoured to attain. No doubt its ranks
contained the same brave spirits as have everywhere and always sustained
the credit of the British soldier—yet have these been destined to reap
in quietude a glory by good conduct no less meritorious, although
apparently less lustrous, than that which is acquired amid the carnage
of the battle-field—consecrated in “the stormy music of the drum,” and
proclaimed in the shrill sound of the trumpet.
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THE SEVENTY-THIRD FOOT;
ORIGINALLY
SECOND BATTALION
OF THE
FORTY-SECOND ROYAL HIGHLANDERS.
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