“Then glory, my Jeanie, maun plead my excuse;
Since honour commands me, how can I refuse?
Without it, I ne’er can have merit for thee,
And losing thy favour I’d better not be.
I gae, then, my lass, to win glory and fame,
And if I should chance to come gloriously hame,
I’ll bring a heart to thee with love running o’er,
And then I’ll leave thee and Lochaber no more.”
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE—MAURITIUS—INDIA—CAPE OF GOOD HOPE—1799–1862.
The regiment returned to Europe at a very critical period in our
national history, when the rampant passions of revolution, as yet
untamed by adversity, imperiously taxed the nations in their
maintenance. It had no sooner arrived than it was sent to Scotland to
recruit, and thence, in 1801, to Ireland. From the number of new
regiments called into being at this period to meet the necessities of
the times, recruiting went on but slowly. The respite from the dire
calamity of war which the Peace of Amiens afforded, occasioned a
reduction in the establishment of the Seventy-second. The resumption of
hostilities in 1803, not only called for an immediate augmentation of
its strength, but occasioned the addition of a second battalion, which
was employed in various home garrisons, especially in Ireland,
throughout the war, until disbanded in 1816. The immediate peril from a
French invasion having passed away, the Seventy-second was ordered to
join a secret expedition under Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B., but
was ultimately included in the force under Major-General Sir David
Baird, which sailed in 1805, and after viewing the beauties of Madeira,
and landing for a few days’ refreshment at San Salvador in the Brazils,
steered for the coast of Africa, when the object of the expedition was
disclosed by an attack upon the Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope.
In addition to its old comrades of the Seventy-first, the Seventy-second
was associated with the Ninety-third Regiment in the Highland Brigade of
the army. On the morning of the 6th January, 1806, the British effected
a landing in Lospard’s Bay, despite the efforts of the Dutch to prevent
it. The Highlanders in the van drove the enemy before them, and on
attaining the summit of the Blue Mountains, beheld the Batavian army
awaiting battle on the other side. The position of the enemy was well
chosen, and maintained with determined bravery. The fate of the battle
was only decided in our favour when the Highland Brigade was brought
forward, and “Brigadier-General Ferguson gave the word ‘Charge.’ A loud
British shout instantly rent the air, and the heroic Highlanders closed
with bayonets upon their numerous adversaries, who instantly fled in
dismay, pursued across the deep sands by the victorious Highland
Brigade.” As the army advanced towards Cape Town, the Dutch retired. The
conduct of Lieutenant MʻArthur and thirty men of the regiment in the
capture of Hout’s Bay, was conspicuous for the gallantry it evinced.
These repeated disasters convinced the Dutch of the hopelessness of
resistance against troops accustomed to conquer. Accordingly,
negotiations were entered into which resulted in the surrender of the
colony to the British.
In 1809 the Seventy-second was ordered to discontinue wearing the
Highland costume, in consequence of the difficulty experienced in
gaining recruits. A year later the regiment was selected to co-operate
with troops from India in an attack upon the valuable French colony of
the Mauritius. The Indian army arriving off the island first, the
Governor determined to maintain the defence to the last extremity, but
the timely arrival of the Seventy-second so discouraged him, that,
abandoning the idea of resistance, he at once surrendered. The corps
remained in garrison at Port Louis until the outbreak of a new war in
America in 1814 occasioned its withdrawal. It accordingly embarked for
that continent, but was detained at the Cape of Good Hope, where, after
a brief service, it was ordered to India, arriving at Calcutta in 1815.
The Rajah of Nepaul having, however, made his peace with the British,
the necessity for its service in that portion of the world no longer
existed, hence it returned to the Cape of Good Hope, calling on the
passage at the Mauritius. Stationed at Algoa Bay, it was thence directed
to occupy a chain of posts along the banks of the Great Fish River,
charged with the protection of the colonists from the numerous predatory
incursions of the Kaffirs. This proved an arduous and dangerous duty;
the soldiers being constantly exposed to a surprise from the swarms of
unseen enemies that ever lurked in the bush around their camp. On one
occasion, in 1819, a Dutch farmer, robbed of his cattle by the Kaffirs,
sought the interference of the military for the recovery of his property
and the punishment of the thieves. Accompanied by a body of armed
farmers, a detachment of the Seventy-second, under Captain Gethin,
overtook the thieves. The little party of soldiers was instantly
enveloped and cruelly butchered by a host of enemies, whilst the
cowardly farmers witnessed the destruction of their friends without
venturing to afford the slightest assistance. Captain Gethin was a
distinguished soldier, and like a brave man “fighting fell,” pierced
with thirty-two wounds. The Seventy-second continued efficiently to
discharge this harassing duty until relieved by the Sixth Regiment in
1821, when it returned home. It was successively stationed at
Portsmouth, Fort Cumberland, Plymouth, and Woolwich. In 1823 it was
removed to the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey.
Although the service of the Seventy-second, hitherto confined to
“Hindoostan” and the “Cape of Good Hope,” recorded upon its colours and
appointments, and embracing in these, actions which had been
comparatively lost sight of in the multitude of grander events
transacted on the battle-fields of Europe, still, the true heroism of
these, to be just, must convince us that the achievements of the
Seventy-second are “second to none,” and well deserving the splendid
compliment at this period conferred upon the regiment by His Grace the
Duke of York and _Albany_, the Commander-in-Chief. It was permitted, in
reward of its valour, to wear its present designation—
DUKE OF ALBANY’S OWN HIGHLANDERS.
At the same time it received a further compliment, in the restoration of
the Highland costume, with the difference of _trews_ instead of _kilts_.
Returning to England from the Channel Islands in 1824, it thence
proceeded to re-visit dear old Scotland.
“Home of my fathers, my heart clings to thee.”
Whilst stationed in Edinburgh, the lady of Lieut.-General Sir John Hope
(colonel of the Seventy-second), presented new colours to the regiment.
In 1825 it was sent to Ireland, and stationed successively in Belfast,
Londonderry, and Dublin. Thence it proceeded to England; and whilst
garrisoning the Tower of London, was reviewed, with the First Life
Guards, the Royal Horse Guards, and four battalions of Foot Guards, by
the Duke of Wellington, in presence of Don Miguel of Portugal. In proof
of its efficiency, as worthy to be so associated with our choicest
troops, we quote the words of General Lord Hill, when (the same year) he
inspected the regiment at Canterbury:—
“That although it had been his lot to see and serve with most of the
regiments in the service, he felt he should not be doing full justice to
the Seventy-second Highlanders, if he did not express his particular
approbation of every thing connected with them, and add, he had never
before seen a regiment their equal in movements, in appearance, and in
steadiness under arms.”
Having acquired these public honours and Royal favours, the
Seventy-second was once more ordered to the Cape of Good Hope, to arrest
and punish the aggressions of the Kaffirs, who continued to prey upon
the industry of our colonists, and had become a hinderance, by the
terror they inspired, to the progress of the colony. At length the
expulsion from the colony of a vagrant chief, Macomo, who had abused the
British protection, stirred the animosity of earlier years, which,
encouraged by our lenity, unmasked itself in a desolating irruption,
especially evident in and around Graham’s Town, which fell an easy prey
to the rapacious fury of the enemy. To avenge the innocent blood thus
shed, and retaliate the ruin that had been entailed, the Seventy-second
advanced with other troops into Kaffirland, inflicting a severe but just
chastisement for the atrocities that had been committed; taking,
moreover, such pledges from the foe as it was fondly hoped should secure
protection and peace for the future. Having apparently subdued the
spirit of lawless aggression, and restored confidence in the colonists
by a residence of nearly ten years amongst them, the regiment returned
home, and landed at Plymouth in 1840.
Whilst stationed at Windsor in 1841, it was destined anew to receive a
signal mark of Royal favour—its new colours being presented by the Duke
of Wellington, in the quadrangle of the palace, and in presence of Her
Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, and the King of Prussia. In presenting
these colours, the Duke of Wellington thus addressed the soldiers:—
“I have long known the Seventy-second Highland Regiment. Half-a-century
has now nearly elapsed since I had the pleasure of serving in the same
army with them in the plains of Hindoostan; since that period they have
been engaged in the conquest of some of the most valuable colonies of
the British Crown; and latterly, in performing most distinguished
services at the Cape of Good Hope. Fourteen years out of the last
sixteen they have spent on Foreign service; and with only eighteen
months at home for their re-formation and their re-disciplining, appear
in their present high state of regularity and order.... I have made it
my business to inquire particularly, and am rejoiced to find that the
Seventy-second have always commanded that respect and regard, wherever
they have been stationed, to which their high state of discipline and
good order so justly entitle them. You will, I am sure, always recollect
the circumstances under which these colours are now given into your
charge; having been consecrated by one of the highest dignitaries of the
Church, in the presence of Her Majesty, who now looks down upon you, and
of her Royal Visitor; and I give them into your charge, confident that
at all times, under all circumstances, whether at home or abroad, and in
all privations, you will rally round them, and protect them to the
utmost of your power.”
[Illustration: THE SEVENTY-SECOND (“DUKE OF ALBANY’S”) AND
SEVENTY-FOURTH HIGHLANDERS.]
After a variety of home services, the regiment was removed, in 1844, to
Gibraltar, and thence, in 1848, to the West Indies. Leaving the West
Indies for North America in July, 1851, it returned home in October,
1854. Proceeding to Malta in January, 1855, and thence, in May
following, to the Crimea, it there gained “SEVASTOPOL” for the
regimental colours. Returning to England at the peace, the
Seventy-second remained at home until August, 1857, when the corps
embarked for Bombay on the breaking out of the Indian mutiny, and served
with distinction in Central India, under Sir Hugh Rose, especially in
the storming of the strongly-fortified town of Awah, being thereafter
associated with the Seventy-first Highland Light Infantry in the
campaign.
The regiment is still serving in the Bombay Presidency.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEVENTY-FOURTH HIGHLANDERS.