9th of January the army moved towards the Salt River, where it
was intended to take up a position previously to the attack of
_Cape Town_, when a flag of truce appeared from the town, which
produced some negotiations, that terminated in its surrender to
His Majesty’s arms. Lieut.-General Janssens, the Governor of the
colony, after his defeat at Bleuberg on the 8th, had retired
towards the interior of the country by the Hottentot Holland
Kloof, or Pass, from whence, on the 19th of January, he signed and
ratified the treaty that placed the whole of the Cape of Good Hope
and its dependencies in the possession of Great Britain, under
whose sway it has since continued.
The Royal authority was subsequently granted for the SEVENTY-FIRST
to bear the words “CAPE OF GOOD HOPE” on the regimental colour and
appointments, to commemorate its distinguished gallantry at the
capture of that important colony.[20]
As the following letter from Brigadier General Ferguson to
Major-General Sir David Baird is very creditable to the regiment
and to its commander, it is here inserted.
“_Cape Town, 19th January 1806._
“SIR,
“As in the affair of Bleuberg, on the 8th instant, chance placed
two of the enemy’s guns in possession of the Highland brigade, I
hope you will be pleased to order the allowance usually granted
on such occasions to be issued, and shared amongst the 71st, 72d,
and 93d regiments.
“Although the guns fell into our hands in front of the 71st
regiment, Lieut.-Colonel Pack (desirous that the three regiments
should be considered as one family) has most handsomely withdrawn
the prior claim His Majesty’s 71st regiment might have made,
and to which the situation of the guns, when taken, would have
entitled that most excellent corps.
“I have, &c.
“(Signed) R. C. FERGUSON,
“_Brigadier General_.
“Major-General Sir David Baird.”
The SEVENTY-FIRST went into quarters at the cantonment of Wynberg,
about seven miles from Cape Town, on the road to Simon’s Bay,
where the battalion remained until the 12th of April, when, most
unexpectedly, an order arrived for its immediate embarkation on an
expedition to the Rio de la Plata in South America, which had been
planned by the British commanders, naval and military, at the Cape.
The SEVENTY-FIRST was the only corps of the Cape garrison destined
for this service, with the addition of a few dragoons and some
artillery. At this period the strength of the battalion amounted
to eight hundred rank and file, having received some recruits
from foreign corps at the Cape. The troops were to be commanded
by Brigadier-General William Carr Beresford, afterwards General
Viscount Beresford.
The battalion was embarked in line-of-battle ships and in
transports, and on the 14th of April the fleet sailed from Table
Bay, directing its course to the westward until the 20th, when,
in consequence of unfavourable weather, and having parted company
with one of the transports, in which were three companies of the
SEVENTY-FIRST, the signal was made to rendezvous at St. Helena,
at which island the fleet arrived on the 30th of April, with
the exception of the missing transport. Here the force under
Brigadier-General Beresford received an augmentation of two hundred
men from the St. Helena regiment, making a total of a thousand and
eighty-seven rank and file.
On the 2d of May the fleet sailed from St. Helena, and after a
tedious voyage arrived at Cape St. Mary’s, at the entrance of the
Rio de la Plata, on the 8th of June, where it met with the missing
transport.
The troops that had sailed in the line-of-battle ships were
transferred on the 16th of June to the transports, which proceeded
up the river, and on the 24th of that month came to anchor
opposite the city of _Buenos Ayres_. On the 25th, at night, the
SEVENTY-FIRST, with the other troops, effected a landing without
any opposition. The following morning they pushed forward, and met
the enemy at the village of Reduction, who made a trifling stand,
and then retired towards the city. On this occasion Captain Henry
Le Blanc of the SEVENTY-FIRST lost his leg, and a serjeant and five
rank and file were wounded.
The British troops continued to advance in pursuit of the enemy,
and on the morning of the 27th of June forced their passage across
the Chualo. Some skirmishing followed this movement, but the city
of _Buenos Ayres_ almost immediately surrendered. In the evening
the town and fort were taken possession of by the first battalion
of the SEVENTY-FIRST and detachments of Marines and St. Helena
Regiment.
The SEVENTY-FIRST occupied barracks in Buenos Ayres, and remained
undisturbed until the beginning of August, by which time the
enemy had collected a force of about 1,500 men, under a leader
named Pueridon, at five leagues from the city. Brigadier-General
Beresford, in consequence, moved out with three hundred of the
SEVENTY-FIRST, fifty from the St. Helena Regiment, and six field
pieces; attacked and dispersed the enemy, taking all his artillery,
namely, ten pieces of various calibre. The battalion had only five
men wounded in this operation.
About this period, a body of the enemy, headed by Colonel Liniers,
a French officer in the service of Spain, crossed from Colonna to
Concher, evidently with hostile intentions. Forming a junction with
the force under Pueridon, the whole marched upon Buenos Ayres.
On the 10th of August the enemy commenced operations, by the
massacre of a serjeant and his guard of the SEVENTY-FIRST Regiment,
who were posted at a place in the suburbs where the bull-fights
were usually exhibited. On the following day much skirmishing
ensued in the outskirts of the city, the enemy taking possession of
the tops of houses, from which he kept up a galling and destructive
fire.
During this time the main body of the British force took up a
position in the Grand Square, but afterwards retired into the fort
of Buenos Ayres. Being now bereft of all resources, and without
hopes of reinforcement, there appeared no alternative but to
capitulate, and about one o’clock on the 12th of August hostilities
ceased, and the fort was surrendered. The troops marched out with
the honors of war, and laid down their arms in the Square.
The SEVENTY-FIRST were now prisoners; the officers were allowed
their parole, and quartered upon the inhabitants; the men were
confined in the prisons of the city.
In these melancholy proceedings fell Lieutenant William Mitchell
and Ensign Thomas Lucas. Both had much distinguished themselves.
The battalion lost in killed and wounded ninety-one men.
[Sidenote: 2d bat.]
In August 1806 the second battalion embarked at Glasgow for
Ireland, and arrived at Belfast on the 1st of September.
[Sidenote: 1st bat.]
About the middle of September, the SEVENTY-FIRST were removed from
Buenos Ayres into the interior. Brigadier-General Beresford, with
his staff, and Lieut.-Colonel Pack, were placed at Luxon, from
whence they subsequently effected their escape, upon learning that
the removal of the prisoners still further up the country had been
ordered.
[Sidenote: 1807.]
Lieut.-Colonel Pack was thus enabled to join the troops which had
landed near Monte Video in January 1807, under the command of
Brigadier-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, and to afford assistance
in the important operations then being carried on. Sir Samuel
Auchmuty, at Lieut.-Colonel Pack’s request, directed a board of
naval and military officers to inquire into the particulars of his
escape, by whom it was unanimously approved, and he was declared
free to serve.[21]
[Sidenote: 2d bat.]
The second battalion was removed from Ireland to Scotland in
January 1807, but returned to Ireland in June following.
[Sidenote: 1st bat.]
In May 1807, a further removal to the interior of the prisoners
took place. The officers were collected at a college belonging to
the Jesuits, about forty leagues to the northward of Cordova, and
entirely separated from their men. In this situation they remained
until August following, when, just as they were ordered to prepare
for a transfer to a station still more remote, the accounts of
the convention entered into by Lieut.-General John Whitelocke
were received, by which it was stipulated that the prisoners
should be restored to liberty, on condition that all the British
forces should be withdrawn. It is scarcely necessary to remark,
that the prospect of being restored to liberty and friends was
greatly damped by the military events which produced it, and which
completely extinguished the ardent hopes of success that had been
entertained from the arrival of the last British force in South
America.
In September the whole of the officers and men were re-conducted
to Buenos Ayres, from whence they were conveyed in boats to Monte
Video, and there embarked in transports, with a view of returning
to Europe.
It is a circumstance highly creditable to the character of the
soldiers of the SEVENTY-FIRST, that although so many and powerful
allurements were held out to induce them to remain in South
America, still not more than thirty-six individuals were found to
swerve from their duty and allegiance to their king and country.
The fleet sailed immediately, and after a tedious and rough
voyage of three months the transports having the SEVENTY-FIRST on
board put into Cork Harbour in December, and on the 27th of that
month the whole were landed, without uniform, clothing, arms, or
accoutrements, and marched to Middleton, under the command of Major
Henry Tolley, Lieut.-Colonel Pack having previously returned to
England from South America.
[Sidenote: 1808.]
In March 1808, the regiment proceeded from Middleton to Cork, where
its equipment in every respect was completed.
[Sidenote: 2d bat.]
The second battalion embarked at Londonderry for Scotland on
the 9th of April 1808, after transferring 200 men to the first
battalion, which raised the strength of the latter to nearly 900
rank and file.
[Sidenote: 1st bat.]
On the 26th of April, whilst in garrison at Cork, new colours,
to replace those left in South America, were presented to the
SEVENTY-FIRST by Lieut.-General John Floyd, who had commanded the
cavalry and advance in the campaign of 1790 in the East Indies.
The following animating and soldierlike address was made by the
gallant general on the occasion:
“SEVENTY-FIRST!!
“I am directed to perform the honorable duty of presenting your
colours.
“Brave SEVENTY-FIRST, the world is well acquainted with your
gallant conduct at the capture of _Buenos Ayres_, in South
America, under one of His Majesty’s bravest generals.
“It is well known that you defended your conquest with the utmost
courage, good conduct, and discipline to the last extremity. When
diminished to a handful, hopeless of succour, and destitute of
provisions, you were overwhelmed by multitudes, and reduced by
the fortune of war to lose your liberty, and your well-defended
colours, but not your honor. Your honor, SEVENTY-FIRST regiment,
remains unsullied. Your last act in the field covered you with
glory. Your generous despair, calling upon your general to suffer
you to die with arms in your hands, proceeded from the genuine
spirit of British soldiers. Your behavior in prosperity,--your
sufferings in captivity,--and your faithful discharge of your
duty to your King and country, are appreciated by all.
“You who now stand on this parade, in defiance of the allurements
held out to base desertion, are endeared to the army and to the
country, and your conduct will ensure you the esteem of all true
soldiers,--of all worthy men,--and fill every one of you with
honest martial pride.
“It has been my good fortune to have witnessed, in a remote
part of the world, the early glories and gallant conduct of
the SEVENTY-FIRST regiment in the field; and it is with great
satisfaction I meet you again, with replenished ranks, with good
arms in your hands, and with stout hearts in your bosoms.
“Look forward, officers and soldiers, to the achievement of new
honors and the acquirement of fresh fame!!
“Officers! be the friends and guardians of these brave fellows
committed to your charge!!
“Soldiers! give your confidence to your officers. They have
shared with you the chances of war; they have bravely bled along
with you;--they will always do honor to themselves and you.
Preserve your regiment’s reputation for valour in the field and
regularity in quarters.
“I have now the honor to present the
“ROYAL COLOUR.
“This is the KING’S COLOUR!!
“I have now the honor to present your REGIMENTAL COLOUR.
“This is the colour of the SEVENTY-FIRST regiment.
“May victory for ever crown these colours!!!”
The Peninsula was at this period the centre of political interest.
Portugal, deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the
people of each rose in arms to recover the national independence.
Dissensions had arisen in the royal family of Spain, occasioned by
the sway of Emanuel Godoy, who bore the title of Prince of Peace.
This minister was dismissed, but the court was unable to restore
tranquillity. In this emergency, the French emperor was solicited
to be umpire, and Napoleon ultimately placed the crown of Spain on
his brother Joseph, who was transferred from the throne of Naples.
The Spaniards flew to arms in consequence. The British government
resolved to aid the Spanish and Portuguese patriots, and a British
army was ordered to proceed to the Peninsula, under the command of
Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley. The first battalion of the
SEVENTY-FIRST regiment formed part of the force selected on this
occasion.
The first battalion of the SEVENTY-FIRST regiment embarked at the
Cove of Cork on the 17th of June 1808. Its strength consisted of
fifty-two serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and eight hundred and
seventy-four rank and file.
In June 1808 His Majesty King George III. was pleased to approve
of the SEVENTY-FIRST bearing the title of _Glasgow_ regiment, in
addition to the appellation of _Highland_ regiment.
In the first instance, the SEVENTY-FIRST were brigaded with the
fifth, thirty-eighth, and fifth battalion of the sixtieth regiment,
under Brigadier-General Henry Fane, and sailed for Portugal, in
conjunction with the forces destined to aid the Spaniards and
Portuguese, on the 12th of July. After a favourable passage, the
troops anchored in Mondego Bay in the beginning of August, and a
landing was effected in the vicinity of the village of Frejus.
Early in the morning of the 4th of August a small piquet of the
enemy stationed in the neighbourhood fell back, and the operation
of disembarking the troops was carried into effect without
opposition. The army then moved on to a position across a deep
sandy country, where it halted, and encamped for the night.
At this period a change took place in the arrangement of the
brigades, and the first battalion of the SEVENTY-FIRST was placed,
with the thirty-sixth and fortieth regiments, in that commanded by
Major-General Ronald Craufurd Ferguson.
The division under Major-General Sir Brent Spencer, K.B., from
Cadiz, consisting of about four thousand men, joined on the 8th of
August; and, after a short halt, the army was again put in motion
to occupy a more forward position, where it remained for some days.
On the 17th of August the enemy, commanded by General Laborde, was
encountered near _Roleia_. The position was attacked, and carried
with great loss to the French, who retreated on Torres Vedras.
The light company of the SEVENTY-FIRST was the only part of the
regiment engaged, the remainder being employed in manœuvring on the
right flank of the French. The light company suffered a trifling
loss, having but one man killed and a few wounded.
The SEVENTY-FIRST subsequently received the royal authority to bear
the word “ROLEIA” on the regimental colour and appointments, in
commemoration of this victory.
Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, after the battle of Roleia,
did not pursue the enemy by the high roads, but keeping to the
right near the sea, marched to _Vimiera_, to cover the landing of a
brigade commanded by Major-General Anstruther, which was effected
on the 20th of August.
The morning of the 21st of August was given up to the troops,
in order to prepare and repose themselves. The men were engaged
in washing and cleaning their equipments, when the approach of
the enemy, moving to the left, was discovered at eight o’clock
in the morning, and the brigades commanded by Major-General
Ferguson, Brigadier-Generals Nightingall, Acland, and Bowes, were
consequently moved across a valley from the heights on the west to
those on the east of Vimiera.
Marshal Junot, Duke of Abrantes, moved on his army to the attack
of the position, and commenced it on the British centre, where the
fiftieth regiment was posted, moving along the front gradually to
the left, until the whole line became engaged.
A short time previously to this, the soldiers of the brigade were
ordered to sit down, with their arms in their hands, keeping
their formation. The enemy in the meantime cannonaded the whole
line, and pushed on his sharpshooters and infantry. To oppose
the former, Major-General Ferguson ordered the left sections of
companies to move forward and skirmish. Upon the retreat of the
enemy’s sharpshooters, the action became general along the front of
this brigade, and the whole moved forward to the attack. Nothing
could surpass the steadiness of the troops on this occasion, and
the general and commanding officer set a noble example, which was
followed by all.
The grenadier company of the SEVENTY-FIRST greatly distinguished
itself, in conjunction with a subdivision of the light company
of the thirty-sixth regiment. Captain Alexander Forbes, who
commanded the grenadier company, was ordered to the support of
some British artillery, and, seizing a favorable opportunity, made
a dash at a battery of the enemy’s artillery immediately in his
front. He succeeded in capturing five guns and a howitzer, with
horses, caissons, and equipment complete. In this affair alone the
grenadier company had Lieutenants John Pratt and Ralph Dudgeon and
thirteen rank and file wounded, together with two men killed.[22]
The French made a daring effort to retake their artillery, both
with cavalry and infantry; but the gallant conduct of the grenadier
company, and the advance of Major-General Ferguson’s brigade,
finally left the guns in the possession of those who had so
gallantly captured them.
George Clark, one of the pipers of the regiment, and afterwards
piper to the Highland Society of London, was wounded in
this action, and being unable to accompany his corps in the
advance against the enemy, put his pipes in order, and struck
up a favourite regimental air, to the great delight of his
comrades. This is the second instance in which the pipers of the
SEVENTY-FIRST have behaved with particular gallantry, and evinced
high feeling for the credit and honor of the corps.[23]
During the advance of the battalion, several prisoners were taken,
among whom was the French general, Brennier. Corporal John M^cKay,
of the SEVENTY-FIRST, who took him, was afterwards promoted to an
ensigncy in the Fourth West India Regiment.
The result of this battle was the total defeat of the enemy, who
subsequently retreated on Lisbon, with the loss of twenty-one
pieces of cannon, twenty-three ammunition waggons, with powder,
shells, stores of all descriptions, and 20,000 rounds of musket
ammunition, together with a great many officers and soldiers
killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.
The conduct of the battalion, and of its commanding officer,
Lieut.-Colonel Pack, was noticed in the public despatches, and the
thanks of both Houses of Parliament were conferred on the troops.
The following officers of the SEVENTY-FIRST were wounded in the
battle of _Vimiera_: Captains Arthur Jones and Maxwell Mackenzie;
Lieutenants John Pratt, William Hartley, Augustus M^cIntyre, and
Ralph Dudgeon; Ensign James Campbell, and Acting Adjutant R.
M^cAlpin.
The SEVENTY-FIRST subsequently received the royal authority to bear
the word “_Vimiera_” on the regimental colour and appointments, in
commemoration of this battle.
The “_Convention of Cintra_” was the result of this victory, and
it was signed on the 30th of August. By its provisions the French
army evacuated Portugal, which country became freed from its
oppressors.
The British army was ordered to move forward to Lisbon, some of the
reinforcements for it having preceded it by water, and occupied the
forts at the mouth of the Tagus. The French army having by this
convention fallen back on Lisbon, the British proceeded to the
vicinity of Fort St. Julien, and encamped.
All the objects of the expedition being carried into effect,
and the French troops embarked for France, the British army
remained for some time at Lisbon and its vicinity. At this period
(September) Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, having assumed the
command, made dispositions for entering Spain.
The first battalion of the SEVENTY-FIRST was now brigaded with the
thirty-sixth and ninety-second regiments under Brigadier-General
Catlin Craufurd, and placed in the division under the command of
Lieut.-General the Honorable John Hope, afterwards the Earl of
Hopetoun. On the 27th of October the division was put in motion,
and after a short stay at Badajoz resumed the march, proceeding
by Merida, Truxillo, Jaraicejo, Puerto-de-Merivette, and crossing
the Tagus at the bridge of Almaraz, directed its route upon
Talavera-de-la-Reyna. From this town the column proceeded to the
Escurial, seven leagues to the north-west of Madrid.
Intelligence was here received of the enemy’s approach towards
Madrid, and two companies of the SEVENTY-FIRST, under Major
Archibald Campbell, were pushed forward to occupy the important
pass in the Guadarama Mountains, which separate Old from New
Castile. After a halt of a few days, the division was put in
motion over the Guadarama Pass to Villa Castin, at which place
Lieut.-General the Honorable John Hope, in consequence of the
intelligence which he received of the enemy’s movements, made
a night march to the left, by Avila and Peneranda, and finally
proceeded to Alba-de-Tormes. At the latter place a junction was
formed with a detachment from the army under Lieut.-General Sir
John Moore, then at Salamanca. The army under Sir John Moore
was shortly afterwards put in motion towards Valladolid, and
subsequently to the left, to form a junction with Lieut.-General
Sir David Baird’s division, which had landed at Corunna.
Previously to this period, the Spanish armies under General
Blake, near Bilboa on the left, General Castanos in the centre,
and General Palafox lower down the Ebro on the right, had been
completely defeated; and Lieut.-General Sir John Moore consequently
made arrangements for a retreat on Portugal by Ciudad Rodrigo; but
it having been represented to him that Madrid held out against the
French, he was induced to effect a junction with Lieut.-General Sir
David Baird, in order to make a diversion in favour of Madrid, by
attacking Marshal Soult on the river Carion.
The British force, twenty-nine thousand strong, joined at Toro on
the 21st of December, and on the 23d of that month Sir John Moore
advanced with the whole army. The cavalry had already met with that
of the enemy, and the infantry were within two hours’ march of him,
when an intercepted letter informed the British commander that
Napoleon, who had entered Madrid on the 4th of December, was then
in full march for Salamanca and Benevente. A retreat on Corunna,
through Gallicia, was immediately decided on, that through Portugal
being then impracticable.
Accordingly the several divisions marched towards the Esla,
the greater part crossing by the bridge of Benevente on the
26th of December, when, after a day’s halt, the cavalry under
Lieut.-General Lord Paget and Brigadier-General the Honorable
Charles Stewart had an engagement with some of the Imperial Guards
that had forded the river Esla under General Le Fevre, who was made
prisoner, with several of his men.