At the time when the regiment was mustered in Glasgow, there were

nearly 6000 Highlanders in that city, of whom 3000 belonging to the

42d and 71st regiments were raised and brought from the North in ten

weeks. A finer and a more healthy and robust body of men could not

have been anywhere selected; and their conduct was so laudable and

exemplary as to gain the affections of the inhabitants, between whom

and the soldiers the greatest cordiality prevailed. So great was the

desire of the Highlanders to enlist into this new regiment, that

before leaving Glasgow for embarkation, it was found that more men

had arrived than were required, and it became necessary, therefore,

to leave some of them behind; but unwilling to remain, several of

these stole on board the transports, and were not discovered till the

fleet was at sea. There were others, however, who did not evince the

same ardour to accompany their countrymen. A body of 120 men had been

raised on the forfeited estate of Captain Cameron of Lochiel, by the

ancient tenants, with the view of securing him a company. Lochiel

was at the time in London, and being indisposed, was unable to join

the regiment. His men were exceedingly disappointed at not meeting

their chief and captain at Glasgow, and when they received orders to

embark, they hesitated, as they believed that some misfortune had

befallen him; but General Fraser, with a persuasive eloquence, in

which he was well skilled, removed their scruples; and as Captain

Cameron of Fassifern, a friend and near relation of Lochiel, was

appointed to the company, they cheerfully consented to embark.[381]

When Lochiel heard of the conduct of his men he hastened to Glasgow,

though he had not recovered from the severe illness which had

detained him in London; but the fatigue of the journey brought on a

return of his complaint, to which he fell a victim in a few weeks.

His death was greatly lamented, as he was universally respected.

Some time after the sailing of the fleet, it was scattered in a

violent gale, and several of the ships were attacked singly by

American privateers. One of these, with eight guns, attacked a

transport with two six pounders only, having Captain (afterwards Sir

Æneas) Macintosh and his company on board. Having spent all their

ammunition, the transport bore down upon the privateer to board her;

but the latter sheered off, and the transport proceeded on her voyage.

Another transport, having Colonel Archibald Campbell and Major

Menzies on board, was not so fortunate. Ignorant of the evacuation of

Boston by General Howe, they sailed into Boston harbour, and were

instantly attacked by three privateers full of men. The transport

beat off her antagonists, but expended all her ammunition, and

getting her rudder disabled by a shot, she grounded under a battery,

and was forced to surrender. Major Menzies and seven men were killed,

and Colonel Campbell and the rest were made prisoners. The death of

Major Menzies was a great loss, as from his great military experience

he was particularly well qualified to discipline the corps which had

not yet undergone the process of drilling.

The regiment joined the army under General Howe in Staten island,

and though totally undisciplined, the 71st was immediately put in

front, the general judging well from the experience he had had of

Fraser’s Highlanders in the seven years’ war, that their bravery, if

engaged before being disciplined, would make up for their want of

discipline. The regiment was divided, the grenadiers being placed in

the battalion under the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Stewart, and

the other companies, which were formed into three small battalions,

formed a brigade under Sir William Erskine.

The first affair in which they were engaged was the battle of

Brooklyn, referred to in the notice of the 42d. In this action they

fully justified the expectations of the commander. They displayed, in

common with the other troops, great eagerness to push the enemy to

extremities, and compel them to abandon the strong position they had

taken up; but from a desire to save the lives of his troops, General

Howe restrained their ardour by recalling the right wing, in which

the grenadiers were, from the attack. The loss sustained on this

occasion by the 71st was 3 rank and file killed, and 2 sergeants and

9 rank and file wounded.

The regiment passed the winter at Amboy. The next campaign was spent

in skirmishes, in some of which the regiment was engaged. They were

also employed in the expeditions against Willsborough and Westfield,

at the commencement of the campaign of 1777. They afterwards embarked

for the Chesapeake, and part of them were engaged in the battle

of Brandywine. They embarked for New York in November, where they

received an accession of 200 recruits from Scotland. Along with 100

more from the hospital, they were formed into a corps under Captain

Colin (afterwards General) Mackenzie. This small corps acted as

light infantry, and formed part of an expedition sent up the New

River to make a diversion in favour of General Burgoyne’s movements.

This corps led a successful assault on Fort Montgomery on the 6th of

October, in which they displayed great courage. In the year 1778 the

71st regiment was employed in the Jerseys, under Lord Cornwallis, in

which excursion on occasion occurred for distinguishing themselves.

On the 29th of November 1777, an expedition, of which the 71st formed

a part, destined against Savannah, the capital of Georgia, sailed

from Sandy Hook, and reached the river of that name about the end

of December, under Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell, who had

been exchanged this year. The 1st battalion and the light infantry,

having landed a little below the town, Captain Cameron, an “officer

of high spirit and great promise,” instantly pushed forward to attack

the advanced post of the enemy, when he and three men were killed by

a volley. The remainder advancing, charged the enemy and drove them

back on the main body drawn up in line in an open plain behind the

town. As soon as the disembarkation was finished, Colonel Campbell

formed his army in line, and whilst he detached Sir James Baird with

the light infantry, to get round the right flank of the enemy by a

narrow path, he sent the corps, lately Captain Cameron’s, to get

round the left. The attention of the enemy being occupied by the

army in front, they neglected to watch the motions of the flanking

parties, who, on reaching their ground, made signals to the front

to advance. These being instantly answered, the enemy now perceived

they were nearly surrounded, and turning their backs fled in great

disorder. They suffered severely from the light infantry, who closed

in upon their flanks; they had 100 men killed, and 500 wounded

or taken prisoners. The British had only 4 soldiers killed and 5

wounded. The town then surrendered, and the British took possession

of all the shipping and stores and 45 pieces of cannon.

Colonel Campbell now advanced into the interior, and entered Augusta,

a town 150 miles distant from Savannah, where he established

himself. Meanwhile General Prevost, having arrived at Savannah

from Florida, assumed the command. Judging the ground occupied too

extensive, he evacuated Augusta. The Americans, taking courage from

this retrograde movement, assembled in considerable numbers, and

harassed the rear of the British. The Loyalists in the interior

were greatly dispirited, and, being left unprotected, suffered much

from the disaffected. The winter was spent in making some inroads

into the interior, to keep the Americans in check. About this time

Lieutenant-Colonel Maitland succeeded to the command of the regiment,

in consequence of the return of Colonel Campbell to England, on leave

of absence.

The regiment remained almost inactive till the month of February

1779, when it was employed in an enterprise against Boston Creek,

a strong position defended by upwards of 2000 men, besides 1000

occupied in detached stations. The front of this position was

protected by a deep swamp, and the only approach in that way

was by a narrow causeway; on each flank were thick woods nearly

impenetrable, except by the drier parts of the swamps which

intersected them; but the position was more open in the rear. To

dislodge the enemy from this stronghold, which caused considerable

annoyance, Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Macpherson,[382] with the first

battalion of the 71st, was directed to march upon the front of the

position; whilst Colonel Prevost, and Lieutenant-Colonels Maitland

and Macdonald, with the 2d battalion, the light infantry, and a party

of provincials, were ordered to attempt the rear by a circuitous

route of many miles. These combined movements were executed with such

precision, that, in ten minutes after Colonel Macpherson appeared

at the head of the causeway in front, the fire of the body in the

rear was heard. Sir James Baird, with the light infantry, rushing

through the openings in the swamps on the left flank, the enemy were

overpowered after a short resistance. In this affair the Highlanders

had 3 soldiers killed, and 1 officer and 12 rank and file wounded.

General Prevost next determined to dislodge a considerable force

under General Lincoln, stationed on the South Carolina side of

the river. With the troops lately so successful at Brien’s Creek,

he crossed the river ten miles below the enemy’s position. Whilst

the general advanced on their front, he ordered the 71st to attack

their rear by a circuitous march of several miles. Guided by a party

of Creek Indians, the Highlanders entered a woody swamp at eleven

o’clock at night, in traversing which they were frequently up to the

shoulders in the swamp. They cleared the woods at eight o’clock in

the morning, with their ammunition destroyed. They were now within

half a mile of the enemy’s rear, and although General Prevost had not

yet moved from his position, the Highlanders instantly attacked and

drove the enemy from their position without sustaining any loss.

Emboldened by this partial success, the general made an attempt

upon Charleston; but after summoning the town to surrender, he was

induced, by the approach of the American general, Lincoln, with

a large force, to desist, and determined to return to his former

quarters in Georgia. As the Americans were in arms, and had possessed

themselves of the principal pass on the route, he was forced to

return by the sea-coast, a course very injurious to the troops, as

they had to march through unfrequented woods, and salt water marshes

and swamps, where they could not obtain fresh water. In this retreat,

the British force was separated in consequence of Lieutenant-Colonel

Prevost, the Quarter-master-general, who had gone with a party on a

foraging excursion, having removed part of a bridge of boats leading

to John’s Island. The enemy, who had 5000 men in the neighbourhood,

endeavoured to avail themselves of this circumstance, and pushed

forward 2000 men with some artillery, to attack a battalion of the

Highlanders and some Hessians under Colonel Maitland, who were placed

in a redoubt at Stone Ferry, for the purpose of protecting the

foraging party. Hearing of the advance of the enemy, Colonel Maitland

sent out Captain Colin Campbell,[383] with 4 officers and 56 men, to

reconnoitre. Whilst this small party was standing on an open field,

the enemy emerged from a thick wood. Regardless of the inequality of

numbers, Captain Campbell attacked the enemy with great vivacity;

and a desperate contest took place, in which all the Highlanders

and officers, except 7 of the soldiers, fell. When Captain Campbell

was struck, he desired such of his men as were able to retire to

the redoubt; but they refused to obey, as they considered that if

they left their officers behind in the field, they would bring a

lasting disgrace on themselves. The enemy, unexpectedly, ceased

firing, and the 7 men, availing themselves of the respite, retired,

carrying their wounded officers along with them, followed by such of

the soldiers as were able to walk. The enemy then advanced on the

redoubt, and the Hessians having got into confusion, they forced an

entrance; but they were driven out by the Highlanders, at the point

of the bayonet. The enemy were preparing for another attack, but the

second battalion of the Highlanders having come up, the Americans

retired with considerable loss.

After this affair, General Prevost retired with the main body

towards Savannah, leaving behind him 700 men under Colonel Maitland,

who took up a position in the island of Port Royal. In the month

of September 1779, the Count D’Estaing arrived on the coast of

Georgia with a large fleet, with troops on board, for the purpose of

retaking Savannah, then garrisoned by 1100 effective men, including

one battalion of the 71st. The town, situated on a sandy plain,

gently declining towards the south, had few natural or artificial

means of defence, and as the force about to attack it was said to

exceed 12,000 men, the British general had nothing to rely upon

but the energy and firmness of his troops. The Count, on landing,

made regular approaches, and summoned the town to surrender. In the

absence of Colonel Maitland’s detachment in Port Royal, time was

of importance, and being demanded, was granted. Colonel Maitland,

on hearing of the arrival of the enemy, instantly set out for

Savannah; but finding the principal passes and fords in possession

of the enemy, he made a wide circuit; and after a most tedious march

through marshes and woods hitherto considered impassable, he reached

Savannah before General Prevost had returned a definitive answer to

D’Estaing’s summons.

Having thus accomplished his object, General Prevost made immediate

preparations to defend the place to the last extremity, and being

seconded by the zeal and abilities of Captain Moncrieff, the chief

engineer, and the exertions of the officers and soldiers, assisted

by the Negro population, the town was put in a good state of defence

before the enemy had completed their approaches. During these

operations, several sorties were made by the garrison. On the morning

of the 24th of September, Major Colin Graham sallied out with the

light company of the 16th and the Highlanders, and drove the enemy

from their outworks, with the loss of 14 officers, and 145 men

killed, wounded, and prisoners. In this affair, Lieutenant Henry

Macpherson of the 71st and 3 privates were killed, and 15 wounded. In

another sortie, Major Macarthur with the piquets of the Highlanders

advanced with such caution, that, after a few rounds, the Americans

and French, mistaking their object, fired on each other, and killed

50 men, during which encounter he retired without loss.

Having completed his arrangements, D’Estaing made an assault, on the

9th of October, before day-break, with all his forces. Owing to a

thick fog, and the darkness of the morning, it was some time before

the besieged could ascertain in what direction the principal attack

was to be made. As soon as daylight appeared, the French and American

forces were seen advancing in three columns, D’Estaing leading the

right in person. By taking too large a circuit, the left column got

entangled in a swamp, and being exposed to the guns of the garrison,

fell into confusion, and was unable to advance. The heads of the

right and centre columns suffered greatly, from a well-directed fire

from the batteries; but they still persevered in advancing; the men

in the rear supplying the place of those who fell in front. When

the enemy reached the first redoubt, the contest became furious;

many of them entered the ditch, and some of them even ascended and

planted the colours on the parapet, where they were killed. The

first man who mounted was stabbed by Captain Tawse of the 71st, who

commanded the redoubt, and the Captain himself was shot dead by the

man who followed. The grenadiers of the 60th came up to the support

of Captain Archibald Campbell, who had assumed the command of the

redoubt, and the enemy’s column, being attacked on both sides, was

broken and driven back with precipitation.

In this enterprise the enemy are supposed to have lost 1500 men

killed, wounded, and prisoners. The British had only 3 officers and

36 soldiers killed, and 2 officers and 60 men wounded. The Americans

retired to South Carolina, and the French to their ships. The

garrison before the siege was sickly, but during active operations,

the disease was in a manner suspended, an affect which has been often

observed in the army. After the cause of excitement was over, by the

raising of the siege, the men relapsed, and one-fourth of them were

sent to the hospital.[384]

The grenadiers of the 71st were not employed in Georgia, but were

posted at Stony Point and Verplanks, in the state of New York, which

places had been recently taken from the enemy. Wishing to make amends

for allowing his post to be surprised by Major-General Sir Charles

Grey, the American general, Wayne, was sent to retake the posts of

Stony Point and Verplanks. Accordingly, with a body of troops, he

proceeded at eight o’clock in the evening of the 15th of July 1779,

and taking post in a hollow within two miles of the fort, advanced

unperceived, about midnight, in two columns. One of these gained

the summit, on which the fort stood, without being observed, and

the garrison being surprised, surrendered after a short resistance,

with the loss of 17 soldiers killed, and 3 officers and 72 privates

wounded. The piquet, which was commanded by Lieutenant Cumming of the

71st, resisted one of the columns till almost all the men composing

it were killed or wounded. Lieutenant Cumming was among the latter.

After the surrender of Charleston on the 12th of May 1780, to the

forces under Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis was appointed to the

command of the southern provinces. Having projected an excursion

into the interior, he was joined by the 71st, which had remained at

Savannah in quarters during the winter. In the beginning of June,

the army, amounting to 2500, reached Cambden, and encamped in the

neighbourhood, the general making that place his head quarters. The

American general, Gates, having, in July, assembled a force of 7000

men, took up a position at Rugley’s Mill, nearly twelve miles from

Cambden. Determined to surprise and attack the enemy, the British

general moved forward on the night of the 15th of August; whilst,

by a singular coincidence, the American commander left his position

at the very same hour, with the same intention. It was full moon,

and the sky was unclouded. Before three o’clock in the morning, the

advanced guards met half-way, and exchanged some shots; but both

generals, ignorant of each other’s strength, declined a general

action, and lay on their arms till morning. The ground on which the

armies lay was a sandy plain, with straggling trees, but a part

on the left of the British was soft and boggy. Each army prepared

for battle, by forming line. The British right consisted of the

light infantry and the Welsh fusileers; the 33d regiment and the

volunteers of Ireland formed the centre; and the provincials composed

the left, having the marshy ground in their front. Whilst this

formation was going on, Captain Charles Campbell, who commanded the

Highland light companies on the right, mounted the stump of an old

tree to reconnoitre, and perceiving the enemy in motion, as if they

intended to turn his flank, he leaped down, muttering to himself,

“I’ll see you damned first,” and calling to his men, said, “Remember

you are light infantry; remember you are Highlanders:--charge!” The

Highlanders instantly rushed forward, and such was the impetuosity

of the attack, that the division of the enemy which was to have

surrounded the right of the British was completely broken, and

driven from the field before the battle commenced in the other

parts of the line. In the contest which took place between these,

the centre of the enemy gained ground; but neither party seeming

disposed to advance, a pause of a few minutes took place, as if by

mutual consent, during which both parties remained stationary without

firing a shot. Whilst matters were in this state Lord Cornwallis

ordered the corps in the centre to open their right and left; and

when a considerable space intervened, he directed the Highlanders,

who were getting impatient at being left in the rear, whilst their

friends were fighting in front, to advance and occupy the vacant

space. When the Highlanders had taken their ground, his lordship

cried out, “My brave Highlanders, now is your time!” The words were

scarcely uttered, when they rushed forward, accompanied by the 33d,

and the volunteers of Ireland. The charge was irresistible, and

the centre of the enemy was completely overthrown. Meanwhile the

right of the enemy, which was enveloped in the smoke of the fire,

advanced unperceived, and gained the ground on which the Highlanders

had been formerly posted as a reserve. Unaware of the fate of their

companions, they gave three cheers for victory; but their joy was

of short duration, for, the smoke immediately clearing up, they

saw their mistake; and a party of Highlanders turning on them, the

greater part threw down their arms, whilst the remainder flew in all

directions. The loss of the British in this decisive action was 3

officers and 66 men killed, and 17 officers and 226 rank and file

wounded. Lieutenant Archibald Campbell and 3 soldiers of the 71st

were killed, and Captain Hugh Campbell, Lieutenant John Grant, 2

sergeants, and 30 privates wounded.[385]

Though the battle of the 16th of August was decisive, yet as General

Sumpter with a strong corps occupied positions on the Catawba river,

which commanded the road to Charleston, it was necessary to dislodge

him. For this purpose Colonel Tarleton was directed to proceed with

the cavalry, and a corps of light infantry, under Captain Charles

Campbell of the 71st. On the morning of the 18th they came in sight

of Fishing Creek, and observing some smoke at a short distance on

their right, the sergeant of the advanced guard halted his party,

and went forward to reconnoitre. He observed an encampment with arms

piled, and, with the exception of a few sentinels and some persons

employed in cooking, the soldiers were reposing in groups apparently

asleep. The sergeant reporting what he had seen to Captain Campbell,

the latter, who commanded in front, fearing a discovery, formed

such of the cavalry as had come up, and with 40 of the Highlander

light infantry rushed quickly forward, secured the piled arms,

and surprised the camp. The success was complete; a few men were

killed, nearly 500 surrendered prisoners, and the rest fled in all

directions. The loss was trifling, but the Highlanders had in an

especial manner to regret the death of Captain Campbell, who was

killed by a random shot.

The American general, Morgan, having entered South Carolina, in

December 1780, with about 1100 men, Colonel Tarleton was detached

with some infantry, of which the first battalion of the 71st formed

a part, and a small body of cavalry. On the morning of the 17th of

January 1781, intelligence was received that General Morgan was

posted on a rising ground in front, which was thinly covered with

pine trees. The front line was drawn up on the top of the rising

ground, and the second, four hundred paces in rear of the first.

Colonel Tarleton instantly formed in order of battle. In front he

placed the 7th, or fusileers, the infantry of the British legion, and

the light infantry; the Highlanders and cavalry formed the reserve.

The line, exhausted by running at a rapid pace, received the fire

of the enemy at the distance of thirty or forty yards, which did

considerable execution. The fire was returned, but without spirit

and with little effect; and it was kept up on both sides for ten or

twelve minutes, neither party advancing. The light infantry then made

two attempts to charge, but were repulsed with loss. In this state

of matters the Highlanders were ordered up, and advancing rapidly

to the charge, the enemy’s front line instantly gave way; and this

retrograde motion being observed by the second line, which had not

yet been engaged, it immediately faced to the right and inclined

backwards, and by this skilful manœuvre opened a space by which the

front line retreated. Eager to pursue, the Highlanders followed the

front line, when Colonel Howard, who commanded the enemy’s reserve,

threw in a destructive fire upon the 71st, when within forty yards

of the hostile force. So disastrous was the effect of this fire,

that nearly one half of the Highlanders fell; and the rest were so

scattered over the ground, on which they pursued, that they could

not be united to form a charge with the bayonet. Though checked,

the Highlanders did not fall back, probably expecting that the

first line and the cavalry would come up to their support; but they

were mistaken: and after some irregular firing between them and

Colonel Howard’s reserve, the front line of the Americans rallied,

returned to the field, and pushed forward to the right flank of the

Highlanders. Alone, and unsupported, and almost overpowered by the

increasing numbers of the enemy, the Highlanders “began to retire,

and at length to run, the first instance (may it be the only one!)

of a Highland regiment running _from_ an enemy!!”[386] A general

rout ensued; few of the infantry escaped, but the cavalry saved

themselves by the speed of their horses. The loss of the British, in

this disastrous affair, exceeded 400 men. The Highland officers were

perfectly satisfied with the conduct of their men, and imputing the

disaster altogether to the bad dispositions of Colonel Tarleton, made

a representation to Lord Cornwallis, not to be employed again under

the same officer, a request with which his lordship complied.

The main body of the American army under General Green retreated

northward after this action, and Lord Cornwallis made every exertion

to follow them. Previous to the march the two battalions of the

71st, being greatly reduced, were consolidated into one, and formed

in brigade with the Welsh fusileers and 33d regiment. General Green

retreated to Guildford Court-house, where on the 16th of March he

prepared for battle. He drew up his army in three lines: the first

occupied the edge of a wood with a fence in front of Hogstie farm;

the second a wood of stunted oaks at some distance in the rear; and

the third line was drawn up in the more open parts of the woods and

upon cleared ground. The front line of the British was formed of

the German regiment of De Bos, the Highlanders and guards under the

Honourable General Leslie on the right; and the Welsh fusileers, 33d

regiment, and 2d battalion of guards under Brigadier-General Charles

O’Hara, on the left. The cavalry were in the rear, supported by the

light infantry of the guards and the German Jagers.

The order of battle being completed, the attack began at one o’clock.

The Americans, covered by the fence in their front, reserved their

fire till the British were within thirty or forty paces, at which

distance they opened a most destructive fire, which annihilated

nearly one-third of Colonel Webster’s brigade. The fire was returned

by the brigade, who rushed forward on the enemy. These abandoned

their fence, and retreated on the second line. The contest was

maintained with greater pertinacity on the more open ground, where

the regiment of De Bos and the 33d retreated and advanced repeatedly

before they succeeded in driving the enemy from the field. A party

of the guards pressing forward without observing a body of cavalry

placed in the right flank as a reserve, were charged in flank,

had their line broken, and lost several men. The enemy, who had

retreated, emboldened by the effect of this charge, halted, turned

their face to the field, and recommenced firing. Whilst matters were

in this state, and the Hessians warmly engaged, the Highlanders, who

had rapidly pushed round the flank, appeared on a rising ground in

rear of the enemy’s left, and rushing forward with shouts, made such

an impression on the Americans that they immediately fled, leaving

their guns and ammunition behind. In this well-contested action

every corps fought separately, each depending on its own firmness;

and having to sustain the weight of so greatly superior numbers, the

issue was for some time doubtful. The British had 7 officers and

102 non-commissioned officers and rank and file killed, among whom

were Ensign Grant and 11 soldiers of the 71st; and 20 officers and

419 non-commissioned officers and rank and file wounded, including 4

sergeants and 46 soldiers of the same regiment.

No solid advantage was gained by this battle, as Lord Cornwallis

found it necessary to retreat, and was even obliged to leave his

wounded behind in a house in the neighbourhood. The British took

the direction of Cross Creek, followed close in the rear by the

Americans. The settlement of Cross Creek was possessed by emigrant

Highlanders, who had evinced great loyalty during the war; and they

now offered to bring 1500 men into the field, and to furnish every

necessary except arms and ammunition, but stipulated that they should

be commanded by officers from the line. This reasonable offer was

declined; but it was proposed to form them into what was called a

provincial corps of the line. This proposition was rejected by the

emigrant Highlanders, who retired to their settlements, after a

negotiation of twelve days. The army then marched for Wilmington,

where it arrived on the 17th of April. Here Lord Cornwallis halted

till the 26th, when he proceeded on the route to Peterborough. After

traversing several hundred miles of a country chiefly hostile,

he arrived at Peterborough on the 20th of May, where he formed a

junction with Major-general Philips, who had recently arrived from

New York with 3000 men. With the united forces, which amounted to

6000 men, Lord Cornwallis proceeded to Portsmouth, and whilst he was

preparing to cross the river at St James’s island, the Marquis de

la Fayette, ignorant of the strength of the British army, gallantly

attacked Colonel Thomas Dundas’s brigade, with 2000 men. The Marquis

was repulsed, but not without a warm contest.

Arriving at Portsmouth, Lord Cornwallis continued his march to

Yorktown, and took up a position on the York river, on the 22d of

August. The place selected was an elevated platform, on the banks of

the river, nearly level. On the right of the position, extending from

the river, was a ravine about forty feet in depth, and upwards of one

hundred yards in breadth; a line of entrenchments, with a horn-work,

formed the centre. Beyond the ravine, on the right of the position,

was an extensive redoubt, and two smaller ones on the left, also

advanced beyond the entrenchments. These defences, which constituted

the chief strength of the camp, were not completed when General

Washington, who had been lately joined by the Count de Rochambeau,

took up a position at the distance of two miles from the British

lines. His force consisted of 7000 French and 12,000 Americans, being

thrice as numerous as that of the British, which did not exceed 5950

men.

General Washington immediately proceeded to erect batteries, and to

make his approaches. He first directed his fire against the redoubt

on the right, which after four days’ bombardment was reduced to a

heap of sand. He did not, however, attempt an assault on this point

of the position, but turned his whole force against the redoubts

on the left, which he carried by storm, and turned the guns of the

redoubts on the other parts of the entrenchments. Some soldiers of

the 71st, who had manned one of these redoubts, conceiving that the

honour of the regiment was compromised by their expulsion from the

redoubt, sent a petition through the commanding officer to Lord

Cornwallis, for permission to retake it; but as his lordship did

not think that the acquisition would be of much importance, under

existing circumstances, he declined.

Finding his position quite untenable, and his situation becoming

every hour more critical, the British commander determined to decamp

at midnight with the _elite_ of his army, to cross the river,

and leave a small force in the works to capitulate for the sick

and wounded, the former being very numerous. The plan would have

succeeded had not the passage of the river been rendered dangerous,

if not impracticable, by a squall of wind. The first division was

embarked, and some of the boats had reached Gloucester Point on

the opposite shore, when the General countermanded the enterprise

in consequence of a storm which arose. Judging farther resistance

hopeless, Lord Cornwallis made proposals of capitulation, and the

terms being adjusted, the British troops marched out with their

arms and baggage on the 8th of October 1781, and were afterwards

sent to different parts of the country. The garrison had 6 officers

and 150 non-commissioned officers and rank and file killed, and 6

officers and 319 non-commissioned officers and rank and file wounded.

Lieutenant Fraser and 9 soldiers of the 71st were killed, and 3

drummers and 19 soldiers wounded.

The military services of this army, which were now closed, had

been most arduous. In less than twelve months they had marched and

counter-marched nearly 2000 miles, had been subjected to many severe

hardships, and besides numerous skirmishes had fought two pitched

battles, in all of which they had been victorious; yet all their

exertions were unavailing in the general contest.

With this misfortune also ended the military career of the Fraser

Highlanders, who remained prisoners till the conclusion of the war.

True to their allegiance, they resisted to a man the solicitations

of the Americans to join their standard and settle among them, thus

exhibiting a striking contrast to many soldiers of other corps, who,

in violation of their oath, entered the American ranks. In other

respects the conduct of the Highlanders was in perfect keeping with

this high state of moral feeling and daring, not one instance of

disgraceful conduct ever having occurred in the old 71st. The only

case of military insubordination was that which happened at Leith

in April 1779, of which an account has been given in the history of

the 42d regiment; but it is clear that no fault was attributable

to the men of the detachment in question who merely insisted on

the fulfilment of the engagement which had been entered into with

them.[387]

The regiment returned to Scotland on the termination of hostilities,

and was discharged at Perth in 1783.

FOOTNOTES:

[373] Stewart’s _Sketches_.

[374] General Wolfe’s Despatches.

[375] “The French had posted sentries along shore to challenge

boats and vessels, and give the alarm occasionally. The first boat

that contained the English troops being questioned accordingly,

a captain of Fraser’s regiment, who had served in Holland, and

who was perfectly well acquainted with the French language and

customs, answered without hesitation to _Qui vive?_--which is their

challenging word,--_la France_; nor was he at a loss to answer the

second question, which was much more particular and difficult. When

the sentinel demanded, _a quel regiment?_ the captain replied, _de la

reine_, which he knew, by accident, to be one of those that composed

the body commanded by Bougainville. The soldier took it for granted

this was the expected convoy (a convoy of provisions expected that

night for the garrison of Quebec), and, saying _passe_, allowed all

the boats to proceed without further question. In the same manner

the other sentries were deceived; though one, more wary than the

rest, came running down to the water’s edge, and called, _Pour quoi

est ce que vous ne parlez pas haut?_ ‘Why don’t you speak with an

audible voice?’ To this interrogation, which implied doubt, the

captain answered with admirable presence of mind, in a soft tone of

voice, _Tai toi nous serons entendues!_ ‘hush! we shall be overheard

and discovered.’ Thus cautioned, the sentry retired without farther

altercation.”--_Smollett._

[376] General account of the battle.

[377] Smollett.

[378] “Captain Macdonald was an accomplished high-spirited officer.

He was a second son of Clanranald. He entered early in life into the

French service, and following Prince Charles Edward to Scotland,

in 1745, he was taken prisoner, and along with O’Neil, afterwards

a lieutenant-general in the service of Spain, and commander of the

expedition against Algiers in 1775, was confined in the castle of

Edinburgh; but being liberated without trial, he returned to France,

where he remained till 1756, when he came back to Scotland, and was

appointed to a company in Fraser’s Highlanders. On the expeditions

against Louisburg and Quebec he was much in the confidence of

Generals Amherst, Wolfe, and Murray, by whom he was employed on

all duties where more than usual difficulty and danger was to

be encountered, and where more than common talent, address, and

spirited example were required. Of this several instances occurred at

Louisburg and Quebec.”--Stewart’s _Sketches_.

[379] “This officer engaged in the Rebellion of 1745, and was in

Stewart of Appin’s regiment, which had seventeen officers and

gentlemen of the name of Stewart killed, and ten wounded, at

Culloden. He was severely wounded on that occasion, as he was on

this. As he lay in his quarters some days afterwards, speaking to

some brother officers on the recent battles, he exclaimed, ‘From

April battles and Murray generals, good Lord, deliver me!’ alluding

to his wound at Culloden, where the vanquished blamed Lord George

Murray, the commander-in-chief of the rebel army, for fighting on

the best field in the country for regular troops, artillery, and

cavalry; and likewise alluding to his present wound, and to General

Murray’s conduct in marching out of a garrison to attack an enemy,

more than treble his numbers, in an open field, where their whole

strength could be brought to act. One of those story retailers who

are sometimes about headquarters, lost no time in communicating this

disrespectful prayer of the rebellious clansman; General Murray, who

was a man of humour and of a generous mind, called on the wounded

officer the following morning, and heartily wished him better

deliverance in the next battle, when he hoped to give him occasion to

pray in a different manner.”--Stewart’s _Sketches_.

[380] In a journal kept by this officer, lent to the editor by the

Hon. John Fraser de Berry, “Chief of the Frasers of the Province of

Quebec,” Member of the Legislative Council of Canada, &c., it is

stated that the 78th had about 400 men in the field on this occasion,

half of whom had of their own accord left the hospital to take part

in the fight.

[381] “While General Fraser was speaking in Gaelic to the men, an old

Highlander, who had accompanied his son to Glasgow, was leaning on

his staff gazing at the general with great earnestness. When he had

finished, the old man walked up to him, and with that easy familiar

intercourse which in those days subsisted between the Highlanders and

their superiors, shook him by the hand, exclaiming, ‘Simon, you are

a good soldier, and speak like a man; as long as you live, Simon of

Lovat will never die;’ alluding to the general’s address and manner,

which, as was said, resembled much that of his father, Lord Lovat,

whom the old Highlanders knew perfectly. The late General Sir George

Beckwith witnessed the above scene, and often spoke of it with much

interest.”--Stewart’s _Sketches_.

[382] This officer was called _Duncan of the Kiln_, from the

circumstance of his being born in an old malt-kiln, which was fitted

up as a temporary residence for his mother, after the destruction of

his father’s castle of Cluny, in 1745.

[383] He was son of Campbell of Glendaruel, in Argyleshire.

[384] One of the first who died was the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel

Maitland, son of the Earl of Lauderdale. He was an able and an

enterprising officer, and attracted the particular notice of General

Washington, with whom he was personally acquainted. During some of

the operations, which brought them into occasional collision, Colonel

Maitland jocularly notified to the American general, that, to enable

him to distinguish the Highlanders, so that he might do justice to

their exploits, in annoying his posts, and obstructing his convoys

and detachments, they would in future wear a red feather in their

bonnets. Fraser’s Highlanders accordingly put the red feather in

their bonnets, which they wore till the conclusion of the war. This

must not be confounded with the red feather of the 42d, the origin of

which has been given in the history of that regiment.

[385] In a letter communicated to General Stewart by Dr Chisholm of

Bristol, an eye-witness, the writer says that there were many acts of

individual prowess. One will suffice. “A tough stump of a Sutherland

Highlander, of the name of Mackay, afterwards my own batman, entered

the battle with his bayonet perfectly straight, and brought it out

twisted like a cork-screw, and with his own hand had put to death

seven of the enemy.”

[386] Stewart’s _Sketches_.

[387] Vol. ii., page 355.

KEITH’S AND CAMPBELL’S HIGHLANDERS,

OR

THE OLD EIGHTY-SEVENTH AND EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENTS.

1759-1763.

Keith’s Highlanders--Germany--Campbell’s Highlanders--Germany

--Zeirenberg--Fellinghausen--Continental Notions of Highlanders

--Brucher Mühl--Reduction of regiments.

The first of these regiments consisted of three companies of 105

men each. A relation of the celebrated Field-Marshal Keith, Major

Robert Murray Keith, who had served in the Scotch Brigade in Holland,

was appointed to the command. About the end of the year 1759 this

regiment joined the allied army in Germany under Prince Frederick of

Brunswick.

The Highlanders were not long in the allied camp when they were

brought into action. On the 3d of January 1760 the Marquis de Vogue

attacked and carried the town of Herborn, and made a small detachment

of the allies who were posted there prisoners. At the same time the

Marquis Dauvet made himself master of Dillenburg, the garrison of

the allied troops retiring into the castle, where they were closely

besieged. Prince Ferdinand no sooner understood their situation

than he began to march with a strong detachment for their relief on

the 7th of January, when he attacked and defeated the besiegers. On

the same day “the Highlanders under Major Keith, supported by the

hussars of Luckner, who commanded the whole detachment, attacked the

village of Eybach, where Beau Fremonte’s regiment of dragoons was

posted, and routed them with great slaughter. The greater part of the

regiment was killed, and many prisoners were taken, together with two

hundred horses and all their baggage. The Highlanders distinguished

themselves on this occasion by their intrepidity, which was the more

remarkable, as they were no other than raw recruits, just arrived

from their own country, and altogether unacquainted with discipline.”

The Highlanders had 4 men killed and 7 wounded.[388] Prince Ferdinand

was so well satisfied with the conduct of this body, that he

recommended to the governor not only to increase it to 800 men, but

to raise another regiment of equal strength, to be placed under

his serene highness. This recommendation was instantly attended

to, and, in a few weeks, the requisite number of men was raised in

the counties of Argyle, Perth, Inverness, Ross, and Sutherland.

The command of the new regiment was conferred on John Campbell

of Dunoon; but power was reserved to the Earls of Sutherland and

Breadalbane, the lairds of Macleod and Innes, and other gentlemen in

the north, to appoint captains and subalterns to companies raised on

their respective estates. Major Macnab, son of the laird of Macnab;

Captain Archibald Campbell, brother of Achallader; John Campbell of

Auch, and other officers, were recommended by Lord Breadalbane; and

Macleod, who raised a company in Skye, appointed his nephew, Captain

Fothringham of Powrie to it. Sir James Innes, chief of that name, who

succeeded to the estates and Dukedom of Roxburgh in the year 1810,

was also appointed to a company.

Keith’s regiment was embodied at Perth and Campbell’s at Stirling,

and being embodied at the same time, and ordered on the same service,

an interchange of officers took place. Embarking for Germany they

joined the allied army, under Prince Ferdinand, in 1760, and were

distinguished by being placed in the grenadier brigade.

The allied army moved from Kalle on the 30th of July 1760, in

consequence of the advance of the French, who took up a position on

the river Dymel. The hereditary prince of Brunswick, who had passed

that river the preceding day, was directed by Prince Ferdinand to

turn the left of the enemy, who were posted between Warburg and

Ochsendorff, whilst he himself advanced in front with the main body

of the army. The French were attacked almost at the same moment both

in flank and rear, and defeated with considerable loss. In an account

of the battle written by Prince Ferdinand to George II., he says,

“that the loss of the allies, which was moderate, fell chiefly upon

Maxwell’s brave battalion of English grenadiers and the two regiments

of Scots Highlanders, which did wonders. Colonel Beckwith, who

commanded the whole brigade formed of English grenadiers and Scots

Highlanders, distinguished himself greatly.” None of the Highlanders

were killed, but Lieutenant Walter Ogilvie, and two privates were

wounded.

Another affair soon occurred in which the Highlanders also

distinguished themselves. Prince Ferdinand, having determined to

beat up the quarters of a large French detachment stationed at

Zeirenberg, pitched upon five battalions, with a detachment of the

Highlanders and eight regiments of dragoons, for this service. This

body began their march on the night of the 5th of August, and when

within two miles of the town the corps proceeded by three different

roads--Maxwell’s brigade of grenadiers, the regiment of Kingsby, and

the Highlanders, keeping together. They marched in profound silence,

and though their tramp was at last heard by the French, the surprise

was too sudden for effectual resistance. “The Scots Highlanders

mounted the breaches sword in hand, supported by the Chasseurs. The

column of English grenadiers advanced in good order and with the

greatest silence. In short, the service was complete, and the troops

displayed equal courage, soldier-like conduct, and activity.”[389]

The loss of the Highlanders in this affair was 3 privates killed and

6 wounded.

The hereditary prince being hard pressed by Marshal de Castries,

was reinforced from the camp at Warburg. The Highlanders joined him

on the 14th of October shortly after he had been attacked by the

Marshal, who had compelled him to retire. The prince now attacked the

French commander in his turn, but was unsuccessful, being obliged

again to retire after a warm contest, which lasted from five till

nine in the morning. The Highlanders, who “were in the first column

of attack, were the last to retreat, and kept their ground in the

face of every disadvantage, even after the troops on their right and

left had retired. The Highlanders were so exasperated with the loss

they sustained that it was with difficulty they could be withdrawn,

when Colonel Campbell received orders from an aide-de-camp sent by

the prince, desiring him to retreat as to persist in maintaining

his position longer would be a useless waste of human life.” In

this action Lieutenants William Ogilvie and Alexander Macleod of

the Highlanders, 4 sergeants, and 37 rank and file were killed, and

Captain Archibald Campbell of Achallader, Lieutenants Gordon Clunes,

Archibald Stewart, Angus Mackintosh of Killachy, and Walter Barland,

and 10 rank and file wounded.[390]

On the preceding night an attempt was made by Major Pollock, with 100

grenadiers and the same number of Keith’s Highlanders, to surprise

the convent of Closter Camp, where a detachment of the enemy was

posted, and where, it was supposed, the French commander and some of

his officers were to pass the night; but this attempt miscarried. On

reaching the sentinel of the main-guard Major Pollock rushed upon him

and ran him through the body with his sword. The wounded man, before

falling, turned round upon his antagonist and shot him with a pistol,

upon which they both fell dead.

The next affair in which the Highlanders were engaged was the battle

of Fellinghausen, in July 1762. The commander in chief, in a general

order, thus expressed his approbation of the conduct of the corps in

this action: “His serene highness, Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick, has

been graciously pleased to order Colonel Beckwith to signify to the

brigade he has the honour to command his entire approbation of their

conduct on the 15th and 16th of July. The soldier-like perseverance

of the Highland regiments in resisting and repulsing the repeated

attacks _of the chosen troops of France_, has deservedly gained them

the highest honour. The ardour and activity with which the grenadiers

pushed and pursued the enemy, and the trophies they have taken,

justly entitle them to the highest encomiums. The intrepidity of

the little band of Highlanders merits the greatest praise.” Colonel

Beckwith, in making his communication, added, that “the humanity

and generosity with which the soldiers treated the great flock of

prisoners they took, did them as much honour as their subduing the

enemy.” In this action Major Archibald Campbell of Achallader, who

had been promoted only a week before,[391] and Lieutenants William

Ross and John Grant, and 31 rank and file, were killed; and Major

Archibald Macnab, Captain James Fraser, Lieutenants Archibald

Macarthur, Patrick Campbell, and John Mackintosh, brother of Killachy

and father of Sir James Mackintosh, 2 sergeants, and 70 privates,

were wounded.

No enterprise of any moment was attempted till the 28th of June 1762,

when Prince Ferdinand attacked the French army at Graibenstein,

and defeated them. The French lost upwards of 4000 men in killed,

wounded, and prisoners, including 200 officers, whilst that sustained

by the allies did not exceed 700 men. The British troops, who were

under the command of the Marquis of Granby, “behaved with a bravery

not to be paralleled, especially our grenadiers and Highlanders.”

The Highlanders, from the distinction they had earned in these

different encounters, now began to attract the especial notice

of the Germans. At a time when an entire ignorance prevailed

among the people of England respecting the Highlanders, it is not

to be wondered at that the Germans should have formed the most

extraordinary notions of these mountaineers. In common with the

English they looked upon the Highlanders as savages; but their

ignorance went farther, for the people of Germany actually believed

that the Highlanders were still strangers to Christianity. “The

Scotch Highlanders,” says an article which appeared in the _Vienna

Gazette_ of 1762, “are a people totally different in their dress,

manners, and temper from the other inhabitants of Britain. _They

are caught in the mountains when young_, and still run with a

surprising degree of swiftness. As they are strangers to fear,

they make very good soldiers when disciplined. The men are of low

stature, and the most of them old or very young. They discover an

extraordinary submission and love for their officers, who are all

young and handsome. From the goodness of their dispositions in every

thing--for the boors are much better treated by these savages than

by the polished French and English; from the goodness of their

disposition, which, by the by, shows the rectitude of human nature

before it is vitiated by example or prejudice, it is to be hoped

that their king’s laudable, though late, endeavours to civilise

and instruct them in the principles of Christianity will meet with

success!” The article adds, that the “French held them at first in

great contempt, but they have met with them so often of late, and

seen them in the front of so many battles, that they firmly believe

that there are twelve battalions of them in the army instead of two.

Broglio himself has lately said that he once wished that he was a man

of six feet high, but that now he is reconciled to his size since

he has seen the wonders performed by the little mountaineers.” An

acquaintance with the Highlanders soon dissipated the illusions under

which the Germans laboured.

The Highlanders were not engaged in the battle of Johannisberg, in

which the allies were worsted; but on the 21st of September, in the

subsequent action at Brucher Mühl, they took a part. The French

occupied a mill on one side of the road, and the allies a redoubt

on the other, and the great object of both parties was to obtain

possession of a small post which defended the bridge at Brucher Mühl.

At first a slight cannonade was opened from a few guns, but these

were speedily augmented to twenty-five heavy pieces on each side.

In the post occupied by the allies there was only at first 100, but

during the action, which lasted without intermission for fifteen

hours, no less than seventeen regiments were successively brought

forward, replacing one another after they had spent their ammunition.

Both sides remained in their respective positions, and although the

contest was long and severe the allies lost only 600 in killed and

wounded. The Highland corps had Major Alexander Maclean and 21 rank

and file killed, and Captain Patrick Campbell and Lieutenant Walter

Barland, 3 sergeants, and 58 rank and file wounded.

On the conclusion of hostilities in November 1762 the Highlanders

were ordered home. In the three campaigns in which they had served

they had established a well-earned reputation for bravery; and so

great was the estimation in which they were held by the Dutch, that,

on their march through Holland, they were welcomed with acclamations,

particularly by the women, who presented them with laurel leaves;--a

feeling which, it is said, was in some measure owing to the friendly

intercourse which had previously existed between the inhabitants and

the Scotch brigade.

After landing at Tilbury Fort, the regiments marched for Scotland,

and were received everywhere on their route with the most marked

attention, particularly at Derby, the inhabitants of which town

presented the men with gratuities in money. Among various reasons

assigned for the remarkable predilection shown by the people of

Derby, the most probable is, a feeling of gratitude for the respect

shown by the Highlanders to the persons and properties of the

inhabitants when visited by them in the year 1745.

Keith’s regiment was marched to Perth and Campbell’s to Linlithgow,

and they were reduced in July 1763.

The total loss of these corps was 150 men besides 7 officers killed;

and 170 men, and 13 officers, wounded.

FOOTNOTES:

[388] Smollett.

[389] Military Memoirs.

[390] At this time the corps was joined by a reinforcement of 400 men

from Johnstone’s Highlanders, and soon afterwards by 200 of Maclean’s.

[391] The cause of his promotion was his having, with a party of

Highlanders, rescued General Griffin, afterwards Lord Howard of

Walden, from a strong detachment of the enemy. Major Campbell

was brother of Achallader, who, by his classical learning and

acquirements, attracted the notice of Lord Lyttleton.

EIGHTY-NINTH HIGHLAND REGIMENT.

1759-1765.

Raising of the Regiment--India--Reduction.

The war in which Great Britain was engaged requiring at this time

increased exertions on the part of the government, it was resolved

to raise, in addition to Keith’s Highlanders, another regiment in

those parts of the Highlands where the influence of the Gordon family

prevailed. At the solicitation of the Dowager Duchess of Gordon,

Major Staates Long Morris, to whom she had been lately married, was

appointed to raise the regiment; and to strengthen his interest

amongst the youth of the North, her eldest son by her former husband,

the late Duke of Gordon, then a youth at college, was appointed

a captain; his brother, Lord William, a lieutenant; and his

younger brother, Lord George, an ensign. The object of the duchess

in obtaining these appointments was to counteract the political

influence of the Duke of Argyle during the minority of her son. Major

Morris was so successful that, in a few weeks, 760 men were collected

at Gordon Castle, who, in December 1759, were marched to Aberdeen.

The regiment embarked at Portsmouth for the East Indies in December

1760, and arrived at Bombay in November following. The Duke of Gordon

was desirous of accompanying the regiment, but his mother, at the

especial request of George II., induced him to remain at home to

finish his education.

The 89th had no particular station assigned it, but kept moving

from place to place till a strong detachment under Major Hector

Munro joined the army under the command of Major Carnac, in the

neighbourhood of Patna. Major Munro then assumed the command, and

being well supported by his men, quelled a formidable mutiny among

the troops. After the ringleaders had been executed, and discipline

restored, Major Munro attacked the enemy at Buxar, on the 23d of

October 1764, and though the force opposed to him was five times as

numerous as his own, he overthrew and dispersed it. The enemy had

6000 men killed, and left 130 pieces of cannon on the field, whilst

his majesty’s troops had only 2 officers and 4 rank and file killed.

Major Munro received a letter of thanks on the occasion from the

President and Council of Calcutta. “The signal victory you gained,”

they say, “so as at one blow utterly to defeat the designs of the

enemy against these provinces, is an event which does so much honour

to yourself, Sir, in particular, and to all the officers and men

under your command, and which, at the same time, is attended with

such particular advantages to the Company, as call upon us to return

you our sincere thanks.” For this important service Major Munro was

immediately promoted to the brevet rank of Lieutenant-colonel.

[Illustration: COLONELS OF THE 71^{ST} AND 72^{ND} HIGHLANDERS.

JOHN, LORD MACLEOD.

Col. of 71^{st} Highl^{rs} 18^{th} Dec. 1777--2^{nd} April 1789.

_First Colonel._

SIR THOMAS REYNELL, B^{T}. K.C.B.

Col. of 71^{st} Highl^{rs} 15^{th} March 1841--10^{th} Feb. 1848.

KENNETH, EARL OF SEAFORTH.

Col. of 72^{nd} Highl^{rs} 29^{th} Dec. 1777--Aug^t 1781.

_First Colonel._

SIR NEIL DOUGLAS, K.C.B., K.C.H.

Col. of 72^{nd} Highl^{rs} 12^{th} July 1847--29^{th} Dec. 1851.

_Also Col. of 78^{th} Highl^{rs} 29^{th} Dec. 1851--1^{st} Sep.^t

1853._

A. Fullarton & C^{o} London & Edinburgh.]

The services of the regiment being no longer required, it was ordered

home, and was reduced in the year 1765. It has been remarked, as

a singular circumstance attending their service, that although

five years embodied, four of which were spent in India, or on the

passage going and returning, none of the officers died, nor was

there any promotion or other change among them, except the change

of Lord William Gordon to the 76th regiment, and the promotion

of his successor to his lieutenancy. The same good conduct which

distinguished the other Highland corps was not less conspicuous in

this,--not one man out of eight of the companies, numbering in all

780, having been brought to the halberts. Of the whole regiment only

six men suffered corporal punishment.

JOHNSTONE’S HIGHLANDERS,

OR

ONE HUNDRED AND FIRST REGIMENT.

1760-1763.

This regiment, which consisted of five companies, of 5 sergeants

and 105 rank and file each, was raised in the year 1760 by the

following gentlemen, viz. Colin Graham of Drainie, James Cuthbert of

Milncraigs, Peter Gordon of Knockespic, Ludovick Grant of the family

of Rothiemurchus, and Robert Campbell, son of Ballivolin. These all

received captain’s commissions.

After the companies were completed they assembled at Perth, and

thence were marched to Newcastle, where they remained till near the

end of the year 1761, when they were sent to Germany, to reinforce

Keith’s and Campbell’s Highlanders. Their officers did not accompany

them, but were ordered back to the Highlands to raise six additional

companies of the same strength as the other five. This service was

soon performed, 600 men having assembled at Perth in a few months.

Major, afterwards Sir James Johstone of Westerhall was appointed to

the command of the corps, with the rank of major-commandant. The

major, Adjutant Macveah, and Sergeant-major Coxwell, were the only

persons in the 101st regiment not Highlanders. Lieutenant-general

Lord George Beauclerk reviewed the regiment at Perth in 1762, and

declared that he had never seen a body of men in a more “efficient

state, and better fitted to meet the enemy.” They had, however, no

opportunity of realizing the expectations formed of them, not having

been called into active service. The regiment was reduced at Perth in

August 1763.

LORD MACLEOD’S HIGHLANDERS,

FORMERLY SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT, NOW SEVENTY-FIRST OR GLASGOW

HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY.

I.

1777-1818.

Raising of the Regiment--First Battalion in India--Perambaucum

--Porto-Novo--Cuddalore--Number of Regiment changed to 71st--War

with Tippoo Saib--Bangalore--Seringapatam--Nundydroog--Savendroog

--Seringapatam--Ceylon--Home--Cape of Good-Hope--Buenos

Ayres--Home--Peninsula--Roleia--Vimiera--Corunna--Flushing

--Sobral--Zibriera--Fuentes d’Onor--Albuera--Arroyo-del-Molinos

--Ciudad Rodrigo--Badajoz--Almaraz--Fort-Napoleon--Salamanca

--Alba-de-Tormes--Vittoria--La Puebla--Maya--Lizasso--Eguaros--Doña

Maria--Pyrenees--Altobispo--The Nive--St Pierre--Sauveterre--Orthes

--Aire--Tarbes--Toulouse--Waterloo--Champs Elysées.

This regiment took its original name from Lord Macleod, eldest son

of the Earl of Cromarty, both of whom were engaged in the rebellion

of 1745. Having on account of his youth, received an unconditional

pardon for his share in that transaction, Lord Macleod went abroad

in quest of employment in foreign service. He sojourned some time

at Berlin with Field Marshal Keith, through whose interest, it is

believed, he obtained a commission in the Swedish army. At this time

his means were so limited that he was unable to equip himself for the

service, but the Chevalier de St George, on the recommendation of

Lord George Murray, sent him a sum of money to defray the expenses of

his outfit. He is described by Lord George as “a young man of real

merit,” who, he was hopeful, would gain the good opinion of those

under whom he was to serve. This expectation was fully realized,

and after serving the crown of Sweden twenty-seven years with

distinguished efficiency, he obtained the rank of Lieutenant-general.

Though exiled so long from his native country, his attachment to

the land of his birth was not in the least abated, and, desirous

of revisiting it, he returned to England in the year 1777, and was

presented to George III., who received him very graciously. At the

suggestion of Colonel Duff of Muirtown, who had served in Keith’s

Highlanders, and encouraged by the favourable reception he met with

in the North, he offered his services to raise a regiment. The offer

was accepted, and although without property or political consequence,

yet so great was the influence of his name, that 840 Highlanders

were raised and marched to Elgin in a very short time. In addition

to these, 236 Lowlanders were raised by Captains the Honourable John

Lindsay, David Baird, James Fowlis, and other officers, besides 34

English and Irish, who were enlisted in Glasgow, making in all 1100

men. The corps was embodied at Elgin, and inspected there by General

Skene in April 1778. About this time letters of service were issued

for raising a second battalion of the same size as the first,--a

service which was speedily performed. The men of both battalions, of

whom nearly 1800 were from those parts of the Highlands where the

interest of Lord Macleod’s family had once predominated, were of a

robust constitution and of exemplary behaviour.

FIRST BATTALION.

_Colonel_--John Lord Macleod.

_Lieut.-Colonel_--Duncan M’Pherson.

_Majors._

John Elphinston.

James Mackenzie.

_Captains._

George Mackenzie.

Alexander Gilchrist.

John Shaw.

Charles Dalrymple.

Hugh Lamont.

Hon. James Lindsay.

David Baird.

_Captain Lieutenant and Captain_, David Campbell.

_Lieutenants._

A. Geddes Mackenzie.

Hon. John Lindsay.

Abraham Mackenzie, Adjt.

Alexander Mackenzie.

James Robertson.

John Hamilton.

John Hamilton.

Lewis Urquhart.

George Ogilvie.

Innis Munro.

Simon Mackenzie.

Philip Melvill.

John Mackenzie.

John Borthwick.

William Gunn.

William Charles Gorrie.

Hugh Sibbald.

David Rainnie.

Charles Munro.

_Ensigns._

James Duncan.

Simon Mackenzie.

Alexander Mackenzie.

John Sinclair.

George Sutherland.

James Thrail.

Hugh Dalrymple.

_Chaplain_--Colin Mackenzie.

_Adjutant_--Abraham Mackenzie.

_Quartermaster_--John Lytrott.

_Surgeon_--Alexander MacDougall.

SECOND BATTALION.

_Colonel_--John Lord Macleod.

_Lieut.-Colonel_--The Hon. George Mackenzie.

_Majors._

Hamilton Maxwell.

Norman Macleod.

_Captains._

Hon. Colin Lindsay.

John Mackintosh.

James Foulis.

Robert Sinclair.

Mackay Hugh Baillie.

Stair Park Dalrymple.

David Ross.

Adam Colt.

_Lieutenants._

Norman Maclean.

John Irving.

Rod. Mackenzie, senior.

Charles Douglas.

Rod. Mackenzie, junior.

Phineas Mackintosh.

John Mackenzie, senior.

Alexander Mackenzie.

Phipps Wharton.

Laughlan MacLaughlan.

Kenneth Mackenzie.

Angus Mackintosh.

John Fraser.

Robert Arbuthnot.

David MacCulloch.

Murdoch Mackenzie.

George Fraser.

John Mackenzie, junior.

Martin Eccles Lindsay.

John Dallas.

David Ross.

William Erskine.

_Ensigns._

John Fraser.

John MacDougal.

Hugh Gray.

John Mackenzie.

John Forbes.

Æneas Fraser.

William Rose.

Simon Fraser, Adjutant.

_Chaplain_--Æneas Macleod.

_Adjutant_--Simon Fraser.

_Quartermaster_--Charles Clark.

_Surgeon_--Andrew Cairncross.

The first battalion, under Lord Macleod, embarked for the East Indies

in January 1779, and arrived in Madras Roads on the 20th of January

1780. The second battalion, under the command of the Honourable

Lieut.-Colonel George Mackenzie, brother of Lord Macleod, was sent to

Gibraltar, where it landed two days before the arrival of the first

battalion at Madras.

The second battalion formed part of the garrison of Gibraltar during

the siege, which lasted upwards of three years. In this, the only

service in which it was engaged, the battalion had 30 privates

killed and 7 sergeants, and 121 rank and file wounded. In May 1783

it returned to England, and was reduced at Stirling in October

following. The officers who were regimentally senior in rank had

liberty granted to join the first battalion in India.

The first battalion joined the army under Major-General Sir Hector

Munro, and assembled at St Thomas’s Mount, near Madras, in July

1780. This force amounted to 5209 men, and, with the exception of

one battalion of the Company’s European troops and the Grenadiers of

another and 800 Highlanders, consisted of native troops.

This young and untried regiment had scarcely arrived in India,

when Hyder Ali, forcing his way through the Ghauts, at the head of

100,000 men, burst like a mountain torrent into the Carnatic. He had

interposed his vast army between that of the British, commanded by

Sir Hector Monro, and a smaller force, under the command of Colonel

Baillie, which were endeavouring to form a junction. The latter

having, though victorious, sustained a serious loss in an engagement

with Hyder Ali’s troops, sent to the commander an account of his

difficult position, stating that, from the loss he had sustained

and his total want of provisions, he was equally unable to advance

or remain in his then situation. With the advice of a council of

war, Sir Hector judged the only course was to endeavour to aid

Colonel Baillie, with such a reinforcement as would enable him to

push forward in defiance of the enemy. The detachment selected

for this enterprise consisted of about 1,000 men under Colonel

Fletcher; and its main force was composed of the grenadier and

infantry companies of Lord Macleod’s regiment, commanded by Captain

Baird. Hyder Ali having gained intelligence of this movement, sent

a strong body to cut them off on their way, but, by adopting a long

circuitous route, and marching by night, they at length safely

effected a junction with Colonel Baillie. With the most consummate

skill, however, Hyder, determining that they should never return,

prepared an ambuscade, into which, early on the morning of the 10th

of September, they unwarily advanced. The enemy, with admirable

coolness and self-command, reserved their fire till the unhappy

British were in the very midst of them. The army under the command

of Colonels Baillie and Fletcher, and Captain Baird, marched in

column. On a sudden, whilst in a narrow defile, a battery of twelve

guns opened upon them, and, loaded with grape-shot, poured in upon

their right flank. The British faced about; another battery opened

immediately upon their rear. They had no choice therefore, but to

advance; other batteries met them here likewise, and in less than

half an hour fifty-seven pieces of cannon, brought to bear on them

at all points, penetrated into every part of the British line. By

seven o’clock in the morning, the enemy poured down upon them in

thousands: Captain Baird and his grenadiers fought with the greatest

heroism. Surrounded and attacked on all sides, by 25,000 cavalry, by

thirty regiments of Sepoy infantry, besides Hyder’s European corps,

and a numerous artillery playing upon them from all quarters, within

grape shot distance, yet did this gallant column stand firm and

undaunted, alternately facing their enemies on every side of attack.

The French officers in Hyder’s camp beheld with astonishment the

British Grenadiers, under Captain Baird’s command, performing their

evolutions in the midst of all the tumult and extreme peril, with

as much precision, coolness, and steadiness, as if upon a parade

ground. The little army, so unexpectedly assailed, had only ten

pieces of cannon, but these made such havoc amongst the enemy, that

after a doubtful contest of three hours, from six in the morning

till nine, victory began to declare for the British. The flower

of the Mysore cavalry, after many bloody repulses, were at length

entirely defeated, with great slaughter, and the right wing, composed

of Hyder’s best forces, was thrown into disorder. Hyder himself

was about to give orders for retreat, and the French officer who

directed the artillery began to draw it off, when an unforeseen and

unavoidable disaster occurred, which totally changed the fortune of

the day. By some unhappy accident the tumbrils which contained the

ammunition suddenly blew up in the centre of the British lines. One

whole face of their column was thus entirely laid open, and their

artillery overturned and destroyed. The destruction of men was great,

but the total loss of their ammunition was still more fatal to the

survivors. Tippoo Saib, the son of Hyder, instantly seized the

moment of advantage, and without waiting for orders, fell with the

utmost rapidity, at the head of the Mogul and Carnatic horse, into

the broken square, which had not had time to recover its form and

order. This attack by the enemy’s cavalry being immediately seconded

by the French corps, and by the first line of infantry, determined

at once the fate of our unfortunate army. After successive prodigies

of valour, the brave Sepoys were almost to a man cut to pieces.

Colonels Baillie and Fletcher, assisted by Captain Baird, made one

more desperate effort. They rallied the Europeans, and, under the

fire of the whole immense artillery of the enemy, gained a little

eminence, and formed themselves into a new square. In this form did

this intrepid band, though totally without ammunition, the officers

fighting only with their swords and the soldiers with their bayonets,

resist and repulse the myriads of the enemy in thirteen different

attacks; until at length, incapable of withstanding the successive

torrents of fresh troops which were continually pouring upon them,

they were fairly borne down and trampled upon, many of them still

continuing to fight under the very legs of the horses and elephants.

To save the lives of the few brave men who survived, Colonel Baillie

had displayed his handkerchief on his sword, as a flag of truce;

quarter was promised, but no sooner had the troops laid down their

arms than they were attacked with savage fury by the enemy. By the

humane interference, however, of the French officers in Hyder’s

service, many lives were saved. Colonel Fletcher was slain on the

field. Colonel Baillie, severely wounded, and several other officers,

with two hundred Europeans, were made prisoners. When brought into

the presence of Hyder, he, with true Asiatic barbarism, received them

with the most insolent triumph. The British officers, with a spirit

worthy of their country, retorted with an indignant coolness and

contempt. “Your son will inform you,” said Colonel Baillie, “that you

owe the victory to our disaster, rather than to our defeat.” Hyder

angrily ordered them from his presence, and commanded them instantly

to prison. Captain Baird had received two sabre-wounds on his head,

a ball in his thigh, and a pike-wound in his arm. He lay a long time

on the field of battle, narrowly escaping death from some of the more

ferocious of the Mysore cavalry, who traversed the field spearing the

wounded, and at last being unable to reach the force under Munro, he

was obliged to surrender to the enemy.

[Illustration: Sir David Baird, from a painting by Raeburn.]

The result of this battle was the immediate retreat of the main army

under Sir Hector Munro to Madras. Colonel Baillie, Captain Baird,

and five other British officers were marched to one of Hyder’s

nearest forts, and afterwards removed to Seringapatam, where they

were joined by others of their captive countrymen, and subjected to a

most horrible and protracted imprisonment. It was commonly believed

in Scotland that Captain Baird was chained by the leg to another

man; and Sir Walter Scott, writing in May 1821 to his son, then a

cornet of dragoons, with his regiment in Ireland, when Sir David was

commander of the forces there, says, “I remember a story that when

report came to Europe that Tippoo’s prisoners (of whom Baird was

one) were chained together two and two, his mother said, ‘God pity

the poor lad that’s chained to _our Davie_!’” She knew him to be

active, spirited and daring, and probably thought that he would make

some desperate effort to escape. But it was not the case that he was

chained to another. On the 10th of May all the prisoners had been put

in irons except Captain Baird; this indignity he was not subjected

to till the 10th of November following. “When they were about,”

says his biographer, “to put the irons on Captain Baird, who was

completely disabled in his right leg, in which the wound was still

open, and whence the ball had just then been extracted, his friend

Captain Lucas, who spoke the language perfectly, sprang forward,

and represented in very strong terms to the Myar the barbarity

of fettering him while in such a dreadful state, and assured him

that death would be the inevitable termination of Captain Baird’s

sufferings if the intention were persisted in. The Myar replied that

the Circar had sent as many pairs of irons as there were prisoners,

and they must be put on. Captain Lucas then offered to wear two sets

himself, in order to save his friend. This noble act of generosity

moved the compassion even of the Myar, who said he would send to

the Kellidar, (commander of the fort,) to open the book of fate. He

did so, and when the messenger returned, he said the book had been

opened, and Captain Baird’s fate was good; and the irons were in

consequence not put on at that time. Could they really have looked

into the volume of futurity, Baird would undoubtedly have been the

last man to be spared.”[392] Each pair of irons was nine pounds

weight. Captain Lucas died in prison. Captain Baird lived to revenge

the sufferings which he and his fellow-prisoners endured by the

glorious conquest of Seringapatam on the 4th of May, 1799.

Some time after the battle of Conjeveram, Lord Macleod took ship for

England, having, it is said, differed in opinion with General Munro

on the subject of his movements, particularly those preceding Colonel

Baillie’s disaster. He was succeeded in the command of the 73d by

Colonel James Crawford, who, with the regiment now reduced to 500

men, joined the army under Sir Eyre Coote on the morning of the 1st

of July 1781, when about to attack the enemy at Porto Novo.

General Coote’s army did not exceed 8000 men, of which the 73d was

the only British regiment. The force under Hyder Ali consisted of

25 battalions of infantry, 400 Europeans, between 40,000 and 50,000

horse, and above 100,000 matchlock men, peons, and polygars, with 47

pieces of cannon. Notwithstanding this immense disparity of force,

Sir Eyre Coote determined to attack Hyder, and, accordingly, drew up

his army in two lines, the first commanded by Major-general Hector

Munro, and the second by Major-general James Stewart. A plain divided

the two armies, beyond which the enemy were drawn up on ground

strengthened by front and flanking redoubts and batteries. General

Coote advanced to the attack at nine o’clock, and, after a contest

of eight hours, the enemy was forced from all his entrenchments, and

compelled to retire.

The 73d was on the right of the first line, and led all the

attacks, to the full approbation of General Coote, whose notice was

particularly attracted by one of the pipers, who always blew up his

most warlike sounds whenever the fire became hotter than ordinary.

This so pleased the General that he cried aloud, “Well done, my brave

fellow, you shall have a pair of silver pipes for this!” The promise

was not forgotten, and a handsome pair of pipes was presented to the

regiment, with an inscription in testimony of the General’s esteem

for its conduct and character.

After a variety of movements, both armies again met, August 27th,

near Perambaucum, the spot so fatal to Colonel Baillie’s detachment.

“Perhaps there come not within the wide range of human imagination

scenes more affecting, or circumstances more touching, than many

of our army had that day to witness and to bear. On the very spot

where they stood lay strewed amongst their feet the relics of their

dearest fellow soldiers and friends, who near twelve months before

had been slain by the hands of those very inhuman monsters that now

appeared a second time eager to complete the work of blood. One poor

soldier, with the tear of affection glistening in his eye, picked up

the decaying spatterdash of his valued brother, with the name yet

entire upon it, which the tinge of blood and effects of weather had

kindly spared. Another discovered the club or plaited hair of his

bosom friend, which he himself had helped to form, and knew by the

tie and still remaining colour. A third mournfully recognised the

feather which had decorated the cap of his inseparable companion. The

scattered clothes and wings of the flank companies of the 73d were

everywhere perceptible, as also their helmets and skulls, both of

which bore the marks of many furrowed cuts.

“These horrid spectacles, too melancholy to dwell upon, while they

melted the hardest hearts, inflamed our soldiers with an enthusiasm

and thirst of revenge such as render men invincible; but their ardour

was necessarily checked by the involved situation of the army.”[393]

Hyder Ali, in anticipation of an attack, had taken up a strong

position on ground intersected by deep water courses and ravines. The

British commander formed his line of battle under a heavy fire, which

the troops bore with firmness. An obstinate contest took place, which

lasted from nine in the morning till sunset. Hyder then abandoned his

position, leaving General Coote master of the field of battle. The

loss of the British was upwards of 400 killed and wounded, almost all

native troops.

Colonel Crawford having become second in command, in consequence of

the departure of General Munro for England, and the disabling of

General Stewart in the last-mentioned action, Captain Shaw assumed

the command of the 73d regiment. It continued attached to General

Coote’s army, and was present at the battles of Sholungar on the 27th

of September 1781, and of Arnee on the 2d of June 1782.[394]

Having obtained reinforcements from England, General Stewart, who

had recovered from his wounds, and succeeded to the command of

the army on the death of General Coote, who died in April 1783,

resolved to attack Cuddalore, the garrison of which had also obtained

considerable additions from the Isle of France. General Stuart

accordingly appeared before the place on the 6th of June 1783, and as

M. Bussy, who commanded the garrison, was active in increasing his

means of defence, he determined to make a speedy attack, and fixed

the morning of the 13th for that purpose. The firing of three guns

from a hill was to be the signal for a simultaneous assault at three

different points; but in consequence of the noise of the cannonade

which was immediately opened, the signals were not distinguished,

and the attacks were not made at the same time. The enemy were thus

enabled to direct their whole forces against each successive attack,

and the result was, that one of the divisions was driven back. In the

ardour of the pursuit, the besieged evacuated their redoubts, which

were instantly taken possession of by Lieutenant-colonel Cathcart

with the Grenadiers, and Lieutenant-colonel Stuart “with the precious

remains of the 73d regiment.” Though Colonel Stuart’s party were

forced to retire from the more advanced posts, yet as they retained

possession of the principal redoubts, the advantage already was on

the side of the British. In the belief that the French would retire

from all their advanced posts during the night, General Stuart did

not attempt to carry them. This expectation was realised. In this

affair the 73d had Captains Alexander Mackenzie, and the Honourable

James Lindsay, Lieutenants Simon Mackenzie and James Trail, 4

sergeants and 80 rank and file killed; and Captain John Hamilton,

Lieutenants Charles Gorrie, David Rannie, John Sinclair, James

Duncan, and George Sutherland, 5 sergeants, and 107 rank and file

wounded. The casualties of the enemy exceeded 1000 men.

The following flattering compliment formed part of the general orders

issued by the Commander-in-chief at the conclusion of the battle:--“I

am also grateful to Captain Lamont and the officers under his

command, who gallantly led the _precious remains_ of the 73d regiment

through the most perilous road to glory, until exactly one half of

the officers and men of the battalion were either killed or wounded.”

With the aid of 2400 men from the fleet, under Admiral Suffrein,

Bussy made a spirited sortie on the 25th of June, but was driven

back with great loss. Hostilities terminated on the 1st of July in

consequence of accounts of the signature of preliminaries of peace

between Great Britain and France having been received. The army

returned to St Thomas’s Mount at the conclusion of the definitive

treaty of peace, in March, 1784.

In consequence of the arrangements made when the second battalion

was reduced, the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel George Mackenzie,

and some other officers of that corps, joined the regiment in 1785.

Next year the number of the regiment was changed to the 71st, on

which occasion it received new colours. The same year the corps

sustained a heavy loss by the death of Colonel Mackenzie, when

Captain (afterwards General Sir David) Baird was appointed Major.

Lord Macleod died in 1789, and was succeeded in the Colonelcy by the

Honourable Major-General William Gordon. The strength of the regiment

was at this time about 800 men, having been kept up to that number by

occasional detachments from Scotland.

The war between Tippoo Saib and the East India Company, which broke

out in 1790, brought the regiment again into active service. In May

of that year, the 71st and Seaforth’s Highlanders (now the 72d),

joined a large army assembled at Trichinopoly, the command of which

was assumed by Major-General Meadows. The right wing was commanded by

Lieutenant-Colonel James Stuart, and the left by Lieutenant-Colonel

Bridges, while the two Highland regiments formed the second brigade.

In the campaign against Tippoo, the 71st followed all the movements

of the army. The flank companies were employed in the attack on

Dundegul, and the regiment was after the capture of that place,

engaged in the siege of Palacatcherry.

Lord Cornwallis joined the army early in 1791 as Commander-in-chief,

and, after various movements, encamped close to Bangalore on the 5th

of March. He made an assault on the 21st, and carried the place with

little loss. The attack was led by the flank companies, including

those of the 71st, all under the command of the Honourable John

Lindsay and Captain James Robertson, son of Principal Robertson the

historian.

Having obtained a reinforcement of 10,000 well-mounted native cavalry

and some European troops from the Carnatic, Lord Cornwallis advanced

upon Seringapatam, and on the 13th of May came within sight of the

enemy, drawn up a few miles from the town, having the river on their

right, and the heights of Carrighaut on their left. On the 15th the

enemy were forced from a strong position, and driven across the river

into the island on which the capital stands. In this affair the 71st

had Lieutenant Roderick Mackenzie, and 7 rank and file killed; and

Ensign (afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel of the 50th regiment[395])

Chas. Stewart, and 74 rank and file wounded.

The advanced state of the season, and other unfavourable

circumstances operating against a siege, Lord Cornwallis retired

to Bangalore. From this place he detached Major Gowdie to attack

Nundydroog, a strong fortified granite rock of great height. Except

on one side this fortress was inaccessible, and care had been

taken to strengthen that part by a double line of ramparts; and

an outwork covered the gate by a flanking fire. Notwithstanding

its great elevation, and very steep ascent, Nundydroog could still

be approached, though it required immense labour to render the

approaches available. After fourteen days’ intense exertion, the

besiegers succeeded in drawing up some guns, and erecting batteries

on the face of a craggy precipice, from which they made two breaches,

one on the re-entering angle of the outwork, and the other in the

curtain of the outer wall.

Moving with his whole army towards Nundydroog, on the 18th of

October, Lord Cornwallis made preparations for storming the place.

An assault by night having been determined upon, Lieutenant Hugh

Mackenzie, (afterwards paymaster of the 71st,) with twenty grenadiers

of the 36th and 71st regiments, was to lead the attack on the right,

and Lieutenant Moore, with twenty light infantry, and two flank

companies of the same regiment, under the command of Lieutenants

Duncan and Kenneth Mackenzie, was to lead the left. The whole was

under the command of Captain (afterwards Lieutenant-General) James

Robertson, supported by Captain (afterwards Major-General) Burns,

with the grenadiers, and Captain Hartly with the light infantry of

the 36th regiment. Whilst waiting the signal to advance, one of

the soldiers whispered something about a _mine_. General Meadows

overhearing the observation, took advantage of the circumstance, by

intimating that there _was_ a mine, but it was “a mine of gold.” This

remark was not thrown away upon the troops.

Apprehensive of an assault, the enemy had provided themselves with

huge masses of granite, to hurl down upon the besiegers when they

should attempt to ascend the rock. The assault was made on the

morning of the 19th of October, in a clear moonlight, and in spite

of every obstacle the assailants effected a lodgement within one

hundred yards of the breach. Driven from the outward rocks, the enemy

attempted to barricade the gate of the inner rampart; but it was soon

forced, and the place carried with the loss of 30 men amongst the

native troops killed and wounded, principally from the stones which

were rolled down the rock.

Encouraged by this success, Lord Cornwallis next laid siege to

Savendroog, the strongest rock in the Mysore, and hitherto deemed

impregnable. This stronghold was considerably higher than Nundydroog,

and was separated by a chasm into two parts at the top, on each

of which parts was a fort, but each independent of the other.

The arduous duty of reducing this stronghold was intrusted to

Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart, who had already distinguished himself in

other enterprises. Some of the outworks were battered, preparatory

to an assault, which was fixed for the 21st of December. Accordingly

on the morning of that day, the flank companies of the 52d, the two

Highland regiments and the 76th, were assembled under the command

of Lieutenant-Colonel Nisbet of the 52d, and at eleven o’clock

in the forenoon, the party advanced to the assault to the air of

_Britons Strike Home_, performed by the band of the 52d regiment. The

assailants then ascended the rock, clambering up a precipice which

was so nearly perpendicular, that after the capture of the place the

men were afraid to descend. The citadel on the eastern top was soon

carried, and eventually the whole of the rock, the assailants losing

only two men. This success was soon followed by the capture of all

the other strongholds in the Mysore.

Bent upon the capture of the Sultan’s capital, the possession of

which would, it was supposed, finish the war, Lord Cornwallis, in

the month of January 1792, put his army in motion for Seringapatam,

of which place he came in sight on the 4th of February. On the

evening of the 6th he formed his army into three columns; the right

column consisting of the 36th and 76th regiments, being under the

command of General Meadows; the centre one, consisting of the 52d,

with the 71st and 74th Highland regiments, under Lord Cornwallis,

with Lieutenant-Colonels James Stuart and the Honourable John

Knox; and the left column, being the 72d Highland regiment under

Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell. The native troops were divided in

proportion to each column. General Meadows was to penetrate the

enemy’s left, after which he was to attempt to open and preserve

the communication with Lord Cornwallis’s division, by directing all

his efforts towards the centre. Part of the centre division, under

Colonel Stewart, was to pierce through the centre of the enemy’s

camp, and attack the works on the island, while Colonel Maxwell with

the left wing was directed to force the works on Carrighaut Hill,

and descending thence to turn the right of the main division, and

unite with Colonel Stuart. The three columns began to move at eight

o’clock in the evening. “The head of the centre column led by the

flank companies of the regiment, after twice crossing the Lockary,

which covered the right wing of the enemy, came in contact with their

first line, which was instantly driven across the north branch of

the Cavery, at the foot of the glacis of the fort of Seringapatam.

Captain Lindsay, with the grenadiers of the 71st, attempted to push

into the body of the place, but was prevented by the raising of the

drawbridge a few minutes before he advanced. He was here joined by

some grenadiers and light infantry of the 52d and 76th regiments.

With this united force he pushed down to the Loll Bang, where he

was fiercely attacked by a body of the enemy, whom he quickly

drove back with the bayonet. His numbers were soon afterwards

increased by the grenadier company of the 74th, when he attempted

to force his way into the Pettah (or town,) but was opposed by such

overwhelming numbers that he did not succeed. He then took post in

a small redoubt, where he maintained himself till morning, when he

moved to the north bank of the river, and joined Lieutenant-Colonels

Knox and Baird, with the troops who formed the left of the attack.

During these operations the battalion companies of the 52d, 71st,

and 72d regiments forced their way across the river to the island,

overpowering all that opposed them. At this moment, Captain

Archdeacon, commanding a battalion of Bengal sepoys, was killed. This

threw the corps into some confusion, and caused it to fall back on

the 71st, at the moment that Major Dalrymple was preparing to attack

the Sultan’s redoubt, and thus impeded his movements. However, the

redoubt was attacked, and instantly carried. The command was given

to Captain Sibbald, who had led the attack with his company of the

71st. The animating example and courage of this officer made the

men equally irresistible in attack, and firm in the defence of the

post they had gained. The enemy made several vain attempts to retake

it. In one of these the brave Captain Sibbald was killed. Out of

compliment to this officer, the Commander-in-chief changed the name

from Sultan’s to Sibbald’s redoubt. In this obstinate defence the men

had consumed their ammunition, when, by a fortunate circumstance,

two loaded oxen of the enemy, frightened by the firing, broke loose

from their drivers, and taking shelter in the ditch of this redoubt,

afforded an ample and seasonable supply. The command of this post was

assumed by Major Kelly of the 74th regiment, who had gone up with

orders from the Commander-in-chief, and remained there after the

death of Captain Sibbald. The Sultan seemed determined to recover

this redoubt distinguished by his own name, and directed the French

troops to attack it. But they met with no better success than the

former, notwithstanding their superior discipline.”[396]

The loss of the enemy in this affair was estimated at 4000 men and

80 pieces of cannon. That on the side of the assailants was 535 men

killed and wounded. Of the 71st, Captain Sibbald and Lieutenant

Baine, 2 sergeants, and 34 rank and file were killed; and Ensigns

Duncan Mackenzie, and William Baillie, 3 sergeants, and 67 rank and

file wounded.

On the 9th of February Major-General Robert Abercromby, with the

army from Bombay, consisting of the 73d and 75th Highland, and 77th,

besides some native regiments, joined the besieging army. Operations

for the siege were begun the same day; but nothing particular

occurred till the 18th, when Major Dalrymple, to cover the opening

of the trenches, crossed the Cavery at nine o’clock at night, and

surprised and routed a camp of Tippoo’s horse. During the three

following days traverses were finished; and on the 22d, the enemy,

after a warm contest, were defeated by a part of the Bombay army

under General Abercromby. This was the last effort of the Sultan, who

sued for peace, and obtained it at the expense of nearly one-half of

his dominions, which he ceded to the East India Company.

On the termination of the war, the 71st, now under the command of

Lieutenant-colonel David Baird, was marched to the neighbourhood

of Trichinopoly, where they remained till the breaking out of the

war with France, in 1793. The flank companies were employed on the

expedition against Ceylon, in the month of August that year, in which

enterprise Captain Gorrie was severely wounded, and 11 men were

killed and wounded.

On the 2d of January 1797, the regiment was inspected by

Major-general Clarke, who issued the following general order:--

“Major-General Clarke has experienced infinite satisfaction, this

morning, at the review of His Majesty’s 71st regiment.

“He cannot say that on any occasion of field exercise he ever was

present at a more perfect performance.

“When a corps is so striking in appearance, and so complete in

every branch of its discipline, little can occur to the Commander

in-chief to particularise. He cannot but notice, however, that the

71st regiment has excited his admiration for its expertness in those

parts of its exercise which are most essential, and most difficult

to execute. He alludes to its order and regularity when moving in

line; its extreme accuracy in preserving distances, and the neatness

and promptitude that are so evident in all its formations. So much

perfection in a corps, whose services in India will long be held in

remembrance, does the greatest honour to Lieut.-Colonel Baird and all

his officers, to whom, and the corps at large, the Commander-in-chief

desires to offer his best thanks.”

In October 1797, in consequence of orders, all the soldiers fit for

service, amounting to 560 men, were drafted into the 73d and 74th

regiments; those unfit for service, along with the officers and

non-commissioned officers, sailed from Madras for England on the 17th

of October, and arrived in the Thames in August 1798. The regiment

was then removed to Leith, and thence to Stirling, after an absence

of nearly 18 years from Scotland.[397]

As a mark of indulgence, a general leave of 2 months was granted

to the officers and men of the 71st, to enable them to visit their

friends and families, after so long an absence from their native

country.

The regiment remained in Scotland till June, 1800, when it was

removed to Ireland, having previously received an accession of 600

volunteers from the Scottish fencible regiments. This augmented

the corps to 800 men, of whom 600 were Highlanders. On the 24th of

April, 1801, Lieutenant-Colonel Pack joined and assumed command

of the regiment. In August 1803, Major-General Sir John Francis

Cradock was appointed Colonel of the 71st, in succession to General

the Honourable William Gordon. A second battalion was ordered to be

embodied at Dumbarton, in the year 1804. From the success with which

the recruiting for this battalion was carried on in Glasgow, and the

favour shown to the men by the inhabitants, the corps acquired the

name of the “Glasgow Highland Light Infantry.”

The first battalion sailed from Cork on the 5th of August, 1805, on

the expedition against the Cape of Good Hope, (of which an account

will be found under the head of the Sutherland Regiment,) and reached

its destination on the 4th of January 1806. On this service the

regiment had 6 rank and file killed, and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel

Robert Campbell, 5 sergeants, and 67 rank and file wounded.

This enterprise was followed by that against Buenos Ayres, of which

the 71st formed the chief force. The expedition reached the Rio de la

Plata on the 8th of June, and passing Monte Video, anchored opposite

to the city of Buenos Ayres, on the 24th. The troops and the marines

of the fleet, amounting together to about 1400 men, landed the

following evening without opposition. Next forenoon the troops moved

forward to the village of Reduction in full view of the enemy, who

were posted on the brow of an adjoining eminence. The enemy, after

firing a few shots, retired into the city. On the 27th the passage

of the Rio Chuelo was forced, and the result was that the city

surrendered. The Spaniards, however, soon attempted to regain what

they had lost, and in the beginning of August collected a force of

1500 men in the neighbourhood; but these were attacked and dispersed

by General Beresford, with a detachment of the 71st, and the corps of

St Helena. Notwithstanding their dispersion, however, these troops

collected again, and on the 10th of August, surprised and cut off a

sergeant’s guard. Next day the town was abandoned by the British, who

retired to the fort, and seeing no prospect of relief, capitulated

the same evening. The 71st lost in this expedition Lieutenant

Mitchell and Ensign Lucas, and 91 non-commissioned officers and

privates were killed and wounded.

After the capitulation of General Whitelock’s army, the regiment was

restored to liberty, and embarked with the troops for England. The

regiment landed in Ireland and marched to Middleton and afterwards to

Cork, where it received a reinforcement of 200 men from the second

battalion, by which the effective force was increased to 920 men. On

the 21st of April, 1808, the regiment received new colours instead

of those they had surrendered at Buenos Ayres. The colours were

presented by General Floyd, a veteran officer, who had frequently

witnessed the gallantry of the 71st in India. He made an eloquent

speech on the occasion, the conclusion of which was as follows:--

“SEVENTY-FIRST,

“I am directed to perform the honourable 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 honour. Your honour, 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 behaviour 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, and with good arms in your hands, and

with stout hearts in your bosoms.

“Look forward, officers and soldiers, to the achievement of new

honours 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 honour to themselves and you. Preserve your

regiment’s reputation for valour in the field and regularity in

quarters.

“I have now the honour to present the

ROYAL COLOUR.

This is the KING’S COLOUR.

“I have now the honour to present your

REGIMENTAL COLOUR.

“This is the colour of the SEVENTY-FIRST regiment.

“May victory for ever crown these colours.”

The expectations which General Floyd had formed of the regiment

were soon to be realised. In the month of June the first battalion

of the regiment embarked at Cork for Portugal, in the expedition

under Sir Arthur Wellesley, which sailed on the 13th of July. The

fleet arrived in Mondego Bay on the 29th, and the forces, amounting

to 10,000 men, landed early in August. In a few days a body of 5000

troops from Gibraltar joined the army. General Wellesley made a

forward movement towards Lisbon on the 9th of August, and was joined

on the 11th by 6000 Portuguese, but being destitute of provisions

and military stores he could not proceed. The British army reached

Caldas on the 14th--four companies of the 60th and Rifle corps

pushing forward to the village of Brilos, then in possession of the

enemy. An affair of advanced posts now took place, which ended in the

occupation of the village by the British. This was the commencement

of a series of battles and operations which raised the military fame

of Great Britain to the highest pitch, overtopping all the glories of

Marlborough’s campaigns. Lieutenant Bunbury and a few privates of the

Rifle corps were killed on this occasion.

The French under General Laborde, amounting to upwards of 5000 men,

took up a position on the heights of Roleia, whither they were

followed by the British on the 17th. These heights were steep and

very difficult of access, with only a narrow path leading to the

summit; but notwithstanding the almost insuperable obstacles which

presented themselves, the position was carried by the British, after

a gallant resistance by the French, who were forced to retreat at

all points. The light company of the 71st was the only part of the

regiment engaged, the remainder being employed in manœuvring on the

right flank of the French. The company had only one man killed and

one wounded.

The regiment acted a conspicuous part in the battle of Vimeira, which

took place on the 21st of August 1808.

It was Sunday morning, and the men were engaged in washing their

clothes, cleaning their firelocks, and in other employments, when the

French columns made their appearance on the opposite hills, about

half-past eight. “To arms” was sounded, and everything being packed

up as soon as possible, the 71st, along with the other brigaded

regiments, left the camp ground, and moved across a valley to the

heights on the east of Vimeira.

The grenadier company of the 71st greatly distinguished itself, in

conjunction with a sub-division of the light company of the 36th

regiment. Captain Alexander Forbes, who commanded the grenadier

company, was ordered to the support of some British artillery, and,

seizing a favourable 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 13 rank and file wounded, together

with 2 men killed.[398]

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 71st have behaved with particular gallantry,

and evinced high feeling for the credit and honour of the corps.

During the advance of the battalion, several prisoners were taken,

among whom was the French general, Brennier. Corporal John M’Kay, of

the 71st, 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 71st were wounded in the battle of

Vimeira:--Captains Arthur Jones and Maxwell Mackenzie; Lieutenants

John Pratt, William Hartley, Augustus M’Intyre, and Ralph Dudgeon;

Ensign James Campbell, and Acting Adjutant R. M’Alpin.

The 71st subsequently received the royal authority to bear the

word “_Vimeira_” on the regimental colour and appointments, in

commemoration of this battle.

The “_Convention of Cintra_,” signed on the 30th of August, was the

result of this victory. By its provisions the French army evacuated

Portugal, which thus became freed from its oppressors.

In September, Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore assumed the command

and made dispositions for entering Spain. The 71st was brigaded with

the 36th and 92d regiments under Brigadier-General Catlin Crawfurd,

and placed in the division under the command of Lieutenant-General

the Honourable John Hope, afterwards the Earl of Hopetoun. On the

27th October the division left Lisbon, and joined the forces under

Moore at Salamanca. The regiment took part in the disastrous retreat

under Sir John Moore to Corunna, and along with the rest of the army

suffered dreadfully from the severity of the weather, want of food

and clothing, and disease.

“At this period the situation of the British army was dispiriting

in the extreme. In the midst of winter, in a dreary and desolate

country, the soldiers, chilled and drenched with the heavy rains,

and wearied by long and rapid marches, were almost destitute of fuel

to cook their victuals, and it was with extreme difficulty that

they could procure shelter. Provisions were scarce, irregularly

issued, and difficult of attainment. The waggons, in which were

their magazines, baggage, and stores, were often deserted in the

night by the Spanish drivers, who were terrified by the approach of

the French. Thus baggage, ammunition, stores, and even money were

destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy; and

the weak, the sick, and the wounded were necessarily left behind. The

71st suffered in proportion with the rest, and by weakness, sickness,

and fatigue, lost about 93 men.”[399]

In January 1809, Lieutenant-General Francis Dundas was appointed from

the 94th regiment to be Colonel of the 71st, in succession to Sir

John Francis Cradock, removed to the 43d.

On the 11th of January the army under Moore arrived at Corunna,

where the furious battle was fought in which this famous leader

got his death-wound. We have already, in our account of the 42d,

given sufficient details of this engagement. While waiting for the

transports some skirmishing took place with the French, in which

four companies of the 71st were warmly engaged, and lost several men

in killed and wounded. In the general battle on the 16th, the 71st,

being placed on the extreme left of the British line, had little to

do therein. In commemoration of this battle, and of the conduct of

the regiment during the expedition, the 71st was authorised to bear

the word _Corunna_ on the regimental colours and appointments.

On the 17th of January the army embarked for England, and reached

Plymouth about the end of the month, where the men were received by

the people with the utmost enthusiasm, and were welcomed into every

house as if they had been relations.[400] The battalion in which was

the 71st was marched to Ashford barracks, where it remained for some

time. In June the first battalion was increased by the addition of

several officers and 311 non-commissioned officers and men from the

second battalion which continued to be stationed in Scotland, and by

a number of volunteers from the militia.

In March 1809, the royal authority was granted for the 71st to be

formed into a light infantry regiment, when it was directed that

the clothing, arming, and discipline should be the same as those of

other regiments of a similar kind. However, it cannot be said to

have ceased to be a Highland regiment, for the men were permitted to

retain such parts of the national dress as might not be inconsistent

with their duties as a light corps. Lieutenant-Colonel Pack wrote to

the Adjutant-General, in April 1810, on the subject, and received the

following reply from headquarters:--

“HORSE GUARDS, _12th April 1810_.

“SIR,--Having submitted to the Commander-in Chief your letter of the

4th instant, I am directed to state, that there is no objection to

the 71st being denominated _Highland Light Infantry Regiment_, or to

the retaining of their pipes, and the Highland garb for the pipers;

and that they will, of course, be permitted to wear caps according to

the pattern which was lately approved and sealed by authority.[401]

“I have, &c.

“WILLIAM WYNYARD,

“Deputy-Adjutant-General.

“Lieut.-Colonel Pack,

“71st Regiment.“

The 71st was next employed on the disastrous expedition to Walcheren,

for which the most gigantic preparations had been made. The troops

amounted to 40,000 men, commanded by Lieutenant-General the Earl of

Chatham, while the naval portion consisted of 39 ships of the line,

36 frigates, and numerous gun-boats and bomb-vessels, and other small

craft, under Admiral Sir James Strachan.

On the 16th of July, the first battalion of the 71st, consisting

of 3 field-officers, 6 captains, 27 subalterns, 48 sergeants, and

974 drummers and rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth on board the

_Belleisle_ and _Impérieuse_. The expedition sailed from the Downs on

the 28th of July, and in about thirty hours reached Roompet Channel,

when the 71st was the first to disembark. It was brigaded with the

68th and 85th regiments, under the command of Brigadier-General the

Baron de Rottenburg, in the division commanded by Lieutenant-General

Alexander Mackenzie-Fraser, and the corps of Lieutenant-General Sir

Eyre Coote. The light brigade, consisting of the 71st, 68th, and 85th

light infantry, were landed under cover of the fire of some small

craft, and immediately on landing came in contact with the enemy’s

sharpshooters, who fell back skirmishing. Two of the companies of

the 71st captured four guns and several prisoners. A battery and

flagstaff on the coast were taken possession of by the 10th company

of the 71st, and in place of a flag, a soldier’s red jacket was

hoisted on it. Further details of this expedition we take the liberty

of copying from Cannon’s history of this regiment.

“This advance having succeeded at all points, and the enemy having

fallen back on _Flushing_ and _Middelburg_, the army was disembarked.

The advance then dividing, proceeded by different routes. The 71st

moved by the sea dyke on a fort called _Ter Veer_, the situation and

strength of which was not sufficiently known, an enemy’s deserter

having given but imperfect intelligence respecting it.

“After nightfall the column continued to advance in perfect silence,

with orders to attack with the bayonet, when, on a sudden, the

advance-guard fell in with an enemy’s party, who came out for the

purpose of firing some houses which overlooked the works. The column

following the advance-guard had entered an avenue or road leading

to the fort, when the advance commenced the action with the enemy,

who, retiring within the place, opened a tremendous fire from his

works with artillery and musketry. Some guns pointing down the road

by which the battalion advanced did great execution, and the 71st

had Surgeon Charles Henry Quin killed, and about 18 men killed and

wounded. The column, after some firing, retired, and the place was

the next day regularly invested by sea and land. It took three days

to reduce it, when it capitulated, with its stores, and a garrison of

800 men.

“Flushing having been invested on the 1st of August, the 71st,

after the surrender of Ter Veer, were ordered into the line of

circumvallation, and placed on the extreme left, resting on the

Scheldt. The preparations for the attack on the town having been

completed, on the 13th a dreadful fire was opened from the batteries

and bomb-vessels, and congreve rockets having been thrown into the

town, it was on fire in many places. The ships having joined in the

attack, the enemy’s fire gradually slackened, and at length ceased. A

summons being sent in, a delay was demanded, but being rejected, the

firing recommenced.

“On the 14th of August one of the outworks was carried at the point

of the bayonet by a party of detachments and two companies of the

71st under Lieutenant-Colonel Pack.

“In this affair Ensign Donald Sinclair, of the 71st, was killed;

Captain George Spottiswoode and a few men were wounded.

“Flushing, with its garrison of 6000 men, capitulated on the 15th

of August, and the right gate was occupied by a detachment of 300

men of the first or Royal Scots, and the left gate by a detachment

of similar strength of the 71st under Major Arthur Jones. The naval

arsenal, and some vessels of war which were on the stocks, fell into

the hands of the British.

“The 71st shortly after proceeded to Middelburg, where the battalion

remained for a few days, when it was ordered to occupy _Ter Veer_,

of which place Lieutenant-Colonel Pack was appointed commandant, and

Lieutenant Henry Clements, of the 71st, town major. The battalion

remained doing duty in the garrison until this island, after the

works, &c., were destroyed, was finally evacuated on the 22d of

December.

“On the 23d of December, the battalion embarked in transports,

and sailed for England, after a service of five months in a very

unhealthy climate, which cost the battalion the loss of the following

officers and men:--

Officers. Sergeants, Drummers,

and Rank and File.

Died on service 1 57

Killed 2 19

Died after return home 2 9

-- --

Total 5 85

“In passing Cadsand, that fort opened a fire on the transports, one

of which, having part of the 71st on board, was struck by a round

shot, which carried off Sergeant Steele’s legs above the knees.

“On the 25th of December, the first battalion of the 71st disembarked

at Deal, and marched to Brabourne-Lees Barracks, in Kent, where

it was again brigaded with the 68th and 85th light infantry, and

was occupied in putting itself in an efficient state for active

service.”[402]

In May 1810, the battalion removed to Deal Barracks, and while here

Lieutenant-Colonel Pack was removed from the regiment to become a

brigadier in the Portuguese army. In the early part of September

the battalion received orders to prepare six companies for foreign

service, which was done by drafting into the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 6th,

and 10th companies the most effective officers and men belonging

to the other companies. When completed, the companies altogether

consisted of 30 officers, 42 sergeants, and 615 rank and file.

These companies sailed on the 15th September from the Downs in two

frigates, and disembarked at Lisbon on the 26th of the same month,

when the men were quartered in two convents. “To my great joy,”

says the _Journal of a Soldier of the 71st_, “we paraded in the

grand square, on the seventh day after our arrival, and marched in

sections, to the music of our bugles, to join the army: having got

our camp equipments, consisting of a camp-kettle and bill-hook, to

every six men; a blanket, a canteen, and haversack, to each man.

Orders had been given that each soldier, on his march, should carry

along with him three days’ provision. Our mess of six cast lots who

should be cook the first day, as we were to carry the kettle day

about; the lot fell to me. My knapsack contained two shirts, two

pairs of stockings, one pair of overalls, two shoe-brushes, a shaving

box, one pair of spare shoes, and a few other articles; my great-coat

and blanket above the knapsack; my canteen with water was slung

over my shoulder, on one side; my haversack, with beef and bread, on

the other; sixty round of ball-cartridge, and the camp-kettle above

all.”[403]

At Mafra, to which place the detachment marched on the 2nd of

October, it was joined by Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Henry

Cadogan, who assumed the command. The detachment joined the army

under Wellington at Sobral on the 10th, and was brigaded with the

50th and 92d regiments, under Major-General Sir William Erskine,

in the first division under Lieutenant-General Sir Brent Spencer.

We cannot do better than quote from the simple but graphic journal

already referred to:--

“We had not been three hours in the town, and were busy cooking,

when the alarm sounded. There were nine British and three Portuguese

regiments in the town. We were all drawn up and remained under arms,

expecting every moment to receive the enemy, whose skirmishers

covered Windmill Hill. In about an hour the light companies of all

the regiments were ordered out, along with the 71st. Colonel Cadogan

called to us, at the foot of the hill, ‘My lads, this is the first

affair I have ever been in with you; show me what you can do, now

or never.’ We gave a hurra, and advanced up the hill, driving their

advanced skirmishers before us, until about half-way up, when we

commenced a heavy fire, and were as hotly received. In the meantime

the remaining regiments evacuated the town. The enemy pressed so hard

upon us, we were forced to make the best of our way down the hill,

and were closely followed by the French, through the town, up Gallows

Hill. We got behind a mud wall, and kept our ground in spite of their

utmost efforts. Here we lay upon our arms all night.