“Next morning, by day-break, there was not a Frenchman to be seen. As

soon as the sun was fairly up, we advanced into the town, and began

a search for provisions, which had now become very scarce; and, to

our great joy, we found a large store-house full of dry fish, flour,

rice, and sugar, besides bales of cloth. All now became bustle and

mirth; fires were kindled, and every man became a cook. Scones[404]

were the order of the day, Neither flour nor sugar were wanting, and

the water was plenty; so I fell to bake myself a flour scone. Mine

was mixed and laid upon the fire, and I, hungry enough, watching

it. Though neither neat nor comely, I was anticipating the moment

when it would be eatable. Scarce was it warm ere the bugle sounded

to arms. Then was the joy that reigned a moment before turned to

execrations. I snatched my scone off the fire, raw as it was, put it

into my haversack, and formed. We remained under arms until dark, and

then took up our old quarters upon Gallows Hill, where I ate my raw

scone, sweetly seasoned by hunger. In our advance to the town we were

much entertained by some of our men who had got over a wall the day

before, when the enemy were in the rear; and now were put to their

shifts to get over again, and scarce could make it out.

“Next morning the French advanced to a mud wall, about forty yards

in front of the one we lay behind. It rained heavily this day, and

there was very little firing. During the night we received orders

to cover the bugle and tartans of our bonnets with black crape,

which had been served out to us during the day, and to put on our

great-coats. Next morning the French, seeing us thus, thought we had

retired, and left Portuguese to guard the heights. With dreadful

shouts they leaped over that wall before which they had stood, when

guarded by British. We were scarce able to withstand their fury. To

retreat was impossible; all behind being ploughed land, rendered

deep by the rain. There was not a moment to hesitate. To it we

fell, pell-mell, French and British mixed together. It was a trial

of strength in single combat: every man had his opponent, many had

two.” In the first of these affairs the detachment had 8 men killed

and 34 wounded. In Wellington’s despatch concerning the affair of

the 14th, the names of Lieutenant-Colonels Cadogan and Reynell were

particularly mentioned. John Rea, a soldier of the 6th company of

the 71st behaved on this occasion with so much gallantry, and so

particularly distinguished himself, that he received a silver medal,

inscribed ‘To John Rea, for his exemplary courage and good conduct as

a soldier at Sobral, 14th October 1810.’

“On the 15th October the 71st retired between the lines at Tibreira,

a continuation of those at Torres Vedras. Here the detachment

remained along with the other regiments watching Marshal Massena,

until the latter was compelled to retire from want of provisions

in the nights between the 14th and 15th November. He was followed

by the allied forces, and the 71st, along with the rest of its

division, were quartered in and about Almoster from the 20th to the

26th. Massena took up a position in the vicinity of Santarem, and

Wellington, after some manœuvring, placed himself in front of the

enemy, having his headquarters at Cartano. The 71st was quartered in

a convent at Alquintrinha, where the detachment remained until March

1811. In this month two companies of the 1st battalion arrived in the

Peninsula to reinforce the regiment, other two coming out in July. On

the night of the 5th of March, the French gave the British army the

slip, deceiving the latter by placing wooden guns in their batteries,

and stuffing old clothes with straw, which they put in place of

their sentinels. It was two days before the trick was discovered.

The British army immediately followed in pursuit, but did not come

up with the enemy until they reached the Aguida on the 9th of April.

The division, in which was the 71st, was posted at Abergaria, a small

town on the frontiers of Spain, where it remained till the 30th

April, when, on account of the movements of the enemy, the British

army was moved out of its cantonments, and was formed in line on the

high ground about two miles in rear of Fuentes d’Onor.

“On the 3rd of May, at day-break, all the cavalry and sixteen light

companies occupied the town. We stood under arms until three o’clock,

when a staff-officer rode up to our colonel, and gave orders for

our advance. Colonel Cadogan put himself at our head, saying, ‘My

lads, you have had no provisions these two days; there is plenty in

the hollow in front, let us down and divide.’ We advanced as quick

as we could run, and met the light companies retreating as fast

as they could. We continued to advance at double-quick time, our

firelocks at the trail, our bonnets in our hands. They called to us,

‘Seventy-first, you will come back quicker than you advance.’ We soon

came full in front of the enemy. The colonel cried, ‘Here is food, my

lads; cut away.’ Thrice we waved our bonnets, and thrice we cheered;

brought our firelocks to the charge, and forced them back through the

town.

“How different the duty of the French officers from ours! They,

stimulating the men by their example; the men vociferating, each

chafing each until they appear in a fury, shouting, to the points

of our bayonets. After the first huzza, the British officers,

restraining their men, still as death--‘Steady, lads, steady,’ is all

you hear, and that in an under tone.

“During this day the loss of men was great. In our retreat back to

the town, when we halted to check the enemy, who bore hard upon us,

in their attempts to break our line, often was I obliged to stand

with a foot upon each side of a wounded man, who wrung my soul with

prayers I could not answer, and pierced my heart with his cries to be

lifted out of the way of the cavalry. While my heart bled for them, I

have shaken them rudely off.

“We kept up our fire until long after dark. About one o’clock in the

morning we got four ounces of bread served out to each man, which had

been collected out of the haversacks of the Foot Guards. After the

firing had ceased, we began to search through the town, and found

plenty of flour, bacon, and sausages, on which we feasted heartily,

and lay down in our blankets, wearied to death. Soon as it was light

the firing commenced, and was kept up until about ten o’clock, when

Lieutenant Stewart, of our regiment, was sent with a flag of truce,

for leave to carry off our wounded from the enemy’s lines, which was

granted; and, at the same time, they carried off theirs from ours. We

lay down, fully accoutred, as usual, and slept in our blankets. An

hour before day we were ready to receive the enemy.

“About half-past nine o’clock, a great gun from the French line,

which was answered by one from ours, was the signal to engage. Down

they came, shouting as usual. We kept them at bay, in spite of their

cries and formidable looks. How different their appearance from ours!

their hats set round with feathers, their beards long and black, gave

them a fierce look. Their stature was superior to ours; most of us

were young. We looked like boys; they like savages. But we had the

true spirit in us. We foiled them in every attempt to take the town,

until about eleven o’clock, when we were overpowered, and forced

through the streets, contesting every inch.

“During the preceding night we had been reinforced by the 79th

regiment, Colonel Cameron commanding, who was killed about this time.

Notwithstanding all our efforts, the enemy forced us out of the town,

then halted, and formed close column betwixt us and it. While they

stood thus the havoc amongst them was dreadful. Gap after gap was

made by our cannon, and as quickly filled up. Our loss was not so

severe, as we stood in open files. While we stood thus, firing at

each other as quick as we could, the 88th regiment advanced from the

lines, charged the enemy, and forced them to give way. As we passed

over the ground where they had stood, it lay two and three deep of

dead and wounded. While we drove them before us through the town,

in turn, they were reinforced, which only served to increase the

slaughter. We forced them out, and kept possession all day.”[405]

The 71st took 10 officers and 100 men prisoners, but lost about half

their number in killed and wounded. Those killed were Lieutenants

John Consell, William Houston, and John Graham, and Ensign Donald

John Kearns, together with 4 serjeants and 22 rank and file.

Captains Peter Adamson and James M’Intyre, Lieutenants William

M’Craw, Humphrey Fox, and Robert Law (Adjutant), Ensigns Charles Cox,

John Vandeleur, and Carique Lewin, 6 serjeants, 3 buglers, and 100

rank and file, were wounded. Two officers, with several men, were

taken prisoners.

In commemoration of the gallantry displayed in this prolonged action,

the 71st subsequently received the royal authority to bear the words

“_Fuentes d’Onor_” on the regimental colour and appointments.

Viscount Wellington particularly mentioned the name of Lieut.-Colonel

the Honourable Henry Cadogan in his despatch, and being highly

gratified with the conduct of the 71st on this occasion, directed

that a non-commissioned officer should be selected for a commission.

According to his Lordship’s recommendation, Quartermaster-Serjeant

William Gavin was shortly afterwards promoted to an ensigncy in the

regiment.[406]

The 71st, on the 14th of May, returned to Albergaria, where it

remained till the 26th, when it was marched to reinforce Marshal

Beresford’s army, then besieging Badajos. After a variety of

marchings, the battalion went into camp at Toro de Moro, where it

remained a month, and was recruited by a detachment of 350 from the

2d battalion, stationed at Deal. The battalion returned along with

Wellington’s army on the 20th of July to Borba, where it remained

until the 1st of September, when it removed to Portalegre, and thence

marched to Castello de Vido on October 4th.

“On the 22nd of October, we received information that General Girard,

with 4000 men, infantry and cavalry, was collecting contributions in

Estremadura, and had cut off part of our baggage and supplies. We

immediately set off from Portalegre, along with the brigade commanded

by General Hill, and, after a most fatiguing march, the weather

being very bad, we arrived at Malpartida. The French were only ten

miles distant. By a near cut, on the Merida road, through Aldea del

Cano, we got close up to them, on the 27th, at Alcuesca, and were

drawn up in columns, with great guns ready to receive them. They had

heard nothing of our approach. We went into the town. It was now

nigh ten o’clock; the enemy were in Arroyo del Molino, only three

miles distant. We got half a pound of rice served out to each man,

to be cooked immediately. Hunger made little cooking necessary. The

officers had orders to keep their men silent. We were placed in the

houses; but our wet and heavy accoutrements were, on no account, to

be taken off. At twelve o’clock we received our allowance of rum;

and, shortly after, the serjeants tapped at the doors, calling not

above their breath. We turned out, and at slow time continued our

march.

“The whole night was one continued pour of rain. Weary, and wet

to the skin, we trudged on, without exchanging a word; nothing

breaking the silence of the night save the howling of the wolves.

The tread of the men was drowned by the pattering of the rain. When

day at length broke we were close upon the town. The French posts

had been withdrawn into it, but the embers still glowed in their

fires. During the whole march the 71st had been with the cavalry and

horse-artillery, as an advanced guard.

“General Hill rode up to our colonel, and ordered him to make us

clean out our pans (as the rain had wet all the priming), form

square, and retire a short distance, lest the French cavalry had seen

us, and should make an attack; however, the drift was so thick, they

could not--it blew right in their faces when they looked our way. The

Colonel told us off in three divisions, and gave us orders to charge

up three separate streets of the town, and force our way, without

halting, to the other side. We shouldered our arms. The general,

taking off his hat, said, ‘God be with you--quick march.’ On reaching

the gates, we gave three cheers, and in we went; the inhabitants

calling, ‘Live the English,’ our piper playing ‘Hey Johnny Cope;’ the

French swearing, fighting in confusion, running here and there, some

in their shirts, some half accoutred. The streets were crowded with

baggage, and men ready to march, all now in one heap of confusion. On

we drove: our orders were to take no prisoners, neither to turn to

the right nor left, until we reached the other side of the town.

“As we advanced I saw the French general come out of a house, frantic

with rage. Never shall I forget the grotesque figure he made, as he

threw his cocked hat upon the ground, and stamping upon it, gnashed

his teeth. When I got the first glance of him he had many medals on

his breast. In a minute his coat was as bare as a private’s.

“We formed under cover of some old walls. A brigade of French

stood in view. We got orders to fire: not ten pieces in a company

went off, the powder was again so wet with the rain. A brigade of

Portuguese artillery came up. We gave the enemy another volley,

leaped the wall, formed column, and drove them over the hill; down

which they threw all their baggage, before they surrendered. In this

affair we took about 3000 prisoners, 1600 horse, and 6 pieces of

artillery, with a great quantity of baggage, &c.

“We were again marched back to Portalegre, where the horses were

sold and divided amongst the men according to their rank. I got 2s.

6d.”[407]

The 71st remained in Portalegre till March 1812, having taken part,

during the January of that year, in the expulsion of the French

from Estremadura. After the capture of Badajos by Wellington on

the 6th of April, the 71st, and the other troops under the command

of Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, retired into Andalusia.

Wellington, having armed the Tagus against Marshal Marmont, Sir

Rowland Hill’s force took post at Almendralejos for the purpose of

watching Marshal Soult. Here the 71st remained from the 13th April

to the 11th May, when it along with the rest of Sir R. Hill’s corps

marched to Almaraz to destroy the bridge of boats there. On the 18th

of May it reached the height on which the castle of Mirabete stands,

five miles from Almaraz.

“On the evening of the third day, General Hill ordered our left

companies to move down to the valley, to cover his reconnaissance.

When he returned, the officers were called. A scaling ladder was

given to each section of a company of the left wing, with the

exception of two companies. We moved down the hill in a dismal

manner; it was so dark we could not see three yards before us. The

hill was very steep, and we were forced to wade through whins and

scramble down rocks, still carrying the ladders. When day-light,

on the morning of the 19th, at length showed us to each other, we

were scattered all over the foot of the hill like strayed sheep, not

more in one place than were held together by a ladder. We halted,

formed, and collected the ladders, then moved on. We had a hollow to

pass through to get at the battery. The French had cut a part of

the brae-face away, and had a gun that swept right through into the

hollow. We made a rush past it, to get under the brae on the other

side. The French were busy cooking, and preparing to support the

other fort, thinking we would attack it first, as we had lain next it.

“On our approach the French sentinel fired and retired. We halted,

fixed bayonets, and moved on in double-quick time. We did not receive

above four shots from the battery, until we were under the works, and

had the ladders placed to the walls. Their entrenchment proved deeper

than we expected, which caused us to splice our ladders under the

wall; during which time they annoyed us much, by throwing grenades,

stones, and logs over it; for we stood with our pieces cocked and

presented. As soon as the ladders were spliced, we forced them from

the works, and out of the town, at the point of the bayonet, down

the hill and over the bridge. They were in such haste, they cut the

bridge before all their men had got over, and numbers were either

drowned or taken prisoners. One of our men had the honour to be the

first to mount the works.

“Fort Napoleon fired two or three shots into Fort Almaraz. We took

the hint from this circumstance, and turned the guns of Almaraz on

Fort Napoleon, and forced the enemy to leave it.

“We moved forward to the village of Almaraz, and found plenty of

provisions, which had been very scarce with us for some days.”[408]

The whole of this brilliant affair was concluded in about 15

minutes, the regiment losing Captain Lewis Grant, 1 sergeant, and

7 rank and file, killed; Lieutenants William Lockwood and Donald

Ross, 3 sergeants, and 29 rank and file wounded. The names of 36

non-commissioned officers and soldiers were inserted in regimental

orders for conspicuous bravery on this occasion, and “_Almaraz_” was

henceforth inscribed upon the regimental colours. Both in the Brigade

and General Orders, the 71st was particularly mentioned.

From this time to the 7th of November the 71st was occupied with

many tedious marchings and countermarchings in accordance with the

movements of the enemy. It occupied Alba de Tormes from the 7th

till the 13th of November, and during that period sustained a loss,

in action with the enemy, of 1 sergeant and 6 rank and file killed,

and 1 bugler and 5 rank and file wounded. The army retired from

this part and began to return on Portugal; and after various slight

skirmishes with the enemy, reached Puerto de Baños in December, where

it remained till April 1812, being then removed to Bejar, which it

occupied till May 21st. In December the 1st battalion was joined by

a draft of 150 men from the 2nd. On the 20th of June the battalion

along with the rest of its division encamped at La Puebla, in the

neighbourhood of Vitoria.

On the morning of the 21st, the two armies being in position, the

71st was ordered to ascend the heights of La Puebla to support the

Spanish forces under General Morillo. Forward they moved up the

hill under a very heavy fire, in which fell mortally wounded their

commander Colonel Cadogan, who, in falling, requested to be carried

to a neighbouring height, from which he might take a last farewell of

the regiment and the field.

[Illustration: Monument in Glasgow Cathedral to Colonel the

Honourable Henry Cadogan.]

“The French had possession of the top, but we soon forced them back,

and drew up in column on the height, sending out four companies to

our left to skirmish. The remainder moved on to the opposite height.

“Scarce were we upon the height, when a heavy column, dressed in

great-coats, with white covers on their hats, exactly resembling

the Spanish, gave us a volley, which put us to the right about at

double-quick time down the hill, the French close behind, through

the whins. The four companies got the word, the French were on

them. They likewise thought them Spaniards, until they got a volley

that killed or wounded almost every one of them. We retired to the

height, covered by the 50th, who gave the pursuing column a volley

which checked their speed. We moved up the remains of our shattered

regiment to the height. Being in great want of ammunition, we were

again served with sixty rounds a man, and kept up our fire for some

time, until the bugle sounded to cease firing.

“We lay on the height for some time. Our drought was excessive;

there was no water upon the height, save one small spring, which was

rendered useless. At this time the major had the command, our second

colonel being wounded. There were not 300 of us on the height able to

do duty, out of above 1000 who drew rations in the morning. The cries

of the wounded were most heart-rending.

“The French, on the opposite height, were getting under arms: we

could give no assistance, as the enemy appeared to be six to one of

us. Our orders were to maintain the height while there was a man

of us. The word was given to shoulder arms. The French at the same

moment got under arms. The engagement began in the plains. The French

were amazed, and soon put to the right about, through Vitoria. We

followed, as quick as our weary limbs would carry us. Our legs were

full of thorns, and our feet bruised upon the roots of the trees.

Coming to a bean field at the bottom of the heights, the column was

immediately broken, and every man filled his haversack. We continued

to advance until it was dark, and then encamped on a height above

Vitoria.

“This was the dullest encampment I ever made. We had left 700 men

behind. None spoke; each hung his head, mourning the loss of a friend

and comrade. About twelve o’clock a man of each company was sent

to receive half a pound of flour for each man at the rate of our

morning’s strength, so that there was more than could be used by

those who had escaped. I had fired 108 rounds this day.”[409]

The loss of the regiment in the battle of Vitoria was dreadful.

Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, Captain Hall, Lieutenants Fox

and Mackenzie, 6 serjeants, 1 bugler, and 78 rank and file were

killed; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Cother; Captains Reed, Pidgeon, and

Grant; Lieutenants Duff, Richards, M’Intyre, Cox, Torriano, Campbell,

and Cummeline; 13 serjeants, 2 buglers, and 255 rank and file were

wounded.

The enemy retired to Pampeluna, followed by the British, who

afterwards marched towards the Pyrenees, the 71st reaching Maya

upon the 8th of July. At Maya, on July 25th,--of which, as of other

Peninsular battles, details will be found in the account of the

42nd,--the 71st behaved with marked bravery, maintaining their

position to the last, and, when their ammunition was exhausted,

hurling stones upon the enemy to impede their advance. The 71st had

3 sergeants and 54 rank and file killed, and 6 sergeants and 77 rank

and file wounded.

The army under General Hill continued retiring until the 30th of

July, when a strong position was taken up at Lizasso. Here they

were attacked by the French, the 71st taking an active part in the

engagement, and losing 1 sergeant, and 23 rank and file killed, and 2

sergeants and 34 rank and file wounded.

In the action in the pass of Doña Maria on the 31st, the 71st

distinguished itself, and had 1 sergeant and 29 rank and file

killed, and 2 sergeants and 45 rank and file wounded. For the part

taken in these engagements the 71st was authorised to bear the word

“_Pyrenees_” on its colours and appointments. Between the 14th of

June and the 7th August, the regiment lost in killed and wounded, 33

officers, 6 buglers, and 553 rank and file.

For nearly three months after the last engagement the regiment

was encamped on the heights of Roncesvalles, where the men were

principally engaged in the construction of block-houses and

batteries, and in the formation of roads for artillery, during which

they suffered dreadfully from the inclemency of the weather. On the

night of October 11th a strong party of the French made an attack

upon an advance of 15 men of the 71st under Sergeant James Ross, but

the small band, favoured somewhat by their position and the darkness,

maintained its ground, and forced the enemy to retire. At the request

of Lieutenant-General Sir William Stewart, each of the 16 men was

presented with a medal.

After the battle of Nivelle, in which the 71st did not take part, the

regiment occupied part of the town of Cambo, and was there joined by

a detachment of 16 men of the 2nd battalion (then in Glasgow), under

the command of Lieutenant Charles Henderson. On the 9th of December

the 71st crossed the Nive without loss, the regiment forming upon the

top of the opposite height, and sending out two companies after the

enemy, who, however, eluded pursuit. The enemy retired on Bayonne,

and General Hill disposed his army with the right on the Adour, the

left above the Nive, and the centre, in which was the 71st, at St

Pierre, across the high road to St Jean Pied-de-Port.

“All the night of the 11th December we lay in camp upon the face of a

height, near the Spaniards. In the afternoon of the 12th, we received

orders to move round towards Bayonne, where we were quartered along

the main road. There we remained until we received orders to march

to our own right, to assist a Spanish force which was engaged with

superior numbers. We set off by day-light on the morning of the

13th towards them, and were moving on, when General Hill sent an

aide-de-camp after us, saying, ‘That is not the direction,--follow

me.’ We put to right-about, to the main road towards Bayonne. We soon

came to the scene of action, and were immediately engaged. We had

continued firing, without intermission, for five hours, advancing

and retreating, and lost a great number of men, but could not gain a

bit of ground. Towards evening we were relieved by a brigade which

belonged to another division. As many of us as could be collected

were drawn up. General Hill gave us great praise for our behaviour

this day, and ordered an extra allowance of liquor to each man. We

were marched back to our old quarters along the road-side. We lay

upon the road-side for two or three days, having two companies three

leagues to the rear, carrying the wounded to the hospital. We were

next cantoned three leagues above Bayonne, along the side of the

river. We had strong picquets planted along the banks. The French

were cantoned upon the other side. Never a night passed that we were

not molested by boats passing up and down the river, with provisions

and necessaries to the town. Our orders were to turn out and keep up

a constant fire upon them while passing. We had two grasshopper guns

planted upon the side of the river, by means of which we one night

sunk a boat loaded with clothing for the army, setting it on fire

with red-hot shot.

“Next day we were encamped in the rear of the town, being relieved

by a brigade of Portuguese. We remained in camp two or three days,

expecting to be attacked, the enemy having crossed above us on the

river. We posted picquets in the town, near our camp. At length,

receiving orders to march, we moved on, until we came to a river on

our right, which ran very swift. Part of the regiment having crossed,

we got orders to come to the right-about, and were marched back to

our old campground. Next morning we received orders to take another

road toward Salvatierra, where we encamped that night, and remained

until the whole army assembled the following day.

“About two o’clock in the afternoon we were under arms, and moved

towards the river, covered by a brigade of artillery. We forded, and

continued to skirmish along the heights until the town was taken. We

lost only one man during the whole time. We encamped upon the other

side of the town; and next morning followed the line of march, until

we came before a town called Aris. We had severe fighting before we

got into it. We were led on by an aide-de-camp. The contest lasted

until after dark. We planted picquets in different streets of the

town; the enemy did the same in others. Different patroles were sent

out during the night, but the French were always found on the alert.

They retired before day-light, and we marched into the town with our

music at the head of the regiments. The town appeared then quite

desolate, not worth twopence; but we were not three days in it, until

the French inhabitants came back, opened their shops and houses, and

it became a fine lively place.”[410]

In the action of the 13th December the 71st lost Lieutenant-Colonel

Mackenzie, Lieutenants Campbell and Henderson, 2 sergeants, and 24

men killed; Captains Barclay and Grant, Lieutenants M’Intyre and

Torriano, and 37 men wounded. For these services the regiment bears

“_Nive_” on its colours. On the 26th February 1814 the regiment was

in action at Sauveterre, and on the 27th took part in the battle of

Orthez, although it appears that in the latter it sustained little or

no loss. It bears “_Orthez_” on its colours.

Two divisions of the French army having retired to Aire, after the

action of the 27th of February, Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill

moved upon that town to dislodge them. Upon the 2d of March the

French were found strongly posted upon a ridge of hills, extending

across the great road in front of the town, having their right on the

Adour. The second division attacked them along the road, seconded by

a Portuguese brigade, and drove them from their position in gallant

style. Lieutenant James Anderson and 17 rank and file were killed;

Lieutenant Henry Frederick Lockyer, 1 sergeant, and 19 rank and file,

were wounded.

A detachment from the second battalion, consisting of 1 captain, 4

subalterns, and 134 rank and file, under the command of Major Arthur

Jones, joined at Aire.

On the 25th of March part of the battalion was engaged in an

affair at Tarbes, in which Lieutenant Robert Law was wounded, and

upon the 10th of April was in position at Toulouse, where some

of the companies were employed skirmishing, and sustained a loss

of 1 sergeant and 3 rank and file killed; 6 rank and file were

wounded.[411]

On the 10th of April the regiment marched to Toulouse, in order to

attack it. It was drawn up in column behind a house, and sent out the

flank companies to skirmish; the French, however, evacuated Toulouse

on the night of the 11th, when the 71st and the other regiments

entered the town. The following interesting incident, in connection

with the attack on Toulouse, is narrated by a soldier of the 71st in

his _Journal_:--

“I shall ever remember an adventure that happened to me, towards the

afternoon. We were in extended order, firing and retiring. I had

just risen to run behind my file, when a spent shot struck me on the

groin, and took the breath from me. ‘God receive my soul!’ I said,

and sat down resigned. The French were advancing fast. I laid my

musket down and gasped for breath. I was sick, and put my canteen to

my head, but could not taste the water; however, I washed my mouth,

and grew less faint. I looked to my thigh, and seeing no blood, took

resolution to put my hand to the part, to feel the wound. My hand

was unstained by blood, but the part was so painful that I could not

touch it. At this moment of helplessness the French came up. One of

them made a charge at me, as I sat pale as death. In another moment

I would have been transfixed, had not his next man forced the point

past me: ‘Do not touch the good Scot,’ said he; and then addressing

himself to me, added, ‘Do you remember me?’ I had not recovered my

breath sufficiently to speak distinctly: I answered, ‘No.’ ‘I saw you

at Sobral,’ he replied. Immediately I recognised him to be a soldier

whose life I had saved from a Portuguese, who was going to kill him

as he lay wounded. ‘Yes, I know you,’ I replied. ‘God bless you!’

cried he; and, giving me a pancake out of his hat, moved on with his

fellows; the rear of whom took my knapsack, and left me lying. I had

fallen down for greater security. I soon recovered so far as to walk,

though with pain, and joined the regiment next advance.”[412]

On the afternoon of April 12th word came that Napoleon had abdicated,

and shortly after peace was proclaimed, and a treaty concluded

between France and England.

The 71st marched from Toulouse to Blaachfort, where it was encamped

for about a fortnight, after which it proceeded to Bordeaux, where it

embarked on the 15th of July, arriving in Cork on the 28th of that

month. Shortly afterwards the regiment proceeded to Limerick, where

it lay for the rest of the year, and where Colonel Reynell assumed

the command in December. In January 1815 the first battalion of the

71st embarked at Cork, and proceeded to America; but peace having

been concluded with the United States, its destination was changed,

in consequence of Napoleon having again broken loose, and resumed

his former dignity of Emperor of the French. Thus England was once

more embroiled in war. The 71st was in consequence transhipped in a

small craft, and sent to Ostend, where it disembarked on April 22nd.

It was then marched to Leuze, where, quartered in the surrounding

villages, it lay till June 16th, 1815, under the command of Colonel

Reynell. It was brigaded with the first battalion of the 52nd, and

eight companies of the 95th regiment (Rifles), the brigade being

commanded by Major-General Frederick Adam, and the division by

Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton. The first battalion had at this

time 997 rank and file. The regiment was drilled every day, and on

the morning of June 16 was proceeding to its drill-ground as usual,

when it was ordered immediately to advance upon Nivelles, where it

arrived late at night. On the same day Blucher had been attacked at

Ligny, and Wellington had successfully met Marshal Ney at Quatre

Bras, in which action the 71st had no chance of taking part, although

they had their own share of the fighting at Waterloo. On the morning

of the 17th the 71st took the road to Waterloo, and along with the

other regiments of the brigade took up a position behind Hougoumont,

where they lay under arms, amid pouring rain, all night. Two hours

after daybreak, General Hill came down and took away the 10th company

to cover his reconnaissance, and shortly after, the regiment set

to cleaning their arms, and preparing for action. All the opposite

heights were covered by the enemy.

“The artillery had been tearing away since daybreak in different

parts of the line. About twelve o’clock we received orders to fall

in for attack. We then marched up to our position, where we lay on

the face of a brae, covering a brigade of guns. We were so overcome

by the fatigue of the two days’ march, that scarce had we lain down

until many of us fell asleep. We lay thus about an hour and a half,

under a dreadful fire, which cost us about 60 men, while we had

never fired a shot. The balls were falling thick amongst us.

“About two o’clock a squadron of lancers came down, hurrahing, to

charge the brigade of guns: they knew not what was in the rear. The

general gave the word, ‘Form square.’ In a moment the whole brigade

were on their feet, ready to receive the enemy. The general said,

‘Seventy-first, I have often heard of your bravery, I hope it will

not be worse to-day than it has been.’ Down they came upon our

square. We soon put them to the right-about.

“Shortly after we received orders to move to the heights. Onwards we

marched, and stood, for a short time, in square, receiving cavalry

every now and then. The noise and smoke were dreadful. We then moved

on in column for a considerable way, and formed line, gave three

cheers, fired a few volleys, charged the enemy, and drove them back.

“At this moment a squadron of cavalry rode furiously down upon our

line. Scarce had we time to form. The square was only complete in

front when they were upon the points of our bayonets. Many of our men

were out of place. There was a good deal of jostling for a minute or

two, and a good deal of laughing. Our quarter-master lost his bonnet

in riding into the square; got it up, put it on, back foremost, and

wore it thus all day. Not a moment had we to regard our dress. A

French general lay dead in the square; he had a number of ornaments

upon his breast. Our men fell to plucking them off, pushing each

other as they passed, and snatching at them.

“We stood in square for some time, whilst the 13th dragoons and a

squadron of French dragoons were engaged. The 13th dragoons retiring

to the rear of our column, we gave the French a volley, which put

them to the right-about; then the 13th at them again. They did this

for some time; we cheering the 13th, and feeling every blow they

received.

“The whole army retired to the heights in the rear; the French

closely pursuing to our formation, where we stood, four deep, for

a considerable time. As we fell back, a shot cut the straps of the

knapsack of one near me: it fell, and was rolling away. He snatched

it up, saying ‘I am not to lose you that way, you are all I have in

the world,’ tied it on the best manner he could, and marched on.

“Lord Wellington came riding up. We formed square, with him in our

centre, to receive cavalry. Shortly the whole army received orders

to advance. We moved forwards in two columns, four deep, the French

retiring at the same time. We were charged several times in our

advance. This was our last effort; nothing could impede us. The whole

of the enemy retired, leaving their guns and ammunition, and every

other thing behind. We moved on towards a village, and charged right

through, killing great numbers, the village was so crowded. We then

formed on the other side of it, and lay down under the canopy of

heaven, hungry and weary to death. We had been oppressed, all day, by

the weight of our blankets and great-coats, which were drenched with

rain, and lay upon our shoulders like logs of wood.”[413]

“The 71st had Brevet Major Edmund L’Estrange, aide-de-camp to

Major-General Sir Denis Pack, and Ensign John Tod killed. The

following officers were wounded: the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding

the battalion, Colonel Thomas Reynell; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel

Arthur Jones; Captains Samuel Reed, Donald Campbell, William

Alexander Grant, James Henderson, and Brevet Major Charles Johnstone;

Lieutenants Joseph Barrallier, Robert Lind, John Roberts, James

Coates, Robert Law, Carique Lewin, and Lieutenant and Adjutant

William Anderson.

The number of serjeants, buglers, and rank and file killed amounted

to 29; 166 were wounded, and 36 died of their wounds.”[414]

The 71st afterwards marched to Paris with the rest of the army,

and was encamped in the Champs Elysées, continuing there till the

beginning of November, when it proceeded to Versailles, and to

Viarmes in December. On the 21st of December the second battalion

was disbanded at Glasgow, the effective officers and men being

transferred to the first battalion.

In January 1816 the regiment marched to the Pas de Calais, where it

was cantoned in several villages. On the 21st of June the 71st was

formed in hollow square upon the _bruyère_ of Rombly for the purpose

of receiving the medals which had been granted by the Prince Regent

to the officers and men for their services at Waterloo, when Colonel

Reynell addressed the regiment as follows:--

“SEVENTY-FIRST,--The deep interest which you will all give me credit

for feeling in everything that affects the corps, cannot fail to be

awakened upon an occasion such as the present, when holding in my

hands, to transfer to yours, these honourable rewards bestowed by

your sovereign for your share in the great and glorious exertions

of the army of His Grace the Duke of Wellington upon the field of

Waterloo, when the utmost efforts of the army of France, directed

by Napoleon, reputed to be the first captain of the age, were not

only paralysed at the moment, but blasted beyond the power of even a

second struggle.

“To have participated in a contest crowned with victory so decisive,

and productive of consequences that have diffused peace, security,

and happiness throughout Europe, may be to each of you a source of

honourable pride, as well as of gratitude to the Omnipotent Arbiter

of all human contests, who preserved you in such peril, and without

whose protecting hand the battle belongs not to the strong, nor the

race to the swift.

“I acknowledge to feel an honest and, I trust, excusable exultation

in having had the honour to command you on that day; and in

dispensing these medals, destined to record in your families the

share you had in the ever memorable battle of Waterloo, it is a

peculiar satisfaction to me that I can present them to those by whom

they have been fairly and honourably earned, and that I can here

solemnly declare that, in the course of that eventful day, I did not

observe a soldier of this good regiment whose conduct was not only

creditable to the English nation, but such as his dearest friends

could desire.

“Under such agreeable reflections, I request you to accept

these medals, and to wear them with becoming pride, as they are

incontestable proofs of a faithful discharge of your duty to your

king and your country. I trust that they will act as powerful

talismans, to keep you, in your future lives, in the paths of honour,

sobriety, and virtue.”

[Illustration: Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B. From a painting

in possession of Mrs Reynell Pack.]

The regiment received new colours on the 13th of January 1817; they

were presented by Major-General Sir Denis Pack, a name intimately

associated with some of our Highland regiments. On this occasion he

addressed them as follows:--

“SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,--Officers, non-commissioned officers, and

soldiers, it affords me the greatest satisfaction, at the request

of your commanding officer, Colonel Reynell, to have the honour of

presenting these colours to you.

“There are many who could perform the office with a better grace, but

there is no one, believe me, who is more sensible of the merit of the

corps, or who is more anxious for its honour and welfare.

“I might justly pay to the valour and good conduct of those present

the compliments usual on such occasions, but I had rather offer

the expression of my regard and admiration of that excellent

_esprit-de-corps_ and real worth which a ten years’ intimate

knowledge of the regiment has taught me so highly to appreciate. I

shall always look back with pleasure to that long period in which

I had the good fortune to be your commanding officer, and during

which time I received from the officers the most cordial and zealous

assistance in support of discipline; from the non-commissioned

officers proofs of the most disinterested regard for His Majesty’s

service and the welfare of their regiment; and I witnessed on

the part of the privates and the corps at large a fidelity to

their colours in South America, as remarkable under such trying

circumstances as their valour has at all times been conspicuous in

the field. I am most happy to think that there is no drawback to

the pleasure all should feel on this occasion. Your former colours

were mislaid after a fête given in London to celebrate the Duke of

Wellington’s return after his glorious termination of the peninsular

war, and your colonel, General Francis Dundas, has sent you three

very handsome ones to replace them. On them are emblazoned some of

His Grace’s victories, in which the 71st bore a most distinguished

part, and more might be enumerated which the corps may well be

proud of. There are still in our ranks valuable officers who have

witnessed the early glories of the regiment in the East, and its

splendid career since is fresh in the memory of all. Never, indeed,

did the character of the corps stand higher; never was the fame of

the British arms, or the glory of the British empire more pre-eminent

than at this moment, an enthusiastic recollection of which the sight

of these colours must always inspire.

“While you have your present commanding officer to lead you, it is

unnecessary for me to add anything to excite such a spirit; but were

I called upon to do so, I should have only to hold up the example of

those who have fallen in your ranks, and, above all, point to the

memory of that hero who so gloriously fell at your head.”[415]

After remaining in France until the end of October 1818, the 71st

embarked for England, and arrived at Dover on the 29th of that month,

proceeding to Chelmsford, where the establishment was reduced from

810 to 650 rank and file.

From 1818 to 1822 this regiment performed garrison duties at

various places in England, a mere enumeration of which would not be

interesting, and is needless here. While at Chatham in 1821, the

strength of the regiment was reduced to 576 rank and file. In 1822

it sailed from Liverpool for Dublin, where it arrived on the 3rd of

May, and remained there till the beginning of October, when it was

marched to the south of Ireland. Here it remained until May 1824,

having its headquarters at Fermoy, with detachments stationed at

various villages in order that disturbances might be suppressed and

order maintained. The nature of the duties which the regiment had to

perform can be seen by reference to our account of the 42nd about

this period. In January 1824 Lieutenant-General Sir Gordon Drummond

was removed from the colonelcy of the 88th to that of the 71st,

vacant by the death of General Francis Dundas.

In May the regiment proceeded to Cork to re-embark for North America;

but before doing so, Colonel Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, commanding the

regiment, received very gratifying addresses from the magistrates and

inhabitants of Fermoy, praising highly the conduct of the regiment,

which had now the esteem of all classes. The 71st embarked at Cork

for North America on the 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th of May 1824,

and arrived at Quebec about a month thereafter, at which place the

headquarters of the regiment was stationed. The 71st remained in

America performing garrison duty at various places till 1831. In May

1827 the headquarters was removed to Montreal; preparatory to the

change, the service companies were inspected by Lieutenant-General

the Earl of Dalhousie, who assured Lieutenant-Colonel Jones that he

never had seen any regiment in more perfect order. In May 1828 the

regiment removed to Kingston, where it remained for a year, and where

it suffered much from fever and ague. From this place headquarters

removed to Toronto in June 1829, and companies were sent out to

occupy various posts; the 71st remained there for two years.

In June 1825 the strength of the regiment had been increased to 710

rank and file, who were formed into 6 service and 4 depôt companies,

the latter stationed in England; the movements of the former we have

been narrating. In August 1829 the depôt companies removed from

Gravesend to Berwick-on-Tweed, and in June 1830 from the latter

place to Edinburgh Castle. In September 1829 Major-General Sir Colin

Halkett succeeded General Drummond as colonel of the 71st.

In May 1831 the service companies returned to Quebec, where they

stayed four months, sailing in October for Bermuda, where they

were stationed till September 1834. While at Bermuda, in February

1834, the tartan plaid scarf was restored to the 71st by authority

of the King. In September of that year the 6 service companies

left Bermuda for Britain, arriving at Leith on October 19th. The

regiment was stationed at Edinburgh till May 1836, when it embarked

for Ireland, and was stationed at Dublin till June 1837, when it

proceeded to Kilkenny. The regiment remained in Ireland till April

1838, on the 16th of which month the 6 service companies again sailed

from Cork to Canada. The four depôt companies remained in Ireland

till June 1839, when they sailed from Cork to Scotland, and were

stationed at Stirling. While in Ireland, March 1838, Major-General

Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham succeeded Sir Colin Halkett to the

colonelcy of the regiment, and he again was succeeded in March 1841

by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Reynell, formerly so intimately

associated with the regiment as its lieutenant-colonel. The strength

of the regiment was in August 1838 increased to 800.

During 1840 the 6 service companies were stationed at St John’s,

Lower Canada.

The service companies proceeded from St John’s to Montreal, in two

divisions, on the 27th and 28th of April 1842.

In consequence of the augmentation which took place in the army at

this period, the 71st regiment was ordered to be divided into two

battalions, the 6 service companies being termed the first battalion,

and the depôt, augmented by two new companies, being styled the

reserve battalion. The depôt was accordingly moved from Stirling to

Chichester in 1842, and after receiving 180 volunteers from other

corps, was there organised into a battalion for foreign service.

The reserve battalion of the 71st, under the command of

Lieutenant-Colonel James England, embarked at Portsmouth in Her

Majesty’s troop-ship “Resistance,” which sailed for Canada on the

13th of August 1842, and landed at Montreal on the 23d of September,

where the first battalion was likewise stationed, under the command

of Major William Denny, who, upon the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel

England, took charge of the reserve battalion.

The reserve battalion marched from Montreal to Chambly on the 5th of

May 1843, and arrived there on the same day.

The first battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel England,

embarked at Quebec for the West Indies in the “Java” transport, on

the 20th of October 1843. The headquarters disembarked at Grenada on

the 15th of December following.

The headquarters of the first battalion embarked on the 25th of

December 1844, at Grenada, for Antigua,[416] where it remained till

April 1846. It proceeded to Barbadoes, leaving that in December

for England, arriving at Spithead, January 25th 1847. The first

battalion, on landing, proceeded to Winchester, where it remained

till July, when it was removed to Glasgow, and in December left the

latter place for Edinburgh. Here it remained till April 1848, when it

was removed to Ireland.

In February 1848, on the death of Sir Thos. Reynell,

Lieutenant-General Sir Thos. Arbuthnot succeeded to the colonelcy

of the 71st, and on his death, in January 1849, it was conferred on

Lieutenant-General Sir James Macdonell.

In compliance with instructions received upon the occasion of Her

Majesty’s visit to Dublin, the headquarters of the first battalion,

with the effectives of three companies, proceeded from Naas to that

garrison on the 28th of July, and were encamped in the Phœnix Park.

The three detached companies also joined at the encampment on the

same day. On the 13th of August the head-quarters and three companies

returned to Naas.

The headquarters and two companies of the reserve battalion, under

the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart., proceeded

from St John’s to Montreal in aid of the civil power, on the 28th of

April 1849. The headquarters and three companies quitted Montreal

and encamped on the Island of St Helen’s on the 30th of June, but

returned to St John’s on the 16th of July. On the 17th of August

1849, the headquarters and two companies proceeded from St John’s to

Montreal in aid of the civil power, and returned to St John’s on the

6th of September.

In April 1850 the first battalion proceeded from Naas to Dublin.

The headquarters and two companies of the reserve battalion quitted

St John’s and Chambly on the 21st of May 1850, and arrived at Toronto

on the 23rd of that month, where the battalion was joined by the

other companies, and it continued there during the remainder of the

year.

In May 1852 the reserve battalion proceeded from Toronto to Kingston.

On the 8th of June following, Lieutenant-Colonel Hew Dalrymple,

Bart., retired from the service by the sale of his commission, and

was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Nathaniel Massey Stack.[417]

On the 18th of February 1848, Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas

Arbuthnot, K.C.B., from the 9th Foot, was appointed colonel of the

regiment in room of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., who

had died; and on the death of the new colonel, about a year after,

Lieutenant-General Sir James Macdonell, K.C.B., from the 79th Foot,

was appointed to the colonelcy of the regiment.

Instructions having been received for the battalion to embark at

Glasgow for Ireland, three companies proceeded to Dublin on the 27th,

and the headquarters, with the three remaining companies, embarked

on board the “Viceroy” steamer on the 1st of May, and arrived at

Dublin on the 2nd. Companies were detached to various places, and the

headquarters proceeded from Dublin to Naas on the 20th of May.

On the 4th of July Lieutenant-Colonel William Denny, having

arrived from Canada, assumed the command of the battalion, when

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart., proceeded to join the

reserve battalion.

H.R.H. Major-General Prince George of Cambridge, commanding the

Dublin district, made the autumn half-yearly inspection of the

regiment on the 13th of October, on which occasion H.R.H. expressed

personally to the regiment his satisfaction and approbation of their

appearance and steadiness under arms, and the marked improvement

that had been effected.

In compliance with instructions received, on the occasion of the

expected visit of Her Majesty to Dublin, the headquarters, with the

effectives of three companies, moved from Naas to Dublin on the

28th of July, and encamped in the Phœnix Park. The three detached

companies also joined the encampment on the same day.

The Queen having arrived on the 6th of August, the battalion had

the honour of sharing in the grand review which took place in the

park on the 9th, in presence of Her Majesty and Prince Albert, after

which a highly complimentary general order was issued, expressing the

high approval of Her Majesty and Prince Albert of the conduct of the

troops present at the review.

On the 10th of August Her Majesty and Prince Albert and the Royal

Family left Dublin, and the 71st furnished a guard of honour under

Captain T. H. Colville, at the railway station; and on the 11th,

the lieutenant-general commanding marked his very high appreciation

of the services of the troops stationed in Dublin during the above

auspicious occasion, by publishing another highly complimentary

general order.

In addition to the remarks in the general order of Lieutenant-General

Sir Edward Blackeney, which reflected so much credit on the 71st

Highland Light Infantry, in common with the other regiments in

garrison, Major-General H.R.H. Prince George of Cambridge was

graciously pleased to express his approbation of the high state

of efficiency and good conduct of the battalion; and as its stay

in Dublin was intended to be during Her Majesty’s visit, the

headquarters and three companies returned to Naas on the 13th of

August, detaching on the same day three companies to Maryborough,

Carlow, and Newbridge.

During the months of March and April 1850, the various scattered

companies of the 71st were removed to Dublin, where the whole

battalion was stationed at the Richmond Barracks.

A draft of the reserve battalion, consisting of 2 subalterns, 2

sergeants, and 90 rank and file, embarked at Cork for Canada on the

4th of May of the same year.

The state of discipline in the regiment was reported to be good on

its arrival in Dublin, and during its stay in that garrison it was

most favourably reported upon. The accompanying extracts, which were

conveyed to the commanding officer, by order, are creditable to the

character of the regiment:--

“ASST. ADJT.-GENERAL’S OFFICE,

“DUBLIN, _21st July 1851_.

“The Commander-in-Chief is glad to find that his Royal Highness

considers the recruits lately joined to be of a superior description,

and that he is enabled to speak with unqualified praise on the state

of the discipline to which the regiment has arrived since it formed

part of the garrison of Dublin.

“GEORGE MYLINS,

“_Asst. Adj.-Gen._

“Officer Commanding

“1st Bat. 71st Regt.”

The following is an extract from a letter received from the

Adjutant-General of the Forces, having reference to the confidential

report of H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, of the 1st battalion of the

71st Highland Light Infantry, for the second period of 1850:--

“ASST. ADJT.-GENERAL’S OFFICE,

“DUBLIN, _28th January 1851_.

“The progress made by this battalion during the half year is

extremely satisfactory to the Commander-in-Chief, and in the highest

degree creditable to Lieutenant-Colonel Denny and his officers, who

may congratulate themselves on having brought the battalion into a

state of efficiency of which it certainly could not boast when the

lieutenant-colonel assumed the command.

“W. F. FORSTER, _A. A.-G._”

During 1851 and 1852 the regiment remained in Ireland, moving about

in detachments from place to place, and performing efficiently a

variety of duties, agreeable and disagreeable, in that disturbed

country, and sending off now and then small parties to join the

reserve battalion in Canada. In August the regiment removed to

Kilkenny.

On the 1st of November 1852, a communication was received for

the battalion to be held in readiness for embarkation for the

Mediterranean, and in compliance therewith, the service and depôt

companies were formed on the 1st of January 1853; and on the 3rd the

battalion received new colours. On the arrival of the battalion at

Cork, the old colours were placed over a tablet erected at Kinsale,

to the memory of the late Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot,

a native of that place, who commanded the regiment for many years.

During February and March the regiment sailed in detachments for

Corfu.

By a War Office letter of 20th of February 1854, the regiment was

to be augmented, from the 1st of April, by one pipe-major and five

pipers.

The reserve battalion remained in Canada from 1849 to 1853, having

been stationed successively at St John’s, Toronto, Kingston, and

Quebec, returning from Canada in 1854, and forming the depôt of the

regiment at Canterbury in October.

On the outbreak of the Crimean war all the effectives, with a

proportion of officers, consisting of 1 major, 3 captains, 6

subalterns, 20 serjeants, 6 buglers, and 391 rank and file--total,

417--were ordered to proceed to the Crimea, and embarked at

Portsmouth, on board the “Royal Albert,” November 24, and landed at

Balaclava on the 20th of December. The first battalion joined the

reserve in February 1855.

Major-General A. F. Mackintosh, Commander of the Forces in the Ionian

Islands, issued the following order prior to the embarkation of the

first battalion from Corfu for the Crimea, in January 1855:--

“_General Order._

“DEPUTY QR.-MASTER GENERAL’S OFFICE,

“CORFU, _24th January 1855_.

“The Major-General commanding addresses a few words to the 71st Light

Infantry on their departure for the seat of war.

“The Major-General first saw the 71st a good many years ago, on a

day when their commanding officer fell at their head; he has since

often met the regiment in various parts of the world, and has always

remarked among both the officers and men of the regiment that high

military spirit and personal activity still conspicuous, which caused

it to be selected and organised as a light corps.

“They are now about to appear on a scene where their predecessors

in the regiment have so often distinguished themselves--the field

of battle,--and the Major-General wishes them a prosperous passage,

followed by a glorious career.

“R. WALPOLE,

“_Dep. Qr.-Mr. General_.”

During the time the 71st was in the Crimea, it had no chance of

distinguishing itself in any great action, as had the 42d, and

the other two Highland regiments with which it was brigaded.

Nevertheless, the 71st had many fatiguing and critical duties to

perform, which it did with efficiency; as will be seen, it was mainly

occupied in expeditions to various parts of the Crimea.

The regiment embarked on the 3rd of May on board the “Furious” and

the “Gladiator” steam frigates, forming part of the first expedition

to Kertch, returning to Balaclava on the 8th. The regiment moved to

the front on the 9th of May, and joined the third brigade of the

fourth division in camp, before Sebastopol, performing satisfactorily

the very trying duties in the trenches. Here, however, it did not

long remain, as on May 22nd it embarked at Balaclava, on board the

steam frigates “Sidon” and “Valorous,” and proceeded to Kertch with

the expeditionary force of the allied army.

Landing at Kamiesch Bouroun, about five miles from Kertch, on the

24th of May, under cover of the gun-boats, it bivouacked that night,

and marched to Kertch the following morning, proceeding the same day

to Yenikali, where it encamped.

The regiment re-embarked at Yenikali on the 10th of June on board the

steam frigates “Sidon” and “Valorous,” to return to the headquarters

of the army, but was again disembarked--the headquarters and right

wing at Yenikali on June the 12th, and the left wing at Cape St Paul

on the 14th--to protect these points, in conjunction with a French

and Turkish force. One company moved into Kertch from Yenikali,

August 4th, and the left wing from Cape St Paul to Kertch, September

22nd.

Three companies, under Major Hunter, embarked at Kertch, September

24th, and proceeded with the French on a joint expedition to Taman.

Taman and Phanagoria were bombarded by the French and English

gun-boats, and taken possession of by the allied expeditionary force

on the same day. A large supply of hutting material and fuel was

obtained for the use of the troops from these places, after which

they were fired and abandoned. The expedition returned to Kertch on

the 3rd of October.

A draft, consisting of 1 captain, 5 subalterns, 4 sergeants, and

121 rank and file from the reserve companies at Malta, landed at

Balaclava in August, was moved to the front, and attached to the

Highland division in camp before Sebastopol. It was present at the

fall of Sebastopol, under the command of Major Campbell, and joined

the headquarters of the regiment at Yenikali on the 2nd of October.

Until the 22nd of June 1856, the various companies were kept moving

between Yenikali and Kertch. On that date Kertch and Cape St Paul

were handed over by the regiment to the Russian authorities, the

whole of the French and Turkish forces having previously evacuated

that part of the Crimea.

The headquarters and six companies embarked on board the steamship

“Pacific,” and two companies on board the “Gibraltar,” on the 22nd of

June, for passage to Malta.

During the stay of the 71st in Malta, from July 1856 to January 1858,

there is nothing of importance to record.

The regiment received orders by telegram from England to proceed

overland to India on the evening of the 2nd of January 1858, and

on the morning of the 4th it embarked on board H.M. ship “Princess

Royal” and the steam frigate “Vulture.” The headquarters and right

wing arrived at Bombay on February 6th, and the left wing on the 8th;

the right wing proceeding to Mhow by bullock train in detachments

of about forty daily, the first of which left Bombay on the 26th

of February, and the last arrived at Mhow, March 17th. It marched

from Mhow on the 30th March to join the Central India Field Force,

and joined the second brigade at Mote on May 3rd. It was present at

the action in Rose’s attack on the enemy at Koonch, May 7th, when

eight men fell dead in the ranks, and upwards of twenty officers

and men had to be carried from the field on account of the heat of

the sun. It was present also at the actions at Muttra and Deapoora,

16th and 17th May; at the latter places the principal attacks

of the enemy were repulsed by this regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel

Campbell commanding the brigade, Major Rich commanding the regiment,

and Battalion Major Loftus, were specially mentioned by the

major-general. The regiment was present at the battle of Gowlowlee,

May 22nd, the occupation of Calpee, May 23rd, and it marched on

Gwalior with the 1st Brigade Central India Field Force; at the action

of Moorar on the 16th of June, in which the 71st took a prominent

part. It was while rushing on at the head of a company of this

regiment that Lieutenant Wyndham Neave fell mortally wounded, and

that Sergeant Hugh M’Gill, 1 corporal, and 2 privates were killed.

Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, Major Rich, and Lieutenant Scott were

specially mentioned; and Sergeant Ewing and Private George Rodgers

were recommended for the Victoria Cross.

On the evening of the 18th of June the regiment formed part of a

column for the support of Brigadier Smith’s brigade, and advanced on

Gwalior with the whole force on the 19th and 20th.

After the capture of Gwalior on the 20th of June, the headquarter’s

wing marched back to Moorar cantonments, where it was stationed till

the 12th of August, when it returned to Gwalior, and was stationed at

the Lushker and Phool Bagh, and returned again to Moorar on the 6th

of June 1859.

On the 11th of November 1858, a detachment from headquarters went on

field-service to the Sind River, had two skirmishes with the rebels,

and returned to Gwalior on the 9th of February 1859.

On the 29th of November 1858, another detachment from headquarters

went on field service, and had skirmishes with the rebels at Ranode

and Nainewass. At the latter place three were killed. This detachment

returned to Gwalior on 27th of May 1859.

The left wing marched from Bombay on the 11th of March 1858, and

arrived at Mhow on 17th of April, and on the 9th of June a company

was detached from Mhow to Indore. The greater portion of the left

wing proceeded on field-service, under Major-General Michel, C.B.,

and on 2nd September 1858 was present at the action at Rajghur. In

the action at Mongrowlee, on September the 15th, the 71st had one

private killed. In the action at Sindwaho on October the 19th, and

that at Koorai on October the 25th, the 71st had no casualties. The

left wing arrived at Bhopal on the 17th of November 1858, and marched

to Goonah on the 17th of January 1859.

On the 25th of November a party of 50 rank and file left Mhow

on camels, with a column under command of Major Sutherland, 92d

Highlanders, and were engaged with the rebels at Rajpore on the same

day, after which they returned to Mhow.

On the 1st of January 1859, the company stationed at Indore marched

from that place _en route_ to join a column on service under

Brigadier-General Sir R. Napier, K.C.B., and was present at the

attack of the Fort of Naharghur, 17th of January, where two privates

were wounded. Captain Lambton was specially mentioned for his daring

attack.

The headquarters of the regiment were inspected by the

Commander-in-Chief, Lord Clyde, on the 2nd of December 1859. His

Excellency expressed his satisfaction, both with what he himself saw

and the reports which he had received regarding the state of the

regiment from other sources. The report made by Lord Clyde to H.R.H.

the General Commanding-in-Chief, produced the following letter from

the Adjutant-General of the Forces, highly complimentary to the

commanding officer and all ranks of the regiment:--

“HORSE GUARDS,

“_24th January 1860_.

“SIR,--His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief is much

gratified to hear from General Lord Clyde, Commander-in-Chief in

India, that at his Lordship’s last visit to the station occupied by

the regiment under your command, he found it in the highest order.

“After the recent arduous and continuous duties on which it has been

employed, great credit is due to its commanding officer, Colonel

William Hope, and to every rank in the corps, and H.R.H. requests

that his opinion may be communicated to them accordingly.--I have the

honour to be, &c.

“G. A. WETHERAL,

“_Adjutant-General_.

“Officer Commanding

“71st Highlanders.”

In the month of January 1860, intimation was received of the

death of Lieutenant-Colonel R. D. Campbell, C.B., in London, on

the 4th of December 1859, and the command of the 71st devolved on

Lieutenant-Colonel Hope, C.B.

On the 22nd of July cholera broke out in the regiment. It first

appeared in the hospital in cantonments, but the next day spread to

the barracks, and, two or three days later, reached the fortress

of Gwalior. The companies in cantonments, with the exception of

one, moved under canvas; two of those in the fort moved down into

quarters at the Phool Bagh. Notwithstanding these movements, the

epidemic continued until the beginning of September, and did not

finally disappear until the 16th of that month, having carried off 1

colour-sergeant, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, 1 piper, 1 bugler, and 62

men, 11 women and 11 children.

On the 11th of November 1860 the order for the relief was received,

and on the 20th of the next month the regiment marched for Sealkote,

Punjab, having been relieved at Gwalior by the 27th Inniskillings.

The state of discipline of the regiment while in the Gwalior district

can be gathered from the following extract from a report from the

Political Agent, Gwalior, to the Government of India, dated 15th June

1860:--

“When it was determined in June last to post a British force at the

Lushker, the people expected with dread and deprecation a violent

and dangerous, at least a rude and overbearing soldiery; but Her

Majesty’s 71st Highlanders soon dispelled their fears and created

pleasant feelings.

“His Highness and the best informed men of the Durbar have assured me

that those soldiers who passed ten months in the Phool Bagh have, by

their manners, habits, dealings, and whole demeanour, so conciliated

the respect and regards of all, that nothing would be more acceptable

than the domestication of such a force in the capital.

“The Durbar considers further, that it would bring to Gwalior

incalculable industrial advantages, through affording a constant

supply of superintendents of public works and skilled labourers.

“I venture to express the hope, that his Excellency may consider the

Durbar’s view of the conduct of Her Majesty’s 71st, commanded by

Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, C.B., a very high and true compliment,

as worthy of express recognition as good conduct in the field. It is

in my humble judgment a most fully deserved compliment.

“AD. A. CHARTERS MACPHERSON,

“_Political Agent_.”

“CAMP AGRA,

“_29th November 1859_.

“MY LORD,--As your Lordship is going to Gwalior, I trust you will

not think that I exceed my office, if I venture to send you an

extract from a report of June last, in which I attract the attention

of the Government to the admirable conduct of Her Majesty’s 71st

Highlanders, and to its appreciation by Maharajah Scindia and his

people.

“The importance of such conduct on the part of the first British

troops stationed at the capital of Gwalior might scarcely be over

stated.

“Having lived with the 71st at the Phool Bagh for about twelve

months, my pride in them as soldiers and countrymen must be my excuse

to your Lordship for venturing upon this irregular communication of

my impressions. General Napier’s views will, I trust, confirm them.

“AD. A. CHARTERS MACPHERSON,

“_Political Agent_.”

Various drafts joined the service companies in 1860. The regiment

marched into Sealkote on Sunday, the 17th of February 1861.

The brigadier-general, commanding the Lahore division, made his first

half-yearly inspection of the regiment on the 26th of April 1861,

and published the following order on the conclusion of this duty:--

“_Extract from Station Orders, dated Sealkote, 27th April 1871._

“Brigadier-General Ferryman, C.B., having completed the inspection of

the 71st Highland Light Infantry, begs to express to Lieut.-Col. Rich

and the regiment his great satisfaction with everything he has seen.

The drill is excellent; it could not be better; and the officers are

well instructed. He will, therefore, have much pleasure in making

a very high report to the Commander-in-Chief of everything he has

witnessed.”

The regiment remained at Sealkote till the 1st of November 1862, when

headquarters and seven companies marched _en route_ to Nowshera,

and arrived at that station on the 21st of the same month, having

detached one company at Attock to garrison the fortress.

On the 14th of October 1863, headquarters, under Lieut.-Col. Hope,

C.B., moved from Nowa-Killa in the Yuzufzai country, arriving on the

18th of October at Nowshera, where the sick were left. At Nowa-Killa

was assembled the force about to be employed in the hill country

to the eastward, and the command was assumed by Brigadier-General

Sir Neville Chamberlain, K.C.B. The object of the expedition was to

destroy Mulka, on the Mahabun Mountains, the stronghold of certain

Hindostanee refugees, generally known as the Sitana Fanatics, who

infested our frontier and preyed on the villages. Mulka is just

beyond our frontier line, and in the territory of the Indoons.

The direct route to Mulka by the Chinglae Pass being reported to be

stockaded, it was decided to take the more circuitous one by the

Umbeylah Pass and the Chumla Valley. The brigadier-general decided

on having a small native force at Nowa-Killa, and forming a depôt

for the European troops at Roostum, which is near the entrance to

the Umbeylah Pass, and directed the sick and the regimental band

to remain there accordingly. 99 men of the 71st of all ranks were

detached to remain at Roostum under Lieut. Boulderson.

The force marched in two divisions,--the first, all of native troops

under command of Lieut.-Col. Wilde, C.B., of the corps of Guides, on

19th October; and the second, which included all the European troops,

on the 20th of October, under the brigadier-general.

The pass was seized by Lieut.-Col. Wilde without difficulty, but

owing to the rugged nature of the ground, the so-called road being

merely a path hardly practicable for loaded cattle, the troops

were not concentrated at the crest of the pass until nearly 8

o’clock in the evening, and the baggage, of which much was lost or

destroyed, was not all up for four days. The heavy guns were shifted

on to elephants at the bottom of the pass, and got up without much

difficulty.

On the 21st more ground to the front was taken, and the regiment

marched down in the direction of Umbeylah about a quarter of a mile,

and encamped on a small piece of level ground, and not far from a

small stream of water. On the 22nd a reconnaissance was made in the

Chumla Valley under the orders of Lieut.-Col. Taylor, C.E., with a

small body of native cavalry, supported by the 20th Native Infantry.

This party penetrated some distance into the valley without being

molested; but on its return near sunset it was attacked near the

village of Umbeylah, and sustained some loss. Their assailants,

who were chiefly of the Boneyir tribe, followed up the 20th Native

Infantry in great numbers, and commenced a general attack upon the

force, which was immediately turned out and placed in position with

some difficulty owing to the darkness. The attack was, however,

repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy and slight loss on the British

side, the 71st sustaining none. This attack by the Boneyir was not

anticipated.

There was no intention of entering the Boneyir Valley, the pass of

which is close to the village of Umbeylah; but this had not been

explained to them. They were doubtless unwilling to allow a force to

enter even the Chumla Valley, the inhabitants of which are closely

connected with them, and the opportunity of attacking the invaders at

a disadvantage, as they thought, was not to be lost by these warlike

mountaineers.

The unexpected hostility of this numerous and warlike tribe,

superadded to the difficulty regarding the baggage, and the delay

now become necessary to bring up additional supplies, entirely

changed the aspect of affairs, and it became apparent that the force

must remain on its present ground for some days at least; orders were

accordingly given to throw up breastworks along the front and flanks.

The front line, which was across the valley or pass, was chiefly

occupied by the European troops; while the flanks, which were on the

hills on each side, were entirely occupied by native troops, until

the 26th.

On the 25th, 100 men under command of Captain Aldridge, and 15

marksmen, were employed in meeting a slight attack made on the

right flank; but no casualty occurred in the 71st. On the 26th, the

marksmen, 1 sergeant and 15 men, were with an equal number of the

101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers ordered up to the left flank, which was

threatened. Shortly afterwards, Major Parker with 150 men of the 71st

proceeded as a further reinforcement. Both these parties obtained

great praise for steadiness and gallantry in this, the most serious

attack that had yet occurred. The marksmen occupied the post called

the Eagle’s Nest, which was several times attacked by the enemy in

great numbers, and with great determination. Many were shot down when

close to the breastwork.

Major Brownlow, 20th Native Infantry commanding the post, made a most

favourable report of the conduct of this small party, and especially

named privates William Clapperton and George Stewart as having

exhibited great gallantry and coolness. These men’s names afterwards

appeared in General Orders, and they were recommended for the “medal

for service in the field.”

The conduct of the party under Major Parker was also eulogised by

Lieut.-Col. Vaughan, who commanded the picquets on the left flank,

and Major Parker’s name was afterwards specially brought to the

notice of the Commander-in-Chief. On this day the casualties were, 1

killed and 5 wounded. Major Parker’s party remained on the heights

during the 26th and 27th, and was relieved on the 28th by equal

numbers of the 101st regiment.

On the 30th the regiment assisted in repulsing a very spirited, but

not well-sustained attack made by the enemy about dawn on the front

line of the picquets in the valley, when 3 men were wounded.

On several days the regiment furnished a strong working party to make

a new road, leading from the right flank to the village of Umbeylah.

On the 6th of November an armed party, under Ensign C.B. Murray, was

ordered out to cover the working party, and about a mile from the

nearest post it soon became evident that the enemy intended to molest

the party. Accordingly, about 11 A.M. a reinforcement of 50 men,

under Captain Mounsey, proceeded to the threatened point. Captain

Mounsey was placed by the commanding officer, Major Harding, at a

point considerably higher than that occupied by Ensign Murray, and

nearer to camp, where he materially assisted in protecting Ensign

Murray’s left flank, which was threatened. Soon after 1 o’clock the

working party was withdrawn. Corresponding orders were, however,

omitted to be sent to Ensign Murray’s party, which consequently

held its ground along with a party of the 20th Native Infantry; and

Captain Mounsey having been ordered to take up a fresh position still

higher up the hill, the party under Ensign Murray, no longer assisted

by the flank fire of the other, could only hold its ground, and was

nearly surrounded.

About 2 P.M. Ensign Murray was killed, and other casualties having

occurred, Major Harding, who had joined soon after, decided on

holding the ground till dark, when he hoped to be able to carry

off the wounded, which could not be done under the enemy’s fire.

Major Harding finally retired without the wounded, but was killed

in the retreat. Captain Mounsey having proceeded to the point to

which he was directed, assisted by parties of the Guide corps and

1st Punjab Infantry, twice charged and drove the enemy off; and,

without casualty to his own party, protected some wounded officers

and men until they could be removed. For this service he was

specially mentioned to the Commander-in-Chief, as was also Lieutenant

Davidson of the Indian army, attached to, and doing duty with the

71st, for gallantry in assisting a wounded officer. In addition to

the above-named officers, sergeant J. B. Adams and 2 privates were

killed, and 5 wounded.

On the 18th of November, at daylight, a change of position was

effected, and the whole force was concentrated on the heights,

which up to that time had been on the right flank. The movement was

completed by 8 o’clock A.M., without molestation, and apparently

without the knowledge of the enemy, who soon afterwards appeared in

great force in the valley and occupied the abandoned position.

An attack on Captain Griffan’s battery, which was supported by

two companies of the 71st, was at first threatened, but the enemy

soon turned his attention to the post occupied by the 14th Native

Infantry, commanded by Major Ross, and which had now become our

advanced post on the left. Repeated attacks were made on this post.

Reinforcements being called for, Captain Smith’s company, 2 officers

and 34 bayonets, was pushed forward about 2 P.M. The enemy was in

great force, and between 5 and 6 P.M. the picquets were obliged to

retire to a second line of breastwork. During its occupation of the

advance line and in the retreat, Captain Smith’s company suffered

severely. The captain himself had his leg broken by a matchlock ball,

and was cut down. Lieutenant Gore Jones of the 79th, who was attached

to the company, was shot in the head. The picquet reformed in the

second line, and were joined by two companies of the 71st under Major

Parker, who resumed command. They were furiously attacked, but after

a severe hand-to-hand struggle repulsed the enemy at all points, and

retained possession of the ground until after nightfall, when the

whole were withdrawn by the brigadier-general, as the occupation of

this point was not considered necessary or advisable. Major Parker

was specially mentioned for this service.

There were killed on this occasion Captain C. F. Smith, Lieutenant

Gore Jones, and 4 privates; the wounded were Sergeant John Hunter and

4 privates.

On the morning of the 19th Captain Aldridge was shot, when returning

from visiting the advance sentries of the Lalloo picquet. Four

companies of the regiment relieved an equal number of the 101st on

the upper picquet, on which the enemy continued firing all day, when

2 privates were wounded.

The 101st took the picquets of the upper camp, and also held the

advanced post known as the Craig picquet. About 3 P.M. the enemy made

a sudden and furious attack in great force on the Craig picquet,

and succeeded in obtaining possession of it. The 71st was at once

ordered to re-take it. This post was situated on the apex of a very

steep and rocky hill, of which the enemy had disputed possession on

several occasions. Supported by a concentrated artillery fire and

by two native corps, the 5th Ghoorkas and the 5th Punjab Infantry,

the regiment, led by Colonel Hope, C.B., soon regained possession,

and the combined force drove the enemy back over the nearest hill. A

heavy flanking fire was maintained on the enemy by the water picquet,

which also suffered some loss. The loss of the regiment was severe.

The post was held that night by 270 of the 71st, under Major Parker,

who also assumed command of the regiment. Brigadier-General Sir N.

Chamberlain was wounded in the attack, and eventually had to resign

command of the force to Major-General Garvock.

His Excellency the Commander in-Chief, Sir Hugh Rose, signified

his entire approval of the gallantry of the regiment and of all

the troops employed on this occasion. Casualties on the 20th of

November 1863,--killed, 6 privates; wounded, Colonel W. Hope, C.B., 2

sergeants, 3 corporals, and 20 privates.

After his repulse with very heavy loss on the 20th, the enemy

refrained from attacking any of our posts until the 15th of December,

during which interval Major-General Garvock took command, and the 7th

Fusiliers and the 93rd Highlanders having arrived, the duty became

less severe. Previous to the arrival of these regiments no soldier in

camp could be said to be off duty day or night. An exchange of posts

from the upper camp to the lower was the only relief, the upper camp

being much more exposed.

On the 15th December, the regiment being on picquet duty, did not

accompany the portion of the force which, under the major-general,

with Brigadiers Turner and Wilde commanding brigades, advanced and

drove the enemy from all its posts in front, and from the village of

Lalloo, but assisted in repulsing a very determined counter attack

made by a strong force on the Craig picquet and upper camp generally.

On the 16th the major-general advanced and again defeated the enemy

at the village of Umbeylah, which with Lalloo was burned. On the

following morning the enemy sent into the major-general’s camp and

tendered submission, which was accepted. A small force was detached

with a strong party of Boneyirs co-operating, to destroy Mulka.

This was done without actual opposition, but this force was very

critically situated for a short time.

The regiment returned to Nowa-Killa, and reached Nowshera on the

30th, whence it marched on the 4th of January 1864, reaching Peshawur

on the 5th.

On the 21st the regiment was inspected by His Excellency, Sir Hugh

Rose, G.C.B., Commander-in-chief, who expressed himself in the most

complimentary manner with reference to the conduct of the regiment in

the late campaign. He called the three men whose names had appeared

in General Orders--privates Malcolm, Clapperton, and Stewart--to the

front, and addressed some words of approval and encouragement to them.

On the 28th of April the regiment was inspected by Major-General

Garvock, who also spoke in high terms of its conduct and discipline.

On the 23rd of October, pursuant to orders from England, the regiment

marched to Calcutta for embarkation. It arrived at Rawul Pindee on

the 30th; and on the 1st of November the half-yearly inspection was

made by Sir John Garvock, G.C.B.

The regiment having been called on to furnish volunteers to regiments

serving in the Bengal Presidency, 200 men volunteered, and were

transferred to other regiments.

On the 9th of November the regiment resumed its march by Lahore,

Umritsur, and Loodiana to Umballa, where it arrived on the 13th of

December; and on the following day was present at a general parade

of the troops in the station, where medals for gallant service

in the field were presented by Major-General Lord George Paget to

Sergeant-Major John Blackwood, and privates Macdonald, Malcolm,

Clapperton, and Stewart, for distinguished conduct in the field. The

Sergeant-Major was also granted a pension of £15 in addition to the

medal.

The regiment arrived at Delhi on the 26th of December; and on the 4th

of January 1865, one wing proceeded by rail to Allahabad, and was

followed next day by the other wing.

On the 21st and 23d the regiment proceeded by rail to Chinsurah,

25 miles from Calcutta, where it remained until it embarked--the

right wing and head-quarters, under the command of Colonel Hope,

on the 4th of February, in the steamship “Mauritius,” and the left

wing, commanded by Major Gore, in the “Albert Victor,” on the 14th

of February. The right wing arrived and disembarked at Plymouth on

the 29th of May, having touched at Madras, the Cape, and Fayal. It

remained at Plymouth until the 7th of June, when it was sent to Leith

in H.M.’s ship “Urgent,” and arrived in Edinburgh on the 12th, where

it occupied the Castle.

The left wing arrived at Gravesend on the 19th of June, where it

landed, and was afterwards taken round to Leith by the “Urgent,” and

joined the head-quarters in Edinburgh Castle on the 25th of June.

The following General and Divisional Orders were published previous

to the regiment quitting India:--

_Extract of Divisional Order by Major-General Sir John Garvock,

K.C.B., commanding Peshawur Division._

“RAWUL PINDEE, _1st November 1864_.

“The 71st Highland Light Infantry being about to leave the Peshawur

Division, _en route_ to England, the Major-General commanding desires

to offer them his best wishes on the occasion.

“He has known the regiment for a number of years. He was very

intimately associated with it in the Mediterranean, and his interest

in it is now naturally increased in no small degree by its having

served under him in the field and done its part, and done it well, in

obtaining for him those honours which Her Majesty has been pleased to

confer.

“The Major-General had not assumed the command of the Yuzufzai Field

Force when the 71st re-captured the Craig Picquet, but he well knows

that it was a most gallant exploit.

“Sir John Garvock, K.C.B., begs Colonel Hope, C.B., and the officers,

non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the 71st Highland Light

Infantry, to believe that, although they will be soon no longer under

his command, he will continue to take the liveliest interest in their

career; and he now wishes them a speedy and prosperous voyage.”

_General Orders

By His Excellency the Commander-in-chief._

“HEAD-QUARTERS, CALCUTTA,

_27th January 1865_.

“The services of the 71st Highland Light Infantry in India entitle

them, on their departure for England, to honourable mention in

general orders.

“A wing of the regiment on their arrival in India in 1858 joined the

Central India Field Force, and His Excellency is therefore enabled

to bear testimony to the good services which they performed, and the

excellent spirit which they displayed during that campaign.

“The regiment more recently distinguished itself under their

commanding officer, Colonel Hope, C.B., in the late operations on the

frontier.

“Sir Hugh Rose cannot, in justice to military merit, speak of the

71st in a General Order without reverting to an earlier period, when

in two great campaigns in Europe they won a reputation which has

earned them an honoured page in history.

“Sir Hugh Rose’s best wishes attend this distinguished regiment on

their leaving his command for home.

“By order of His Excellency the Commander-in-chief.

“E. HAYTHORN,

“_Colonel, Adjutant-General_.”

The depot companies, commanded by Brevet-Major Lambton, joined the

regiment in Edinburgh, and the establishment of the regiment was

fixed at 12 companies, with 54 sergeants, 31 buglers and pipers, and

700 rank and file.

The autumn inspection was made by Major-General Walker, on the 4th of

October 1865.

“HORSE-GUARDS, _13th February 1866_.

“SIR,

“Referring to your confidential report on the 71st regiment, dated

the 4th of October last, in which you represent that a sword is

worn by the officers which is not regulation, I am directed by the

Field-Marshal Commander-in-chief, to acquaint you that H.R.H. having

seen the sword in question, has no objection to the continuance of

its use, the 71st being a Light Infantry Regiment.

“For levees, &c., the basket hilt should be worn, which, it is

understood, can be made removable, and the cross-bar substituted at

pleasure.

“I have, &c.,

“J. TROWBRIDGE, D.A.G.

“Major-General Walker, C.B.,

“Commanding North Britain.”

In October 1865, during the stay of the regiment in Edinburgh Castle,

it sustained the loss by death of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Parker,

on which occasion the following Regimental Order was published by

Colonel Hope:--

“The Commanding Officer regrets to have to announce to the regiment

the demise of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Parker, which occurred

this morning at 8 A.M. Colonel Hope feels certain that the

announcement will be received with the deepest regret for the loss

sustained, as well by the regiment, as by Her Majesty’s service

generally. Lieutenant-Colonel Parker has departed after a service

of twenty-three years in the regiment, many of which he passed in

distant countries and in active services against the enemies of his

country. On more than one occasion, and as recently as 1863, his

services in the field met with such approbation from general officers

under whom he served, as to induce them to name him in public

despatches.

“Colonel Hope can only express his opinion that no officer more

faithfully and ably sustained the honour and reputation of the

regiment than did Lieutenant-Colonel Parker, and that none better

merited the honours done him.”

In February 1866, the regiment removed to Aldershot, where the spring

inspection was made on the 2nd of May 1866; and also the autumn

inspection by Brigadier-General Sir Alfred Horsford, K.C.B., who was

pleased to comment highly on the appearance and discipline of the

regiment.

In December the regiment removed to Ireland, and was distributed in

Fermoy, Cork, and Ballincollig; head-quarters being at Fermoy.

On the 27th November 1867, Colonel Hope retired from the command of

the regiment, which he had held for many years, and in which capacity

he had gained alike the esteem and love both of officers and men. His

retirement, which was forced upon him by his continued ill health,

was felt to be an occasion upon which each individual member of

the regiment lost a valued friend as well as a brave commander. On

leaving he issued the following Order:--

“Colonel Hope has this day (18th of November 1867), relinquished

the command of the regiment, which he has held for eight years, and

handed it over to Major Macdonnell, who also will be his successor.

“Having served so many years--in fact, from his boyhood--in the

regiment, and having commanded for the last eight years, he need

hardly say that he quits the 71st with the greatest sorrow and regret.

“It has been his anxious wish at all times to maintain intact the

reputation of the regiment as it was received by him; and this wish

has, he believes, been gratified.

“Since the regiment was embodied, now 90 years ago, in all parts of

the world,--in India, in the Cape of Good Hope, in South America,

in Spain,--the 71st has been equally renowned for conduct and

discipline--in the field before the enemy, during a long peace, and

in quarters at home and abroad. It has also received the approbation

of superior military authorities.

“Since the breaking out of the war with Russia, it has seen service

in the Crimea, and the Indian Mutiny brought it once more to India,

where its early laurels were won.

“In the Central Indian Campaign of 1858, the regiment served under

Sir Hugh Rose, and received commendations from that distinguished

officer (now Lord Strathnairn), as it did with other commanders, with

whom that desultory campaign brought it into contact.

“1863 again saw the regiment in the Yuzufzai Hills, opposed to the

warlike tribes of Central Asia. Colonel Hope can never forget the

devotion of all officers and soldiers in the short but arduous

campaign, nor the handsome terms in which Lord Strathnairn, then

the Commander-in-Chief in India, acknowledged their services on its

termination.

“Colonel Hope is well aware that this short recital of the regimental

history is well known to all the older officers and soldiers, many

of whom took part in the exploits of the 71st during the last twelve

years, but he mentions them now that they may be known and remembered

by the younger members, and with the confident hope that it will

never be forgotten that the 71st has a reputation and a name in the

British army, which must be maintained at all hazards.

[Illustration: Monument erected in Glasgow Cathedral.

WILLIAM BRODIE, R.S.A., Sculptor]

“Colonel Hope now bids farewell to all his comrade officers and

soldiers with every good wish for their prosperity and happiness.”

The command of the regiment now devolved upon Major John Ignatius

Macdonnell, who obtained his promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel by

Colonel Hope’s retirement. He took over the command with the good

wishes and confidence of every one, having served in the regiment

from the date of his first commission, on the 26th of April 1844,

and been with it during the Crimea, Central Indian, and Yuzufzai

campaigns.

The detachment of the regiment at Tralee was inspected by Lord

Strathnairn, Commander of the Forces in Ireland, October 28th, 1867,

and favourably reported upon.

During the stay of the 71st in the south of Ireland, parts of it

were on several occasions called out in aid of the civil authorities

during the Fenian disturbances; and it was held to be greatly to

the credit of the regiment, that during this trying time with the

inhabitants of the south of Ireland in open revolt against Her

Majesty’s authority, there were no complaints of quarrels or other

disturbances between any civilians and soldiers of the 71st.

The establishment of the regiment was increased from the 1st of

April 1868 to the following standard:--12 companies; 1 colonel;

1 lieutenant-colonel; 2 majors; 12 captains; 14 lieutenants; 10

ensigns; 1 paymaster; 1 adjutant; 1 quarter-master; 1 surgeon; 1

assistant-surgeon; 57 sergeants; 31 buglers and pipers; and 800 rank

and file.

On the 22nd of July 1868, the regiment removed from Dublin to the

Curragh, where it remained during summer, employed exclusively in

practising field manœuvring, and in taking part in movements on a

large scale with the rest of the division.

General Lord Strathnairn inspected the regiment before leaving his

command, and expressed his regret at losing it, while he still

further complimented it on its steadiness and good behaviour.

Two depot companies having been formed, they proceeded on the 9th of

October for Aberdeen, to join the 15th depot battalion there.

On the 17th of October the regiment left the Curragh, and embarked

at Dublin on board H.M.S. “Simoom” for Gibraltar, where it arrived

on the 22d, disembarked on the 23d, and encamped under canvas on the

North Front Camping Ground until the 29th, whence it marched into

quarters and was distributed between Europa and Buena Vista Barracks.

On the 13th of March 1870 the regiment sustained the loss by death,

of its Colonel, General the Hon. Charles Grey, on which occasion the

following Order was published by the commanding officer:--

“It is with the deepest regret that the commanding officer has to

announce to the regiment the death of General the Hon. Charles

Grey, Colonel of the 71st Highland Light Infantry. This officer

has peculiar claims on the sympathy of the regiment, from the deep

interest he has always taken in its welfare, and his warm attachment

to a corps in which he served for upwards of ten years. On all

occasions he had exerted his powerful interest to promote every

measure required for the honour of the officers, non-commissioned

officers, and men, and never did he cease to watch with the kindliest

feelings the varied and honourable career in distant lands of his old

regiment, which he had been so proud of commanding in his early life.

“The officers will wear regimental mourning for the period of one

month.”

The vacancy in the colonelcy was filled up by the appointment thereto

of Lieutenant-General Robert Law, K.H., which was notified to the

regiment by the commanding officer in the following terms:--

“The commanding officer has much pleasure in informing the regiment

that Lieutenant-General Robert Law, K.H., has been appointed colonel

of the regiment, as successor to the late General the Honourable

Charles Grey.

“The following account of General Law’s services in the 71st will

sufficiently inform the regiment how much he is entitled to their

respect.”

Lieutenant-General Law served with the 71st Light Infantry on

Sir John Moore’s retreat at the action of Lago and the battle of

Corunna; the expedition to Walcheren, Liége, Ter Verre, and Flushing;

subsequently in Portugal, Spain, and the south of France, from

1810 to 1814; the action of Sobraon; the entering of the lines of

Torres Vedras; the pursuit of Massena through Portugal; the battle

of Fuentes d’Onor, on the 3rd and 5th of May 1811 (where he was

wounded in two places); the covering the two last sieges of Badajos;

the surprise and defeat of Girard’s corps at Arroyo del Molino;

the storming and destruction of the enemy’s tête-du-pont and other

works at Almarez; the defence of the Alba-de-Tormes; the battles

in the Pyrenees, in July 1813, where, on the 30th, the command of

an important post devolved upon him; the attack on Sorauren; the

capture at Elizondo of the convoy of supplies destined for the relief

of Pamplona; the battles of the Nivelle and the Nive; the action at

the Bridge of Cambo; the affair at Hellette, St Palais, Arrizarelle,

and Garris; and the action at Aire. He was employed in command of

an armed boat on night duties; in the affair with picquets on the

river Adour; at the battle of St Pierre near Bayonne, on the 13th of

December 1813; at the battle of Orthes; and the action at Tarbes,

where he was wounded.

In the foregoing services he was long Adjutant of his regiment,

and latterly acted as such to the light battalion of his brigade.

He served also in the campaign of 1815, including the battle of

Waterloo, where he was severely wounded by a cannon shot, which

also killed his horse; he served also three years in the Army of

Occupation in France, and received the war-medal with six clasps, and

was made a K.H.

On the 1st of April the strength of the regiment was reduced to 10

companies (including 2 depot companies), consisting of 34 officers,

49 sergeants, 26 buglers and pipers, and 600 rank and file.

On the 5th of November 1869, the depot moved from Aberdeen to

Fort-George; and on the 1st of April 1870, an order having been

issued for the abolition of depot battalions, they proceeded to join

the head-quarters of the 72d Highlanders at Buttevant, to which

regiment they were attached and joined on the 7th of April 1870. On

the 15th of August the establishment of the rank and file of the

regiment was increased to 650, the other ranks remaining unaltered.

On the 24th of April 1873, the regiment embarked at Gibraltar for

Malta. Previous to embarking, it was inspected by General Sir W. F.

Williams, Bart., G.C.B., who, in his address, after his inspection,

spoke of the appreciation in which the regiment was held by himself,

and by the whole garrison and inhabitants of Gibraltar, for their

soldier-like qualities, their smartness, and steadiness on duty, and

their general good conduct, and added, “I myself personally regret

your approaching departure, and I am certain that feeling is shared

by every one in the place, but I also feel convinced that you will

equally keep up the same good character in your new quarters. I wish

you all health and happiness, and a good passage to your destination.”

Under the new system the 71st Highland Light Infantry has been linked

with the 78th (Ross-shire) Highlanders, forming the 55th Brigade,

head-quarters at Fort-George.

We have much pleasure in being able to present our readers with

authentic steel portraits of two of the most eminent Colonels of

the 71st Highland Light Infantry. That of the first Colonel, John

Lord Macleod, is from the original painting in the possession of

the Duchess of Sutherland, at Tarbat House, Ross-shire; and that of

Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., from a painting in the possession of Mrs

Reynell Pack, at Avisford House, Arundel, Sussex.

FOOTNOTES:

[392] _Life of Sir David Baird_, vol. i. p. 44.

[393] Cannon’s 71st, p. 16.

[394] In these encounters the regiment suffered little loss. Munro in

his narrative mentions the following case: “I take this opportunity

of commemorating the fall of John Doune Mackay, corporal in Macleod’s

Highlanders, son of Robert Doune, the bard whose singular talent for

the beautiful and extemporaneous composition of Gaelic poetry, was

held in such esteem. This son of the bard had frequently revived the

spirits of his countrymen, when drooping in a long march, by singing

the humorous and lively productions of his father. He was killed by

a cannon shot, and buried with military honours by his comrades the

same evening.”

[395] He died in Spain, in the year 1810.

[396] Stewart’s _Sketches_.

[397] On the 23d of May 1821, His Majesty King George the Fourth was

graciously pleased to authorise the 71st to bear on the regimental

colour and appointments the word “HINDOOSTAN,” in commemoration of

its distinguished services in the several actions in which it had

been engaged, while in India, between the years 1780 and 1797.

[398] Lieut.-General Sir Harry Burrard landed during the action,

but did not assume the command. Lieut.-General Sir Hew Dalrymple

landed on the following day, and took command of the army. The force

under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore was also disembarked during the

negotiation, which subsequently took place, making the British army

amount to 32,000 men.

[399] Cannon’s _History of the 71st Regiment_, p. 73.

[400] _Journal of a Soldier of the 71st._

[401] The bonnet _cocked_ is the pattern cap to which allusion

is made in the above letter. This was in accordance with

Lieutenant-Colonel Pack’s application; and with respect to retaining

the pipes, and dressing the pipers in the Highland garb, he added,

“It cannot be forgotten how these pipes were obtained, and how

constantly the regiment has upheld its title to them. These are the

honourable characteristics which must preserve to future times the

precious remains of the old corps, and of which I feel confident His

Majesty will never have reason to deprive the 71st regiment.”

[402] Cannon’s _History of the 71st Regiment_, pp. 77-79.

[403] _Memorials of the late War_, p. 76.

[404] Thin flat cakes.

[405] _Memorials of the late War_, pp. 87-91.

[406] Cannon’s _History of the 71st Regiment_, p. 85.

[407] _Memorials of the late War_, p. 94.

[408] _Memorials of the late War_, p. 98.

[409] _Memorials of the late War_, p. 113.

[410] _Memorials of the late War_, p. 123.

[411] _Cannon’s History of the 71st Regiment_, p. 104.

[412] _Memorials of the late War_, p. 127.

[413] _Memorials of the late War_, p. 132.

[414] Cannon’s _History of the 71st Regiment_, p. 110.

[415] Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, who was mortally wounded

at Vitoria on the 21st of June 1813.

[416] _Cannon’s History of the 71st Regiment_, pp. 120, 121.

[417] Cannon’s _History of the 71st Regiment_, pp. 122, 123.

ARGYLE HIGHLANDERS,

OR

OLD SEVENTY-FOURTH HIGHLAND REGIMENT.

1778-1783.

Raising of the Regiment--America--Penobscot--Return home--Disbanded.

This regiment was raised by Colonel John Campbell of Barbreck, who

had served as captain and major of Fraser’s Highlanders in the Seven

Years’ War. To him letters of service were granted in December 1777,

and the regiment was completed in May 1778, when it was inspected

at Glasgow by General Skene. The lower orders in Argyleshire, from

their proximity to the sea, being more addicted to the naval than to

the land service, did not embrace the military profession with the

same alacrity as the other Highlanders; and the result was, that only

590 Highlanders entered this regiment. The remainder were Lowlanders

recruited in Glasgow and the western districts of Scotland. With

the exception of 4, all the officers were Highlanders, of whom 3

field-officers, 6 captains, and 14 subalterns, were of the name of

Campbell.

The 74th embarked at Greenock in August 1778, for Halifax, in Nova

Scotia, where they were garrisoned along with the Edinburgh Regiment

(the 80th) and the Duke of Hamilton’s (the 82d), all under the

command of Brigadier-General Francis Maclean. In spring, 1779, the

grenadier company, commanded by Captain Ludovick Colquhoun of Luss,

and the light company by Captain Campbell of Balnabie, were sent

to New York, and joined the army immediately before the siege of

Charlestown.

The battalion companies, with a detachment of the 82d regiment,

under the command of Brigadier-General Maclean, embarked at Halifax

in June of the same year, and took possession of Penobscot. With

the view of establishing himself there, the brigadier proceeded to

erect defences; but before these were completed, a hostile fleet

from Boston, with 2000 troops on board, under Brigadier-General

Lovel, appeared in the bay, and on the 28th of July effected a

landing on a peninsula, where the British were erecting a fort.

The enemy immediately began to erect batteries for a siege; but

their operations met with frequent interruption from parties that

sallied from the fort. Meanwhile General Maclean proceeded with his

works, and not only kept the enemy in complete check, but preserved

the communication with the shipping, which they endeavoured to cut

off. Both parties kept skirmishing till the 13th of August, on the

morning of which day Commodore Sir George Collier entered the bay

with a fleet to relieve the brigadier. The enemy immediately raised

the siege, and retired to their ships, but a part only were able to

escape. The remainder, along with the sailors of some of their ships

which had grounded, formed themselves into a body, and attempted to

penetrate through the woods; but running short of provisions, they

afterwards quarrelled among themselves, and fired on each other till

all their ammunition was spent. After upwards of 60 had been killed

and wounded in this affray, the rest dispersed in the woods, where

numbers perished. In this expedition, the 74th had 2 sergeants and 14

privates killed, and 17 rank and file wounded.

General Maclean returned to Halifax with the detachment of the

82d, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Campbell of Monzie with

the 74th at Penobscot, where they remained till the termination

of hostilities, when they embarked for England. They landed at

Portsmouth, whence they marched for Stirling, and, after being joined

by the flank companies, were reduced in the autumn of 1783.

MACDONALD’S HIGHLANDERS,

OR

OLD SEVENTY-SIXTH HIGHLAND REGIMENT.

1777-1784.

Raising of the Regiment--Refusal to embark--America--Made

prisoners--Return home--Disbanded.

Letters of service were granted in December 1777 to Lord Macdonald

to raise a regiment in the Highlands and Isles, of which corps his

lordship was offered the command; but he declined the commission,

and at his recommendation, Major John Macdonell of Lochgarry was

appointed lieutenant-colonel commandant of the regiment. Lord

Macdonald, however, exerted his influence in the formation of the

corps, and as a good selection of officers was made from the families

of the Macdonalds of Glencoe, Morar, Boisdale, and others of his own

clan, and likewise from those of other clans, as Mackinnon, Fraser

of Culduthel, Cameron of Callart, &c., a body of 750 Highlanders was

soon raised. Nearly 200 men were raised in the Lowlands by Captains

Cunningham of Craigends, and Montgomery Cunningham, and Lieutenant

Samuel Graham. These were kept together in two companies, and another

body of men, principally raised in Ireland by Captain Bruce, formed

a third company, all of which were kept perfectly distinct from the

Highlanders. The regiment was inspected at Inverness in March 1778 by

General Skene, and amounted to 1086 men, including non-commissioned

officers and drummers.

The regiment was then quartered in Fort-George, where it remained

twelve months under the command of Major Donaldson, who, from his

long experience, was well calculated to train them properly.

Being removed to Perth in March 1779, the regiment was again reviewed

by General Skene on the 10th, and, being reported complete, was

ordered to march to Burntisland for the purpose of embarking for

America. Shortly after their arrival at Burntisland, numbers of

the Highlanders were observed in parties in earnest conversation

together. The cause of this consultation was soon known. Each

company, on the evening of the third day, gave in a written

statement, complaining of non-performance of promises, of their

bounty-money being withheld, &c., and accompanied by a declaration,

that till their grievances were redressed, they would not embark.

They demanded that Lord Macdonald should be sent for to see justice

done to them. No satisfactory answer having been returned within

the time expected, the Highlanders marched off in a body, and took

possession of a hill above Burntisland. To show that these men had

no other end in view but justice, they refused to allow some young

soldiers, who had joined them in a frolic, to remain with them,

telling them that as they had no ground for complaint, they ought not

to disobey orders.

The Highlanders remained for several days on the hill without

offering the least violence, and sent in parties regularly to the

town for provisions, for which they paid punctually. During this

interval, Major Donaldson, assisted by Lieutenant David Barclay

the paymaster, investigated the claims of the men, and ascertained

that they were well founded, and Lord Macdonald having arrived, his

lordship and the major advanced the money, and paid off every demand

at their own risk. On a subsequent investigation of the individual

claims, when sent to the Isle of Skye, it was ascertained that all,

without exception, were found to be just,[418] a circumstance as

honourable to the claimants as it was disgraceful to those who had

attempted to overreach them.

This disagreeable affair being fortunately settled, the regiment

embarked on the 17th of March; but before their departure, all

the men of Skye and Uist sent the money they had received home to

their families and friends.[419] Major Donaldson being unable to

accompany the regiment on account of the delicate state of his

health, and Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell having been taken prisoner

on his passage from America, where he had been serving with Fraser’s

Highlanders, the command of the regiment devolved on Major Lord

Berridale.

The transports, with the 76th on board, touched at Portsmouth, and

while lying at Spithead, the regiment was ordered to the relief

of Jersey, which the enemy had attacked; but before reaching the

island the French had been repulsed. They then proceeded on the

voyage, and landed at New York in August. The flank companies were

then attached to the battalion, composed of the flank companies of

the other regiments, and the battalion companies were quartered

between New York and Staten Island. In February 1781, these companies

embarked for Virginia with a detachment of the army, commanded by

Major-General Phillips. The light company, being in the second

battalion of light infantry, also formed a part of the expedition.

Lord Berridale, who had, by the death of his father this year,

become Earl of Caithness, having been severely wounded at the siege

of Charlestown, returned to Scotland, and was succeeded in the

command of the regiment by the Hon. Major Needham, afterwards Earl of

Kilmorey, who had purchased Major Donaldson’s commission.

General Phillips landed at Portsmouth, Virginia, in March, and having

joined the detachment under General Arnold, the united detachments

formed a junction with the army of Lord Cornwallis in May. The

Macdonald Highlanders, on meeting with men who had braved the dangers

of the field, considered themselves as an inferior race, and sighed

for an opportunity of putting themselves on an equality with their

companions in arms, and they did not wait long.

The celebrated Marquis de la Fayette, anxious to distinguish

himself in the cause which he had espoused, determined to attack

Lord Cornwallis’s army, and in pursuance of this intention pushed

forward a strong corps, which forced the British picquets. He then

formed his line, and a warm contest immediately began, the weight

of which, on the side of the British, was sustained by the brigade

of Colonel Thomas Dundas, consisting of the 76th and 80th regiments.

These corps, which were on the left, were drawn up on an open field,

while the right of the line was covered by woods. Coming up in the

rear of the 76th, Lord Cornwallis gave the word to charge, which

being responded to by the Highlanders, they rushed forward with great

impetuosity upon the enemy, who, unable to stand the shock, turned

their backs and fled, leaving their cannon and 300 men, killed and

wounded, behind them.[420]

After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis’s army, the 76th was marched

in detachments as prisoners to different parts of Virginia. During

their confinement, many attempts were made by their emigrant

countrymen, as well as by the Americans, to induce them to join the

cause of American independence; but not one of them could be induced

by any consideration to renounce his allegiance.

The regiment, on its return to Scotland, was disbanded in March 1784

at Stirling Castle.

FOOTNOTES:

[418] Stewart.

[419] Ibid.

[420] “At the moment Lord Cornwallis was giving the orders to charge,

a Highland soldier rushed forward and placed himself in front of his

officer, Lieutenant Simon Macdonald of Morar, afterwards major of

the 92d regiment. Lieutenant Macdonald having asked what brought him

there, the soldier answered, ‘You know that when I engaged to be a

soldier, I promised to be faithful to the king and to you. The French

are coming, and while I stand here, neither bullet nor bayonet shall

touch you, except through my body!’

“Major Macdonald had no particular claim to the generous devotion

of this trusty follower, further than that which never failed to be

binding on the true Highlander,--he was born on his officer’s estate,

where he and his forefathers had been treated with kindness,--he was

descended of the same family (Clanranald),--and when he enlisted

he promised to be a faithful soldier. He was of the branch of the

Clanranald family, whose patronymic is Maceachen, or the sons of

Hector; the same branch of which Marshal Macdonald, Duke of Tarentum,

is descended.”--Stewart.