In such words did this brave, noble-mind_The Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Highland Regiments, Volume 2 (of 2)

bid farewell to his dear old regiment. He survived the “farewell”

only a few months, having died at Ellon Castle on the 27th of July of

the same year, at the comparatively early age of 57 years. So long

as the name of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders remains on the roll

of the British Army, the memory of Colonel Bertie Gordon ought to be

cherished in its ranks.

As we have already said, Colonel Gordon found a successor in

every way worthy of him in Major Sprot, who succeeded to the

lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment on the 29th of January 1870.

Captain Wood succeeded to the vacant majority, Lieutenant Alison to

the company, and Ensign Chater to the lieutenancy and adjutancy, in

which latter capacity he had acted for one year.[557]

On succeeding to the command of the regiment Colonel Sprot issued an

order, dated “Dover, 29th January 1870,” in which he said--

“With two exceptions I have seen the troops of all the states of

Europe. Full half my service was spent with our armies in India.

I have become intimate with the greater portion of our regiments,

and I have seen no body of soldiers of whom I have formed a

higher opinion than of the Argyllshire Highlanders.... I have now

under my care a regiment in the highest state of discipline and

efficiency.... Let us then join together in one continued effort to

attain this end, that the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders may ever be

second to none.”

The remainder of the distinctive history of the 91st may be very

briefly told. The regiment left Dover on the 18th of June 1870

and proceeded to Aldershot, marching the greater part of the way,

and reaching the camp on the morning of the 25th. Notwithstanding

the excessive heat of the weather, and that the men marched fully

accoutred, the column came in each day to its halting-place with the

greatest regularity, a compact body of men without a single straggler.

As soon as it was announced that a marriage was to take place between

the Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lorne, Lt.-Col. Sprot wrote

to the Duke of Argyll, offering to send a detachment of the regiment

to form a guard of honour at the wedding. The Duke replied very

graciously, and only a few days before the wedding was to take place,

Colonel Sprot learned that Her Majesty had been graciously pleased to

order that a detachment of the 91st should attend at Windsor on the

day of the marriage, March 21st, 1871.

[Illustration:

INSCRIPTION.--From the Soldiers of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders,

presented by the kind permission of Her Majesty to HER ROYAL HIGHNESS

THE PRINCESS LOUISE, on her Marriage, 21st March 1871.]

On Saturday morning, the 17th of March, a body of 100 picked men,

with band, pipers, and full complement of officers, after having been

inspected by Colonel Sprot, marched off to the tune of “Haste to

the Wedding,” amidst the encouraging cheers of their less fortunate

comrades. The guard was commanded by Captain Gregg, and marched

by Bagshot and Ascot Heath, reaching Windsor at 4 P.M. When the

detachment arrived at Windsor it found that everything had been

prepared for it by the Grenadier Guards; the officers of the latter

corps invited the officers of the 91st to be their guests, and the

soldiers had not only drawn rations and fitted beds, but had even

cooked dinner for the Highlanders.

On Monday the 20th, Lt.-Col. Sprot rode over from Aldershot to

Windsor, and on arriving at the Castle received Her Majesty’s command

to meet her at 3 o’clock P.M., in the private apartments, where she

would be prepared to receive the wedding present for her daughter,

which the officers and men of the 91st intended to give. The gift

of the officers consisted of a Brooch, the fac-simile of that worn

by them to fasten their plaids, but in pure gold, and with a very

handsome cairngorm pebble, set transparently, together with a copy

in miniature of the regimental dirk, in Scotch pebble, suited for a

shawl pin. On the back of the brooch were engraved the names of all

the officers then serving. The gift from the soldiers, to which they

unanimously subscribed, was a SILVER BISCUIT-BOX, in the shape of one

of their own drums, with the honours of the regiment engraved on the

side, and an appropriate inscription on the head. It was mounted on a

stand of Scotch bog oak, with silver corners and feet.

Colonel Sprot, in his audience with the Queen, was accompanied by

Captain Gregg, Lt. Grant, Sergeant-Major Fasinidge, and Pipe-Major

M’Dougal. Her Majesty was accompanied by the Princess Louise, Prince

Arthur, Prince Christian, and others. Lt.-Col. Sprot, in a few

appropriate and well-chosen words, presented the officers’ present,

which the Princess graciously accepted, and desired Colonel Sprot

to convey to the officers “her sincere thanks for their very pretty

present.” Colonel Sprot then intimated to Her Majesty the wish of

the non-commissioned officers and men to offer the present above

mentioned, at which Her Majesty expressed much gratification.

On the day of the ceremony the guard of Highlanders was drawn up at

the entrance to St George’s Chapel, Windsor, Colonel Sprot having

command of the troops at the chapel. After the ceremony, the officers

of the guard had the honour of being present at the déjeuner, the

bagpipes and drums of the 91st playing alternately with the band of

the Grenadier Guards.

The guard of the 91st returned to Aldershot on the 22nd by the way it

came. During its stay at Aldershot it went through the usual routine

of field-days, inspections, and other duties, invariably winning the

genuine approbation of every officer that had the opportunity of

witnessing its training. On the 10th of July, when the Queen reviewed

the troops at Aldershot, the 91st marched past by double companies of

70 file, and marched so well, that Her Majesty sent a complimentary

message to the regiment by the General commanding the brigade.

In August, while the festivities consequent on the wedding of the

Marquis of Lorne were going on at Inverary,[558] the soldiers’

present was sent to the Princess Louise, who, as well as the Marquis,

cordially accepted and acknowledged it. On the application of the

Duke of Argyll, three pipers of the regiment, with the Pipe-Major,

attended these rejoicings, and were much admired both for their

soldier-like appearance and good playing.

In September 1871 the 91st formed part of the force which was called

out for field manœuvres, immediately after the conclusion of which,

the regiment received orders to proceed to Aberdeen and Fort George.

On the 27th and 30th the regiment left Aldershot in two detachments

for London, and embarked the same day at Wapping, and reached

Aberdeen on the 29th of September and the 4th of October

respectively; the second detachment was delayed by stormy weather.

The former detachment, headquarters, reached Fort George on the

day of its arrival at Aberdeen, but the second detachment, of four

companies, remained at Aberdeen.

Shortly after the marriage of the Princess Louise, Her Majesty

expressed a desire to confer some distinguishing mark on the 91st

Argyllshire Highlanders to commemorate the event, and desired

Lt.-Col. Sprot to be communicated with as to what the regiment would

like. Colonel Sprot, after consulting with his oldest officer,

suggested the kilt, to which Her Majesty readily agreed, but to which

the military authorities objected. Colonel Sprot then intimated

that the regiment would like to be designated “the Princess Louise

Argyllshire Highlanders,” and bear on its colour the boar’s head,

with the motto “Ne Obliviscaris” (crest and motto of the Argyll

family). To this there could be no objection, and a War-Office

memorandum, of April 2nd, 1872, authorised the regiment to indulge

its wish, the Princess Louise’s coronet and cypher to be also placed

on the three corners of the regimental colour.

After staying about eighteen months at Fort George, the 91st

proceeded to Edinburgh in May 1873. The regiment arrived at Granton

on the morning of May the 12th, and after landing in the most orderly

manner, commenced its march under Colonel Sprot up the hill to

the old castle on the rock. On the route the 91st passed the 93rd

Sutherland Highlanders, who were marching out of the castle, and were

on their way to embark at Granton; each corps shouldered arms to the

other, and the pipers struck up a merry greeting. The large crowds

of people who had collected along the route to witness the departure

of the 93rd, waited to give a hearty welcome to the Princess Louise

Highlanders.

During its stay in Edinburgh the regiment gained the respect and

admiration of the inhabitants for their steady conduct and soldierly

bearing. The efforts made by Colonel Sprot to keep his troops up to

the highest state of efficiency won the praise both of the press and

the citizens.[559]

For the first time in Edinburgh the military stationed in the Castle

had a field-day in the prosecution of drill in outpost duty, which

excited a deal of interest and curiosity on the part of the citizens,

who had not been made aware of the arrangements. Col. Sprot of

the 91st so highly appreciates this method of training, which is

frequently practised at Aldershot and other large military stations,

that at Fort George he had frequent recourse to it. A variety of

exciting movements took place, ranging from Duddingston and Arthur

Seat all along the route to the Castle Esplanade. The crowd attracted

by the firing in the streets gradually augmented both in numbers and

excitement. The whole proceedings lasted over seven hours, and the

troops being drawn up in square, were complimented on their conduct

throughout the engagement.

During the time that the 91st were in Edinburgh they had repeatedly

been out on field-days, and besides such strategic movements as

above, have also been systematically exercised in throwing up

trenches, tent-pitching, flag-signalling, &c.

After remaining in Edinburgh for about a year only, to the great

regret of the inhabitants, the 91st left for Newry in Ireland on the

29th of June 1874.

In conclusion, we should mention, that belonging to the officer’s

mess of the Argyllshire Highlanders is quite a little museum

of precious and artistic curiosities. One of the most valuable

and interesting of these is a tontine snuff-box of silver gilt,

casket-shape, 8¼ inches long, 6 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. This

very handsome box was originated by the officers who were in the

regiment in the year 1810, on the condition that it could be claimed

by the last survivor, if replaced by a similar box. It was claimed

in 1841 by Colonel Anderson, who replaced it by a similar box,

the original box being now in Edinburgh, in possession of General

Anderson, late R.A., the nephew of the late Colonel Anderson. In

1870 Colonel Bertie Gordon was the last survivor of those whose

names were inscribed on the box of 1841, and as it was not claimed

by him, it became the property of the officers then serving in the

regiment, whose names are inscribed on the inner lids of the box.

On the outside of the lid is the arms of the regiment, surmounted

by the crown, and on the oval the names of the victories up to the

Peninsula. On the bottom of the box, underneath the Rose, Shamrock,

and Thistle, and the date 1810, are the names of those who started

the original box, headed by Lt.-Col. William Douglas. There are 50

names in all, and of these 11 are Campbells, and 17 others belong to

various Highland clans; of the remainder, 11 seem distinctly Scotch.

On the inside of the lid are the names of the officers of the

regiment in 1841, when the new box was presented, headed by Colonel

Gabriel Gordon and Lt.-Col. R. Anderson. Here there are in all 41

names, only 2 of them being Campbells, although 15 seem certainly

Scotch, 3 being Gordons. On the inner lids of the box, as we have

said, are the names of the officers who were in the regiment in

1870, when Colonel Bertie Gordon, failing to claim it, it became the

property of the officers. The list is headed by Lt.-Col. Sprot, and

there are 37 in all. Let us hope that it will be long before there

will be a last survivor to claim it.

Among the mess plate there are several other articles of beautiful

characteristic and artistic design. Of these we may mention the

following:--

A large punch-bowl, of repoussé work, silver; height, 9 inches,

diameter, 13½ inches, presented by General Duncan Campbell of

Lochnell. It is handsomely embossed with a design of flowers,

grapes, and other fruits, and is supposed to have been originally

taken by the French from a Spanish convent during the Peninsular

war, and to have afterwards fallen into the hands of General

Campbell. The ladle belonging to the bowl is of very ancient and

peculiar design, having a Spanish coin, date 1758, at the bottom.

A silver snuff-box in two divisions, the gift of Lt.-Col. Catlin

Crawfurd, who commanded the 91st in the Peninsula. Several silver

mounted horn snuff-mulls, presented at different periods, including

a very large and handsome ram’s head, mounted with silver, studded

with cairngorms, as a snuff and cigar box, the joint gift of

Lieutenants W. Grant and C. L. Harvey in the year 1864, bearing the

names of the officers then serving in the regiment. The width across

the horns is 17 inches.

A cigar-lighter in the form of a boar’s head, the regimental crest

in silver, mounted on an oval ebony stand with wheels. The upper

part of the head forms a receptacle for spirits of wine. The tushes

are removable and tipped with asbestos. This is the joint gift of

Captain C. G. Alison and Lieutenant and Adjutant Vernor Chater, date

1870.

Lastly, we shall mention a large silver quaich, 4½ inches in

diameter, with straight projecting handles, with the boar’s head

engraved on them. It is of ancient Highland pattern, and has

engraved round the upper portion a tracing taken from one of

the remarkable stones of Argyll. It bears this inscription in

Gaelic,--“From the Officers of the Highland Rifle Regiment (Militia)

to the Officers of the 91st Princess Louise’s Highlanders, Fort

George, May 1872.”

A fine example of the spirit of friendly rivalry and mutual good

feeling subsisting between the line and the volunteers was shown on

the 23rd of May and the 6th of June 1874, in a competition between

ten sergeants of the 91st (Princess Louise Argyllshire Highlanders)

and an equal number of the 1st Mid-Lothian Rifle Volunteers,

which took place at the Seafield Ranges. At the conclusion of the

first match the volunteers entertained their military friends and

competitors at dinner; and at the conclusion of the second match,

which came off at the ranges in Hunter’s Bog, when there was only

one point of difference in the scores, the Mid-Lothian team were

invited by their military friends to the castle, where they were

entertained at dinner in a very handsome and cordial manner. Before

separating, the Leith men presented the team of the 91st with a

beautiful gold cross, to be competed for by those who had shot in

both matches, the conditions to be arranged by themselves. It was

much regretted that the early departure of the 91st prevented a

third trial of skill, the more especially as the competitors were so

equally matched.

A portrait of General Duncan Campbell of Lochnell, after the painting

by Sir Henry Raeburn, R.A., is given on the plate of Colonels of the

91st, 92nd, and 93rd Regiments.

SUCCESSION LIST OF COLONELS AND LIEUTENANT-COLONELS OF THE 91ST

PRINCESS LOUISE ARGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS.

COLONELS.

+------------------+---------------+--------+----------+--------------+

+------------------+---------------+--------+----------+--------------+

| | | | | |

| General G. Gordon| April 10, 1837| -- | Do. | Jan. 6, 1781 |

| | | | | |

| Lieut.-General C.| Aug. 8, 1855 | -- | Ireland | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| General James R. | Aug. 27, 1870 | -- | | |

+------------------+---------------+--------+----------+--------------+

(Second part of table)

+------------------+---------------------+---------------------------+

| | By whose | |

| Names. | vacancy, and | Remarks. |

| | by what means. | |

+------------------+---------------------+---------------------------+

| General Duncan | New appointment. | Promoted to Major-General,|

| Campbell | | April 29, 1802; |

| | | Lt.-General, April 25, |

| | | 1808; General, August |

| | | 12, 1819. |

| | | |

| General G. Gordon| _Vice_ General D. | Died Aug. 7, 1855. |

| | Campbell deceased.| |

| | | |

| Lieut.-General C.| _Vice_ General | Transferred to 6th |

| Gore | Gordon deceased, | Regiment, March |

| | Aug. 7, 1855. | 9, 1861. |

| | | |

| Major-General C. | _Vice_ Lt.-General | Promoted Lt.-General, |

| Murray Hay | Sir Charles Gore | Aug. 24, 1861. |

| | removed. | |

| | | |

| Lieut.-General C.| _Vice_ Lt.-General | Transferred from |

| G. J. Arbuthnot| C. Murray Hay | 86th, July 15, 1864. |

| | deceased. | |

| | | |

| General James R. | _Vice_ Lt.-General | |

| Craufurd | C. G. J. Arbuthnot| |

| | transferred | |

| | to 72nd. | |

+------------------+---------------------+---------------------------+

LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.

+------------------+---------------+--------+----------+---------------+

+------------------+---------------+--------+----------+---------------+

| | | | | |

| J. M’Donald | Sept. 23, 1824| 36 | Do. | Dec. 17, 1803 |

| | | | | |

| J. M. Sutherland | Sept. 16, 1827| 44 | Do. | Nov. 27, 1794 |

| | | | | |

| R. Anderson | Dec. 2, 1831 | 42 | Do. | July 9, 1803 |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| Bertie Gordon | Aug. 31, 1858 | 42 | Scotland | Oct. 26, 1832 |

| | | | | |

| W. T. L. | Nov. 12, 1860 | 38 | Do. | Feb. 22, 1859 |

| | | | | |

| J. Sprot | Jan. 29, 1870 | 39 | Do. | Oct. 17, 1851 |

+------------------+---------------+--------+----------+---------------+

(Second part of table)

+------------------+---------------------+---------------------------+

| | By whose | |

| Names. | vacancy, and | Remarks. |

| | by what means. | |

+------------------+---------------------+---------------------------+

| D. Macneil | _Vice_ Douglas | Removed Sept. 23, 1824. |

| | deceased. | |

| | | |

| J. M’Donald | _Vice_ Macneil | Army rank, Sept. 4, 1817; |

| | retired. | retired on Half-pay. |

| | | |

| J. M. Sutherland | _Vice_ Dalyell. | Army rank, May 1825; |

| | | retired Dec. 2, 1831. |

| | | |

| R. Anderson | _Vice_ Sutherland | Retired July 2, 1841. |

| | retired. | |

| | | |

| C. Burne | _Vice_ Anderson | Exchanged to Half-pay, |

| | retired. | July 16, 1841. |

| | | |

| R. Macneil | _Vice_ Burne to | Exchanged to 78th |

| | Half-pay. | Regiment, April 15, |

| | | 1842. |

| | | |

| M. G. T. Lindsay | _Vice_ Macneil, | Retired Oct. 13, 1848. |

| | 78th Regiment. | |

| | | |

| J. F. G. Campbell| Without purchase. | Colonel, June 20, 1854, |

| | | Augmentation Reserve |

| | | Battalion; promoted |

| | | Major-General, |

| | | Nov. 12, 1860. |

| | | |

| C. C. Yarborough | With purchase; | Reduced to Half-pay, 1855;|

| | _vice_ Lindsay | Colonel, Nov. 28, 1853. |

| | retired. | |

| | | |

| Bertie Gordon | Augmentation to | Retired by sale, |

| | the Indian | Jan. 29, 1870. |

| | Establishment. | |

| | | |

| W. T. L. | Without purchase; | Seconded April 1, 1861; |

| Patterson | _vice_ Campbell | to Half-pay |

| | promoted. | on reduction. |

| | | |

| J. Sprot | With purchase; | |

| | _vice_ Gordon | |

| | retired on | |

| | Half-pay. | |

+------------------+---------------------+---------------------------+

FOOTNOTES:

[537] Here we cannot help expressing our regret at the meagreness

of the regimental Record Book, which, especially the earlier part

of it, consists of the barest possible statement of the movements

of the regiment, no details whatever being given of the important

part it took in the various actions in which it was engaged. This

we do not believe arose from any commendable modesty on the part of

the regimental authorities, but, to judge from the preface to the

present handsome and beautifully kept Record Book, was the result of

pure carelessness. In the case of the 91st, as in the case of most

of the other regiments, we have found the present officers and all

who have been connected with the regiment eager to lend us all the

help in their power; but we fear it will be difficult to supply the

deficiencies of the Record Book, which, as an example, dismisses

Toulouse in about six lines.

[538] See his portrait on p. 642, vol. ii.

[539] The account we are able to give here may be supplemented by

what has been said regarding the Peninsular war in connection with

some of the other regiments.

[540] In connection with the 42nd and 79th Regiments, which with

the 91st formed the Highland brigade, many details of the battle of

Toulouse have already been given, which need not be repeated here.

[541] Shortly after Sir William Douglas assumed the command, the

Duke of Wellington came up and asked who had the command of the

brigade. Colonel Douglas replied that he had the honour to command it

just then; when Wellington said, “No man could do better,” adding,

“take the command, and keep it,” which Colonel Douglas did until the

brigade reached home. Lt.-Colonel Douglas was presented with a gold

medal for his services in the Peninsula, and subsequently created

K.C.B.

[542] At Waterloo Captain Thomas Hunter Blair of the 91st was doing

duty as major of brigade to the 3rd brigade of British Infantry, and

for his meritorious conduct on that occasion was promoted Lt.-Col. of

the army.

[543] The ceded territory was occupied by certain Kaffir tribes only

conditionally; by their depredations they had long forfeited all

right to remain there.

[544] _The Cape and the Kaffirs_, p. 111.

[545] Mrs Ward’s _Cape and the Kaffirs_, p. 86.

[546] Page 87.

[547] When the reserve battalion was holding Block Drift, a very

daring act was performed by two private soldiers of the regiment. A

despatch arrived for the Governor, Sir Peregrine Maitland, escorted

by 18 mounted burghers, with a request from the commandant at

Fort Beaufort, that it should be sent on as soon as possible. The

communication between Block Drift and Fort Cox, where the Governor

was, was completely cut off; and accordingly volunteers were called

for to carry the despatch. Two men immediately came forward, Robert

Walsh and Thomas Reilly, and to them the despatch was entrusted. They

left Block Drift shortly after dark, and proceeded on their perilous

journey--dressed in uniform and with their muskets. All went well for

the first six miles, although they found themselves in the vicinity

of the Kaffirs. Suddenly, on entering a wooded valley at the foot

of the Amatola mountains, they came right upon a Kaffir encampment,

and had hardly time to throw themselves on the ground in the thick

underwood, when they found to their horror that the natives had

heard their footsteps, as the latter rushed into the thicket in all

directions to look for the intruders. Fortunately a porcupine was

sighted, and the Kaffirs evidently satisfied, returned to their camp,

muttering that it was an “Easterforke,” _Anglicé_ porcupine, that

had alarmed them. Walsh and Reilly, holding their breath, saw the

Kaffirs prepare to eat their supper, after which they began to post

their sentries! One was put within six yards of the gallant fellows,

who, not quite discouraged, still kept quiet. The remaining Kaffirs

rolled themselves up in their blankets, and went to sleep. The sentry

stood for a few minutes,--looked round, then sat down for a few more

minutes, looked round again, and then wrapped himself in his blanket,

and slept peacefully too. Walsh and Reilly, as may be imagined, did

not give him the chance of waking, but made off. They then made a

wide circuit, and after numerous escapes from detection, once having

been challenged by a Kaffir sentinel (who was not asleep), they came

to the Keiskama river, and knowing that all the fords were guarded by

the Kaffirs, they had to cross by swimming, finally reaching Fort Cox

shortly before daylight. Here their dangers were not over, for the

sentries, not expecting anything but Kaffirs, treated them to some

rapid file firing. Again they lay down in shelter until daybreak,

when, being recognised as British soldiers, they were warmly welcomed

and delivered their important despatches. Poor Walsh was afterwards

killed in action, and Reilly was discharged with a pension after 21

years’ service, though it is to be regretted that neither received at

the time any public reward of their gallant night’s work, which in

these days would certainly have been rewarded with the Victoria Cross.

[548] During the advance of the enemy on Block Drift, at the

beginning of the war, and when this post was commanded by Lt.-Colonel

(then Major) Campbell, he took up a position on the top of the

school-house, rifle in hand; four men were employed in loading his

arms for him, and he brought down two of the enemy successively in

a few minutes. When a third fell dead, a soldier of the reserve

battalion 91st Regiment could restrain himself no longer; forgetting

Col. Campbell’s rank as an officer, in his delight at his prowess

as a soldier, the man slapped his commanding officer on the back

with a shout of delight, and the exclamation, “Weell done, Sodger!”

Was not such a compliment worth all the praise of an elaborate

despatch?--_The Cape and the Kaffirs_, p. 198.

[549] Among the arrangements for the protection of the colony a force

was organised in 1848, by placing soldiers discharged from various

regiments, including the 91st, on certain grants of land in British

Kaffraria, and thus forming military villages.

[550] See vol. ii. p. 599.

[551] When the force was retiring in the direction of their camp,

each regiment covered by a company in skirmishing order, that of the

91st was under Lt. Bond. This officer was very short-sighted, and

by some means or other was separated from his men, and was nearer

the enemy than his skirmishers. Suddenly he was attacked by two

Kaffirs, armed, one of whom seized him by the coat. At that time men

wearing only side arms were always told off to carry stretchers for

the wounded. One of these men, John Sharkie by name, suddenly saw

Lt. Bond in the clutches of the savages. He rushed up, struck one of

them on the head with his stretcher, killed him dead, and drawing a

butcher’s knife which he carried in a sheath, plunged it into the

throat of the other. Lt. Bond, who then realised the extent of his

escape, coolly adjusted his eyeglass, which he always carried, looked

steadily at Sharkie, then at the Kaffirs, and said, “By God, Sharkie,

you’re a devilish plucky fellow; I will see you are properly rewarded

for your bravery;” and he kept his word.

[552] See vol. ii. p. 604.

[553] Ibid. p. 599.

[554] On Nov. 12, 1860, Colonel Campbell became Major-General.

[555] We must mention here that on the 1st of Nov. of this year

Quartermaster Paterson took his final leave of the regiment, which,

as a private, he joined in 1832, and from which he had never been

absent since joining it. He was with it in St Helena, Africa, Greece,

the Ionian Islands, and India, from which last place he now left the

regiment as an invalid. In his long and varied service he always

proved himself a worthy soldier.

[556] This, we think, is the proper place to give a few personal

details of Col. Bertie Gordon, who was in many respects a very

remarkable man--a man imbued with the most chivalrous notions

of a soldier’s vocation, and at the same time one of the most

practical men that ever held command of a regiment. He was a strict

disciplinarian, and yet no officer could take more care than he

of the personal comfort and best welfare of his men. He loved his

regiment dearly, and it is greatly owing to him that the 91st has

attained its present position. He has found a successor in every

respect worthy of him in the present commander, Lt.-Col. Sprot.

Bertie Edward Murray was born at Auchlunies, Aberdeenshire, on the

17th of Dec. 1813. He was the son of Alexander Gordon, Esq., of

Auchlunies, afterwards of Ellon Castle, Aberdeenshire, and Albinia

Louisa Cumberland, daughter of Lady Albinia Cumberland. He was

educated at Rainham, Kent, the Edinburgh Academy, and the Edinburgh

Royal Military Academy. He obtained his first commission in the 91st

Regiment in the year 1832, and joined in 1833. At school Bertie

Gordon showed abilities much beyond average. Reserved, and sometimes

proud, Bertie Gordon was slow to form intimate friendships, but he

was warm-hearted and generous, ever ready to assist a companion,

or to prevent the oppression of a younger boy. Always strictly

honourable and truthful, he was fearless of danger, and if, in

boyish pranks, there was anything to be done which required nerve

and courage, Bertie Gordon was sure to be found in the front ranks.

The chief incidents in his military career have been already told.

Did space permit, we could fill pages concerning the institutions

he founded in the regiment--gymnasia for non-commissioned officers

and men, reading-rooms, refreshment-rooms, dancing-rooms, children’s

homes, &c. His name is worthy of remembrance as one who had the

loftiest ideas of the duties of his position, and who spared no pains

to carry out his ideas by the wisest action. A regiment commanded by

such a man could not fail to attain the highest degree of efficiency.

[557] We very much regret that space does not permit our giving a

detailed account of the many and varied services of Colonel Sprot

since he joined the army in 1848. Colonel Sprot, we may here mention,

belongs to one of the oldest and best known Edinburgh families.

He is son of Mark Sprot, Esq. of Riddell, Roxburghshire, and has

connections among many old and well-known Scottish families, both

Highland and Lowland. It would be difficult to find an officer in any

branch of Her Majesty’s service who has taken more pains to attain

a thorough knowledge of every branch of science that in any way

bears upon the duties which an officer may, under any circumstances,

be called upon to perform. His preparations for a military career

did not cease when he obtained his commission, but by persevering

study he so mastered the arts of engineering, surveying, and similar

branches of applied science, that while still a lieutenant he was

employed by Government in the superintendence of works of the highest

importance in India. From 1849 Colonel Sprot spent about twelve years

in India, during the greater part of which he occupied positions,

both civil and military, of the greatest responsibility. As captain

he served continuously throughout the whole of the Indian Mutiny from

May 1857 until May 1860; was present in one action, and received the

Indian war medal for his services. Colonel Sprot joined the 91st

as a major from the 83rd regiment in the year 1868, and since he

assumed command he has set himself heart and soul to raise the 91st

Highlanders to the highest possible pitch of efficiency. Every man

in the regiment is carefully trained in all the practical duties of

a soldier; and, indeed, to a great deal more than a soldier is bound

to know, and that in such a manner, that were the regiment to be

suddenly engaged in an active campaign, it would likely have less

difficulty than most regiments in adapting itself to the exigencies

of the occasion.

[558] Lt.-Col. Sprot was invited to the castle on the occasion, but

by a severe illness was prevented from being able to accept the

invitation.

[559] Colonel Sprot, we may mention here, is the author of a little

manual of outpost duty, written in a concise and clear manner, and

giving a reason for everything. This manual will be found useful to

all ranks, from the field-officer to the sentry.

THE 92ND GORDON HIGHLANDERS.

1794-1816.

Raising the regiment--The Duchess of Gordon’s bounty--The Lochaber

men and Captain John Cameron--First list of officers--Thoroughly

Highland character of the Gordon Highlanders--M’Kinnon the bard

--First five years of service--Ireland--Holland--Egmont-op-Zee--Sir

John Moore’s regard for the regiment--Egypt--Severe losses of the

regiment--M’Kinnon’s poem on the battle of Alexandria--Ireland

--Glasgow--Weeley--Copenhagen--Sweden--Portugal--Walcheren--Peninsula

--Fuentes d’Onor--Arroyo de Molinos--Almaraz--Alba de Tormes

--Vittoria--Pyrenees--Maya--92nd disregards orders--Nive--Orthes

--Aire--Ireland--2nd battalion disbanded--Brussels--Quatre

Bras--Colonel John Cameron--Waterloo--Paris--Home.

[Illustration:

EGMONT-OP-ZEE.

MANDORA.

EGYPT WITH SPHINX.

CORUNNA.

FUENTES D’ONOR.

ALMARATH.

VITTORIA.

PYRENEES.

NIVE.

ORTHES.

PENINSULA.

WATERLOO.]

The Marquis of Huntly,[560] whilst a captain in the 3rd Foot Guards,

having offered to raise a regiment for general service, letters were

granted to him for this purpose on the 10th of February 1794. In

his zeal for the service the marquis was backed by his father and

mother, the Duke and Duchess of Gordon, both of whom, along with

the marquis himself, took an active share in the recruiting. It is

quite a true story that the beautiful Duchess of Gordon recruited

in person on horseback at markets, wearing a regimental jacket and

bonnet, and offering for recruits the irresistible bounty of a kiss

and a guinea. The result was, that, within the short space of four

months, the requisite number of men was raised, and on the 24th of

June the corps was inspected at Aberdeen[561] by Major-General Sir

Hector Munro, and embodied under the denomination of the “Gordon

Highlanders.” The officers appointed were:--

_Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant._

George, Marquis of Huntly.

_Majors._

Charles Erskine of Cadross, killed in Egypt in 1801.

Donald Macdonald of Boisdale, died in 1795.

_Captains._

Alexander Napier of Blackstone, killed at Corunna in 1809.

John Cameron of Fassifern, killed at Quatre Bras, 16th June, 1815.

Honourable John Ramsay, son of Lord Dalhousie.

Andrew Paton.

William Mackintosh of Aberarder, killed in Holland in 1799.

Alexander Gordon, son of Lord Rockville, killed at Talavera in

1808, Lieutenant-Colonel 83rd regiment.

Simon Macdonald of Morar.

_Captain-Lieutenant._

John Gordon, retired as Major.

_Lieutenants._

Peter Grant, died in 1817, Major on half-pay.

Archibald Macdonell, died in 1813, Lieutenant-Colonel of veterans.

Alexander Stewart.

Sir John Maclean, Major-General, K.C.B., 1825.

Peter Gordon, died 1806.

Thomas Forbes, killed at Toulouse in 1814, Lieutenant-Colonel of

the 45th regiment.

Ewan Macpherson.

George H. Gordon.

_Ensigns._

Charles Dowie, died of wounds in Egypt in 1801.

George Davidson, killed at Quatre Bras in 1815, then Captain in the

42nd regiment.

Archibald Macdonald.

Alexander Fraser, killed 2nd October 1799.

William Tod.

James Mitchell, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1815, retired in 1819.

_Staff._

_Chaplain._--William Gordon.

_Adjutant._--James Henderson, died in 1796.

_Quarter-master._--Peter Wilkie, died in 1806.

_Surgeon._--William Findlay, died in Egypt in 1801.

[Illustration: COLONELS OF THE 91^{ST} 92^{ND} AND 93^{RD}

HIGHLANDERS.

GEN^L DUNCAN CAMPBELL OF LOCHNELL.

Col. of 91^{st} Highl^{rs} 10^{th} Feb. 1794--9^{th} April 1837.

_First Colonel._

GEORGE, MARQUIS OF HUNTLY.

Col. of 92^{nd} Highl^{rs} 3^{rd} May 1796--3^{rd} Jan. 1806.

_Also Col. of 42^{nd} Highl^{rs} 3^{rd} Jan. 1806--29^{th}

Jan. 1820._

MAJOR GEN^L. W. WEMYSS OF WEMYSS.

Col. of 93^{rd} Highl^{rs} 25^{th} Aug^t 1800--Feb. 1822.

_First Colonel._

SIR H. W. STISTED, K.C.B.

Col. of 93^{rd} Highl^{rs} 28^{th} Sep^t 1873--

A. Fullerton & C^o London & Edinburgh.]

It is apt to be supposed that because the Gordon estates now lie only

in Aberdeen and Banff, and because the regiment was first collected

at Aberdeen, that it belongs particularly to that district; but this

is quite a mistake. The 92nd was raised principally in the highland

districts of the Gordon estates, and from the estates of the officers

or their relations; but it should be remembered that these estates

then extended, or the Duke had seignorities over the lands, as far

west as Ballachulish and Lochiel, taking in Strathspey, and Lochaber,

and it was from these highland districts, of which Fort-William is

the centre, that it was mostly raised and for a long time after

recruited. It also drew very many of its men from Argyll and the

Western Isles. The 92nd along with the 79th should be classed with

the Inverness-shire, &c., Militia, and, in conjunction with the 91st

and 74th, along with the Argyllshire; the 92nd being connected with

North Argyll and Isles, the 91st with Lorn, and the 74th with Cowal

and Kintyre. It has always been particular in its recruiting; even

after giving nearly all its men as volunteers to regiments going to

the Crimea, and stress being laid upon it to fill up quickly, the

commanding officers determined to enlist, as usual, only Scotchmen,

and hence the great popularity of the corps in Scotland. Although

the men (with the exception of volunteers from other regiments), are

still all Scotch, they are not so entirely from the Highlands as

formerly; yet the regiment is quite an example in spirit and feeling

of the old Highland clan, and M’Donald is still the most common

name in its ranks. Several Gaelic poets or “bards” have worn its

tartan, the most distinguished being Corporal Alexander M’Kinnon, a

native of Arasaig, in Inverness-shire, whose descriptions of the

battles of Bergen-op-Zoom and the war in Egypt are among the most

spirited modern Gaelic poems. The officers have all along been mostly

taken from among good Scottish families; and so highly were its

non-commissioned officers thought of in the army, that it was, and

is, no uncommon thing for them to be promoted as sergeant-majors and

as adjutants into other corps, and to be selected as adjutants of

militia and volunteers.

The regiment embarked at Fort-George on the 9th of July 1794, and

joined the camp on Netley Common in August, when it was put on the

list of numbered corps as the 100th regiment. The first five years of

its service were spent at Gibraltar, Corsica, Elba, and Ireland, in

which latter place it had most arduous and trying duties to perform;

these, however, it performed with the best results to the country.

The Gordon Highlanders left Ireland in June 1799 for England, to

join an armament then preparing for the coast of Holland. The number

of the regiment was changed about this time to the 92nd, the former

regiment of that number, and others, having been reduced.

The first division of the army, of which the 92nd formed part, landed

on the Dutch coast, near the Helder, on the morning of the 27th of

August, without opposition; but the troops had scarcely formed on a

ridge of sand hills, at a little distance from the beach, when they

were attacked by the enemy, who were however driven back, after a

sharp contest of some hours’ duration. The 92nd, which formed a part

of General Moore’s brigade, was not engaged in this affair; but in

the battle which took place between Bergen and Egmont on the 2nd of

October it took a very distinguished share. General Moore was so

well pleased with the heroic conduct of the corps on this occasion,

that, when he was made a knight of the Bath, and obtained a grant of

supporters for his armorial bearings, he took a soldier of the Gordon

Highlanders in full uniform as one of them.[562] In the action

alluded to, the 92nd had Captain William Mackintosh, Lts. Alexander

Fraser, Gordon M’Hardy, 3 sergeants, and 54 rank and file, killed;

and Colonel, the Marquis of Huntly, Captains John Cameron, Alexander

Gordon, Peter Grant, John Maclean, Lieutenants George Fraser, Charles

Chadd, Norman Macleod, Donald Macdonald, Ensigns Charles Cameron,

John Macpherson, James Bent, G. W. Holmes, 6 sergeants, 1 drummer,

and 175 rank and file, wounded.

[Illustration: General Sir John Moore.

(From a painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence.)]

After returning to England, the regiment again embarked on the 27th

of May 1800, and sailed for the coast of France; but no landing

took place, and the fleet proceeded to Minorca, where the 92nd

disembarked on the 20th of July. It formed part of the expedition

against Egypt, details of which will be found in the account of the

service of the 42nd regiment. The Gordon Highlanders particularly

distinguished themselves in the battle of the 13th of March 1801.

The British army moved forward to the attack in three columns of

regiments; the 90th, or Perthshire regiment, led the advance of the

first or centre column, and the Gordon Highlanders that of the second

or left, the reserve marching on the right, covering the movements of

the first line, and running parallel with the other two columns. The

enemy were strongly fortified on a rising ground, and well appointed

with cavalry and artillery. As soon as the regiments in advance had

cleared some palm and date trees they began to deploy into line; but

before the whole army had formed the enemy opened a heavy fire of

cannon and musketry, and descended from the heights to attack the

92nd, which had by this time formed in line. The fire was quickly

returned by the Gordon Highlanders, who not only firmly maintained

their ground singly against the attacks of the enemy supported by a

powerful artillery, but drove them back with loss. In this action the

92nd had 19 rank and file killed; and Lt.-Col. Charles Erskine (who

afterwards died of his wounds), Captains the Honourable John Ramsay,

Archibald Macdonald, Lts. Norman Macleod, Charles Dowie (both of

whom also died of their wounds), Donald Macdonald, Tomlin Campbell,

Alexander Clarke (the two last died of their wounds), Ronald

Macdonald, Alexander Cameron, Ensign Peter Wilson, 10 sergeants, and

100 rank and file wounded.

The regiment had suffered much from sickness during the voyage from

Minorca to Egypt, and with this and its recent loss in battle it

was so reduced in numbers that General Abercromby ordered it to the

rear on the night of the 20th of March, in order to take post upon

the shore at Aboukir. Major Napier, on whom the command of the 92nd

had devolved in consequence of the death of Col. Erskine, did not,

however, remain long in this position, but hurried back as soon as

he heard the firing, and assumed his former place in the line. The

regiment lost 3 rank and file killed, and Captain John Cameron, Lt.

Stewart Matheson, and 37 rank and file wounded.

At the battle of Alexandria, Corporal M’Kinnon, the Gaelic poet

already alluded to, was severely wounded, and was nearly buried for

dead, when his friend, Sergeant M’Lean, saved him. He composed a

Gaelic poem, full of spirit, on the battle, part of which we give in

a translation by the Rev. Dr Maclauchlan:--

A SONG OF THE BATTLE IN EGYPT.

It was not heard in the course of history,

In the conflict or strife of arms,

That fifteen thousand men so famous as you

Drew swords under their King.

Glorious was the Scottish champion

Who had that matter entrusted to him;

They were not clowns who were chosen with him,

To bring their deeds of arms to an issue.

* * * * *

The brave heroes were drawn

Into a heavy, fierce body;

Powerful, strong were the hands,

The fine spark going off;

Seeking a place where they might kneel,

If any enemy were to meet them,

The ground would be left bloody

With steel that pierces men’s bodies.

There were hearty, vigorous lads there,

Who never yielded in fear,

Following them as best they might.

Fifty horse were turned by their exploits.

It was a vain thought for the horsemen

That they could not find men to contend with them;

And the heroes, who could not be shaken,

Chasing them out on the hill.

* * * * *

We were ready on our legs,

To pursue with all speed,

On the thirteenth morning which they fixed,

With our noble fearless commander.

The two youngest of our regiments--

The Grahams and the Gordons--

Running swiftly to meet them

Pouring down from the hill.

* * * * *

Heavy was the flight for them,

Hard as ever was heard of;

Abercromby was up with them,

With his men who were ready at hand.

Were it not for the town which they reached

With cannon all surrounded,

More of them were in their graves,

And had got cold upon the hill.

In a short time the regiment recovered its health, and shared in

all the movements of the army in Egypt till the termination of

hostilities, when it embarked for Ireland, and landed at Cork on the

30th of January 1802.

For their services in Egypt, King George III. conferred upon the

92nd and other regiments the honour of bearing on their colours and

appointments the “Sphinx,” and the word “Egypt.” The Grand Seignior

established the order of the Knighthood of the Crescent, of which the

general officers were made members; and gold medals were presented to

the field-officers, captains, and subalterns.

The regiment was removed from Ireland to Glasgow, where it arrived

on June 6th, and remained until the renewal of hostilities in 1803,

when it was marched to Leith, and embarked for the camp which was

then forming at Weeley. At this time was embodied a second battalion

of 1000 men, raised under the Army of Reserve Act, in the counties of

Nairn, Inverness, Moray, Banff, and Aberdeen. This corps served as a

nursery for the regiment during the war.

In January 1806 Major-General the Honourable John Hume was made

colonel, in room of the Marquis of Huntly removed to the 42nd.

The regiment formed part of the expedition sent against Copenhagen in

1807, and served in Sir Arthur Wellesley’s brigade. The only instance

which offered on this occasion to the regiment to distinguish itself

was a spirited and successful charge with the bayonet, when it drove

back a greatly superior number of the enemy.

In the year 1808 the regiment embarked for Sweden under Sir John

Moore, but its services were not made use of; and immediately upon

the return of the expedition to England the troops employed were

ordered to Portugal under the same commander, landing on the 27th of

August. The 92nd accompanied all the movements of General Moore’s

army, and had the misfortune to lose its commanding officer, Col.

Napier of Blackstone, who was killed at Corunna, where the first

battalion was posted towards the left of the army on the road

leading to Betanzos, “and throughout the day supported its former

reputation.” Col. Napier was adored by the regiment, to which he was

more like a father than a commanding officer. The regiment had only

3 rank and file killed, and 12 wounded; among the latter was Lt.

Archibald Macdonald, who afterwards died of his wounds.

On its return to England the regiment was quartered at Weeley, where

it received a reinforcement of recruits, which increased the strength

of the corps to rather more than 1000 men. This number was, however,

greatly reduced in the Walcheren expedition, only 300 out of the

1000 returning fit for duty; but the loss was speedily supplied

by recruits from the second battalion. The regiment embarked for

Portugal on the 21st of September 1810, and joined the British army

under Lord Wellington at the lines of Torres Vedras, in the following

month.

The service of the 92nd in the Spanish Peninsula and the south of

France is so blended with the operations of Lord Wellington’s army

that, to give a complete idea of it, it would be necessary to enter

into details which the limited space allotted to this division of the

history will not admit of, and the most important of which have been

given in our notices of the other Highland regiments, especially the

42nd and 71st. In all the actions in which they were engaged, the

Gordon Highlanders upheld the high military reputation which they had

acquired in Egypt, and supported the honour of their native country

in a manner worthy of Highlanders.

The 92nd was brigaded with the 50th and 71st under the command of Sir

William Erskine at Fuentes d’Onor, May 5th, 1811. The first battalion

of the 92nd was stationed to the right of the town, covering a

brigade of nine-pounders, and was exposed to a very heavy cannonade.

The regiment had 7 rank and file killed, and 2 officers, Major Peter

Grant and Lt. Allan M’Nab, and 35 rank and file wounded. Lt.-General

Rowland Hill having driven the French from their post at Caceres, the

latter, on the approach of the British, retired, halting at Arroyo

de Molinos. After a very fatiguing march from Portalegre, the first

battalion of the 92nd arrived close to Arroyo on the 27th of October

1811, and next day took part in a well fought battle. The 92nd was

placed in the centre of its brigade, and was ordered to proceed

to the market-square, and, if possible, to the other side of the

town. As the regiment was proceeding along one of the streets, the

French, taken by surprise, came out to see what was the matter, and

the Prince D’Aremberg was taken prisoner in a half-naked state by

a sergeant of the 92nd. The French, however, soon assembled, threw

themselves across the head of the street, and commenced firing upon

the advancing regiment, the shot taking deadly effect, owing to the

narrowness of the street. By this time great confusion and uproar

prevailed in the town. The 71st moved down to the assistance of

the 92nd, while the 50th secured all the passages to the town, and

captured the French artillery. The 92nd thus reinforced now pushed

its way through the suburbs, and cleared the town of the enemy. The

latter, however, afterwards formed in a field, and fired down a lane

upon the advancing regiment. The 92nd had 3 men killed, and Col.

Cameron, Brevet-Major Dunbar, and Captains M’Donald and M’Pherson,

and 7 rank and file wounded.

At Almaraz, on May 19th, 1812, the 92nd again did good service in

assisting materially to destroy the bridge and fortifications. This

point was of great importance to the enemy, as it secured the only

direct communication between his two armies, which were now in effect

placed several days more distant. The 92nd had only 2 rank and file

wounded.

At Alba de Tormes, on November 10th and 11th, the 92nd had 8 rank and

file killed, and 1 officer and 33 rank and file wounded.

At the battle of Vittoria, fought on June 21st, 1813, the 92nd

distinguished itself by seizing the height occupied by the village of

Puebla, holding it against a most determined resistance, and, after a

fierce struggle, put the enemy to flight. Its casualties were 4 rank

and file killed, and 16 wounded. A medal was conferred on Lt.-Col.

John Cameron of the 92nd.

In the various actions connected with the passage of the Pyrenees the

92nd took a prominent part, behaving itself in its usual valorous

manner; in the words of Sir William Napier, “the stern valour of the

92nd would have graced Thermopylæ.”

On the 25th of July 1813, the 92nd was stationed in the Maya Pass,

on the right of the road leading from Urdax, and the 71st still

farther to the left. The enemy collected a force of about 15,000

men behind some rocky ground in front of the British right, and with

this overwhelming force drove in the light companies of the second

brigade, gaining the high rock on the right of the allied position

before the arrival of the second brigade from Maya, which was

therefore compelled to retrace its steps towards the village, instead

of falling back to its left on the first brigade. Lt.-Col. Cameron

detached the 50th to the right the moment the action commenced.

That regiment was severely engaged, and was forced to retire along

the ridge. The right wing of the 92nd, under Major John M’Pherson,

was sent to its support, and for some time had to stand the whole

brunt of the enemy’s column. The right wing of the 71st regiment

was also brought up, but such was the advantage of the position the

enemy had gained by separating the two brigades, and in a manner

descending upon the Pass of Maya, while a fresh division was pushing

up to it from the direction of Urdax, that the small body of troops

received orders to retire to a high rock on the left of the position.

This movement was covered by the left wings of the 71st and 92nd

regiments, which, relieving each other with the utmost order and

regularity, and disputing every inch of ground, left nothing for

the enemy to boast of. The brigade continued to hold the rock until

the arrival of Major-General Edward Barnes’ brigade, when a general

charge was made, and every inch of ground recovered as far as the

Maya Pass.

On this occasion the 92nd was ordered by Lt.-General the Honourable

Sir William Stewart not to charge, the battalion having been hotly

engaged for ten successive hours, and in want of ammunition. The

92nd, however, for the first time disregarded an order, and not only

charged, but led the charge.[563]

The 92nd behaved with equal bravery on July 30th and 31st and August

1st, its casualties altogether during the passage of the Pyrenees

being 53 rank and file killed, 26 officers and 363 rank and file

wounded.

In the passage of the Nive the 92nd had its full share of the

fighting. On the 13th of December, besides being exposed during the

day to a continued fire of musketry and artillery, the battalion made

four distinct charges with the bayonet, each time driving the enemy

to his original position in front of his entrenchments. At one time

the 92nd while pressing onwards was arrested by a fearful storm of

artillery. Of one of these charges Sergeant Robertson writes:--

“The order was given to charge with the left wing of the 92nd, while

the right should act as riflemen in the fields to the left of the

road. The left wing went down the road in a dashing manner, led by

Col. Cameron, who had his horse shot under him, and was obliged

to walk on foot. As soon as we came up to the French many of them

called out for quarter, and were made prisoners. After the enemy

had maintained their ground for a short time, they saw that it was

impossible for them to stand against us. The road was soon covered

with the dead and dying. The French now broke off to their own

right, and got into the fields and between the hedges, where they

kept up the contest until night. Although the action ended thus

in our favour, we did not gain any new ground. After the battle

was over, we were formed on a piece of rising ground about a mile

to our own rear, when Lord Wellington came in person to thank the

92nd for their gallant conduct and manly bearing during the action,

and ordered a double allowance of rum, and that we should go into

quarters on the following day.”[564]

On this occasion Lts. Duncan M’Pherson, Thomas Mitchell, and Alan

M’Donald were killed. Major John M’Pherson (mortally), Captains

George W. Holmes, Ronald M’Donald, and Donald M’Pherson; Lts. John

Catenaugh, Ronald M’Donald, James John Chisholm, Robert Winchester,

and George Mitchell, and Ensign William Fraser were wounded. 28 rank

and file were killed, and 143 wounded.

In commemoration of this action an honorary badge was conferred by

His Majesty on Lt.-Col. Cameron, bearing the word “Nive,” and the

senior captain of the regiment (Captain James Seaton) was promoted

to the brevet rank of major. The royal authority was also granted

for the 92nd to bear the word “Nive” on its regimental colour and

appointments.

On the morning of the 15th of Feb., the 92nd marched in pursuit of

the enemy, who was discovered late in the evening, strongly posted

on the heights in front of Garris, which the division attacked

and carried in gallant style. The French obstinately disputed

their ground, and made several attempts to recover it after dark,

but finding the British troops immovable, they retreated with

considerable loss through St Palais. On this occasion Major James

Seaton was mortally wounded, and expired on the 22nd of the following

month. The other casualties were 3 rank and file wounded.

During the night the enemy destroyed the bridge at St Palais, and

every exertion was made to repair it. On the 16th of Feb., the 92nd

crossed in the afternoon, and occupied a position in advance.

[Illustration: Colonel John Cameron’s Coat of Arms.]

On the 17th of Feb., the enemy was discovered in the village of

Arriverete, on the right bank of the Gave de Mauléon, endeavouring

to destroy the bridge over it. A ford was discovered a little higher

up, which the 92nd crossed under cover of the British artillery,

and immediately attacking the troops in the village with its usual

success, drove the enemy out of it, and secured the bridge by which

the troops were enabled to cross. The enemy retired across the Gave

d’Oléron, and the battalion, which had 10 rank and file wounded in

this enterprise, was cantoned in Arriverete and the neighbouring

villages.

Tn honour of this occasion, it was granted by royal warrant, that

Lt.-Col. Cameron should bear for his crest a Highlander of the 92nd

regiment, up to the middle in water, grasping in his right hand a

broad sword, and in his left a banner inscribed 92nd, within a wreath

of laurel; and as a motto over it the word “Arriverete.”

At Orthes the 42nd, 79th, and 92nd met for the first time in the

Peninsula, and a joyful meeting it was, as the men of the three

regiments were almost all Scotchmen, many of whom were old friends.

Lord Wellington was so much pleased with the scene at the meeting of

these regiments that he ordered them to encamp beside each other for

the night.

In the affair at Aire there were 3 rank and file killed, and 3

officers and 29 men wounded. His Majesty granted permission to

Lt.-Col. Cameron to bear upon his shield a view of the town, with

the word “Aire.” Both in Division and General Orders the 92nd was

specially mentioned, along with the 50th, as deserving to have “the

good fortune of yesterday’s action decidedly attributed to it.”

Moreover, a special letter from the Mayor of Aire warmly thanked

Col. Cameron for the conduct of his men, and for having preserved

the town from pillage and destruction. The losses of the regiment in

these actions were not great, being altogether, according to General

Stewart, 2 rank and file killed, and 5 officers and 55 rank and file

wounded.

On the 10th of April the 92nd advanced by the Muret road to the

vicinity of Toulouse, and drove Marshal Soult’s outposts into his

entrenchments on that side. The services of the battalion were not

again required during this day; it however witnessed the gallant

conduct of its comrades on the opposite bank of the river, driving

the enemy from his redoubts above the town, and gaining a complete

victory.

During the 11th of April nothing particular occurred beyond a

skirmish, and confining the enemy to the suburbs. The French

evacuated Toulouse during the night, and the white flag was hoisted.

On the 12th of April the Marquis of Wellington entered the city

amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants. The 92nd followed the

enemy on the Villa Franche road, and encamped in advance of that town.

In the course of the afternoon of the 12th of April, intelligence

was received of the abdication of Napoleon: had not the express been

delayed on the journey by the French police, the sacrifice of many

valuable lives would have been prevented.

A disbelief in the truth of this intelligence occasioned much

unnecessary bloodshed at Bayonne, the garrison of which made a

desperate sortie on the 14th of April, and Lt.-General Sir John Hope

(afterwards Earl of Hopetoun), the colonel of the 92nd regiment,

was taken prisoner. Major-General Andrew Hay was killed, and

Major-General Stopford was wounded. This was the last action of the

Peninsular war.

On April 20, 1814, the 92nd marched into Villa Franche; on the 24th

to Beziège; and on the 25th occupied quarters in Toulouse.

After peace had been established between Britain and France, the

92nd returned home, disembarking at Monkstown, Ireland, on the 29th

of July, and proceeding to Fermoy Barracks, at which the thanks of

Parliament were communicated to the regiment for “the meritorious and

eminent services it had rendered to the King and country during the

course of the war.”

On the 24th of October 1814, the second battalion was disbanded at

Edinburgh, and 12 sergeants, 13 drummers, and 161 rank and file were

transferred to the first battalion.

The 92nd, however, had not long to rest at home, being called again

into active service, to take part in the grand concluding act of

the drama enacted by Napoleon for so many years on the theatre of

Europe. The regiment sailed from the Cove of Cork on the 1st May

1815, and arrived at Ostend on the 9th. On the 11th the regiment

went to Ghent, where it stayed till the 28th, when it removed to

Brussels, the men being billeted throughout the city. Here they

were served with four days’ bread, and supplied with camp-kettles,

bill-hooks, and everything necessary for a campaign, which, according

to all accounts, was fast approaching. The inhabitants of Brussels

like those of Ghent treated the Highlanders with great kindness, the

latter, by their civility and good behaviour, making themselves great

favourites.

On the evening of the 15th of June the alarm was sounded in Brussels,

and hasty preparations were made to go out to meet the enemy. Col.

Cameron, who had that day been invested with the order of the

Bath, and who was present at the famous ball given by the Duke of

Wellington when the alarm was given, was quickly at the head of the

regiment. The march was commenced at daybreak on the 16th by the

Namur gate. Lt.-General Sir Thomas Picton’s division, to which the

92nd belonged, came under fire about two o’clock in front of Genappe,

at Quatre Bras, where the main road from Charleroi to Brussels is

crossed by another from Nivelles to Namur, and which served as the

British communication with the Prussians on the left. The 92nd was

formed in front of Quatre Bras farm-house on the road, lining a

ditch, with its rear to the walls of the building and garden, its

right resting on the crossroads, and its left extending down the

front. Shortly after the 92nd was thus formed, the Duke of Wellington

and his staff came and dismounted in the rear of the centre of the

regiment. The enemy poured a very hot fire of artillery on this post,

and his cavalry charged it, but was received by a well-directed

volley from the regiment, and forced to retire with great loss of men

and horses. Immediately after this the French infantry attacked the

position on the right and in front, and the Gordon Highlanders, who

had been standing impatiently eager for action, were now ordered to

charge the advancing enemy: “92nd, you must charge these fellows,”

the Duke said, and with one bound the regiment was over the ditch

advancing at full speed, and making the French give way on all sides.

The 92nd continued to pursue the enemy, and was hotly engaged till

nightfall, when the action ceased. It was very much cut up both in

officers and men, as it was among the first to go into action, and,

along with the other Highland regiments, had for a long time to

resist the attack of the entire French army. Undoubtedly its greatest

loss on this hot day was the brave and high-minded Col. Cameron,

concerning whom we give a few details below.[565]

[Illustration: Colonel John Cameron.

From Original Painting in possession of Mrs Cameron Campbell of

Monzie.]

Besides their colonel, the 92nd lost in the action Captain William

Little, Lt. J. J. Chisholm, Ensigns Abel Becker and John M. R.

Macpherson, 2 sergeants, and 33 rank and file. The wounded officers

were Major James Mitchell (afterwards lieutenant-colonel); Captains

G. W. Holmes, Dugald Campbell, W. C. Grant (who died of his wounds);

Lts. Thomas Hobbs, Thomas Mackintosh, Robert Winchester, Ronald

Macdonnell, James Kerr Ross, George Logan, John Mackinlay, George

Mackie, Alexander Macpherson, Ewen Ross, Hector M’Innes; Ensigns

John Barnwell, Robert Logan, Angus Macdonald, Robert Hewit, and

Assistant-Surgeon John Stewart; also 13 sergeants, 1 drummer, and 212

rank and file.

On the morning of the 17th Lord Wellington had collected the whole of

his army in the position of Waterloo, and was combining his measures

to attack the enemy; but having received information that Marshal

Blucher had been obliged, after the battle of Ligny, to abandon his

position at Sombref, and to fall back upon Wavre, his lordship found

it necessary to make a corresponding movement. He accordingly retired

upon Genappe, and thence upon Waterloo. Although the march took

place in the middle of the day the enemy made no attempt to molest

the rear, except by following, with a large body of cavalry brought

from his right, the cavalry under the Earl of Uxbridge. On the former

debouching from the village of Genappe, the earl made a gallant

charge with the Life Guards, and repulsed the enemy’s cavalry.

Lord Wellington took up a position in front of Waterloo. The rain

fell in torrents during the night, and the morning of the 18th was

ushered in by a dreadful thunder-storm; a prelude which superstition

might have regarded as ominous of the events of that memorable and

decisive day. The allied army was drawn up across the high roads from

Charleroi and Nivelles, with its right thrown back to a ravine near

Merke Braine, which was occupied, and its left extended to a height

above the hamlet Ter-la-Haye, which was also occupied. In front of

the right centre, and near the Nivelles road, the allies occupied

the house and farm of Hougoumont, and in front of the left centre

they possessed the farm of La Haye Sainte. The Gordon Highlanders,

who were commanded by Major Donald Macdonald, in consequence of the

wound of Lt.-Col. Mitchell, who had succeeded Col. Cameron in the

command, were in the ninth brigade with the Royal Scots, the Royal

Highlanders, and the 44th regiment. This brigade was stationed

on the left wing upon the crest of a small eminence, forming one

side of the hollow, or low valley, which divided the two hostile

armies. A hedge ran along this crest for nearly two-thirds its whole

length. A brigade of Belgians, another of Hanoverians, and General

Ponsonby’s brigade of the 1st or Royal Dragoons, Scotch Greys, and

Inniskillings, were posted in front of this hedge. Bonaparte drew

up his army on a range of heights in front of the allies, and about

ten o’clock in the morning he commenced a furious attack upon the

post at Hougoumont. This he accompanied with a very heavy cannonade

upon the whole line of the allies; but it was not till about two

o’clock that the brigades already mentioned were attacked. At that

time the enemy, covered by a heavy fire of artillery, advanced in

a solid column of 3000 infantry of the guard, with drums beating,

and all the accompaniments of military array, towards the position

of the Belgians. The enemy received a temporary check from the

fire of the Belgians and from some artillery; but the troops of

Nassau gave way, and, retiring behind the crest of the eminence,

left a large space open to the enemy. To prevent the enemy from

entering by this gap, the third battalion of the Royal Scots, and

the second battalion of the 44th, were ordered up to occupy the

ground so abandoned; and here a warm conflict of some duration took

place, in which the two regiments lost many men and expended their

ammunition. The enemy’s columns continuing to press forward, General

Pack ordered up the Highlanders, calling out, “Ninety-second, now is

your time; charge.” This order being repeated by Major Macdonald,

the soldiers answered it by a shout. Though then reduced to less

than 250 men, the regiment instantly formed two men deep, and rushed

to the front, against a column ten or twelve men deep, and equal

in length to their whole line. The enemy, as if appalled by the

advance of the Highlanders, stood motionless, and upon a nearer

approach they became panic-stricken, and, wheeling to the rear, fled

in the most disorderly manner, throwing away their arms and every

thing that incumbered them. So rapid was their flight, that the

Highlanders, notwithstanding their nimbleness of foot, were unable

to overtake them; but General Ponsonby pursued them with the cavalry

at full speed, and cutting into the centre of the column, killed

numbers and took nearly 1800 prisoners. The animating sentiment,

“Scotland for ever!” received a mutual cheer as the Greys galloped

past the Highlanders, and the former felt the effect of the appeal

so powerfully, that, not content with the destruction or surrender

of the flying column, they passed it, and charged up to the line of

the French position. “Les braves Ecossais; qu’ils sont terribles

ces Chevaux Gris!” Napoleon is said to have exclaimed, when, in

succession, he saw the small body of Highlanders forcing one of his

chosen columns to fly, and the Greys charging almost into his very

line.

During the remainder of the day the 92nd regiment remained at the

post assigned it, but no opportunity afterwards occurred of giving

another proof of its prowess. The important service it rendered at

a critical moment, by charging and routing the élite of the French

infantry, entitle the 92nd to share largely in the honours of the

victory.

“A column of such strength, composed of veteran troops, filled with

the usual confidence of the soldiers of France, thus giving way

to so inferior a force, and by their retreat exposing themselves

to certain destruction from the charges of cavalry ready to pour

in and overwhelm them, can only be accounted for by the manner in

which the attack was made, and is one of the numerous advantages of

that mode of attack I have had so often occasion to notice. Had the

Highlanders, with their inferior numbers, hesitated and remained at

a distance, exposed to the fire of the enemy, half an hour would

have been sufficient to annihilate them, whereas in their bold and

rapid advance they _lost only four men_. The two regiments, which

for some time resisted the attacks of the same column, were unable

to force them back. They remained stationary to receive the enemy,

who were thus allowed time and opportunity to take a cool and steady

aim; encouraged by a prospect of success, the latter doubled their

efforts; indeed, so confident were they, that when they reached the

plain upon the summit of the ascent, they ordered their arms, as if

to rest after their victory. But the handful of Highlanders soon

proved on which side the victory lay. Their bold and rapid charge

struck their confident opponents with terror, paralysed their sight

and aim, and deprived both of point and object. The consequence

was, as it will always be in nine cases out of ten in similar

circumstances, that the loss of the 92nd regiment was, as I have

just stated, only 4 men, whilst the other corps in the stationary

position lost eight times that number.”[566]

At Waterloo the 92nd had 14 rank and file killed, and Captains

Peter Wilkie and Archibald Ferrier, Lts. Robert Winchester, Donald

Macdonald, James Kerr Ross, and James Hope, 3 sergeants, and 96 rank

and file wounded.

After Waterloo, the 92nd, along with the rest of the army, proceeded

to Paris, in the neighbourhood of which it encamped on the 3rd of

July. Shortly after leaving Waterloo, while halting near a small

village for the night, the Duke of Wellington in person came up

and thanked the 92nd for the manner in which the men had conducted

themselves during the engagement, and lavished upon them the highest

eulogiums for their exertions to uphold the reputation of the British

army. The Highland Society of Scotland unanimously passed a vote

of thanks “for the determined valour and exertions displayed by

the regiment, and for the credit which it did its country in the

memorable battles of the 16th and 18th of June 1815.”

The 92nd stayed at Paris till the end of November, when it was

marched to Boulogne, and on December 17th it embarked at Calais,

landing at Margate on the 19th. After staying at various places in

England, it marched from Berwick-on-Tweed to Edinburgh on the 7th of

September 1816, and took up its quarters in Edinburgh Castle on the

12th, this being the second visit to its native country since its

embodiment. Like the 42nd in similar circumstances, the men of the

92nd were treated with the greatest kindness, and entertained with

profuse hospitality at almost every place on the way. On their entry

into Edinburgh, a vast crowd assembled in the roads and streets. The

42nd, between which and the 92nd there has always been a friendly

rivalry, had been there shortly before, and a man of that regiment

standing among the crowd cried in banter to a passing company of the

92nd, “This is nothing to what it was when we came home; we could

hardly make our way through the crowd.” A 92nd man quickly retorted,

“You should have sent for us to clear the way for you, as we have

often done before.”

II.

1816-1874.

Ireland--Jamaica--Terrible losses from Yellow Fever--Colonelcy of

the 92nd--Scotland--Ireland--New Colours--Gibraltar--Malta

--Barbadoes--Scotland--Ireland--Ionian Islands--Gibraltar--Large

numbers volunteer into Crimean regiments--Re-enlist in 92nd at

first opportunity--Regiment goes to the Crimea--Return to Gibraltar

--India--The Mutiny--Employed in Central Provinces--Performs much

harassing work--Field service--Oojein--Harassing marches--Engagement

near Rajghur--Mungrowlee--Combined movements--Sindwaho--Koraya

--Rajpoor--Fatigueing work in the Bunswarra country--Mhow--Jhansi

--Lullutpoor--Seepree--the Bundelcund Jungle--Importance of work

performed by 92nd--Dugshai--Its various stations in India--Authorised

to use designation of “Gordon Highlanders”--Home--Gosport--Edinburgh

--Presentation of New Colours--Glasgow--Aldershot--Ireland--Aids

the civil power--Leaves its New Year’s dinner cooking--India again

--Julinder--Camp of exercise at Delhi--Chukrata--Portrait of the

Marquis of Huntly, the last Duke of Gordon.

The regiment was quartered in Edinburgh till April 1817, when it was

sent to Ireland, where it remained till 1819, performing duties

somewhat similar to those already recorded of the 42nd. On the 16th

April the 92nd sailed for Jamaica, where it arrived on June 2nd. On

its march to Up-Park Camp, it was followed by the whole population

of Kingston and vicinity, who crowded from all quarters to witness

so novel a sight as a Highland regiment in Jamaica. Shortly after

its arrival in Jamaica the regiment suffered fearfully from yellow

fever in its most virulent form. Indeed, such was the sickness and

mortality, that the regiment was, in August, in a manner ordered

to be dispersed. On the 28th of that month, a strong detachment,

chiefly composed of convalescents, embarked on board the “Serapis”

guard-ship, then at anchor off Port-Royal.

The total loss sustained by the regiment from the 25th of June

to the 24th of December 1819, consisted of 10 officers,--namely,

Majors Archibald Ferrier, and John Blainey (Brevet Lt.-Col.), Lts.

Andrew Will, Thomas Gordon, Hector Innes, George Logan, Richard

M’Donnell, and George Mackie (Adjutant), Ensign Francis Reynolds,

and Assistant-Surgeon David Thomas; 13 sergeants, 8 drummers, and

254 rank and file. This considerably exceeds the total number of men

of the regiment killed in all the engagements, from the time of its

formation in 1794 down to Waterloo in 1815.

In January 1820, Lt.-Gen. John Hope succeeded the Earl of Hopetoun as

Colonel of the 92nd; the latter being removed to the 42nd. General

Hope continued to be Colonel till 1823, when he was removed to the

72nd, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the 92nd by Lt.-Gen. the

Hon. Alexander Duff.

The regiment remained in Jamaica till 1827, and from the exemplary

conduct and orderly demeanour of the officers and men, gained the

respect and good wishes of the inhabitants wherever it was stationed.

In the summer of 1825 it had again been attacked with fever, and lost

in the course of two months Major Charlton, Captain Donaldson, Lt.

Deans, and 60 men. The gaps then made in the regiment were, however,

regularly filled up by considerable detachments of recruits from

England, so that the strength of the 92nd was never far below the

proper mark.

Owing to the terrible death-rate in the West Indies and other

causes, Lt.-Col. Gardyne writes, as the 92nd had fallen into

comparatively bad order for a time, and on its return home, Lt.-Col.

John M’Donald, of Dalchoshnie, afterwards General Sir John M’Donald,

K.C.B., was appointed to the command; an officer who had served

with great distinction in Spain, a thorough soldier, and a true

Highlander, he soon brought the 92nd back to its natural condition

of perfect discipline, and remained in command till he was promoted

Major-General.

In February and March 1827, the regiment embarked in detachments at

Kingston for England, on reaching which it was sent to Scotland,

the whole of the regiment, depôt and service companies, joining at

Edinburgh in the end of May. In the beginning of 1828 the 92nd was

removed to Glasgow, from which it sailed to Ireland in July, landing

at Dublin August 4th. It remained in Ireland till 1834.

In 1829, orders having been received directing that steel-mounted

swords should be adopted by Highland regiments, the officers of the

92nd immediately supplied themselves with the claymore, a sword

similar to that originally used in the regiment. In 1830, the

regiment was authorised to adopt trousers of the regimental tartan

for all occasions when the kilt was not worn. While in Jamaica, white

trousers alone were allowed to be used.

At all the inspections that took place while in Ireland, the 92nd,

like the other Highland regiments, received the unqualified praise

of the inspecting officers. It also gained for itself the respect

and esteem of all classes of the inhabitants in performing the

disagreeable duty of assisting the civil power in suppressing the

“White Boy” outrages, to which we have referred in our account of the

42nd. Once only were the men compelled to resort to the last military

extremity.

On the 13th of December 1830, the anniversary of the battle of

the Nive, a new stand of colours was presented to the regiment in

Dublin by His Excellency Lt.-Gen. the Right Hon. Sir John Byng, who

complimented the regiment on its brilliant and distinguished conduct

in all its engagements.

In July 1831 Lt.-Gen. Duff was succeeded in the colonelcy of the

regiment by Lt.-Gen. Sir John Hamilton Dalrymple (afterwards Earl of

Stair).

In August 1833 the regiment was divided into six service and four

depôt companies, preparatory to the embarkation of the former for

Gibraltar. The depôt companies proceeded to Scotland in October,

where they remained till 1836, when they returned to Ireland.

The service companies embarked at Cork in February 1834 for

Gibraltar, where they arrived on the 10th of March. Here they

remained till January 1836, when the regiment removed to Malta, where

it was stationed till 1841.

[Illustration: Sir John M’Donald, C.B.

From Original Painting at Dunalastair.]

In May 1840 the depôt companies were again removed from Ireland to

Scotland. In January 1841, the service companies left Malta for

Barbadoes, where they arrived in April. In May 1843 the headquarters

and one company removed to Trinidad, while detachments were stationed

at Grenada and Tobago. In the same month, Lt.-Gen. Sir William

Maclean succeeded the Earl of Stair as colonel of the regiment, the

former being removed to the 46th.

The service companies embarked in December 1843 for Scotland,

arriving in February 1844 at Aberdeen, where they were joined by the

depôt companies from Dundee. From Aberdeen the 92nd went to Glasgow,

and in July 1845 to Edinburgh, where it remained till April 1846,

when it removed to Ireland, where it remained till March 5th, 1851,

when headquarters and 4 companies under command of Lt.-Col. Atherley

sailed from Queenstown for the Ionian Islands. A complimentary

address was received from the mayor and citizens of Kilkenny, on the

92nd quitting that city, expressive of the regret they experienced in

parting with the regiment, the conduct of which had gained the esteem

of all classes.

The regiment disembarked at Corfu on March 29th, and on May 17th was

joined by the other two service companies under command of Major

Lockhart.

While in the Ionian Islands, the 92nd received notice that kilted

regiments were to use the Glengarry bonnet as a forage cap, with the

regimental band or border similar to that on the feather bonnet.

The 92nd remained in the Ionian Islands until March 1853, embarking

in three detachments for Gibraltar on the 21st, 23rd, and 28th of

that month, respectively. During its stay in the Ionian Islands

it was regularly inspected, and was invariably complimented, we

need scarcely say, by the inspecting officer, on its high state of

efficiency in all respects.

While the regiment was in Gibraltar, the war between this country and

Russia broke out, and in consequence the 92nd was augmented to 1120

of all ranks, and subsequently to 1344. This increase, however, was

soon destined to be considerably reduced, not by the casualties of

war,--for the 92nd was not fortunate enough to be in the thick of the

fray,--but by the large numbers who volunteered into other regiments

destined for the Crimea. So large a number of men volunteered into

those regiments about to proceed to the scene of the struggle, that

little more than the officers’ colours and band remained of what was

the day before one of the finest, best drilled, and best disciplined

regiments in the army. The depôt companies, stationed at the time

at Galway, volunteered almost to a man into the 42nd and 79th. The

men of the service companies entered English regiments, and on their

arrival at Varna asked to be allowed to enter Highland corps. This,

however, could not be done, and on the conclusion of the war many of

those that were left unscathed petitioned to be allowed to rejoin

their old corps, saying they had volunteered for active service, and

not to leave their regiment. Their request was not granted; but so

strong was their _esprit de corps_, that at the expiration of their

first period of service many of them re-enlisted in the 92nd, two of

their number bringing back the Victoria cross on their breasts. Such

a loss to the regiment as these volunteers occasioned almost broke

the spirit of the officers and of the soldiers left; but by unsparing

exertions the regiment was recruited in an incredibly short time with

a very superior class of men, mostly from the Highland counties, but

all from Scotland.

On the 25th of June 1855 Lt.-General John M’Donald, C.B., was

appointed to the colonelcy of the regiment, in room of the deceased

Sir William M’Bean, K.C.B.

The 92nd was, after all, sent to the Crimea, but too late to take

any part in active operations. At the request of Lord Clyde the

regiment was sent out to join his division before Sebastopol, and

about 600 officers and men left Gibraltar during September 1855,

landing at Balaklava just after the taking of Sebastopol. Though

the 92nd was actually under fire in the Crimea, it did not obtain

any addition to the numerous names on its colours. It remained in

the Crimea till May 1856, on the 23rd of which month it embarked at

Balaklava for Gibraltar, where it remained for eighteen months longer

before embarking for India, previous to which the establishment of

the regiment was considerably augmented, the service companies alone

numbering upwards of 1100 officers and men. The 92nd embarked on the

20th of January 1858, to take part in quelling the Indian Mutiny;

and before leaving, both in general orders and in brigade orders,

Lt.-Col. Lockhart and the officers and men were eulogised in the

highest terms for the splendid character of the regiment.

The light companies of the 92nd disembarked at Bombay on the 6th of

March, under the command of Col. Atherley; the other two companies,

under the command of Lt.-Col. Mackenzie, joined head-quarters at

Bombay on the 30th of March. The 92nd, during its stay in India, was

employed in the Central Provinces, under Sir Hugh Rose, formerly a

92nd officer, and distinguished itself by the rapidity of its forced

marches and steadiness under fire; but although it took part in many

combats, skirmishes, and pursuits, doing good and important service

to its country, it had not the good fortune to be in any great

victory such as to be thought worthy of being recorded on the colours

beside such glorious names as Egypt and Waterloo. Lt.-Col. Lockhart

was made a C.B. for his services while commanding the 92nd in this

campaign. We shall endeavour briefly to indicate some of the services

performed by the regiment while taking its share in the suppression

of the mutiny.

On the 30th of March a detachment, under the command of Major

Sutherland, proceeded to Surât on field-service, rejoining

headquarters on the 8th of June. Four days after, the right wing of

headquarters, under command of Lt.-Col. Archibald Inglis Lockhart,

proceeded to Mhow on field service, but must have returned before

the 22nd of August, on which day headquarters, consisting of Nos. 1,

3, 7, and 10 companies, marched upon Oojein, to the north of Indore,

having received sudden orders to that effect on the afternoon of

the 21st. The companies formed part of a field-force column, which

was required to put down some rebellious symptoms that had shown

themselves near Oojein. The column was placed under the command of

Lt.-Col. Lockhart, and reached Oojein on the 25th. Here all was found

quiet, and the column was directed toward Mundesoor, but on its march

intelligence was received that the rebels had crossed to the right

bank of the Chumbul river, and in consequence the march of the column

was directed upon Agoor, which place it reached on the 28th, having

marched 50 miles through a most difficult country in 38 hours.

After remaining here for three days the column advanced to Soosneer,

16 miles to the northward; and intelligence having been received

that a force of 15,000 rebels, with 38 guns, had taken possession

of the fortified town of Jhalra Patun, it was resolved to wait at

Soosneer until support arrived. On the 9th of Sept. a squadron of

H.M.’s Lancers and 2 guns of the Bengal Artillery joined the camp;

on the morning of the 10th, a change in the enemy’s movements having

meantime taken place, the reinforced column marched to Zeerapoor,

about 10 miles south of Machilpoor, to which the enemy had moved,

both towns being on the right bank of the Kallee Sind. At Zeerapoor

the column was joined by another force under the command of Lt.-Col.

Hope of the 71st Highland Light Infantry, which was also under

Col. Lockhart’s orders. On the same night, the 10th, Major-General

Michel, C.B., commanding the Malwah division, joined and assumed

command, entirely approving of the arrangements which had been made.

The united column set out in pursuit of the rebels on the 12th,

and marching by Bullwarrah and Rajghur, on the 15th came upon the

enemy’s camp at a short distance from the latter town, but found it

had been quite recently abandoned, the rebels having evidently beat a

precipitate retreat. The European infantry was left here to breakfast

and grog, and the Major-General, with the cavalry, native infantry,

and artillery, pushed on and brought the enemy to a stand in a jungly

country. The latter opened a well-sustained fire upon their pursuers,

which, however, proved nearly harmless. On the European infantry

coming up, the 92nd, under Captain Bethune, and the 4th Bombay Rifles

deployed into line and advanced, covered by their own skirmishers,

and supported by the 71st Highlanders and the 19th Bombay Native

Infantry. According to orders not a shot was fired until the jungle

thinned so much as to enable the skirmishers to see the enemy. After

a few rounds from the guns, the infantry again advanced, and the

rebels abandoned their position and fled, pursued by the cavalry. The

infantry proceeded to Bhowra, where they encamped, having marched 20

miles in the course of the day under a burning sun, by which many

of the men were struck down. The only casualties of the 92nd in the

above action were 2 men wounded.

[Illustration: Colonel (now Major-General) Lockhart, C.B.

From a Photograph.]

The force halted at Bhowra until the 18th of Sept., the whole being

formed into one brigade under Lt.-Col. Lockhart. Setting out on that

day, the force marching by Seronj reached Mungrowlee on the 9th of

Oct., when just as the tents had been pitched, it was reported that

the rebels were advancing in force, and were within half a mile of

the camp. The squadron of the 17th Lancers was immediately pushed

forward, rapidly followed by the artillery and infantry, the 92nd

being commanded by Captain Bethune. The enemy, taken by surprise,

retreated, and took up position on an eminence 3 miles distant

from Mungrowlee, and crowned by the ruins of a village. The rebels

covered their front with guns placed in a strip of jungle, which

was filled with cavalry and infantry. The British infantry deployed

into line, and, covered by skirmishers, advanced upon the enemy’s

position. The guns of the latter at once opened, and there was also a

well-sustained but not very effective fire of small arms kept up from

the jungle. The skirmishers directing their fire on the enemy’s guns

(whose position could only be ascertained from their smoke), steadily

advanced. After an ineffectual attempt to turn the left wing of the

British by the enemy’s cavalry, the latter gave way, leaving their

infantry to be severely handled by the Lancers. The line continued

to advance, and six guns were taken by a rush of the skirmishers,

many of the gunners being shot and bayoneted when endeavouring to

escape. The guns being now brought up, the rebels soon were in rapid

retreat. There appears to have been no casualties to the 92nd in this

well-fought action.

It having been ascertained that the rebels had crossed the Betwa,

and were now located on the right bank of that river, Major-General

Michel arranged with Brigadier Smith, commanding a field column in

the Chundaree district, that the two forces should make a combined

movement, and for this purpose they were divided into three columns.

The left column, consisting of the infantry of his brigade, under

Brigadier Smith, was to move down the left bank of the river towards

the Chundaree, prepared to cross to the right bank if necessary. The

cavalry and horse artillery of both brigades, forming the centre

column, under the immediate command of Major-General Michel, was to

cross at the ford by which the enemy had retreated. The right column,

consisting of the infantry and artillery of Lt.-Col. Lockhart’s

brigade, under that officer, was to cross the river by the Khunjea

Ghaut and proceed to Nurat. This place it reached on the 17th of

October, and on the 18th was joined by the centre column, which had

been unable to penetrate the very dense jungle.

On the morning of the 19th, the 92nd being led by Captain A. W.

Cameron, the two combined columns marched upon the village of

Sindwaho, about 12 miles distant, and where the enemy were reported

to be in strength. The force halted within half a mile of the

village, to the right of which the enemy were discovered drawn up

in order of battle. The cavalry and horse artillery advanced to the

attack, and the infantry, who were to advance upon the village, under

Lt.-Col. Lockhart, were deployed into line, covered by skirmishers.

The 71st passed to the right of the village, the 92nd through the

village and thick enclosures on the left, and the 19th Bombay Native

Infantry were on more open ground to the left of the 92nd. The enemy

were found to have abandoned the village, but many were shot down in

the advance of the skirmishers through the enclosures. When clear

of the village, the infantry advanced in echelon of battalions from

the right. While the 71st took ground to the right, and the 19th

Bengal Native Infantry went to the help of the Bombay Artillery, the

92nd, under Captain Cameron, advanced in the face of a large body of

cavalry, who had posted themselves under a large tope of trees on a

rising ground and frequently threatened to charge. By this time the

92nd was quite separated from the rest of the force. A battery of

artillery having been sent to join the 92nd, and as the enemy still

threatened to charge, the skirmishers were recalled, and fire opened

from right to left; as shot and shell were at the same time thrown

into the tope, the enemy retired, and were soon in rapid retreat,

pursued by the cavalry.

During the 20th the force halted at Tehree and on this as on previous

occasions the Major-General issued an order congratulating the troops

on their success, and justly praising the exertions and bravery of

officers and men. On this last occasion, Col. Lockhart’s ability in

handling his brigade elicited the Major-General’s warmest approbation.

The force set out again on the 21st, and marching each day reached

Dujorial on the 24th. The Major-General having heard that the enemy

were at Kimlasa, moved on Kuraya at 2 A.M. on the 25th, and at dawn

the whole of the rebel army was discovered crossing in front just

beyond Kuraya. When the cavalry, which had started an hour later

than the infantry, came up, they found that the infantry under Col.

Lockhart, having cut through the enemy’s line of march, had just

wheeled to the right and part advanced skirmishing. The infantry

had indeed dispersed the enemy when the cavalry arrived; the latter

therefore set out in rapid pursuit, the infantry following for about

five miles and clearing the villages of the rebels.

The force remained at Kuraya till the 27th, when it proceeded

south, and reached Bhilsa on the 2nd of November. On the 4th the

Major-General proceeded with the cavalry in pursuit of the rebels,

who had crossed the Nerbudda, leaving the infantry and Le Marchant’s

battery of artillery to watch Bhilsa and Bhopal, both being

threatened by bodies of local rebels. The infantry remained at Bhilsa

until the 9th, when, proceeding by Goolgong, they reached Bhopal on

the 17th, leaving it on the 23rd for Sehore.

The rebels, in the meantime, after crossing the Nerbudda, had been

again repulsed by the troops in Candeish. One hundred men of the

92nd, part of a small column under Major Sutherland, proceeded on

the 20th of November to cross the Nerbudda, and on the 24th reached

Jeelwana, where they were joined by another 50 men of the 92nd and a

like number of the 71st mounted on camels. On the morning of the 24th

Major Sutherland proceeded with 120 Highlanders and 80 sepoys, partly

on camels, and soon ascertaining that the rebels, under Tantéa Topee,

with two guns, were on the road to Rajpoor, pushed on in pursuit. On

approaching Rajpoor, the rebel force was perceived passing through

it, and the Highlanders, on camels, pushing rapidly forward, came on

the enemy in half an hour. Before the men, however, could dismount

for the attack, the rebels again retired. By this time the men

following on foot, both Europeans and natives, having marched at a

very rapid pace in rear, overtook the men on camels. The whole now

advanced together direct upon the enemy, who had taken up a strong

position, in order of battle, on a rocky and wooded ridge, their

two guns on the road commanding the only approach. The Highlanders,

supported by the native troops, at once advanced, and rushing up the

road under a shower of grape, in a very short time captured the guns,

on which the rebels precipitately abandoned their position. In this

attack, Lt. and Adjutant Humfrey was wounded.

Major Sutherland’s force remained in the neighbourhood of Kooksee

until the 27th of December, when it was ordered to join headquarters

at Mhow.

Lt.-Col. Lockhart’s column left Sehore and marched upon Indore on

the 29th of November, that town being considered in danger of an

attack by the rebels. Indore was reached on December 4th, and the

column halted there until the 6th, when it returned to quarters

at Mhow, having detached No. 10 and part of No. 3 companies under

Captain Bethune to join a small force proceeding towards Rutlâm.

These companies were subsequently attached to Brigadier Somerset’s

column, and mounted on camels, they underwent great privations and

severe fatigue during the rapid pursuit in the Banswarra country. On

the morning of the 1st of January 1859, the column came up with the

rebels at daylight at Baroda, but the men had scarcely dismounted ere

the rebels had, as usual, commenced a rapid retreat; this, however,

they did not effect before being considerably cut up by the cavalry

and guns attached to the force. These companies did not rejoin

headquarters until the 24th of May 1859.

On the 2nd of March, headquarters, numbering about 1000 officers

and men, marched from Mhow to Jhansi, there to be quartered; but,

on reaching Bursud, they were directed by Brigadier-General Sir

R. Napier to assist in clearing that neighbourhood of some rebels

said to be located in the jungles. For this purpose all the heavy

baggage was left at Bursud in charge of a company, and the remainder

proceeded in light order to Ummeerghur and subsequently to Karadev.

The jungles were in vain searched for any rebels, and on the 25th the

force again got on to the main road at Goona and proceeded towards

Jhansi, which it reached on the 7th of April. Nos. 8 and 9 companies

proceeded direct to Lullutpoor, where they were stationed on detached

duty under Major Sutherland. Remnants of rebels who had, after

being broken up into small parties, reunited under Feroze Shah, and

taken refuge in the dense jungles, were by the junction of forces

from Lullutpoor and other places driven from their refuge, without,

however, their having been actually come in contact with. The duty

was, nevertheless, of a harassing nature, and was rendered more

so by the sickness which had latterly prevailed at Lullutpoor and

reduced the men stationed there to a weak condition.

On the 1st of June 1859, No. 7 company was detached to Seepree, and

on the evening of the 30th, 40 men of that company under Ensign

Emmet, mounted on elephants, proceeded with a mixed native force,

the whole under the command of Major Meade, to surprise a numerous

party of rebels who had located themselves in a village about 28

miles distant. The village, which was situated on an eminence

and surrounded by thick jungle, was reached by 5.30 A.M. on the

1st of July, and the attack immediately commenced. The rebels in

considerable numbers took refuge in a large house well loop-holed,

and kept up a warm fire of musketry on their assailants; they were

not finally subdued until the house caught fire. Of the 92nd, 4 rank

and file were wounded, and Major Meade, in reporting the affair

to the commanding officer, said:--“I cannot speak too highly of

Ensign Emmet and your men; their coolness and steadiness was most

conspicuous.”

On the 14th of October, Nos. 1 and 2 companies proceeded, mounted on

camels, as part of a small force ordered from Jhansi under command

of Col. Lockhart, in conjunction with 6 other columns, to clear the

Bundelcund jungles of rebels. The force continued in the field until

the 14th of December. Some difficult and harassing marches were

performed in the course of these operations, but the rebels having

broken through the circle to the north-east, the Jhansi column, being

stationed on the west, did not come in contact with them.

Thus it will be seen that the 92nd performed important and harassing

duties during the suppression of the great Indian Mutiny, and

certainly seem to have deserved some outward mark of the services

they then rendered to their country. Brigadier-General Sir Robert

Napier, in bidding farewell to the officers and men of the Gwalior

division on the 11th of January 1860, specially acknowledged the

important assistance he had received from Col. Lockhart and the men

under his command. Notwithstanding the fatiguing work the 92nd had

to undergo, both Sir Robert Napier and Lord Clyde, in reporting on

their inspection, spoke in the highest terms of the condition of the

regiment.

The various detachments having joined headquarters at Jhansi, the

regiment, numbering about 960 officers and men, under command of Col.

Lockhart, C.B., left Jhansi on the 15th of March for Dugshai, there

to be quartered.

The 92nd remained in India for nearly three years longer, during

which little occurred in connection with the regiment calling

for special notice. Besides the places already mentioned, it was

stationed at Umballa, Benares, Rajghaut, and Calcutta, and, on

its half-yearly inspection, invariably elicited the unqualified

commendation of the inspecting officers and the War Office

authorities; the regimental school gained the special praise of the

latter.

While stationed at Dugshai, in September 1861, the regiment received

the gratifying intelligence that Her Majesty had been graciously

pleased to authorise the 92nd being designated “The Gordon

Highlanders,” by which name it was popularly known at the period of

its being raised and for some time afterwards; indeed we suspect it

had never ceased to be popularly known by this title.

The Gordon Highlanders embarked at Calcutta for England in two

detachments on the 24th and 28th of January 1863, respectively, and

rejoined at Gosport on the 20th of May. This was the first time the

regiment had been quartered in England since the 22nd of August

1816. Before the 92nd left India, 396 men volunteered into regiments

remaining in the country; the deficiency was, however, soon filled

up, as, on its being made known, Scotchmen serving in English

regiments gladly availed themselves of the opportunity of serving in

so distinguished a corps.

The 92nd did not remain long at Gosport. It embarked at Portsmouth

on the 10th of July for Edinburgh, arriving off Granton Pier on the

13th, and marching to the Castle through an enthusiastic crowd. It

was 17 years since the Gordon Highlanders had last been in Edinburgh.

Shortly after its arrival the regiment was inspected by its Colonel,

General Sir John M’Donald, K.C.B., who had formerly commanded the

92nd for the long period of 18 years.

The regiment remained scarcely a year in Edinburgh, during which time

only one event occurred to mark the “even tenor of its way;” this

was the presentation of new colours on the 13th of April 1864. The

Highlanders, on that day, were formed in review-order on the Castle

Esplanade, shortly after which Major-General Walker, C.B., commanding

in Scotland, arrived on the ground accompanied by his staff. General

Sir John M’Donald, K.C.B., the veteran colonel of the regiment, was

also present, along with Lady M’Donald and other members of his

family. After the usual ceremony had been gone through with the old

colours, and after the Rev. James Millar, Chaplain of Edinburgh

Castle, had offered up an appropriate prayer, the Major-General

placed the new colours in the hands of Lady M’Donald, who addressed

the regiment in a few most appropriate words:--

“It would be, I believe,” she said, “according to established

custom, that, in placing these colours in your hands, I should

remind you of the duty you owe to them, your Queen, and your

country; but, to the Gordon Highlanders, any such counsel would,

I feel, be superfluous; their glorious deeds of the past are

sufficient guarantee for the future, that wherever and whenever

these colours are borne into action, it will be but to add new

badges to them and fresh honour to the regiment. I cannot let this

opportunity pass without touching on the many happy years I spent

among you, without assuring you of the pleasure it gives me to see

you again, and of my warmest wishes for your welfare and prosperity.”

On the 25th of May 1864, the 92nd left Edinburgh for Glasgow under

the command of Col. A. I. Lockhart, C.B. Detachments were also sent

to Paisley and Ayr. The 92nd remained in Glasgow till March 1865,

during which time it took part in a large sham fight in Renfrewshire,

and was present at the inauguration by the Queen of a statue of

Prince Albert at Perth, the first erected in the kingdom. On the 25th

of January 1865, the depôt joined headquarters from Stirling. It is

unnecessary to say that in all its public appearances, and at all

inspections while in Scotland, as elsewhere, the Gordon Highlanders

received, and that deservedly, the highest encomiums on their

appearance, discipline, and conduct.

On the 6th of March 1865, the 92nd, consisting of 1033 officers,

men, women, and children, embarked on the Clyde for Portsmouth, _en

route_ for Aldershot, arriving at the Camp on the 10th of the same

month. While at Aldershot, Major C. M. Hamilton was promoted to

Lieutenant-Colonel, and succeeded to the command of the regiment in

place of Col. Lockhart, C.B.

The 92nd after remaining a year at Aldershot, during which nothing

of note occurred, left for Portsmouth on the 1st of March 1866, and

embarked on the same day for Ireland, Lt.-Col. Hamilton commanding.

The regiment disembarked at Kingstown on the 5th, and proceeded to

the Curragh Camp, where it remained till the 9th, when it removed to

Dublin, with the exception of A and C companies, which were left at

the Curragh to go through a course of musketry instruction. On the

regiment leaving Aldershot, a most gratifying report concerning it

was sent to headquarters; the 92nd Highlanders, the Brigade General

reported,--

“Are well drilled, their conduct sober, orderly, and soldierlike;

discipline good, and all one could desire in a well regulated corps.”

During its stay in Ireland the 92nd had a taste of the unpleasant

duty of aiding the civil power. On the 31st of December 1867, two

detachments were sent out for this purpose from the Curragh Camp,

where the whole regiment was then stationed, one, under command

of Major A. W. Cameron, to Cork; and the other, under command of

Captain A. Forbes Mackay, to Tipperary. These detachments seem to

have performed their duty effectively and without the sad necessity

of resorting to extreme measures;[567] they did not return to Dublin,

the former remaining at Cork and the latter proceeding to that place

on the 18th of January 1868. Here these detachments were joined by

the rest of the regiment on the 25th of January, on which day it

embarked at Queenstown for India, sailing next day under command of

Lt.-Col. Hamilton. The regiment proceeded by the overland route,

and landed at Bombay Harbour on the 26th of February. Here the

92nd was transhipped into three vessels to be taken to Kurrachee,

where headquarters arrived on the 8th of March. From Kurrachee this

detachment made its way partly by river (the Indus), partly by rail,

and partly by road, to Julinder, in the Punjaub, which it reached

on the 30th of March, and was joined by the remaining portion of

the regiment on the 7th of April. During its stay at Julinder the

92nd furnished detachments regularly to garrison Fort Govindghur,

Umritsur, and had the honour, in February 1870, to take part in the

reception at Meean Meer of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh; on this

occasion the regiment was commanded by Lt.-Col. M’Bean, who had been

promoted to the command of the 92nd in room of Lt.-Col. Hamilton.

Detachments, consisting mostly of young and sickly men, were also

sent occasionally to Dalhousie to be employed in road-making in the

Chumba Hills.

The 92nd remained quartered at Julinder until the 18th of December

1871, on which day headquarters and three companies under command

of Major G. H. Parker, proceeded by rail to Delhi to form part of

the force collected there at the Camp of Exercise. Here it was

posted to the 1st brigade (Col. N. Walker, C.B., 1st Buffs) of the

2nd division commanded by Major-General M’Murdo, C.B. The remaining

three companies joined headquarters on the following day. The camp

of exercise was broken up on the 1st of February 1872, and in the

brigade order issued on the occasion by Col. Walker, he stated that--

“The last six weeks have added to the interest I have for many years

taken in the career of my old friends the 92nd Highlanders;”

he also specially mentioned the name of Captain Chalmer of the 92nd,

for the valuable services which the latter invariably rendered him.

On the 2nd of February the regiment set out on its march to Chukrata,

which it reached on the 2nd of March.

We have much pleasure in referring our readers to the plate of

Colonels of the 91st, 92nd, and 93rd regiments, on which we give a

portrait of the Marquis of Huntly, who raised the regiment, and was

afterwards the last Duke of Gordon, from a painting by A. Robertson,

miniature painter to H.R.H. the late Duke of Sussex, and kindly

lent us by the Duke of Richmond for our engraving. The portrait

was painted in 1806 A.D., and exhibited the same year at the Royal

Academy.

The Duke of Gordon’s statue stands in Castle Street, Aberdeen, with

the inscription “First Colonel 92nd Gordon Highlanders” at the foot

of the granite pedestal. His familiar name in his own district was

“The Cock of the North.”

The 92nd uniform is the full Highland costume of Gordon tartan. The

officers have a black worm through their lace, as a token of mourning

for Sir John Moore.

SUCCESSION LISTS OF COLONELS AND LIEUTENANT-COLONELS OF THE 92ND

GORDON HIGHLANDERS.

COLONELS.

GEORGE, MARQUIS OF HUNTLY, May 3, 1796

Served as Brigadier-General in Ireland in 1798

Went to Holland, 1799

Wounded at Egmont-op-Zee, Oct. 2, 1799

Major-General, Jan. 1, 1801

Colonel of the 42nd, Jan. 3, 1806

Lieut.-General, April 1808

General, Aug. 1809

To the 1st (Royal Foot), 1820

K.G.C.B., Duke of Gordon, 1827

Governor of Edinburgh Castle and Keeper of

the Great Seal of Scotland, 1834

Removed to the Scots Fusilier Guards, 1834

Died, May 28, 1836

JOHN, EARL OF HOPETOUN, G.C.B., Jan. 3, 1806

Cornet Light Dragoons, May 28, 1784

Lieutenant in 27th Foot, 1786

Captain 17th Light Dragoons, 1789

Major in 1st Foot, 1792

Lieut.-Col. 25th, 1793

M.P. for Linlithgowshire, 1796

Deputy Adjutant-General in Holland, 1799

Adjutant-General to the Army in the

Mediterranean, 1800

Served in Egypt, 1801

Colonel of the Lowland Fencible Infantry

and Major-General, 1802

Deputy Governor of Portsmouth, 1805

Lieut.-General, April 25, 1808

Commanded under Moore in Spain, 1809

Succeeded in command on Moore’s death, 1809

Last on board the fleet at Corunna; K.C.B., 1809

Commander-in-Chief in Ireland, 1813

At Nivelle, Nive, Bayonne, 1813

Baron Niddry and Earl of Hopetoun, 1814

General, 1819

Colonel of the 42nd, 1820

Died at Paris, Aug. 27, 1823

SIR JOHN HOPE, G.C.H., Jan. 29, 1820

Cadet in Houston’s Brigade, 1778

Ensign, 1779

Captain, 1782

Captain 60th Foot, 1787

Captain 13th Light Dragoons, June 30, 1788

Aide-de-Camp to Sir Wm. Erskine, 1793 and 1794

Major 28th Light Dragoons, 1795

Lieut.-Colonel, 1796

Served at the Cape, 1798-1799

To 32nd Foot, 1799

In the West Indies, 1800-1804

Assistant Adjutant-General in Scotland, 1805

Deputy Adjutant-General to Copenhagen, 1807

Brigadier-General to the Staff, N. Britain, 1808

And then Deputy Adjutant-General there, 1809

Major-General, 1810

On the Peninsular Staff, 1812

For Salamanca, a medal.

On the Staff in Ireland and N. Britain till

1819; made Lieut.-General and G.C.H., 1819

Colonel of the 92nd, Jan. 29, 1820

To the 72nd Highlanders, Sept. 6, 1823

Died, Aug. 1, 1836

HON. SIR ALEXANDER DUFF, G.C.H., Sept. 6, 1823

Removed to the 37th Regiment, July 20, 1831

JOHN, EARL OF STAIR, K.T., July 20, 1831

Removed to the 46th Regiment, May 31, 1843

SIR WM. M’BEAN, K.C.B., May 31, 1843

SIR JOHN MACDONALD, K.C.B., June 25, 1855

LORD STRATHNAIRN, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., June 25, 1866

SIR JOHN CAMPBELL, March 1869

Lieut.-General. Died, Dec. 28, 1871

LIEUT.-GENERAL GEORGE STAUNTON, Dec. 29, 1871

LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.

The Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Highland Regiments, Volume 2 (of 2) · 第 28 / 31 章

In such words did this brave, noble-minded, and accomplished soldier