These acts of loyalty by the Highlanders in recognition of their Stewart
Princes were not long concluded when the same virtue was called into
action to defeat the intentions of _other rebels_ (as they were rudely
termed) from disputing the authority of the British Sovereign, or
dismembering any portion of his territory in the American colonies. An
abridged outline of what came to be the War of Independence may not be
out of place or uninteresting even at this distant date.
North America had been chiefly colonised by the British people--the
settlements of the Dutch and French were few and unimportant. The
colonists were in the enjoyment of liberal institutions, and the country
being fertile, the population rapidly increased; while, at the same
time, immigrants from Europe continued to arrive annually on its shores.
The mother country being oppressed with debt, it was proposed to make
her Transatlantic subjects contribute a portion towards her relief. This
resulted in the imposition of a stamp duty on various articles. The
Americans would neither afford assistance, nor would they sanction the
taxation proposed to be placed on tea, &c.; and at a meeting of Congress
resolutions of separation were adopted, followed by the Act of
Declaration of Independence. George III. and his Parliament determined
on chastising the recusants, and hence the commencement of the American
Civil War. Jealousy of Great Britain, and a desire to humble her,
induced France to join the Americans, as also did Spain. Against the
combined efforts of these allies, however, the British sustained
unsullied their ancient renown. The war continued with alternate
successes, and disappointments to the contending parties for about six
years, at the end of which honourable peace was concluded between them,
and America was henceforth declared an Independent State; and in
acknowledgment of the able services rendered to her, the colonists
elected General Washington as the first president of the new Republic.
During the progress of the war the Americans were guilty of many acts of
cruelty to whomsoever fell into their hands, some of which fell to the
share of Alan Cameron. The Royal Highland Regiment, to which he was
attached, was stationed in Quebec when Canada was threatened with
invasion by General Arnold at the head of 3000 men. The colonel of
Alan's regiment (Maclean) who had been detached up the river St
Lawrence, returned by forced marches and entered Quebec without being
noticed by Arnold. The fortifications of the city had been greatly
neglected, and were scarcely of any use for the purposes of defence. The
strength of the British within its walls was under 1200, yet they
repulsed the repeated attacks of the American generals. Here it was that
Alan Cameron came for the first time into hostile contact with the
enemy, and both his regiment and himself acquitted themselves with
great gallantry--on one occasion in particular, when an assault was made
by Generals Arnold and Montgomery, in which the latter was killed and
the other wounded. Arnold foiled in this attempt, established himself on
the heights of Abraham, thus blockading the town and reducing the
garrison to great straits; but this was all he succeeded in, as he was
beaten in every attempt to gain possession of the lower town, by the
intrepid gallantry of Colonel Maclean and his Highlanders.
On the approach of spring General Arnold despairing of success, withdrew
his forces, raised the siege, and evacuated the whole of Canada.
Released from this defence the battalion entered on enterprises in
different parts of the province, and to enable it to do so more
effectually, Colonel Maclean transformed a limited number of it into a
cavalry corps, for out-post duties and otherwise acting as _scouts_.
Of this body Alan Cameron got the command. Daring and sometimes
over-zealous, he often led himself and his company into situations of
desperate danger. On one occasion they were surrounded by a strong force
of the enemy, from which they escaped with the utmost difficulty, and
only by the personal prowess of each individual and the fleetness of
their steeds. The Americans communicated with the British commander to
the effect that "this fellow (Alan) and his men had been guilty of the
_un_military proceeding of tampering with the native Indians in their
loyalty to American interests," stating a determination of vengeance as
the consequence. It is not known whether Alan was apprised of this
charge or not; at any rate he continued his incursions for some time.
The threat was not unintentional, as the succeeding events proved, and
an unfortunate opportunity enabled the enemy to give it effect. Alan and
nearly one-half of his company were seized. The latter they made
prisoners of war, but committed him to the jail of Philadelphia as a
common felon, where he was kept for two years and treated with the most
vindictive harshness. This proceeding was denounced by the British
General as "contrary to all military usage," but his representations
proved unavailing.
The ardent nature of the imprisoned Highlander chafed under restraint,
and finding no hope of release he was constant in vigilance to procure
his escape. This he was at last enabled to effect through his jailer
having neglected to fasten the window of his place of confinement, which
was on the third storey. His ingenuity was put to the severest test. He,
however, managed to tie part of the bed-clothes to the bars of the
window, and descended with its aid. The blanket was either too short, or
it gave way; anyhow Alan came to the ground from a considerable height,
and being a heavy man, in the fall he severely injured the ankles of
both feet. In this crippled state he was scarcely able to get away to
any great distance, but somehow managed to elude the search of his
enemies.
Although the Americans, as a nation, were in arms against Great Britain,
still among them were many families and individuals who were slow to
forget their ties of kinship with the people of the "old country," and
Philadelphia contained many possessing such a feeling. Alan, on his
first arrival in that country, became acquainted with and obtained the
friendship of more than one of these families. To the house of one of
them, in his emergency, he decided on going. This was a Mr Phineas Bond
(afterwards Consul-General in that city) who received the prisoner
without hesitation, and treated him with the utmost consideration. Alan,
however, before he would accept shelter and hospitality, explained to Mr
Bond his condition and how he became a prisoner, adding that he merely
desired rest for a day or two to enable him to escape towards the
British cantonments. Mr Bond made him welcome and promised him every
assistance. Both were fully impressed with the danger and delicacy of
their position, and Alan like an honourable soldier was now more anxious
about that of his host than his own. He, therefore, embraced the very
first opportunity of relieving his chivalrous friend of so undesirable a
guest.
Without entering into details as to the nature of his escape, it is enough
to state that after frequent chances of being recaptured, he arrived at a
station where some British troops were quartered. Among these were some
officers and men with whom he had served in the early part of the
campaign, but he had become so altered in condition that they scarcely
believed him to be the Alan Cameron they knew. His relative (Colonel
Maclean) sent his aide-camp to have him conveyed to head-quarters, on
arrival at which he was most attentive to do everything that could be
done. Medical inspection however, pronounced Alan unfit for active service
for at least a year. This was disappointing news to him, as he feared his
career in the army was likely in consequence to come to an untimely end.
Colonel Maclean recommended him to repair at once to Europe and procure
the most skilful advice for the treatment of his wounds and broken limbs.
Alan concurred and returned to England on sick leave, where he arrived in
1780.
He had not been many months at home when news arrived of the conclusion
of the war; and with that happy consummation Colonel Maclean's corps was
reduced, the officers were placed on the "provincial list"--a grade not
known in the army at the present day--Government, in addition to their
pay, giving them and the other men grants of lands in the following
proportions--5000 acres to a field officer; 3000 to a captain; 500 to a
subaltern; 200 to a sergeant; and a 100 to each soldier. These
conditions were applicable only to those who remained in or returned
within a given time to the colony. In the case of absentees one-half of
the above number of acres was the extent of the grants, but they were
allowed to sell their lots. As Alan had been promoted to the rank of
Captain he had 1500 acres which he turned into cash. This capital and
his pay was the only means possessed by this "provincial officer." He
was, however, only one of many similarly situated on the termination of
the American War.