_Colonel_, Lieut.-Colonel J. Reynell.
_Lieut.-Colonel_, Major A. Jones.
_Major_, L. Walker.
_Captains._
S. Reed.
J. T. Pidgeon.
A. Armstrong.
D. Campbell.
William A. Grant.
J. Henderson.
A. T. M. McIntyre.
C. Johnstone.
Alex. Grant.
_Lieutenants._
J. Barrallier.
L. Richards.
J. R. Elwes.
C. Stewart.
R. Baldwin.
W. C. Hanson.
Robert Lind.
J. Roberts.
James Coates.
James Fraser.
E. Gilborne.
J. Whitney.
William Long.
Robert Law.
C. J. Cox.
Carique Lewin.
William Woolcombe.
William Torriano.
G. W. Horton.
J. Coote.
C. Moorhead.
D. Soutar.
N. Campbell.
_Ensigns._
A. Moffatt.
W. P. Smith.
H. W. Thompors.
J. Barnett.
A. M. Henderson.
J. Spalding.
J. Impitt.
R. L’Estrange.
_Paymaster_, H. McKenzie.
_Adjutant_, William Anderson.
_Surgeon_, A. Stewart.
_Assistant Surgeons._
J. Winterscale.
Samuel Hill.
Both Houses of Parliament, with the greatest enthusiasm, voted their
thanks to the army for its “distinguished valour at Waterloo.”
For the share which the battalion had in this glorious victory, the
Seventy-first were permitted to bear, in common with the rest of
the army engaged upon the 18th of June, the word “Waterloo” on the
regimental colour and appointments. Colonel Thomas Reynell and Major
L. Walker were appointed Companions of the Bath. The officers and
men engaged were presented with silver medals by His Royal Highness
the Prince Regent, and were allowed to reckon two years additional
service.
The battalion, with the rest of the army, afterwards marched towards
Paris, and entered that city on the 7th of July. The brigade encamped
that day on the Champs Elysées, near the Place Louis Quinze,
being the only British troops quartered within the barriers, and
continued there until the beginning of November, when it proceeded to
Versailles, and to Viarmes in December.
Meanwhile Louis XVIII had entered Paris and was again reinstated on
the throne of his ancestors. Napoleon Bonaparte had surrendered to
Captain Maitland, commanding the “Bellerophon,” British ship of war,
and the island of St. Helena having been fixed for his residence, he
was conveyed thither with a few of his devoted followers.
In Edinburgh, on the 26th of July, at the annual competition for
prizes given by the Highland Society of London, Sir John Sinclair,
President of the Judges, in the course of his address referred to
several instances where the sound of the bagpipes had been productive
of the most decisive results, and stated that it had been used with
the same effect in the late glorious conflicts, as appeared by
letters from the army. He said that before he obeyed the directions
of the Committee in delivering the prizes it was necessary to state
that George Clark, piper-major to the Seventy-first Regiment, having
formerly received a pipe from the Highland Society of Scotland for
his gallant conduct at the battle of Vimiera in continuing to play
upon his pipes after he was severely wounded, it was thought proper
to vote him a gold medal instead of considering him as a candidate
for one of the prizes.
[Sidenote: 2nd bat.]
On the 24th of December, 1815, the second battalion of the
Seventy-first was disbanded at Glasgow, the effective officers and
men being transferred to the first battalion.
[Sidenote: 1816.]
In January, 1816, the Seventy-first marched to the Pas-de-Calais, in
which part of France the regiment was quartered in several villages,
having its head-quarters at Norrent Fonte, a village on the high road
from Calais to Douay.
On the 21st of June, 1816, the regiment assembled on the bruyère of
Rombly, between the villages of Lingham and Rombly on the one side,
and Viterness and Leitre on the other, for the purpose of receiving
the medals which had been granted by His Royal Highness the Prince
Regent to the officers, non-commissioned officers, buglers, and
privates, for their services at the battle of Waterloo.
A hollow square upon the centre was formed on this occasion; the
ranks were opened, and the boxes containing the medals were placed
within the square. Colonel Reynell then addressed the regiment in the
following manner:—
“Seventy-first!!
“The deep interest, which you will all give me credit for feeling,
in everything that affects the corps cannot fail to be awakened
upon an occasion such as the present, when holding in my hands,
to transfer to yours, these honourable rewards bestowed by your
Sovereign for your share in the great and glorious exertions of
the army of His Grace the Duke of Wellington upon the field of
Waterloo, when the utmost efforts of the army of France, directed
by Napoleon, reputed to be the first captain of the age, were not
only paralyzed at the moment, but blasted beyond the power of even
a second struggle.
“To have participated in a contest crowned with victory so
decisive, and productive of consequences that have diffused peace,
security, and happiness throughout Europe, may be to each of you
a source of honourable pride, as well as of gratitude to the
Omnipotent Arbiter of all human contests, who preserved you in such
peril, and without whose protecting hand the battle belongs not to
the strong, nor the race to the swift.
“I acknowledge to feel an honest and, I trust, an excusable,
exultation, in having had the honour to command you on that day,
and in dispensing these medals destined to record in your families
the share you had in the ever memorable battle of Waterloo, it is
a peculiar satisfaction to me that I can present them to those by
whom they have been fairly and honourably earned, and that I can
here solemnly declare that in the course of that eventful day I
did not observe a soldier of this good regiment whose conduct was
not only creditable to the English nation, but such as his dearest
friends could desire.
“Under such agreeable reflections, I request you to accept
these medals, and to wear them with becoming pride, as they are
incontestable proofs of a faithful discharge of your duty to your
King and your country. I trust that they will act as powerful
talismans to keep you in your future lives in the paths of honour,
sobriety, and virtue.”
At the conclusion of the above address the arms were presented,
“God save the King” was played, and the battalion, by signal, gave
three cheers. Colonel Reynell then, from the lists of companies in
succession, called over the names of those entitled to receive a
medal, and with his own hand placed it in that of the soldier.
[Sidenote: 1817.]
New colours were presented to the regiment on the 18th of January,
1817, by Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B., who made the following
address on the occasion:—
“Seventy-first Regiment!
“Officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, it affords
me the greatest satisfaction, at the request of your commanding
officer, Colonel Reynell, to have the honour of presenting these
colours to you.
“There are many who could perform the office with a better grace,
but there is no one, believe me, who is more sensible of the merit
of the corps, or who is more anxious for its honour and welfare.
“I might justly pay to the valour and good conduct of those present
the compliments usual on such occasions, but I had rather offer the
expression of my regard and admiration of that excellent _esprit
de corps_ and real worth which a ten years’ intimate knowledge of
the regiment has taught me so highly to appreciate. I shall always
look back with pleasure to that long period in which I had the good
fortune to be your commanding officer, and during which time I
received from the officers the most cordial and zealous assistance
in support of discipline: from the non-commissioned officers proofs
of the most disinterested regard for His Majesty’s service and
the welfare of their regiment, and I witnessed on the part of the
privates and the corps at large a fidelity to their colours in
South America, as remarkable under such trying circumstances as
their valour has at all times been conspicuous in the field. I am
most happy to think that there is no drawback to the pleasure all
should feel on this occasion. Your former colours were mislaid
after a fête given in London to celebrate the Duke of Wellington’s
return after his glorious termination of the Peninsula war, and
your colonel, General Francis Dundas, has sent you three very
handsome ones to replace them.
“On them are emblazoned some of His Grace’s victories, in which the
Seventy-first bore a most distinguished part, and more might be
enumerated which the corps may well be proud of. There are still in
your ranks valuable officers who have witnessed the early glories
of the regiment in the East, and its splendid career since is fresh
in the memory of all. Never, indeed, did the character of the
corps stand higher; never was the fame of the British arms or the
glory of the British empire more prominent than at this moment, an
enthusiastic recollection of which the sight of these colours must
always inspire.
“While you have your present commanding officer to lead you, it is
unnecessary for me to add anything to excite such a spirit; but was
I called upon to do so, I should have only to hold up the example
of those who have fallen in your ranks, and, above all, point to
the memory of that hero who so gloriously fell at your head.”
The following appears from the Regimental Records to be a correct
list of the nationalities of the recruits raised for the regiment
between 1804 and 1815:—Scotchmen, 2,560; Irishmen, 1,087; Englishmen,
248; foreigners, 20: total, 3,915. The following is the list of
casualties sustained by the regiment between 1808 and 1815.
This list is very inaccurate, as no notice is taken in the Records
of the number of men that were killed in skirmishes, which probably
was very considerable. At Corunna it is stated that several men were
killed and wounded, but the actual number is not given. The number of
wounded at Walcheren is not given:—
Key: Sgnts. = Sergeants. Prvs. = Privates.
Total | | Killed. | Wounded.
Killed | +----+----+----+-----+----+----+----+----
and | | |Sgnts. |Prvs.| |Sgnts. |Prvs.
Wounded.| Action. |Officers.|Buglers. |Officers.|Buglers.
--------+-----------------+----+----+----+-----+---------+----+----
3 | Roleia | .. | .. | .. | 1 | .. | .. | .. | 2
112 | Vimiera | .. | .. | .. | 12 | 8 | 6 | .. | 86
1 | Corunna | .. | .. | .. | .. | 1 | .. | .. | ..
22 | Walcheren | 2 | .. | .. | 19 | 1 | .. | .. | ..
42 | Sobral | .. | .. | .. | 8 | .. | .. | .. | 34
147 | Fuentes d’Onor | 4 | 4 | .. | 22 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 100
43 | Almaraz | 1 | 1 | .. | 7 | 2 | 3 | .. | 29
13 | Alba de Tormes | .. | 1 | .. | 6 | .. | 1 | .. | 5
370 | Vittoria | 4 | 6 | 1 | 78 | 11 | 13 | 2 | 255
140 | Maya | .. | 3 | .. | 54 | .. | 6 | 1 | 76
61 | Eguaros | 1 | 1 | .. | 23 | .. | 2 | 1 | 33
85 | Doña Maria | .. | 1 | .. | 29 | 8 | 2 | .. | 45
48 | Cambo | .. | .. | .. | 2 | .. | 4 | 1 | 41
70 | Nive | 3 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 4 | .. | .. | 37
39 | Orthes | 1 | .. | .. | 17 | 1 | 1 | .. | 19
1 | Tarbes | .. | .. | .. | .. | 1 | .. | .. | ..
10 | Toulouse | .. | 1 | .. | 3 | .. | .. | .. | 6
|{Waterloo }| | | | | | | |
212 |{ (killed and }| 3 | 3 | .. | 62 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 120
|{died of wounds)}| | | | | | | |
--------+-----------------+----+----+----+-----+----+----+----+----
1,419 | | 19 | 23 | 2 | 366 | 59 | 51 | 11 | 888
--------+-----------------+----+----+----+-----+----+----+----+----
Two officers were taken prisoners at Fuentes d’Onor, and several
privates at Orthes. Three men were missing at Waterloo.
[Sidenote: 1818.]
The regiment formed part of the “army of occupation” in France until
towards the end of October, 1818, when it embarked at Calais for
England, and arrived at Dover on the 29th of that month.
After landing the regiment proceeded immediately to Chelmsford, where
it remained for a short time. During its stay at this place the
establishment was reduced from 810 to 650 rank and file.
On the 25th of November the regiment marched to Weedon, Derby, and
Nottingham, having its head-quarters at the former place.
[Sidenote: 1819.]
The regiment was inspected at Weedon on the 1st of May, 1819, by
Major-General Sir John Byng, who reported most favourably to His
Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief upon its appearance and
discipline. In consequence of this report His Royal Highness was
pleased to dispense with any further inspection of the regiment
during the year.
Whilst stationed at Weedon, Colonel Reynell presented Sergeant
Angus Mackay, Pipe Major, with a highland purse of white goat-skin
handsomely mounted with silver, with the following inscription richly
engraved on a shield:—
“From Col. Reynell to Acting-Sergeant Angus Mackay, Piper in the
Seventy-first H.L.I., in testimony of approbation of his uniform
good conduct.”
On the 21st of June, 1819, the regiment marched to Chester, having
detachments at Liverpool and the Isle of Man. On August 12th, Colonel
Thomas Reynell was appointed Major-General by brevet.
[Sidenote: 1820.]
In June, 1820, the regiment marched to Rochdale, Blackburn, and
Burnley. In July following it proceeded to Hertford, Ware, Hoddesdon,
and Hatfield; and on the 20th of November it was removed to
Canterbury.
Previously to the departure of the regiment from Hertford, it was
inspected by the Adjutant-General to the Forces, Major-General
Sir Henry Torrens, K.C.B., who communicated to Colonel Sir Thomas
Arbuthnot, K.C.B., commanding the Seventy-first, the expression
of the satisfaction experienced by His Royal Highness the
Commander-in-Chief in perusing the report made on that occasion.
[Sidenote: 1821.]
In June, 1821, the regiment marched to Chatham, having detachments at
Sheerness, Tilbury Fort, and Harwich. Here a further reduction took
place of 2 companies, making the establishment to consist of 576 rank
and file.
[Sidenote: 1822.]
From Chatham the regiment marched to London, and proceeded by the
canal to Liverpool, there to embark for Dublin, where it arrived on
the 3rd of May, 1822. The regiment remained in that city until the
beginning of October, when it marched to the south of Ireland. The
head-quarters were stationed at Fermoy, and detachments proceeded to
the villages of Ballyhooly, Castletown Roche, Kilworth, Kildorrery,
Wattstown, Glanworth, and Mitchelstown. A subaltern’s party was also
encamped at Glennasheen, in the county of Limerick, the disturbed
state of that part of Ireland requiring detachments in the above
posts, and the utmost exertions of every individual for their
protection.
[Sidenote: 1824.]
Lieut.-General Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B., was removed from the
colonelcy of the Eighty-eighth to that of the Seventy-first Regiment,
on the 16th of January, 1824, in succession to General Francis
Dundas, deceased.
The regiment remained here for two winters, and in the beginning of
May, 1824, orders were received to march to the Cove of Cork, to
embark for foreign service.
Before the Seventy-first marched to the coast for embarkation, very
gratifying addresses were presented to Colonel Sir Thomas Arbuthnot,
commanding the regiment, from the magistrates and inhabitants of the
district round Fermoy, conveying their approbation of the conduct of
the corps, which had won the esteem of all classes.
A very gratifying order was also issued by Major-General Sir John
Lambert, K.C.B., commanding the south-western district of Ireland,
relative to the conduct of the regiment. The regiment embarked
for North America on the 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th of May, 1824,
on board the Indian trader “Prince of Orange,” “Cato” and “Fanny”
transports, and anchored at Quebec, on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of
June.
[Sidenote: 1825.]
In the year 1825, the establishment of the regiment was augmented
from 8 to 10 companies, and formed into 6 _service_ and 4 _depôt_
companies, consisting of 42 sergeants, 14 buglers, and 740 rank and
file.
In consequence of this arrangement, the officers and non-commissioned
officers of 2 companies were sent to England, to join the depôt
companies at Chichester.
[Sidenote: 1826.]
The detachments stationed during the summer months at the posts of
Sorel and Three Rivers, rejoined the head-quarters of the regiment at
Quebec, on the 15th of October.
On the 25th of October and the 4th of November the service companies
were inspected by Lieut.-General the Earl of Dalhousie, the Commander
of the Forces in British North America, who expressed his fullest
approbation of their discipline and interior economy, as well as of
their conduct and appearance.
[Sidenote: 1827.]
The head-quarter division of the Seventy-first embarked at
Quebec for Montreal, on the 17th of May, 1827, after having been
stationed in that garrison nearly three years. Preparatory to this
change of quarters, the service companies were again inspected
by Lieut.-General the Earl of Dalhousie, who, in orders, assured
Lieut.-Colonel Jones that he had never seen any regiment in more
perfect order.
The service companies arrived at Montreal on the 19th of May, and
detachments from them were stationed at Isle-aux-Noix, St. John’s,
William Henry, La Chine, Coteau-du-Lac, and Rideau.
[Sidenote: 1828.]
On the 8th of May, 1828, the Seventy-first embarked for Kingston in
batteaux, and arrived there on the 16th of that month. It remained
stationed here for 12 months. During the summer and part of the
autumn it suffered much from fever and ague, having had at one period
nearly a third of the men in hospital.
[Sidenote: 1829.]
Upon the 1st of June, 1829, the head-quarters embarked in a steamboat
for York, now called Toronto, the capital of the Upper Province, and
arrived there on the following morning. One company was detached to
Niagara, another to Amherstburg, and a third to Penetanguishene, on
Lake Huron. A small number of men occupied the naval post at Grand
River, on Lake Erie. The Seventy-first occupied these posts for a
period of two years.
On the 10th of August, 1829, the depôt companies embarked at
Gravesend, for Berwick-on-Tweed.
Major-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., was removed from the
colonelcy of the Ninety-fifth to that of the Seventy-first Regiment,
on the 21st of September, 1829, in succession to General Sir Gordon
Drummond, G.C.B., who was appointed to the Forty-ninth Regiment.
[Sidenote: 1830.]
In June, 1830, the depôt companies were removed from Berwick-on-Tweed
to Edinburgh Castle.
[Sidenote: 1831.]
In May, 1831, the service companies moved down to Quebec, where the
whole were assembled on the 16th of June. After a stay of nearly five
months in that city, orders arrived for them to proceed to Bermuda.
They embarked on the 20th of October, 1831, in the transports
“Layton” and “Manlins,” arriving off St. George’s, Bermuda, upon
the 11th of November, when they immediately disembarked, sending a
detachment of 1 captain, 2 subalterns, and 120 men to Ireland Island.
The head-quarters were subsequently moved to Hamilton, and small
parties were detached to the signal posts at Gibbs Hill and Mount
Langton.
[Sidenote: 1833.]
During the years 1832 and 1833, the service companies continued
at Bermuda, and the depôt remained in North Britain. On the 30th
of August, 1833, Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Charles Grey
exchanged from the half-pay to the Seventy-first Highlanders with
Lieut.-Colonel Joseph Thomas Pidgeon.
[Sidenote: 1834.]
[Sidenote: 1836.]
On the 11th of September, 1834, the service companies embarked
at Bermuda for Great Britain, and arrived at Leith on the 19th
of October following. The regiment was afterwards stationed at
Edinburgh, where it remained during the year 1835. It embarked at
Glasgow, on the 11th of May, 1836, for Ireland, and was stationed at
Dublin during the remainder of the year. New colours were presented
to the regiment while at this station, by the colonel of the
regiment, Lieut.-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., K.C.H., assisted
by the Honourable Mrs. Grey, wife of the colonel commanding the
regiment.
[Sidenote: 1837.]
In June, 1837, the regiment proceeded from Dublin to Kilkenny.
[Sidenote: 1838.]
Major-General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham, K.C.B., was appointed
Colonel of the Seventy-first Highlanders, on the 28th of March, 1838,
in succession to Lieut.-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., appointed
to the Thirty-first Regiment.
Meanwhile orders had been received for the regiment to proceed on
foreign service, and on the 20th of April, 1838, the 6 service
companies embarked at Cork, for Canada. The 4 depôt companies
remained in Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1839.]
On the 2nd of June, 1839, the depôt companies embarked at Cork, for
North Britain, and were afterwards stationed at Stirling.
The establishment of the regiment was augmented on the 12th of
August, 1839, from 740 to 800 rank and file.
[Sidenote: 1840.]
During the year 1840 the service companies were stationed at St.
John’s, Lower Canada. The depôt companies proceeded from Stirling to
Dundee, in April.
[Sidenote: 1841.]
Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B., was removed from
the colonelcy of the Eighty-seventh Royal Irish Fusiliers to that
of the Seventy-first, on the 15th of March, 1841, in succession
to Lieut.-General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham, K.C.B. and K.C.H.,
deceased.
In May, 1841, the depôt companies proceeded from Dundee to Aberdeen.
Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Charles Grey exchanged to half-pay with
Lieut.-Colonel James England, on the 8th of April, 1842.
[Sidenote: 1842.]
The service companies proceeded from St. John’s to Montreal in two
divisions, on the 27th and 28th of April, 1842.
In consequence of the augmentation which took place in the army at
this period, the Seventy-first Highland Light Infantry was ordered
to be divided into two battalions, the six service companies
being termed the first battalion, and the depôt, augmented by two
new companies, being styled the reserve battalion. The depôt was
accordingly moved from Stirling to Chichester, and after receiving
about 350 volunteers from other corps, was there organised into
a battalion for foreign service. Nearly all these volunteers
were English and Irish, who were allowed to join the regiment
notwithstanding the protestations of the commanding officer, who
requested that none but Scotchmen should be allowed to volunteer. The
nationality of the regiment was thereby unnecessarily destroyed for
many years.
The reserve battalion of the Seventy-first, under the command
of Lieut.-Colonel James England, embarked at Portsmouth in Her
Majesty’s troop ship “Resistance,” which sailed for Canada on the
13th of August, 1842, and the battalion landed at Montreal on the
23rd of September, where the first battalion was likewise stationed,
under the command of Major William Denny, who, upon the arrival of
Lieut.-Colonel England, took charge of the reserve battalion.
[Sidenote: 1843.]
The reserve battalion marched from Montreal to Chambly on the 5th of
May, 1843, and arrived there on the same day.
The first battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel England,
embarked at Quebec for the West Indies in the “Java” transport, on
the 20th of October, 1843. The head-quarters disembarked at Grenada
on the 15th of December following.
It is a circumstance worthy of record that all the men of the first
battalion who were married without leave were replaced by volunteers
from the reserve battalion, thereby preventing the separation
and consequent misery of those families, and that all permanent
volunteers for Canada, and old soldiers who were permitted from
general good character to remain in the colony after discharge, or
who were found unfit for service in a tropical climate, were replaced
by volunteers from the reserve battalion.
[Sidenote: 1844.]
The head-quarters of the first battalion embarked on the 25th of
December, 1844, at Grenada, for Antigua. Lieut. Francis P. Stewart
Mackenzie died of yellow fever at Grenada, on the 21st of December,
much regretted by his brother officers.
[Sidenote: 1845.]
During the year 1845 the head-quarters of the first battalion
continued at Antigua.
The head-quarters and three companies of the reserve battalion
marched from Chambly on the 11th of May, 1845, and arrived at
Kingston, in Canada, on the 14th of that month.
[Sidenote: 1846.]
On the 18th of April, 1846, the head-quarters and four companies
of the first battalion embarked at Antigua, on board the transport
“Princess Royal,” and landed at Barbadoes on the 24th of the same
month.
The first battalion, under the command of Captain Nathaniel Massey
Stack, embarked for England at Barbadoes on the 29th and 31st of
December, on board of Her Majesty’s ship “Belleisle.” During this
tour of service in the West Indies, which lasted just three years,
1 officer, 8 sergeants, and 124 rank and file died of fever and
dysentery.
On the 6th of October, 1846, the reserve battalion left Kingston, in
Canada West, and the head-quarters arrived at La Prairie on the 8th
of that month.
[Sidenote: 1847.]
The ship “Belleisle,” having the first battalion on board, sailed
for Portsmouth on the 1st of January, 1847, and arrived at Spithead
on the 25th of that month. After disembarking at Portsmouth, the
battalion proceeded to Winchester, where it was stationed until the
19th of July, when it was conveyed in three divisions by railway to
Glasgow, and on the 21st of December it was removed to Edinburgh.
In September, 1847, the head-quarters of the reserve battalion were
removed from La Prairie to Chambly, and in October proceeded to St.
John’s, in Canada East.
[Sidenote: 1848.]
Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., was removed from the
colonelcy of the Ninth Foot to that of the Seventy-first Highlanders
on the 18th of February, 1848, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir
Thomas Reynell, Bart. and K.C.B., deceased.
Three companies of the first battalion proceeded from Edinburgh to
Dublin on the 27th of April, 1848, and the head-quarters, with the
three remaining companies, were removed to Dublin on the 1st of May.
In June the head-quarters were removed to Naas.
During the year 1848, the head-quarters of the reserve battalion
remained at St. John’s, in Canada East.
[Sidenote: 1849.]
Lieut.-General Sir James Macdonell, K.C.B. and K.C.H., was appointed
from the Seventy-ninth to be Colonel of the Seventy-first on the 8th
of February, 1849, upon the decease of Lieut.-General Sir Thomas
Arbuthnot, K.C.B.
In compliance with instructions received upon the occasion of Her
Majesty’s visit to Dublin, the head-quarters of the first battalion,
with the effectives of three companies, proceeded from Naas to that
garrison on the 28th of July, and were encamped in the Phœnix Park.
The three detached companies also joined at the encampment on the
same day. On the 13th of August the head-quarters and three companies
returned to Naas.
The head-quarters and two companies of the reserve battalion, under
the command of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart., proceeded
from St. John’s to Montreal, in aid of the civil power, on the
28th of April, 1849. The head-quarters and three companies quitted
Montreal, and encamped on the island of St. Helen’s on the 30th of
June, but returned to St. John’s on the 16th of July. On the 17th of
August, 1849, the head-quarters and two companies proceeded from St.
John’s to Montreal in aid of the civil power, and returned to St.
John’s on the 6th of September.
[Sidenote: 1850.]
In April, 1850, the first battalion proceeded from Naas to Dublin.
The head-quarters and two companies of the reserve battalion quitted
St. John’s and Chambly on the 21st of May, 1850, and arrived at
Toronto on the 23rd of that month, where the battalion was joined by
the other companies, and it continued there during the remainder of
the year.
[Sidenote: 1851.]
In April, 1851, the first battalion proceeded from Dublin to
Mullingar, and in July following was removed to Newry, under the
command of Lieut.-Colonel William Denny.
During the year 1851, the reserve battalion continued to be stationed
at Toronto.
[Sidenote: 1852.]
In May, 1852, the reserve battalion proceeded from Toronto to
Kingston. On the 8th of June following, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hew
Dalrymple, Bart., retired from the service by the sale of his
commission, and was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Nathaniel Massey
Stack.
In August the first battalion moved to Kilkenny, sending detachments
to New Ross and Wexford.
On the 1st of November orders were received from the Horse Guards by
the first battalion to hold itself in readiness for embarkation for
the Mediterranean.
[Sidenote: 1853.]
On the 3rd of January it received new colours, shortly after which it
moved to Cork. Soon after the arrival of the first battalion at Cork,
the old colours were placed over a tablet erected at Kinsale to the
memory of the late Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, a native of
that place, who commanded the regiment for many years.
During the months of February and March the first battalion embarked
in three freight ships for Corfu. By a War Office Letter of 20th
February, 1854, the first battalion was augmented from the 1st April
by 1 pipe major and 5 pipers. In May, 1853, the reserve battalion
proceeded to Quebec, and was quartered in the Citadel. After the
embarkation of the first battalion, the depôt proceeded to Chatham.
[Sidenote: 1854.]
The reserve battalion embarked at Quebec on the 20th September,
landed in England on the 13th of October, and proceeded to
Canterbury, where it was shortly afterwards joined by the depôt from
Chatham. On its departure from Canada, 100 men volunteered to the
Sixteenth and Canadian Rifles. On the 1st of January of this year the
following was the composition of the first and reserve battalion.
The depôt is not included:—
1st battalion Reserve battalion Total
--------------------+--------------+--------------------+------
Scotch. | 540 | 470 | 1,010
English. | 21 | 38 | 59
Irish. | 34 | 26 | 60
--------------------+--------------+--------------------+------
Total. | 595 | 534 | 1,129
--------------------+--------------+--------------------+------
Presbyterians. | 517 | 467 | 984
Church of England. | 37 | 34 | 71
Church of Rome. | 41 | 33 | 74
--------------------+--------------+--------------------+------
The English and Irish were all, with the exception of boys from
the Military Colleges, the remains of the volunteers who joined
the reserve battalion in 1842. On the 24th of November, all the
effectives of the reserve battalion, consisting of 1 major, 3
captains, 6 subalterns, 1 assistant surgeon, 20 sergeants, 6
buglers, and 391 rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth on board
the line-of-battle ship “Royal Albert,” for the Crimea, and landed
at Balaclava on the 20th of December, where it was kept, sending
frequent working parties to the front. The reserve battalion thus had
six weeks’ home service after being twelve years abroad.
[Sidenote: 1855.]
The first battalion embarked at Corfu for the Crimea on board
the transport “Medway” on the 26th January, 1855, and landed at
Balaclava on the 7th of February. On the 13th the first and reserve
battalions were amalgamated into one battalion of eight companies,
about 900 strong, of all ranks. It remained at Balaclava till the
3rd of May, when it embarked on board the “Furious” and “Gladiator”
steam frigates, forming part of the first expedition to Kertch,
which, however, was recalled without accomplishing its object. The
regiment was disembarked on the 8th of May, and marched to the front,
joining the third brigade of the fourth division, and serving in
the trenches. It was re-embarked on board the frigates “Sidon” and
“Valorous” on the 22nd of May, and proceeded to Kertch with the
expeditionary force of the Allied army. The whole landed at Kamish
Burnu (about five miles from Kertch), under cover of the gunboats,
bivouacked that night, and proceeded the next day, marching through
Kertch to Yenikale, where it encamped. The regiment re-embarked at
Yenikale on the 10th of June, on board the steam frigates “Sidon” and
“Valorous,” to return to Sebastopol, but was again disembarked on the
12th, the head-quarters and right wing remaining at Yenikale, and the
left wing proceeding to Cape St. Paul, to protect those points in
conjunction with a French and Turkish force.
In the beginning of August a draft of 120 men, under Captain
Rich, disembarked at Balaclava, and marched to the front. It was
attached to the Highland division, being occasionally employed in
the trenches. At the end of September it embarked for Yenikale,
and joined the head-quarters on the 2nd of October. On the 24th of
September three companies, under Major Hunter, crossed the Straits of
Yenikale, in conjunction with a French force, to Taman, where a large
quantity of hutting material and fuel was obtained. The expedition
returned to Kertch on the 3rd of October.
[Sidenote: 1856.]
The strength and composition of the regiment on the 1st of January
was as follows, exclusive of a depôt at Malta, which was about 100
strong:—
-----------------+---------+----------+--------+--------
| Scotch. | English. | Irish. | Total.
+---------+----------+--------+--------
Head-quarters | 823 | 36 | 44 | 903
Depôt at Perth | 264 | 37 | 50 | 351
-----------------+---------+----------+--------+--------
Total | 1,087 | 73 | 94 | 1,254
-----------------+---------+----------+--------+--------
of which, Presbyterians 1,061, Church of England 77, Church of Rome
116.
The head-quarters and six companies, under Colonel Ready, remained in
Yenikale, having two companies on detachment, under Major Campbell,
at Kertch, till the 30th of May, when the head-quarters moved into
Kertch, which was handed over to the Russian authorities on the 22nd
of June. On the same day the head-quarters and six companies embarked
on board the steam ship “Pacific,” and two under Major Campbell, in
the steam ship “Edina,” and disembarked at Malta on the 29th of June.
The Highland brigade having been kept in reserve during the war, had
few casualties in proportion to other regiments. The Seventy-first
had only 2 men killed, 6 wounded, and 1 taken prisoner. Major K.
Hunter, Lieut. Northey, Assistant-Surgeon Gilborne, and about 100
non-commissioned officers and men died of sickness. The regiment
whilst stationed at Malta occupied the Floriana, Ricasoli, and
Verdala Barracks.
[Sidenote: 1857.]
On the 1st of January, 1857, the following was the strength and
composition of the regiment:—
-----------------+----------+--------+---------+--------
Nationality. | English. | Irish. | Scotch. | Total.
-----------------+----------+--------+---------+--------
Head-quarters | 32 | 47 | 795 | 874
Depôt at Perth | 25 | 37 | 290 | 352
-----------------+----------+--------+---------+--------
Total | 57 | 84 | 1,085 | 1,226
-----------------+----------+--------+---------+--------
of which, 1,043 Presbyterians, 67 Church of England, and 116 Church
of Rome.
On the 26th of November, a draft of 2 officers and 41 men joined the
head-quarters from the depôt.
[Sidenote: 1858.]
On the evening of the 2nd of January, 1858, the regiment received
orders by telegram to proceed overland to India. The head-quarters
and six companies, under Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, embarked on board
the line-of-battle ship “Princess Royal,” on the 4th, 36 hours
later, and disembarked at Alexandria on the 18th. Two companies,
under Major Hope, which proceeded in Her Majesty’s ship “Vulture,”
disembarked there a few days previously. The regiment then proceeded
in two divisions, by railway, to a place half way between Cairo and
Suez, where they were mounted on donkeys, and proceeded to Suez,
a distance of about 20 or 25 miles. Owing to the smallness of the
donkeys, and the size of many of the men, most of them preferred
marching to riding. The head-quarters and right wing, under command
of Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, arrived at Bombay on the 6th of February,
and proceeded to Mhow by bullock train in several detachments, the
last of which arrived on the 17th of March. The whole marched from
Mhow on the 30th of March, to join the Central India Field Force,
under Major-General Sir Hugh Rose, K.C.B. They joined the second
brigade at Moti on the 3rd of May, were present at the action of
Koonch on the 7th of May, the actions at Muttra and Deapoora on
the 16th and 17th of May, action at Golowlee on the 22nd of May,
occupation of Calpee on the 23rd of May. This wing was also present
at the action of Morar on the 16th of June, on which occasion Lieut.
Wyndham Neave, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 2 privates were killed and
8 privates wounded. Private George Rodgers was granted the Victoria
Cross for distinguished conduct and courage on this occasion.
Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, Major Rich, and Lieut. Scott were especially
mentioned.
On the 19th and 20th the whole force, in conjunction with Brigadier
Smith’s column, took possession of Gwalior. Great sufferings from the
excessive heat were undergone by the Central India Force, all the
actions having taken place in the two hottest months of an Indian
summer. To avoid the excessive power of the sun, the marches were
always, when practicable, conducted at night, but owing to the heat
and the plague of flies, but little rest could be got in the daytime,
the thermometer in the tents generally standing at 120°. About 50 men
of the regiment died of sunstroke on the march, and many died soon
after arrival at Morar from utter exhaustion and weakness.
[Sidenote: 1859.]
After the capture of Gwalior the regiment returned to Morar, where it
was stationed till the 12th of August, when it returned to Gwalior,
and was stationed at the Lashkar and Phaol Bagh, and returned again
to Morar on the 6th of June, 1859. On the 11th of November a small
field force, under Lieut.-Colonel Rich, Seventy-first, including a
detachment of the Seventy-first, went out into the jungle to look for
the rebel forces, and defeated them at Ranode and at Nainwass, on
which last occasion 3 privates were killed. This detachment returned
to Gwalior on the 27th of May, 1859.
The left wing, which had arrived at Bombay on the 8th of February,
started on the 11th of March for Mhow, and arrived there on the 17th
of April. On the 9th of June a company was sent to Indore. On the
2nd of September the whole of the detachment in Mhow marched with a
field force under command of Major-General Michel, C.B., in pursuit
of the rebels, under their celebrated leader Tantia Topee. It was
present at the actions at Rajghur, 15th of September, Mongrowlee, 9th
of October (on which occasion 1 private was killed), Sindwaho, 19th
of October, and Koorai, 25th of October, and afterwards marched to
Goonah, where it arrived on the 17th January, 1859. On the 25th of
November a party of 50 men, mounted on camels, left Mhow with a small
column, under command of Major Sutherland, Ninety-second Highlanders,
and was engaged with the rebels at Rajpore on the 25th November, when
the latter were defeated, after which they returned to Mhow.
On the 1st of January, 1859, the company which had been stationed
at Indore marched to join a column under Brigadier-General Sir
Robert Napier, K.C.B., and was present at the attack on the fort of
Nahargurh on the 17th of January, on which occasion 2 privates were
severely wounded. Captain F. W. Lambton, in command of the company,
was specially mentioned for his daring attack, for which service he
was subsequently granted a brevet-majority. Two companies joined
head-quarters from Goonah, in June, leaving a detachment of three
companies there.
The head-quarters were inspected on the 2nd of December, 1859, by the
Commander-in-Chief, Lord Clyde. His Excellency was pleased to express
his satisfaction, both at what he himself saw, and at the reports
which he had received regarding the state of the regiment from other
sources. The report of His Excellency to His Royal Highness the
General Commanding-in-Chief produced the following letter from the
Adjutant-General of the Forces.
“_Horse Guards,_
“_24th January, 1860._
“SIR,
“His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief is much
gratified to hear from General Lord Clyde, Commander-in-Chief in
India, that at his Lordship’s late visit to the station occupied by
the regiment under your command, he found it in the highest order.
After the recent arduous and continuous duties on which it has been
employed, great credit is due to its Commanding Officer and to
every rank in the corps, and His Royal Highness requests that his
opinion may be communicated to them accordingly.
“I have the honour to be, Sir,
“Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) “G. A. WETHERALL, _General,
“Adjutant-General_.
“_Colonel W. Hope,
“Commanding Seventy-first Regiment._”
The three companies on detachment at Goonah rejoined head-quarters on
the 19th of December, and the regiment, after being broken up into
detachments for two years, was brought together again.
In the month of December Colonel R. D. Campbell died in London, and
the command of the regiment devolved on Colonel W. Hope, C.B.
[Sidenote: 1860.]
On the 22nd of July cholera broke out in the regiment, and in spite
of every sanitary measure being taken, did not finally disappear till
the 16th of September, during which time it carried off 1 colour
sergeant, 2 sergeants, 66 rank and file, 11 women, and 11 children.
It is worthy of remark that during this time only 1 officer was
slightly attacked.
On the 20th of December, the regiment having been relieved by the
Twenty-seventh Enniskillens, marched to Sealkote, in the Punjab. The
state of discipline of the regiment whilst at Gwalior can be gathered
from the following official reports:—
Extract from a Report from the Political Agent at Gwalior to the
Government of India, dated 15th June, 1859:—
“When it was determined in June last to post a British force at the
Laskar, the people expected with dread and deprecation a violent
and dangerous, at the least a rude and overbearing, soldiery;
but Her Majesty’s Seventy-first Highlanders soon falsified their
expectations, and created new feelings. His Highness and the best
informed men of the Durbar have assured me that those soldiers,
who passed ten months in the Phoolbagh, have by their manners,
habits, dealings, and whole demeanour so conciliated the respect
and regard of all, that nothing could be more acceptable than the
domestication of such a force in the capital. The Durbar further
considers that it would bring to Gwalior incalculable industrial
advantages, through affording a constant supply of superintendents
of public works and skilled labour. I venture to express the hope
that His Excellency may consider the Durbar’s view of the conduct
of Her Majesty’s Seventy-first Highlanders, commanded by Colonel
Campbell, C.B., a very high and true compliment, as worthy of
express recognition as good conduct in the field. It is, in my
humble judgment, a most fully deserved compliment.
(Signed) “A. A. CHARTERS MACPHERSON,
“_Political Agent_.”
“_Camp, Agra,
“29th November, 1859._
“MY LORD,
“As your Lordship is going to Gwalior, I trust you will not think
that I exceed my office if I venture to send you an extract
from a report of June last, in which I attract the attention of
Government to the admirable conduct of Her Majesty’s Seventy-first
Highlanders, and to its appreciation by Maharajah Scindia and
his people. The importance of such conduct on the part of the
first British troops stationed at the capital of Gwalior might
scarcely be over-stated. Having lived with the Seventy-first at the
Phoolbagh for about twelve months, my pride in them as soldiers and
countrymen must be my excuse to your Lordship for venturing upon
the irregular communications of my impressions.
“General Napier’s views will, I trust, confirm them.
(Signed) “A. A. CHARTERS MACPHERSON,
“_Political Agent_.”
Extract from remarks by His Royal Highness the General
Commanding-in-Chief, on the Confidential Reports for the year 1859:—
“_Horse Guards,
“10th November, 1860._
“Brigadier-General Sir Robert Napier’s Report upon the
Seventy-first Regiment is as satisfactory to His Royal Highness and
as creditable to the corps as it is excellent in itself.
(Signed) “H. D. TORRENS,
“_Assistant Adjutant-General,
“Her Majesty’s Forces_.
“_Simla,
“1st March, 1861._”
[Sidenote: 1861.]
The regiment marched into Sealkote on the 17th of February. The
following was the strength and composition of the regiment at this
time:—
-----------------+----------+---------+---------+--------
Nationality. | English. | Scotch. | Irish. | Total.
-----------------+----------+---------+--------+--------
In India | 29 | 659 | 43 | 731
Depôt at Perth | 36 | 177 | 41 | 254
-----------------+----------+---------+--------+--------
Total | 65 | 836 | 84 | 985
-----------------+----------+---------+--------+--------
of which 790 were Presbyterians, 67 Church of England, and 128 Roman
Catholics. A draft of 130 men on its way to India is not included.
The proportion of English and Irish in the regiment at this time was
less than in any other Highland regiment.
[Sidenote: 1862.]
The regiment remained stationed at Sealkote till the 1st of November,
1862, when, having been relieved by the Ninety-third Highlanders,
it marched to Nowshera, where it arrived on the 21st of November,
detaching one company to Attock.
[Sidenote: 1863.]
The regiment remained at Nowshera till the 14th of October, 1863,
when, in accordance with instructions received from head-quarters,
it marched to Nawakilla, in the Yusufzai country, leaving all sick
men and invalids behind at Nowshera. The force which was assembled
at Nawakilla for service in the hill country was under the command
of Brigadier-General Sir Neville Chamberlain, K.C.B. The object of
the expedition was to destroy Mulka, on the Mahaban Mountain, the
stronghold of certain Hindoostanee fanatics, generally known as the
“Sitana” fanatics, who infested our frontiers, and were incessantly
attacking the villages in our territory. Mulka is just beyond the
English frontier, and in the territory of the Indoons. The force
marched in two divisions; the first, entirely composed of native
troops, marched on the 18th; the second, composed of European troops,
marched on the 20th. The Umbeylah Pass was seized without difficulty,
but, owing to the bad road, the march, although a comparatively short
one, lasted nearly 24 hours, and several days passed before all the
guns and baggage were brought up. On the 21st the regiment encamped
near the village of Umbeylah. On the 26th of October, 150 men of
the Seventy-first, under Major Parker, were engaged in repelling
an attack from the enemy, on which occasion 1 private was killed
and 5 were wounded. Privates William Clapperton and George Stewart
were recommended for the medal for service in the field on this
occasion. On the 30th the enemy made another attack on the pickets,
but were repulsed. The Seventy-first had 3 privates wounded on this
occasion. On the 6th November a party of the regiment was attacked by
the enemy, having been sent too far to the front, and not properly
supported. Ensign C. B. Murray, Lieut. Dougal, Seventy-ninth,
attached, 1 sergeant, and 3 privates were killed, and 4 privates
were wounded. Captain Mounsey and Lieut. Davidson, the latter of
the Indian Army attached to the Seventy-first, were specially
mentioned for their gallantry on this occasion. On the 18th the
whole force changed position to higher ground, and was immediately
attacked by the enemy, who was not repulsed before night. On this
occasion Captain C. T. Smith, Lieut. Gore Jones, of the Seventy-ninth
Highlanders, doing duty with the Seventy-first, and 4 privates, were
killed, 1 sergeant and 4 privates were wounded. Major Parker was
specially mentioned for his services. On the 19th Captain Aldridge
and 1 private were killed; 1 private was wounded. On the 20th, the
enemy, having succeeded in driving out the 101st Fusiliers from the
“Crag Picket,” by a sudden and unexpected attack, the Seventy-first
were ordered up to retake it. The “Crag Picket” was situated at
the top of a very rocky hill, which rendered the operation doubly
difficult. Led by Colonel W. Hope, C.B., who was severely wounded,
and supported by two native corps, the Seventy-first, in spite of
the natural obstacles and the determined resistance of the enemy,
retook the “Crag Picket” at the point of the bayonet. The loss on
this occasion was 7 privates killed, 1 field officer, 2 sergeants.
3 corporals, and 19 privates wounded. On the 27th, 1 private was
killed. On the 15th of December Major-General Garvock, commanding the
Peshawur division, had succeeded Sir N. Chamberlain in the command of
the whole force, when the latter was wounded on the 20th of November.
Having received strong reinforcements, he attacked and defeated the
enemy on all points. The regiment, being on picket duty, was not
engaged on this occasion. Shortly after the Boneyrs asked for and
obtained terms of peace. The regiment returned to Nonshera on the
30th December.
The following was the loss sustained by the regiment in the Umbeylah
Pass. 5 officers (including Lieutenants Dougal and Jones of the
Seventy-ninth attached), 1 sergeant, and 17 privates killed; 1
officer, 4 sergeants, and 42 privates wounded.
[Sidenote: 1864.]
On the 4th of January the regiment marched for Peshawur, where it
arrived on the 5th. On the 21st of January it was inspected by His
Excellency Sir Hugh Rose, K.C.B., who expressed himself in the most
complimentary manner with reference to the conduct of the regiment
in the late campaign. The three men whose names had appeared in
General Orders, Privates William Malcolm, William Clapperton, and
George Stewart, were called to the front, and were addressed by His
Excellency in terms of approval of their gallant conduct in the
presence of the enemy. On the 23rd of October the regiment commenced
its march for Calcutta prior to embarkation for England. At Rawal
Pindee it was called upon to give volunteers for the other regiments
in the Bengal Presidency. 200 men volunteered, and were transferred
accordingly. At Umbala, on the 14th of December, at a general
parade of the garrison, medals for “gallant conduct in the field”
were presented by Major-General Lord George Paget, commanding the
Sirhind division, to Sergeant-Major John Blackwood, Privates William
Malcolm, William Macdonald, William Clapperton, and George Stewart.
Sergeant-Major J. Blackwood, who had been dangerously wounded, was
also granted an annuity of £15 a year, and was shortly afterwards
invalided on account of his wound. He has since been appointed one of
Her Majesty’s Yeomen of the Guard and Sergeant-Major of the Second
Royal Lanark Militia.
[Sidenote: 1865.]
On the 4th of February the head-quarters and right wing under Colonel
Hope, C.B., embarked at Calcutta; the left wing, under Major Gore,
embarked on the 14th of February.
The right wing arrived at Plymouth on the 29th of May, and shortly
afterwards proceeded to Edinburgh Castle, where it was joined by the
left wing, which disembarked at Gravesend on the 19th of June.
The following divisional and general orders were published before the
regiment left India:—
Extract of divisional order by Major-General Sir John Garvock,
K.C.B., Commanding Peshawur Division.
“_Rawul Pindee,
“1st November, 1864._
“The Seventy-first Highland Light Infantry being about to leave
the Peshawur Division _en route_ for England, the Major-General
desires to offer them his best wishes on the occasion. He has
known the regiment for a number of years. He was very intimately
associated with it in the Mediterranean, and his interest in it
is now materially increased in no small degree by its having
served under him in the field, and done its part, and done it
well, in obtaining for him those honours which Her Majesty has
been pleased to confer. The Major-General had not assumed command
of the Yusufzai Field Force when the Seventy-first recaptured the
‘Crag Picket,’ but he well knows it was a most gallant exploit. Sir
John Garvock, K.C.B., begs Colonel Hope, C.B., and the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the Seventy-first Light
Infantry to believe that although they will be soon no longer under
his command, he will continue to take the liveliest interest in
their career, and he now wishes them a speedy and prosperous voyage.
(Signed) “J. WRIGHT, _Lieut.-Colonel,
“Assistant Adjutant-General_.”
General order by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.
“_Head-quarters, Calcutta,
“27th January, 1865._
“The services of the Seventy-first Highland Light Infantry in
India entitle them, on their departure to England, to honourable
mention in general orders. A wing of the regiment, on their arrival
in India in 1858, joined the Central India Field Force, and His
Excellency is enabled to bear testimony to the good services which
they performed, and the excellent spirit which they displayed
during that campaign. The regiment more recently distinguished
itself under their Commanding Officer, Colonel W. Hope, C.B., in
the late operations on the frontier. Sir Hugh Rose cannot, in
justice to military merit, speak of the Seventy-first in a general
order without reverting to an earlier period, when in two great
campaigns in Europe they won a reputation which has earned them an
honourable page in history.
“Sir Hugh Rose’s best wishes attend this distinguished regiment on
their leaving his command for home.
“By order of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.
(Signed) “G. HAYTHORN, _Colonel,
“Adjutant-General._”
The losses of the regiment during the seven years it was quartered
in India were Captain W. F. Smith, Captain R. B. Aldridge, Lieut.
Wyndham Neave, and Ensign C. B. Murray, 2 sergeants and 24 rank and
file killed, 1 officer, Colonel W. Hope, C.B., 4 sergeants, and 50
rank and file wounded. Major H. Loftus, Lieut. and Adjutant Cowburn,
Ensign Swainson, and Surgeon W. Simpson, and about 250 men, died of
disease. About a half of the loss incurred by disease occurred during
the six weeks that the Central India campaign lasted, and during the
six weeks that the cholera was raging in the regiment in 1860.
The depôt companies joined the regiment in Edinburgh, and the
establishment of the regiment was fixed at 12 companies, with 54
sergeants, 31 buglers and pipers, and 700 rank and file.
In October occurred the death of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Parker, of
typhoid fever, after a service of 23 years in the regiment.
[Sidenote: 1866.]
In February, authority was received from the Commander-in-Chief
for the officers of the regiment to wear a sword with a cross hilt
instead of a basket hilt on all occasions except at levees, &c.
In the same month the regiment embarked at Granton, for Aldershot,
where it arrived on the 19th, and remained stationed there till
December, when it proceeded to Portsmouth, and embarked on board Her
Majesty’s ship “Tamar” for Ireland, where it arrived on the 14th.
The head-quarters and five companies proceeded to Fermoy, detaching
three companies to Cork and two to Ballincollig. During the whole
of this year, when a Fenian outbreak was anticipated, the regiment
was much broken up into detachments, having at different times sent
detachments to the following places:—Cork, Ballincollig, Mallow,
Millstreet, Dungarvan, Mitchelstown, Tralee, Limerick, Killarney, and
Rathkeale. On the 27th of November Colonel W. Hope, C.B., retired
on half-pay, after a service of 32 years in the regiment, and after
having commanded it for eight years, much and deservedly respected
and regretted by all ranks. The command now devolved on Major J. J.
Macdonell.
[Sidenote: 1868.]
The regiment proceeded to Dublin on the 30th April, 1868, at which
time its establishment was increased to 800 privates. On the 22nd of
July the regiment proceeded to the Curragh Camp, and remained there
till the 17th of October, when it embarked on board Her Majesty’s
ship “Simoom” for Gibraltar, where it arrived on the 22nd of the same
month.
[Sidenote: 1869.]
On the 1st of April the establishment of the regiment was reduced by
100 privates.
[Sidenote: 1870.]
On the 31st of March the regiment sustained the loss by death of
Lieut.-General the Honourable C. Grey, the Colonel of the regiment.
General Grey had previously commanded the regiment from 1833 to 1842,
and had always taken the greatest interest in its welfare. He was
succeeded by Lieut.-General R. Law, K.H., who in the earlier part of
his military career had served in the Seventy-first during the whole
of the war in Spain, having been present with the regiment at all
the actions in which it was engaged, and having been wounded several
times. He was also severely wounded by a cannon ball at the battle
of Waterloo, whilst performing the duties of adjutant. On the 1st of
April the establishment of the regiment was reduced from 12 to 10
companies.
According to a return furnished to the Horse Guards in 1872, the
Seventy-first proved to be the most national one among the Highland
corps, the numbers being 710 Scotch, 25 English, and 18 Irish.
[Sidenote: 1873.]
By general order dated 17th March, 1873, the regiment was associated
with the Seventy-eighth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs), and formed
into the Fifty-fifth Brigade, together with the Ross, Caithness, &c.,
and Inverness, Nairn, and Elgin militia regiments, with its depôt
established permanently at Fort George.
[Sidenote: 1874.]
On the 24th of April the service companies embarked on board Her
Majesty’s ship “Tamar,” for passage to Malta, where they disembarked
on the 30th of the same month.
On the 10th of May the death of Lieut.-General Law took place. He
was succeeded in the command of the regiment by Lieut.-General the
Honourable G. Cadogan, who was transferred from the 106th at his own
request. General Cadogan is nephew of Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable
H. Cadogan, who commanded the regiment throughout the whole of the
Peninsular war, and was finally killed at the battle of Vittoria.
[Sidenote: 1876.]
The regiment still remains quartered at Malta. The composition and
nationality of the regiment at the present date is as follows:—
-------------------------------+----------+--------+---------+-------
Mode of Enlistment. | English. | Irish. | Scotch. | Total.
-------------------------------+----------+--------+---------+-------
Enlisted for Seventy-first | 12 | 6 | 526 | 544
-------------------------------+----------+--------+---------+-------
Transfers from other regiments | 7 | 3 | -- | 10
-------------------------------+----------+--------+---------+-------
From schools | 7 | -- | -- | 7
-------------------------------+----------+--------+---------+-------
Fifty-fifth Brigade | 34 | 25 | -- | 59
-------------------------------+----------+--------+---------+-------
Total | 60 | 34 | 526 | 620
-------------------------------+----------+--------+---------+-------
It will be seen by the above how little the Seventy-first has
profited by the Depôt Brigade system.
HARRISON AND SONS, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HER MAJESTY, ST. MARTIN’S
LANE.