CHAPTER XXI.
“He, in the firmament of honour, stands
Like a star, fixed, not moved with any thunder
Of popular applause, or sudden lightning
Of self-opinion; he hath saved his country,
And thinks ’twas but his duty.”
1794–1862—GIBRALTAR—MINORCA—EGYPT—WEST INDIES—CRIMEA—INDIAN MUTINY.
From the wilds of Perthshire have hailed many of the best and bravest soldiers, whose deeds grace our military annals, and whose lives have been the embodiment of all that truly ennobles character and makes the man. Of these there is none perhaps more justly celebrated than Thomas Graham, Lord Lynedoch, whose abilities early marked him to be the leader of the patriotism of his native county, which, in 1794, found its expression in the enrolment of the Ninetieth Regiment of Foot, or Perthshire Volunteers. Shortly after its formation, the corps was included in the army under Lord Moira; and in 1795, from the Isle Dieu, proceeded to reinforce the garrison of Gibraltar. With the Twenty-eighth, the Forty-second, and the Fifty-eighth regiments, the Ninetieth formed the force which, under Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Stuart, in 1798, assailed and captured the island of Minorca from the Spaniards. A more important service, and more serious encounter with the enemy, awaited the arms of the Ninetieth, as part of the expedition of Sir Ralph Abercromby, which, in 1801, was destined to drive the French out of Egypt. Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, afterwards Viscount Hill, it was brigaded with the Eighth, the Thirteenth, and the Eighteenth regiments. At this period the regiment wore helmets, giving it the appearance of a body of dismounted cavalry. At Mandora, believing it to be such, and supposing, in consequence, that being thus out of its own element, the regiment should lack the wonted steadiness of British infantry, the French cavalry charged fiercely and repeatedly upon the Ninetieth, yet always fruitlessly. The phalanx of our Perthshire men remained firm, whilst many a saddle was emptied by its murderous fire. It was on this occasion that Sir Ralph Abercromby, separated from his staff, having his horse shot under him, was on the point of being captured, when a soldier of the Ninetieth afforded such prompt assistance, and by heroically exposing his own life in defence of his commander, accomplished his rescue. At the same battle, Colonel Hill, who, as the associate of Wellington, afterwards shared the glory of the Peninsular campaigns, had his life saved by the fortunate circumstance of the helmet he wore. “A musket ball struck it on the brass rim with such force, that he was thrown from his horse to the ground, and the brass completely indented. Without this safeguard, the ball would have passed through his head.” The conspicuous bravery of the Ninetieth and Ninety-second regiments on this occasion was rewarded by the honourable distinction of “Mandora,” in addition to the “Sphinx” and “Egypt,” borne by other corps engaged in the expedition.
Whilst the British were accomplishing glorious results on the plains of Spain, the Ninetieth was employed, in 1809–10, with the Seventh, Eighth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth (flank companies), Sixtieth, Sixty-third, and First West Indian Regiments, in the reduction of the valuable island of Martinique. This success was soon afterwards followed by the capture of Guadaloupe, in which the Ninetieth bore a conspicuous part. The five and thirty years which intervene betwixt this and the next active service in which the regiment was engaged, although a blank so far as mere fighting is concerned, displayed in its soldiers excellences not less to be admired than those which manifest a mere physical might or brute courage. From the “Account of the Scottish Regiments”—to which we have already referred—we find that in 1812 the composition of the regiment in its several battalions was as follows:—English, 1097; Scots, 538; Irish, 486; Foreigners, 24. Total, 2144.
In 1846 the Kaffirs of South Africa attempted to recover their ancient territory from British dominion, and accompanied these attempts with a series of predatory incursions upon our settlements, especially in the neighbourhood of Graham’s Town. It became necessary, for the defence of the colony, to assemble a British army of some strength. Ere this could be accomplished, much valuable property became the prey of these savages, and many lives were sacrificed on the altar of their vengeance. At first the disparity in numbers was very great—so great as to preclude a decisive result in our favour—the whole British force scarcely amounting to 700 men, whilst the enemy possessed 60,000 sable warriors. Moreover, the peculiarity of the warfare in “the bush” served somewhat to advantage the foe, and negative the superiority we might otherwise enjoy, from troops better armed and disciplined. The assembled British, augmented by reinforcements from home, comprised, besides Royal Artillery and Engineers, the Seventh Dragoon Guards, the Sixth, Twenty-seventh, Forty-fifth, Seventy-third, Ninetieth, and Ninety-first regiments, the first battalion of the Rifle Brigade, and the Cape Mounted Riflemen. This army, advancing in two divisions, after undergoing the most harassing service, exposed continually to the attack of an unseen and treacherous enemy, at length so hunted down the guerilla bands which infested the country, that the Kaffirs were glad to purchase peace by the surrender, as hostages, of their chief Sandilli, together with his brother and eighty of his principal followers. “During this long and protracted desultory warfare great fatigue and exertions had been undergone with the characteristic heroism of the British soldier; and the humanity and forbearance displayed by him towards the fickle, treacherous, and revengeful enemy, were as conspicuous as his bravery.”
The Ninetieth joined the “army of the Crimea” before Sebastopol early in December, 1854, and served during that fatal winter when so many brave men fell the victims of disease, induced by the hardships to which they were exposed, and which so abundantly displayed the unmurmuring firmness of the British soldier, so graciously cheered by the sympathy of our beloved Queen, who thus beautifully expressing her feelings, has unwittingly rewarded the heroic endurance of our soldiers, by conferring, in these words, a well-merited tribute to their bravery, which must ever be treasured by our country:—
“Would you tell Mrs Herbert that I begged she would let me see frequently the accounts she receives from Miss Nightingale or Mrs Bracebridge, as I hear no details of the wounded, though I see so many from officers, etc., about the battlefield, and naturally the former must interest me more than any one. Let Mrs Herbert also know that I wish Miss Nightingale and the ladies would tell these poor noble wounded and sick men that no one takes a warmer interest, or feels more for their sufferings, or admires their courage and heroism more than their Queen. Day and night she thinks of her beloved troops; so does the Prince. Beg Mrs Herbert to communicate these my words to those ladies, as I know that our sympathy is much valued by these noble fellows.
Victoria.”
It was during the third bombardment of Sebastopol, and in the assault and defence of the fortifications known as the Quarries, that the Ninetieth first seriously encountered the Russians. In this attack, which took place on the 7th June, 1855, the regiment was gallantly led by Lieut.-Colonel Robert Campbell, who fell severely wounded. Belonging to the Light Division, it afterwards formed part of the assailing force which so heroically yet unsuccessfully attempted to carry the powerful defences of the Redan. Fearing the result of a second assault, sustained by the same impetuous valour, and incited by the resolve to wipe out the seeming stain of the previous repulse, the Russians declining the contest, beat a timely retreat, evacuating that portion of the fortifications deemed no longer tenable, and by a series of masterly movements successfully effecting an escape to the other side of the harbour, from whence the Governor negotiated the surrender of the entire city. These good tidings, received with joy by all classes at home, elicited from the Throne the following expression of our nation’s gratitude to the heroes of the “Crimean Army:”—
“The Queen has received with deep emotion the welcome intelligence of the fall of Sebastopol. Penetrated with profound gratitude to the Almighty, who has vouchsafed this triumph to the allied army, Her Majesty has commanded me to express to yourself, and through you to her army, the pride with which she regards this fresh instance of their heroism. The Queen congratulates her troops on the triumphant issue of their protracted siege, and thanks them for the cheerfulness and fortitude with which they have encountered its toils, and the valour which has led to its termination. The Queen deeply laments that this success is not without its alloy, in the heavy losses that have been sustained; and while she rejoices in the victory, Her Majesty deeply sympathizes with the noble sufferers in their country’s cause.”
LUCKNOW.
It remains for us now simply to record the memorable services of the Ninetieth in that dark period of our country’s history—the Indian Mutiny. Brigaded with our Highlanders, “Havelock’s Seventy-eighth—the Saints,” the regiment was advanced, under Generals Outram and Havelock, for the relief of Lucknow. Whilst guarding the baggage near the Alumbagh, the Ninetieth was fiercely attacked by a strong column of the rebel cavalry, and it was only after a desperate fight and much loss that the mutineers were repulsed and dispersed. The further relief of Lucknow being accomplished by Sir Colin Campbell, now Lord Clyde, the regiment was thereafter engaged with the Forty-second and Fifty-third storming the position of the mutineers at the Martinière. The numerous acts of individual bravery which marked the conduct of so many of our Perthshire Volunteers have received, as the reward of distinguished merit, the decoration of the “Victoria Cross;” whilst Perthshire may well indulge a becoming pride as she reviews the famous achievements of her soldier sons.
“Courage, therefore, brother-men.
Cry ‘God!’ and to the fight again.”