HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE NINETY-SECOND REGIMENT,
(HIGHLANDERS.)
1793
The French Revolution, which commenced in the year 1789, by its destroying and sanguinary course, menaced Europe with universal anarchy. On the 21st of January, 1793, Louis XVI. was decapitated, and on the 1st of February the National Convention declared war against Great Britain and Holland.
Augmentations were in consequence made to the army; volunteer companies were formed by the patriotism of the British people, and every exertion was made to defend those institutions which had raised England to a high position among the nations of Europe.
1794
To these events the NINETY-SECOND regiment owes its origin. A letter of service was addressed to the Duke of Gordon on the 10th of February, 1794, authorizing him to raise a regiment in Scotland, and the commission of Lieut.-Colonel Commandant was conferred upon his son the Marquis of Huntly.
The establishment of the regiment was directed to consist of one lieut.-colonel commandant, two majors, ten captains, one captain-lieutenant, twenty-one lieutenants, eight ensigns, one adjutant, quarter-master, surgeon, assistant-surgeon, chaplain, serjeant-major, quarter-master serjeant, forty serjeants, twenty drummers, two fifers, and one thousand rank and file.
On the 24th of June, 1794, the regiment was embodied at Aberdeen, and was generally known as “The Gordon Highlanders;” the regiment was inspected on the following day by Lieut.-General Sir Hector Munro, K.B., who expressed himself highly pleased with the general appearance of the corps.
The following officers were present, namely:—
| Lieut.-Colonel Commandant | George Marquis of Huntly. |
| Major | Charles Erskine. |
| Captains. | |
| Alexander Napier. | William McIntosh. |
| John Cameron. | Alexander Gordon. |
| Honorable John Ramsay. | Simon McDonald. |
| Andrew Patton. | John Gordon (Capt.-Lieut.) |
| Lieutenants. | Ensigns. |
| Peter Grant. | Charles Dowie. |
| Archibald McDonell. | George Davidson. |
| Alexander Stewart. | Archibald McDonald. |
| John McLean. | Alexander Fraser. |
| Patrick Gordon. | William Todd. |
| James Mitchell. | |
| Adjutant | John Henderson. | Surgeon | William Findlay. |
| Quarter-Master | Peter Wilkie. | Assistant-Surgeon | John Clark. |
| Chaplain | William Gordon. | ||
On the 9th of July, the regiment embarked at Fort George for England, and landed at Southampton on the 16th of August, when it was encamped on Netley Common. About this period it was numbered the Hundredth regiment.
The uniform of the officers was as follows:—
Jacket.—Scarlet, facings yellow, with lappels turned back, and laced two and two; lace, silver, with a blue silk-worm in the centre; flat buttons, silver or plated, with the number of the regiment ‘100’ in the centre.
Epaulets.—Two for all ranks, of silver bullion, having two stripes of yellow silk in the centre of the strap, with a thistle, and a binding of blue round the edge.
Waistcoat.—Scarlet, with regimental buttons, and laced with silver.
Belted Plaid.—Twelve yards of blue, black, and green tartan, with a narrow yellow stripe.
Purse, Shoes, and Hose.—Badger skin, ornamented with six white tassels, mounted with silver, and having a rim of silver round the top. The shoes were low-quartered, with silver buckles. The rosettes and garters were of red tape. The hose were tartan of white and red chequer.
The sword was the Highland claymore; the sword belt of buff leather, and the breastplate oval, of silver, ornamented with a crown and thistle, encircled by the words “Gordon Highlanders.”
The sash was of crimson silk, and was worn across the left shoulder. The bonnet was ornamented with black ostrich feathers, and the dirk was silver mounted.
The dress of the serjeants and privates was similar, the arms of the former being the claymore and halbert, and the latter had muskets; queues were worn by officers and men.
On the 5th of September, the regiment embarked at Southampton for Gibraltar, where it landed on the 27th of October: at this station the drill of the regiment was completed, and it was immediately placed on the garrison roster. The effective strength consisted of three field officers, seven captains, nine lieutenants, six ensigns, four staff, twenty-nine serjeants, twenty-one drummers, and seven hundred and twenty-seven rank and file.
In December the regiment received its colours on Windmill Hill, after being consecrated by the garrison chaplain; the regiment was marched under them by files in ordinary time, previously to which the Marquis of Huntly made a very impressive address, calling the attention of the officers and men to the duties which their King and Country expected from them, and to the honors which he trusted they would acquire under these banners.
The first or King’s Colour was, as usual, the Great Union. The second, or Regimental Colour, was composed of yellow silk; in the centre of both, the number ‘100,’ surmounted with a crown, and the words “Gordon Highlanders,” the whole within a wreath of thistles and roses.
1795
On the 11th of June, 1795, the regiment embarked for Corsica, and landed at Bastia on the 11th of July.
In February of the previous year a landing was effected in Corsica by the allied troops, and, through the influence of General Paoli, the Commander-in-Chief of the island, a decree was made by the Assembly of Deputies, declaring the separation of Corsica from France, and its union to the British dominions.
In December, 1795, Lieut.-Colonel the Marquis of Huntly obtained leave of absence, and the command of the regiment devolved on Major Erskine.
1796
The regiment was inspected on the 14th of April, 1796, at Bastia, by Lieut.-General Thomas Trigge, commanding at Corsica, who expressed his gratification at the appearance of the men, and the very correct manner in which they performed the different movements.
On the 14th of May, His Excellency the Viceroy, Lieut.-General Sir Gilbert Eliott reviewed the regiment, and signified his highest approbation of its appearance.
On the following day, the greater portion of the regiment, under the command of Major Alexander Napier, to which rank he had been promoted in March of this year, proceeded to Corte, in order to suppress a serious rebellion which broke out in that part of the island, and upon the return of the troops, a general order was issued by Lieut.-General the Honorable John Thomas De Burgh, who had succeeded to the command of the forces in Corsica, expressive of his best thanks for the exertions and good conduct displayed during the above fatiguing service.
Lieut.-Colonel Commandant the Marquis of Huntly was promoted to the rank of colonel of the regiment on the 3rd of May, 1796; Major Charles Erskine was also promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, the commission of the latter being ante-dated 1st May of the previous year.
In July Lieut.-Colonel Erskine obtained leave of absence, and the command of the regiment devolved upon Major Napier.
On the 14th of August, a detachment, consisting of one field officer, two captains, four subalterns, seven serjeants, eight corporals, and two hundred privates, was ordered to be held in readiness at a moment’s notice, to embark upon a secret expedition. The zeal and spirit of the corps showed itself in a most conspicuous manner, by the unanimous wish of the whole to be employed upon it; and in consequence of which, Major Napier, then commanding the regiment, made an offer to that effect to the Commander-in-Chief, who was pleased to give the following answer:—
“The Commander-in-Chief is sensible of the zeal and laudable motive, which have induced the officers and men of the Hundredth regiment to offer their services on the present occasion, and he desires Major Napier to express his best thanks to them, as well as his assurance, that he will be ready at all times to testify his satisfaction at their general good conduct and appearance, although circumstances will not at this time allow him to avail himself of their services to the extent they offer them.”
This expedition proved to be against Porto Ferrajo, in the Isle of Elba, and was completely successful, without any loss on the part of the troops employed.
Meanwhile the brilliant career of General Bonaparte in Italy had produced a change of sentiment among the inhabitants of Corsica, of which island he was a native. The Corsicans, therefore, gloried in him as a man who reflected honor on their country, and they regretted that the island had been annexed to Great Britain, as this event placed them in hostility to their victorious countryman, and they began to concert measures to effect its separation. It appearing evident that the expense of the defence would exceed the advantage derived from the possession of the island, the British troops were withdrawn, and on the 6th of September the regiment embarked for Gibraltar.
The regiment mustered one major, five captains, seven lieutenants, five ensigns, three staff, thirty-seven serjeants, twenty-one drummers, and seven hundred and six rank and file.
The following General Order was issued upon this occasion:—
5th September, 1796.
“The Hundredth regiment being to embark for Gibraltar, Lieut.-General De Burgh cannot suffer them to leave Corsica, without testifying his approbation and satisfaction of their general good conduct and soldier-like behaviour, since he had the honor to command them; at the same time he desires they will accept of his best wishes for their success and welfare on all occasions.”
During the voyage, the British Admiral fell in with a large fleet of Spanish men-of-war, and the first intimation he had of Spain being at war with Great Britain, was their firing upon his ships. Perceiving this, and the enemy being so superior in force, he made signal to crowd all sail. The Spaniards, however, captured the “Granby” transport, having on board two staff officers, three serjeants, and forty-eight rank and file of the regiment.
The regiment landed at Gibraltar on the 4th of October, and on the 10th of that month was inspected by the Lieut.-Governor, who was much pleased with its appearance.
In the previous year, Prussia had concluded a peace with the French Republic, and in consequence of the United Provinces of Holland having leagued with France, England had taken possession of the Cape of Good Hope and of Ceylon. The former allies of England now became converted into enemies. War was declared by Holland, which had been constituted the Batavian Republic, against Great Britain, in May, and Spain followed the example in October. In the same month, Lord Malmsbury was sent to Paris to negociate a peace on the part of the British Government; but the French insisted upon retaining, as integral parts of the Republic, the conquests lately made; these terms could not be acceded to consistently with the general interests of Europe, and the negociation was discontinued.
1797
In April, 1797, Lieut.-Colonel Erskine arrived at Gibraltar, and assumed the command of the regiment.
In April, the preliminaries of peace were signed at Leoben, in Styria, between Austria and the French Republic, so that Great Britain was left to continue the contest single-handed with France and her allies. In July Lord Malmsbury was sent a second time to negociate a peace, but the demands of the French Directory rendered the attempt abortive. On the 17th of October the definitive treaty of peace between Austria and the French Republic was signed at Campo Formio.
1798
The regiment embarked in transports for England on the 16th of March, 1798. The ships put into the Tagus on the 9th of April, and sailed again on the 15th. After a tedious and boisterous passage, the regiment disembarked at Portsmouth on the 15th of May, and occupied Hilsea Barracks.
The effective strength of the regiment at this period consisted of two field officers, four captains, eleven subalterns, three staff, thirty-seven serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and seven hundred and forty-two rank and file.
By a General Order, dated 26th of May, 1798, it was directed that the coats of the army should be worn buttoned over the body down to the waist.
On the 31st of May, the regiment embarked in ships of war at Southsea Beach, Portsmouth, for Ireland, and arrived at Dublin, on the 15th of June, where it went into barracks.
His Majesty King George III., appointed Colonel the Marquis of Huntly to serve as a Brigadier-General upon the Staff of the Army in Ireland, in which country a spirit of discontent had been fomented by a party of unprincipled men, who had expected aid from France to carry out their designs. On the 21st of June, Lieut.-General Lake defeated the main body of the rebels at Vinegar hill, and the troubles in Ireland would have subsided, had it not been for the expected aid to be derived from France.
On the 2nd of July, the regiment marched at a moment’s notice, in consequence of the disturbed state of the country, the urgency of the service being such that the troops were conveyed in carriages.
The regiment encamped in the vicinity of Gorey on the 7th of July, and on the 18th marched suddenly to Blessington, where it encamped. On the 29th it marched and encamped at the Glen of Emall.
On the 10th of August, Lieut.-Colonel Erskine and three hundred men were detached and encamped at Torbay.
The following letter, expressive of the good conduct of the regiment during their stay at Gorey, was addressed by the Dean of Ferns, to Colonel the Marquis of Huntly:—
“My Lord,
“I have the honor of enclosing to you that part of the proceedings in the last vestry, held in Gorey, wherein your Lordship and your regiment are mentioned. This mark of our respect and gratitude should have been sooner expressed and conveyed to you, had not our calamitous situation delayed the calling of a vestry, which we conceived the most regular mode of expressing our sentiments collectively.
“It may be pleasing to your Lordship to hear that, in the attendance of my parish, I have heard all the poor loud in the praise of the honesty and humanity of the privates of your regiment. They not only did not rob them of the wretched pittance that was left by the rebels, but refused such trifling presents (of provisions, &c.,) as were offered them, saying their King paid them nobly, and enabled them to supply every want at their own expense.
“I have the honor to be,
“With great respect,
“Your Lordship’s obedient Servant,
(Signed) “Peter Brown,
“Dean of Ferns.”
“We the loyal inhabitants of the parish and vicinity of Gorey, in vestry assembled, beg leave thus publicly to acknowledge the goodness and humanity evinced by the Marquis of Huntly, during his short stay amongst us. We are proud to add, that during that short stay, rapine ceased to be a system, and the confidence of the people in the honor of government began to revive. We should be wanting in gratitude if we omitted our testimony, that the humanity of the colonel was emulated by the soldiers, and we request the Hundredth regiment to accept our thanks for the moderation and honor which marked the conduct of every individual officer and private who composed it.
(Signed) “Peter Brown, Rector.
“J. Jerman, Churchwarden.”
The French, to the number of about nine hundred men, commanded by General Humbert, landed at Killala, and being joined by a few malcontents marched to Castlebar.
On the 24th of August the regiment marched to Blessington; on the 26th encamped at Kilbeggan; on the 28th at Athlone; on the 29th at Ballymore, in a position in front of the town; on the 1st of September it encamped at Crophill, and moved every day until the 16th, when it encamped near Moat.
Meanwhile the united French and rebel force had been attacked by Lieut.-General Lake, at Ballinamuck, on the 8th of September, and the French troops were compelled to surrender at discretion.
Major-General John Moore, in brigade orders, dated 25th of September, 1798, after detailing some irregularity on the part of the troops, added—
“The Major-General must, in justice to the Hundredth regiment, state, that hitherto he has had no complaint of any one of them, nor has he ever met them in town after the retreat beating.”
The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were, on the 15th of October, conveyed to the troops, “for their meritorious exertions on the present important crisis.”
While the regiment was encamped near Moat, the following order was received, by which the corps was numbered the NINETY-SECOND regiment.[6]
Adjutant-General’s Office, Dublin, 16th October, 1798.
“It is His Majesty’s pleasure, that the Hundredth regiment shall in future be numbered the NINETY-SECOND, and that it be placed on the same establishment with regard to field officers as other regiments of the line.
(Signed) “G. Hewitt, Adjutant-General.”
On the 30th of October, 1798, the regiment broke up from camp, and went into quarters at Athlone.
Napoleon Bonaparte, against whose legions in Egypt and the Peninsula, the NINETY-SECOND regiment, in subsequent years, acquired great renown, was now rising, step by step, to that imperial sway which he afterwards attained. The National Convention had been succeeded in October, 1795, by the French Directory, and the latter, jealous of Bonaparte’s popularity, sent him, in May, 1798, on the expedition to Egypt. Napoleon took Alexandria by storm, and soon established himself at Cairo. The Sublime Porte, incensed by the invasion of Egypt, declared war against France, and formed an alliance with Russia. The fleet which had conveyed the expedition to Egypt, was almost destroyed by Admiral Nelson in Aboukir Bay, on the 1st of August. So large a portion of the French army, being thus secluded in a distant land, gave fresh impulse to the allies, and in November the island of Minorca surrendered to the British arms. In December, 1798, the co-operation of Russia against France was secured by Great Britain.
1799
War was declared by the French Directory against Austria, in March, 1799, and the combined Austrian and Russian armies recovered the greater portion of Italy.
Great Britain now determined to make a corresponding attempt, in conjunction with Russia, to recover Holland from the dominion of France, and a numerous army was selected to proceed to that country under His Royal Highness the Duke of York, previous to whose arrival, the troops were to be commanded by Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby.
A plan of co-operation was concerted between Great Britain and Russia, in the expectation that the Dutch would rise in arms against the French, in favour of the Prince of Orange, and, aided by the Anglo-Russian force, would exert themselves to effect their emancipation.
On the 15th of June, the NINETY-SECOND regiment, which had been selected to embark on the expedition to Holland, commenced its march by divisions for Cork, on which day the following address was received by the commanding officer:—
“At a numerous meeting of the inhabitants of Athlone and its vicinity on the 15th June, 1799, Thomas Mitchell, Esq., in the chair: the following Address to Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, commanding His Majesty’s NINETY-SECOND regiment in this garrison, was unanimously agreed to:—
“Sir,
“We heard with concern, that His Majesty’s NINETY-SECOND regiment, which you have commanded in this garrison, has been ordered to march for the purpose of joining those troops intended for a foreign expedition: but however we may regret your departure, we are not surprised that a regiment, so eminently conspicuous for its steadiness and discipline, should be selected for an arduous enterprise.
“We have during your continuance amongst us, experienced a polite attention from the officers of your regiment, and the uninterrupted peace and tranquillity, which have prevailed in this town and neighbourhood, evince the attention of the soldiers under your command.
“Permit us, therefore, to return you our thanks, and to request that you will convey the same to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of your regiment.
“By order of the meeting,
(Signed) “Thomas Mitchell.”
The regiment arrived at Cork on the 24th and 25th of June, and encamped at Monkstown, until orders for its embarkation should arrive. On the 19th of July, the regiment embarked at Cove, and arrived at Dover on the 30th, when it encamped on Barham Downs, where the troops were assembling for the expedition to Holland under the orders of Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby.
The NINETY-SECOND regiment was placed in the fourth brigade, commanded by Major-General, afterwards Sir John Moore, which consisted of the Royals (second battalion), twenty-fifth, forty-ninth, seventy-ninth, and NINETY-SECOND regiments.
The regiment marched for Ramsgate on the 7th of August, and on the following day embarked in transports, which sailed on the 11th for the coast of Holland. Its effective strength consisted of one colonel, one lieut.-colonel, two majors, six captains, twelve lieutenants, seven ensigns, five staff, forty serjeants, twenty-one drummers, and seven hundred and thirty rank and file.
The British troops landed on the Dutch coast, near the Helder, on the 27th of August. A considerable body of French and Dutch troops assembled near the point of debarkation; some sharp fighting occurred, and in the evening the enemy retreated to a position six miles in his rear. Although one of the first to get a footing on the Dutch shores, it did not fall to the lot of the NINETY-SECOND to be materially engaged this day in the affairs on the sand-hills. The regiment had one serjeant and fourteen rank and file drowned in the landing on the Dutch coast. The enemy having abandoned his fortifications, and evacuated the town during the night, the regiment moved into Helder on the 28th of August. A numerous train of heavy and field artillery was found in this important post; two days afterwards the Dutch fleet surrendered without striking a blow, and hoisted the colours of the Prince of Orange.
On the 1st of September, the regiment marched out of Helder, and on the 2nd advanced to Oude Sluys, on the Zuyder Zee, where the army took up a position, along which the troops were placed in cantonments, the NINETY-SECOND being in advance of the right.
The Dutch did not manifest a disposition to rise against the French. At daylight, in the morning of the 10th of September, the united French and Dutch forces, under General Brune, attacked the piquets; the troops repaired to their alarm-posts, and the action soon became general: the British troops repulsed the attack, and the orders of that day directed the regiment to its cantonments at Oude Sluys, and conveyed the thanks of General Sir Ralph Abercromby[7] for its “noble and steady conduct during the day.”
Captain the Honorable John Ramsay was wounded in this action, which was fought near the villages of Crabbendam and Schagen.
Field Marshal His Royal Highness the Duke of York arrived at the Helder on the 14th of September, and, having been reinforced by a corps of twelve thousand Russians, under Lieut.-General Hermann, resolved on attacking the French position in advance of Alkmaar, reaching from Zuyder Zee, on the right, to Camperdown on the left, and embracing the town of Bergen. The attack was made on the 19th of September, in four columns, but the Russians having failed in holding Bergen, after having entered it in gallant style, the places, which had been acquired by the other columns, were abandoned, and His Royal Highness withdrew his army to its former position on the Zuype.
From the 20th of September until the 1st of October both armies remained within their entrenchments, strengthening their lines of defence: the French had received reinforcements, and had inundated a large tract of country on their right by cutting the sluices, thus contracting the ground of operations to six or seven miles.
The Duke of York, on the 2nd of October, made another attempt on the French position, between Bergen and Egmont-op-Zee. The combined attacks were made in four columns: the division under General Sir Ralph Abercromby being on the right, marched along the beach. The left of the French army was posted and concentrated about Bergen, a large village surrounded by extensive woods, through which passed the great road leading to Haarlem; between which and the sea was an extensive region of high sand-hills, impassable for artillery. Behind the sand-hills, and to the enemy’s right, through the whole extent of North Holland, lies a wet and low country, intersected with dykes, canals, and ditches.
The army advanced before daylight to attack the enemy. The NINETY-SECOND regiment was ordered to escort twenty pieces of artillery to the front, along the sea-shore. In the performance of this duty it was attacked by a column of nearly six thousand men at Egmont-op-Zee, where a most sanguinary conflict ensued, immediately under the eye of General Sir Ralph Abercromby.
Trusting to their superior numbers the French advanced with resolution, and fairly met the bayonets of the regiment, now commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, Colonel the Marquis of Huntly having been wounded in the charge, which completely overthrew the enemy, and preserved the guns.[8]
The French centre was supported by the town of Alkmaar, and General Sir Ralph Abercromby had passed Bergen in order to turn the French position at Alkmaar, to which place the NINETY-SECOND, immediately after the brilliant affair, before recorded, advanced. As the men fought hand-to-hand, the conflict was signalized by many feats of individual bravery and devoted courage.
The action was maintained with great obstinacy on both sides until night, when the enemy retired, leaving the British masters of the field of battle.
In the despatch of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, dated Zuyper Sluys, 4th of October, it was stated that, “the points where this well-fought battle were principally contested, were from the sea-shore in front of Egmont, extending along the sandy desert, or hills, to the heights above Bergen, and it was sustained by the British columns, under those highly distinguished officers, General Sir Ralph Abercromby, and Lieut.-General Dundas, whose exertions, as well as the gallantry of the brave troops they led, cannot have been surpassed by any former instance of British valour.”
The NINETY-SECOND had Captain William McIntosh, Lieutenants George Fraser, Gordon McCardy, and sixty-five rank and file killed; Colonel the Marquis of Huntly, Captains John Cameron, Alexander Gordon, John McLean, and Peter Grant, Lieutenants Norman McLeod, Charles Chad, Donald McDonald, Charles Cameron, and John McPherson, Ensigns George William Holmes, James Bent, and two hundred and eight rank and file wounded.
The gallant conduct evinced by the NINETY-SECOND on this occasion was afterwards rewarded with the Royal authority to bear the word Egmont-op-Zee on the regimental colour and appointments.
His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, in the General Order of the 5th of October, at Alkmaar, expressed “his warmest thanks for the steady persevering gallantry of their conduct in the general action of the 2nd instant, and to which he ascribes the complete victory gained over the enemy;” and, with the rest of the army, the regiment received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament.
The regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, subsequently shared in the general operations of the army, but was not engaged in any very serious affair.
The gallant exertions made on behalf of the Dutch were not seconded by them; and in the meantime the French army had been reinforced. Instead, therefore, of fighting for a people who were not resolved to be free, it was decided that the British troops should be withdrawn from Holland. A convention was ultimately concluded with General Brune at Alkmaar on the 18th of October, and on the following day a cessation of hostilities was proclaimed.
The regiment marched on the 28th of October to Colenzugby, near the Helder, embarked the same day on board of His Majesty’s ships “Kent” and “Monarch,” and landed at Yarmouth on the day following. Its effective strength consisted of twenty-four serjeants, twenty drummers, and four hundred and forty-six rank and file.
During the campaign from the 27th of August to the 28th of October, the regiment sustained a loss of three officers and ninety-three rank and file, several of the wounded soldiers having died.
On the 4th of November the regiment marched en route to Chelmsford, where it arrived on the 10th, and was placed in the eighth brigade, the command of which Major-General Moore assumed on the 25th of December 1799.
Here the regiment received canvas knapsacks, painted yellow, having a circle of red in the centre, in which the Crown and Thistle, with the words “Gordon Highlanders,” were inserted.
1800
Napoleon Bonaparte having returned from Egypt to Paris in the previous year, had been appointed First Consul of France, and made overtures for peace; but the British Ministry, considering that the French government had not acquired sufficient stability, showed no desire to accede to the proposal.
On the 10th of April, 1800, orders were issued for the regiment to hold itself in readiness to march at the shortest notice; the first division marched on the 12th, and was followed by the others on the 14th and 15th, for the Isle of Wight, where it arrived on the 23rd of April.
The regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, marched for Cowes on the 27th of May, and embarked on the same day in vessels of war. The head-quarters, and five companies in His Majesty’s ship “Diadem,” sailed on the 30th. The officers and men present with the regiment consisted of one lieut.-colonel, two majors, seven captains, sixteen lieutenants, six ensigns, six staff, thirty-six serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and six hundred rank and file.
The regiment disembarked at the Isle de Houat, on the coast of France, on the 7th of June, where it encamped, under the command of Brigadier-General the Honorable Thomas Maitland.
On the 18th of June, the NINETY-SECOND regiment embarked on board His Majesty’s ship “Terrible,” destined with others to make an attack on Belle-Isle, but which was abandoned; on the 20th the regiment disembarked, and occupied its former encampment on the Isle de Houat.
The NINETY-SECOND embarked on the 23rd of June, with other regiments for the Mediterranean, under the command of Colonel the Earl of Dalhousie, of the Second, or the Queen’s Royals, in His Majesty’s ship “Diadem,” and arrived at Port Mahon, in the Island of Minorca, on the 20th of July.
General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., arrived at Minorca on the 4th of August, and took the command of the troops there assembled. The regiment disembarked on the 7th, and was inspected, on the 11th of August, by Sir Ralph Abercromby.
The NINETY-SECOND regiment embarked at George’s Town on the 30th of August, and sailed on the following day. After touching at Gibraltar, it proceeded to Cadiz, arrived in the bay on the 3rd of October,—and made preparations to land. The enemy, however, sent a flag of truce, but a disease was ravaging the city at the time, and the fleet quitted the coast in order to avoid infection, proceeding afterwards to Gibraltar, where it arrived on the 29th of October.
The regiment arrived at Minorca on the 6th of November, sailed again on the 21st, and anchored at Malta on the 1st of December. This island, after a blockade of two years, had been compelled by famine, to surrender in September, 1800, to Great Britain.
The British Government having resolved to effect the expulsion of the French from Egypt, an army[9] amounting to about fifteen thousand men, of which the NINETY-SECOND formed part, was assembled under General Sir Ralph Abercromby, at Marmorice Bay, on the coast of Asiatic Turkey. The regiment sailed from Malta on the 26th of December, and arrived at Marmorice Bay on the 29th. During the foregoing period, the regiment was occasionally landed for exercise and practice, as if before an enemy.
1801
Some weeks were lost at Marmorice, in expectation of receiving reinforcements of Greeks and Turks; and the expedition did not proceed to its final destination until the 23rd of February, 1801. On the 2nd of March, it anchored in the Bay of Aboukir, eastward of Alexandria; but notwithstanding all the exertions of the navy, under Admiral Lord Keith’s orders, the necessary arrangements could not be made for landing the troops, until a week afterwards, in consequence of unfavorable weather, and other obstructions.
A landing was effected on the 8th of March; a body of French troops, supported by several batteries, awaited the arrival of their opponents, but were forced to give way in defiance of every exertion, and after severe loss on both sides.
The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, landed during the action, and took up a position for the night on the heights of Aboukir. The regiment mustered one lieut.-colonel, two majors, six captains, ten lieutenants, six ensigns, six staff, fifty serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and six hundred and seventy-two rank and file.
On the 9th of March, the regiment advanced about a mile further towards Alexandria. On the day following, it marched to the heights of Mandora, and remained in position, while the artillery and stores were being landed. Nothing of importance occurred this day, beyond a smart skirmish, as the enemy slowly retired.
The army again moved forward on the 12th of March, and came in sight of the enemy, who was strongly posted with his right to the canal of Alexandria, and his left to the sea.
About six o’clock in the morning of the 13th of March, the British army advanced to attack the enemy’s position on the heights in front of Mandora, the NINETY-SECOND being directed to lead the left column into action. The enemy having opened a most destructive fire from his artillery, enfiladed the column to its whole depth: orders were consequently given to deploy into line. The enemy thought this a favorable moment, and immediately advanced to the attack. The NINETY-SECOND, being in advance of the line, was exposed to a very galling fire of grape-shot, and at the same time was attacked by the 61st Demi-Brigade; the regiment, however, continued unshaken in its advance to the very muzzles of the guns, and succeeded in taking two field-pieces, and one howitzer, completely routing the enemy who defended them, and possessing itself of the right of his position. He was forced, therefore, to retire to the fortified heights of Nicopolis, under the walls of Alexandria, to which they form the principal defence from that side.
Lieut.-Colonel, afterwards General Sir Robert Thomas Wilson, in his History of the British Expedition to Egypt, stated that—
“The British had not advanced out of the wood of date trees, which was in front of Mandora Tower, before the enemy left the heights on which they had been formed, and moved down by their right, commencing a heavy fire of musketry, and from all their cannon, on the NINETY-SECOND regiment, which formed the advanced guard of the left column.” After eulogising the gallantry of the ninetieth regiment, which formed the advanced guard of the right column, Lieut.-Colonel Wilson, added:—
“The conduct of the NINETY-SECOND had been no less meritorious. Opposed to a tremendous fire, and suffering severely from the French line, they never receded a foot, but maintained the contest alone, until the marines and the rest of the line came to their support.”
The gallantry and good conduct of the regiment this day were most conspicuous, and in commemoration thereof, the NINETY-SECOND afterwards received the Royal Authority to bear the word “Mandora” on the regimental colour and appointments.
His Majesty’s service, and the NINETY-SECOND regiment in particular, sustained a great loss in the death of Lieut.-Colonel Charles Erskine, who was mortally wounded early in the action, when the command of the regiment devolved on Major Alexander Napier.
The following officers were wounded: Captains Hon. John Ramsay and Archibald McDonell; Lieutenants, Norman McLeod, Charles Dowle (mortally), Donald McDonald, Tomlin Campbell (mortally), Alexander Clarke (mortally), and Ronald Macdonald; Ensigns, Peter Wilkie and Alexander Cameron; twenty-two rank and file were killed, and seventy-seven were wounded.
On the 14th of March, the army occupied the position, from which the enemy was driven the day before, and the troops were employed in throwing up works. On this day, General Sir Ralph Abercromby thanked the troops for their soldier-like and intrepid conduct, in the action of yesterday, and particularised the NINETY-SECOND regiment. It may not be irrelevant to state, that he selected the regiment to furnish the guard at his head-quarters from his first landing in Egypt, to the hour of his death; and the regiment was continued by Lieut.-General (afterwards Lord) Hutchinson, on that duty, until its final departure from that country.
In consequence of the reduced state of the regiment from sickness, and the casualties of the 13th of March, it was ordered on the 20th of March (with the exception of the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard), to march at three o’clock next morning to relieve the battalion of marines at Aboukir Castle; where the following Brigade Order was issued:—
“Major-General Coote feels extreme concern, that the NINETY-SECOND regiment is ordered to march to Aboukir; he hopes they will soon return to the army, and cannot part with that corps without requesting, that the officers and men will accept his best thanks, for their attention to their duty since they have been under his command.”
About half an hour after the regiment commenced its march on the 21st of March for Aboukir, when the French forces at Alexandria, having been augmented by the arrival of additional troops from the interior, advanced under General Menou, to attack the British position. Major Alexander Napier, upon hearing the firing, immediately countermarched the regiment, and resumed his former station in the line, in which it was hotly engaged throughout the day: no sooner had the enemy retired from this struggle, and resigned the victory to the British army, than the army became aware of the loss it had sustained in the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Ralph Abercromby, who received a mortal wound at the commencement of the action, but which he concealed until the battle was decided. Sir Ralph Abercromby died on the 28th of March, and was buried at Malta.
The NINETY-SECOND had Captain John Cameron, and Lieutenant James Stewart Mathison wounded; three rank and file killed; and forty-four wounded.
Orders were again issued for the march of the regiment on the following morning, provided no attack was made by the enemy, and it accordingly marched to Aboukir.
On the 2nd of May, the regiment marched from Aboukir for Rosetta, where a Turkish force joined the British; on the 5th it advanced along the banks of the Nile, and continued in motion until the 16th of June, when it arrived before Grand-Cairo.
The regiment moved to the right on the 21st of June, and encamped before the town of Gizeh; one of the gates of which place was delivered up by the French on the 28th of June.
A convention with the garrison of Cairo, was on the following day announced as finally adjusted, by which that place was to be delivered up to the allied army, and the French troops to be transported to France.
On the 14th of July, Lieut.-General Hutchinson communicated to the army the thanks of His Majesty, and of both Houses of Parliament, for its determined bravery at the landing, and in the actions of the 13th, and 21st of March, and concluded by a warm eulogium from himself.
The army marched, and retraced its steps towards Rosetta. The promotion of Major Alexander Napier to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, killed in the action of the 13th of March, was announced in a manner most flattering to the corps on the 15th of July, as will appear from the following extract of a letter from His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Commander-in-Chief, dated—
“Horse Guards, 30th May, 1801.
“My Lord,
“I need not assure you how sincerely I unite with you in regretting the loss of so deserving an officer as Lieutenant-Colonel Erskine, of the NINETY-SECOND regiment. I have ever entertained too high a sense of the gallant services of that corps, not to have recommended upon this occasion, that the succession should go in the regiment, of which His Majesty has been pleased to approve.
“I am, &c.
(Signed) “Frederick,
“Commander-in-Chief.
“Major-General The Marquis of Huntly.”
The regiment arrived on the heights of Aboukir on the 8th of August, and on the following day marched to the same position which it had left on the 22nd of March, and encamped before Alexandria.
The brigade under the orders of Brigadier-General John Doyle, Colonel of the eighty-seventh regiment, advanced before daylight on the 17th of August to attack two redoubts, situated on the green-hill in front of the enemy’s right, which the thirtieth and fiftieth regiments were directed against, while the NINETY-SECOND was placed as a reserve, and ready to support either. This service was successfully performed with little loss to the regiment.
Troops having been sent in boats on the 26th of August to land, and break ground to the westward of Alexandria, the enemy this day sent out a flag of truce, and hostilities ceased; on the 2nd of September, Alexandria surrendered by capitulation, which event terminated the campaign in Egypt.
The British troops received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and His Majesty King George III., conferred upon the NINETY-SECOND, and other regiments, which had thus exalted the military fame of Great Britain, by the expulsion of the “invincible” legions of Bonaparte from Egypt, from whence he had expected to extend his conquests throughout Asia, the honor of bearing on their colours and appointments the “Sphinx,” and the word “Egypt,” as a distinguished mark of His Majesty’s royal approbation of their conduct during the campaign.[10]
Mssr McDonald delt
Madeley Lith. 3 Wellington St.
The Grand Seignior established the Order of Knighthood of the Crescent, of which the General Officers were made members; and large gold medals were presented to the field officers, captains, and subalterns. As a further proof of the estimation in which the Grand Seignior held the services of the British soldiers in Egypt, he ordered a palace to be built at Constantinople, for the future residence of the British Ambassadors.
Names of the officers of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, who received gold medals for service in Egypt.
| Lieutenant-Colonel | Alexander Napier. |
| Major | John Gordon. |
| Captains. | |
| John Cameron. | Archibald McDonell. |
| The Hon. John Ramsay. | Peter Grant. |
| Andrew Patten. | Patrick Gordon. |
| Lieutenants. | |
| Norman McLeod. | James Bent. |
| Charles Dowle. | Ronald Macdonald. |
| Donald McDonald. | James Stewart Mathison. |
| John Forman. | Charles Straubenzie. |
| James Lee. | William Phipps. |
| George W. Holmes. | |
| Ensigns. | |
| Peter Wilkie. | Charles Duddingstone. |
| William Mackay. | Alexander Cameron. |
| Alexander Anderson. | William Logie. |
| Paymaster | Archibald Campbell. | Surgeon | Archibald Hamilton. | |
| Adjutant | Dugald Campbell. | Assist.-Surgeons. | { Wm. Cook. | |
| Quarter-Master | Peter Wilkie. | { J. R. Hume. | ||
The regiment marched for Aboukir on the 6th of October, 1801, and embarked in ships of war, which sailed on the following day.
Upon the guard of the NINETY-SECOND, which had been doing duty at head-quarters, being ordered to rejoin, the officer commanding the regiment received a letter expressive of Lieut.-General Hutchinson’s “entire approbation of the exemplary conduct of the guard, and of Serjeant Mark in particular.”
On the 19th of October, the regiment arrived at Malta, and remained in harbour until the 15th of November, when the ships sailed for the shores of Great Britain.
1802
The regiment arrived at Cork on the 30th of January, 1802, and remained under quarantine at Cove, until the 12th of February, when it landed and marched to Kilkenny. The effective strength consisted of one lieut.-colonel, two majors, four captains, fifteen lieutenants, five ensigns, six staff, forty-two serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and five hundred and fifty-nine rank and file.
On the 27th of March, 1802, a definitive treaty of peace was signed at Amiens between the French Republic, Spain, and the Batavian Republic, on the one part, and Great Britain on the other. The principal features of the treaty were, that Great Britain restored all her conquests during the war, excepting Trinidad and Ceylon, which were ceded to her, the former by Spain, and the latter by the Batavian Republic. Portugal was maintained in its integrity, excepting that some of its possessions in Guiana were ceded to France. The territories of the Ottoman Porte were likewise maintained in their integrity. The Ionian Republic was recognised, and Malta was to be restored to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. The French agreed to evacuate the Neapolitan and Roman States, and Great Britain all the ports that she held in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean.
The regiment on the 5th of April received orders to fire a feu-de-joie, in consequence of the treaty of peace concluded at Amiens. On the 12th of April, the regiment marched from Kilkenny, and arrived at Belfast on the 28th of that month, where it remained until the 2nd of June, when it embarked for Scotland.
On the 4th of June, the regiment arrived in Scotland for the first time since it was raised, and proceeded to Glasgow.
1803
The peace of Amiens was of short duration; it inspired no confidence of ultimate tranquillity, and both parties remained prepared to renew the contest. The chief complaint on the part of France was the non-evacuation of Malta by the British troops, and the asylum afforded to the enemies of the French government. Circumstances had, however, occurred which would have rendered the restoration of Malta to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem equivalent to ceding that island to France. Other grounds of irritation existed, and the designs of Napoleon Bonaparte to raise the power of France by an extension of territorial dominion, to which England appeared a barrier, caused the struggle to be renewed; and the contest was not settled until the final defeat of the French at the battle of Waterloo, on the memorable 18th of June, 1815, by the allied troops under the Duke of Wellington.
On the 18th of May, 1803, war was declared against France; Hanover was overrun by the French, and severed for a time from the British crown; and the First Consul ordered the arrest of all British subjects in the territories of the French and Batavian republics.
Preparations were made by the British Government to meet the emergency; the “Army of Reserve Act” was passed in June, 1803, for raising men for home service by ballot, by which a second battalion was added to the NINETY-SECOND regiment. The second battalion was to be composed from the balloted men raised in Scotland for limited service, and was placed on the Establishment from the 9th of July following.
In June, the regiment was removed from Glasgow to Colchester, and on the 1st of July it marched to Weeley, where it encamped while the barracks were being prepared, which were occupied by the regiment during the winter.
The second battalion of the regiment was formed at Weeley, on the 24th of November, 1803; officers and non-commissioned officers, with a proportion of old soldiers, being posted to it from the first battalion for the purpose of instruction. Both battalions were commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Napier.
Each battalion was to have ten companies, consisting of fifty-four serjeants, twenty drummers, two fifers, and a thousand rank and file.
At this period Bonaparte was making preparations for the invasion of England, for which purpose he collected an immense flotilla at Boulogne. The threat of invasion aroused the patriotism of the British people, and the most strenuous measures were pursued to defeat the designs of the French Ruler; volunteer and yeomanry corps were formed in every part of the kingdom, and all parties united in one grand effort for the preservation of Great Britain.
1804
In May, 1804, Napoleon was invested with the dignity of Emperor of the French, and on the 26th of May, of the following year, he was crowned at Milan as King of Italy.
Further measures of defence were adopted by Great Britain, and the “Additional Force Act” was passed on the 14th July, 1804.
Both battalions marched to Colchester on the 24th of July, and on the 6th of August were encamped on Lexden Heath.
On the 24th of October orders were issued for the march of one captain, one subaltern, four serjeants, four corporals, and one drummer to Elgin, from the second battalion, to receive the men to be raised under the “Additional Force Act.”
Both battalions broke up from Lexden camp on the 26th of October, and marched to Weeley barracks.
Orders were received on the 25th of November for the second battalion to be held in readiness to march from Weeley barracks, and proceed by the inland navigation to Liverpool, from whence it was to embark for Ireland. The second battalion accordingly marched in three divisions, on the 29th of November and on the two following days.
The first battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Napier, remained in Weeley barracks during the winter.
1805
During the summer of 1805, the first battalion was brigaded with the forty-second, ninety-first, and ninety-fifth (Rifle) regiments. On the 2nd of September, the battalion marched from Weeley to Colchester; on the 4th of September the first battalion was ordered to hold itself in readiness for embarkation, but on the 6th of September it returned to Weeley barracks.
The first battalion marched, on the 7th of October, to Colchester with other troops, and was reviewed by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Commander-in-Chief, who expressed himself particularly pleased with the appearance of the battalion, which returned to its quarters at Weeley on the 18th of October.
While the French were pursuing their victorious career in Germany, they experienced great reverses from the British navy. On the 21st of October, the combined fleets of France and Spain were defeated off Cape Trafalgar; but the victory was purchased with the loss of Admiral Viscount Nelson, whose remains were honored with a public funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment attended the ceremony.
On the 29th of October, the first battalion marched from Weeley, and arrived at Ospringe barracks on the 6th of November; on the 26th of November it marched to Canterbury.
1806
The first battalion marched, on the 2nd of January, 1806, to London, to attend the public funeral of Admiral Viscount Nelson, whose remains were interred, on the 9th of January, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, where a monument was erected by authority of Parliament at the public expense.
Major-General the Hon. John Hope, from the sixtieth regiment, (afterwards the Earl of Hopetoun,) was appointed by His Majesty King George III. to be colonel of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, on the 3rd of January, 1806, in succession to Major-General the Marquis of Huntly, who was removed to the forty-second, or the Royal Highlanders, on the decease of General Sir Hector Munro, K.B.
The first battalion marched, on the 11th of January, from London for Colchester, where it arrived on the 15th of that month: it marched to Weeley barracks on the 29th of May, where it remained stationary, with the exception of occasional marches to and from Colchester, for the purpose of being exercised with other brigades.
1807
On the 3rd of February, 1807, the first battalion marched from Weeley for Harwich, with the view of checking the infection of ophthalmia, which then prevailed among the troops at Weeley. The first battalion returned to Weeley on the 27th of April.
Information having been obtained that Napoleon purposed employing the navy of Denmark against Great Britain, an armament was prepared for obtaining possession of the Danish fleet by treaty or force, on the assurance that it should be restored at the conclusion of the war with France. The first battalion was destined to share in this enterprise, and it received orders, on the 22nd of July, to be in readiness for foreign service.
The battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Napier, marched for Harwich on the 26th of July, and embarked on the same day, after being inspected by Lieut.-General Sir David Baird. On the 27th a draft of one hundred and three rank and file joined from the second battalion: the effective strength of the first battalion consisted of forty-eight serjeants, nineteen drummers, and nine hundred and eighty-one rank and file.
On the 1st of August, the expedition sailed, and on the 8th anchored in the Sound near Elsineur. On the following day, Lieut.-General Harry Burrard[11] directed the army assembling in the Sound to be formed in brigades and divisions, and that the forty-third, fifty-second, NINETY-SECOND, and ninety-fifth (Rifle) regiments should compose the reserve, under Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, until the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief.
Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart arrived on the 12th of August, and assumed the command of the army; on the 14th the fleet sailed towards Copenhagen, and on the 16th of August the army landed at Vedeck, in Zealand, situated about half-way between Elsineur and Copenhagen, without opposition, and on the following day the regiment went into cantonments in Hassan, and Broomskoy. Its movements were various, and dependent upon circumstances during this period.
The NINETY-SECOND regiment advanced towards Roeskelde on the 26th of August, in consequence of the enemy collecting a large force at the town of Kioge and its vicinity, for the purpose of being thrown into Copenhagen, which was at this time invested by the British army.
On the 29th of August, the division under Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley advanced to attack the Danes in their position. The NINETY-SECOND regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Napier, was appointed to lead the infantry against the enemy’s camp, in which the regiment charged him, driving him out of it, and through the town of Kioge, with the loss of his artillery. The regiment had two rank and file killed, and one wounded.
On the 30th of August, the British troops marched to Osted, and went into cantonments. On this day, after expressing in orders his satisfaction at the conduct of the troops in the action of the 29th, Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, in particularizing those who had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves, alluded to the conduct of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, and of Lieut.-Colonel Napier, in the attack of the enemy in his camp, and to the regular and orderly manner in which the troops marched through Kioge, and formed beyond the town.
The conduct of the troops employed in the action before Kioge was thus alluded to in General Orders by Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart:—
“Head Quarters, Hellerup,
“1st September, 1807.
“The Commander of the Forces desires to express, in the strongest manner, his thanks to Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, and to the officers and men of the division under his command, for the judgment, valour, and discipline exhibited in the two attacks made upon the enemy in the general action of the 29th of August at Kioge.
“The details of this affair, as reported by the Major-General, will be laid before His Majesty by the earliest opportunity.”
The bombardment of Copenhagen induced the Crown Prince to listen to terms; and on the 7th of September the Danish fleet and stores were surrendered to the British government on condition of being restored, when a general pacification should take place.
The following General Order was issued to the troops on the same day:—
“7th September, 1807.
“The Commander of the Forces congratulates the army on the capitulation of Copenhagen, which includes the surrender of the Danish fleet.”
A detachment of grenadiers took possession of the citadel, and hostilities ceased.
The object of the expedition having been accomplished, Copenhagen was evacuated, and the NINETY-SECOND regiment marched from Osted to Roeskelde Kroe on the 23rd of September, and on the next day joined the army before Copenhagen, and went into cantonments.
The approbation of His Majesty, King George III., for the services performed during the expedition, was expressed in the following extract from a despatch, dated 16th September, 1807, addressed to Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart by Viscount Castlereagh, Principal Secretary of State for the War Department:—
“His Majesty has received, with great satisfaction, the account of the particular services rendered in their detached commands by Major-General the Right Hon. Sir Arthur Wellesley, Major-General Von Linsingen, and Brigadier-General Von Decken.
“I am further to express His Royal pleasure, that you do convey to the general officers under your command His Majesty’s full approbation of the zeal, ability, and valour they have displayed in their several departments; and your Lordship will make it known to the army, that the conduct of all his troops, both British and Hanoverian, who have so much distinguished themselves by their valour and good conduct, is highly acceptable to His Majesty.[12]
“It is also a matter highly pleasing to His Majesty, that through the whole of this expedition, such a perfect harmony, and such a zealous spirit of co-operation, have pervaded all departments of the naval and military service.”
Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart in communicating the above to the army under his command, on the 28th of September, 1807, added,—
“The Commander of the Forces cannot make this communication, without renewing his thanks to the army, for the assistance he has received from the zeal, advice, and active services of the generals, staff, and commanding officers, and for the patience, discipline, and exertions of all regiments, corps, and departments, to which, under the blessing of Providence, he is indebted for the complete success of the expedition, and for the most gracious approbation, which His Majesty has been pleased to declare of the whole service.”
On the 17th of October, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment embarked for England in the Minotaur, Neptunis, and Iris, ships of war, and sailed on the 21st. During the passage they encountered very boisterous weather, in which the ships parted company: unfortunately the Neptunis, of ninety-eight guns (one of the captured Danish ships), with six hundred of the NINETY-SECOND regiment on board, got aground, and was totally lost. The men were landed on the island of Hewan, where they remained for fourteen days, until vessels arrived for them from England.
The men on board the head-quarter ship landed in England on the 12th of November; and on the arrival of the different detachments, orders were waiting for them to proceed to Weeley barracks. The effective strength of the first battalion at this period consisted of forty-nine serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and nine hundred and sixty-four rank and file.
1808
The first battalion marched to Colchester barracks on the 23rd of March, 1808. Volunteers from the militia of the northern counties were, about this time, received, and taken on the strength of the second battalion, which continued in Ireland.
On the 19th of April, the first battalion of the regiment was directed to be held in readiness for immediate embarkation for foreign service, and on the 29th of April, it marched from Colchester, and embarked in transports at Harwich, under Lieut.-Colonel Napier.
The battalion sailed for Yarmouth on the 4th of May, and arrived there on the 6th, where an armament, under the command of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, was assembling, destined to proceed to Sweden.
The armament sailed from Yarmouth on the 10th of May, and anchored off Gottenburg on the 17th. The Swedes did not show any inclination to avail themselves of British assistance on shore, consequently the troops did not disembark, but during their stay were occasionally exercised in practising to land from launches and flat-bottomed boats.
The fleet sailed for England on the 3rd of July, with orders to rendezvous at Yarmouth. A vessel, with orders from England, however, changed the place of rendezvous to the Downs, where the fleet arrived on the 20th of July, and proceeded to Spithead. A draft of seventy rank and file was received from the second battalion.
Spain was at this period the centre of political interest. Portugal, deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the people of each rose in arms to recover the national independence. Dissensions had arisen in the royal family of Spain, occasioned by the sway of Emanuel Godoy, who bore the title of Prince of Peace. This minister was dismissed, but the Court was unable to restore tranquillity. In this emergency, the French Emperor was solicited to be umpire; and Napoleon ultimately seized the crown of Spain, which he placed on the head of his brother Joseph, who was transferred from the throne of Naples. Europe was indignant, and Spain furious, at this usurpation. The Spaniards flew to arms, and the British government resolved to aid the Spanish and Portuguese patriots; a British army accordingly proceeded to the Peninsula in June, 1808, the command of which was held by Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley.
On the 31st of July, having received on board a fresh supply of provisions and water, the first battalion sailed for Portugal, and on the 19th of August arrived in Mondego Bay. Marshal Junot and the French army having been defeated by the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, in the battles at Roliça on the 17th, and Vimiera on the 21st of August, sued for a cessation of hostilities.
The battalion landed at Maciera Bay on the 27th of August, and the convention of Cintra was signed on the 30th of that month, by which it was stipulated that the French should evacuate Portugal.
Portugal, being thus rescued from the presence of hostile troops, orders arrived from England for Lieut.-General Sir John Moore to take the chief command of a part of the army, which was to be employed in Spain; with a notification that a force from England, under the command of Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, was to land at Corunna, and co-operate with him. The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment was immediately put in motion towards the frontiers, and arrived at Portalegre on the 11th of October, 1808.
On the 26th of October, the first battalion, being placed in the division commanded by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, moved from Portalegre, and on the 2nd of November entered Spain, at Badajoz; marching by Merida, Truxillo, and Talavera, it arrived at the Escurial on the 22nd of November, and halted.
The enemy having pressed forward to Valladolid and Tordesillas, thereby threatening to cut off Lieut.-General Sir John Hope’s communication with the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, who was then at Salamanca, the battalion marched from the Escurial, on the 27th of November, across the Guadarama mountains, and moving by Villa Castin and Avila, it arrived at Alva de Tormes on the 4th of December.
The battalion advanced from Alva de Tormes towards Tordesillas, on the 11th of December, and Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, learning that the French were moving upon him from the direction of Madrid, which had by this time surrendered, while another column was advancing from the direction of Burgos, moved to the left, to form a junction with Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, crossed the Douro at Toro, and arrived at Vallada on the 21st of December. On the 24th of that month, the battalion marched by Benevente, Astorga, and Villa Franca, arriving at Lugo on the 4th of January, 1809.
1809
The troops took up a position in front of Lugo, on the 6th of January, 1809, and remained bivouacked, in order of battle, until the 8th, when they marched in the night, and arrived at Corunna on the 11th. During these marches, in common with the rest of the army, the battalion suffered from fatigue and the severity of the weather.
On the 12th of January, the battalion was placed in position in front of Corunna; and on the 14th and 15th the women, sick men, and baggage, were embarked for England.
The British army having accomplished one of the most celebrated retreats recorded in modern history, repulsing the pursuing enemy in all his attacks, and having traversed two hundred and fifty miles of mountainous country under very disheartening circumstances, accompanied by severe privation, was not destined to embark for England without a battle.
Marshal Soult, Duke of Dalmatia, having taken up a position above the town of Corunna, made arrangements for attacking the British army as soon as the troops should commence their embarkation. The sick men, women, and baggage having been conveyed on board ship, preparations were made for embarking the troops on the 16th of January, 1809. The French instantly descended from the heights in three columns, and advanced about two o’clock to attack the British position in front of Corunna; a sanguinary action ensued, and before dark, the French were defeated in all their attacks. Lieut.-General Sir John Moore was killed; and the battle was scarcely ended, when, wrapped in a military cloak, his remains were interred in the citadel of Corunna, over which Marshal Soult, with the true feeling of a soldier, erected a monument.
This victory enabled the British troops to be embarked without further molestation. In this battle the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND was posted towards the left of the army, on the road leading to Betanzas, and throughout the day supported its former reputation.
The NINETY-SECOND, together with the rest of the army, had not only to lament the death of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, but also that of their own commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Napier, who was killed at its head: the command therefore devolved on Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John Lamont, who was afterwards promoted lieut.-colonel in the regiment. Lieutenant Archibald McDonald was severely wounded on this occasion, and died shortly afterwards. Only two rank and file of the battalion were killed, and four wounded.
This army received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, “for its distinguished discipline, firmness, and valour, in the battle of Corunna,” which were communicated to the regiment, with the following letter, addressed to the commanding officer by Lieut.-General Sir David Baird:—
“Portsmouth, 30th January, 1809.
“Sir,
“In communicating to you this most signal mark of the approbation of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, allow me to add my warmest congratulations upon a distinction, which you, and the corps under your command on that day, had a share in obtaining for His Majesty’s service.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “David Baird, Lieut.-General.
“Officer Commanding First Battalion,
NINETY-SECOND regiment.”
The conduct of the battalion during the expedition, and its gallantry at the battle of Corunna, were rewarded by the Royal authority for the word “Corunna” to be borne on the regimental colour and appointments of the NINETY-SECOND, in common with the army employed under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore.[13]
On the 17th of January, the battalion embarked at Corunna, and on the 26th disembarked at Portsmouth, marching immediately for Weeley Barracks, where the several divisions arrived on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of February.
On the 16th of February, orders were issued that every exertion should be made to clothe and equip the regiment again for foreign service. The regiment received black painted canvas knapsacks, having the Sphinx and number on the back.
About this period, Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron joined from the second battalion, which continued in Ireland.
The first battalion marched on the 29th of June for Dover, where it arrived on the 6th and 7th of July, and was joined by two hundred and twenty rank and file from the second battalion.
During the summer of 1809 great preparations were made by the British Government for fitting out the most formidable armament that had, for a long time, issued from England. It consisted of an army of forty thousand men, commanded by Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham, and of thirty-nine ships of the line, thirty-six frigates, and numerous gun-boats, bomb-vessels, with other small craft, under Admiral Sir Richard Strachan. The object of the expedition was to gain possession of the islands at the mouth of the Scheldt, and to destroy the French ships in that river, with the docks and arsenals at Antwerp.
On the 14th of July, the first battalion marched to Deal, and embarked in ships of war with other troops there assembled, under Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham. The battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, was placed in Major-General Sir William Erskine’s brigade, and in the division commanded by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope. The NINETY-SECOND mustered forty-four serjeants, twenty drummers, and nine hundred and seventy-four rank and file.
The expedition sailed from the Downs on the 28th of July, and landed on the 1st of August on the Island of South Beveland, near Goes, and went into cantonments in that place and Capelle. Flushing surrendered on the 15th of August; but during the siege Marshal Bernadotte had arrived at Antwerp, put the place in a posture of defence, and removed the ships higher up the river. In consequence of these preparations, the reduction of Antwerp was deemed impracticable by a Council of War, and on the 1st of September the NINETY-SECOND embarked for England.
The battalion landed at Landguard Fort near Harwich, and proceeded to Woodbridge barracks. During the time it was in South Beveland, it suffered much from fever and ague, with other diseases peculiar to that place; consequently every attention was now paid to restore the men, and to render them again fit for service.
1810
On the 11th of July, 1810, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND embarked at Landguard Fort, landed at Ramsgate, and arrived at Canterbury on the 20th of that month.
The battalion was shortly afterwards destined to proceed a second time to the Peninsula, and it embarked from Deal for Lisbon on the 24th of September. Since its embarkation at Corunna, in January, 1809, great events had occurred in Spain, and the French had obtained possession of Corunna, Bilboa, and all the important places on the northern coast of that country. Saragossa, after a gallant defence, had also fallen, and Marshal Soult having overrun Gallicia, marched into the northern provinces of Portugal, and obtained possession of Oporto. The small British force which had been left in Portugal, when Lieut.-General Sir John Moore advanced into Spain, was concentrated by Lieut.-General Sir John Cradock for the defence of Lisbon.
The British Government resolved to make another effort to save Portugal from invasion, and also to assist the Spaniards in their struggle for independence. Accordingly in April 1809, Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley was sent with reinforcements to Portugal, and was appointed to the command of the British army in the Peninsula. His first object was to dislodge Marshal Soult from Oporto. The famous passage of the Douro led to the fall of Oporto, and the French Marshal was compelled to retreat. The Spanish General Cuesta having been defeated, with great loss, by the division of the French army under Marshal Victor, Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley was obliged to desist from the pursuit of Marshal Soult.
In the beginning of July, the British army advanced into Spain, and a junction being effected with General Cuesta, the combined forces occupied a strong position at Talavera. Here they were attacked on the 27th and 28th of July, 1809, and the French army, commanded by Joseph Bonaparte in person, was defeated; for which victory Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley was raised to the peerage by the title of Viscount Wellington.
After this victory it was deemed necessary to make a retrograde movement on Badajoz, information having been received that Marshals Soult, Ney, and Victor had united their forces, and were advancing to fall on the rear of the allied army.
Viscount Wellington now became occupied with the defence of Portugal. The French armies in Spain had been reinforced during the winter of 1809-10 with troops from Germany, peace having been concluded between France and Austria; and in April, 1810, the Emperor Napoleon espoused the Archduchess Maria Louisa, daughter of the Emperor of Austria.
Spain having been reduced to French domination, Napoleon resolved to subjugate Portugal, and Marshal Massena, Prince of Essling, assumed the command of the “Army of Portugal” in May. Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida were captured by the French, who were, however, gallantly repulsed at the Sierra de Busaco on the 27th of September, 1810, after which Viscount Wellington occupied the strong position of Torres Vedras, about thirty miles from Lisbon.
This was the state of affairs in the Peninsula when the NINETY-SECOND arrived in the Tagus. On the 8th of October, the battalion landed, and the necessary camp equipage, on taking the field, was immediately issued.
1811
The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron, marched from Lisbon to join the army under Viscount Wellington, then in the fortified lines of Torres Vedras, and arrived at Cruzandera on the 15th of October, where the battalion remained until the 15th of November. At this period it was attached to the first division of the army, and was brigaded with the fiftieth and seventy-first regiments, under Major-General Howard.
Marshal Massena having abandoned his position in front of the British, and retired upon Santarem, the NINETY-SECOND advanced on the 15th of November, and occupied the village of Almostal on the 19th of November, moving on the 28th to Alcantrinha, the enemy occupying a strong position at Santarem, immediately in front of the British army.
At the commencement of the year 1811, Lisbon was the point on which the interests of the British nation in foreign affairs were concentrated, and the question whether Portugal should remain independent, or become subject to France, was to be decided by the two great armies posted near Lisbon, the one for attack, the other for defence.
The difficulty of supplying his troops with necessaries in a devastated country, and the impracticability of forcing the fortified lines of Viscount Wellington, at Torres Vedras, at length compelled Marshal Massena to consult the safety of his army by a seasonable retreat.
During the night of the 5th of March, the enemy broke up from his position near Santarem, and retreated in the direction of Almeida. Viscount Wellington immediately pursued Marshal Massena by Thomar, Pombal, Redinha, and Espinhal, at each of which places some sharp affairs took place, honorable to the British arms, as well as at Sabugal on the 3rd of April, immediately after which the French continued their retreat into Spain.
The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment entered Spain on the 9th of April, and was cantoned in Albergaria, where a detachment of one lieutenant and forty-four rank and file joined from the second battalion, then in Ireland. At this period, the sixth division of the British army invested Almeida, and a force of British and Portuguese under Marshal Beresford was employed in the Alemtejo and Spanish Estremadura, which compelled the enemy to abandon Campo Mayor. Olivenza was next besieged by Marshal Beresford, and retaken on the 15th of April, after which he broke ground before Badajoz.
Marshal Massena had reached Ciudad Rodrigo on the 25th of April, and, having concentrated his forces, crossed the Agueda on the 2nd of May, and advanced towards the allied army, posted between that river and the Coa, in order to relieve Almeida. On the approach of the French, the British light division and cavalry fell back upon Fuentes d’Onor, where three other divisions were posted, and in which Viscount Wellington determined to receive the attack of the enemy.
The village of Fuentes d’Onor is situated on low ground, at the bottom of a ravine, with an old chapel and some buildings on a craggy eminence which overhang one end. In the afternoon of the 3rd of May, the enemy attacked the village with a very large force, and was repulsed with loss. On this occasion, the light company of the NINETY-SECOND distinguished itself. Lieutenant James Hill was wounded; nine rank and file were likewise wounded.
The main body of the British army was concentrated in the vicinity of Fuentes d’Onor in the course of the evening and following day. On the 5th of May, the enemy, very superior to the British in numbers, made an attack on the right of the allied position early in the morning, and also on the village, which he repeated during the day, and the action became general. Each of his attacks was successively repulsed, and towards the evening, the victory being decidedly in favour of the British, the French retired to their original position.
On this occasion, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, was stationed to the right of Fuentes d’Onor, covering a brigade of nine-pounders, and was exposed to a very heavy cannonade. The light company, and a subdivision of each of the others in its front, were warmly engaged throughout the day, and eminently distinguished themselves. Major Archibald McDonnell, who commanded them, was in consequence promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel. Major Peter Grant and Lieutenant Allan McNab were severely wounded; the latter died two days afterwards. The battalion had also seven rank and file killed and thirty-five wounded.
The NINETY-SECOND afterwards received the Royal Authority to bear the words “Fuentes d’Onor” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of the gallantry displayed by the first battalion in that battle.
Both armies continued in their positions during the 6th and 7th of May without any particular occurrence, and on the morning of the 8th, the rear of the enemy’s columns was seen retreating on the road towards Ciudad Rodrigo. The NINETY-SECOND still remained bivouacked near Fuentes d’Onor.
The French crossed the Agueda and left Almeida to its fate. That place was evacuated by General Brennier at midnight of the 10th of May, when the enemy blew up the works, and the greater part of the garrison succeeded in effecting its escape during the night.
On the 14th of May, the battalion returned to its former cantonments in Albergaria, where orders were received increasing its establishment to twelve hundred rank and file.
Marshal Beresford, in the meantime, was continuing the blockade of Badajoz; but receiving information that Marshal Soult was advancing from Seville to its relief, he raised the siege on the 15th of May, and having concentrated his force, marched to meet the enemy. On the following day, the battle of Albuhera was fought, and the British gained a brilliant but hard-earned victory. In the night of the 17th, Marshal Soult left Badajoz to its fate, and commenced his retreat towards Seville.
Viscount Wellington now gave orders for Badajoz to be again closely invested. To assist in these operations, the brigade, of which the NINETY-SECOND formed part, was appointed the first in the second division of the army, under Lieut.-General Rowland (afterwards Viscount) Hill, at this time in Spanish Estremadura, covering the siege of Badajoz.
The battalion, under Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, marched, on the 25th of May, from Albergaria for the Alemtejo, crossed the Tagus at Villa Velha, and the Guadiana above Badajoz, and joined the second division in front of Albuhera, on the 10th of June, about ten days after the second siege of Badajoz had been commenced. Its effective strength consisted of fifty-six serjeants, sixteen drummers, and eight hundred and twenty-five rank and file.
Marshal Marmont, with the French army of Portugal, having effected a junction with that of the south, under Marshal Soult, they advanced to relieve Badajoz; Viscount Wellington found it therefore necessary to relinquish the siege, and to withdraw the allied army across the Guadiana.
Accordingly, the second division, on the 16th of June, broke up from its bivouac in front of Albuhera, marched by Valverde, recrossed the Guadiana, and arrived at Torre do Mouro on the 20th of June, where the principal part of the British army was drawn up in position, with its right upon Elvas and the left on Campo Mayor. The division broke up from the bivouac at Torre do Mouro on the 21st of July, marched to Elvas, and on the following day went into quarters in Borba, from whence it marched on the 1st of September, arriving on the 3rd of that month at Portalegre.
Meanwhile the main body of the army, under Viscount Wellington, had crossed the Tagus and invested Ciudad Rodrigo. Towards the end of September, Marshal Marmont, having received large reinforcements, advanced to Ciudad Rodrigo, and, after a partial engagement at El Bodon on the 25th of September, Viscount Wellington withdrew his army to his former position on the Coa.
On the 7th of October, a draft of one hundred and ninety-nine rank and file was received from the second battalion.
The second battalion embarked at Belfast on the 10th of October, and arrived on the following day at Irvine in North Britain.
General Girard’s division of the fifth French corps having taken post at Caceres, Lieut.-General Rowland Hill determined to drive the enemy from thence, and on the approach of the British troops the French retired, halting at Arroyo-del-Molinos.
On the 22nd of October, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND marched from Portalegre to Codesiera; on the 23rd to Albuquerque; on the 24th to the Sierra de San Pedro; on the 25th to Aliseda; on the 26th to Malpartida; on the following day to Alcuesca, and bivouacked without fires about a league from Arroyo-del-Molinos. During the whole of this fatiguing march, the weather was extremely severe, with constant rain.
The British troops, under Lieut.-General Hill, marched about two o’clock in the morning of the 28th of October, towards Arroyo-del-Molinos, a village situated in a plain at the foot of a ridge of rocks rising in the form of a crescent, their approach being concealed by a thick mist with heavy rain. The French infantry were assembling outside the village to commence their march to Merida, the baggage was being loaded, and General Girard was waiting at his quarters for his horse, when suddenly the seventy-first and NINETY-SECOND regiments charged into the village, capturing much baggage and many prisoners; at the same time the twenty-eighth and thirty-fourth regiments made a detour, supported by the thirty-ninth, to cut off the enemy’s retreat.
The French formed two squares and commenced retreating. The NINETY-SECOND attacked, and broke one of the enemy’s squares, which was formed on the other side of the village, and thereby completed his overthrow.
In this brilliant affair the enemy lost all his artillery and baggage; and several officers of rank and consideration, with about fourteen hundred men, were taken prisoners. General Brun and Colonel the Prince d’Aremberg were among the prisoners. The ninth and thirteenth light dragoons, and the second Hussars, King’s German Legion, also shared in the action.
The NINETY-SECOND had Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron, Captains Donald McDonald, John McPherson, and Robert Nugent Dunbar (Brevet-Major), wounded; three rank and file were killed and seven wounded.
Madeley Lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand.
In the evening the battalion marched to San Pedro, and on the 29th of October proceeded to Merida; on the 31st to Montejo; on the 1st of November to Campo Mayor; on the 3rd to Arronches; and arrived at Portalegre on the 4th of November.
Lieut.-General Hill, on the 7th of November, issued the following General Order:—
“Portalegre, 7th November, 1811.
“Lieut.-General Hill has great satisfaction in congratulating the troops on the success which has attended their recent operations in Estremadura, and in so doing, he cannot but endeavour to do justice to the merits of those through whose exertions it has been obtained. A patient willing endurance of forced and night marches, during the worst of weather and over bad roads, of bivouacs in wet weather, oftentimes without cover and without fire, and a strict observance of discipline, are qualities, however common in British soldiers, which the Lieut.-General cannot pass unnoticed. Having on this occasion witnessed the exertion of them in no ordinary degree, he feels that nothing but the most zealous attention of commanding officers, the good-will and zealous spirit of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, could produce such an effect, and he requests they will, generally and individually, accept his warmest thanks, particularly those corps which were engaged in the action of Arroyo-del-Molinos, whose silent attention to orders, when preparing to attack, and when manœuvring before the enemy, could not but excite his notice, and give them an additional claim on him.”
Letters from the Secretary of State, dated the 2nd, and from His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, dated the 6th December, were promulgated, expressive of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent’s approbation and thanks to Lieut.-General Hill, and the troops under his command, for their brilliant operations on the recent expedition in Spanish Estremadura, in having totally surprised and defeated the enemy under General Girard.
Viscount Wellington having made preparations for the recapture of Ciudad Rodrigo, concentrated the main body of the army in that neighbourhood, and the troops under Lieut.-General Hill were therefore ordered to divert the enemy’s attention in the south.
Lieut.-General Hill marched from Portalegre on the 26th of December, and proceeded on the 29th to a bivouac about a league beyond La Nava, at which village about three hundred French infantry were discovered running to their arms upon the approach of the head of the British cavalry column. They, however, effected their escape to Merida, from which place they had been that morning detached, and acquainted General Dombrouski of the approach of the British troops.
On the 30th of December, the NINETY-SECOND and other British troops entered Merida, the French having retreated during the night, where they halted during the following day.
1812
On the 1st of January, 1812, the British troops moved upon Almendralejos, beyond which, and close to the town, the enemy’s columns were formed, and seen immediately retreating to Azauchal. On the 3rd, Lieut.-General Hill matched his force to Villa Franca. A brigade of infantry, and the cavalry, were pushed forward to Fuentes del Maestre, where a smart affair took place, the enemy retreating upon Llerena with the loss of some prisoners.
Lieut.-General Hill’s division returned to Almendralejos on the 4th of January, and the NINETY-SECOND marched on the following day to Merida, where the troops went into quarters. The siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, which commenced on the 8th of January, being in a state of forwardness, it was expected that the French would make an effort to relieve the place. Lieut.-General Hill was therefore directed to throw a part of his force across the Tagus.
The troops accordingly marched on the 13th of January from Merida to La Nava; on the 14th to Zogalla; on the 15th to Albuquerque; on the 16th to Codesiera; on the 17th to Portalegre; on the 19th to Alpalhao; on the 20th to Niza; and on the following day they crossed the Tagus at Villa Velha; marched from thence to Sarnadas, and on the 22nd to Castello Branco. During this march intelligence was received of the storm and capture of Ciudad Rodrigo by the British on the 19th of January.
On the 2nd of February, the NINETY-SECOND and other regiments under Lieut.-General Hill, were directed to return to Portalegre, where they arrived on the 5th of that month.
The strength of the first battalion at this period consisted of forty-three serjeants, sixteen drummers, and seven hundred and thirty rank and file. On the 4th of March the battalion marched to Alegrete, and on the following day to Albuquerque.
Previously to this time, a large quantity of artillery stores and the battering train had been embarked at Lisbon for the Mediterranean (as it was then reported), but the vessels put into the Bay of Setuval; the whole being landed at Alcacer de Sal, and conveyed up the Alemtejo, soon appeared moving on the plains in front and to the right of Elvas, in one long and continued chain towards the Guadiana. The army now became aware that the third siege of Badajoz was to be undertaken.
Lieut.-General Hill’s corps marched from Albuquerque on the 15th of March, and arrived at La Nava on the 16th;—proceeded on the following day to Merida, where some officers and men of the enemy were made prisoners. The division continued its march to Almendralejos on the 18th of March, where the NINETY-SECOND and other troops were stationed to cover the siege of Badajoz, before which ground had been broken on the previous day.
The division proceeded on the 21st of March from Almendralejos to Merida, and on the 26th advanced towards Medellin and Don Benito, from which places it forced the enemy to retire. Advices were here received, that the enemy, under Marshal Soult, was advancing to Llerena, with a view to relieve Badajoz, to the vicinity of which place the covering army was directed to retire.
On the 31st of March, the division proceeded towards Merida, where it arrived on the 2nd of April; it marched on the 5th to a position near Talavera Real. On the night of the 6th of April, Badajoz was assaulted and carried by the troops under the Earl of Wellington, Marshal Soult consequently retraced his steps towards Seville.
The battalion marched into quarters in Almendralejos on the 13th of April. A French force having made an irruption into the province of Beira, the Earl of Wellington, with the main body of the army, crossed the Tagus immediately after the fall of Badajoz.
On the 12th of May, the battalion marched from Almendralejos, and bivouacked near Merida; on the 13th near Arroyo-del-Molinos; on the 14th near Villa Mesias; on the 15th entered Truxillo, and marched again about midnight; on the 16th bivouacked near Jaraicejo, and on the following day proceeded to the mountains near Casas del Puerto.
On the 18th of May, the NINETY-SECOND marched at night to attack the enemy’s fortifications covering the bridge of Almaraz. The ruggedness of the footpath through the mountains, and the darkness of the night, presented serious obstacles to a rapid march; it was consequently daylight before the troops were formed in the Valle de Canas.
The fiftieth regiment and a wing of the seventy-first were formed in one column, and were destined to assault Fort Napoleon on the 19th of May; while the NINETY-SECOND under Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, and the other wing of the seventy-first, were formed in a second column, ready to support the attack on Fort Napoleon, or to carry the tête-de-pont at the same moment, both columns being provided with scaling ladders.
Fort Napoleon was carried in gallant style by the column sent against it, the enemy flying from it towards the tête-de-pont; the NINETY-SECOND dashed forward and entered with him. The commandant of Fort Ragusa, on the opposite bank of the Tagus, being seized with a panic, had cut away the bridge of boats; many of his countrymen consequently were either drowned or made prisoners.
The attention of all was now directed to the passage of the river. Some of the NINETY-SECOND immediately leaped in, and swam to the opposite side, bringing the boats back with them.[14] Thus was the bridge secured, together with Fort Ragusa, which the enemy immediately abandoned.
The enemy attached great importance to his establishment at this place, which secured the only direct communication between his two armies, and its destruction had the effect of placing them several days’ march more distant from each other, and over mountainous roads hardly passable by artillery. The works and bridge at Almaraz having been destroyed, and about five hundred prisoners secured, the troops returned to Jaraicejo.
To commemorate the gallantry of the NINETY-SECOND in the above enterprise, the Royal Authority was afterwards received for the word “Almaraz” to be borne on the Regimental Colour and Appointments.
On the 21st of May, the troops marched to Truxillo, where they halted for two days. At this period intelligence was received that the French had pressed forward towards Almendralejos.
On the 24th of May, the corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill marched to a bivouac near Villa Mesias; on the 25th proceeded to the vicinity of Rio del Agua; on the 26th to near San Pedro, and occupied quarters in Merida on the day following.
The NINETY-SECOND marched from Merida on the 5th of June, and went into quarters in Almendralejos. On the 12th of June it marched to Fuentes del Maestre, and on the following day proceeded to Puebla de Sancho Perez. The enemy having moved from Andalusia in some force, evinced an inclination to bring on an action in this advanced position, probably to divert the Earl of Wellington from his operations upon Salamanca, with which place Marshal Soult had no direct communication since the loss of the bridge of Almaraz, and every movement in advance threw him farther from co-operating with Marshal Marmont.
The battalion retired to Los Santos on the 16th of June; on the 17th to Santa Martha; and on the 18th to a wood in front of Albuhera, where all the infantry under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill were assembled; some field-works were immediately thrown up to strengthen the position, and enable the Earl of Wellington, without apprehension for the safety of that corps, to prosecute his attack upon the enemy’s forts at Salamanca, which were captured on the 27th of June.
On the 2nd of July, the battalion advanced to Santa Martha; on the 3rd it marched to a bivouac near Villa Alva, where the enemy brought up some guns, and cannonaded the troops; on the 4th it bivouacked near Feria; on the 5th near Bienvenida; on the 6th near Villa Garcia; and on the 7th it entered Llerena.
The NINETY-SECOND marched from Llerena, by Arlones, on the 8th of July to Berlenga, where some cannonading and a cavalry skirmish took place, after which the enemy retired, and the battalion returned on the following day to Llerena.
The battalion again marched from Llerena on the 20th of July to Bienvenida, and on the following day to Zafra. The enemy at this time moved to his right, and had a force near Fuentes del Maestre.
During the night of the 26th of July, the NINETY-SECOND marched towards Villa Franca, near which place the battalion bivouacked about daylight. The French were about a league in front at Fuentes del Maestre. Between nine and ten o’clock in the morning of the 29th of July, a brigade of French guns was drawn up on a height, in front of their position, and fired a royal salute. Many were the surmises as to the cause of this rejoicing, until some of the British officers ascertained at the outposts, that the salute was in honor of a victory supposed to have been gained by the French at Salamanca.
Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, however, received more authentic intelligence from the scene of action, and immediately afterwards issued the following order:—
“Villa Franca, 29th July, 1812.
“Captain Maxwell’s brigade of artillery will fire a salute of twenty-one guns at twelve o’clock, being in honor of the glorious and important victory gained over the enemy at Salamanca, by the army under the immediate command of the Earl of Wellington, on the 22nd instant.
“An extra ration of wine or spirits is to be issued to the British and Portuguese troops, to enable them to drink the Earl of Wellington’s health.
(Signed) “J. C. Rook,
“Assistant Adjutant-General.”
The troops were under arms, and after the salute, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill advanced; the enemy, however, did not await this proof that the victory was on the side of the Allies, but immediately retired, and Fuentes del Maestre was occupied by the British troops.
On the 1st of August, the battalion went into quarters in Villa Franca.
The allied army under the Marquis of Wellington, which title was conferred upon him after the victory of Salamanca, entered Madrid on the 12th of August, and was received with every demonstration of joy by the inhabitants. Marshal Soult, in consequence of this movement, raised the blockade of Cadiz, and abandoning Western Andalusia, moved towards Grenada.
Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s corps, of which the NINETY-SECOND formed part, advanced on the 28th of August to Usagre; on the 29th to Villa Garcia; on the 30th proceeded to the left to Maquilla; on the 31st to El Campillo; on the 1st of September the troops marched to Zalamea; on the 2nd to Quintana; on the 3rd to La Nava; and on the 4th to quarters in Don Benito.
On the 13th of September, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill crossed the Guadiana, and marched to Mojadas; on the 14th to Villa Mesias; and on the 15th to Truxillo, where the troops halted.
The troops resumed their march from Truxillo to a bivouac near Jaraicejo on the 19th of September, and on the day following crossed a pontoon bridge thrown over the Tagus, where that of the enemy formerly stood, and bivouacked near Almaraz; on the 21st the division proceeded to Naval Moral; on the 22nd marched to Calzada de Oropeza; on the 23rd to La Gartera, and there halted.
On the 26th of September, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division marched to Talavera de la Reinha; on the 27th to Cebolla; on the 28th to Torrijos; on the 29th to Toledo; on the 30th to a bivouac near Villa Mejor; and on the 1st of October to quarters in Aranjuez.
At this period, the Marquis of Wellington was engaged in the siege of the Castle of Burgos. Information was also received that Marshal Soult and King Joseph, with their united armies, were advancing from Valencia, and that their advanced guard was in the neighbourhood of Ocanna, and moving on Madrid.
In consequence of the necessity of raising the siege of the Castle of Burgos, and retreating, the NINETY-SECOND, and other corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, moved from Aranjuez on the 23rd of October, crossed the Tagus, and marched to Colominarde Orejo; on the 25th advanced to the bridge of Fuentes Duenna; on the 27th of October, the enemy appeared on the opposite bank of the river and reconnoitred. The troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill marched on the following day to Villa Conejos, and on the same evening crossed the Jarama at Puente Larga, and went into position; on the 29th they marched to a bivouac near Valle de Moro; on the 30th near Abavaca; and on the 31st to El Escurial. The Marquis of Wellington, with the main body of the army, was at this period returning from the neighbourhood of Burgos towards Salamanca.
The NINETY-SECOND marched to a bivouac near the village of Guadarama on the 1st of November; on the 2nd crossed the Guadarama mountains, and bivouacked at Villa Castine; on the 3rd at Blasco Sancho; on the 4th at Naveos Duenna; on the 5th at Canaracillo; on the 7th crossed the river at Alba de Tormes, and bivouacked. On the 8th of November, the battalion was ordered into the town of Alba de Tormes to defend it, the allied army being at this time concentrated between that place and Salamanca.
The French, under Joseph Buonaparte, appeared on the 10th of November in great force on the heights above, and close to Alba de Tormes; after reconnoitring the place, the enemy commenced a very hot cannonade from a numerous artillery; at the same time pushing forward his light troops close under the old walls of the town, his columns ready to advance at the first appearance of the British being staggered by the effects of his artillery and numerous sharpshooters.
No such opportunity occurred, and the enemy withdrew his guns, after firing upwards of fifteen hundred shot and shell in about three hours. Such was the steadiness of the brigade, that he could not venture on the assault of a place surrounded by an old Moorish wall, in a state of perfect ruin, assailable at all points, and without any other defence than the brave troops that lined it. A strong force was kept watching the motions of the allies, and the enemy’s light troops kept up a skirmish during the 11th, 12th, and 13th of November.
The NINETY-SECOND had eight rank and file killed; Lieutenant Andrew Will and thirty-three rank and file were wounded.
At daylight on the morning of the 14th of November, the enemy’s cavalry were seen crossing the Tormes, about a league above the town, which was evacuated in the course of the day; the bridge blown up, and a small Spanish garrison left in the castle. This night the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked on the Arapiles, the whole army being there in position.
On the 15th of November, the enemy appeared in force about Mozarbes, and his numerous cavalry was observed moving to its left, upon the British line of communication with Ciudad Rodrigo. Towards evening the allied troops were directed to retire from the right, and the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked in a wood behind the Rio Valmuza; on the 16th near Matilla; and on the 17th behind the Rio Cuebra. During these days, the rear-guard was engaged in affairs with the enemy’s cavalry and light artillery. On the 18th the battalion bivouacked near Moraesverde; on the 19th marched to Zamarra; on the 20th to Robledo, and halted.
The weather had been very severe during the last few days, and the troops suffered much from its effects, being obliged several times in each day to wade through rivers, which had no existence at other seasons of the year.
The NINETY-SECOND marched to San Payo on the 28th of November; on the following day to Perales; and on the 30th to Casas de Don Gomez. On the 1st of December it went into winter quarters in Coria, where a detachment of two serjeants and thirty-six rank and file joined from the second battalion, which was at this period stationed in Scotland.
The strength of the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment now consisted of thirty-seven serjeants, fourteen drummers, and six hundred and forty-five rank and file.
1813
On the 17th of January, 1813, the battalion marched from Coria to Montehermosa, and on the 13th of February it marched to Guejo, thence to Aldea Nueva, and on the 15th to Puerta de Bannos. This movement took place in consequence of the advance of a French force from Salamanca towards Bejar, into which place some troops were thrown, and the enemy, then close to the town, retired. He, however, returned with an increased force shortly afterwards, and in the night attempted to surprise the garrison of Bejar, consisting of the fiftieth regiment, and the sixth Portugese Caçadores, by which he was repulsed with loss. The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment was put in motion to their support, and the same evening returned to its quarters in Bannos.
While stationed at Bannos in April, the NINETY-SECOND received a draft of forty-six men from the second battalion. The effective strength at this period consisted of forty-four serjeants, fifteen drummers, and eight hundred and seventeen rank and file.
On the 20th of May, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Bannos to Bejar; on the 21st to Valle de Fuentes; on the 24th to Fuenteroble; on the 25th to Calzadilla; and on the following day crossed the Tormes, above Salamanca, from which place the enemy retired with the loss of some men and artillery. On the 27th of May, the NINETY-SECOND, and other corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, passed the Marquis of Wellington in review-order, and marched to Orvado, where they halted.
The NINETY-SECOND marched on the 3rd of June from the camp at Orvado, crossed the Guarena, and encamped near Villa Buena; on the 4th the battalion crossed the Douro at Toro, and marched to Morales; on the 5th to Villa Sexmil; on the 6th to Mucientes, leaving Valladolid to the right; on the 7th to Duenas; on the 8th to Torre Quemada; on the 9th to Quintana del Ponte; on the 10th crossed the Pisuerga, and marched to Pedroza; on the 11th to Valbases; on the 12th to Celada del Camino; and on the 13th to Villa Ricos, on which morning, about daylight, the enemy blew up the Castle of Burgos, and retreated.
On the 14th of June, the battalion marched to Villa Toro; on the 15th to Villa Esquiar; on the 16th it crossed the Ebro, and marched to Pesquez; on the 17th it marched to Villa Mor; on the 18th to Boveano; on the 19th to Alcoide; and on the 20th to Robeo.
In the meantime, the French army, commanded by King Joseph, had taken up a position in the neighbourhood of Vittoria, where the Marquis of Wellington determined to attack the enemy.
Accordingly, on the 21st of June, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, quitted its encampment early in the morning, and moved to La Puebla, where it crossed the river Zadorra, and ascended the mountain behind the village, which the Spaniards named “Alturas de los Inglezes,” from an action fought there by the English in 1367, when Edward the Black Prince proceeded to Spain to assist Peter, King of Castile, to recover his throne.[15]
The memorable battle of Vittoria commenced by Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill obtaining possession of the heights of La Puebla, on which the enemy’s left rested. The enemy immediately sent a reinforcement of about seven thousand men, with some artillery to this point, and made several attempts to recover his lost ground, but was as frequently repulsed by the troops which were opposed to him; and by that means they covered the remainder of the second division, while filing across the Zadorra, and in its movement to attack the enemy in the village of Subijana de Alava. Each corps kept its ground with coolness and steadiness, until everything was prepared on the left, and the allied army advanced across the plain.
At this juncture, the NINETY-SECOND was again directed to advance, and drive the enemy from every post in its front, which duty it performed in its usual manner, and the French having given way at all points, the battalion continued a rapid pursuit along the Pampeluna road, until about midnight, when it was halted near Ganuz.
On this occasion, the French suffered a great loss of men, together with all their artillery, baggage, and stores. King Joseph, whose carriage and court-equipage being seized, had barely time to escape on horseback. The defeat was the most complete that the French had experienced in Spain.
The bâton of Marshal Jourdan was taken by the eighty-seventh regiment, and the Prince Regent, in the name and behalf of His Majesty, appointed the Marquis of Wellington a Field Marshal. In a most flattering letter, the Prince thus conferred the honor: “You have sent me among the trophies of your unrivalled fame, the staff of a French Marshal, and I send you in return that of England.”
In commemoration of the share the NINETY-SECOND bore in gaining this signal victory, the royal authority was afterwards received for the word “Vittoria,” to be inscribed on the regimental colour and appointments. A medal was also conferred on the commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron.
The NINETY-SECOND had four rank and file killed, and sixteen wounded.
On the 22nd of June, the allies followed the retreating enemy, on which day the NINETY-SECOND marched to about a league in front of Salvatierra, and encamped; on the 23rd proceeded to near Arbeniz; on the 24th to near Araquil; on the 25th to near Stormende; on the 26th to near Zuaza; and on the 27th marched to Orcayen, about three miles from Pampeluna, which latter place was afterwards invested.
The NINETY-SECOND marched to a wood near Lizasso on the 2nd of July; on the 3rd to Puerta Velate; on the 4th to Almandoz, where a skirmish took place, the enemy being in position between Beruete and Aniz. On the 5th, after some movements to turn the left of his position, he retreated, and the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked in front of Elizondo, halting there during the following day.
On the 7th of July, the enemy was seen in a strong position on the heights of Maya, and troops were sent across the Bidassoa to attack his right. The NINETY-SECOND marched through the village of Maya in the afternoon, and a good deal of fighting took place during the day, the light troops continuing to skirmish until dark, when the battalion bivouacked.
Advancing early in the morning of the 8th of July, the French retired from their own frontier, which the pursuing troops occupied with three British cheers. The light troops continued the pursuit towards the village of Urdax.
On the 9th of July, the troops marched to the village of Maya. The siege of St. Sebastian was undertaken, and the garrison of Pampeluna was closely invested by the Spaniards at this period.
Upon Napoleon receiving the news of the defeat of the French at Vittoria, he immediately sent Marshal Soult to Spain, with the rank of “Lieutenant of the Emperor,” and the Marshal assumed the command of the army of Spain on the 12th of July. All his energies were directed to retrieve its disasters, and to drive the British across the Ebro.
On the 13th of July, the first brigade, at this period under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, of the NINETY-SECOND, marched to occupy the heights of Maya.
The effective strength of the battalion, under the command of Major James Mitchell, consisted of forty serjeants, fifteen drummers, and seven hundred and sixty-two rank and file, on the 25th of July, on which day the fiftieth regiment was stationed on the right of the brigade, to the left of a pass leading to the village of Maya, which was occupied by a piquet from the second brigade.
The NINETY-SECOND were stationed in the Maya Pass, to the right of the road leading from Urdax, and the seventy-first regiment still further to the left. The enemy collected a force of about fifteen thousand 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.
Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, detached the fiftieth 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 NINETY-SECOND, under Major John McPherson, 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 seventy-first 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 seventy-first and NINETY-SECOND 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’s brigade, when a general charge was made, and every inch of ground recovered as far as the Maya Pass.
On this occasion the NINETY-SECOND was ordered by Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir William Stewart not to charge, the battalion having been hotly engaged for ten successive hours, and in want of ammunition. The NINETY-SECOND, however, for the first time disregarded an order, and not only charged, but led the charge.
During the whole of the action on the 25th of July, the conduct of the NINETY-SECOND was most noble and devoted; and in commemoration of which His Majesty was pleased to permit Lieut.-Colonel Cameron to bear on his shield the word “Maya.” Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron and Major James Mitchell were both wounded at the head of the battalion, and the command devolved on Major John McPherson, who was also wounded, but did not leave the field. The other officers wounded were Captains George W. Holmes, Ronald McDonald, and Samuel Bevan, Lieutenants William Fyfe, Donald McPherson, John A. Durie, James John Chisholm, Robert Winchester, Donald McDonald, James Ker Ross, George Gordon, John Grant, and Alexander McDonald, (died) and Ensigns Thomas Mitchell and George Mitchell.
Ensign Ewen Kennedy was killed. The other casualties were thirty-four rank and file killed, and two hundred and sixty eight rank and file wounded; and twenty-two rank and file missing.
Major-General Sir William Napier, in his History of the Peninsular War, in narrating the action in the Pass of Maya, has alluded to the loss of the battalion, and its gallantry, in the following terms:—
“And that officer (Lieut.-Colonel Cameron) still holding the Pass of Maya with the left wings of the seventy-first and NINETY-SECOND regiments, brought their right wings and the Portuguese guns into action, and thus maintained the fight; but so dreadful was the slaughter, especially of the NINETY-SECOND, that it is said the advancing enemy was actually stopped by the heaped mass of dead and dying.”
“The stern valour of the NINETY-SECOND would have graced Thermopylæ.”
The enemy having turned the British position at Roncesvalles, the troops were withdrawn. The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND was ordered to march from Puerto de Maya, and arrived in position at Iruite early in the morning of the 26th of July.
The troops composing the right of the allied army at Roncesvalles, having retired towards Pampeluna, the NINETY-SECOND marched, on the 27th of July, from its position near Iruite, and halted between Puerta Velate and Lanz. On the following day, the battalion marched to a bivouac near Lizasso, and, on the 29th, marched somewhat further towards Pampeluna.
On the 30th of July, the battalion advanced to a position between the village of Lizasso and Eguaros, when the enemy appeared at the former place, and commenced an extended movement upon the British left. The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Major John McPherson, was directed against him, and found itself opposed to a column of about two thousand men, which the battalion immediately charged, and drove from the ridge in a most gallant style. After this the French moved still further to their right, and accordingly the left of the allies was thrown back in the direction of Arestegui. The action ceased about dark.
The NINETY-SECOND had Captain George W. Holmes wounded. Nine rank and file were killed, and twenty-six wounded.
The NINETY-SECOND advanced, and on the 31st of July, came up with the enemy strongly posted on a hill at Dona Maria, which could only be approached by a narrow ziz-zag road through very close underwood. In this favorable position the enemy made great resistance, but was ultimately driven from the heights, and his defeat was particularly ascribed to the persevering bravery individually displayed in the ranks of the NINETY-SECOND regiment.
Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, under whose eye the battalion was this day engaged, bestowed the most flattering encomiums on its gallantry. On this occasion Major McPherson was wounded, and Captain James Seaton assumed the command. Captains James Lee and Dugald Campbell, Lieutenant James Hope, and Ensign Thomas Mitchell, were also wounded. Ten rank and file were killed, and sixty-nine wounded.
After carrying this post, the NINETY-SECOND moved towards Lanz, and, on the 1st of August, marched through the pass at Lanz to Ariscun, and on the 2nd, again occupied the heights of Maya.
The royal authority was subsequently granted for the NINETY-SECOND to bear the word “Pyrenees” on the regimental colour and appointments, to commemorate the services of the first battalion in these combats, which have been designated the “Battles of the Pyrenees.” Medals, bearing the word “Pyrenees,” were conferred on Major John McPherson and Captain James Seaton; and the former was promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel.
The effective strength of the NINETY-SECOND was now reduced to twenty-seven serjeants, fifteen drummers, and three hundred and twenty rank and file. The battalion marched on the evening of the 2nd of August to the village of Erassu, and on the 5th reoccupied the heights of Maya.
On the 8th of August, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Maya to the valley of Alduides, and the next day to Roncesvalles, between which place and the heights of Don Carlos, the battalion remained encamped until the beginning of November.
In the meantime, St. Sebastian and Pampeluna had been captured, and the British commander, looking down from the lofty Pyrenees on the well-guarded territory of France, resolved to carry the war into the heart of that country.
On the 7th of November, the enemy made an attempt to cut off a piquet of the NINETY-SECOND, but was foiled. On the following day, the battalion marched from Roncesvalles to Alduides, and on the 9th proceeded through Maya to Urdax, in which neighbourhood the whole division was assembled.
The British army was put in motion at an early hour in the morning of the 10th of November, and advanced to attack the enemy in his fortified position on the Nivelle. The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, forded that river a little below Ainhoe, and was ordered to attack the strong redoubts on the heights immediately in rear of the village.
The action became very warm towards the centre of the British line, and the sixth division, with the Portuguese division immediately on the left, having turned the redoubts to the right of the enemy’s position on the heights of Ainhoe, the French in front of the NINETY-SECOND made little resistance, running out of the redoubts in the utmost confusion; the enemy giving way at all points, left the allies a complete victory, and abandoned all his artillery and stores. The NINETY-SECOND occupied the huts in the French position for the night, and the next day advanced to Espelette.
On the 12th of November, the division moved in advance to reconnoitre the enemy at Cambo, and after driving in his outposts and effecting the object in view, the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked at a short distance from the town.
The battalion went into quarters in Cambo on the 16th of November; the enemy having previously blown up the bridge, retired across the Nive, leaving some pieces of heavy artillery behind.
On the 27th of November, a detachment of one hundred men joined from the second battalion, which still remained in Scotland.
The rivers, which had been greatly swollen by the rains, having partly subsided, the allied army was put in motion across the Nive on the 9th of December. The NINETY-SECOND, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, forded that river near Cambo, but did not meet with much opposition, as the enemy retired to prevent his retreat to Bayonne from being cut off by the sixth division, which was crossing lower down the river. The NINETY-SECOND advanced on the same day to Urcuray: on the 10th and 11th, the French attacked the troops on the left of the Nive, but on each day were repulsed.
On the 11th of December, the NINETY-SECOND advanced to Petite Moguerre, a small village near Bayonne, situated between the rivers Nive and Adour.
The enemy was observed at daylight in the morning of the 13th of December, formed in very heavy columns between his entrenched camp at Bayonne, and the village of St. Pierre, on the road leading to St. Jean-Pied-de-Port.
The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, was ordered to advance to the centre of the position at St. Pierre, against which the enemy appeared to direct his principal attack. The battalion had scarcely arrived on its ground, when it was led into action, and by a most opportune and determined charge, drove the French from the British position (of which they had for a moment possessed themselves) to the very point from whence they had started.
The NINETY-SECOND was recalled to its proper position, and no sooner was it formed there, than the enemy again attacked, and was again repulsed. Besides being exposed during this 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.
Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir William Stewart, K.B., in his report of the action, stated, that “several brilliant charges were made by our troops in the centre, against which the enemy’s principal attack was directed, more particularly that by the NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”
In speaking of the defeat of the enemy’s principal attack on the road to St. Jean Pied-de-Port, where the first brigade was stationed, the Marquis of Wellington said in his despatch, “they were particularly engaged in the contest with the enemy at that point, and these troops conducted themselves admirably.”
On this occasion Lieutenants Duncan McPherson, Thomas Mitchell, and Alan McDonald were killed. Major John McPherson (mortally), Captains George W. Holmes, Ronald McDonald, and Donald McPherson; Lieutenants John Catenaugh, Ronald McDonald, James John Chisholm, Robert Winchester, and George Mitchell, and Ensign William Fraser were wounded. Twenty-eight rank and file were killed, and one hundred and forty-three wounded.
In commemoration of this action, an honorary badge was conferred by His Majesty on Lieut.-Colonel 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 NINETY-SECOND to bear the word “Nive” on the regimental colour and appointments.
The enemy retired into Bayonne a little before dark, and the NINETY-SECOND went into its former quarters in Petite Moguerre.
On the 14th of December, the following order was issued by Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir William Stewart, K.B.:—
“Head Quarters, near Petite Moguerre,
“14th December, 1813.
“The second division has greatly distinguished themselves, and its gallantry in yesterday’s action is avowed by the Commander of the forces and the allied army.”
The NINETY-SECOND marched from Petite Moguerre on the 17th of December, and on the 19th occupied cantonments in Arquite.
1814
On the 4th of January, 1814, the battalion marched from Arquite, and encamped near Urt; on the 8th it went into cantonments in that village. On the 20th of January the battalion marched from Urt for St. Jean de Luz, where it received new clothing, and on the 20th returned to Urt.
The enemy attacked on the 27th of January a piquet of the NINETY-SECOND, stationed in an island on the Adour, but was driven back.
At this period the allied army was put in motion, and the NINETY-SECOND marched from Urt to Urcuray.
The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, marched on the 14th of February to attack a considerable body of the enemy under General Harispe at Hellette, which was forced to retire to Meharin. On this occasion Lieutenant Richard McDonell was wounded; one private was killed, and seven rank and file wounded.
On the morning of the 15th of February, the NINETY-SECOND 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 three 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 February, the NINETY-SECOND crossed in the afternoon, and occupied a position in advance.
On the 17th of February, the enemy was discovered in the village of Arriverete, on the right bank of the Gave de Mauleon, endeavouring to destroy the bridge over it. A ford was discovered a little higher up, which the NINETY-SECOND 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’Oleron, and the battalion, which had ten rank and file wounded in this enterprise, was cantoned in Arriverete and the neighbouring villages.
In honor of this occasion, it was granted by royal warrant, that Lieut.-Colonel Cameron should bear for his crest a Highlander of the NINETY-SECOND 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.”
The following is an extract of the Marquis of Wellington’s despatch on this occasion:—
“St. Jean de Luz, 20th February, 1814.
“The enemy retired across the river at St. Palais in the night, destroying the bridges, which, however, were repaired so that the troops under Sir Rowland Hill crossed on the 16th, and on the 17th the enemy were driven across the Gave de Mauleon.
“They attempted to destroy the bridge at Arriverete, but they had not time to complete its destruction; and a ford being discovered above the bridge, the NINETY-SECOND regiment under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, supported by the fire of Captain Beane’s troop of horse artillery, crossed the ford, and made a most gallant attack upon two battalions of French infantry posted in the village, from which the latter were driven with considerable loss.”
The Marquis of Wellington addressed the following letter to Lieut.-General Lord Niddry (afterwards Earl of Hopetoun), colonel of the NINETY-SECOND, relative to an application to be permitted to bear the word “Arriverete” on the regimental colour and appointments:—
“Cambray, 13th April, 1816.
“My dear Lord,
“I have received your letter of the 2nd, regarding the desire of the NINETY-SECOND regiment to bear the word “Arriverete” on their colour, &c., to which I have no objection, and I will apply for the distinction, if after this explanation they should still desire it.
“Arriverete is a village on the Gave de Mauleon, at which there is a wooden bridge. We had passed the river at other points, but our communication across it was difficult, and the enemy was of such a force at Sauveterre, in the neighbourhood, that we could not venture to move along it, and I wished to get possession of the bridge before the enemy could destroy it. The NINETY-SECOND forded the river, and attacked and took the village, against a very superior force of the enemy, in the most gallant style, (in the manner in which they have always performed every service in which they have been employed), but without much loss; there the affair ended; we were not prepared at that time to do more, and we held that village as a tête-de-pont till our means were in readiness for our further operations.
“There is no doubt but the troops behaved as gallantly in this affair as they could in any of greater importance, but the result was not of that consequence to the ulterior operations of the army, to have rendered it notorious to the army at large; and although I reported it as I ought, I know there are many belonging to the army, some even who were present, have no recollection of the name of the place which was the scene of the action, and some not even of the action itself.
“It appears to me to be beneath the reputation of the NINETY-SECOND to have to explain for what cause the name of a particular place has been inserted in their colours; and notwithstanding that on no occasion could they or any other troops behave better than they did upon that, I acknowledge that I am anxious they should not press the request. But if after this explanation they continue to wish it, I will take care it shall be granted.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “Wellington.
“Lieut.-General Lord Niddry, K.B.,
&c., &c.”
The NINETY-SECOND marched in the morning of the 24th of February, 1814, and crossed the Gave d’Oleron by a ford near Villeneuve, and on the 25th moved on the road towards Orthes, and encamped near Laas, where the battalion halted. The allied army was at this period crossing the Gave de Pau, near Peyrehorade, with the exception of the corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill.
On the 27th of February, the army under the Marquis of Wellington, on the right bank of the Gave de Pau advanced to attack the French position near Orthes, and the action soon became general. The first brigade, to which the NINETY-SECOND under Lieut.-Colonel Cameron belonged, was directed to a ford above the town of Orthes, and had the honor of leading the second division across the Gave de Pau, under a very heavy fire of musketry and artillery, and possessing itself of the road from Orthes to the town of Pau, immediately in rear of the enemy’s left flank, his retreat on that line was consequently cut off. The NINETY-SECOND was ordered to move upon the road to St. Sever, along the rear of the enemy, whose retreat, which had been conducted hitherto with some degree of order, now became a perfectly confused flight. The pursuit was at an equally rapid pace, in which the battalion was conspicuous for several miles, until it halted at Sault de Navailles.
In commemoration of this victory, which cost the enemy twelve pieces of cannon, and about seven thousand men, the NINETY-SECOND received the royal authority to bear the word “Orthes” on the regimental colour and appointments. His Majesty was also pleased to confer honorary badges, bearing the word “Orthes,” on Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron, who commanded the first battalion, and on Major James Mitchell, who commanded the light companies; the latter officer was promoted to the brevet rank of lieut.-colonel.
The NINETY-SECOND had only three rank and file wounded, and one killed, in the battle of Orthes.
On the 28th of February, the NINETY-SECOND marched to St. Medard, and on the 1st of March proceeded to Grenade; the main body of the allied army had at this period crossed the Adour at St. Sever.
The enemy, on the 2nd of March, was seen strongly posted on a ridge in front of the town of Aire, with his right resting on the Adour. The allied army advanced to the attack, and compelled him to retire; but a brigade of Portuguese troops on the British flank giving way, the French became encouraged, and in their turn advanced. The fiftieth and NINETY-SECOND regiments, after clearing their own front, were moved rapidly to the point where the enemy was successful, and by a most splendid charge immediately put him to flight.
These regiments now became considerably separated from each other, from having to occupy the ground destined for the Portuguese troops, and the NINETY-SECOND was again opposed to a strong column on its flank, which it immediately charged, and pursued through the town of Aire, in which the battalion was afterwards cantoned.
Captain William Fyfe, Lieutenants John A. Durie and Richard McDonell were wounded. The other casualties of the battalion were three rank and file killed, and twenty-nine wounded.
His Majesty, in honor of this occasion, granted permission for Lieut.-Colonel Cameron to bear upon his shield a view of the town, with the word “Aire.”
The following Division and General Orders were issued, alluding to the action of this day:—
“Division Orders.
Aire, March 3rd, 1814.
“Lieut.-General Sir William Stewart congratulates the division on its further advance and success against the enemy. To the admirable conduct of the fiftieth and NINETY-SECOND regiments led by their gallant commanders, and by Major-General Barnes, the good fortune of yesterday’s action is decidedly attributed, which the Lieut.-General has to state to Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, for the information of the Commander of the Forces.”
“General Orders.
Aire, March 5th, 1814.
Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill congratulates Lieut.-General Sir William Stewart, Major-General Barnes, and Major-General Byng, on the brilliant part which they bore in the action of the 2nd instant.
“The gallant and steady conduct of the fiftieth regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Harrison, and of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, excited the admiration of all who were witnesses of it.”
On the 10th of March, a letter and address, of which the following are copies, were received, and promulgated to the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment.
“Dear Sir,
Aire, March 10th, 1814.
“The mayor and inhabitants of this town having requested me to convey to you, with their sentiments of gratitude, the accompanying address, I feel infinite pleasure in so doing; as I deem the sentiments expressed in it justly due towards you, and the distinguished regiment under your command.
“I have &c.,
(Signed) “William Stewart,
“Lieut.-General.
“Lieut.-Colonel Cameron,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”
(Translation.)
“Sir,
Aire, 9th March, 1814.
“The inhabitants of the town of Aire are not ignorant that if they were preserved from pillage and destruction at the close of the obstinate and sanguinary conflict of the 2nd of March, they are indebted for such preservation from that calamity to your honorable conduct, and the strict discipline which you have maintained amongst the troops under your command.
“Penetrated by sentiments of the liveliest gratitude towards a commander distinguished by such noble qualities, the town of Aire has charged me to be their interpreter in communicating their thanks, and to offer you the homage of their esteem.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “Codroy, Mayor.
“To Lieut.-Colonel Cameron,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”
Information having been received that the enemy was making a movement to his left, and attempting to throw himself upon the right flank of the British, a corresponding move was made by the Marquis of Wellington, and the NINETY-SECOND marched from Aire on the 13th of March, by the road to Pau, and halted in a position near Garlin, the French being posted behind the river Gros Lees. On the 18th, the battalion marched to Conchez, the enemy retiring towards Lembege on the approach of the allies.
The NINETY-SECOND moved upon Lembege on the 19th of March, where a skirmish took place, the enemy falling back to Vic Bigorre; here he seemed determined to make a stand, but the third division, which moved by a road to the British left, drove him in excellent style from his position, and he retired across the Adour. The battalion halted for the night in front of Vic Bigorre.
On the 20th of March, the left of the army crossed the Adour, and moved upon the enemy’s right near Rabastens, while the right marched upon Tarbes, the French having retired from it, as the allied columns were forming for their attack.
The NINETY-SECOND continued in pursuit of the enemy on the main road from Tarbes to Toulouse, by St. Gaudens, Mariemont, and St. Julien, and halted on the 26th of March at Muret: there had been constant rain for several days previous, which impeded operations; on the 27th, the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill were withdrawn to St. Roque.
On the 31st of March, 1814, the division crossed the Garonne by a pontoon bridge, and proceeded to Miremont; on the 1st of April to Cintegabelle, and crossed the Arriege. No road for artillery could be discovered from this place to Toulouse, and the NINETY-SECOND recrossed the Garonne at St. Roque, the pontoons being removed towards Grenade.
The NINETY-SECOND marched on the 5th of April to cantonments at St. Simon. At this period the river Garonne had swollen, and this circumstance made it necessary to remove the pontoons by which part of the allied army had crossed; they were however replaced, and on the evening of the 9th of April the main body of the British army was on the right of the Garonne.
On the 10th of April, the NINETY-SECOND 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 NINETY-SECOND 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 Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Earl of Hopetoun), the Colonel of the NINETY-SECOND 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 the 20th of April, 1814, the NINETY-SECOND marched into Villa Franche; on the 24th to Beziege; and on the 25th occupied quarters in Toulouse.
A treaty of peace was established between Great Britain and France; Louis XVIII. was restored to the throne of France, and Napoleon Buonaparte was permitted to reside at Elba, the sovereignty of that island having been conferred upon him by the allied powers.
The war being ended, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Toulouse on the 5th of June, and continued on the move until the 19th of that month, when it encamped at Blanchfort, about two leagues from Bourdeaux.
In addition to the other distinctions acquired during the war in Spain, Portugal, and the south of France the NINETY-SECOND received the royal authority to bear, the word “Peninsula” on the Regimental Colour and Appointments.
On the 9th of July, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Blanchfort, and encamped near Pouillac. On the 17th of July, the battalion was conveyed down the Garonne in small craft, and embarked in H. M.’s ship “Norge,” which sailed immediately, and on the 26th entered Cove of Cork harbour.
The NINETY-SECOND disembarked at Monkstown on the 29th of July, and marched to Fermoy barracks, where the thanks of Parliament were communicated to the officers and soldiers for “the meritorious and eminent services which they had rendered to their King and Country during the course of the war.”
On the 6th of August, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, commanded by Colonel Cameron, was inspected at Fermoy by Major-General Sir William Aylett, who expressed in orders his great satisfaction at its appearance under arms, as well as of its interior economy. Its effective strength consisted of fifty serjeants, sixteen drummers, and seven hundred rank and file.
Two captains and three lieutenants were ordered on the 12th of October to proceed to Scotland to take under their charge the non-commissioned officers and men of the second battalion, about to be transferred to the first battalion.
On the 24th of October, the second battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment was disbanded at Edinburgh, and twelve serjeants, thirteen drummers, and one hundred and sixty-one rank and file were transferred to the first battalion, which they joined at Fermoy in January following.
1815
The NINETY-SECOND regiment marched on the 27th of January, 1815, from Fermoy to Cork barracks, where an authority was received for the establishment to be one thousand rank and file.
The NINETY-SECOND regiment was not destined to remain long on home service. The peace of Europe was again disturbed. Napoleon Bonaparte returned from Elba, landed at Cannes, in Provence, on the 1st of March, 1815, with a handful of men, and on the 20th of that month entered Paris at the head of an army which had joined him on the road. Louis XVIII. withdrew from Paris to Ghent, and Napoleon assumed his former dignity of Emperor of the French; but the allied Powers refused to acknowledge his sovereignty, and determined on his dethronement. Preparations for war commenced accordingly, and the NINETY-SECOND regiment was ordered to proceed on foreign service.
The regiment marched to the Cove of Cork on the 1st of May, and embarked in transports, which sailed on the 3rd of May. Its effective strength consisted of forty-seven serjeants, sixteen drummers, and six hundred and twenty-one rank and file. The regiment anchored near Ostend on the 9th of May, was removed in boats on the following day, and subsequently proceeded by the canal to Bruges.
On the 11th of May the regiment proceeded to Ghent, where it landed, and was quartered. Louis XVIII. was residing there at this period.
The regiment marched from Ghent to Alost on the 27th of May, and on the 28th to Brussels, where it was placed in Major-General Sir Denis Pack’s brigade, with the third battalion of the Royals, the forty-second Highlanders, and the second battalion of the forty-fourth regiment.
On the 3rd of June the British brigades of the fifth division, to which the NINETY-SECOND belonged, were reviewed by Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, who expressed his entire approbation of their appearance, and his happiness at again seeing those that had served with such reputation in the Peninsula.
Napoleon left Paris on the 12th of June, and conformably to his usual plan of directing at once his whole force against some important point, he determined to attack the British and Prussian armies before the arrival of the Austrians and Russians, who were already in movement towards the frontiers. On the 15th, intelligence having been received that the French had entered the Netherlands, the NINETY-SECOND lay upon their arms during the night.
On the 16th of June, the division under Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Picton marched at daylight, and about two o’clock came within range of the enemy’s artillery in front of Genappe, at some farm-houses denominated Les 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 NINETY-SECOND regiment was ordered to line a ditch in the front of this latter road, to the left of the farm-houses, and the Duke of Wellington took his station with it. 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. His cannonade still continued, and his cavalry again charged, and were repulsed as before. In the meantime the French infantry had been forming under cover of their cavalry attacks, assisted by their artillery, and now advanced upon the regiment, when the Duke of Wellington said, “NINETY-SECOND, you must charge these fellows!” These words were scarcely uttered, when every man of the regiment sprang over the ditch, and his orders were fully and literally obeyed. The enemy was not only driven from the houses and gardens about Quatre Bras, but chased for half a mile beyond it, until the regiment was recalled about nightfall, and the action ceased.
On this occasion the regiment had to lament the loss of its commanding officer, Colonel Cameron,[16] an officer who had led the NINETY-SECOND in many a sanguinary field. He fell as he had lived, with honor; and the Duke of Wellington thus expressed himself in his despatch to Earl Bathurst of the 29th of June, transmitting lists of the killed and wounded:—
“Your Lordship will see in the enclosed lists the names of some most valuable officers lost to His Majesty’s service. Among them I cannot avoid to mention Colonel Cameron, of the NINETY-SECOND, and Colonel Sir Henry Ellis, of the twenty-third regiments, to whose conduct I have frequently drawn your Lordship’s attention, and who at last fell distinguishing themselves at the head of the brave troops which they commanded.
“Notwithstanding the glory of the occasion, it is impossible not to lament such men, both on account of the public, and as friends.”
The Duke of Wellington particularly mentioned the twenty-eighth, forty-second, seventy-ninth, and NINETY-SECOND regiments in his account of the action at Quatre Bras.
The NINETY-SECOND regiment during the action was successively commanded by Colonel Cameron, Lieut.-Colonel James Mitchell, and Major Donald Macdonald. Colonel Cameron, Captain William Little, Lieutenant James John Chisholm, Ensigns Abel Becher, and John Ross McPherson were killed. Lieut.-Colonel James Mitchell, Captains George W. Holmes, Dugald Campbell, and William Charles Grant; Lieutenants Robert Winchester, Thomas Hobbs, Thomas McIntosh, James Ker Ross, Ronald McDonald, Hector Munro Innes, George Logan, John McKinlay, George Mackie, Alexander McPherson, Ewen Ross, Ensigns John Branwell, Robert Logan, Angus McDonald, Robert Hewitt, and assistant-surgeon John Stewart were wounded. Thirty-five rank and file were killed, and two hundred and forty-five were wounded.
The following is a copy of Major McDonald’s report of the action, written on the spot, to Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B.—
“Sir,
“Colonel Cameron and Lieut.-Colonel Mitchell having been both severely wounded, I have the honor to report, for your information, (not having been under your eye during the whole of the day,) that the NINETY-SECOND regiment repulsed repeated attacks of cavalry, and by a rapid movement charged a column of the enemy, and drove them to the extremity of the wood on our right.
“Our loss has been severe, as will be seen by the return of killed and wounded.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “Donald McDonald,
“Major 92nd, Commanding.
“Major-General
Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B.”
The Prussians had been attacked on the 16th of June at Ligny, and were forced to retreat to Wavre, and the Duke of Wellington made a corresponding movement to keep up his communication with them. In the course of the morning of the 17th of June, the troops were withdrawn from Quatre Bras, and the regiment was directed to form the rear-guard of the infantry, until it occupied its position in front of Waterloo, at a place named Mont St. Jean, where it arrived without being molested by the enemy.
At the beginning of the memorable battle of Waterloo, which commenced about ten o’clock in the morning of the 18th of June, the NINETY-SECOND regiment, under the command of Major McDonald, with the rest of Sir Denis Pack’s brigade, was placed in support of some Belgian troops on the left of the main road to Brussels, and throughout the day was exposed to the fire of the enemy’s artillery and sharpshooters.
The allied troops to the right having repulsed the repeated attacks in that quarter, the enemy directed his attention in a more particular manner to this part of the British line; and after having succeeded in carrying the farm-house of La Haye Sainte, under a most tremendous fire of artillery, he drove the Belgians from their post, and established himself in that part of the position. The moment the Belgians were seen running past the regiment to the rear, the third battalion of the Royals, and the second battalion of the forty-fourth regiment on its right in brigade, moved to the point which had thus been abandoned, and for some time maintained their ground in a manner becoming British soldiers, although ultimately obliged to give way. The NINETY-SECOND at this time was reduced to less than three hundred men. A column of three thousand French was formed in the position in front of the regiment, which was concealed by the nature of the ground. The French Commander having possessed himself of so advantageous a post, and seeing the troops give way, considered everything gained, and ordered arms.
This was the state of affairs, when Major-General Sir Denis Pack galloped up to the regiment, and called out “NINETY-SECOND, you must charge, for all the troops to your right and left have given way.” Three cheers from the regiment expressed the devoted readiness of every individual in its ranks.
The French column did not show a large front. The regiment formed four deep, and in that compact order advanced, until within twenty paces, when it fired a volley, and instantly darted into the heart of the French column, in which it became almost invisible, in the midst of the mass opposed to it.
While the regiment was in the act of charging, and the instant before it came in contact with the enemy, the Scots Greys (second dragoons) came trotting up in rear of its flanks, when both corps shouted “Scotland for ever!” the column was instantaneously broken, and in its flight the cavalry rode over it. The result of this dash, which only occupied a few minutes, was a loss to the enemy of two Eagles, and two thousand prisoners, those that escaped doing so without arms or knapsacks.
After this brilliant affair, Sir Denis Pack rode up to the regiment, and said, “You have saved the day Highlanders, but you must return to your position; there is more work to be done!”
It would be superfluous to detail every part that the regiment had to act on this eventful day; how it stood in square, in line, and in column, never yielding an inch to enemies who considered themselves invincible when fighting, as in the present instance, under the direction and in the presence of their Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who frequently expressed his astonishment and admiration at the manner in which the British fought, particularly “Les Braves Ecossais,” as he termed them.
Towards evening two Prussian officers rode past the regiment inquiring for the Duke of Wellington, and their columns began to appear moving upon the enemy’s right, by the road from Wavre. At this time the French made a last effort by a general attack throughout the whole line, and the moment they were repulsed, the allied troops advanced, drove them from every position, and forced them to seek safety in flight, leaving their artillery, and everything that constitutes an army in the field.
The regiment was directed to desist from the pursuit, and return to its original ground, after giving three British cheers to the Prussian army. In this manner was achieved the Battle of Waterloo, the importance of which may be best estimated by the lengthened peace which has ensued; and the memory of this eventful victory will ever survive as a proud monument of the national glory of the British army.
On the 18th of June, the NINETY-SECOND regiment had Captains Peter Wilkie and Archibald Ferrier, Lieutenants Robert Winchester, Donald McDonald, James Ker Ross, and James Hope wounded. Fourteen rank and file were killed, and ninety-six wounded.
In acknowledgment of the services which the army performed in the battle of Waterloo, and the actions immediately preceding it, each subaltern officer and soldier present was permitted to count two years additional service, and silver medals were conferred on all ranks, bearing on the one side an impression of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and on the reverse the figure of Victory, holding the palm in the right hand, and the olive branch in the left, with the word “Wellington,” over its head, and “Waterloo,” 18th June, 1815, at its feet.
Lieut.-Colonel James Mitchell, who succeeded to the command of the regiment at Quatre Bras, was appointed a companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, and had the Order of St. Anne of Russia conferred upon him. Major Donald McDonald, who commanded the regiment during the whole of the battle of Waterloo, was promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel, appointed a companion of the Bath, and received the order of St. Wladimir of Russia.
The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted to the army with the greatest enthusiasm “for its distinguished valour at Waterloo;” and the NINETY-SECOND, and other regiments engaged, were permitted to bear the word “Waterloo” on their colours and appointments.
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.”
On the 19th of June, the allied army resumed its triumphant pursuit of the French towards Paris, in the neighbourhood of which city the regiment encamped on the 3rd of July, without having been employed on any affair of consequence during the march.
The following General Order was issued by the Duke of Wellington, on the 4th of July:—
“The Field Marshal has great satisfaction in announcing to the troops under his command, that he has, in concert with Field Marshal Prince Blucher, concluded a military convention with the Commander-in-Chief of the French army near Paris, by which the enemy is to evacuate St. Denis, St. Ouen, Clichy, and Neuilly, this day at noon, the heights of Monte Martre to-morrow at noon, and Paris next day.
“The Field Marshal congratulates the army upon this result of their glorious victory. He desires that the troops may employ the leisure of this day and to-morrow, to clean their arms, clothes, and appointments, as it is his intention that they should pass him in review.”
Louis XVIII. entered Paris on the 8th of July, and was once more reinstated on the throne of France. Napoleon Bonaparte having fled to the south of France surrendered himself a prisoner on the 15th of July to Captain Maitland, commanding the “Bellerophon” British ship of war, and the island of St. Helena was afterwards appointed for his residence.
While in camp near Paris, the British army was reviewed by the Emperors of Austria and Russia, and other Sovereigns in alliance with Great Britain, who paid very high compliments to the regiment, and greatly admired its Highland costume.
On the 28th of October, the regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Mitchell, broke up from its encampment, and marched to St. Germains; on the 30th to Montain Ville; and on the 2nd of November to Neuf le Vieux.
The regiment marched on the 10th of November to occupy the following villages—Monfort, Neuf de Vieux, Creçy, Mareile, and Mere.
The Brigade orders of the 29th of November, directed the regiment to proceed en route to Boulogne, and Major-General Sir Denis Pack, after alluding to the orderly and soldier-like conduct of the regiment both in camp and quarters, and expressing his regret at losing it from under his command, concluded as follows:—
“The services rendered by the NINETY-SECOND regiment in the Duke of Wellington’s campaigns in the Peninsula, and His Grace’s late short and triumphant one in Belgium, are so generally and so highly appreciated, as to make praise from him almost idle; nevertheless, he cannot help adding his tribute of applause.”
On the 30th of November, the regiment marched to Meulan, and arrived on the 15th of December at St. Leonard, near Boulogne; on the 17th it arrived at Calais, and embarked the same day for England.
The effective strength of the regiment consisted of thirty-six serjeants, sixteen drummers, and four hundred and forty-nine rank and file.
On the 19th of December, the regiment landed at Margate; on the 20th marched to Deal; on the 21st to Dover; and on the 22nd to Braebournlees Barracks, from whence it proceeded en route to Colchester on the 28th of December.
1816
The regiment arrived at Colchester on the 1st of January, 1816, where an authority was received to reduce its establishment to eight hundred rank and file.
On the 19th of February, the regiment marched from Colchester en route to Hull, where it arrived on the 2nd of March. On the 22nd of August, the regiment proceeded to Berwick-upon-Tweed,—from whence it marched to Edinburgh on the 7th of September, and on the 12th went into quarters in Edinburgh Castle, being the second visit to its native country since the original formation of the regiment.
The Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia, having expressed a wish to see the NINETY-SECOND regiment, it was paraded on the 22nd of December accordingly, and His Imperial Highness expressed his admiration of the corps.
1817
On the 7th of April, 1817, the regiment commenced its march by divisions to Port Patrick, there to embark for Ireland. It arrived at Belfast on the 24th of April, and on the 26th, detachments were sent to occupy barracks at Carrickfergus, Downpatrick, Crumlin, Ballimony, Newton Glens, Castle Dawson, Ballycastle, and Randalstown.
1818
Major-General Sir Sidney Beckwith inspected the NINETY-SECOND regiment on the 28th of April, 1818, who issued a very complimentary order regarding its appearance.
On the 17th of June, the regiment commenced its march in two divisions for Castlebar, where the head-quarters arrived on the 28th, having about twenty detachments in various places.
The regiment was inspected on the 14th of October by Major-General Buller, who expressed his approbation of its appearance.
On the 4th of November, orders were received for the regiment to be held in readiness for embarkation at Cork, for Jamaica.
1819
The regiment marched on the 8th of January, 1819, for Fermoy, where it arrived on the 20th of that month. On the 12th of April, it marched from Fermoy to Middleton barracks, and on the following day it embarked, at the Cove of Cork, on board the “Chapman,” “Nautilus,” and “Ocean” transports. The effective strength consisted of thirty-one serjeants, twenty-one drummers, and six hundred and three rank and file.
On the 14th of April, Major-General Benjamin Gordon expressed “his marked approbation of the steadiness and very soldier-like appearance of the regiment, and the regularity with which its embarkation was conducted yesterday.”
The regiment sailed on the 16th of April, and arrived at Jamaica on the 2nd of June. It disembarked at Kingston on the 4th of that month, and proceeded to Up-Park Camp, followed by the whole population of the town and its 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 was attacked by yellow fever in its most virulent form, and three companies, under the command of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Blainey, marched, on the 5th of July, to Stony Hill barracks.
Such was the mortality and sickness in the regiment, that it was, in August, in a manner ordered to be dispersed. Another company marched on the 26th of August to Stony Hill, and a part of one to the Apostles’ battery. On the 28th of August a strong detachment, chiefly composed of convalescents, embarked on board the “Serapis” guard-ship, then at anchor off Port Royal.
Major Archibald Ferrier died at Up-Park Camp on the 22nd of September, and Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John Blainey having died on the 28th of August at Stony Hill, Brevet-Major Peter Wilkie assumed the command of the regiment, and on the 23rd of September removed with the head-quarters on board the “Serapis.” Nothing can depict the state of the regiment better than the following letter from Brevet-Major Wilkie to Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, Assistant Adjutant-General at Jamaica:—
“H. M. Ship Serapis,
“25th September, 1819.
“Sir,
“From the very peculiar situation of the NINETY-SECOND at the present moment, I am much afraid it will not be in my power to send in the returns required by the different public offices before Tuesday or Wednesday next, as having unfortunately lost the Adjutant, and every one acquainted with the important duty of the orderly room, in the course of the present month, I have consequently been necessitated to take into it any one that could write. Under these circumstances, I trust you will grant me all the time you can, to enable me to give them in with some degree of accuracy.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “Peter Wilkie,
“Captain 92nd regiment.
“Lieut.-Colonel Campbell,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Jamaica.”
The head-quarters were removed on the 9th of November from on board the “Serapis,” and returned to Up-Park Camp, where the several detachments joined, and the regiment was again assembled. It was remarked that the men who had been on board ship continued perfectly healthy after their return, whereas those who had been stationed at Stony Hill and the Apostles’ Battery, suffered considerably.
The total loss sustained by the regiment from the 25th of June to the 24th of December, 1819, consisted of ten officers,—namely, Majors Archibald Ferrier, and John Blainey (Brevet Lieut.-Colonel), Lieutenants Andrew Will, Thomas Gordon, Hector Innes, George Logan, Richard McDonnell, and George Mackie (Adjutant), Ensign Francis Reynolds, and Assistant Surgeon David Thomas; thirteen serjeants, eight drummers, and two hundred and fifty-four rank and file.
1820
Lieut.-General John Hope was appointed colonel of the NINETY-SECOND on the 29th of January, 1820, in succession to General the Earl of Hopetoun, G.C.B., who was removed to the Forty-second, Royal Highland regiment.
The regiment was inspected on the 16th of February by Major-General Henry Conran, who expressed himself much pleased with the appearance and steadiness of the men under arms.
On the 10th of March, the head-quarters and five companies were removed from Up-Park Camp to Fort Augusta; and on the 14th of that month the other five companies proceeded to Port Royal. In both places the regiment enjoyed comparatively good health.
A detachment of fifty-five rank and file joined the regiment from Scotland on the 24th of May.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederick Stovin, K.C.B., who was promoted from the twenty-eighth to the NINETY-SECOND regiment on the 2nd of September of the previous year, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel James Mitchell, who retired from the service, joined at Jamaica on the 24th of October 1820.
The regimental orders of the 30th of October directed that the dress, on parades and duties, should be white trousers, and that no other dress would be permitted.
On the 21st of December, two companies of the regiment marched from Fort Augusta to Spanish Town.
1821
The head-quarters and three companies at Fort Augusta marched on the 3rd of January, 1821, to Spanish Town, and on the 4th, the five companies at Port Royal were removed to Fort Augusta: one of them was shortly afterwards ordered to join the head-quarters at Spanish Town.
A detachment of one hundred and eighty-five rank and file joined at Jamaica from the regimental depôt on the 13th of January, and on the 5th of February another detachment of twenty-nine joined, making a total of two hundred and fourteen men.
On the 8th of March, the regiment was again inspected by Major-General Henry Conran, commanding the forces at Jamaica, who expressed his approbation of the correct field movements and interior regularity of all its departments.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederick Stovin, having on the 21st of June obtained leave of absence to return to England, Major Peter Wilkie assumed the command of the regiment. On the 18th of August one of the four companies stationed at Fort Augusta marched to join the head-quarters at Spanish Town; and on the 17th of October, the three companies at Fort Augusta, were removed to Port Royal.
On the 24th of October, orders were received from the Secretary at War to reduce the regiment to an establishment of eight companies, consisting of twenty-nine serjeants, twelve drummers, and five hundred and seventy-six rank and file. In consequence of this order, the regiment was formed into eight companies, six being stationed at head-quarters in Spanish Town, and two at Port Royal.
On the 10th of November, a detachment of the regiment, consisting of two subalterns, two serjeants, one drummer, and thirty-two rank and file, embarked for New Providence.
The fifty-eighth and sixty-first regiments being about to return to Europe, a general order was issued on the 28th of November, permitting the men to volunteer to other corps serving in Jamaica; consequently, thirty-three men from the fifty-eighth, and forty-seven from the sixty-first, joined the NINETY-SECOND regiment.
1822
On the 15th of February, 1822, the two companies of the regiment stationed at Port Royal embarked for Port Antonio, where they were detached. On the 19th of February, the head-quarters and three companies marched from Spanish Town, embarked on the same day at Port Henderson, and landed at Falmouth on the 24th of that month; the other three companies embarked shortly afterwards for Montego Bay.
In March the regiment was stationed as follows: head-quarters and two companies at Falmouth, two companies at Port Antonio, two companies at Lucca, and two companies at Maroon Town.
Lieut.-Colonel David Williamson joined at Falmouth, in Jamaica, on the 10th of April, and assumed the command of the NINETY-SECOND, to which he had been appointed from half-pay of the fourth regiment, on the 4th of October of the previous year.
A detachment of recruits, consisting of sixty-nine rank and file, joined on the 25th of April. At this period the officers of the NINETY-SECOND were directed to wear wings, instead of two bullion epaulets for all ranks as heretofore.
One of the two companies stationed at Lucea marched on the 23rd of August to Montego Bay, and on the 27th of November was moved from thence to Maroon Town.
1823
Major-General Sir John Keane, K.C.B., assumed the command of the troops in Jamaica, on the 1st of May, 1823, and in the early part of June visited the different stations of the regiment, when he approved highly of its discipline and appearance.
Lieut.-General the Honorable Alexander Duff was appointed colonel of the NINETY-SECOND on the 6th of September, 1823, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, G.C.H., who was removed to the seventy-second regiment.
1824
A detachment of thirty recruits joined on the 10th of February, 1824, and they were stationed at Fort Augusta.
The head-quarters of the regiment marched from Falmouth to Montego Bay on the 5th of April, where they arrived at daylight on the following morning; and on the 7th embarked in H. M. ship “Pyramus,” the other two divisions embarking about the same time. The regiment landed at Fort Augusta on the 10th, 12th, and 16th of April. Six companies and the head-quarters remained at Fort Augusta, and two companies were detached to Kingston Barracks.
During the two years the regiment was stationed on the north side, the men enjoyed a high state of health, considering the climate of Jamaica. Of their conduct in quarters, the best judgment may be formed from the following address presented to Lieut.-Colonel Williamson, by a committee of the magistrates and vestry of Trelawny appointed for that purpose:—
“Court House, Falmouth.
“5th April, 1824.
“Sir,
“We, the magistrates and vestry of Trelawny, cannot permit the departure from this post, of the distinguished regiment under your command, without declaring our sense of the exemplary conduct of the officers and orderly demeanour of the men, during the time they have been stationed among us. In expressing our satisfaction at the cordiality that has prevailed between your regiment and the inhabitants of the district, we cannot but ascribe to you the excellent state of discipline which has led to this desirable result.
“We beg to offer our best wishes for the health of yourself and officers, in whatever part of the world your military duties may call you to.
(Signed) “Henry Gordon.
“Magistrate Presiding.
“Lieut.-Colonel Williamson,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND regiment.”
About the middle of April, the recruits which had lately joined were attacked by fever, which carried off one-third of their number.
On the 21st of June, the regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Williamson, was inspected by Major-General Sir John Keane, who expressed himself highly pleased with the movements, and the attention which the men appeared to have paid to the new system of drill, prescribed by the General Order of the 10th of March, 1824, according to the improvements introduced by Major-General Sir Henry Torrens, K.C.B., Adjutant-General of the Forces.
Symptoms of insurrection having appeared among the slaves on the north side of the island, four companies of the regiment were embarked on the 25th of June on board His Majesty’s ship “Hussar”; two of them were landed on the 28th at Savanna la Mar, and were stationed there; and on the 30th another was landed at Black River; while the fourth remained on board the frigate on its cruise round the island, and was again landed at Fort Augusta, where the detachments at Savanna la Mar, and Lacovia, joined the head-quarters on the 6th and 7th of August.
On the 13th of September, Major Andrew Robert Charlton assumed the command of the regiment, Lieut.-Colonel Williamson having obtained leave of absence to return to Europe.
1825
The head-quarters and the six companies at Fort Augusta proceeded on the 13th of January, 1825, to Up-Park Camp, where the two companies stationed at Kingston joined on the following day, and the regiment became united, having been more or less detached since the 10th of March, 1820.
On the 14th of February, a detachment of twenty-four recruits arrived from England; and a detachment of two officers and sixteen recruits joined from England on the 25th of June.
In July orders were received fixing the establishment of the regiment at ten companies; six service and four depôt companies.
About the middle of July, the regiment was attacked with fever, which, in the course of two months, carried off Major Andrew Robert Charlton, Captain Andrew Donaldson, Lieutenant and Adjutant James Deans, and sixty men; the command then devolved on Captain Robert Winchester, who was subsequently promoted to the rank of major in the regiment.
1826
On the 10th of February, 1826, Lieut.-Colonel Williamson and a detachment of three officers and sixty men arrived from England on board of His Majesty’s ship “Magnificent.”
Major-General Sir John Keane, K.C.B., on the 11th of March, inspected the head-quarters of the regiment, at Fort Augusta, under Major Winchester, he having been in command the greater part of the time since the last annual inspection, and expressed his entire satisfaction at the soldier-like appearance of the men, and their correct performance of the field exercises: the flourishing state of the regimental school attracted his particular notice amongst the various points of interior economy.
In August the regiment received orders to be in readiness for embarkation for England upon being relieved by the eighty-fourth regiment.
The two companies at Kingston, marched, on the 23rd of December, to Up-Park Camp; two companies from Fort Augusta replaced them; and, on the 24th, the other two companies proceeded to Kingston Barracks, where the head-quarters were established, leaving the sick and hospital establishment at Fort Augusta, a station which had been found an excellent convalescent post.
Sickness prevailed to a considerable extent at Kingston, and therefore changes continually took place between the three stations, Fort Augusta, Kingston, and Up-Park Camp.
1827
The first division of the eighty-fourth regiment having arrived at Fort Augusta on the 3rd of February, 1827, the convalescents of the NINETY-SECOND were removed to Up-Park Camp, to await their embarkation for Europe.
On the 19th of February, the head-quarters of the regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Williamson, embarked, at Kingston, on board the “Arab” transport, and sailed on the 24th, arriving at Spithead on the 25th of April.
The head-quarter division was transshipped from the “Arab” to the “Amphitrite” and “Zephyr” transports, in Portsmouth harbour, and sailed for Leith Roads. It landed at Leith on the 10th of May, and marched to Edinburgh Castle, where the four depôt companies, from Glasgow, joined on the 23rd of that month, and were consolidated with the regiment.
The three companies which had been left at Up-Park Camp, under the command of Major Winchester, embarked at Kingston on the 30th of March, sailed on the 3rd of April, landed at Portsmouth on the 21st of May, and were quartered in Forton Barracks, re-embarked on the 25th of May, and on the 31st, joined the head-quarters at Edinburgh Castle, where the regiment was assembled.
On the 27th of June, the regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Williamson, was inspected by Major-General Sir Robert W. O’Callaghan, K.C.B., commanding in North Britain. Its strength consisted of thirty-seven serjeants, eleven drummers, and six hundred and thirty-one rank and file.
1828
Four companies, under the command of Major Winchester, marched on the 25th of February, 1828, for Glasgow Barracks.
The six companies at head-quarters in Edinburgh Castle, were inspected by Major-General Sir Robert O’Callaghan on the 3rd of April; on the 23rd, two companies marched for Glasgow, and on the 24th were followed by the other two companies with the head-quarters. Two companies being left at Edinburgh Castle, joined the head-quarters at Glasgow on the 30th of April.
Lieut.-Colonel Williamson having, on the 26th of May, obtained leave of absence until further orders, the command of the regiment devolved on Major Winchester.
The regiment embarked on the 29th of July, and two following days, on board the “Eclipse,” “Sheffield,” and “Frolic” steam-boats, arriving at Belfast on the 30th of July, and the two following days, where the regiment was billeted.
On the 3rd of August, the regiment embarked at Belfast, and landed on the following day at Dublin.
The regiment, commanded by Major Winchester, was inspected on the 5th of August, in the Phœnix Park, by Lieut.-General Sir John Byng, K.C.B., commanding the forces in Ireland, and on the 6th and 7th of that month marched for Fermoy, where the divisions arrived on the 15th and 16th of August.
1829
On the 19th of January, 1829, Lieut.-Colonel John McDonald,[17] joined and assumed the command of the NINETY-SECOND, he having been appointed to the regiment from the half-pay on the 21st of November of the previous year.
Orders having been received directing that steel-mounted swords should be adopted by Highland regiments, the officers of the NINETY-SECOND, immediately supplied themselves with “Claidheamh mor,” similar to those originally used in the regiment.
1830
A letter, dated 13th of April, 1830, was at this period received from the Adjutant-General of the Forces, authorising the adoption of regimental tartan trousers for all occasions when the kilt is not worn.
On the 11th of May, the first division of the regiment marched for Kilkenny, and was followed next day by the head-quarters, at which place they arrived on the 14th and 15th of May; detaching a company to each of the following places—Carlow, Athy, and Maryborough. On the 8th of June, another company marched from head-quarters for New Ross.
The regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel John McDonald, was reviewed on the 5th November, by Lieut.-General Sir John Byng, K.C.B., commanding the forces in Ireland, who directed the commanding officer to make known
“the gratification which he felt at witnessing their soldier-like appearance, and the correctness of their movements, as well as the excellent style and cleanliness in which their barracks are kept.
“That from their former services together, he considers them to be old friends, and was therefore the more pleased to find the NINETY-SECOND greatly improved since he last saw them, and in a state, which, in their best days, they never surpassed; and that immediately on his return to Dublin, he would make a point of reporting the very high state of discipline in which he found the regiment, and which, he was sure, would also afford to General Lord Hill, a pleasure the most sincere.”
The head-quarter division, consisting of three companies, marched, on the 26th of May, en route to Birr, and the remaining three companies, under the command of Major Winchester, marched next day for the same place, detaching one company to Nenagh.
The head-quarters arrived at Birr on the 29th of May, and the second division on the 31st of that month; the companies from Maryborough, Carlow, Athy, and Wexford arrived about the same period.
The following is an extract from the regimental orders, of the 9th of June, relative to the receipt of an address from the magistrates of Queen’s County:—
“The commanding officer directs the following address from the magistrates of Queen’s County may be entered in the orderly books, and is confident that every soldier will feel proud at the high estimation in which the regiment is held by the inhabitants of every quarter where it has been stationed, and that the approbation[18] so lately expressed by His Majesty’s representative, and the Commander of the forces in this country, will act upon their minds as a strong stimulus to persevere in the same steady and unerring line of conduct.”
“Sir,
Maryborough, June 7, 1830.
“We, the undersigned magistrates of Maryborough district, at petty sessions assembled, avail ourselves of this, the earliest opportunity of expressing our high approbation of the conduct of the different detachments of the NINETY-SECOND Highlanders, quartered in the town of Maryborough for the last twelve months. In justice to the excellent character of the men, we feel called upon to testify, that not a single complaint was made by the inhabitants against any of them, and that their conduct was uniformly correct and exemplary.
“The general zeal and intelligence of the officers, supported by the steadiness and discipline of the men, when co-operating with the civil power, particularly during the last winter (in suppressing outrages of a white-boy nature, which unhappily extended to our hitherto peaceable county), demand our cordial thanks; and we beg that you, Sir, will be pleased to make known to the officers and men these our sentiments, and to assure them that their services will long be gratefully remembered by every respectable inhabitant of this town and vicinity.
“We have, &c.,
(Signed) “W. Perceval, J. P.
“D. O’Donoghue, J. P.
“Matt. Cassan, J. P.
“Lieut.-Colonel McDonald,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders,
&c. &c. &c.”
On the 18th of June, the regiment was reviewed by Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., commanding the Western District. It being the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, the regiments performed a variety of movements, as executed on that memorable day; the NINETY-SECOND afterwards went through the sword exercise, &c., and the Major-General was pleased to express his approbation of the splendid appearance which the regiment made on that occasion.
On the 8th of October, the head-quarter division, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel McDonald, and, on the following day, the second division, under Major Winchester, marched from Birr en route to Dublin, arriving there on the 13th and 14th October respectively, and were quartered in the Royal Barracks.
The regiment was inspected on the 30th of October by Major-General Sir Edward Blakeney, K.C.B., who expressed his unqualified approbation of its appearance and interior arrangements.
At this period an address was received from the magistrates of Nenagh, (Lord Dunally in the chair,) relative to the good conduct of the detachment of the regiment, under Captain William Prittie Bayly, lately stationed at that place.
On the 13th of December, the regiment was formed in the Palatine Square to receive His Excellency Lieut.-General the Right Honorable Sir John Byng, K.C.B., commanding the forces in Ireland. A new stand of colours (the gift of the officers) was escorted by the grenadier company from the Lieut.-Colonel’s quarters. His Excellency then made a most appropriate and flattering speech, in which he alluded to the anniversary of that day (the battle of the Nive), and the brilliant and distinguished conduct of the NINETY-SECOND on the occasion, as well as on many others of which he himself was an eye-witness. After receiving the colours from the officers of the grenadiers, and remarking how delighted he was to see the names of so many well-earned battles emblazoned on them, he placed them in the hands of the ensigns, and the regiment saluted.
Addressing Lieut.-Colonel McDonald, His Excellency observed, “that he made no allusion to the necessity of defending those colours,—that any such remark would be out of place when addressing the NINETY-SECOND,—however, he could not give the young officers and soldiers better advice, than to follow the steps of those who preceded them.”
To which the Lieut.-Colonel replied, “That if anything could enhance the value attached to those colours by the regiment, it was their being placed in the hands of the ensigns by one who had that day seventeen years shown himself so very conspicuous in planting the colours of a regiment on the enemy’s redoubts,[19] and that he pledged himself in the name of his brother officers and soldiers for their honor and safety.”
On the 23rd of December, the troops in garrison at Dublin, were paraded in review-order to receive General the Marquis of Anglesey, K.G., on his arrival to assume the government of Ireland, and lined the streets through which the procession passed to the Castle.
1831
A company of the regiment, in light marching order, under the command of Captain James McIntosh, proceeded on the 22nd of February, 1831, by forced marches to Drumcondra, in the county of Meath, which was in a state of disturbance, and where immense assemblages of the population were traversing the country.
The following letter was received from the Assistant Adjutant-General (Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Charles Fitzroy) on the 23rd of February:—
“Royal Barracks, Dublin, 23rd February, 1831.
“Sir,
“I have the honor to enclose an extract of a letter from the Adjutant-General of the Forces, that the same may be entered in your regimental order book, and read to the regiment; and moreover, to express the infinite satisfaction Major-General Sir Edward Blakeney feels in the good opinion, therein expressed, of the General Commanding in Chief, for your zeal and exertions in the command of the NINETY-SECOND regiment (Highlanders), and to congratulate the regiment on having so well merited this testimony.
“I have, &c.
(Signed) “Charles Fitzroy, Lieut.-Colonel,
“Assistant Adjutant-General.
“Lieut.-Colonel McDonald,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”
Extract from a letter, dated 9th of February, 1831 (before alluded to), addressed by the Adjutant-General, to the Lieut.-General commanding in Ireland:—
“9th February, 1831.
“The Report on the NINETY-SECOND regiment, so creditable throughout to the zeal and successful exertions of Lieut.-Colonel McDonald in the management of his command, is very satisfactory to His Lordship the General Commanding in Chief.”
(Signed) “John Macdonald,
“Adjutant-General.”
The company which had been detached in the county of Meath returned to its quarters on the 22nd of March, and on the following day a letter was received, expressive of the entire approbation of the Lord Lieutenant of the services performed in the disturbed district by the troops employed.
The regiment was removed from the Royal Barracks on the 19th of April: the head-quarters, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel McDonald, consisting of four companies, with the recruits, were stationed in the New Barracks, and six companies, under Major Winchester, at George-street.
Major-General Sir Edward Blakeney, K.C.B., inspected the regiment on the 3rd of May, in the Phœnix Park, in the presence of His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant and a great concourse of spectators, on which occasion its movements and appearance drew forth the admiration of its military superiors.
The head-quarters and four companies from the New Barracks, and four companies from George-street, marched, on the 18th of May, to Richmond Barracks, leaving two companies stationed in George-street, under the command of Major Hugh Henry Rose.
Lieut.-General Sir John Hamilton Dalrymple, Bart., (afterwards the Earl of Stair) was appointed by His Majesty King William IV., to be Colonel of the NINETY-SECOND on the 20th of July, in succession to Lieut.-General the Honorable Alexander Duff, removed to the thirty-seventh regiment.
Major-General Sir Edward Blakeney, K.C.B., again reviewed the regiment in the Phœnix Park, on the 10th of September, in heavy marching order, and addressing the officers and men, he said, “that they were all he could wish, and that their movements excelled everything he had ever seen.”
On the 26th of September, His Majesty conferred the honorary distinction of a Knight Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath on Lieut.-Colonel John McDonald, of the NINETY-SECOND regiment.
The first division, consisting of four companies, under the command of Brevet-Major Stephen Noel, embarked on the 13th of October, and proceeded by canal-conveyance to Killaloe: two companies followed on the 17th, and the head-quarters and remaining companies, on the 18th of October, under the command of Major Winchester, Lieut.-Colonel McDonald, having proceeded direct to the head-quarters at Clare Castle, where they were stationed on the 22nd of October, and the regiment was distributed at several places in the county of Clare.
1832
On the 9th of February, 1832, the head-quarter division from Clare Castle marched into Limerick, and was quartered in the New Barracks, where it was joined by the several detachments in the course of February and March.
A company, under the command of Captain John Gilbert Ogilvie, proceeded, on the 22nd of March, to Mount Pleasant, near Askeaton, in the county of Limerick, for the protection of property: it rejoined at head-quarters on the 4th of April.
Major-General Sir George Bingham, K.C.B., made his inspection of the regiment on the 7th of May, and stated that he was particularly gratified by the manner in which the officers and men went through the whole of the sword and stick exercise, being the first time he had ever seen it performed by an entire regiment. The appearance, movements, and interior economy of the regiment drew forth his commendation.
On the 9th of May, the regiment marched from Limerick for Fermoy.
Lieut.-General the Right Honorable Sir Hussey Vivian, Bart., K.C.B., commanding the forces in Ireland, inspected the regiment on the 6th of August, and expressed himself highly pleased with its appearance.
The subaltern’s detachment, stationed at Galbally, in the county of Limerick, was, on the 21st of December, called upon to protect the persons of two magistrates whose lives were endangered by the attack of a mob, while proceeding from thence towards Tipperary; at a place called Knockballinamaloo-Cross, the party were assailed with stones, and a general assault made on the troops, to their imminent danger. The magistrates ordered them to fire, and the result was that two of the mob were killed and several wounded.
The regiment was frequently employed in aid of the civil power, in keeping the peace, and in enforcing the collection of tithes; and in every instance its conduct and discipline received unqualified approval.
1833
On the 1st of 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 marched from Fermoy to Cork, and embarked for Londonderry, where they arrived on the 17th of August.
The depôt companies embarked at Londonderry on the 28th of October, and arrived at Glasgow on the 29th of that month; on the 30th of November they marched for Greenlaw.
1834
The service companies having marched from Fermoy to Middleton, were conveyed in boats to Cork Harbour, where they embarked on the 21st of February, 1834, and arrived at Gibraltar on the 10th of March.
On the 1st of May, 1834, the depôt companies were removed to Fort George.
1835
The depôt companies were stationed at Fort George during the first six months of the year 1835, and in June were removed to Perth.
1836
In January, 1836, the service companies proceeded from Gibraltar to Malta, where they arrived in February.
The depôt companies were removed in July from Perth to Ireland, and were stationed at Londonderry.
1837
During the year 1837, the NINETY-SECOND remained stationed at Malta.
The regiment was inspected by Major-General Sir Henry Bouverie, K.C.B., commanding at Malta, on the 28th of November, when he remarked “the singular intelligence and steadiness shown by all the officers and men;” and added, “that the field-day had the best effect of any he had ever witnessed.”
In May the depôt companies proceeded from Londonderry to Armagh, and in September following to Mullingar.
1838
The depôt companies were removed from Mullingar to Nenagh in May, and in September proceeded to Limerick.
On the 12th of July, 1838, His Royal Highness the Prince Maximilian of Bavaria landed at Malta, and attended a parade of the garrison: on the day following he examined the barracks occupied by the NINETY-SECOND, and expressed himself much pleased with every part of the interior economy of the regiment.
On the 30th of November, 1838, the regiment lined the ramparts at St. Elmo, while the “Hastings” (seventy-four guns,) entered the harbour with Her Majesty the Queen Dowager on board. On the following day the regiment was formed as a Guard of Honor in the square in front of the palace to receive Her Majesty, who landed to examine the accommodation prepared for her, and returned again on board the “Hastings.”
On the 4th of December, the Queen Dowager landed amidst the rejoicings of the inhabitants, and occupied the palace. The field officers, and the heads of departments, were presented to Her Majesty by the Governor in the evening, and the town and public buildings were splendidly illuminated.
The Queen Dowager held a levée at the palace on the 12th of December, when all the officers were presented. The Earl Howe, Lord Chamberlain, having previously intimated Her Majesty’s desire to see the NINETY-SECOND HIGHLAND REGIMENT, whenever it might be convenient, the officers, immediately after the levée, repaired to their companies, and the regiment was formed in review-order on the Floriana Parade. After the regiment had marched past in slow and quick time, and performed several movements, Her Majesty expressed herself highly pleased with the appearance of the corps.
1839
In January, 1839, the depôt companies proceeded from Limerick to Birr, where they were stationed during the year.
1840
The depôt companies were removed from Birr to Mullingar in January, 1840; and in May proceeded to Glasgow, from whence in July they marched to Stirling.
1841
The first division of the regiment, consisting of two companies, under the command of Brevet-Major Stephen Noel, embarked on board the “Somersetshire” transport, at Malta, on the morning of the 9th of January 1841, for Barbadoes, and arrived there on the 4th of April. The head-quarters, with four companies under the command of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Robert Winchester, embarked on board the “Cornwall” transport, at Malta, on the morning of the 21st of January, for Barbadoes, and arrived there on the 4th of April with the first division.
The head-quarters and two companies were afterwards stationed at St. Vincent, two companies at St. Lucia and Pigeon Island, and two companies detached to Dominica. On the 24th of May, a requisition was received for military aid to suppress a serious disturbance at Kingstown, St. Vincent; the conduct of the NINETY-SECOND on this occasion received the thanks of the President of the Council and the House of Assembly of St. Vincent.
In May, 1841, the depôt companies were removed from Stirling to Fort George, near Inverness.
1842
The service companies of the NINETY-SECOND regiment were concentrated at Barbadoes on the 6th of February, 1842, where they continued during the remainder of that year.
In June, 1842, the depôt companies proceeded from Fort George to Dundee.
1843
On the 22nd of May, 1843, the head-quarters and one company of the regiment, under the command of Colonel McDonald, C.B., embarked in the “Crocodile” troop-ship for Trinidad; detachments were also stationed at Grenada and Tobago.
Her Majesty was pleased to appoint Lieut.-General Sir William Macbean, K.C.B., to be colonel of the NINETY-SECOND regiment on the 31st of May, in succession to General the Earl of Stair, who was removed to the forty-sixth regiment.
The company at Tobago embarked on board the “Java” transport on the 5th of December; the head-quarters and three companies at Trinidad embarked in the same ship on the 8th of December; the two companies at Grenada embarked also in the “Java” on the 15th of December, and the ship sailed for Portsmouth on the 25th of December.
1844
The service companies disembarked at Aberdeen on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of February, 1844, and were joined by the depôt companies from Dundee.
The regiment proceeded from Aberdeen to Glasgow in September. On the 8th of October, the regiment formed part of the procession for the inauguration of an equestrian statue of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, erected in front of the Exchange at Glasgow.
1845
In July, 1845, the regiment marched to Edinburgh Castle, where it was stationed during that year.
1846
On the 6th of April, 1846, a letter of thanks was received from the Magistrates and Commissioners of Police of Edinburgh, for the promptness and efficiency with which a piquet of the regiment, under Captain Sutherland, attended, and assisted in saving property, and preserving order, during a calamitous fire at night in the New Town of Edinburgh.
The NINETY-SECOND regiment embarked for Belfast in April, 1846, and in August following was removed to Enniskillen.
Major John Alexander Forbes was promoted to the rank of lieut.-colonel in the NINETY-SECOND regiment on the 9th of November, 1846, in succession to Colonel John McDonald, C.B., who was promoted major-general on the same date.
1847
In May, 1847, the regiment was removed from Enniskillen to Dublin, and in December it proceeded to Limerick.
1848
The regiment proceeded in December, 1848, from Limerick to Clonmel, in the Kilkenny district, which was under the command of Major-General John McDonald; his former regiment thus became again under his orders.
1849
The regiment remained at Clonmel during the year 1849.
1850
On the 2nd of April, 1850, the NINETY-SECOND regiment marched from Clonmel to Kilkenny.
On the 9th of December, orders were given for the regiment to be formed into six service and four depôt companies, preparatory to the embarkation of the former for the Ionian Islands.
1851
In February, 1851, the service companies proceeded from Kilkenny to Fermoy, and the depôt companies to Carlow: a complimentary address was received from the mayor and citizens of Kilkenny, on the NINETY-SECOND 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 service companies embarked at Cork on the 14th of April, on board of Her Majesty’s troop-ship “Apollo” and the freight ship “Edmonstone” for Corfu, the head-quarters being under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Mark Kerr Atherley.