The Seventeenth Lancers, inheriting the martial ardour of this old regiment, have more than sustained the credit of the “Seventeenth”—bearing upon its colours and appointments “The Alma,” “Balaklava,” “Inkermann,” and “Sevastopol”—and has gained a mightier fame as one of the five regiments who formed the Light Cavalry Brigade under the Earl of Cardigan in his memorable charge during the Crimean war, fitly styled, from its fatal glory—“The Death’s Ride.”
THE SEVENTIETH FOOT, OR SURREY REGIMENT.
The disputes arising in 1758 between France and Britain as to the boundary line of their American colonies failing to be amicably adjusted, war was accepted as the stern arbiter. To meet the emergency, our army was increased, and the—
| Second Battalion of the | 3d | Foot constituted the | 61st | Regiment. |
| ” ” | 4th | ” ” | 62d | ” |
| ” ” | 8th | ” ” | 63d | ” |
| ” ” | 11th | ” ” | 64th | ” |
| ” ” | 12th | ” ” | 65th | ” |
| ” ” | 19th | ” ” | 66th | ” |
| ” ” | 20th | ” ” | 67th | ” |
| ” ” | 23d | ” ” | 68th | ” |
| ” ” | 24th | ” ” | 69th | ” |
| ” ” | 31st | ” ” | 70th | ” |
| ” ” | 32d | ” ” | 71st | ” |
| ” ” | 33d | ” ” | 72d | ” |
| ” ” | 34th | ” ” | 73d | ” |
| ” ” | 36th | ” ” | 74th | ” |
| ” ” | 37th | ” ” | 75th | ” |
Thus the Seventieth was born out of the second battalion of the Thirty-first English Regiment, (raised about the year 1702, during the reign of Queen Anne, and for some time serving as marines in the fleet). Shortly after its formation, being stationed in Scotland, and largely recruited in Glasgow, the Seventieth was styled, in consequence of its interest in that city and its light grey facings, the “Glasgow Greys.” Ten years later the facings were changed to black. In 1782, probably in compliment to its colonel, it became the “Surrey Regiment.” From some unaccountable reason, in 1812 it was restored to somewhat of its original character as the “Glasgow Lowland Regiment;” and again in 1823, likely for recruiting purposes, it was re-christened the “Surrey”—which designation it still retains. Although stationed in British America during the war which raged amid the wilds of the New World, we do not find it fortunate enough to be engaged. Indeed, the captures of the islands of Martinique in 1794, and Guadaloupe in 1810, seem to be the only trophies which it has been honoured to attain. No doubt its ranks contained the same brave spirits as have everywhere and always sustained the credit of the British soldier—yet have these been destined to reap in quietude a glory by good conduct no less meritorious, although apparently less lustrous, than that which is acquired amid the carnage of the battle-field—consecrated in “the stormy music of the drum,” and proclaimed in the shrill sound of the trumpet.
THE SEVENTY-THIRD FOOT;
ORIGINALLY
SECOND BATTALION
OF THE
FORTY-SECOND ROYAL HIGHLANDERS.
CHAPTER XIX.
“Then our sodgers were drest in their kilts and short hose,