Succeeding the sunshine of victory, there arose a cloud upon its history which we wish, for the credit of our Government, we could omit to record. Denied the privilege of further recruiting at home, the States of Holland insisted upon the admission of foreigners into its ranks, and thus to a great extent its Scottish character was destroyed. When war broke out and our country needed troops, our Scotsmen repeated the petition that their brigade should be recalled for the service of their own land. The request was refused, whilst regiments were raised in Scotland, and even German auxiliaries enrolled upon the British establishment, rather than do what appears only an act of justice to the soldiers of the Old Scots Brigade. As if further to exasperate the Scots, when war was declared between Britain and Holland, and our brigade thus placed in a cruel dilemma, unheeded, it was surrendered to the enemy, who, almost as prisoners of war, sent it to garrison distant fortresses on the inland frontier. At length recalled by George III. in 1793, it was, in 1795, sent to reinforce the garrison of Gibraltar, and in the following year was removed to the Cape of Good Hope. In 1798 it was transferred to India, where it shared with the Highland regiments the glory of “Seringapatam” in 1799, and the battle of “Argaum” in 1803; the former being afterwards authorised for the colours and appointments.
Returning home in 1808 as the Ninety-fourth regiment, it was actively and creditably engaged in the various actions of Spain and the South of France, and received permission to bear on its colours the words—“Ciudad Rodrigo,” “Badajoz,” “Salamanca,” “Vittoria,” “Nivelle,” “Orthes,” and “Toulouse,” and also the inscription of “Peninsula.” In the defence of Cadiz it suffered very severely, and amongst its brave was found a heroine—a sergeant’s wife, who on this occasion displayed a remarkable degree of cool courage, which is fitly described in Mr Carter’s admirable work, “Curiosities of War.” The regiment was disbanded at Belfast in 1818. A new regiment, raised six years afterwards, now bears the number of the Ninety-fourth, but as yet has had no opportunity to distinguish itself. We only hope it may emulate, nay, if possible excel, the deeds of the Old Scots Brigade, which so worthily sustained the characteristic valour of the Scot.
THE NINETY-NINTH FOOT;
OR,
LANARKSHIRE.
CHAPTER XXIV.
“How sleep the brave, who sink to rest,
By all their country’s wishes blest!
When spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallow’d mould,