History of the Scottish Regiments in the British Army

by Archibald K. Murray

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE—MAURITIUS—INDIA—CAPE OF GOOD HOPE—1799–1862.

The regiment returned to Europe at a very critical period in our national history, when the rampant passions of revolution, as yet untamed by adversity, imperiously taxed the nations in their maintenance. It had no sooner arrived than it was sent to Scotland to recruit, and thence, in 1801, to Ireland. From the number of new regiments called into being at this period to meet the necessities of the times, recruiting went on but slowly. The respite from the dire calamity of war which the Peace of Amiens afforded, occasioned a reduction in the establishment of the Seventy-second. The resumption of hostilities in 1803, not only called for an immediate augmentation of its strength, but occasioned the addition of a second battalion, which was employed in various home garrisons, especially in Ireland, throughout the war, until disbanded in 1816. The immediate peril from a French invasion having passed away, the Seventy-second was ordered to join a secret expedition under Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B., but was ultimately included in the force under Major-General Sir David Baird, which sailed in 1805, and after viewing the beauties of Madeira, and landing for a few days’ refreshment at San Salvador in the Brazils, steered for the coast of Africa, when the object of the expedition was disclosed by an attack upon the Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope. In addition to its old comrades of the Seventy-first, the Seventy-second was associated with the Ninety-third Regiment in the Highland Brigade of the army. On the morning of the 6th January, 1806, the British effected a landing in Lospard’s Bay, despite the efforts of the Dutch to prevent it. The Highlanders in the van drove the enemy before them, and on attaining the summit of the Blue Mountains, beheld the Batavian army awaiting battle on the other side. The position of the enemy was well chosen, and maintained with determined bravery. The fate of the battle was only decided in our favour when the Highland Brigade was brought forward, and “Brigadier-General Ferguson gave the word ‘Charge.’ A loud British shout instantly rent the air, and the heroic Highlanders closed with bayonets upon their numerous adversaries, who instantly fled in dismay, pursued across the deep sands by the victorious Highland Brigade.” As the army advanced towards Cape Town, the Dutch retired. The conduct of Lieutenant MʻArthur and thirty men of the regiment in the capture of Hout’s Bay, was conspicuous for the gallantry it evinced. These repeated disasters convinced the Dutch of the hopelessness of resistance against troops accustomed to conquer. Accordingly, negotiations were entered into which resulted in the surrender of the colony to the British.

In 1809 the Seventy-second was ordered to discontinue wearing the Highland costume, in consequence of the difficulty experienced in gaining recruits. A year later the regiment was selected to co-operate with troops from India in an attack upon the valuable French colony of the Mauritius. The Indian army arriving off the island first, the Governor determined to maintain the defence to the last extremity, but the timely arrival of the Seventy-second so discouraged him, that, abandoning the idea of resistance, he at once surrendered. The corps remained in garrison at Port Louis until the outbreak of a new war in America in 1814 occasioned its withdrawal. It accordingly embarked for that continent, but was detained at the Cape of Good Hope, where, after a brief service, it was ordered to India, arriving at Calcutta in 1815. The Rajah of Nepaul having, however, made his peace with the British, the necessity for its service in that portion of the world no longer existed, hence it returned to the Cape of Good Hope, calling on the passage at the Mauritius. Stationed at Algoa Bay, it was thence directed to occupy a chain of posts along the banks of the Great Fish River, charged with the protection of the colonists from the numerous predatory incursions of the Kaffirs. This proved an arduous and dangerous duty; the soldiers being constantly exposed to a surprise from the swarms of unseen enemies that ever lurked in the bush around their camp. On one occasion, in 1819, a Dutch farmer, robbed of his cattle by the Kaffirs, sought the interference of the military for the recovery of his property and the punishment of the thieves. Accompanied by a body of armed farmers, a detachment of the Seventy-second, under Captain Gethin, overtook the thieves. The little party of soldiers was instantly enveloped and cruelly butchered by a host of enemies, whilst the cowardly farmers witnessed the destruction of their friends without venturing to afford the slightest assistance. Captain Gethin was a distinguished soldier, and like a brave man “fighting fell,” pierced with thirty-two wounds. The Seventy-second continued efficiently to discharge this harassing duty until relieved by the Sixth Regiment in 1821, when it returned home. It was successively stationed at Portsmouth, Fort Cumberland, Plymouth, and Woolwich. In 1823 it was removed to the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey.

Although the service of the Seventy-second, hitherto confined to “Hindoostan” and the “Cape of Good Hope,” recorded upon its colours and appointments, and embracing in these, actions which had been comparatively lost sight of in the multitude of grander events transacted on the battle-fields of Europe, still, the true heroism of these, to be just, must convince us that the achievements of the Seventy-second are “second to none,” and well deserving the splendid compliment at this period conferred upon the regiment by His Grace the Duke of York and Albany, the Commander-in-Chief. It was permitted, in reward of its valour, to wear its present designation—

Duke of Albany’s own Highlanders.

At the same time it received a further compliment, in the restoration of the Highland costume, with the difference of trews instead of kilts.

Returning to England from the Channel Islands in 1824, it thence proceeded to re-visit dear old Scotland.

“Home of my fathers, my heart clings to thee.”

Whilst stationed in Edinburgh, the lady of Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (colonel of the Seventy-second), presented new colours to the regiment. In 1825 it was sent to Ireland, and stationed successively in Belfast, Londonderry, and Dublin. Thence it proceeded to England; and whilst garrisoning the Tower of London, was reviewed, with the First Life Guards, the Royal Horse Guards, and four battalions of Foot Guards, by the Duke of Wellington, in presence of Don Miguel of Portugal. In proof of its efficiency, as worthy to be so associated with our choicest troops, we quote the words of General Lord Hill, when (the same year) he inspected the regiment at Canterbury:—

“That although it had been his lot to see and serve with most of the regiments in the service, he felt he should not be doing full justice to the Seventy-second Highlanders, if he did not express his particular approbation of every thing connected with them, and add, he had never before seen a regiment their equal in movements, in appearance, and in steadiness under arms.”