Having thus left the Dutch service, on which day, by the Prince of Orange, I was complimented with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, the above gentlemen went to England, where, in consequence of their loyalty, they were taken under his Britannic Majesty’s protection; and, on the 18th of June, eleven of them, of which number I was so happy to make one, were, by General Conway, introduced at St. James’s, where we had the honour to kiss his Majesty’s hand.
On the 27th of the same month, the half-pay was voted for them all by the British House of Commons, according to the rank in which each individual had actually served while abroad[3].—But, that the reader may have [[399]]some idea of what is meant by the Scotch Brigade, and of what they formerly consisted, I will beg leave to insert the following particulars:
“In 1570 this ancient corps first landed in Holland, as independent companies, commanded by some of the first noblemen in Scotland.
“In the year 1578 their gallant behaviour, together with the English, at the battle of Reminat, near Mechlin, is mentioned particularly by Strada.
“In 1579 Menin was surprised, and the Spanish and Walloon guards taken prisoners by Colonel Balfour, with his regiment alone.
“In 1588, at the memorable blockade of Bergen-op-Zoom by the Prince of Parma, the Scots, under the command of General Balfour and Colonel Scott, made a sortie, and demolished the greatest part of the Spanish lines, by which the enemy were forced to break up the siege, with considerable loss of men and ammunition.
“In 1590, at the siege of Zutphen-Deventer, Nimeguen and Hulst, their bravery is well known.
“In 1593 they shared so much of the glory at the taking of Gertrudenberg, that both General Balfour and his regiment were highly distinguished by Prince Maurice. The general he made governor to command the garrison, instead of his brother Prince Henry; and the regiment he appointed, as the most spirited corps, to defend it. [[400]]
“In 1599, at the taking of Bommel, the Scots suffered most considerably.
“In 1600 two field officers, eight captains, with above six hundred private men, were left dead on the field, after the famous Battle of the Downs, near Nieuport, where both they and the English behaved with the greatest gallantry; and to the valour of these united bands was attributed the success of the day.