Battle Honours.—Seringapatam, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onoro, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula, Alma, Inkerman, Sevastopol, Central India, S. Africa 1877-79, 1899-1902, Relief of Ladysmith.
Uniform.—Regular and Reserve Battns., scarlet with green facings.
[Raised in 1793 in Connaught. Both Battns. gained undying fame in the Peninsula War, the regiment having the honour of forming the forlorn hope at the storming of both Badajoz and Ciudad Rodrigo. The regiment also fought with distinction in the Crimea and the Indian Mutiny. During the Boer War of 1899 the 1st Battn. formed part of the famous Irish Brigade in Natal, and in 1901 it became a battn. of mounted infantry.]
THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS
("The Thin Red Line")
"Wherever they have lived and fought they have carried with them the fearless picturesqueness of their indomitable mountains."
At Sevastopol, as at few other battles in the history of wars, was displayed the most magnificent valour of the Highlander. The approaches to Balaclava were protected by six batteries manned by Turks, who, it will be remembered, were in those days our allies. On October 25th, 1854, the Russians made a determined attack on these redoubts, speedily captured three of the batteries, and at once turned them on the 93rd Highlanders, under Sir Colin Campbell, compelling them to seek cover behind a slight ridge. No sooner had they done so than a horde of Russian cavalry swept down upon them, whereat Sir Colin ordered his men to breast the ridge and hold it against them at all costs. "Men," he said, "there is no retreat from here; you must die where you stand." "Ay, ay, Sir Colin," was the cool response, "and we'll do that if needs be."
The men were only two or three deep, but that "thin red line," bristling with steel, was none the less formidable for that. Every heart was staunch and every hand was steady. Nearer and nearer came the rolling thunder of the Russian cavalry, quickening as it came. They were now at 600 yards. "Fire!" the order was given, and the lead went forth, but the Russians, though galled, still came on. At 200 yards a second volley rang out, and this time the enemy wavered and could only be rallied by the remarkable determination of their officers. Their swerve was headed into a flank attack, but the Highlanders stood firm as their native rocks, and met their last onrush with volley on volley.
"Then had you seen a gallant shock
When saddles were emptied and lances broke."
The enemy, now in confusion, looked at the cold steel awaiting them, turned in dismay and fled in disorder to the shelter of their own guns.