On the 4th of January, 1814, the battalion marched from Arquite, and encamped near Urt; on the 8th it went into cantonments in that village. On the 20th of January the battalion marched from Urt for St. Jean de Luz, where it received new clothing, and on the 20th returned to Urt.
The enemy attacked on the 27th of January a piquet of the NINETY-SECOND, stationed in an island on the Adour, but was driven back.
At this period the allied army was put in motion, and the NINETY-SECOND marched from Urt to Urcuray.
The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, marched on the 14th of February to attack a considerable body of the enemy under General Harispe at Hellette, which was forced to retire to Meharin. On this occasion Lieutenant Richard McDonell was wounded; one private was killed, and seven rank and file wounded.
On the morning of the 15th of February, the NINETY-SECOND marched in pursuit of the enemy, who was discovered, late in the evening, strongly posted on the heights in front of Garris, which the division attacked and carried in gallant style. The French obstinately disputed their ground, and made several attempts to recover it after dark, but finding the British troops immovable, they retreated with considerable loss through St. Palais. On this occasion Major James Seaton was mortally wounded, and expired on the 22nd of the following month. The other casualties were three rank and file wounded.
During the night the enemy destroyed the bridge at St. Palais, and every exertion was made to repair it. On the 16th of February, the NINETY-SECOND crossed in the afternoon, and occupied a position in advance.
On the 17th of February, the enemy was discovered in the village of Arriverete, on the right bank of the Gave de Mauleon, endeavouring to destroy the bridge over it. A ford was discovered a little higher up, which the NINETY-SECOND crossed under cover of the British artillery, and immediately attacking the troops in the village with its usual success, drove the enemy out of it, and secured the bridge by which the troops were enabled to cross. The enemy retired across the Gave d’Oleron, and the battalion, which had ten rank and file wounded in this enterprise, was cantoned in Arriverete and the neighbouring villages.
In honor of this occasion, it was granted by royal warrant, that Lieut.-Colonel Cameron should bear for his crest a Highlander of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, up to the middle in water, grasping in his right hand a broad sword, and in his left a banner inscribed 92nd, within a wreath of laurel; and as a motto over it the word “Arriverete.”
The following is an extract of the Marquis of Wellington’s despatch on this occasion:—
“St. Jean de Luz, 20th February, 1814.