It would be superfluous to detail every part that the regiment had to act on this eventful day; how it stood in square, in line, and in column, never yielding an inch to enemies who considered themselves invincible when fighting, as in the present instance, under the direction and in the presence of their Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who frequently expressed his astonishment and admiration at the manner in which the British fought, particularly “Les Braves Ecossais,” as he termed them.
Towards evening two Prussian officers rode past the regiment inquiring for the Duke of Wellington, and their columns began to appear moving upon the enemy’s right, by the road from Wavre. At this time the French made a last effort by a general attack throughout the whole line, and the moment they were repulsed, the allied troops advanced, drove them from every position, and forced them to seek safety in flight, leaving their artillery, and everything that constitutes an army in the field.
The regiment was directed to desist from the pursuit, and return to its original ground, after giving three British cheers to the Prussian army. In this manner was achieved the Battle of Waterloo, the importance of which may be best estimated by the lengthened peace which has ensued; and the memory of this eventful victory will ever survive as a proud monument of the national glory of the British army.
On the 18th of June, the NINETY-SECOND regiment had Captains Peter Wilkie and Archibald Ferrier, Lieutenants Robert Winchester, Donald McDonald, James Ker Ross, and James Hope wounded. Fourteen rank and file were killed, and ninety-six wounded.
In acknowledgment of the services which the army performed in the battle of Waterloo, and the actions immediately preceding it, each subaltern officer and soldier present was permitted to count two years additional service, and silver medals were conferred on all ranks, bearing on the one side an impression of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and on the reverse the figure of Victory, holding the palm in the right hand, and the olive branch in the left, with the word “Wellington,” over its head, and “Waterloo,” 18th June, 1815, at its feet.
Lieut.-Colonel James Mitchell, who succeeded to the command of the regiment at Quatre Bras, was appointed a companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, and had the Order of St. Anne of Russia conferred upon him. Major Donald McDonald, who commanded the regiment during the whole of the battle of Waterloo, was promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel, appointed a companion of the Bath, and received the order of St. Wladimir of Russia.
The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted to the army with the greatest enthusiasm “for its distinguished valour at Waterloo;” and the NINETY-SECOND, and other regiments engaged, were permitted to bear the word “Waterloo” on their colours and appointments.
The Highland Society of Scotland unanimously passed a vote of thanks “for the determined valour and exertions displayed by the regiment, and for the credit which it did its country in the memorable battles of the 16th and 18th of June, 1815.”
On the 19th of June, the allied army resumed its triumphant pursuit of the French towards Paris, in the neighbourhood of which city the regiment encamped on the 3rd of July, without having been employed on any affair of consequence during the march.
The following General Order was issued by the Duke of Wellington, on the 4th of July:—