A detail of this gallant exploit states, 'the first success of this day was principally owing to General Coote's brigade, and the advance, consisting of the 23rd and 55th regiments, commanded by Colonel Macdonald, who, instead of waiting the attacks of the enemy, advanced on every occasion to meet them.' These brave efforts cost the British forces a loss of about 500 men.
In subsequent operations, during this arduous expedition, the Queen's Royal had the honour of contributing a full portion of its services, and was present when his Royal Highness the Duke of York, in Command of the Anglo-Russian forces, on the 2nd of October, 1799, gained a decided victory at Egmont-op-Zee, over a numerous army opposed to him on that occasion. Alluding to this action, his Royal Highness observes, 'Under Divine Providence, this signal victory, obtained over the enemy, is to be ascribed to the animated and persevering exertions which have been at all times the characteristics of the British soldier, and which, on no occasion, were ever more eminently displayed; nor has it often fallen to the lot of any general to have such just cause of acknowledgment for distinguished support.'
On the 6th of October the French and Dutch armies again contested the field with their opponents, and were once more forced by British valour to retire. In his report of this victory, the Duke of York remarks, that 'the gallantry the troops displayed, and the perseverance with which they supported the fatigues of the day, rival their former exertions.' The loss of the Queen's Royal in this action proves they were honourable competitors for glory.
Notwithstanding the successes of the British forces, they were precluded from a further advance, and from profiting by the just reward of their labours, in consequence of the lateness of the season, and the difficulty of obtaining supplies during the winter; besides which, the French army was receiving large reinforcements.
These and other causes induced his Royal Highness to desist from further offensive operations, and finally led to the withdrawing of the Anglo-Russian army from Holland, and to the termination of an expedition which, although unattended with full success, evinced distinguished merit and bravery on the part of the British commander and his army.
Nor must it be omitted, in alluding to this expedition, that at this period the old regiments had been considerably reduced by the arduous services against St. Domingo and the French West India islands, and were now chiefly made up from volunteers from the militia, hastily got together, and employed in active offensive operations before they could be properly organised and rendered fit for such duty.
Notwithstanding these disadvantages, the British troops employed in Holland upheld, by their gallantry and discipline, the honour of their country, and by the skill and attention of their officers, this short but active campaign prepared this little army to advance the glory of England in succeeding years, against the best organised troops in Europe.
Major-General Coote expressed, in orders, his approbation of the conduct of the Queen's Royal; and after the evacuation of Holland, the regiment landed at Yarmouth, from whence it proceeded to Ashford, in Kent, for the winter.