In this affair the Seventy-first had Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Robert Campbell wounded. Five men were killed, and two serjeants and sixty-four rank and file were wounded.
The troops halted for the night at the Reit Valley, and on the 9th of January the army moved towards the Salt River, where it was intended to take up a position previously to the attack of Cape Town, when a flag of truce appeared from the town, which produced some negotiations, that terminated in its surrender to His Majesty’s arms. Lieut.-General Janssens, the Governor of the colony, after his defeat at Bleuberg on the 8th, had retired towards the interior of the country by the Hottentot Holland Kloof, or Pass, from whence, on the 19th of January, he signed and ratified the treaty that placed the whole of the Cape of Good Hope and its dependencies in the possession of Great Britain, under whose sway it has since continued.
The Royal authority was subsequently granted for the Seventy-first to bear the words “Cape of Good Hope” on the regimental colour and appointments, to commemorate its distinguished gallantry at the capture of that important colony.[20]
As the following letter from Brigadier General Ferguson to Major-General Sir David Baird is very creditable to the regiment and to its commander, it is here inserted.
“Cape Town, 19th January 1806.
“Sir,
“As in the affair of Bleuberg, on the 8th instant, chance placed two of the enemy’s guns in possession of the Highland brigade, I hope you will be pleased to order the allowance usually granted on such occasions to be issued, and shared amongst the 71st, 72d, and 93d regiments.
“Although the guns fell into our hands in front of the 71st regiment, Lieut.-Colonel Pack (desirous that the three regiments should be considered as one family) has most handsomely withdrawn the prior claim His Majesty’s 71st regiment might have made, and to which the situation of the guns, when taken, would have entitled that most excellent corps.
“I have, &c.
“(Signed) R. C. Ferguson,
“Brigadier General.