The loss of the regiment was limited to two rank and file killed; Lieut.-Colonel Grant,[19] Lieutenant Chrisholme, two serjeants, one drummer, and thirty-three rank and file wounded.
The word “Cape of Good Hope,” borne by royal authority on the colours of the regiment, commemorates its distinguished gallantry on this occasion.
After the action, the army took up a position in the Reit Valley; on the 9th of January, the troops advanced towards Cape Town, taking post on the south of Salt River, and the town surrendered. Lieut.-General Janssens had taken up a position in a pass leading to the interior of the country. On the 10th of January, the regiment marched to Wineberg barracks; and on the 11th, Lieutenant M’Arthur of the SEVENTY-SECOND was detached, with thirty men of the regiment, to take possession of Hout’s Bay. “After Lieutenant M’Arthur’s departure, it was ascertained that the enemy had a strong garrison at Hout’s Bay, and Major Tucker, of the SEVENTY-SECOND, was sent after him on horseback, to detain him until a reinforcement should arrive; but the lieutenant had reached the vicinity of the place with much expedition, and finding how matters stood, showed his men rank entire, and only partially, but to the most advantage. Having procured pen, ink, and paper, he summoned the garrison to unconditional surrender, otherwise he would blow the place about their ears, assault the works, and give no quarter. The Dutch immediately surrendered at discretion, and when the major arrived, he found Lieutenant M’Arthur in full possession of the works, consisting of a strong block-house and two batteries.”-See Captain Campbell’s Journal.
Wineberg-Camp, 12th January, 1806.
Brigade Order.—“In consequence of Brigadier-General Ferguson being ordered into Cape Town, he is under the necessity of taking a short leave of the Highland brigade. Short as his absence will be, he cannot go without returning his sincere thanks to every individual of the brigade he has the honor to command, for the zealous support he has received from the officers, and the uniform good behaviour of the men. Their conduct on the day of landing, the cheerfulness with which they have endured every fatigue and privation, and their distinguished bravery in the action of Blaw Berg, while it has gained them universal admiration, lays him under an obligation, which no time can obliterate from his memory.”
On the same day that this order was issued the regiment advanced up the country to co-operate with the troops under Brigadier-General Beresford, and in a few days the Batavian governor surrendered the colony to the British arms. From this period the important colony of the Cape of Good Hope has formed part of the possessions of the British Crown.
After the surrender of the Cape, the head-quarters of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment were established at Simon’s Town, where the Hottentots in the Dutch pay tendered their services to the British government, and were afterwards formed into a corps, now the “Cape Mounted Riflemen:” the regiment had also detachments at Muisenberg, Hout’s Bay, and Oliphant’s Bay, and in September it took the garrison duty at Cape Town.
1807
1808
1809
The regiment was stationed at Cape Town during the years 1807, 1808, and 1809: in April of the latter year King George III. approved of its discontinuing the Highland Costume.