DUKE OF ALBANY’S OWN HIGHLANDERS.
Kenneth, Earl of Seaforth.
Appointed Lieut.-Colonel Commandant 29th Dec. 1777.
Kenneth Mackenzie, grandson of William fifth Earl of Seaforth, who was deprived of his title and estates by act of attainder, for joining the rebellion headed by the Earl of Mar in 1715, adopted a line of conduct more consistent with the best interests of his country, than that pursued by his ancestors, and was a zealous supporter of the house of Hanover. He was created Baron of Ardelve in the county of Wicklow, and Viscount of Fortrose, in Scotland, in 1766, and advanced to the dignity of Earl of Seaforth, in Ireland, in 1771. Grateful for these marks of royal favour, and anxious to promote the well-being of the kingdom, when Great Britain was engaged in war with the United States, and menaced by France, Spain, and Holland, he tendered his services to raise a regiment of Highlanders, now the SEVENTY-SECOND, of which he was appointed lieut.-colonel commandant by commission dated the 29th of December, 1777. His corps was soon fit for active service, and was admired for its warlike appearance. He embarked with it for the East Indies, and died on the passage in August, 1781, when his titles became extinct.
Thomas Frederick Mackenzie Humberston.
Appointed Lieut.-Colonel Commandant, 13th Feb. 1782.
Thomas Frederick Mackenzie Humberston, grandson of Colonel the Honorable Alexander Mackenzie, second son of Kenneth fourth Earl of Seaforth, was appointed Cornet in the first dragoon guards in June, 1771; in 1775 he was promoted to a Lieutenancy, and in 1777 to Captain of a troop in the same corps. He took great interest in the formation of the Highland corps raised by his cousin, the Earl of Seaforth, now the SEVENTY-SECOND, or the Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders, in which regiment he was appointed Captain in January, 1778, and Major in March, 1779. He was quartered with his regiment at Jersey, and took an active share in repulsing the attempt made by a body of French troops to land on that island on the 1st of May, 1779. He afterwards took an active part in the formation of another corps of Highlanders, which was numbered the 100th regiment, of which he was appointed Lieut.-Colonel Commandant on the 5th of August, 1780. Soon after its formation, the 100th regiment was selected to form part of an expedition against the Cape of Good Hope, and its commandant had the local rank of Colonel in the expedition; the naval part of the enterprise was under the direction of Commodore Johnstone. While the fleet was at Praya Bay, in St. Jago, one of the Cape de Verd Islands, it was suddenly attacked by a French squadron; Colonel Humberston happened to be on shore at the time; but so great was his ardour to share in the enterprise, that he swam to one of the ships that was engaged with the enemy, who was repulsed. In the meantime the Dutch garrison at the Cape had been reinforced, the project of attacking that colony was laid aside, and Colonel Humberston proceeded with the land force to Bombay, where he arrived on the 22nd of January, 1782.
In the meantime the Earl of Seaforth had died on the passage, without male issue, and Colonel Humberston purchased his estates, and succeeded him in the command of the regiment, now SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders.
After a short stay at Bombay, Colonel Humberston sailed for Madras, but receiving alarming news on the voyage, of the success of Hyder Ali, he called a council of war, which decided, that a diversion on the Malabar side of Hyder’s dominions would be likely to prove of great advantage to the British interest; he accordingly landed at Calicut on the 18th of February, with a thousand men, and joining Major Abington’s Sepoys, assumed the command of the united force. He took the field, drove Hyder’s troops before him, and captured several forts. The monsoon approaching, he returned to Calicut, and placed the troops in quarters; he afterwards concluded a treaty with the sovereign of Travancore, who reinforced him with twelve hundred men. In September he again advanced—obtained possession of Ramjarree, and approached Palacatcherry, and had the misfortune to lose a portion of his baggage, when an attack was made on his rear. Hyder Ali detached his son Tippoo Saib against Colonel Humberston, with twenty thousand men; this force approached the British division and attacked its rear. After fighting every step of a long march, the colonel arrived at the river Paniané, which appeared impassable, but, after a painful search of two hours, a deep ford was found, and the soldiers passed the river, up to the chin in water, and only lost two black camp followers; they afterwards gained the fort of Paniané. Tippoo expected to find Colonel Humberston’s force an easy prey, and neglected to keep strict watch; he was surprised to find the British had passed the river. He afterwards attempted to carry the lines at Paniané by assault; but was repulsed with severe loss on the 28th of November. He blockaded the fort until he heard of his father’s death, when he withdrew.