The Scarlet Standard is of fine cloth, and is in tolerable preservation; it has a green border, with a crimson and yellow fringe; on the join, about the centre, a patch of light blue cloth is introduced, on which are neatly sewn some characters in yellow cloth, which probably form an extract from the Koran, the Affghans being known to attach great faith in such inscriptions, which are supposed to ensure victory. The flag is triangular in shape, and swallow-tailed; two of the sides are about eight and nine feet in length, the shortest side being about four feet. The staff, which is the branch of a tree with the bark on, is spear-headed, but is broken at the lower extremity.
The two other Flags are but fragments; like the above they are triangular. They have pointed iron-ends to plant them in the ground. The Crimson flag has a green piece of cloth, with red characters, sewn in. The Blue flag is a sort of coarse printed cotton stuff, and has a rude shawl pattern border. There is about five feet of the flag on both the staffs, which are from eight to nine feet in length. Their appearance betokens that they have seen service, and borne the brunt of battle.
STANDARDS CAPTURED FROM THE AFFGHANS BY THE 13TH LIGHT INFANTRY, 1842
DEPOSITED IN THE ROYAL HOSPITAL AT CHELSEA
FOOTNOTES:
[6] List of troops under Major-General Mackay, at the battle of Killicrankie, 27th July, 1689:—
| Cavalry. | ||
| Annandale’s troop of horse | } | Afterwards incorporated in a regiment, now |
| Belhaven’s ” ” | } | the Seventh Hussars. |