Colours of British Regiments have been lost, but only when all who defended them had fallen. The noble 24th lost their’s in fighting the Zulus, at Isandlwana, but every man died first. I could mention hundreds of cases, both by sea and land, to prove how desperately the colours of our native isle have been defended in the past. The same spirit of devotion yet lives, and I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that, should occasions arise in the future, British Soldiers will ever show themselves worthy to sustain the best traditions of their regiments and their country.
DESPERATE DEFENCES OR HEROIC STANDS BY SMALL GARRISONS.
During the period when Prince Charles Edward was attempting to recover for his father the throne of his ancestors, Sergeant Molloy, of the 6th Foot, defended the small fort of Ruthven, and the following letter from that veteran, who had only a garrison of twelve men, is a curiosity of war. It was addressed to the then Commander-in-Chief in Scotland:—
Ruthven Redoubt, 30th August, 1745.
Honourable General,
This goes to acquaint you that yesterday there appeared in this little town about three hundred of the enemy, who sent and demanded me to surrender this Redoubt, upon condition that I should have liberty to carry off bag and baggage. My answer was, “I am too old a soldier to surrender a garrison of such strength without bloody noses.” They threatened to hang me and my whole garrison for refusal. I told them that “I would take my chance; I had no rope, but plenty of shot and powder.” They attacked foregate and sally port, and attempted to set fire to gate, but all that came near I managed to drop, and they paid heavily for their attempt. They went off this afternoon westward, promising to give me another look up, but I will give them a warm reception if they attempt it, and will hold out as long as I have aught to eat.
The heroic defence that General Elliott made at Gibraltar, in 1781, against the united fleets and armies of France and Spain, was the admiration of the whole of Europe. The old “Silly Suffolk” Regiment (the 12th) was one of the four Regiments composing that heroic band that set Spain and France at defiance.