(ROYAL HIGHLANDERS.)
The following will prove to my readers that the gallant 42nd, or Black Watch, have often been foremost in our ranks on many a hard contested field. Their loyalty is undoubted, and their patriotism unconquerable. There are none more brave and none more reckless in danger than these loyal children of the snow-capped mountains of Scotland, bred among crags and peaks, and accustomed from children to endure, to struggle, and dare. They have all the impetuosity of the Celt and the courage of the Saxon. They have a thousand glorious memories, which would fire the blood of the dullest with a joyous ardour which could not be subdued. Shoulder to shoulder they will advance with levelled steel; shoulder to shoulder they will stand and face shot and shell; and shoulder to shoulder they will die where they stand, overpowered, but not defeated. They may be broken and crushed, but never subdued. Happy the nation that can boast such devout sons. In tracing the history of these hardy Highlanders, we must say a few words upon the Scots Greys, the 71st Highland Light Infantry, the 72nd Highlanders, 78th Highlanders, 79th Cameron Highlanders, 92nd Gordon Highlanders, 91st, and the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders.
We find that in all ages the Highlander has been a soldier. The keen music of the pibroch has had an irresistible influence upon him. The Highlanders formed the famous body guard of the Kings of France, and their fidelity was never mistrusted. More than once they turned the tide of victory in favour of the Fleur de lis. The French monarchs lavished honours upon them, and every private had conferred on him the rank and dignity of a gentleman. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries they composed the “Scotch Brigade” of the United Provinces, and often wresting victory from the best soldiers of Europe, the Highlanders were among the elite of the conquering armies of the “Lion of the North;” and on the bloody field of Lutzen they routed the enemy. They displayed their prowess too in the great campaigns of Louis XIV. There have been Highland companies in the service of the House of Hanover, but it was William Pitt who first constituted the Highlanders part of our regular military establishment. The first Highland regiment was embodied as the “Black Watch” in 1729. They then had but six companies. War breaking out with Spain in 1739, they were augmented to ten. Each had one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, three sergeants, three corporals, two drummers, and one hundred privates. We find from their records that John, Earl of Crawford, was their first colonel. The old “Black Watch” embarked for Flanders in 1743, and joined King George II.’s army at Hanan, just too late for the battle of Dettingen. They first confronted the enemy in covering a reconnoitering party in front of Fontenoy. Courage had done its best, but it was a defeat for us. The retreat was covered by the remains of the Guards and Highlanders, so that they were the first on the field and last off. The Duke of Cumberland made special acknowledgment of their chivalrous devotion. Their loss was 136. Shortly afterwards the 42nd returned to England, and were quartered on the coast of Kent, to assist in repelling a threatened French invasion. The next time the Black Watch were employed was under Major-General James Abercromby against a strong French fort, named Ticanderoga. The fortification was of immense strength. The general, without waiting for reinforcements, began to attack with his gallant Highlanders, who sprang forward sweeping all before them with their claymores. But the fire from the fortress mowed them down whole companies at a time, and with reluctance their noble commander withdrew them. In this desperate fray the 42nd lost 647 officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. In 1758 the Black Watch received the distinction of the “Royal Highland Regiment of Foot,” and a second battalion of ten companies numbering 120 men each was raised. A portion of the regiment were at the storming of Martinique, and at the capture of Guadaloupe; and no troops, says Beatson, could have behaved with more courage. We shortly after find the two battalions in North America, under General Amherst, at the capture of Montreal, and the reduction of Canada in 1760. The British soldier had need be made of tough material, for he often has the two extremes to bear, of the cold Canadian winters and the tropical heats of the East or West Indian summers. We next trace the Highlanders to Cuba, where they greatly distinguished themselves, and later in the attack upon Havanna their conduct was all that could be desired. The Black Watch had much rough fighting, and with not much honour, against the wild and restless Indian tribes. It is not my intention to chronicle every movement of the Black Watch; suffice it to say that they took part in the whole of the War of American Independence. This was brought about by sheer mismanagement, for had our forefathers treated the Americans with justice they would have been now part and parcel of our glorious empire. Again, we find the 42nd brought face to face with our old hereditary enemy at New Vigo. It was here that the Black Watch captured four redoubts situated one above or one commanding the other. A remarkable incident occurred here which is worth recording. Capt. Stuart, afterwards Major-General, directed one of his men to remain behind to look after the men’s knapsacks. He obeyed, but his wife pushed forward to the assault. The enemy had been driven from the third redoubt and the captain was giving directions to push on to the fourth and last, when he (the captain) was tapped on the shoulder by this Amazon, who was standing with her clothes tucked up to her knees. She cried out, “Weel din, ma Heiland lads, weel din! See how they scamper!” “Come,” added she, “let us drive them from yonder hill.” She had been in the hottest fire, cheering and animating the men, and when the action was over was as active as any of the surgeons in attending upon the wounded. We would here remark that so long as Britain can produce such heroic mothers her sons will ever uphold her flag.
We next find the Black Watch, together with other Highland regiments, under their old and much respected commander, Sir Ralph Abercrombie, forcing a landing in Napoleon’s teeth, notwithstanding that he was backed up by his so-called “Invincible” legions. The Black Watch was one of the regiments under Sir John Moore. Sir John, with five thousand men, effected a landing. As this noble band neared the shore a storm of shot, shell, grape, and musketry crashed through them, but these gallant fellows landed, and formed into line. They then swept the sandy beach, and Napoleon’s pets were lifted from the field with the bayonet, and were scattered like chaff before the wind. Then the cavalry, clad in glittering steel, came down upon these brave men; but they were coolly met with shot and steel, and driven from the field. The intrepidity here displayed was worthy of their fame. The enemy fled in confusion to Alexandria. The remainder of our army then landed. The enemy took up a strong position on this now historic ground, and the armies of two greatest nations of modern times stood face to face to contend for the laurels of victory. It is not my intention to attempt to describe the terrible battle of Alexandria. Sir Ralph Abercrombie fell in the hour of victory. He had aroused the enthusiasm of the troops by a pithy address. “My brave Highlanders,” he said, “remember your country; remember your forefathers!” Like an arrow from a bow the line swept forward. The Black Watch with deadly steel broke through the masses of Napoleon’s chosen “Invincibles,” and swept them from the field. The old “Forty Twa’s” taught the enemy a terrible lesson, and largely helped to nail victory to our glorious old standard. Their loss was heavy, being 15 officers, 6 sergeants, and 295 men. The next engagement of importance in which the Black Watch takes a conspicuous part is that of Corunna, and right well they upheld their reputation. My readers must remember that this battle was fought under great disadvantage. The army under Sir John Moore had just halted, after a long retreat, enduring hardships which destroyed half the army. But the lion was now at bay, a battle must be fought and won, and although the whole army was in a state of utter destitution, they again proved to the boasting enemy, who were exulting in their strength, that the sons of Britain had not degenerated since the days of Blenheim. The enemy advanced in all the glory of war, but the sons of Albion stood immoveable and undaunted until they received the order to advance. Sir John Moore might well say, “Well done 50th.” Turning to the Black Watch, that noble hero exclaimed, “Highlanders, remember Egypt.” It was enough. They swept the pride of France from the field. But Sir John met a soldier’s death. He was struck by a cannon ball in the breast. Like Nelson, he lived long enough to know that he had gained a glorious victory. In his last moments he asked if the French were beaten. Being answered in the affirmative, he said he hoped the people of England would be satisfied, adding, “I hope my country will do me justice; say to my mother”—here his voice quite failed. “A brave man and a loving son.” After enquiring about friends who had been in the thick of the fight, he spoke kindly to all around him, and then gently passed away. Such was the termination of Sir John Moore’s career. It was indeed a “death of honour.” He has left a name which will always be gratefully remembered by England, and an example which her defenders will do well to imitate. Although their beloved chief was struck down, it did not damp the spirits of our noble-hearted soldiers. No; but woe to the enemy their steel could reach. After Sir John fell, the old 42nd sprang upon the foe with a wild shriek, and smote them with a terrible slaughter, and fully vindicated their reputation for heroic prowess. The victory here gained enabled the British army to embark without being further molested, so thoroughly had the terrible repulses of the preceding day inspired the French with respect for British valour. But the hero, Sir John Moore, was left alone in his glory. Not a word was spoken as they laid him in his grave, by torch-light, wrapped in his military cloak.
But our gallant and generous enemy erected a tomb with the following inscription:—
JOHN MOORE,
Leader of the English Armies,
Slain in battle, 1809.
But to return. At “grim Busaco” the old Black Watch fully maintained their reputation for intrepidity, handling the pets of Napoleon very roughly. But at Fuentes de Oñoro the Highlanders came out in their true colours. On this field they were as firm as the rocks of the mountains they hailed from. It was the 71st and 79th who particularly distinguished themselves. Side by side the 88th, Connaught Rangers, crossed bayonets with the Imperial Guards. The conquerors of Wagram, Jena, and Friedland had to bow before them, for they laid them on the ground with the rush of cold steel. An incident occurred here worth mentioning. The officer who carried the colours of the 79th fell dead. A sergeant at once called out with a loud voice, “An officer to bear the colours of the 79th.” One at once sprang forward, and was immediately shot down. “An officer to bear the colours” again shouted the sergeant. Another hero at once seized them, and was also killed. A third and fourth time the gallant sergeant called out, and as fast as the colours were raised the bearer fell dead or fatally wounded. The adjutant then rushed up, exclaiming, “The 79th shall never want one to carry its colours while I can stand,” and he carried them in safety throughout the glorious day. The fighting was of a terrible character, the bayonet being the chief weapon of combat. But the boasting enemy found out who were the best hands at using it. No quarter was given or taken, and the field remained in the hands of the sons of Albion. Among the rocks of the mountains of the Pyrenees the conduct of the Highlanders was sublime, and the heroism displayed by the 92nd was the object of admiration of all who could see them. Napier says the 92nd Highlanders were composed principally of Irishmen at this time, but with all due respect to him, we believe the gallant colonel has made a mistake, for from authentic records handed down to us we find at the time of their heroic deeds at the Pass of Puerta-de-Mary this noble regiment was composed as follows:—
| Country. | Sergts. | Corporals. | Drummers. | Privates. | Total. |
| Scotland | 56 | 47 | 8 | 784 | 895 |
| England | 0 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 36 |
| Ireland | 0 | 2 | 1 | 58 | 62 |
| Foreigners | 1 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 21 |
| N.B.—Nearly all the officers were Scotch. | |||||
Soult, the veteran Marshal of France, had been out-generalled and beaten at all points. In rage he called his countrymen cowards. “Cowards,” cried this noble veteran, “where are you flying to; you call yourselves Frenchmen; halt, and face the foe in the name of heaven.” Stung to the quick, they halted and formed, but melted like snow under the rays of a summer’s sun from a rush of Highland bayonets. All regiments engaged had freely used the bayonet, and the enemy appeared to have a wholesale dread of the once despised sons of Albion, and the heroic sons of the Green Isle.