An equally complimentary order was issued by the Commander-in-Chief.
The regiment embarked for England on board the “Prince Blucher” transport, Captain Weatherall, to whom in a measure they owed their lives, and sailed from the Sandheads on the 1st of March 1817. On the 5th of July the regiment arrived at Portsmouth, and re-embarked in the “Abeona” transport for Aberdeen. A few weeks later the 78th was was ordered to Ireland.
In rebutting an unfounded report as to the disaffection of the three Highland regiments, the 42nd, 78th, and 92nd, General Stewart says:—“The honour of Highland soldiers has hitherto been well supported, and Ross-shire has to boast that the 78th has all along maintained the honourable character of their predecessors. All those who value the character of a brave and virtuous race may look with confidence to this corps, as one of the representatives of the military and moral character of the peasantry of the mountains. In this regiment, twenty-three have been promoted to the rank of officers during the war. Merit thus rewarded will undoubtedly have its due influence on those who succeed them in the ranks.”[486]
III.
1804–1816.
Letter of Service granted to Major-General Mackenzie-Fraser to raise a 2nd Battalion—Inspected and passed by the Marquis of Huntly—List of Officers—At Hythe under Sir John Moore—Ordered to Sicily—Joseph Bonaparte proclaimed King of Naples—Sir John Stuart invades Calabria—Battle of Maida—Cotrone Capitulates—The Regiment returns to Sicily—The Egyptian Expedition—Landing at Aboukir—Capture of Alexandria—Failure at Rosetta—Disastrous affair of El Hamet—Colonel M’Leod killed—Regiment Returns Home—Sickness—Drafts to India—370 Men in the Walcheren Expedition—Death of General Mackenzie-Fraser—Operations against Napoleon in 1814—The Regiment lands in Holland—Brilliant affair of Merxem—Antwerp besieged—The Siege abandoned—Various changes of Quarters—Napoleon returns from Elba—During the 100 Days, the Regiment garrisons Nieuwpoort—Sickness—Ordered to Brussels after Waterloo—Conduct of the Highlanders in the Netherlands—The Regiment returns Home—Ordered to be reduced—Effectives join the 1st Battalion, and the Dépôt proceeds to Aberdeen.
On the 17th of April 1804, a letter of service was granted to Major-General Alexander Mackenzie-Fraser, Colonel of the 78th Highlanders, in which his Majesty was pleased to approve of a second battalion being added to that regiment, with a strength of 1000 men.
General Mackenzie-Fraser had been connected with the regiment ever since it was first raised in 1793, his brother-in-law, now Lord Seaforth, having appointed him its first Major; and it was chiefly owing to his unremitting zeal and attention at headquarters, in personally superintending and teaching the recruits, that its energy and discipline in the field became so early conspicuous. He therefore, when called upon to organise a young battalion, threw his whole soul into the task, and his vigorous mind rested not until he had collected around him a body of men in every way worthy of their predecessors.
“No officer could boast of circumstances more favourable to such an undertaking. Beloved by every one that had the good fortune of his acquaintance, he found no difficulty in selecting gentlemen possessed of various local interests in furtherance of his plan.
“The quality of the men, their youth and vigour, in short, we may say with confidence, the raw material was unexampled.”[487]