Chapter X.
The business of "raising" the regiment was now (1793-94) to commence in real earnest, and as it was the Major's desire that the complement should be made up of as many as he could induce to join from his own and the adjacent districts, his officers and himself visited every part round about, and with so much success that, between Lochaber, Appin, Mull, and Morven, 750 men were collected at Fort-William, within a period of less than two months; at any rate the official accounts record that number to have been inspected and approved by General Leslie on the 3d January (1794).[C] General Stewart states, "in the instance of the embodiment of the 79th no bounty was allowed by Government, and the men were therefore recruited at the solo expense of Mr Cameron and his officers; nevertheless the measure of the success will be understood by the early date of their inspection at Stirling, where they received the denomination of the 79th Cameron Highlanders." The Major was now desirous to repair as quickly as possible to the place appointed for inspection, that he might get his corps numbered, and with that determination, ordered every man to be in readiness for the journey southwards. Great was the excitement in the little village adjoining the garrison of Fort-William, on that winter's morning, when Cameron and his followers collected on its parade-ground, to have the roll called by "old Archie Maclean" (their first Adjutant), preparatory to bidding farewell to Lochaber—a last farewell by the greater part of them. The nearest and dearest must part, and such was the case with the Lochabermen and their friends, now that "they promised to help King George." With Alan at their head, this devoted band filed off in well regulated order, marching with steady step through the village, the pipers leading, playing the well-known march—"Gabhaidh sinn an rathad mor" (We'll keep the high road), while large numbers of the country people convoyed them on their route a considerable distance, reluctant to give the final farewell; deferring it till they were reminded that they had now a long way to go back. Their affection probably laid them under a spell that "farewell was such sweet sorrow, they could not say farewell till to-morrow." A string of horses preceded them, to different stages, with their creels well provided with creature comforts desirable for their long journey, along indifferent paths, and over bleak mountains, to Stirling. At that season of the year, the weather was very severe, and the absence of any habitations on the way did not admit of any halting; therefore it was decided to continue their onward course without interruption, except the short intervals necessary for refreshments. This decision enabled them to reach the rendezvous at noon of the third day, when after a day or two's rest, drilling was resumed without intermission, in consequence of which persistency, the corps were in a fair state of order by the time the inspecting officer arrived. "The Cameron Highlanders" underwent this ordeal of military and medical inspection to the General's entire satisfaction, and he duly reported the result to the War Office, and, being the first to be so reported the corps received the first and subsequent number of 79th (the 78th, Mackenzie's Ross-shire regiment, had been completed in the month of March of the previous year). Meanwhile the exigencies of the service becoming pressing, the "Office" was induced to dispatch urgent orders to Cameron to augment the regiment with the necessary 250 men to raise it to a total strength of 1000 rank and file. In obedience to this summons, he, with others of his officers, lost no time in returning to the districts of the Highlands from whence they came. If further proof were needed of the popularity of Cameron, the fact that he collected the 250 recruits wanted, and reported them at the same place (Stirling), in the short space of five and twenty days, will be sufficiently convincing. When the 1000 men were completed on the 30th January (1794), Alan was advanced to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the regiment![D] This marvellous rapidity may be contrasted with the fact, that when Mr Cameron of Fassifern was offered a company in the corps being raised by the Marquis of Huntly in the following month of February, he was obliged to have recourse to the assistance of his brother-in-law, Macneil of Barra, to complete the number of 100 men. He could only secure nineteen men in his own district of Lochaber, notwithstanding that he was aided by the personal influence of his cousin Lochiel. Alan Cameron did not seek, nor did he receive the slightest favour from the Chief of his clan, for reasons which may be subsequently referred to.[E]
Chapter XI.
The colours for the 79th had been prepared, and immediately on its being registered they were presented (1794), after which the regiment received the route for Ireland. There they remained till the following June, where their uniform reached them, which, being the Highland dress, was similar to that of the other Highland corps, except in the matter of "facings," which were green. Although the tartan of the Clan Cameron is one of the handsomest patterns; the ground and prevailing colour being red, it was thought unsuitable for wear with the scarlet jacket; but that was not a sufficient reason for its non-adoption as the tartan of the "Cameron Highlanders," inasmuch as the tartan worn (the Stewart) by the 72d is of still brighter colour than the Cameron. Neither of these was the real reason which caused the clan tartan's non-adoption by the 79th.[F] Alan choose rather to have a tartan of his own (or rather his mother's) design. That pattern is so well known as to need no description. The first supply was provided by Messrs Holms of Paisley (now of Greenhead, Glasgow), and designated the "Cameron Earrachd," as distinguished from that of the Cameron proper. It is the pattern chosen by the Highland company of the Liverpool Rifle Corps, and by the 2d Lochaber Company, of which Lochiel was captain.[G]
The Cameron Regiment had scarcely completed its equipment, when it was ordered to embark for Flanders to reinforce the British and Austrian armies under the command of the Duke of York, against the French. They were joined in this expedition by their countrymen of the 42d and the 78th. Their arrival proved to be of the utmost consequence, inasmuch as that by their support, in reserve, they helped, by a victory over Picheqru to retrieve a disaster experienced by the Duke shortly before that. This engagement lasted from an early hour till the afternoon, and its decision was weighing in the balance, when the Duke charged with the British troops into the centre of the French army, bayonet in hand, and thus, brought hostilities to an end for the day. This success, however, was of small advantage, as the allies were subsequently compelled to retreat before the overwhelming forces of the French, and, retiring towards Westphalia, endured the most dreadful hardship and suffering, both from its inhospitable inhabitants, and the rigour of its climate (the winter and spring of 1794-5), the elements of which proved more fatal to the British army than the fire of the enemy. The Camerons lost 200 men. The contingent of the British army withdrew from the Continent after this fruitless campaign, embarking in April at Bremen. The 79th was ordered for quarters to the Isle of Wight, where it remained till the month of July, when it received the route for India, and Colonel Cameron was ordered to recruit the regiment to the extent of its losses in Flanders.
(To be Continued.)
FOOTNOTES:
[B] General Stewart's Sketches, vol. II., pp. 245-6.
[C] Historical Record of the 79th Regiment by Captain Robert Jamieson, Edinburgh, 1863.
[D] Captain Jamieson's Historical Record, Blackwood, Edinburgh, 1863.