GIFT or ROFESSOR C.A, KOFOID

:-', r- ::- sYr!

(Limited to One Thousand Copies.} •-'.'... '"

HISTORICAL RECORD

AND

REGIMENTAL MEMOIR

OF

THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS

FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE

2lst IRopal IHortb Britisb fusiliers.

Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1678 and its subsequent Services until June

COMPILED FROM VARIOUS AUTHENTIC SOURCES

BY

JAMES jCLARK,

LATE SERGEANT ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS.

ILLUSTRATED WITH SIX COLOURED PLATES.

EDINBURGH: BANKS & CO., 12 GEORGE STREET,

AND GRANGE PRINTING WORKS.

1885.

- . - - * * * . . » » *. *.*•«.

GIFT OF

PROFESSOR C.A. XOFOID

THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS

BEARS ON

ZTbe IReotmental Colour

THE THISTLE

Within the circle, and Motto of Saint Andrew, " Nemo me impune lacessit"

Surmounted by the Imperial Crown with the Royal Cipher, and a Crown in each of its three corners.

ZTbe tRegimental Colour

ALSO BEARS THE FOLLOWING HONOURS,

' ' Blenheim:' ' ' Ramillies" ' ' Oudenarde. "

' ' Malplaquet. " ' ' Deddingen. " « c Bladensbttrg. "

"Alma." " Inkerman" "Sevastopol."

"South Africa,

A BURSTING GRENADE, WITH ROYAL ARMS ON THE BALL. That on the Collar bears a Thistle.

Uniform,

SCARLET HIGHLAND DOUBLET, FACINGS BLUE, TARTAN TREWS, AND SEALSKIN BUSBY.

By Royal Warrant of 1st July 1751, the Thistle as on the Colours, the White Horse and motto over it, "Nee aspera terrent," were authorised to be worn on the grenadier caps ; the device of Thistle and Crown to be painted on bells of arms and drums.

M216821

TO

THE OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, AND SOLDIERS

OF

THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE,

THE FOLLOWING RECORD OF THE SERVICES OF THEIR

DISTINGUISHED OLD CORPS

is

1Respectfull£ £>ebicatefc

BY THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT,

THE COMPILER.

preface.

THERE exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or are serving, in the army, an esprit de corps, — an attachment to everything belonging to their regiment ; to such, a narrative of the services of their own corps cannot fail to prove interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great, the valiant, the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with a brave and civilised people. Great Britain has produced a race of heroes, who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood " firm as the rocks of their native shore ; " and, when half the world has been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of achievements in war, — victories so complete and surprising, gained by our countrymen, our brothers, our fellow-citizens in arms, — a record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their gallant deeds before us, will certainly prove acceptable to the public.

From the materials thus collected in the following pages readers will be able to realise the difficulties and privations which chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In Great Britain comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service, and of the casualties of

viii Preface.

climate, to which, even in peace, the British troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or no interval of repose.*

Although a long time has elapsed since my connection with the Royal Scots Fusiliers ceased, my recollections of the regiment are fresh and pleasant, and my affection for it remains undiminished. Nor am I singular in my love for the " old corps ; " all who have had the good fortune to belong to it, I believe, are animated with the same feeling.

The cause of this, doubtless, is to be found in the admir- able system which prevailed in the regiment, — a system necessarily strict, but equitable, and always kindly adminis- tered.

Every man felt that he belonged to a large family ', in which the personal rights and interest of each member were respected and held sacred.

The successive commanding-officers, especially those whose military services were confined entirely to the regi- ment, took a personal concern in everything connected with the well-being of all under their command. It cannot therefore be wondered at, that those who have served in such a regiment should continue to entertain for it feelings of deep affection.

The greater portion of the following pages have, thanks to the kindness of the publishers and editor, already appeared in the columns of the Ayrshire Post, to which has now been added a short but comprehensive sketch of the services of the second battalion of the Fusiliers, with

* From Cannon's Military Records.

Preface. ix

other additional interesting particulars embodied in "Appen- dices."

I am under much obligation to A. Ross, Esq., S.S.C., Edinburgh, who has kindly permitted me to make use of any item referring to the Royal Scots Fusiliers in the pages of his handsome addition to our military literature, The Old Scottish Regimental Colours;* Cannon's Historical Record up to 1849, and Kinglake's Invasion of the Crimea^ have been also quoted ; also details from subsequent official sources, newspaper cuttings, and letters, personal reminiscences, verbal and written contributions from " Old Eusiliers," — all have been incorporated to form, I trust, a symmetrical whole.

I am also under the deepest obligation to an old Fusilier, Colour-Sergeant W. Heaney, of the first battalion, whose literary acquirements, long connection with and intimate knowledge of the regiment, eminently fitted him for the task he has so generously fulfilled in editing this volume. Without his valuable and most friendly aid, I should not have been able to present this book to the public in so complete a form.

I beg to assure those who have kindly furnished matter for insertion in these records, and who on reading the book

* The Royal Scots Fusiliers are referred to in the following pages of The Old Scottish Regimental Colours:— 5 note, 10, II, 13, 16-20, 21 note, 22, 24 note, 28 note, 32 note, 34 note, 39, 41 note, 60-63, 69, 71, 72, 78 note, 83, 134, 135-

t Kinglake, in his Invasion of the Crimea, refers particularly to the Royal Scots Fusiliers in the following pages of his exhaustive and authoritative work : — Vol. iii., p. 95 ; vol. v., chap, vi., pp. 210, 235-237, 366, 367, 369, 370, 419, 422-424.

x Preface.

find that their contributions have been curtailed, condensed, or wholly omitted, that these curtailments, condensations, and omissions have not been made arbitrarily nor capri- ciously, but from the belief that they were necessary.

To put before the reader facts, concisely and clearly stated, is what has been sought to be accomplished by the Editor.

In conclusion, I have much pleasure in offering, as a volume, what was originally intended only to have had an ephemeral existence in the columns of a newspaper.

That its perusal may secure it, in its permanent form, a liberal share of public patronage, and favourable con- sideration, is the hope of

JAMES CLARK,

Late Sergeant Royal Scots Fusiliers.

MAIN STREET, NEWTON-UPON-AYR, 3oM September 1885.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

BADGES Hi

DEDICATION v

PREFACE .... . vii

CONTENTS OF RECORDS ------ xiii

INTRODUCTION ... - xxv

HISTORICAL RECORD— FIRST BATTALION - i

HISTORICAL RECORD— SECOND BATTALION - - 72

APPENDIX.

NO.

1. SERVICES AND SUCCESSION OF HEAD COLONELS - 91

2. SERVICES AND SUCCESSION OF LIEUT.-COLONELS

COMMANDING 105

3. LIST OF SIEGES AND BATTLES IN THE NETHER-

LANDS, GERMAN v, ETC. 113

4. LIST OF ADDITIONAL DISTINCTIONS CONFERRED - 117

5. LONG, LONG AGO ! 120

6. THE COLOURS OF THE REGIMENT 135

7. Bl-CENTENARY REUNION - - !55

8. PRESENTATION OF CHALLENGE SHIELD - 157

9. THE AYRSHIRE TERRITORIAL FORCE - 159

10. LADIES - 167

11. FOR AULD LANG SYNE - 171 GENERAL INDEX - - 173

COLOURED PLATES.

1. THE COLOURS OF THE REGIMENT - - Frontispiece.

2. COSTUME OF 1742 - To face page 15

3. COSTUME OF 1827 „ 42

4. COSTUME OF 1847 „ 44

5. COSTUMES OF 1860 - „ 59

6. COSTUMES OF 1885 - - - „ 67

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

OR THE

1Ro?al IWortb JSritisb

NOW THE

IRo^al Scots jfusiltets.

CONTENTS

OF THE

HISTORICAL RECORD AND REGIMENTAL MEMOIR.

YEAR

INTRODUCTION.

1678. Formation of the Regiment.

Appointment of Charles, Earl of Mar, to the Colonelcy. Armed with light muskets, and called Fusiliers.

1679. Rebellion in Scotland, and Murder of Archbishop Sharp. Attack and Defeat of the Rebels at BothwelL Bridge.

1685. Death of King Charles 1 1., and Accession of King James 1 1. Rebellion in Scotland excited by the Earl of Argyle.

1686. Colonel Thomas Buchan appointed to the Colonelcy, in the

place of the Earl of Mar.

1688. Marched from Scotland to London, on occasion of the Expected

Landing of the Prince of Orange. Flight of King James II. to France. Regiment marched into Oxfordshire.

1689. The Prince and Princess of Orange elevated to the throne by the

titles of King William III. and Queen Mary. Colonel F. F. O'Farrell appointed to the Colonelcy, in place of

Colonel T. Buchan. Regiment embarked for Holland. Joined the Army under the Earl of Marlborough. Engaged with the French at IValcourt. 1691. Encamped near Brussels.

xiv The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

YEAR

1692. Battle of Steenkirk.

1693. Battle of Landen.

1694. Performed many marches, and arrived at Deinse.

Directed to take rank and precedence as the Twenty-first Regi- ment of Infantry.

1695. Surrender of the Town of Deinse by Brigadier-General O'Farrell. Appointment of Colonel Robert Mackay, in place of Brigadier

O'Farrell, cashiered by a General Court-Martial.

1696. Proceeded to the Camp at Marykirk, and served with the Army

of Brabant.

1697. Appointment of Colonel Archibald Row to the Colonelcy, in

succession to Colonel R. Mackay, deceased. Treaty of Peace concluded at Ryswick. Regiment returned to Scotland.

1702. Death of King William III. Accession of Queen Anne.

Declaration of War with France and Spain. Embarked from Scotland for Holland.

1703. Joined the Allied Army at Maestricht. Siege and Capture of Huy.

Siege and Capture of Lijnburg.

1704. Marched from Holland into Germany. Engaged in the Battle of Schellenberg. Engaged in the Battle of Blenheim.

The three Field-Officers, Brigadier-General Row, Lieutenant- Colonel Dalyel, and Major Campbell, killed in obtaining the glorious victory of Blenheim.

Appointment of John, Viscount Mordaunt, to the Colonelcy, in succession to Brigadier-General Row.

1705. Completed with recruits from Scotland, and engaged in forcing

the French Lines at Helixem and Neer Hespen.

1 706. Engaged in the Battle of Ramillies.

Engaged in the Capture of Ostend, Menin, and Aeth, Appointment of Colonel Sampson de Lalo, from the Twenty- eighth Regiment, in exchange with Viscount Mordaunt.

1707. Engaged in Marches, £c., in West Flanders.

The Union of Scotland and England took place, and certain Additions and Alterations were made in consequence in the Colours and Titles of Regiments.

Contents of the Historical Record.

YEAR

1 708. Engaged in the Battle of Oudcnarde. Engaged in the Siege and Capture of Lisle.

1709. Engaged in the Siege and Capture of Tournay. Engaged in the Battle of Malplaquet.

Reappointment of Viscount Mordaunt to the Colonelcy, in suc- cession to Major-General De Lalo, killed in the Battle of Malplaquet

Engaged in the Siege and Capture of Mons.

1710. Engaged in passing the French lines at Pont-a-Vendin. Engage in Siege and Capture of Douay.

Engaged in Siege and Capture of Bethune.

Engaged in Siege and Capture of St Venant.

Engaged in Siege and Capture of Aire.

Appointment of Lieutenant-General Thomas Meredith to the Colonelcy, in succession to Viscount Mordaunt.

Appointment of the Earl of Orrery to the Colonelcy, in succes- sion to Lieutenant-General Meredith, removed.

1711. Engaged in passing the French Lines at Arleux. Engaged in the Siege and Capture of Bouchain.

1712. Joined the Army under the Command of the Duke of Ormond. Suspension of Hostilities.

1713. Treaty of Peace concluded at Utrecht.

1714. Returned from Flanders to England. Proceeded to Scotland.

1715. Rebellion in Scotland, excited by the Earl of Mar, in favour of

the Pretender. Encamped at Stirling, under the Command of the Ditkt of

Argyle, and advanced to Dunblane. Engagement at Sheriffmuir between the King's Troops and the

Rebel forces.

1726. The King's Troops advanced; the Insurgents retreated; the

Pretender escaped to the Continent ; and the Rebellion sup- pressed.

Appointment of Colonel George Macartney to the Colonelcy, in place of the Earl of Orrery.

1727. Appointment of Brigadier-General Sir James Wood to the

Colonelcy, in succession to Lieutenant-General Macartney, removed to the Sixth Dragoon Guards.

1728. Embarked for Ireland.

xvi The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

YEAR

1738. Appointment of Colonel John Campbell to the Colonelcy, in

succession to Sir James Wood, deceased.

1739. War declared against Spain.

1740. Removed from Ireland to South Britain.

1741. Encamped on Lexden Heath.

1742. Embarked for Flanders.

1743. Marched for Germany, and engaged at the Battle of Dettingcn.

1744. Encamped at Asche and Alost. Returned to Ghent for Winter Quarters.

1745. Marched to the Relief of Tournay. Engaged at the Battle of Fontenoy. Placed in Garrison at Ostend.

Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, landed in Scotland. Regiment ordered to return from Flanders.

1746. Proceeded to Scotland, and engaged at the Battle of Cullodcn. Removed to Glasgow.

1747. Re-embarked for the Netherlands. Engaged at the Battle of Val.

1748. Treaty of Peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle. Returned to England.

1751. Regulations, prescribed by Royal Warrant, for establishing

Uniformity in the Clothing, Standards, and Colours of Regi- ments, &c. &c.

Received the Commendations of the Duke of Cumberland, for Good Conduct in Quarters and Bravery in the Field.

Embarked for Gibraltar.

1752. Appointment of the Earl of Panmure to the Colonelcy, in

succession to Lieutenant-General Campbell, removed to the Second Dragoons, Scots Greys.

1760. Returned from Gibraltar to England.

1761. Embarked on an Expedition to Belleisle. Capture of the Island.

Returned to England. 1763. Proceeded to Scotland.

1765. Embarked for America, and quartered in West Florida. 1770. Removed to Canada.

Appointment of Major-General Hon. Alexander Mackay to the Colonelcy, in succession to Lieutenant-General the Earl of Panmure, removed to the Scots Greys.

Contents of t/te Historical Record. xvii

YEAR

1772. Returned from Canada to England.

1775. Commencement of the American War of Independence.

1776. Re-embarked for America, and engaged in the Relief of

Quebec.

1777. Engaged in Active Operations on Lake Champlain, at Ticon-

derago, and other places, with the American Troops. The British Troops, under Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, sur- rendered.

1781. Returned to Europe, and stationed in Scotland. 1783. Removed to Ireland. 1789. Embarked for Nova Scotia.

Appointment of General Hon. James Murray, from the Thir- teenth Regiment, to the Colonelcy, in succession to Lieuten- ant-General Hon. A. Mackay, deceased.

1793. Embarked for the West Indies.

Proceeded to Martinique to aid the French Royalists.

1794. Engaged in the Capture of Martinique, St Lucia, and Guada-

loupe.

Guadaloupe recaptured by the French. Appointment of Major-General James Hamilton to the Colonelcy,

in succession to General Hon. James Murray, deceased. 1796. Returned from the West Indies. Proceeded to Scotland to recruit. 1800. Embarked for Ireland, after completing its numbers.

1802. Received the Compliments of the principal Inhabitants of Ennis-

killen for its Excellent Conduct.

Establishment reduced in consequence of the Peace with France concluded at Amiens.

1803. Removed to Dublin.

The Establishment again augmented in consequence of a Re- newal of War with France.

Insurrection at Dublin.

The Lord Chief-Justice, Viscount Kilwarden, murdered by Popu- lace ; his nephew, the Rev. R. Wolfe, wounded ; and many other Acts of Violence committed.

Regiment assembled to suppress the Riots, and Lieutenant- Colonel Brown murdered by the Insurgents on his way to the Station of the Regiment.

The Command of the Regiment devolved on Major Robertson.

b

xviii The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

YEAR

1803. Received the Approbation and Thanks of the Commander-in-

Chief, and of the Civil Authorities in Dublin, for the Exertions used in restoring Tranquillity.

Appointment of General Hon. William Gordon, from Seventy- first Regiment, to the Colonelcy, in succession to General Hamilton, deceased.

1804. Measures adopted for Repelling the Threatened Invasion of the

French.

A Second Battalion added to the Regiment, composed of Men raised under the " Additional Force Act" in the Counties of Ayr and Renfrew.

1805. First Battalion embarked from Ireland for Portsmouth. Removed to Weymouth, and reviewed by His Majesty King

George III., and other Members of the Royal Family. Removed to Lewes.

1806. Marched to London to attend the Funeral of Admiral Viscount

Nelson, who was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar, and was honoured with a Public Funeral at St Paul's Cathedral.

First Battalion embarked for Sicily.

Second Battalion embarked from Scotland for Ireland.

1807. Hostilities with the Grand Seignior.

First Battalion embarked from Sicily on an Expedition to Egypt ;

landed at Alexandria, and marched to Aboukir. Peace with the Turks being restored, the Battalion returned to

Sicily. 1809. Flank Companies engaged in the Capture of the Islands of

Ischia and Procida, in the Gulf of Naples. Attempt made to reduce the Castle of Scylla. The Invasion of Sicily by Murat, King of Naples, defeated. 181 1. Second Battalion embarked from Ireland for Scotland. 1814. First Battalion embarked for I taly with a Force under Lieutenant-

General Lord William Bentinck.

Landed at Leghorn, marched to Pisa, thence to Lucca. Advanced to Genoa, and took Possession of that Town and

Fortress.

Second Battalion embarked from Scotland for Holland. Employed in the Attack of Bergen-op-Zoom. Hostilities on the Continent ceased. Abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Contents of the Historical Record. xix

YEAR

1814. Second Battalion embarked for England, and returned to Scot-

land.

First Battalion embarked for Sen-ice in America.

Defeated the American army at Bladensburg.

Advanced to Washington, captured the City, and destroyed the Arsenal, Docks, &c.

Marched back to St Benedict.

Re-embarked and landed at North Point.

Advanced towards Baltimore, and engaged the American Troops.

Major-General Robert Ross killed, and the Command devolved on Colonel Brooke, Forty-fourth Regiment.

Attacked and defeated the American Army at Godly Wood.

Colonel Paterson, Twenty-first Regiment, commanded a Brigade, and commended in the Public Despatches.

Attack on the Town of Baltimore abandoned, and the British Troops re-embarked on board the Fleet.

Proceeded to Jamaica, and there reinforced by a strong Detach- ment from the Second Battalion.

Re-embarked, and proceeded to make an Attack on New Orleans.

1815. Major-General Hon. Sir Edward Pakenham killed, and many

other Officers and Soldiers killed, wounded, or made prisoners.

The Capture of New Orleans abandoned.

Capture of Fort Bowyer.

Peace with America concluded.

First Battalion returned to the West Indies, and thence to Portsmouth, and proceeded to Cork.

Napoleon Bonaparte returned to France, and regained Posses- sion of that Kingdom.

The Battle of Waterloo took place.

First Battalion embarked from Ireland for Ostend, and pro- ceeded to join the Army under the Command of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington.

Formed Part of the Army of Occupation in France.

1816. Second Battalion disbanded at Stirling.

Reviewed by Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington.

Appointment of Lieutenant-General Lord Forbes, from Fifty- fourth Regiment, to the Colonelcy, in succession to General Hon. William Gordon, deceased.

1817. Proceeded to Calais, and embarked for England.

xx The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

YEAR

1818. Marched to Portsmouth.

Officers authorised to wear long coats.

1819. Embarked for the West Indies.

Received the particular Thanks of Major-General Lord Howard of Effingham, commanding at Portsmouth, for its Excellent Qualities.

Landed at Barbadoes, and inspected by Lieutenant-General Lord

Combermere. 1821. Proceeded to Demerara.

Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Nooth died, and succeeded by Lieu- tenant-Colonel J. Leahy.

1823. Insurrection among the Negroes at Demerara.

Received the Thanks of the Lieutenant-General Commanding in the West Indies, of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, and of His Majesty King George IV., for its Conduct in sup- pressing this Revolt.

Certain Sums voted by the Court of Policy of Demerara to the Regiment, for its Efficient Services on this Occasion.

1824. Removed to St Vincent and Grenada.

1827. Embarked for England.

Arrived at the Isle of Wight, marched to Windsor, and fur- nished the Duties at the Castle.

1828. Removed from Windsor to Portsmouth. Marched to Bath and thence to Bristol. Embarked for Ireland.

1831. Marched to Dublin, and embarked for England.

1832. Removed to Chatham.

1833. Embarked for New South Wales, by Detachments, as Guards

over Convicts.

1839. Embarked from Hobart Town for the East Indies. Arrived at Calcutta.

1840. Removed to Dinapore. 1843. Marched to Kamptee.

1 846. Removed to Agra.

1847. Removed to Cawnpore, thence to Calcutta.

1848. Embarked for England, and arrived at Gravesend. Marched to Canterbury..

Proceeded to Edinburgh.

Retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel G, Deare.

Contents of the Historical Record. xxi

YEAR

1850. Removal to Glasgow.

1851. Removal to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

1852. Removal to Hull.

1853. Removal to Dublin.

Death of Lieutenant-General Right Hon. Sir F. Adams, Head

Colonel. Appointment of Major-General Sir De Lacey Evans to the Head

Colonelcy of the Regiment.

1854. " Bladensburg " authorised to be placed on the Colours and Ap-

pointments. Embarked for Turkey. Battle of the Alma. Battle of Balaklava. Battle of Inkerman. Storm of 1 4th November.

1855. Attack on Redan, i8th June.

Attack on Redan, 8th September, and Fall of Sebastopol. Expedition to Kinburn.

1856. Removal to Malta.

1860. Removal to the West Indies. 1862. Gun Hill and the Yellow Fever.

1864. Arrival at Portsmouth.

1865. Removal to Aldershot. Removal to Glasgow.

1866. Removal to Dublin.

1867. Retirement of Colonel J. R. Stuart. Removal to the Curragh. Removal to Enniskillen.

1868. Removal to the Curragh.

1869. Embarked for the East Indies, and quartered at Kurrachee.

1870. Removed to Bangalore. 1872. Removed to Madras.

1874. Camp of Exercise.

1875. Removal to Burmah.

1876. Pipers authorised.

1877. Removal to Secunderabad.

1878. Retirement of Colonel Dalyell.

1 88 1. Title changed from "Royal North British Fusiliers" to "Royal Scots Fusiliers," and Uniform changed.

xxii The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

YEAR

1 88 1. Arrival at Dover.

1882. "Blenheim," " Ramillies," Oudenarde," " Malplaquet," and

" Dettingen," authorised to be placed on the Colours and Ap- pointments. Retirement of Major Grahame.

1883. Removal to Aldershot. 1885. Removal to Portland.

THE SECOND BATTALION.

1858. Formation of the Battalion at Paisley. Removal to Newport in Wales.

1859. Removal to Aldershot. 1 86 1. Removal to Dover.

1863. Embarks for the East Indies, and stationed at Bellary.

1866. Removed to Secunderabad.

1868. Removed to Burmah.

1872. Removed to Madras.

1 873. Embarked for England, and stationed on Arrival at Stirling Castle.

1874. Removed to Glasgow.

1875. Removed to Portsmouth.

1877. Removed to Scotland, and quartered at Fort-George.

1878. Removed to Ireland, and quartered at Dublin. Removed to the Curragh.

1879. Embarked for South Africa.

Engaged in Active Operations and Marches. Battle of Ulundi.

Retirement of Colonel Collingwood. Destruction of Sekukuni's Stronghold.

1880. Death of Major Hazlerigg. Grant of South African Medals.

1 88 1. Defence of Potchefstroom. Defence of Pretoria.

Protecting and Returning Colours of Ninety-fourth Regiment.

1882. Embarked for the East Indies, and on Arrival stationed at

Secunderabad. 1884. Removal to Burmah.

^ntrobuction.

PRIOR to the Restoration all the forces of horse and foot raised in Scotland were purely feudal levies. The armies raised to oppose King Charles L, and those after- wards raised in support of his son, come under this category.

In the time of the Civil War the proportion of horse and foot was allocated upon the counties and burghs in certain defined proportions, and the levies were placed under the command of noblemen from whose lands they were raised, or who possessed the greatest amount of influence in the district, the lieutenants, colonels, and majors being officers who had served in Scots regiments abroad.

After the Restoration, although the feudal system would seem at first sight to have been discarded in the process of forming a standing army, the alteration, so far as Scotland was concerned, was more apparent than real, those who were commissioned to raise troops or regiments doing so as exclusively as possible from their own relatives and vassals.

The earliest list of the Scots establishment extant is that dated 1678. It is as follows : —

1. His MAJESTIES GUARD OF HORSE.

2. His MAJESTIES REGIMENT OF FOOTE GUARD.

3. THE GARRISON OF EDINBURGH CASTLE.

4. THE GARRISON OF STRIVELING (Stirling) CASTLE.

5. THE GARRISON OF DUMBARTON CASTLE.

6. THE GARRISON OF THE BASS.

7. THE FOOTE REGIMENT COMMANDED BY THE EARLE

OF MARK.

xxiv The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

8. THE FOOTE COMPANY OF HIGHLANDMEN.

9. THE TROOP OF HORSE COMMANDED BY THE EARLE

OF HOME.

10. THE COMPANY OF DRAGOONS COMMANDED BY THE VISCOUNT OF KINGSTON.

By His Majesties command,

LAUDERDALE.* WHITEHALL, igth October 1678.

Many alterations were made in the above forces during the reign of Charles II., from 1660 to 1685, but " The Foote Regiment commanded by the Earle of Marr" appears to have remained intact, and amidst the various changes is still borne in the Army List as " The Royal Scots Fusiliers!' having been formerly known as the " Twenty- First Royal North British Fusiliers" and in the days of old enjoyed the sobriquet of " The Earle of Marr's Grey B reeks? probably from the title of the nobleman who raised the regiment, and from the colour of its uniform, or more correctly the nether portion of it, although it is still open to question and antiquarian research to substantiate the impression that the " Scots Army " of those early days were clothed in a complete uniform of & grey colour.

After the Restoration the comparatively small bodies of men who were intended to form the nucleus of a stand- ing army were raised by one unvarying method, i.e., by independent troops and companies, which in several cases were many years in existence before they were regimented ; to this arrangement " The Earle of Mart's Foote Regiment " was an exception, it having been formed into a regiment in the year it was originally raised from independent com- panies.

* From Ross's 77/6' Old Scottish Regimental Colours, p. 9.

HISTORICAL RECORD

AND

REGIMENTAL MEMOIR

OF

ITbe IRo^ai Scots f usiliers

FORMERLY

THE 21st ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

part i.

1678. The Royal North British Fusiliers derives its origin from the commotions in Scotland during the reign of King Charles II., who attempted to establish Episcopacy in that country, but was opposed by the Presbyterians, who wished to adhere to the religious institutions of their forefathers; and prosecutions being used in Scotland by the Government to enforce obedience, collisions occurred between the inhabitants and the military, which were sometimes attended with loss of life. Several Highland clans were called out in 1678, and quartered upon the Presbyterians, and in the autumn of the same year two regiments were raised from the troops then serving as independent companies, one of which was the Earl of Mar s regiment (now the Royal Scots Fusiliers), with the following establishment and rates of pay:- —

A

Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

" The Foote- Regiment commanded by the Earl of Marr.

Colonel, as Colonel, . . . I2s. per diem. Lieutenant-Colonel, as such, . 75. ., Major, as Major, . . .55. „ Quartermaster, .... 45. „ Chyrurgeon and Mate, . . 55. ,. Marshall, 2s. „

Eight companies of foote belonging to that regiment, and to each company thereof :—

Captain, as such, . . .8s. od. per diem.

Lieutenant, . . . . 45. od. „

Ensigne, . . . -3s- od- »

2 Sergeants, each, . .is. 6d. „ inde.

3 Corporals, each, . .is. od. „ inde. 2 Drummers each, . .is. od. „ inde. loo Souldiers, each, . . os. 5d. Scots."

The financial duties now performed by the Army Pay Department appear to have been combined with those of the quartermaster. By reference to ancient pay-lists, muster rolls, and Treasury payments, it will be seen that sums on account of the pay of the Earl of Mar's regiment were made on several occasions to Major Wood, quartermaster of tlie Earl of Mar s foote regiment and his successors.

The commission of Charles the fifth Earl of Mar, as colonel of the regiment, is dated 23d September 1678, and the corps appears on the records under the establishment for that year.

Most regiments at this period were armed with pikes and muskets, but the practice was introduced of arming every man of a few select corps with a fusil or light musket, and these regiments were called Fusiliers. The Earl of Mar's regiment was one of the first which obtained this distinction ; the exact date at which the regiment was so armed does not appear. It is also on record that the Earl of Mar's regiment in 1677 was ordered to form a Grenadier Company, to be instructed in all tilings belonging to artillery, as gunnery, casting of Jiand grenadoes, and fy reworks ; and

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

for which purpose a special equipment was issued to said company.

l679' During this year the regiment was engaged in repressing an insurrection of the Covenanters ; and under the command of James, Duke of Monmouth, took part in the battle of Bothwell Bridge.

1685. The Duke of Argyle having raised the standard of rebellion in Scotland against James II., the regiment formed part of the royal forces commanded by the Earl of Dumbarton. The opposing forces encamped in sight of each other on the I9th of June. The rebels attempted to avoid an engagement by a night march, but were led into a bog in the dark ; alarm and disorder ensued, the insurgents flying in various directions, and so left the Earl of Argyle without an army. After the termination of this service the Fusiliers occupied winter quarters in Scotland, being distributed as follows : six companies at Ayr, three at Glasgow, two at Paisley, and one at Inver- ness,— twelve companies in all, being the establishment at this date.

1686. The Earl of Mar was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by Colonel Thomas Buchan, from a regi- ment of horse.

1688. When the Prince of Orange was preparing an armament for the invasion of England, the Fusiliers was one of the corps which marched from Scotland to support the authority of King James, and in the early part of November, arrived in the vicinity of London. The Prince of Orange landed on the 5th of November, when King James fled to France. Colonel Buchan s regiment was ordered by the Prince of Orange to occupy quarters at \Yitney in Oxfordshire.

In this year two companies were added to the establish- ment of the regiment, and pay at the rate of 2s. 4d. per •diem first allowed for a "drum major."

1689. The Prince and Princess of Orange were elevated to the throne by the titles of King William and •Queen Mary.

Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

Colonel Buchan having adhered to the interests of King James, King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Colonel Francis Fergus O'Farrell, by com- mission dated 1st March 1689.

From Oxfordshire the regiment marched to Gravesend, where it embarked for Holland, joining the Dutch army commanded by Prince Waldeck ; served in the campaign of the year with the division under the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Maryborough. The Fusiliers took part in a sharp action with the French troops commanded by Marshal d'Humieres at Walconrt, in the province of Namur, on the 25th of August, on which occasion the French were repulsed in their attacks on the Allied Army with considerable loss.

1691* In March the regiment was encamped at Halle,, in South Brabant, and formed in brigade with the second battalion of the Royals. The French besieged Mons, but the Allies were too few in numbers to prevent the capture of the place by the enemy. After the surrender of Mons, the Fusiliers were placed in quarters until May, when they encamped near Brussels and formed in brigade with the Royals, and the Scots regiments of Mackay, Ramsay, and Angus, under the command of Brigadier-General Ramsay.

In a list of the army in Flanders, printed in July 1691,, the regiment is styled O'FARRELL's FUSILIERS, and its uniform stated to be red, faced and lined ivitli the same- colour.

At the termination of the campaign, it was again placed in winter quarters.

1692. A numerous French army appeared in the Netherlands in the spring, and besieged Namur, when O'FARRELL's FUSILIERS were called from their quarters,, and advanced with the army, commanded by King William III., to the relief of the place ; but the march having been delayed by heavy rains, the garrison surrendered on the 2Oth of June. A few days afterwards a detachment of the regi- ment was employed in an attempt to surprise Mons, but the garrison was found prepared. On this occasion Colonel Sir Robert Douglas and Colonel O'Farrell, having proceeded a.

of tlie Royal Scots Fusiliers.

short distance to consult with the Prince of Wirtemberg, who commanded the party, mistook their way in the dark, and were made prisoners by a detachment of French cavalry. They were released on paying the regulated ransom.

The FUSILIERS formed part of the advanced guard at the battle of Steenkirk, on the 3d of August, and were severely engaged with superior numbers of the enemy under the Duke of Luxembourg. The regiment distinguished itself on this occasion, and sustained the loss of many brave officers and soldiers. D'Auvergne states, in his history of the campaign, — " Our vanguard behaved in this engage- ment to such wonder and admiration that though they received the charge of several battalions of the enemy, one after another, yet they made them retreat almost to their camp." The corps in advance were not supported in time to enable them to persevere in their career of victory, and King William commanded the army to retire.

In this affair the following casualties occurred amongst the officers : — Killed, Captains White, Cygnoe, Mackenzie, and Sharp, Lieutenants Charles King and Edward Griffith ; wounded, Lieutenant Newton.

1693* Taking the field in summer, the North British Fusiliers were formed in brigade with the regiments of Leven (Twenty-fifth), Munro (Twenty-sixth), Mackay and Lander (afterwards disbanded), under the command of Brigadier- General Ramsay, and after taking part in several manoeuvres were engaged at the battle of Landen on the 29th of July. At sunrise on the morning of that day a French force of greatly superior numbers, commanded by the Duke of Luxem- bourg, appeared before the position occupied by the Con- federate Army, under King William III., when the Fusiliers, and other regiments of their brigade, were ordered to occupy some hedges and narrow roads beyond the village of Laer, on the right of the line. This village and ground, occupied by General Ramsay's brigade, being attacked by a nume- rous body of the enemy, the North British Fusiliers were engaged in a sharp musketry battle in the open ground. At length the Third Foot, and other corps in the village of

0 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

Laer, were forced to retire, but they rallied, and, being- joined by Brigadier-General Ramsay's brigade, the whole charged, and by a gallant effort recaptured the village. The regiment distinguished itself on this occasion. The French afterwards carried the village of Neer- Winden and the position. The regiments at Laer then became separated from the main body of the Confederate Army ; they gallantly defended their post for some time, and eventually retired fighting to the Gheet, forded that river, and joined several corps which had crossed the bridge of Neer-Hespen. The army was retreating, and the Fusiliers accompanied King" William to the vicinity of Tirlemont. The regiment had Captains Campbell and Strayton, Lieutenants Douglas and Dunbar, and Adjutant Walle wounded, Captain Paterson taken prisoner, and a number of soldiers killed, wounded, and prisoners.

At the end of the campaign the regiment was placed in garrison at Bruges.

1694* During the summer of this year the regiment performed many long marches in Brabant and Flanders, and in the autumn it marched to Deinse. This year the King commanded a board of general officers to assemble, and decide upon the rank of the several corps of the army. This board gave precedence to the English regiments, and gave the Scots and Irish regiments rank in the English army from the date of their first arrival in England, or from the date when they were first placed on the English esta- blishment. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, not having entered England until the Revolution in 1688, received rank as TWENTY-FIRST Regiment. Numerical titles were not generally used until the reign of George II.

l695- When the army took the field to serve in this year's campaign the Twenty-first were left in garrison at Deinse, where some stores of provisions were formed. King William undertook the siege of Namur, and the regiment was directed to join the covering army under the Prince of Vaudemont ; but it subsequently returned to Deinse, of which place its colonel, Brigadier-General O'Farrell, was commandant.

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

The French commander, Marshal Villeroy, detached a strong body of troops, under the Marquis of Feuqueres, to reduce the town of Deinse, where the Fusiliers were sta- tioned. This town was situated on the river Lys ; it was only slightly fortified, and in many places there was only an entrenchment and some palisades as defensive works. Eight pieces of cannon were the only ordnance in the town. Under these circumstances, Brigadier-General O'Farrell con- sidered it impossible to make a successful defence of the place, and he surrendered on the 2ist of July without having fired a shot. The Fusiliers became prisoners of war on this occasion.

Brigadier-General O'Farrell was afterwards tried by a court-martial, and cashiered, and King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Colonel Robert Mackay, from a Scots corps.

After the surrender of Nauiur to the Confederate Army, -the regiment rejoined the Allied forces, and was again sta- tioned at Bruges.

1696. From Bruges the regiment proceeded to the camp at Marykirk, and it served in the campaign of this year with the army of Brabant ; in the autumn it went into village cantonments. In December, Colonel Robert Mackay died.

1697. On the ist January, King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Lieutenant-Colour.-! Archibald Row, from the Sixteenth Foot.

Quitting their village quarters on the I3th of March, the Fusiliers entered upon the operations of another cam- paign. While the troops were in the field, negotiations for a general peace commenced at Ryswick, and the treaty was signed in September.

The regiment returned to Scotland in the winter, and was stationed there during the remainder of King William's reign.

While stationed in Scotland the FUSILIERS were most popular, and had no difficulty in filling their ranks with a superior class of recruits, in addition to providing drafts for other Scotch regiments serving in Flanders.

Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

1702. Queen Anne succeeded to the throne on the 8th of March ; and the French monarch having violated the conditions of existing treaties by procuring the acces- sion of his grandson, Philip, Duke of Anjou, to the throne of Spain, war was declared against France soon afterwards. At the commencement of hostilities the TWENTY-FIRST was selected to proceed on foreign service, and embarked from Scotland for Holland to serve with the Allied Army commanded by the Earl of Marlborough. The regiment did not join the army immediately on its arrival in Holland, but was stationed some time at Breda, and in September it marched towards Flanders.

1703. Leaving its winter quarters in April, the regi- ment marched to Maastricht, where the Allied Army was assembled, and with the second battalion of the Royals, Tenth, Sixteenth, and Twenty-sixth regiments, was formed into a brigade under Brigadier-General the Earl of Derby.

The TWENTY-FIRST took part in the operations of the campaign, and its services were connected with the reduc- tion of Hny, a strong fortress on the Maese, above the city of Liege, which was besieged and captured in ten days. It was afterwards detached from the main army to take part in the capture of Limburg^ a city of the Spanish Netherlands, situated on a pleasant eminence on the banks of the Wesdet. The siege of this place was commenced on the loth of September ; the FUSILIERS were employed in carrying on the approaches, and in making the attacks ; in seventeen days the garrison surrendered at discretion. In October, the regiment marched back to Holland, where it was stationed during the winter.

1704. From Holland the Fusiliers marched, in the months of May and June, to the interior of Germany, to arrest the progress of the French and Bavarians, who had gained considerable advantage over the Imperialists. A junction was formed with the Germans, under the Margrave of Baden ; and on the 2d of July the TWENTY-FIRST took part in the attack of the enemy's position on the lofty heights of Schellenburg, on the north bank of the Danube,

of tJie Royal Scots Fusiliers.

when the entrenchments were carried, and the French and Bavarians, commanded by the Count d'Arco, were driven from their post with severe loss.

The regiment had a few private soldiers killed and wounded ; also, Captain Kygoe, Lieutenant Johnson, and John Campbell, wounded.

After this victory, the North British Fusiliers penetrated the Electorate of Bavaria to the vicinity of the enemy's for- tified camp at Augsburg, which was found too strong to be attacked with any prospect of success, and the army retired in order to undertake the siege of Ingoldstadt. At the same time a numerous reinforcement of French troops arrived at the theatre of war.

These events were followed by the battle of Blenheim on the 1 3th of August, when the French and Bavarians, commanded by Marshal Tallard and the Elector of Bavaria, were overpowered by the Allies under the Duke of Marl- borough and Prince Eugene of Savoy, and a victory was gained which reflected lustre on the British arms. The FUSILIERS were selected to lead the attack against the French troops in the village of Blenheim, and their colonel, Brigadier-General Row, placed himself at the head of his regiment, which was followed by four other corps. In the annals of Queen Anne it is stated : — " The five English battalions, led on by Brigadier-General Row, who charged on foot at the head of his own regiment with unparalleled intrepidity, assaulted the village of Blenheim, advancing to the very muzzles of the enemy's muskets, and some of the officers exchanged thrusts of swords through the palisades ;" but the avenues of the village were found strongly fortified and defended by a force of superior numbers. Brigadier-General Row led the North British Fusiliers up to the palisades before he gave the word "fire" and the next moment he fell mortally wounded. Lieu- tenant-Colonel Dalyel and Major Campbell, being both on the spot, stepped forward to raise their colonel, and were both instantly pierced by musket balls ; the soldiers, exas- perated at seeing their three field officers fall, made a

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gallant effort to force their way into the village, but this was found impossible, and they were ordered to retire. The moment the Fusiliers faced about, thirteen squadrons of French cavalry galloped forward to charge them, and one of the colours of the regiment was captured by the enemy ; but the French horsemen were repulsed by the fire of a brigade of Hessians, and the colour recovered.

Another attempt to capture the village of Blenheim having failed, the firing was continued against this post, and the army advanced against the enemy, who was driven from the field with great slaughter, the loss of its cannon, and many prisoners, among whom was the French com- mander, Marshal Tallard. Additional forces were then brought against the French troops in Blenheim, and they surrendered prisoners of war. The Germans, who attacked the enemy's right, were also victorious ; and the gallant achievements of the Allied Army raised on the banks of the Danube, a trophy which time cannot destroy.

The Fusiliers had Lieutenant-Colonel Dalyel ; Captain Stratton, senior ; Captain Stratton, junior ; Lieutenants Vandergracht, Hill, Campbell, and Trevallion, killed ; Brigadier-General Row and Major Campbell died of their wounds ; Captains Craufurd and Fairlee, Lieutenants Dunbar, J. Douglas, Elliott, Ogilvy, Maxwell, Stuart, Primrose, and Gordon, wounded.

The prisoners captured were so numerous that the Fusiliers, with four other regiments, were sent to Holland in charge.

The colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on John Viscount Mordaunt from the FOOT GUARDS.

I705' The regiment was employed in the expedition up the Moselle ; and returning to the Netherlands, was afterwards engaged in forcing the French lines at Helixem and Neer-Hespen, on the morning of the iSth July, when the superior tactics of the British Commander, and the gallantry of his troops, were very conspicuous.

1706. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS also took part in gaining another splendid victory over the combined

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 1 1

French, Spanish, and Bavarian forces at Rainillies, on Whit- sunday, 23d of May 1706. During the early part of the action the Fusiliers, the Third Foot, and three regiments of cavalry, were stationed on the heights of Foulz, where they had a view of the field of battle.

An important crisis in the battle arriving, these corps descended from the heights — the Fusiliers and Third Foot forced their way through a morass, crossed the Little Gheet, ascended the acclivity between that river and the Jauche, and charging the enemy's left flank, drove three French regiments into the low grounds, when the greater part of them were either killed or taken prisoners. The Allies were successful on every part of the field, and the legions of the enemy were overpowered, and pursued from the plains of Ramillies with great slaughter until the following morn- ing, by which time nearly all the enemy's cannon, with many standards, colours, and kettle-drums were captured. This victory raised the reputation of the British arms, and was followed by very important results. Spanish Brabant, and many of the principal towns of Flanders, were rescued from the power of the enemy. The services of the regfment are connected with the capture of Ostend, Menin, and Aet/i; and it passed the winter in garrison in Flanders. In June of this year, Viscount Mordaunt exchanged with Colonel Samson de Lalo from the Twenty-eighth regiment.

1707. During the campaign of 1707, the services of the regiment were limited to marches and occupying posi- tions ; and it passed the winter in West Flanders.

The Union of Scotland and England took place this year, which occasioned St George's Cross to be added to the colours of the Scots regiments, and St Andrew's Cross to the colours of the English regiments. The corps previ- ously designated as Scots regiments now took the title of North British Regiments.

1708. In May the regiment took the field, and on the nth of July, participated in the battle of Oiideuarde, which was fought in the broken grounds near the river Scheldt. The regiment was engaged in a severe musketry

1 2 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

action, and it succeeded in driving the French corps opposed to it from field to field, until the darkness of the night put an end to the conflict. Before the following morning the wreck of the French army had retreated in disorder towards Ghent.

After the victory, the siege of Lisle, the capital of French Flanders, was resolved upon. This fortress was deemed almost impregnable; it was garrisoned by 15,000 men, com- manded by Marshal Boufflers, who resolved upon making a desperate defence. The Fusiliers were selected to take part in the attack on this important fortress under the orders of Prince Eugene of Savoy ; the covering army was commanded by the Duke of Marlborough. The regiment had several men killed and wounded in carrying on the approaches, and at the attack of the counterscarp it had thirteen men killed ; three officers, four sergeants, and sixty- six rank and file wounded.

The progress of this siege was a subject of peculiar interest throughout Europe ; and the besieging army made extraordinary efforts for the capture of the place, which were attended by complete success on the Qth of December, when the citadel surrendered.

1709. The regiment joined the army, and was em- ployed in covering the siege of Tour nay in July and August. The citadel of Tournay surrendered in the beginning of September, and the army afterwards marched in the direc- tion of Mons.

A numerous French army, commanded by Marshals Villars and Boufflers, took up a position at Malplaqnet, and strengthened the post by entrenchments and other works of defence. The Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene had confidence in the valour and perseverance of the troops under their orders, and they attacked the enemy's formid- able position on the I ith of September, on which occasion the heroic valour of the troops was conspicuous ; the enemy's entrenchments and abatis-de-bois were stormed with distin- guished gallantry, the determined resistance of the French was overcome, and another trophy was acquired ; but with

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 13

the loss of many brave officers and soldiers, including the colonel of the Fusiliers, Brigadier-General De Lalo, who was killed at the head of a brigade. In addition to its colonel, the regiment had also Captains Monroe, Wemyss,and Farley, killed ; Captains Montressor and Lowther, wounded.

After the death of Brigadier-General De Lalo, Viscount Mordaunt was reappointed on the 4th of September to the colonelcy of the Fusiliers. The regiment was afterwards employed in covering the siege of Mons, which was termin- ated by the surrender of the garrison on the 2Oth of October, when the regiment marched into quarters.

1710. On the I4th of April the regiment marched towards the frontiers of France, and was engaged in the movements by which the French lines were pierced at Pont-a- Vendin ; it was afterwards selected to take part in the siege of Douay, where it performed much severe service. It was employed in carrying on the approaches, in storming the outworks and other duties connected with the siege, and sustained considerable loss in killed and wounded. The garrison beat a parley on the 25th of June, and afterwards surrendered the fortress. After the capture of Douay, the regiment was employed in covering the siege of Bethnue^ which place was surrendered in August. The regiment was also with the covering army during the sieges of St Venant and A ire ; the former place surrendered on the 3Oth of September, and the latter on Qth of November.

Viscount Mordaunt died this year, and was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General Meredith, from the Thirty- seventh regiment. This officer was succeeded in December by Major-General the Earl of Orrery.

1711. After passing the winter in quarters at Dender- mond, the regiment joined the army in May. It took part in the movements by which the boasted impregnable French lines were pierced at Arleux on the 5th of August. The regiment was afterwards employed in the siege of Bouchaiu, in which service obstacles of the greatest magnitude had to be overcome, and the abilities of the commanders, and the valour of the troops, were put to a severe test ; these

14 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

qualities were found in the besieging army. On more than one occasion the soldiers fought up to their middle in water, and. by a gallant perseverance, which reflected honour on all the corps engaged, every difficulty was overcome, and the garrison surrendered on the I3th of September.

1712. The regiment joined the army commanded by the Duke of Ormond, and advanced to the frontiers of Picardy ; but a suspension of hostilities was afterwards pro- claimed preparatory to a general peace, when the British army marched to Ghent, and afterwards went into quarters.

I7I3' A treaty of peace was concluded at Utrecht ; and the Fusiliers could look back with exultation at the career of victory and honour which had attended their efforts during these memorable campaigns. At this period the regiment is designated by historians and in the official documents by the title of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, but the date when the honorary distinction of " ROYAL" was conferred upon it has not been ascertained.

I7I4' The regiment was stationed in Flanders until the decease of Queen Anne, on the 1st of August, and the accession of King George I., when it was ordered to embark for England. It landed at Gravesend on the 23d of August, and was afterwards directed to march to Scotland.

I7I5* This year the Earl of Mar erected the standard of rebellion in Scotland, and summoned the Highland clans to aid him in placing the Pretender on the throne. The Fusiliers were encamped at Stirling, under the Duke of Argyle, and advanced with the Royal army to Dunblane, to defeat the attempts of the enemy to march southward. On the morning of the I3th of November the two armies confronted each other on Sheriffmuir. On the approach of the clans, it was found necessary for the Royal forces to change position ; whilst doing so, they were suddenly at- tacked, and suffered severely. The left wing of the rebel army was overpowered, and driven from the field with great slaughter; and the left wing of the Royal army was also forced to retire ; thus each commander had one wing victorious,

UNIFORM OF THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS IN 1742.

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 15

and one wing defeated. The rebels were prevented march- ing southward and retired ; the King's troops returned to their camp at Stirling.

The Fusiliers had one captain, two lieutenants, three sergeants, and eighty-five rank and file killed ; one captain, one sergeant, and twenty-five rank and file wounded.

1716. Reinforcements having arrived, the King's troops advanced in January to attack the insurgents, who made a precipitate retreat. The Pretender and several leaders in the rebellion escaped to the Continent, and the clans separated. The rebellion was thus suppressed.

In July the Earl of Orrery was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by Colonel George Macartney.

I7I7~I727' The Fusiliers were employed on home service during these years ; and in 1727 they were held in readiness to embark for Holland, to aid the Dutch in their approaching war with the Emperor of Germany, but the presence of British troops was not required.

In the latter year, Colonel Macartney was removed to the Seventh Horse, being succeeded by Brigadier-General Sir James Wood.

1728-1737' Tne order for embarking for Holland having been countermanded, the Royal North British Fusiliers proceeded to Ireland, and were placed upon the establishment of that country.

1738. Major-General Wood having died, the vacant colonelcy was conferred upon John Campbell, afterwards Duke of Argyle.

I739~*740' War having been declared against Spain, in the autumn, the Fusiliers, after a station of twelve years in Ireland, were removed to England, landing at Liverpool. 174* • In the summer of this year the regiment was encamped on Lexden Heath, where seven regiments of cavalry and seven of infantry were assembled, and held in readiness for foreign service.

1742. In the summer, King George II. sent 16,000 men to Flanders, to support the interests of the House of Austria against the aggressions of France and Bavaria.

16 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

The Fusiliers formed part of this force, and were stationed for some time at Ghent.

1743- Early in this year the regiment commenced its march for Germany, and, after taking part in several move- ments in the field, had the honour to distinguish itself under the eye of its sovereign, at the battle of Dettingen, on the 2/th of June, when the French troops, under Marshal Noailles, were driven from the field of battle with great slaughter, and the loss of a number of standards and colours.

The Fusiliers had Lieutenant Yonge, one sergeant, and thirty-five rank and file killed ; Lieutenant Lcvingstone, one sergeant, two drummers, and fifty-three rank and file wounded.

An interesting anecdote is told of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS in connection with this engagement. The French Cuirassiers were bearing down upon the regi- ment, and would doubtless have worked a deal of mischief, had Colonel Sir Andrew Agnew, their commanding officer, not displayed great coolness and courage. Sir Andrew had not time to form square, but he formed them into a lane ; and before the Cuirassiers had time to draw up, they found themselves in the midst of a cross fire, from which there was no retreat.

After the battle was over, King George rode up to the colonel, and addressed him as follows, — " I saw the Cuirassiers get in among your men this morning, colonel. " To which Sir Andrew replied, in a peculiarly dry, pawky Scottish style, — " Ou ay, yer Majestee ; but they didna get oot again'.'

The following verses were written upon this incident : —

THE TWENTY- FIRST ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS AT DETTINGEN.

Attention ! all ye soldier lads, who love the Twenty-first, And hear one of its gallant deeds in homely rhyme rehearsed. On many a hard fought field, my lads, its laurels have been won, And always true are those who wear the number " Twenty-one."

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 17

It was when, in the olden time, they served in Germanic,

Against the pride and power of France, and all her chivalry ;

Sir Andrew Agnew at their head, they feared no foreign foe,

But sharp and sure the Frenchmen met, and dealt them blow for blow.

The Frenchmen did not care to face old Scotia's Fusiliers ; So, on the field of Dettingen, they launched their Cuirassiers, To charge the stubborn phalanx of the sturdy Twenty-first, And drive for ever from the earth the corps by them accurst.

As, from the Alps, the avalanche comes thundering to the vale, So charged the Cuirassiers that day, but never could prevail To shake the stout battalion that stemmed their wild career, And baffled them, and turned them back with many a ringing cheer.

Three times they charged upon the square, as often they rode back Disordered, to form up again, and yet again attack ; And then Sir Andrew grimly smiled, and from his square withdrew A section of its bristling front, to let the French ride through.

Amazement took the Frenchmen then, and laughter loud they raised : "Are Scotia's Fusiliers now led by a commander crazed?" And swiftly once again they charge, and ride straight thro' the gap, And then Sir Andrew, cannily, enclosed them in the trap.

The section once more fills the gap, and loud Sir Andrew's call : " Square ! Inwards face ! your bayonets will do when fails your ball !" And so it happened on that day, the fairest troops of France Were hemmed in by the Fusiliers, and captured horse and lance.

The battle din was over, and all was hushed and still, When the General met Sir Andrew, and thanked him with good-will : " The French got in among your men to-day on yonder plain." " Quite true, your Grace," said Sir Andrew, " but they didna get oot again"

The regiment was afterwards encamped near Hanau ; in August it crossed the Rhine, and was employed in West Germany ; but in the autumn it returned to Flanders.

1744- During the campaign of 1744, the regiment served with the army under Field-Marshal Wade. It was encamped between Asche and Alost, afterwards on the banks of the Scheldt, and subsequently penetrated the French territory to the vicinity of Lisle ; but returned to Ghent for winter quarters.

B

18 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

1745' Quoting its cantonments in April, the regiment marched with the army commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, to the relief of Tournay, which fortress was besieged by a numerous French army, which took up a position near the village of Fontenoy. The enemy had a great superiority of numbers ; but the Duke of Cumberland, trusting to the innate bravery of his troops, resolved to hazard a general engagement on the 1 1 th of May, when the Royal North British Fusiliers had their valour and endurance put to a severe test ; and they proved themselves not unworthy successors of the gallant officers and soldiers who triumphed at Blenheim and Ramillies, under the great Duke of Marlborough.

Soon after nine o'clock, the British infantry advanced in the face of a heavy fire of grape and musketry, and, by a gallant charge, broke through the French lines ; but the Dutch failed to carry the village of Fontenoy ; and a brigade under Brigadier-General Ingoldsby did not capture the battery it was intended to attack. The troops which had forced the enemy's centre were thus exposed to a severe cross fire, and were ordered to retire. A second attack was made. British valour and intrepidity were again trium- phant ; but the failure of the Dutch a second time produced disastrous results, and the British regiments which had carried the enemy's entrenchments and forced the centre were nearly annihilated by a cross fire. The Duke of Cumberland afterwards ordered a retreat, and the army withdrew from the field of battle to Aeth.

The Fusiliers suffered severely on this occasion ; Lieu- tenants Campbell, Houston, and Sergeant of the regiment were killed ; Major Colville, Captains Latan, Olivant, and Knatchbull, Lieutenants Maxwell, Colville, Ballenden, Macgaken, and Townsend, wounded ; Captain Sandilands, Lieutenant Stuart, and Quartermaster Stewart, prisoners ; eleven sergeants, and 259 rank and file killed, wounded, and prisoners. The severe loss which the regiment had sustained occasioned it to be placed in garrison at Osteiid. This place was besieged by a numerous French force, and

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 19

the garrison defended their post some time ; but the works \vere not in repair, the stores were defective, and the garri- son not sufficiently numerous. Under these circumstances the governor surrendered, on condition that the garrison should join the Allied Army.

While the regiment was in Flanders, Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, arrived in Scotland, and being joined by a number of Highland clans, he made a desperate effort to overturn the existing Government, and establish his father's authority in the kingdom. The Fusiliers were -ordered to return to England. They arrived in the river Thames on the 4th of November, and, after landing, marched northward. The efficiency of the regiment was increased by a body of fine recruits enlisted in Scotland.

1746. The regiment arrived at Edinburgh in January, and advanced with the army commanded by the Duke of Cumberland towards Stirling, when the young Pretender raised the siege of Stirling Castle, and made a precipitate retreat. The pursuit was retarded by severe weather, but the army continued its advance when the season permitted, and on the i6th of April encountered the clans on Citlloden Moor. The regiment was in the front line on this occasion, and took part in repulsing the attacks of the Highlanders, and in driving them from the field of battle with great .slaughter. This" victory proved decisive, and the rebellion was suppressed. The loss of the regiment was limited to seven private soldiers killed and wounded. It was en- camped a short time at Inverness, and afterwards removed to Glasgow.

1747- From Scotland the regiment was again removed to the theatre of war in the Netherlands, where it arrived in time to take part in the operations of the campaign of 1 747 ; and it was engaged at the battle of Val on the 2d of July. On this occasion the Allied Army was very inferior in numbers to the enemy, and although the gallantry of the British infantry was very conspicuous throughout the action, the Duke of Cumberland was obliged to order a retreat to Maestricht

20 Historical Record arid Regimental Memoir

Eight rank and file of the Fusiliers were killed ; one sergeant and fifteen rank and file were wounded ; and five men missing.

1748- The regiment was again in the field in the summer. Hostilities were terminated by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, and during the winter the regiment re- turned to England.

I749~*75*' The regiment during these years was. stationed in England until the end of 1751, when it em- barked for Gibraltar. Prior to departure it received the commendation of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cum- berland, on account of its good conduct in quarters, and for its uniform gallantry in the field.

In the Royal Warrant, issued on the 1st of July 1751,. for ensuring uniformity in the clothing, standards, and colours of the army, the following directions are given for the TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT, OR THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS: — " IN THE CENTRE OF THEIR. COLOURS THE THISTLE WITHIN THE CIRCLE OF ST ANDREW, AND THE CROWN OVER IT ; AND IN THE. THREE CORNERS OF THE SECOND COLOUR THE KING'S. CIPHER AND CROWN. ON THE GRENADIER CAPS THE THISTLE AS ON THE COLOURS, THE WHITE HORSE, AND- MOTTO OVER IT, NEC ASPERA TERRENT, ON THE FLAP. ON THE DRUMS AND BELLS OF ARMS THE THISTLE AND CROWN TO BE PAINTED AS ON THE COLOURS, WITH THE, RANK OF THE REGIMENT UNDERNEATH."

1752. Lieutenant-General Campbell was removed to> the Scots Greys, and Colonel the Earl of Panmure from the Twenty-fifth regiment, succeeded to the colonelcy of the Royal North British Fusiliers, by commission dated 2Qth April.

I753-I760* The regiment remained at Gibraltar until 1760, when it returned to England.

1761. In the meantime another war had commenced between Great Britain and France, and the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, mustering 800 men, under the com- mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Maxwell, sailed with

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 21

the expedition, under Major-General Hodgson, for the attack of the French island in the Bay of Biscay, called Belle-Isle. The fleet appeared before the island on the 7th April, but the coast was found like a vast fortress — the little which nature had left undone by rocks and crags, having been supplied by art. A landing was, however, effected on the following day. The TWENTY-FIRST was one of the regiments which leaped on shore, and stormed the works of Port Andro, under a heavy fire of cannon and musketry ; the works were found too steep to be ascended, and although the officers and soldiers made a gallant effort, one attempting to lift another up, it was found impossible to succeed, and they were ordered to return on board of the fleet. The regiment had three sergeants, one drummer, and eight rank and file killed ; eight rank and file wounded ; Lieutenants Innis and Ramage, and thirty-five rank and file prisoners ; many of the officers and soldiers taken prisoners were severely wounded, and unable to return on board the fleet when the order was given to retire.

A landing was effected on the 22d of April, at a rugged spot near Point Lomaria, where the difficult ascent had occasioned the enemy to be less attentive to that part of the coast ; and the troops, under Brigadier-General Lam- bert, having landed, gained the summit of the rock, and repulsed the attempts of the enemy to dislodge them — capturing three brass field-pieces. The cannon were after- wards landed from the ships, and dragged up the rocks ; the lines which covered the town of Palais were captured, and the siege of the citadel commenced. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS took part in the siege of the Citadel of Belle-Isle, which was prosecuted with so much vigour, that the governor, the Chevalier de St Croix, was forced to surrender on the 7th of June. The capture of the island was thus effected, with the loss of about 1800 men killed and wounded.

1762-1764. After the surrender of the castle of Belle- Isle, the regiment returned to England, where it was sta- tioned ; and in 1 763 and 1 764, it occupied quarters in Scotland.

22 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

1765-1769. On the 6th of May 1765, the regiment embarked for America, and was quartered five years in West Florida.

I77Q-I77*' In J77° it was removed to Canada, and was stationed some time at Quebec. In November of the same year, Lieutenant-General the Earl of Panmure was removed to the Scots Greys, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the Royal North British Fusiliers by Major- General the Hon. Alexander Mackay, from the Sixty-fifth regiment.

I772-I774- The regiment returned to England, where it remained until 1775.

*775' The American War commenced this year, and during the winter Quebec was besieged by an American force.

1776. In the spring the regiment embarked for the relief of Quebec. On the arrival of the British reinforce- ments, the Americans raised the siege and made a precipi- tate retreat ; they were pursued up the country and driven from all the posts which they occupied in that province. After these services \vere performed the FUSILIERS were quartered at St John's, where they were stationed during the winter.

I777~*780. The regiment was employed in active operations in the spring of 1777, with the armament com- manded by Lieutenant-General Burgoyne; it embarked in boats on Lake Champlain, and sailed to Crown Point,, where the troops halted three days, and afterwards pro- ceeded against Ticonderago ; but the Americans quitted the fort without hazarding the events of a siege. The regiment returned on board the flotilla, and, sailing along the lake, arrived about three o'clock on the afternoon of the 6th of July, within three miles of Skenesborough, where the Americans had a stockaded fort The Ninth, Twentieth v and TWENTY-FIRST regiments leaped on shore, and ascended the mountains to get behind the fort and cut off the retreat of the garrison ; but the Americans fled precipitately, and escaped with the loss of a few men made prisoners.

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 23

On the 8th of July the regiment was detached towards Fort Anne to support the Ninth, which was attacked by very superior numbers. The enemy was repulsed, and retreated towards Fort Edward.

To follow up these advantages proved a difficult under- taking— trees and other obstacles had to be removed, creeks and marshes to be crossed, forty bridges to be constructed ; but by great exertion these difficulties were overcome, and on the 3<Dth of July the army arrived at the bank of the Hudson River, which was crossed by a bridge of boats on the I3th and I4th of September; and on the I9th, the army advanced against the Americans in position on an island called Still Water, where a severe action was fought. Lieutenant-General Burgoyne stated in his public despatch : — " About three o'clock the action began by a very vigorous attack on the British line, and was continued with great obstinacy until after sunset ; the enemy being constantly supplied with fresh troops. The stress lay upon the Twentieth, TWENTY- FIRST, and Sixty-second regiments, most part of which were engaged nearly four hours without intermission. . . . . Just as night closed the enemy gave ground on all sides, and left us completely masters of the field of battle."

Several other actions occurred, and the regiment sus- tained considerable loss in killed and wounded ; among the former were Lieutenants Currie, Mackenzie, Robertson, and Turnbull ; and among the latter, Captain Ramsay and Lieutenant Richardson.

The circumstances under which the troops commanded by Lieutenant-General Burgoyne eventually became placed, assumed a desperate character ; their numbers were reduced to about 3500 men able to bear arms, they were environed by 16,000 Americans, their retreat cut off, and they were short of provisions. Under these accumulated difficulties they agreed to lay down their arms, on condition of being sent to England, and of not serving again in North America during the war. These conditions were, however, violated

24 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

by the American Congress, and the troops were detained some time in the provinces.

1781-1782. The regiment having returned home, was stationed in Scotland ; and at the termination of the American War, was placed on a reduced establish- ment.

1783-1789. In 1783 the Fusiliers proceeded to Ire- land, where they remained until the spring of 1789, when they embarked from Cork for Nova Scotia, and landing at Halifax, were stationed in the British provinces in North America nearly four years.

Lieutenant-General the Hon. Alexander Mackay died in 1789, and the colonelcy was conferred on General the Hon. James Murray, from the Thirteenth regiment.

I79°~I793« While the regiment was in North America, a revolution took place in France, and republican principles were extended to the French West India Islands, where the inhabitants of colour rose in arms against the European settlers, many of whom sought protection from Great Britain. Under these circumstances, the Royal North British Fusiliers were removed to the West Indies in the spring of 1793. The French Royalists of Martinique sent pressing applications for assistance, and Major-General Bruce, commanding the British troops in the West Indies, was induced to proceed with a small force to their aid. The regiment was employed on this service. It landed at Caise de Navire on the I4th of June, the other corps landed on the 1 6th. About 1 100 British and 800 French Royalists advanced to attack the town of St Pierre, but the Royalists were undisciplined ; they got into confusion, fired on one another, and so completely disconcerted the plan of attack, that the English General, not having a force sufficiently numerous for the purpose without them, ordered the British troops to return on board the fleet.

1794- General Sir Charles (afterwards Earl) Grey assembled a body of troops at Barbadoes, in January, for the attack of the French islands, and the flank companies of the TWENTY-FIRST were employed on this service. A

of tlie Royal Scots Fusiliers. 25

landing was effected on the island of Martinique in the early part of February, and after some sharp fighting, in which these companies had several men killed and wounded, this valuable possession was delivered from the power of the Republicans.

From Martinique, the Grenadiers, under Prince Edward (afterwards Duke of Kent), the light infantry, and three other corps under Major-General Dundas, embarked on the 3<Dth of March for St Lucia, where they arrived on the 1st of April, and the conquest of that fine island was completed in three days.

The flank companies of the FUSILIERS were afterwards employed in the reduction of the island of Guadaloupe. A determined resistance was made by the enemy; but the island was captured before the end of April. These com- panies had several men killed and wounded ; Captain Macdonald was also wounded.

After the reduction of Guadaloupe, these companies were removed to Antigua.

The loss of so many valuable colonial possessions was not regarded with indifference by the Republican Govern- ment of France, and in June a French armament arrived at Guadaloupe for the recovery of that island. The negroes and other men of colour flocked to the standard of Re- publicanism, they were instantly armed and clad in uniforms, the doctrines of liberty and equality were disseminated among this motley crowd, which led to a frightful catalogue of crime and bloodshed. The flank companies of the Twenty-first were called from Antigua, to aid in the defence of Guadaloupe; they arrived on the loth of June in the " Winchelsea" ship of war, landed on the ipth at Ance Canot, and were engaged in several arduous services, in which Lieutenants Harry Foley Price, Samuel Knollis, and J. S. Colepeper were wounded ; also several private soldiers killed and wounded ; but the British troops were not sufficiently numerous to contend with the Republican forces.

Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Grahame, of the TWENTY- FIRST, was appointed to the command of the troops in

26 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

Basse Terre, and he defended Bevclle Camp until the 6th of October, when he was forced to surrender, his force having become reduced to 125 rank and file fit for duty.

Three companies of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSI- LIERS were engaged in the defence of Fort Matilda, under Lieutenant-General Prescott,and the garrison made a resolute resistance, until the place became so much injured by the enemy's fire that it was not tenable. The fort was evacuated during the night ot the loth of December. One company of the Fusiliers occupied the rampart ; the light company, under Lieutenant Wm. Paterson, was stationed on the right of the breach ; and the third company, under Captain Mackay, was posted along the Gallion River. They thus covered the embarkation of the garrison and stores, and afterwards retired on board the fleet The three companies were reduced by casualties to one captain, three lieutenants, six sergeants, and ninety-two rank and file. Lieutenant- General Prescott stated in his despatch : — " That during the whole progress of this long and painful siege the officers and men under my charge have conducted themselves in such a manner as to deserve my warmest praise, bearing their hardships with the utmost patience, and performing their duty with alacrity."

General the Hon. James Murray died in this year, and Major-General James Hamilton, from the Fifteenth regiment, succeeded to the colonelcy of the Twenty-first Fusiliers.

*795* I*1 addition to the casualties in action, the regi- ment also sustained, during its services in the West Indies (and in this year particularly), severe losses from yellow fever.

1796. The Fusiliers, much reduced in numbers, re- turned to England, landed at Portsmouth, and proceeded to Scotland.

I797"I799- The Royal North British Fusiliers occu- pied various stations in Scotland, until June 1800, when it embarked from Portpatrick for Ireland, where its num- bers were increased to 800 rank and file, by volunteers from the Scots Fencible regiments, then in that country.

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 27

I80O-I80I. In October 1800 the Fusiliers marched to Enniskillen, where they were quartered nearly two years, during which time their numbers were increased to IOOO men by recruits. The good conduct of the regiment during its stay at this place occasioned it to stand very high in the estimation of the inhabitants ; and, on its removal, 100 gentlemen and respectable persons sent a memorial to the Commander-in-Chief, requesting that it might be again quartered at Enniskillen, and offered to defray the expense of removal.

1802, On the 1 5th of July the regiment arrived at Londonderry, where its establishment was reduced, in con- sequence of the Peace of Amiens having been concluded with France.

1803. The regiment was removed to Dublin in Feb- ruary ; its establishment was again augmented in the summer of this year after the renewal of hostilities with France.

An alarming insurrectionary spirit was manifested at Dublin in the summer of this year ; and on the evening of the 23d of July an immense number of persons assembled with firearms and pikes ; dragged the Lord Chief-Justice, Viscount Kilwarden, out of his carriage, and murdered him ; also wounded his nephew, the Rev. Richard Wolfe ; and committed numerous other acts of outrage and violence. At this period the regiment was quartered in Cork Street, Thomas Street, and Coombe Barracks, and it quickly assembled to suppress the riots. Lieutenant-Colonel Brown was murdered by the insurgents as he was proceeding from his quarters to head the regiment. The command de- volved on Major Robertson, under whose orders the regi- ment was actively employed in restoring tranquillity, in which service it had twelve men killed and wounded. The regiment received the thanks and approbation of the Com- mander-in-Chief in Ireland, Lieutenant-General the Hon. H. E. Fox, for its conduct on this occasion ; also, the thanks of the city of Dublin. Lieutenant Douglas, -who commanded the light company, and Adjutant Brady, particularly distin- guished tticmsclves, and were each presented with a piece of

28 h istorical Record and Regimental Memoir

plate by the city of Dublin, accompanied with the expression of the gratitude and admiration of the citizens for their gallant exertions.

On the decease of General Hamilton in this year, he was succeeded in the colonelcy by General the Hon. William Gordon, from the Seventy-first regiment.

1804, In July the regiment proceeded to Loughrea. Napoleon Bonaparte having made preparations for the in- vasion of England, his menace was met by a general display of loyalty and patriotism by the British people, who armed to repel the threatened invasion. Among the precaution- ary measures adopted at this period, an " Additional Force Act" received the royal assent in July. The men raised for limited service under the provisions of this Act, in the counties of Ayr and Renfrew, were added to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, and were formed into a second battalion, which was embodied at Ayr, and placed on the establishment of the army on the 25th of December 1804, and was quartered there till August 1806, when it went to Ireland. Its ranks were largely composed of Ayrshire men, and, from its lengthened stay in the county town, the inhabitants became quite attached to it ; several of its officers formed matrimonial alliances with some of the lead- ing families in the district. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, Major A. Campbell, and Captain M'Haffie, married respec- tively daughters of Oswald of Auchincruive, Provost Bowie, and Rankine of Drumdow. Captain M'Haffie became a lieutenant-general, and is still represented in Ayr by his daughter, Mrs William Cowan, Wellington Square.

The news of the battle of Trafalgar reached Ayr during divine service on a Sunday forenoon, November 14, 1805 ; and it was the second battalion of the Royal Scots Fusi- liers, under the command of Colonel Adam, that fired the feu-de-joie in honour of the event. This was done in the barrack square, on the regiment's return from church, in presence of a large number of townspeople collected at the north bastion of the Fort. It was in the same year that the second battalion of the Twenty-first Fusiliers, and the Ayr

of tJie Royal Scots Fusiliers.

and Newton Volunteers, to the number of 1300 men, were reviewed on the Town Green by the General Earl of Moira, who, on the occasion, was made an honorary freeman of the burgh.

Ten months after its departure from Ayr, the Royal North British Fusiliers were inspected by a general officer at Armagh. This was followed by a dinner, at which the General was entertained by the officers of the regiment. When the mess had broken up, an altercation took place between Major Campbell and Captain Boyd (both no doubt a little excited with wine) regarding a word of command which the former had given in the course of that day's in- spection, and in which he had been corrected by the Gene- ral. Major Campbell maintained that he was right, and that the inspecting officer was wrong. Captain Boyd replied that neither was correct, according to the army regulations. The dispute reached its height, when the captain pointedly reiterated that the word of command as quoted by him was right, and that it was wrong as given by the major. Camp- bell then left the mess-room, and went to his quarters, where, without sitting down, he drank a cup of tea with his wife, and returned to the mess-room just as Boyd was leaving it. Both went into a side room, where they re- mained about a quarter of an hour. It appears to have been at this point that a duel was agreed upon, for imme- diately after the interview Major Campbell delivered a box to a brother officer to be kept in safety, should the issue of the duel prove fatal to him. On parting with Campbell, Boyd went into the barrack square, and had not been there many minutes when he received a message to the effect that a gentleman wished to see him in one of the mess- rooms. Thither he went, and was shown into the apart- ment where Campbell was waiting. In a few minutes the report of a shot was heard, then another, whereupon a waiter and two officers went in, and found Captain Boyd wounded, and upbraiding his antagonist for having "hurried" him to fight without the presence of " friends." Subsequently, in answer to a question by Campbell, Boyd acknowledged

30 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

having said he was " ready " before the fatal shot was fired, and at the same time he extended his hand to his unhappy comrade in token of forgiveness. He died on the following day, June 24, 1807. The combatants had faced each other from opposite corners of the room, at a distance of seven paces, and while receiving his antagonist's bullet in his belly, Captain Boyd had directed his fire towards Major Campbell's head, which he narrowly missed. This was seen on a subsequent examination of the room.

Arriving in Ayr, a few days after this unfortunate affair, Campbell lived in concealment for several weeks among his Avife's relatives. A warrant having been issued for his appre- hension on a charge of murder, he was arrested in a tem- porary hiding-place in the vicinity of Greenan Castle, and conveyed to Ireland. His trial, which came off at Armagh on the 5th of August, ended in a verdict of guilty, and he was sentenced to be hanged. The verdict proceeded partly on the general illegality of the practice of duelling, and partly on the ground of this particular affair having occurred without the presence of witnesses. The most strenuous efforts to obtain the remission of his sentence were made by the major's friends, in which they were joined by the jury who had convicted him. A temporary respite was granted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in the hope that the royal mercy might be extended to the unfortunate cri- minal. Mrs Campbell, who was present at the trial, set out for Dublin immediately on hearing the verdict. Crossing the Channel in an open boat, she landed at Holyhead, and reached London within twenty-eight hours. Getting access to the Queen at Windsor, she presented a memorial, implor- ing Her Majesty's intercession in favour of her husband, stating the circumstances of the duel, and detailing his mili- tary services. Falling on her knees, she in the most pathetic terms solicited the intercession also of the princesses who stood beside their royal mother. In a personal interview with the Prince of Wales, Mrs Campbell enlisted the sym- pathy of His Royal Highness, who addressed the Prime Minister on the subject. The King, however, was inexor-

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 31

able, and the temporary respite having expired, the sen- tence was carried into effect, during Mrs Campbell's absence, on the 24th of August 1807. The unfortunate man, as well as his relatives, were importunate in their request that death should be by shooting, rather than by hanging. But this could not be conceded. It was a rumour of the time that poison had been secretly conveyed into prison, in order that the ignominy of the scaffold might be avoided, but that Major Campbell had on Christian grounds declined to avail himself of the means of self-destruction. When all hope of a pardon had vanished, he showed a dignified resignation and manly firmness. On making his appearance on the scaffold the entire guard, as a tribute of respect, took off their caps, and the major in return saluted them.

His body was brought to Ayr by a small coasting vessel, and landed at the Ratton Quay on the second day after his execution. It was received by a "fatigue party," which, out of sympathy for the fate of a brave but unfortunate officer, had been sent by the commander of the troops, then quartered in the barracks. These soldiers in undress con- veyed the corpse to the Old Churchyard — the relatives being also present, accompanied by the provost, magistrates, and other leading men of the town.

It was from the lips of one of the few original members of the second battalion of the Fusiliers, himself an eye-wit- ness of the event, that we learned the sad fate of another officer of that corps. Referring to the capture of New Orleans by the British troops in 1814, our informant said that on the first night after they landed Captain Conran, of the Twenty-first, commanded a detachment, and after being engaged with the enemy there were a number of them taken prisoners. Among these was an officer of the Ameri- can army, who delivered his sword and surrendered him- self prisoner to the captain (Conran) in command, who in- vited him to come and warm himself at the fire. While in the act of doing so, the captured American pulled a dagger from under his coat, and stabbed his generous captor to the heart.

32 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

1805. On the 30th of April, the first battalion em- barked from Monkstown for England, landed at Ports- mouth, and was subsequently encamped at Weymouth, where several corps were assembled, and was repeatedly reviewed by the King, and other members of the Royal Family, who expressed their high approbation of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS on every occasion on which the corps appeared before them. In the autumn the battalion marched to Lewes.

1806. The first battalion marched to London in January to attend the funeral of Vice-Admiral Lord Vis- count Nelson. The interment took place on the 9th of January, in St Paul's Cathedral. The battalion afterwards marched to Colchester; and in April embarked from Til- bury for Sicily, to protect that island against the French, and landed at Messina on the 26th of July.

On the 1 5th of August the second battalion of the Fusiliers embarked from Portpatrick for Ireland, where it was stationed during the following five years.

1807. The Court of the Grand Seignior having become involved in hostilities with Great Britain, the first battalion embarked from Sicily on the i/th of May, and joined the expedition to Egypt, under Major-General Alexander Mac- kenzie Fraser. The battalion landed at Alexandria, and marched to the camp at Aboukir. Peace having been con- cluded with the Turks, the battalion returned to Sicily, where it arrived in October.

1808. The first battalion occupied quarters in Sicily. l8O9' In June, Lieutenant-General Sir John Stuart,

commanding- in -chief in the Mediterranean, resolved to menace the capital and kingdom of Naples, as a diversion in favour of the Austrians, who were contending with numerous difficulties in their war with France. The flank companies of the Twenty-first were employed in this service ; and, after menacing a considerable part of the coast, which produced much alarm, the romantic and fruitful island of Ischiay celebrated for the beauty of its scenery, and situate in the Bay of Naples, about six miles

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 33

from the coast, was attacked. A landing was effected in the face of a formidable line of batteries, from which the enemy was speedily driven ; Lieutenant Cameron of the Twenty-first, who was attached to the British flotilla, attacked the enemy's gunboats with great gallantry and captured twenty-four of their number, but was mortally wounded at the moment of victory. The siege of the castle was undertaken, and in a few days the garrison was forced to surrender. The island of Procida surrendered on being summoned. Two valuable islands were thus rescued from the power of General Murat, whom the Emperor Napoleon had nominated King of Naples, in succession to Joseph Bonaparte, upon whom the Emperor had conferred the crown of Spain; and 1500 regular troops, with 100 pieces of ordnance, were captured.

An attempt was, at this period, made to reduce the castle of Scylla, but the large force which the enemy possessed in Calabria, rendered this impracticable. The battalion companies of the regiment were employed in this service, and had Captain Hunter killed, eight rank and file wounded.

A detachment of the regiment was sent, at the request of the inhabitants, to the town of Valmi, for the protection of the place ; but it was intercepted by the enemy, and Captains Mackay and Conran, Lieutenants M'Nab and Mackay, four sergeants, two drummers, and seventy-six rank and file were made prisoners.

l8lO. In the summer, General Murat assembled up- wards of 100 heavy gunboats, a number of others more lightly armed, and about 400 transport-boats, and brought 30,000 troops to the coast of Calabria, for the purpose of invading Sicily. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were employed on the coast watching the approach of the enemy, and were at the alarm-post, under arms, every morning two hours before daylight for several months. During a dark night, between the i/th and i8th of September, 4000 men, under General Cavaignac, made good their passage, and commenced landing about seven

Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

miles to the southward of Messina. The alarm being given, the Twenty-first regiment, commanded by Lieu- tenant-Colonel Adam (afterwards General the Right Hon. Sir Frederick Adam, G.C.B., head Colonel of the Twenty-first Royal North British Fusiliers), hurried to the spot, accompanied by two field-pieces, which were attached to the regiment, and prevented several of the boats from reaching the shore. As the boats were retiring, a few of them were sunk by the fire of the field-pieces. The regiment next turned towards that portion of the enemy which had landed, and had taken post on two hills. The " flankers " were thrown out, and a -fire of musketry was kept up until daylight, when the enemy, being cut off from the boats and surrounded, surrendered prisoners of war ; delivering up one stand of colours. The prisoners, amounting to about 1000 officers and soldiers, were marched to Messina. This repulse, with the destruc- tion of so many of the enemy's gunboats by the British and Sicilian flotillas, disconcerted the plans of Murat, and no further attempts were made against Sicily.

1811. In September the second battalion of the Fusiliers embarked from Belfast for Scotland ; and in this year sent a strong detachment of volunteers from the militia to join the first battalion in Sicily.

1812. Being still quartered in Sicily, in November the grenadier company of the Fusiliers (first battalion) pro- ceeded to the eastern coast of Spain, to take part in the war of Spanish and Portuguese Independence, under the command of the Duke of Wellington. They arrived at Alicante on the 2d of December, but circumstances oc- curred which occasioned their return to Sicily in the spring of 1813.

l8l3« Two companies (first battalion) proceeded to the island of Ponsa.

1814* The brilliant success of the British troops in the Peninsula, and of the armies of the Allied Sovereigns on the Continent of Europe, was followed by the embarka- tion of a body of troops for Italy, under Lieutenant-General

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 35

Lord William Bentinck and Major-General H.T.Montressor. The first battalion embarked for this service in February, under Major Whitaker (Colonel Paterson commanding a brigade), and landed at Leghorn on the I3th of March ; on the 23d it marched to Pisa, and on the 25th to Lucca. In April the battalion advanced upon Genoa; on the I2th of that month the enemy were driven from Mount Facia and yervi, and the British took post at Sturld. On the i/th of April, at daybreak, the French position in front of Genoa was attacked ; the enemy were driven from the strong position they occupied, and afterwards evacuated the town, •which was taken possession of on the iQth of April by the Twenty -first and other corps. The regiment had Lieu- tenant Sabine wounded ; one sergeant and fourteen rank .and file killed and wounded.

Meanwhile the second battalion had been withdrawn from Scotland to take part in the war on the Continent ; it embarked from Fort-George, on the 3Oth of December, landed in Holland on the loth of January 1814, and was •employed in the attack on Bergen-op-Zooin on the night of the 8th of March. One portion of the battalion formed part of the third column, under the command •of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Henry, of the Twenty-first, who was directed to draw the enemy's attention to an attack near Steenbergen gate ; the flank companies were .attached to the fourth column, under Brigadier-General Gore. Some severe fighting took place, and advantages were gained in the first instance ; but the attack failed, and a number of officers and men who had penetrated the works were forced to surrender prisoners of war. The battalion had a number of men killed and wounded on this occasion ; Lieutenant John Butteel died of his wounds ; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry, Captains Durrah and Donald Mackenzie, Lieutenants the Hon. F. Morris, H. Pigou, D. Moody, D. Rankin, and Sir William Crosby were wounded. Hostilities were soon afterwards termi- nated : Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated the throne cf France ; and in September the second battalion embarked

36 Histjrical Record and Regimental Memoir

from Ostend for Scotland, and landed at Leith in Nov- ember.

The war in Europe having terminated, fa& first battalion of tJie Royal North British Fusiliers was selected to proceed to America, in consequence of Great Britain having become: involved in war with the United States ; it embarked from Genoa on the I2th of May, and arrived at Gibraltar on the 7th of June ; and on the I ith, sailed with the Twenty-ninth and Sixty-second Regiments for the West Indies, where it joined the corps under Major-General Robert Ross. The fleet, with the troops on board, sailed from Bermuda on the 3d of August, and proceeded to the Bay of Cliesapeake, when the American flotilla fled for refuge up the Patuxent River. To ensure the capture or destruction of this flotilla^ the troops landed at the village of St Benedict, from whence they advanced to the delightful village of Upper Marl- borough, when the Americans destroyed their flotilla to pre- vent its falling into the hands of the British. The object of the expedition had thus been accomplished, but the army had advanced within sixteen miles of Washington^ and the enemy's force was ascertained to be such as would authorise.- an attempt to carry the capital. The troops, accordingly,. advanced on the 23d of August, routed some detachments on the road, and, encountering the American army under General Winder at the village of Bladensburg, gained a. decisive victory over a force more than twice their own, numbers, and occupying a position deliberately chosen. The light company of the regiment distinguished itself on this occasion ; it had two men killed, Captain Robert Rennie,. Lieutenant James Gracie, and eleven rank and file wounded.

Advancing from the field of battle, the regiment moved towards Washington, and was the first corps which entered that city ; it was fired upon by the Americans, and had sixty-eight men killed and wounded ; but all resistance was soon overcome : the arsenal, docks, and other public property were set on fire, and the conflagration of burning: buildings illuminated the sky during the night, while the exploding magazines shook the city, and threw down

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 37

houses in their vicinity. Having completed this service, the British troops marched back to St Benedict, and re- embarked on board the fleet.

Early on the morning of the I2th of September the troops landed at North Point, and advanced towards Balti- more, a division of Americans having fled from an entrenched position which they were preparing across a neck of land. Continuing to advance, the troops entered a closely wooded country, where they encountered a party of Americans ; and Major-General Robert Ross, mixing among the skir- mishers, was mortally wounded ; the command of the army devolved on Colonel Brooke.

Six thousand Americans, with six pieces of artillery, and a corps of cavalry, were discovered in a position in Godly Wood. The light brigade extended and drove in the American skirmishers ; the Forty-fourth, a party of marines, and a body of seamen from the fleet, formed line behind the light infantry ; the TWENTY-FIRST, commanded by Major Whitaker (Colonel Paterson commanding a brigade), and the second battalion of the marines, formed column in reserve ; and the Fourth regiment made a flank movement to turn the enemy's left. The signal was given, the British troops rushed to the attack, and in fifteen minutes the American army was driven from the field with severe loss.

The regiment had Lieutenant Gracie and fifteen rank and file killed ; Major Robert Kenny, Lieutenant John Leavock, two sergeants, and seventy-seven rank and file Avounded.

Colonel Paterson was commended in the public despatch for the steady manner in which he brought the brigade into action.

At two o'clock on the following morning the march was resumed, and in the evening the troops arrived at the foot of the range of hills in front of Baltimore, where 15,000 Americans occupied a chain of palisaded redoubts, con- nected by breastworks, and defended by a numerous artil- lery. Trusting to the innate valour of his little army,

38 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

which did not amount to one-third of the numbers of the enemy, Colonel Brooke made preparations for storming the hills after dark ; but, having received intimation from the fleet that the entrance of the harbour was closed up by vessels sunk for that purpose, and that a naval co-operation against the town and camp was impracticable, the enter- prise was abandoned. The troops retired three miles on the following day, and then halted to see if the Americans would venture to descend from the hills ; but, though so superior in numbers, they had no disposition to quit their works, and the British returned on board the fleet.

The season for active operations having passed, the fleet quitted the American coast, and the Twenty-first proceeded to Jamaica, where they were joined by a strong detachment (from the second battalion), commanded by Major Alexander James Ross.

An attempt on New Orleans was afterwards resolved upon. The fleet again put to sea, and on the loth of December anchored off the coast of Louisiana, opposite the CJiandeleur Islands, from whence the troops were removed in boats to Pine Island, in Lake Borgne, where they were stationed, exposed to a heavy rain by day and frosts by night, until the 22d of December, when the division pro- ceeded in open boats to a desert spot about eight miles from New Orleans, where the regiments landed, and marched to a field on the banks of the Mississippi. The TWENTY-FIRST followed, and arrived in time to take part in repulsing a night attack by a very superior force of Americans, when the regiment had Captain William Conran and two rank and file killed ; one sergeant, two drummers, and eight rank and file wounded, two men missing.

The army afterwards moved forward, and encountered many local difficulties. The Americans assembled a numerous force in extensive fortified lines and batteries, with armed vessels on the river ; the advance was checked, and some loss sustained. The FUSILIERS had Lieutenant John Leavock -wounded ; also several men killed and wounded.

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 39

l8i5- Arrangements were made for attacking the enemy's fortified lines at New Orleans on the 8th of January, and the FUSILIERS were appointed to take part in this service. Several circumstances occurred to delay the attack, which was made under numerous disadvantages. The troops, however, rushed forward with great gallantry, and a detachment of the Fourth, Twenty-first, and Ninety- fifth (now the Rifle Brigade), captured a battery ; but they were exposed to a dreadful fire, which brought them down by hundreds. Major-General Sir Edward Pakenham was killed ; Major- General Gibbs and Keane were dangerously wounded ; and success being found impracticable, the sur- viving officers and men withdrew from the unequal contest. Many officers and soldiers who had been foremost in the attack, and penetrated into the enemy's works, were made prisoners.

Major J. A. Whitaker, Captain Robert Rennie (Lieut- Colonel), Lieutenant Donald M'Donald, two sergeants, and sixty-five rank and file of the Twenty-first were killed ; Colonel William Paterson, Major Alexander James Ross, Lieutenants John Waters and Alexander Geddes, six sergeants, and 144 rank and file wounded ; Lieutenant James Brady, Ralph Carr, and Peter Quin wounded and taken prisoners ; Major James M'Haffie, Captain Archibald Kidd, Lieutenants James Stewart, Alexander Armstrong, John Leavock, and J. S. M. Fonblanque, eight sergeants, two drummers, and 217 rank and file prisoners; total loss, 45 1 officers and soldiers.

The capture of New Orleans appearing to be impractic- able, the troops returned on board the fleet. Fort Bowyer was afterwards captured, but hostilities were terminated by a treaty of peace, and the regiment returned to the West Indies, from whence Major Pringlc sailed for England, on leave of absence, and the command devolved upon Major Quin.

After a short stay at Bermuda, the regiment sailed for England ; it arrived at Portsmouth in May, and afterwards sailed to Cork, where it landed in June.

40 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

In the spring of this year Bonaparte had returned to France and gained temporary possession of that kingdom ; but his numerous veteran legions were overpowered by British valour at Waterloo on the i8th of June. The British army had, however, sustained severe loss, and the first battalion was selected to proceed to the Continent. It embarked from Monkstown on the 5th of July, landed at Ostend on the 1 7th, and proceeding up the country under Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, joined the army commanded by Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington, at Paris.

l8l6. Having been appointed to remain on the Con- tinent, and to form part of the Army of Occupation in France, the regiment marched to Compiegne, and occupied several villages in the neighbourhood of that place.

On the 1 3th of January the second battalion ivas dis- banded at Stirling, transferring the men fit for duty to the first battalion.

Towards the end of January the regiment was removed to Valenciennes, and in October was reviewed, with the Army of Occupation, by Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington.

On the death of General the Hon. William Gordon of Fyvie, Lieutenant-General James Lord Forbes was ap- pointed Colonel of the regiment, from the Fifty-fourth Foot, by commission dated the 1st of June.

l8l7» A considerable reduction being made in the British contingent of the Army of Occupation, the regi- ment proceeded to Calais, where it embarked for England, and landed at Harwich on the 2d of April.

1818. In May the regiment marched to Portsmouth. In June the officers were authorised to wear a long coat of a pattern approved of by His Royal Highness the Duke of York.

1819. The regiment embarked at Portsmouth under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel North, C.B., in March, for the West Indies, when Major-General Lord Howard Effingham, then commanding the district, in a letter to the colonel commanding, expressed the high opinion he had of

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 41

the regiment, with reference to discipline, conduct, and appearance, while serving under his command.

The regiment landed at Barbadoes in April.

1820. In September a detachment of 100 rank and file proceeded to Tobago, where it remained until January 1821, during which period it lost four officers and thirty- seven men by an epidemic disease.

I82I-I822. The regiment left Barbadoes in March 1821, when seven companies proceeded to Demerara, under the command of Major Leahy, and three to Berbice, under Major Champion.

In August 1821 the regiment sustained a severe loss in the death of Lieutenant-Colonel John M. North, C.B. ; he was succeeded in command by Lieutenant-Colonel John Thomas Leahy.

1823. Insurrectionary movements having been made by the negroes in the district of Mahaica, Demerara, in August the Fusiliers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Leahy, were employed in reducing the revolted slaves to obedience, in which they succeeded. For their excellent conduct on this occasion they received the thanks of Lieutenant- Gencral Sir Henry Ward, K.C.B., commanding the Wind- ward and Leeward Islands ; of the Court of Policy of the Colony ; of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Commander-in-Chief; and of His Majesty King George IV.

1824-1825. From Demerara the headquarters were removed to St Vincent in January 1824, and received the thanks of Major-General Murray previous to embarking. At the same time, the Court of Policy voted, as a special and permanent mark of the high estimation in which the inhabitants of the colony held the services of Lieutenant- Colonel Leahy, the officers, and soldiers, " FIVE HUNDRED GUINEAS TO BE LAID OUT IN THE PURCHASE OF PLATE FOR THE REGIMENTAL MESS," and " TWO HUNDRED GUINEAS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A SWORD FOR LlEU- TENANT-COLONEL LEAHY;" also, "FIFTY GUINEAS FOR THK PURCHASE OF A SWORD FOR LIEUTENANT BRADY,"

42 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

who commanded a detachment at Mahaica, and whose cool, steady, and intrepid conduct, aided by the courage and dis- cipline of his men, gave a speedy and effectual check to the progress of the revolt in that quarter.

The gift of 500 guineas was expended in providing a silver centrepiece, which, after sixty-one years, still adorns the mess table of the first battalion of the regiment.

1826-1827. In December 1826 and January 1827, the regiment embarked from St Vincent and Grenada for England, after a service of eight years in the West Indies, during which period it had lost by disease fourteen officers and 400 men. Previous to quitting those islands, it received an expression of approbation and thanks from Admiral Sir Charles Brisbane, G.C.B., governor of St Vincent ; from the Council of that island, and from the Commander of the Forces in the Windward and Leeward Islands. It landed at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, in January, February, and March 1827, and was removed to Windsor, where it had the honour of doing duty at that place during His Majesty's residence.

1828. From Windsor the regiment was removed in the spring to Winchester, and afterwards to Portsmouth ; it was subsequently stationed at Bath, and in October em- barked from Bristol for Ireland ; it landed at Waterford, from whence it proceeded to Fermoy.

1829-1830. The regiment was removed in June 1829 to Mullingar, and in May 1830 the headquarters proceeded to Kilkenny, with detachments at Carlow, Athy, Mary- borough, and Wexford.

1831. In September the regiment marched for Dublin, where it embarked for England in October, and landing at Liverpool, proceeded to Weedon.

1832. It was removed to Chatham.

1833. During the years 1832 and 1833, the regiment embarked by detachments in charge of convicts for New South Wales, Australia, and Van Dieman's Land (now the island of Tasmania), the last detachment arriving at Hobart Town on the 2d of December 1833.

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 43

1834-1838. During the years from 1834 to 1838, the Fusiliers were employed throughout the island of Tas- mania, and at Perth, Port Phillip, Swan River, and Western Australia, on detachment duty in charge of various convict stations, and parties on public works ; only two companies, with band and staff, remaining at headquarters. The duties were incessant, hard, and very trying, but, on all occasions, performed in such a manner as t^ meet the approbation of the Government.

1839-1841. The headquarters embarked from Hobart Town in February 1839, arriving at Calcutta in May, and proceeded to CMnsuraA, where it remained until May 1840. In August, headquarters and five companies proceeded by boats up the river Ganges to Dinapore, under the command of Major Picton Beete, followed shortly afterwards by the remaining four companies, under the command of Lieu- tenant-Colonel George Deare, who had joined from leave of absence.

On the concentration of the regiment at Dinapore, Colonel Deare assumed command, and for the first time for eight years the whole corps met together, much to the delight of those who had been so long separated.

The regiment remained at Dinapore until November 1842. During its stay at this place it suffered severely from cholera.

1842. Early in November, the regiment marched for Agra ; on arrival at Buxar, its destination was changed for Kamptee, in the Madras Presidency, where it arrived on the 6th February 1843.

1843-^844* The regiment was stationed at Kamptee.

1845-1846. Disturbances having occurred in Pun- janb, and a large army of Sikhs having assembled to attack the British, the Fusiliers, after a station of nearly three years at Kamptee, were ordered to proceed with all speed to the North- West Provinces, to strengthen the British force.

They commenced their long and trying march on the 6th of December, with sanguine hopes of arriving in time to take part in the active operations of the field.

44 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

On arrival at Agra on the 7th February 1846, — after having marched tJie previous thirty-four days without the interval of a halt, — to the great disappointment of all ranks, the regiment was ordered to occupy barracks at that station.

This step, it appears, was found necessary on account of the Rajah of Gwalior having shown some symptoms of disaffection»towards the British Government It was, there- fore, considered unadvisable to remove it further from Gwalior, being the only European regiment in the North- West Provinces not actually in the field.

At this particular time no regiment could have been in a more efficient state — a body of some eleven hundred men, thoroughly acclimatised, of splendid physique, in robust health, and inured to hard work by camp life, with long and constant marches — they were fit to go anywhere, and do anything. Some idea may be formed of the regiment's fitness to take the field from the circumstance that only fourteen men were in hospital, most of whom would in case of emergency have been able to bear arms.

1847* Leaving Agra on the I5th of January, the regiment arrived at Cawnpore on the 1st of February.

Orders having been received for return to England, and, as usual with all corps leaving India, its ranks were opened for volunteering to other regiments. With the temptation of a liberal bounty, 396 of its best men were induced to accept the offer ; and on the 1st of November the Fusiliers commenced their homeward march of 622 miles to Calcutta, completing the journey on the 3Oth of December.

On arrival at Calcutta, the offer for volunteering was renewed, and a further number of eighty-six accepted it, making a total loss to the regiment of 482 non-commissioned officers and men — a body second to none, men of t/ie finest physique, first-class characters, good soldiers, and thoroughly disciplined — .

While the regiment lay encamped on the glacis of Fort- William, awaiting embarkation, it was called upon to take

UNIFORM OF THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS IN 1847.

of tJie Royal Scots Fusiliers. 45

part in the reception ceremonial of the Earl of Dalhousie, the newly appointed Governor-General of India.

1848-1849* 1° January 1848, the embarkation of the regiment commenced ; headquarters, with three companies, proceeding on the 28th by the ship " Monarch," which, under the temporary command of the second lieutenant- colonel, J. T. Hill, arrived at Gravesend on the nth May ; the remainder of the corps, in three detachments, followed in due course by other ships — the last, the •' Tudor," arriv- ing on the 3d of June.

It proceeded to Canterbury as its first home station, after having been absent on foreign service for sixteen years.

Lieutenant-Colonel Deare having proceeded home by private ship, now joined and resumed command.

Consequent upon the large number lost by volunteering to remain in India, recruits had been raised to fill the vacancy to the number of 470, who were awaiting the arrival of the regiment at Canterbury.

In July sudden orders were received for the removal of the Royal North British Fusiliers to Edinburgh, to which place they proceeded by railway, and were quartered in Edinburgh Castle, furnishing detachments for Berwick-on- Tweed, Greenlaw Military Prison (now called Glencorse), and Leith Fort.

Shortly after its arrival the regiment sustained a severe loss by the retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel George Deare, who had commanded it for the previous ten years.

Any historical record of the Twenty-first Royal Scots Fusiliers would be very incomplete in which there was no mention of Colonel George Deare, or no reference to his work in the regiment.

This officer obtained his first commission into the Fusiliers, and he remained in it until his retirement from the army in 1848. He was its colonel and commanding-officer during the last ten years of his service.

When he succeeded to the command in 1840, after his return from leave in England, he found the state of the

46 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

regiment, in regard to drill and general discipline, very unsatisfactory. The cause of this was, that for the previous eight years the greater part of the regiment was broken up into small detachments, and scattered far and wide over Tasmania and Australia ; several large drafts of recruits joined soon after the landing of the regiment in India ; the men of these drafts had no knowledge whatever of battalion drill, nor had they yet acquired the spirit and tone of soldiers.

This was the material that Colonel Deare had to begin his work of reorganisation upon. He set about his labour almost single-handed ; the only one who could render him such aid as he thought worth accepting was Captain, after- wards Colonel, Ainslie, who was mortally wounded at the battle of Inkerman.

He began at the beginning — first squad, and then com- pany drill. He was a perfect master of drill, even to its most minute details ; he went from squad to squad, or from company to company, directing, correcting, and in- structing officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. By the end of the drill season of 1840 the regiment was fairly well drilled, and by the end of the succeeding season it could not be surpassed, perhaps not equalled, by any regiment in the service.

If he did not entirely originate, he resuscitated, de- veloped, and matured an admirable Regimental System which succeeding commanding-officers have been careful to maintain.

He was the beau ideal of a " commanding-officer ; " about six feet in height, well proportioned, and of such a dignified and soldierly bearing as to inspire respect. His word of command was surprisingly loud, clear, and " ring- ing;" he had an eye like an eagle, that could detect any unsteadiness or inattention in the ranks, front or rear, from No. I to No. 10 company ; and, as he knew the name of almost every man in the regiment, the offenders were at once indicated by name. It ought also to be mentioned that he was an excellent horseman, and was always well mounted.

of tJie Royal Scots Fusiliers. 47

As an " orderly-room colonel" he was unequalled ; pos- sessed of clear perception, and an unerring judgment, he was quick to discern the false from the true in any matter brought before him ; and no judge that ever sat on the bench was more free from bias or prejudice in his decisions. He was what is called a " light punisher" of the crimes that soldiers are ordinarily-guilty of, but anything mean, unmanly, or unsoldier-like, was visited by him with scathing reproof and well-merited punishment.

The men were proud of " George " (their pet name for him\ and they kneu> that he was proud of them ; they believed that their own regiment was the best in the army, and they were not mistaken.

It is not, therefore, to be wondered at that such an esprit- de-corps raised and maintained the character of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS to such a height, that even the ruinous sJiort-set-cice system has not been able wholly to destroy.

1850. After having been stationed nearly two years in Edinburgh, the regiment received orders to move to Glasgow.

During the regiment's unusually long stay in the capital of Scotland, it maintained the highest character for its conduct, discipline, and esprit-de-corps ; securing for all ranks, the greatest respect and kindness from the various social grades of the civil community, and cementing more strongly the connection of the corps with the land of its creation, by introducing into its ranks a goodly number of Scotch recruits.

Colonel Deare's retirement gave the command to Major Peddie, an officer of long regimental connection, members of Jiis family Jiaving served successively in tJie Royal North British Fusiliers from its first formation.

Colonel Peddie, shortly after his promotion, exchanged with Colonel T. G. Brown from the Forty-first regiment.

On the 5th of April the regiment proceeded to Glasgow, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel T. G. Brown ; two companies, under Major F. G. Ainslie, were detached

48 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

to Paisley, and one subaltern, one sergeant, and twenty rank and file to Dumbarton Castle.

1851. The regiment remained in Glasgow until April, when it received orders to move ; the headquarters to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, two companies to Carlisle, two to Sunderland, and two to Tynemouth Castle.

While the regiment was in Glasgow, an officer, Lieu- tenant Clemison, was accidentally killed by a fall from his horse.

Before leaving for England, the Major-General command- ing the troops in North Britain, conveyed to the regiment an expression of his approbation on account of its high state of efficiency and general good conduct whilst in Scotland.

1852. The regiment moved in February, the head- quarters to Hull, one company to Scarborough, three to Bradford, and three to Leeds.

On the ist of March the establishment was augmented to 850 rank and file.

On the 2d of April a detachment proceeded from Leeds to Barnsley.

l853' On the 5th of January a company proceeded from Leeds to Sheffield, to occupy new quarters.

By the retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel Thorpe, the command of the regiment devolved upon Major Ainslie, who succeeded to the vacant lieutenant-colonelcy.

During the station of the regiment at Hull, an experi- mental issue of 100 rifles was made; the pattern was that known as the Minie, carrying a conical bullet.

Colonel Ainslie, to encourage espr it-de-corps, instituted a system of granting distinctive badges of various descrip- tions to be worn by the best shots in the regiment. These, for the ten best shots in each company, consisted of cross muskets, worn on the upper right sleeve of the fatigue jacket ; the best shot in each company had his surmounted by a grenade, and the best shot in the regiment had the grenade surmounted by a crown. No money prize accom- panied these badges, the honour of wearing them luas considered sufficient.

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 49

It will thus be seen that the " Schools of Musketry" sub- seqnently established were anticipated by the "Fusiliers"

1853* I" June the regiment moved to Dublin, via Liverpool ; headquarters to Ship Street Barracks, four com- panies to Aldborough House, and two to Beggars' Bush Barracks.

An Industrial Exhibition having been opened at Dublin, Her Majesty and the Prince Consort visited that •city in August. On this occasion she reviewed the whole of the troops in garrison.

In October the regiment was inspected by Major- General Cochrane, commanding the Dublin District, and received much praise from him for its steadiness, good con- duct, and smartness.

The head colonel of the regiment, General the Right Hon. Sir Frederick Adam, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., died on the 24th of August, and was succeeded by Major-General Sir De Lacey Evans, K.C.B.

1854* By Horse Guards letter, dated /th January, Her Majesty was pleased to authorise the word "Bladens- ,burg" to be borne on the colours and appointments of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS. In March orders were received to hold the regiment in readiness for such .active service as might be required.

On the loth of May orders were given for an aug- mentation to twelve companies, with a total strength of 1400 non-commissioned officers and men.

In June positive orders were issued to prepare for immediate embarkation for Turkey.

On the 3d of August the regiment proceeded to Cork for embarkation for the seat of war in Turkey, leaving its •depot, consisting of four companies, at Buttevant.

On its departure from Dublin, in addition to receiving .expressions of high approval as to conduct, appearance, and discipline, from the military authorities, the press of that •city was unanimous in its comments upon its uniform good conduct during its stay, and its splendid appearance.

On arrival at Cork, it was inspected by Major-General

50 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

Mansfield, commanding that district (an officer not easily pleased).

He inspected most minutely Nos. I and 2 and the front rank of No. 3 Companies, when he ceased, exclaiming aloud, — " TJiat will do, Colonel Ainslie, close your ranks, and march past ; I never inspected sucli a regiment !! "

With regard to the Fusiliers on this occasion, the Cork Times' correspondent writes, " The equal of the Fusiliers- never paraded in Cork barrack square ', not even excepting the Guards !! "

On the 1 5th of August the regiment embarked on board the " Golden Fleece," sailed for the Black Sea,, joined the army in Varna Bay on the 4th of September,, and formed part of the Fourth Division, under the com- mand of Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart.

The Allied Army sailed on the following morning, and reached Old Fort on the I4th of September.

The regiment bivouacked on the seashore, where it landed. A night of heavy rain followed, and being without any shelter, both the clothes worn by the men and the change carried in their folded greatcoats were thoroughly drenched, — an ominous introduction to the subsequent hardships of the campaign.

During the few days of its stay here, cholera broke out,, and many sick had to be re-embarked.

On the 1 9th of September the army commenced its. march in the direction of Sevastopol. During the advance this day the regiment suffered severely from heat, want of water, and sickness ; many men fell out of the ranks in conse- quence. The army bivouacked on the banks of the Bulganac^

At daylight, on the morning of the 2Oth of September,, the division of which the Fusiliers formed a part was again under arms, advanced in support, and at noon came in full view of the Russian army strongly posted on the Heights of Alma.

The action commenced about two o'clock, and was fought in about two hours and a half. The regiment bivouacked on the heights for the night. The two follow-

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 51

ing days (2ist and 22d) were occupied in removing the wounded, and burying the dead.

On the morning of the 23d, the regiment resumed its march in the direction of the river KatcJika, on the banks of which it arrived about three P.M., and bivouacked for the night. On the 24th, the march was continued towards the Belbec River, on the banks of which a halt for the night was made.

On the 25th the Fourth Division and the 4th Light Dragoons remained on the Belbec to protect the com- munication with the Katchka, and to allow the sick being sent to that place for embarkation on board the fleet.

The remainder of the Allied Army, in the meantime, moved forward. On the 26th, the march was resumed in the direction of "^lackenzies Farm" passing through a very thick wood ; the farm was reached about three o'clock, and after descending to the banks of the " Tchernaya" the troops bivouacked for the night.

The following day (the 2/th) the regiment marched to the heights above Sebastopol, its permanent camping-ground during the whole siege.

On the morning of the 25th of October a staff officer galloped suddenly into camp, and conveyed an order to the commanding-officer directing the regiment to proceed with all despatch to the plain of Balaklava, to act in con- junction with the other regiments of the Fourth Division, to repel an attempted attack by the Russians upon that place. No time was lost, each regiment proceeded as quickly as possible ; the distance was about six miles ; and nearly the whole of it was performed at the "double" The regiment remained in the field the whole of the day, but the battle was one of cavalry and artillery, the only infantry engaged being the NINETY-THIRD SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS.

The Fourth Division returned to its camp in the evening.

On the 5th of November the ever memorable battle of Inkerman was fought — " The Soldiers' Battle" as it has been termed, where a Russian army, numbering as ten to

52 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

one compared with the British, was completely defeated with great loss.

To give full details of the engagement and movements would in an historical record occupy too much space ; suffice it to say, the FUSILIERS on this occasion greatly distinguished themselves.

The right wing was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel

F. G. Ainslie, until mortally wounded, when Lieutenant- Colonel F. P. Haines succeeded ; the left wing was under Lieutenant-Colonel Lord West.

The gallantry displayed by every man of the regiment was beyond all praise. Kinglake, in his description of the battle of Inkerman, speaks of them as "those superb Fusiliers " and " most magnificent troops" During the action, when broken up into small parties, they held the most forward and important positions, and mere hands- ful of them charged and repulsed large battalions of Russians.

The regiment suffered severely in this action. Of 402 men who went into the field, seven officers, six sergeants, and 1 14 men were killed or wounded ; Lieutenant E. Hurt, killed ; Colonel Ainslie, mortally wounded ; Captain

G. N. Boldero, Lieutenants Stephens and Killeen, severely; Lieutenant King, dangerously; and Lieutenant Temple- man, slightly.

Many incidents might be recorded of individual gal- lantry, as, for instance, that of Private Patrick M'Guire, who, being considerably in advance of his comrades after making a charge, and finding himself isolated, took shelter behind a rock, where he was shortly attacked by three Russians, who attempted to take him prisoner. After a desperate struggle, M'Guire succeeded in shooting one, bayonetting another, and brought in the third as his pri- soner. For this spirited action, he was awarded the medal for gallant conduct in the field. Another noteworthy inci- dent. Lieutenant Hurt, who fell in advance, and was supposed for a time to be dead, was observed by Colonel Haines to be still alive. He called the attention

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 53

of Colour-Sergeants Rutherford and Higdon, who were then firing from under cover, to the fact, and asked them to move out and bring in the wounded officer. A most withering fire of grape-shot rained over this part of the field at the time, yet these brave sergeants, regardless of all danger to themselves, at once ran out and lifted their wounded officer, but their effort was of no avail, as he was struck by another shot and killed in their arms.

It may not be out of place to record here a few words regarding Lieutenant Roger Killeen, who was promoted to a commission after a lengthened service in the ranks. In all positions, he was respected as a man of high aspirations, an indefatigable and conscientious soldier, and with a soul of honour. Although severely wounded while carrying the regimental colour, he, from devotion to his regiment, and a feeling of determination, declined to leave the field, and still held on until the action was over. He continued to do his duty throughout the siege, and never gave way, but, by his example, encouraged his men to perform their duties with stubborn pertinacity. Noble old man ! He retired with the rank of major, and is since dead.

The regiment sustained a severe loss by the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Ainslie (the last but one of the old Fusiliers). Although a strict commanding-officer, he was a brave man, ever exhibiting the greatest anxiety to main- tain the character of his regiment ; his untimely death was much felt, more especially when the services of men of his stamp were so much needed.

The command now devolved upon Major John Ramsay Stuart, the only survivor of the old Fusiliers, he having always served in the Twenty-first.

On the morning of the battle of Inkerman a great number of the non-commissioned officers and men had only been relieved from duty in the trenches, where they had been for the previous twenty-four hours ; they were just in time to take part in the action.

The total strength of the enemy in the field, actually engaged, was 71,841, with 271 guns ; while the British force

54 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

only numbered 7464, afterwards reinforced at the end of the action by 8219 French.

The operations being all over, the regiment returned to camp at five P.M.

The following tribute to the character of Lieutenant- Colonel Lord West, appears in Kinglake's Invasion of the Crimea, and holding as he did, a distinguished position on this occasion, the extract will, no doubt, be found interest- ing : — " Lord West (the late Earl De la Warre) commanded a wing of the Twenty-first Fusiliers, the regiment to which Colonel Haines belonged. In anticipation of a probable conflict on Mount Inkerman, these two gifted officers had the forethought to go over the field some days before, and it may be inferred that the important part they both took in the action was in some measure owing to a knowledge of the ground thus wisely acquired beforehand. Although communicating to me full information on other objects, the late Earl abstained from volunteering any statements of the part he had taken in bringing the Inkerman Battle to its final crisis, and I am assured this abnegation of self, con- joined with fearless assumption of power already recorded, was thoroughly characteristic of his exalted nature. ' A splendid soldier,' writes one brother officer of him, * no truer gentleman, no more honest or braver man ever lived.' "

i fth November 1854.. — On this day the army suffered from an enemy of another kind, — a storm, the equal of which has rarely been experienced. The tents almost all were blown down, all had to take shelter from the pelting storm of wind, rain, and sleet, behind low stone ditches, so low, as only to give shelter to men in a crouching position. Fortunately, the wounded of Inkerman had been sent to Scutari five days previously. This day began the winter's miseries and sufferings of the Crimean Army, so much spoken of, and ever to be remembered by those who ex- perienced them.

After this, hardship and troubles every day increased ; clothing began to wear out without any prospect of renewal ; rations became scarce, in consequence of the difficulty ex-

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 55

perienced in bringing them from Balaklava. The roads between it and the camp, a distance of seven miles, had become so heavy and bad as to be nearly impassable ; it was not unusual for the mules bringing up the provisions to sink in the mud, taxing the combined strength of the drivers to extricate them. At last, even the mules failed, a sufficient number could not be had to perform this duty, and in the absence of them, the regiment had to detail fatigue parties to take their place.

In many cases, after spending a miserable night in the trenches, up to their knees in sludge or half frozen to death, these men had to go to Balaklava for food, which frequently consisted of a scanty ration of biscuit and rum.

With scarceness of food, clothing, and fuel, sickness soon did its fatal work amongst the regiment. The ration of salt meat had to be used in its raw state, the allowance of green coffee had now become useless, there being no means to roast or grind it, consequently it was left on the ground unused after being issued to the men.

Some idea may be formed of the intensity of the cold, from the fact that the men's moustaches during the night became solid lumps of ice, and their whiskers froze to their threadbare blankets.

Although the privations suffered by the regiment were very great, they were not so great as that of some other corps ; and this was mainly, or entirely, owing to the inde- fatigable exertions made by the Regimental Quartermaster's Department.

From early in October 1854 up to the end of the siege, the regiment was busily occupied, either as working parties constructing batteries and approaches, or guarding the same ; when not so employed it furnished fatigue parties for bringing rations from Balaklava, or carrying shot and shell to the trenches. So continuous and excessive was the labour, that the men in an average were eleven out of four- teen nights in the trenches, either as working or covering parties. The misery and monotony of trench duty was sometimes enlivened by sorties by the Russians.

56 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

On the 22d of March 1855, when the regiment furnished working and covering parties, a sortie was made in force all along the line, and after some severe righting the enemy were driven back at every point, leaving many dead and wounded ; the loss of the regiment amounted to four killed and seven wounded.

On the 4th of April 1855, when under a heavy cannon- ade, a shell fell into the trench ; Private William Watt, No. 5 Company, with great presence of mind, took it up and threw it over the parapet, when it exploded. The act was performed in the coolest manner, and did not seem to the actor as anything worth talking about.

On the night of the /th June 1855, strong parties from the British and French advanced to the attack on the Mamelon and Quarries ; the Twenty-first Fusiliers furnished a strong party under Lieutenants J. G. Image and S. H. Clarke. The attack continued the whole night without intermission, resulting in the capture of the quarries, with a loss to the regiment of one killed and two wounded.

After the capture of the quarries it was decided by a council of war, that the works should be stormed and the town taken, the iSth of June being fixed for the attack.

On the evening of the i/th of June, the Fusiliers paraded on Cathcart's Hill to be " told off" for their different duties on the morrow ; one hundred men were detailed to carry woolsacks to fill up the trench in front of the great Russian Redan, an equal force was allotted for carrying and planting escalading ladders, the remainder of the regiment formed a storming party. The men were then dismissed to take what rest they could, having been ordered to parade again at midnight.

Exactly at twelve o'clock P.M., the parade was again formed, each man furnished with one hundred rounds of ammunition. All were in readiness to march off, when Lord West, the commanding-officer, addressed his men as follows : — " Fusiliers, you will have hard work to perform, but I have every confidence in you. I know that you will retain the honour which you gained on the field of Inkerman, and

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 57

whoever he may be who is spared to come out of this night's work, if we meet in after-years, will not be lost sight of by me. In conclusion, have your hearts in your hands ready to dash them over the parapet and follow them." Each party then marched off to take the position in the advanced trench, to await the signal for attack, which was given just as day was breaking ; the woolsack and ladder parties cleared the parapet at a bound, never stopping until they reached the Russian trench ; this was accomplished under a deadly fire from the enemy's guns, which had opened all along the Russian line at a given signal.

Close behind came the storming parties led by General Sir John Campbell, up to the mouths of the enemy's guns, only to be shot dead beneath them. At this point, through some mismanagement, the reinforcements did not come up, consequently the attack failed ; after holding their ground in the enemy's trench for upwards of half-an-hour, the parties had to retire under a most terrific fire of grape and canister. The regiment suffered very severely on this occasion.

On the night of the I5th August 1855, a sortie in force upon the advanced trenches was frustrated by the vigilant alertness of a party of the regiment under the command of Lieutenant R. C. Winsloe ; the object of the intended sortie, doubtless, was to prevent assistance being rendered to the French and Sardinians on the Tchernaya, on whom an attack had been made.

On the death of Lord Raglan, General Simpson, who succeeded to the command, ordered another attack to be made on the Russian position on the 8th September 1855. The Fusiliers, on this occasion, were in reserve. The attack was made simultaneously at twelve neon ; the French attacking the Malakoff, and the British the Great Redan, — the former driving out the Russians, who retired into the Redan, and strengthened the place still further against the British attack.

The fight continued till late in the afternoon, when the British troops were ordered to retire, the Fourth Division

58 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

and Highland Brigade being directed to take up position in the British advanced trenches, ready to renew the attack on the following morning ; but, as the Russians had eva- cuated the Redan during the night, the services of these troops were not required.

With the fall of the Malakoff and Redan, and the retire- ment of the Russians across the harbour to the north side, Sebastopol was captured, and its siege concluded.

On the /th of October 1855, the Fusiliers and four other regiments of the Fourth Division, under the command of Brigadier the Hon. A. Spencer, and an equal force of the French army, were embarked on board the Allied Fleet in Kamiesh Bay, under sealed orders ; the Fusiliers, on board H.M.S. " Hannibal," flagshipof Admiral Sir Houston Stewart, K.C.B., and commanded by the Right Hon. Captain C. D. Hay, C.B.

The expedition sailed the same night, and two days later arrived in front of Odessa^ taking up a position before the arsenal.

This was only a feint, and intended to draw off the troops from Kinburn, the intended point of attack. The feint succeeded. On the morning of the I4th the Allied Fleets steamed off from Odessa towards Kinburn, which was reached on the I5th. The troops were immediately landed upon a desolate, sandy spit, and encamped in line in front of the fortifications. The fleets opened fire, and after a bombardment of about two hours, the whole of the works surrendered ; 1420 prisoners were taken, and eighty- one pieces of heavy cannon ; forty-five killed and 130 wounded Russians were also found in the forts. With the bombardment of Kinburn the war terminated.

On the 1 2th of November, the regiment returned to its camp before Sebastopol, where it remained until after the declaration of peace.

The Fusiliers, during their stay of one year and eight months in the Crimea, lost by killed, wounded, sickness, and missing, 623 of all ranks.

The regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 59

J. R. Stuart, embarked at Balaklava for Malta, where it arrived on the 2d June, and occupied quarters in that island until the i/th March 1860.

i860. On the i/th of March the regiment embarked on board the troop-ship "Himalaya" for conveyance to the West Indies. It arrived at the island of Barbadoes, and disembarked on the 6th of April, relieving the Forty-ninth regiment, Two companies, under the command of Major H. Gray, were detached to Demerara. The detachment at Demerara had not been long there when a terrible fire broke out, destroying about one-fourth of George Town. The services of the Fusiliers on this occasion were of great value in saving life and property, for which they received the thanks of the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, also those of the Governor and General in command of the Windward and Leeward Islands.

In June 1860, Demerara was visited by yellow fever. The detachment of the regiment was removed into camp at Belfield, where it remained until 1861.

l862. In September headquarters at Barbadoes was also visited by yelloiv fever, and in a day or two it com- mitted sad havoc. But for the decided measures caused to be taken by Surgeon A. J. Greer, who insisted upon having the regiment moved into camp, the loss by deaths would probably have been very great.

To carry the removal into effect was no easy matter, owing to the Commissariat being entirely deficient of the means of transport. This department divested itself of all labour and responsibility by transferring its duty to the regiment.

This duty had, of course, to be carried out by the Quartermaster, Mr Grahame (now Major Grahame), who himself was slowly recovering from an attack of the fever. This officer received from the Commissariat full authority to employ for this purpose all the available transport in the island.

The labour of collecting this transport devolved upon the Quartermaster himself. In two hours after receiving this authority, the removal began, and in less than two days

60 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

the whole regiment, with tents, beds, bedding, camp equi- page, regimental and personal baggage, had been removed to Gun Hill, a distance of seven miles.

After the removal of the regiment, no further case of fever occurred. Thus that it escaped this dreadful scourge is entirely owing to the promptitude and decision of Sur- geon A. J. Greer, and the energy of Quartermaster George Grahame.

To show the virulence of the disease, and the great necessity there was for the removal, it may be stated that the officers of the West India regiment, thinking the Fusi- lier officers' quarters were more healthy, removed into them, and in the two following days six of them fell victims to the awful epidemic.

The men, while in camp, were not allowed to remain in their tents in a state of idleness ; and to usefully employ them, Colonel Stuart obtained permission to con- struct a winding road up the face of the hill leading to the camp, wide enough for two carts to pass each other, thereby saving a lengthened journey around the hill. This road, when completed, was appropriately named Fusilier Road.

On nth October No. 7 Company, under the command of Captain Bruce, proceeded to the island of St Vincent to repress an insurrection of the native population, and re- turned to headquarters on the 3d May 1863. For this duty it received the thanks of the Governor and General in command of the Windward and Leeward Islands.

1863. Another very destructive fire occurred at George Town, Demerara, and the detachment of the Fusiliers was called upon to render assistance. By the advice of the officer in command, and with the approval of the local authorities, it was considered necessary to blow up a certain building in order to arrest the progress of the flames. Lieutenant Hutton, a promising young officer of the regi- ment, volunteered to perform the hazardous duty, and, in carrying it out, lost his life by the explosion.

1864* The regiment embarked for England on the 5th of August, on board H.M.S. " Tamar," having been

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 61

relieved by the second battalion Third regiment, " The Buffs."

Prior to embarkation, his Excellency Sir James Walker, Governor of the Windward and Leeward Islands, and Major-General Brooke, commanding the troops, both con- veyed to the regiment expressions of their high sense of the discipline and conduct of the Fusiliers during the four years of their stay in the command.

The regiment disembarked at Portsmouth on the i$th of August, and occupied quarters in Anglesea barracks. A few days after its landing, it was inspected by Major- General Lord William Paulet, commanding the district, who expressed himself highly pleased with its appear- ance ; and added, " Your good name has preceded you, and you are more like a regiment that has been on home service for ten years, than one just returned from foreign service."

The following month it was again inspected by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, in the barrack square ; and, on the same afternoon, as a portion of the Portsmouth division, at a general parade. On both of these occasions his Royal Highness spoke of the regiment in the highest terms of praise.

1865. On the loth of April, the regiment removed from Portsmouth to North Camp, Aldershot. During its short stay of eight months at this station, it maintained its usual high character for discipline and appearance ; so much so, that, an emergency having occurred for the ser- vices of a regiment at Glasgow, to relieve the Sixty-third, suddenly ordered to Ireland, to the surprise of all, the Twenty-first Fusiliers were selected, although it had been the last to join the camp. This feeling of surprise was so great, that in reference to the telegram ordering its removal, the " camp authorities " referred back the question, " Was it not the Thirty -first, not tJie Twenty-first ?" The tele- graphic reply came back in the form of a question, " When •was the Thirty -first made Fusiliers?"

62 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

The regiment accordingly proceeded by train to Glasgow on the 28th of December, and occupied the Gallovvgate barracks, furnishing detachments to Paisley and Ayr.

1866. While stationed at Glasgow, the Fenian move- ment, in Ireland, became somewhat serious. The Fusiliers were ordered to that country on the loth of September, to assist in restoring order ; and, on arrival at Dublin, were located in Richmond barracks.

1867. March I, on a parade in Phoenix Park, Dublin, at which every available man of the regiment was present, Colonel John Ramsay Stuart, C.B., bade farewell to the corps, in which he had served for upwards of thirty-seven years, the last thirteen of which as its colonel and com- manding-officer.

He was the last of the officers of the ancient regime. During his career he had endeared himself to all ranks by his blunt soldierly, natural manner, and the performance of many kind and considerate acts.

As a commanding-officer, during most trying times, his experience, knowledge of human character, and tact in dealing with men, earned for him — and most justly, too — the reputation of a wise and prudent officer, to whom all under his command looked up with confidence for advice, support, and assistance.

His devotion to the interests, character, and esprit de corps of the home of his youth and mature age was intense, and he always succeeded, whether in camp, garrison, or quarters, in gaining for the regiment the high position of being second to none as regards conduct, appearance, and discipline.

The portly figure, genial countenance, and stentorian voice of " Old Donald," or " Ramsay," as he was indis- criminately but affectionately called, were, for a long time after his retirement, much missed on parades, " hauls up," and inspections. All these things considered, no old soldier need be told that the parting between colonel and men was very affecting.

His memory will ever be kept green by the "old hands"

of tJie Royal Scots Fusiliers. 63

of the Fusiliers, as one who was as a father to the regiment. By many subsequent acts of kindness and substantial help to old Fusiliers, he has shown that his affection for the corps remains unabated.

The command of the regiment now devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Dalyell.

In this year also the regiment suffered another loss, in the transfer of Surgeon A. J. Greer to the Seventeenth Lancers.

This officer served with the regiment for the previous fifteen years, as assistant-surgeon and surgeon. His skill, care, and sympathy for the sick will never be forgotten by those who have been under his treatment. A patient felt that he had in Dr Greer not only a doctor, but a friend. This was notably manifested in the trying circumstances of the Crimean campaign.

Medical officers in those days knew their men, and the men knew them.

The Royal North British Fusiliers, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Dalyell, left Dublin for the Curragh Camp, on the Qth of July.

On the 1 5th of October, the regiment was removed to Enniskillen, furnishing detachments to Newry, Drogheda, and Armagh.

1868. On the 1 3th June it was again quartered in the Curragh Camp, and employed on election duties from the 1 7th to the 2/th of November. When orders were received for the regiment to move from Enniskillen to the Curragh Camp, the inhabitants, on account of its universal good con- duct, and the kind and cordial intercourse that had existed between them and all ranks, during the period of its stay,, memorialised the military authorities at Dublin, to permit the Fusiliers to remain amongst them for another year.

Singularly enough, a somewhat similar action was taken by the inhabitants of this town, when the regiment was stationed there sixty-seven years before (vide record for the year 1801).

1869. On the 1 5th of February the regiment em- barked at Queenstown, on board H.M. Indian troopship,.

64 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

11 Serapis," for the East Indies ; arriving at Alexandria on the 26th, it disembarked and proceeded by railway across the desert to Suez, and again embarked on board H.M. Indian troopship " Jumna," arriving at Bombay on the 2Oth of March ; on the 22d, the regiment was transhipped into three smaller vessels for conveyance to Kurrachee, where it arrived on the 26th, and remained stationed, furnishing a detachment of two companies to Hyderabad.

During the nine months' station of the regiment at Kurrachee, it suffered very severely from fever ; from this disease the deaths amounted to sixteen men, eleven women, and forty-one children.

Fever prevailed to such an extent, and its effects were so disastrous, that the regiment was frequently unable to furnish sufficient healthy men for its own guards. Under these circumstances, it was found necessary to remove the Fusiliers to a more healthy station ; Bangalore, in the Mysore Territory, was selected, to which place it removed on the 25th January 1870.

1870. The removal to Bangalore was of the greatest benefit to the regiment ; in the course of a few months the health of all ranks had materially improved.

The change from the arid sandy plains of Kurrachee was marvellous ; and by the end of the year, the Fusiliers had attained their usual energy.

A regimental theatre, weekly lectures and concerts, workshops, coffee-shop, bakery, and aerated-water manu- factory were established. A splendid sward and a mild temperature made cricket in the mornings and evenings an agreeable and healthy pastime to the lovers of that game. Rifle matches were much in vogue, and during the three annual Bangalore rifle meetings of 1871-18/3, the grand trophy of each year fell to the good shooting of the Fusiliers, in addition to many other prizes in the various competitions, amounting to a considerable value.

A regimental newspaper, The Dekhnewalla, was also established, and ably conducted by Mr G. Holland, the regimental schoolmaster.

of tJie Royal Scots Fusiliers. 65

From time immemorial the regiment had, more or less> Highland pipers, although unauthorised ; but for the pre- vious twenty years, from one cause or another, it had been without them ; in this year, however, means were adopted for training some men, and in a short time the regiment had ten fully equipped pipers playing at its head.

On the 22d of September No. 2 Company, under the •command of Captain R. Cook, proceeded to Cannanore on detachment duty, returning to headquarters on the 2 5th of November.

1871. On the 1 6th of December No. 3 and 7 Com- panies, under the command of Captain Edgell, proceeded on detachment to Trichinopoly, returning to headquarters on the 23d February 1872.

1872. On the 2d of December the regiment proceeded to Fort St George, Madras, to relieve its second battalion, which was under orders to return to England. [This was the first occasion on which both battalions met]

Two companies proceeded to Trichinopoly in relief of a detachment belonging to the second battalion.

1 873' On the 1st of April the new localisation scheme was published, by which the " ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS " became the " AYRSHIRE COUNTY REGIMENT," •with the depots of both battalions stationed in Ayr barracks, under the title of the Sixty-first Brigade Depot or Centre^ since changed to the Twenty-first Regimental District.

l874» The regiment formed part of a camp of exer- •cise, which took place at Bangalore ; at its conclusion, the Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Presidency, Sir F. Haines, complimented the Fusiliers on their high state of •efficiency.

1875. On the 26th of February the Royal North British Fusiliers, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Dalyell, embarked at Madras for Rangoon, where they arrived on the 5th of March, and relieved the Forty-fifth regiment (Sherwood Foresters).

On the 27th of March a detachment, under the com- jnand of Captain C. Patterson, proceeded, via the river

E

66 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

Irrawady, to Bassein ; Captain Patterson died while upon this duty.

On the 1 2th of December a detachment of 130 men,, under the command of Captains T. E. Stuart and W. N. Carey, proceeded to Port-Blair in the Andaman Islands, to- take charge of convicts.

1876. By general order, dated 22d of December, an establishment of one pipe-major and three pipers was officially authorised for each battalion of the Royal North British Fusiliers.

l877' On the 1 4th of December the regiment moved from Rangoon to Secunderabad, where it arrived on the 27th of the same month.

1878-1880. In January 1878, Colonel J. T. Dalyell having obtained the command of a brigade depot in Scot- land, the command of the first battalion of the Fusiliers devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel A. Templeman.

The loss of Colonel Dalyell was much regretted by all ranks.

During a service of thirty-one years in the old corps^ which he had joined as a second lieutenant, he ever main- tained the character of a good officer, and a kind, unassum- ing gentleman.

The eleven years the regiment had the good fortune to be commanded by him will long be remembered in its annals as most pleasant and happy ones.

He endeared himself to all by his quiet, firm, just, and dignified manner. An excellent drill, good disciplinarian,. and kind friend, he always took the most active interest in everything that concerned his regiment. His care for the comfort of the wives and families of his non-commissioned officers and men was unceasing.

Colonel Dalyell was the last commanding-officer of the Fusiliers who held that position under the old rules, which fixed no limit to the tenure of command. He has since attained the rank of major-general on the active list.

l88l. During this year, by general orders of nth of April and ist of May, the title of the regiment was altered

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 67

from Royal North British Fusiliers to that of THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS.

The uniform was also changed from the ordinary line tunic to a " Highland doublet," with dark " tartan trews ; " the officers' lace to be of the " thistle pattern," and the ordi- nary sword to be replaced by the " claymore."

The regiment embarked for England on the 4th of November ; landed at Portsmouth on the 1st December, and proceeded to Dover.

During the thirteen years the battalion served in India it lost by death four officers, one bandmaster, one colour- sergeant, nine sergeants, eight corporals, and 137 privates.

1882. A Horse Guards letter was received, dated 29th of April, authorising scrolls, bearing the names of the following engagements, to be borne on the regimental colours, viz.: — "Blenheim" "Rajnillies" " Oudenarde" "Mal- plaquet" and on the 2Oth of September another letter autho- rised " Dettingen " in addition to the foregoing.

Colonel A. Templeman, having completed the period of limited regimental command, retired upon half-pay, and was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel G. F. Gildea, from the second battalion.

In August Major Grahame retired from the regiment, and from the service. He was the oldest Fusilier in the regiment, and the oldest quartermaster, but one, in the army.

The retirement of this officer demands very much more than a passing notice in what may be called a popular regi- mental record.

Major Grahame is a born Fusilier. His father, Mr William Grahame (now of Hobart in Tasmania), entered the regiment in 1817. He is still alive and well, and, being between eighty and ninety years of age, is probably the oldest living Fusilier. It is also probable that he is the only survivor of those of the regiment who took part in the suppression of the insurrection of the negroes in Demerara in 1825. Although separated from his old corps for nearly half a century, he takes an intense interest in all that con-

68 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

cerns it. Such is the stuff the old Fusiliers were made of. From this it will appear that father and son form by them- selves a continuous, unbroken, historic chain, stretching over nearly seventy years of the regiment's history.

Major Grahame served thirty -seven years in the Twenty-first ; the last twenty-seven as its quartermaster.

In a former part of this record mention has been made of the indefatigable exertions of the quartermaster's depart- ment to keep the regiment supplied with food and clothing in the Crimea, but it will bear to be briefly referred to again.

It may be confidently and truthfully asserted the com- parative efficiency of the Fusiliers for " trench duty," and any immunity from the most dreadful sufferings, were mainly due to the efforts of the quartermaster's department. The labour of this officer was an unceasing daily struggle to keep the gaunt wolf "hunger" from eating out the vitals of the regiment. With him a difficulty was a some- thing to be overcome. But he could not work miracles to procure that which was unprocurable ; and when pinch- ing and relentless hunger gnawed within empty stomachs, there was at least the satisfaction of knowing that all had been done by the quartermaster that effort and forethought could accomplish.

This daily struggle to keep life in the regiment was carried on unobtrusively, and although of the utmost importance, there was nothing in it to catch the eye, and inspire the pen of " our war correspondent ;" or the glorious, to furnish material for an eulogistic paragraph in an official despatch. It brought no " decorations " nor emoluments, but it deserved them.

At Major Grahame's suggestion, a " Regimental Library and Recreation Room" were established, also a "School Committee," that a stimulus might be given to self-culture, education, and sobriety. This was done years before the War Office, or Horse Guards, introduced such institutions.

The quartermasters, riding-masters, and sub-inspectors of schools of the army, owe a debt of gratitude to Major

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 69

Grahame for his persevering, laborious, and successful efforts in obtaining for them an improvement in their status, by which they were granted higher rank and increased pay while serving, with a somewhat more liberal retiring allowance.

By his brother officers in the regiment Major Grahame was greatly esteemed. A gentleman in principle, in manners, and education, he at all times reflected credit on the position he held. His constant aim was to add by word and deed to the comfort and well-being of the regi- ment, and in doing so, he earned for himself a name (which will not soon be forgotten) worthy of honour from all old Fusiliers.

Major Grahame served under seven different regimental commanding-officers, in various parts of the world — viz., two East Indian tours ; one Mediterranean and West Indian ; in Tasmania ; and throughout the whole of the Crimean campaign of 1854-5-6, including the battles of Alma, Inkerman, siege and fall of Sebastopol, also capture of Kinburn. Medal with three clasps, and Turkish war medal.

1883. On the 1 9th of November the battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Gildea, left Dover for Aldershot.

1884. By the retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel Gildea, the command of the first battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel E. T. Bain- bridge, who at present commands (June 1885).

1885. During this year the regiment moved from Aldershot to Portland, where it at present remains (June

1885).

part 2.

THE SECOND BATTALION.

part 2. THE SECOND BATTALION

Historical Record of the Second Battalion of the Twenty-first Royal North British Fusiliers, now Second Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers.

l857' The Government having considered it necessary ,to increase the strength of the British army, orders were consequently issued for the formation of SECOND BAT- TALIONS, which were to be added to all regiments up to, and including, the Twenty-fifth. Thus the Royal North British Fusiliers had a second battalion added, the bat- talions being designated first and second of the Royal North British Fusiliers, now known as the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

1858. The formation of the second battalion of the Fusiliers took place in the month of April, at Paisley, under the superintendence of Colonel E. Last, from the Ninety- ninth regiment, this officer having been appointed as its first commanding-officer.

A number of officers from the first battalion joined on promotion to a higher grade ; also, a party of non- commissioned officers and men transferred their services from the first battalion to aid in its formation ; and being all old soldiers, recently returned from the Crimea, formed a nucleus, which introduced the excellent system of regi- mental interior economy so long in use by the parent battalion.

The Royal Scots Fusiliers. 73

On the igth of December, the second battalion of the Royal North British Fusiliers proceeded to Newport, in Wales.

I859- The regiment was removed to Aldershot on the 1 2th of August.

In this year Colonel Last retired from the command of the battalion, and was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Lowe, from the Thirty-second Light Infantry.

1860. In October, the headquarters and right wing proceeded to Shorncliffe, the left wing to Dover.

1861. In May the left wing rejoined headquarters from Shorncliffe.

1862. On the 2d of April, the battalion left Shorn- cliffe for Portsmouth, for embarkation for Dublin ; on arrival it was quartered in Beggars' Bush barracks.

Colonel Lowe exchanged with Colonel Robertson, from the first battalion of the Sixth, who assumed command.

Colonel Lowe's departure from the Royal North British Fusiliers was much regretted, he having, during his three years of command, gained the respect of all under him.

1863. In June the battalion, under the temporary command of Lieutenant-Colonel G. N. Boldero, proceeded from Dublin to the Curragh Camp. Almost immediately after the arrival of the battalion at this station, where it remained only one month, orders were received to hold itself in readiness for foreign service.

On the I Qth of July it embarked at Kingstown for the East Indies ; and, after a voyage of four months, landed at Madras, and was stationed as follows : — Headquarters, St Thomas' Mount, with detachments at Fort St George, Madras, and Arcot.

1864-1865. The battalion occupied the above quar- ters for about a month, when it was ordered to Bellary, where it arrived on the I3th January. While at this station a severe cholera epidemic occurred, which carried off a considerable number of men, women, and children.

1866-1867. On the ist of January 1866 the second battalion Royal North British Fusiliers marched for Secun- derabad, where it arrived on the ist of February.

74 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

1868-1869. In October 1868 the battalion marched from Secunderabad to Madras, where it embarked, under the temporary command of Major A. Templeman, for Burnt ah.

Colonel Robertson, having been appointed to the staff of the Indian Army as Adjutant-General at Madras, the command of the battalion devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. T. Steward.

1870-1871. By the retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel Steward, on account of ill-health, Lieutenant-Colonel F. Lyster, from the first battalion, succeeded to the command.

The battalion, during its stay in Burmah, was stationed two years in Rangoon, furnishing a detachment of 1 20 men for convict guards at Port-Blair, in the Andaman Islands. In the third year of its stay it was located by wings at Thyetmo and Tonghoo ; the rig/it being at the former, and the left at the latter station.

In December 1871 the battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F. Lyster, returned to Rangoon.

1872. The battalion embarked for Madras in January, and on arrival occupied barracks in Fort St George, detach- ing two companies to Trichinopoly to relieve the detach- ment of the first battalion, the headquarters of which were stationed at Bangalore.

On the ist May a very destructive cyclone occurred at Madras, causing much loss of life and property amongst the shipping in the harbour. A number of vessels were forcibly driven from their anchors, and stranded upon the beach, exposed to terrific wind, with a heavy rolling surf.

The Fusiliers turned out, and rendered all the assistance in their power in rescuing the crews, passengers, and secur- ing property. They put forth the most strenuous and suc- cessful efforts ; and their arduous and dangerous exertions called forth the highest terms of approbation from the Government of 'Madras, the general commanding, as well as from the merchants and inhabitants. These latter, as a permanent memorial of the regiment's services on this occa- sion, presented it with a massive silver vase of splendid

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 75

appearance, and excellent workmanship, as an ornament for the officers' mess table.

The battalion left Fort St George on the 3d of Decem- ber for embarkation for England, via Bombay, having been relieved by its first battalion from Bangalore.

1873* In January the battalion landed at Portsmouth, and at once proceeded to Scotland, and was stationed — headquarters at Stirling Castle, three companies at Perth, two companies at Dundee, and two companies at Hamilton.

1874* The Fusiliers proceeded to Glasgow in May. In this year the battalion, under the temporary command of Lieutenant-Colonel G. F. Gildea, proceeded to Alder- shot.

Consequent upon the retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel F. Lyster, Lieutenant Colonel W. P. Collirigwood, from the first battalion, succeeded to the command.

l875- In July the battalion was removed to the Portsmouth District and occupied Portsdown Forts.

1876. The second battalion Royal North British Fusi- liers removed into Portsmouth in July, and occupied quar- ters in Clarence barracks.

l877» In November the battalion returned to Scot- land, and was stationed in Fort-George, detaching two companies to Dundee.

1878. In April the second battalion of the Fusiliers was removed to Ireland — headquarters being stationed in Richmond barracks, furnishing a detachment of two com- panies to Ship Street barracks.

On the 28th of September the battalion was removed from Dublin to the Curragh Camp, and shortly afterwards received orders to hold itself in readiness for embarkation.

During the short time which intervened before embar- kation the battalion was augmented to its full strength for foreign service by the addition of a large draft of well- trained soldiers, under the command of Major Hazlerigg, from the Sixty-first brigade depot at Ayr.

l879- On the 2Oth of February the second battalion Royal North British Fusiliers left the Curragh for Cork,

76 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. P. Colling- wood, and embarked at Queenstown for South Africa.

As the ship steamed into Simon's Bay, she struck upon the Roman Rocks. Such an incident was well calculated to cause alarm and confusion on board. The good discipline of the Fusiliers was shown on this occasion by the steadi- ness and ready obedience to orders, which called forth the praise of their commanding-officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Collingwood, and Captain Fulton, commanding the ship.

Consequent upon this accident, the battalion was tran- shipped to another vessel, and proceeded to Durban, where it disembarked on the 3ist March.

In anticipation of active operations, the band exchanged their instruments for rifles, the only musicians left being the pipers.

On the 3d of April the Fusiliers left Durban for " up country," arriving at Pietermaritzburg on the 5th, where two companies, under the command of Captain F. Wil- loughby, were left for the defence of the town.

Resuming their march on the 8th of April, they arrived at Dundee on the 23d.

On the 2d of May they left Dundee, and on the 3Oth joined the division under the command of Major-General Newdigate at Koppie-allein.

On the ist of June the division crossed the Blood River into Zululand.

On the 3d the battalion resumed its march to Ity-oty- Ozi River, close to the place where the Prince Imperial of France was killed.

On the 4th, on arrival in camp, the division constructed a fort, which was named " Fort Newdigate," in honour of the general.

During the night an attempt to surprise the position was made by the Zulus ; but the enemy being discovered, after a few rounds, they disappeared.

Here (Fort Newdigate) two companies of the Fusiliers, with two guns, and one troop of dragoons, were left as a garrison, the remainder of the battalion proceeding on

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 77

the 6th to the Upoko River, where, after shelling the bush, the division formed " laager."

On the morning of the 7th of June the first brigade, consisting of the second battalion of the Royal North British Fusiliers, Fifty-eighth regiment, with cavalry and artillery, went out and cleared the bush, destroying the native "kraals," and carried off a large quantity of "mealies." Here the battalion remained until the i6th, awaiting the arrival of General Wood's column from Con- ference Hill with stores. After this party had joined, the march was resumed along the banks of the Upoko.

On the 1 7th the Fusiliers were again employed con- structing another fort, afterwards named Fort Marshall ; two companies of the battalion with two guns, and a squadron of the Seventeenth Lancers, being detailed to remain behind to garrison it, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Collingwood.

On the 1 8th the remainder of the battalion, commanded by Major Hazlerigg, resumed its march towards Ulnndi, arriving on the 3<Dth of June.

On the 4th of July, early in the morning, the troops crossed the Umvolosi river, and continued their march towards Ulundi.

The enemy were not visible until the scouts had ascended the opposite heights ; immediately afterwards, they were seen swarming upon the hills all around.

The division advanced in " square," the Seventeenth Lancers in rear of the rear face ; the enemy descended from the hills and surrounded the square, making their fiercest attack upon the rear face where the Fusiliers were posted, with the evident intention of getting between the troops and their camp, and so cutting off retreat.

The enemy was ultimately repulsed ; the number of their dead found lying in front of the position defended by the Fusiliers, bore evidence to the coolness and accuracy of aim of the latter.

In this engagement none of the Fusiliers were killed, but Major Winsloe and a number of men were wounded.

Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

On the 5th July, Lieutenant-Colonel Collingwood having completed the regulated period of five years in command of the battalion, was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Gildea, who, being in England, the command was tem- porarily held by Major Hazlerigg.

Lieutenant-Colonel Collingwood, in giving up the com- mand, expressed in orders the great regret he had in sever- ing his connection with the regiment in which he had served for a period of twenty-nine years.

On the 26th of August the battalion marched for Pretoria.

On the 7th of September, the two companies under Captain Willoughby, which had been left at Pietermaritz- burg, rejoined headquarters.

On the 8th of September the following general order was published : — " The General commanding desires it to be notified to all wounded in hospital, that the Queen has most graciously commanded, through Lady Frere, her Majesty's particular inquiries respecting them."

The battalion halted at Wakkerstroom until the i$th of September, owing to the deficiency of baggage animals ; when the right half battalion under Major Hazlerigg, marched for Heidelberg, the remaining half battalion under Major Bainbridge, being unable to proceed for want of transport. In a few days mules were procured, and it resumed the march.

On the 25th of September, when at Standerton, orders were received for the formation of a body of mounted infantry, to consist of two officers, two sergeants, two corporals, and forty-six privates. The officers selected were Lieutenants Collings and Lindsell, and twenty-five non-commissioned officers and men from each half battalion.

These men did excellent service throughout the whole campaign, not only when engaged with the enemy, but also as scouts and on outpost duty, performing the duties of cavalry in a most efficient manner.

October i$th. — Having arrived at Heidelberg, the battalion received orders to proceed to Middleburgh, at

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

which place it arrived on the 2Oth, and was there joined by the Ninety-fourth regiment ; remaining at Middleburgh until the 24th, when it marched for Fort Webber, arriving there on the 2Oth of November.

Near this place " the Transvaal Field Force " was formed. The battalion marched from Fort Webber, and arrived at Fort Albert Edward on the 23d of November.

On the following day two companies of the Fusiliers were attached to form part of an advanced post, to procure water for the troops.

On the 26th the remainder of the battalion, with the column, marched from Fort Albert Edward. This was a very distressing day's march owing to unused roads, made nearly impassable by recent heavy rains ; great delay was caused by the waggons sticking fast in the soft muddy soil ; during this night the troops endured great discomfort from a tremendous thunderstorm, accompanied by torrents of drenching rain.

On the 27th a live ox was given the battalion ; it was soon slaughtered, cut up, and distributed. Whilst each man was cooking his portion as best he could, the " fall in " sounded. Even the hardships the men were suffering did not prevent the scene from assuming a ludicrous aspect ; men rushing into the ranks with their half-cooked ration on the point of their bayonets ! This was the only food they had during the day. After marching from an early hour until seven P.M., the troops encamped on the banks of a river opposite Sekukuni Town, about two miles distant.

November 28th. — At two A.M. tents were struck, the bat- talion paraded, and the whole column advanced across the river to the attack.

In the storming, capture, and destruction of Sekukuni strongholds, the Fusiliers took a prominent part ; the casu- alties being three men killed ; Captains Willoughby and Gordon, and sixteen men wounded.

December jd. — Orders were published by General Wolseley and Colonel Russell, in which the troops were complimented on their steadiness, endurance, and gallantry.

80 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

December i^th. — In consequence of a Boer rebellion, the Fusiliers received orders to proceed to Pretoria, where they arrived on the 22d.

Two harassing and toilsome campaigns, during which the battalion marched upwards of one thousand miles, had reduced the men's clothing to a very dilapidated condition. Each man endeavoured as best he could to repair the rents and holes in his apparel ; but the material obtainable for patching was most unsuitable, being neither the colour nor texture of the garment itself. Patches of biscuit-bags, blankets, waterproof sheets, may cover deficiencies, but do not add to the splendour of a soldier's uniform ! Whilst all were much alike, the general appearance of the Fusiliers did not cause much remark amongst themselves ; but when they marched into Pretoria, the worn-out condition of the clothing, with its many-coloured patches, contrasted gro- tesquely and ludicrously with the neat, clean uniform of the soldiers in garrison.

Although the clothing was worn-out, the wearers were not, the men being healthy, and soldierlike in their bearing.

The battalion did not long continue in this healthy condition ; the reaction, the excitement of active warfare, together with bad water, brought on enteric fever, and in a short time 127 men were in hospital with this disease.

l880. On the 1 7th of January, the following extract from the London Gazette was published in orders : —

" The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve of the following promotions being conferred upon the under- mentioned officers, in recognition of their services during the late Zulu campaign; dated 29th November 1879: — Brevet, to be Lieutenant-Colonels — Major Arthur Grey Hazlerigg, 2ist Foot; Major Richard William Charles Winsloe, 2ist Foot."

On the 24th of January, the following order was pub- lished :—

" The Queen commands me to express her satisfaction at the news of taking Sekukuni Toivn, as well as her

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, 81

sorrow for the loss of brave officers and men, and her anxiety for the well-doing of the wounded. The General Commanding is well assured that the troops in South Africa will appreciate this mark of Her Majesty's gracious sympathy with her soldiers."

On the 3d February, whilst in camp at Pretoria, a tremendous hurricane and thunderstorm, accompanied by torrents of rain, occurred ; tents and huts were blown down, and the men exposed to the full force and incle- mency of the elements. Some men were injured, but not seriously.

May 2jtJi. — Lieutenant-Colonel Gildea, who had joined from England, and assumed command of the battalion, was appointed commandant of the garrison.

On the i6th of July, the following order was published by Major Bainbridge, in temporary command of the battalion, consequent upon the death of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. Hazlerigg from fever : —

" It is with deep regret that the commanding-officer has to announce to the battalion the death of Brevet Lieutenant- Colonel Hazlerigg, which occurred this morning at Pretoria barracks. He feels sure his loss will be greatly felt by all ranks of the Fusiliers, with whom he served so many years, always having had their welfare and interest at heart ; and that, therefore, his memory as a kind and gallant officer will long be retained amongst all ranks of the Royal North British Fusiliers, a regiment he was so fond and proud of."

September i6tJi. — It was intimated to the troops that the Queen had been graciously pleased to command that medals be granted for services in South Africa.

November ij.th. — A force, consisting of one division of guns (N, 3 R.A.), commanded by Lieutenant Randall; one company of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, under Lieutenant Falls ; and a half troop of " mounted infantry," under Lieu- tenant Lindsell, — the whole under the command of Major Thornhill, Royal Artillery, — marched from Pretoria, to be stationed at Potchefstroom, where a " fort " was built. This force was afterwards augmented by D Company,

82 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

Royal Scots Fusiliers, under Lieutenant Browne, from Rustenberg^ leaving the latter garrisoned by E Company, under the command of Captain Auchinleck.

In December the Transvaal War broke out, and at the commencement of it the regiment was distributed as follows : — Pretoria — Headquarters, with A, B, F, and H Companies, and a half troop of mounted infantry, under the command of Lieutenant -Colonel Gildea. PotcJief- stroom — C and D Companies, with half troop of mounted infantry,under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Winsloe. Rnstenberg — E Company, under the command of Captain Auchinleck.

Two drafts from England were detained from joining while hostilities were in progress, one having been ordered to occupy Pietermaritzburgi under the command of Major Bainbridge, and the other at Schoon-Hoogte, under the command of Captain Whitton.

The first active operations commenced at Potchefstroom on the 1 6th of December, and at Pretoria on the ipth of December.

On the 1 2th of December, Lieutenant-Colonel Winsloe joined the troops at Potchefstroom, and assumed command of the whole force, amounting to 213 of all ranks, with two nine-pounder guns of the Royal Artillery, occupying at the time the " fort," " gaol," and Landroost's office, with the two guns in shallow "gun-pits;" whilst the Boers held the town.

On this day (the i6th of December) the first shots were interchanged between the British and the Boers, in a slight skirmish ; the mounted infantry and Boers having come into collision on outpost duties. One of the enemy was wounded. Later the attack became general, more espe- cially upon the Landroost's office, which was situated in the market square. The attack did not long continue, the enemy retiring with some loss.

The strength of the enemy at this time was about 800 mounted men, subsequently augmented to 1400, all excellent shots, and armed generally with the Westley-Richards rifle.

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 83

The night of the i6th was spent in strengthening the position ; the numbers of the garrison was increased, but not strengthened, by the accession of twenty-one women and children, who sought protection within the British lines.

On the 1 8th, the detached portion of the force in the Landroost's office was compelled to surrender, the position being untenable. Du,ring its occupation, Captain Falls, one of the most promising officers of the battalion, was killed, and several of the men wounded. A "flag of truce" was arranged for carrying out the evacuation ; but, while it was still flying, the enemy opened fire, wounding one man.

It was also found necessary to abandon the " gaol," and the party occupying it retired, after dark, carrying their wounded on stretchers made with rifles. During this operation one man was killed.

The fort, which was only twenty-five yards square, now sheltered the whole British force, including women, children, horses, and mules. It was now invested on three of its sides.

iqtli. — The garrison had no water within the fort, save what was obtained from a well, which had been sunk to a depth of thirty feet ; but this only yielded nine gallons a day.

For the first few days, whilst the fort was not closely invested, water was obtained outside, at a distance of about 1 200 yards ; but, as some men and horses were either killed or wounded in these watering operations, this mode of relief had to be discontinued. Fortunately, on this day a heavy rainstorm gave sufficient water to last until the 2ist; and on this latter day another rainfall renewed the water-supply for three days longer. On the 2 ist, to lessen the demand for food and water, the whole of the horses and mules were turned adrift.

A second well was sunk, which fortunately yielded a plentiful supply, equal to the wants of the garrison through- out the siege.

1 88 1. January ist. — The enemy opened a heavy fire from their Westley-Richards, and, in addition, brought into play a ship's gun. The latter was soon silenced by the fire of the nine-pounders in the fort. This^lasted about two hours.

84 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

Several men were disabled, whose services could ill be spared from such a small force.

The defences of the fort consisted chiefly of sand bags, which were made by the sick and wounded from the tents and other materials available during the operations. The whole of the tents, except five reserved for the sick, were appropriated to this purpose — men, women, and children, all living and sleeping in the " open."

January 22d. — Long before the fort had been invested on all sides, a trench, which had been opened some 220 yards distant, became a source of annoyance and loss. A sortie of an unusual character, as much as it took place in open daylight, was determined upon. A party of an officer (Lieutenant Dalrymple Hay), with a sergeant and ten men, made a rush across the open ground for the trench, but, before reaching it, three of the number fell ; the remaining seven dashed at the trench, which held eighteen of the enemy. Four were taken prisoners, eleven fell either killed or wounded, and three made their escape.

Next day, under a flag of truce, the enemy sent a doctor to attend their wounded. The garrison courteously lent stretchers to convey them into town. On the following day these stretchers were returned, laden with fruit and some medicinal appliances for the wounded. Such acts of kind- ness help to relieve warfare of some of its horrors.

February ^.th. — Long ere this the troops had been put on short allowance of food. This allowance had to be gra- dually decreased, and at length there was nothing left but " meallies " (Indian corn) and " Caffre corn " (millet). The supply of these was totally inadequate, especially for men who had to work hard day and night. The imperfect manner of preparation and cooking brought on diarrhoea, dysentery, and enteric fever.

February loth. — This morning the enemy opened a heavy fire on all sides of the fort, which was continued during the whole of this and the following day. During these two days sixty-five shots from the ship gun struck the fort Considering the heavy fire, the casualties were very few.

of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. 85

March iqth. — The food being exhausted, and the sick and wounded dying for want of nourishment, it was found impossible to hold out any longer. Accordingly, a flag of truce was sent to the Boer commander, asking for an inter- view, and on the 2ist of March terms of capitulation were signed — the garrison to march out of the fort with all the honours of war, flags flying, and drums beating.

On the 23d March the garrison marched from Potchef- stroom for Natal, where it arrived on the 2d of May.

The following are the names of the officers present with the detachment of the Royal Scots Fusiliers : —

Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel R. C. YViNSLOE,

commanding* Captain L. FALLS, kitted. Lieutenant P. W. BROWNE. Lieutenant C. F. LINDSELL. Lieutenant H. E. LEAN. Lieutenant DALRYMPLE HAY.

The following district order was issued by Colonel Bel- lairs, C.B. : —

"The fort at Potchefstroom capitulated on the 2ist of March, but only when its garrison was reduced to ex- tremity, and after as brave a defence as any in military annals, the troops marching out with the honours of war, and proceeding through th£ Orange Free State to Natal.

" The sterling qualities for which British soldiers have been so renowned have been brilliantly shown in this in- stance during a long period of privation, and under very trying circumstances.

" Colonel Bellairs begs Lieutenant-Colonel Winsloe, and the officers and men under him, will accept his thanks for the proud and determined way in which they have per- formed their duties.

" By order. (Sd.) " M. CHURCHILL, Captain,

Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General:' *

* The foregoing account of the defence of Potchefstroom has been con- densed from an article written by Lieutenant-Colonel Winsloe, A.D.C., in Macmillait's Magazine.

86 Historical Record and Regimental Memoir

Whilst the two companies, under the command of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Winsloe, were besieged at Potchefstroomy five companies, with headquarters at Pretoria, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Gildea, were actively em- ployed.

When news of the treacherous, cowardly, and sanguinary massacre of the Ninety-fourth regiment was received at Pretoria, the country was placed under martial law, and preparations for defence were made.

The garrison consisted of one division of N Battery, Fifth brigade, Royal Artillery, with two nine-pounder guns ; one company of Royal Engineers, headquarters and five companies of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, with half a troop of mounted infantry ; two companies of the Ninety-fourth regiment, with one troop of mounted infantry ; volunteers, consisting of the Pretoria Carbineers, Nourse's Horse, and the Pretoria Rifles.

The Boers mustered in great numbers, and occupied several strong positions, but at some distance from the Bri- tish lines.

Reconnaissances in strength, under the command ot Lieutenant-Colonel Gildea, were made on the iQth and 28th of December 1880, 6th and i6th of January 1881, and the last in February ; after which the garrison was able only to act on the defensive. Engagements, more or less serious took place on four of these occasions, the casualties being, on the British side, four killed, three officers and eleven men wounded. Amongst these was Lieutenant-Colonel Gildea, severely.

Captain Auchinleck, who commanded a company of the Fusiliers at Rustenberg in December 1880, was also dan- gerously wounded while defending that place.

The colours of the Ninety-fourth regiment, which had been torn off the poles to save them from capture by the Boers, on the occasion of their treacherous attack upon that corps, were conveyed to Pretoria, and handed over for safe keeping to the Fusiliers.

At the termination of hostilities, these colours were

of tJie Royal Scots Fusiliers. 87

delivered to the detachment of the Ninety-fourth, under the command of Major Campbell, then serving at Pretoria.

October 1881. — The battalion marched from Pretoria for Durban, where it arrived on the 3d of January 1882, embarking on the same day for the East Indies.

January 26th, 1882. — On arrival at Bombay, orders were received for the battalion to proceed to Secunderabad to relieve its first battalion, proceeding to England ; thus com- pleting a tour of home duty, and taking part in three campaigns in South Africa ; relieved its first battalion,, which, ten years before, had relieved it in the same pre- sidency.

The second battalion, while stationed at Secunderabad, in honourable imitation of the first battalion, established a regimental newspaper, called the Fusee, which not only relieved the monotonous life induced by an Indian climate, but stimulated the educated portion of the battalion to amateur literary exertions.

1884. After being stationed nearly three years at Secunderabad, the battalion was removed at the latter end of this year to Burmah, where it remains at the present date — June 1885.

Hppenbiy.

HppenMy IRo, L

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF

ftvvent^ifirst "Regiment of 3foott

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, NOW

THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS.

CHARLES, (FIFTH) EARL OF MAR.

Appointed 2jd September 1678.

CHARLES, LORD ERSKINE, succeeded to the title of EARL OF MAR in 1668, on the decease of his father, John, fourth Earl of Mar ; and in September 1678 he raised a regiment of foot, now the TWENTY-FIRST, or the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS. He was a member of the Privy Council of Scotland, in the reign of King Charles II., and also of King James II. In 1686, he was succeeded in the command of his regiment by Colonel Buchan.

The Earl of Mar disapproved of the measures of King James II., and was about to embark for the Continent, in November 1688, when the Prince of Orange landed in England. He appeared at the Convention of the Estates assembled by the Prince of Orange ; but joining the dis- affected party, he was arrested. He died on the 23d of April 1689, and was succeeded in the title by his son John,

92 The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

sixth Earl of Mar, whose estates were forfeited in conse- quence of his having erected the standard of rebellion in Scotland, in 1715, in favour of the Pretender, as narrated at p. 14 of the Historical Record of the TWENTY-FIRST, ROYAL NORTH BRITISH, FUSILIERS.

THOMAS BUCHAN.

Appointed 2qth July 1686.

Thomas Buchan was an officer in the Scots army, in the time of King Charles II., and rose to the rank of lieutenant- colonel in the Royal Regiment of Scots Horse, which was disbanded in 1689. King James II. promoted him to the colonelcy of the TWENTY-FIRST regiment ; and he adhered to the interests of the Stuart family at the Revolution in 1688. He served in Ireland under King James, and was detached with a few men to Scotland, to support the High- land clans in their resistance to the Government of King William III. The clans were, however, not successful in their enterprises, and they submitted to the authority of King William ; when Colonel Buchan retired to France.

FRANCIS FERGUS O'FARRELL.

Appointed ist March 1689.

This officer was a decided advocate for the principles of the Revolution of 1688, and King William nominated him to the colonelcy of the SCOTS FUSILIERS, which corps he commanded in the Netherlands, under Prince Waldeck, and afterwards under the British monarch, who promoted him to the rank of brigadier-general. He served at the head of a brigade of infantry during the campaign of 1694, and was appointed governor of Deinse. He commanded the garrison of Deinse when that place was besieged, in July 1695 ; and was dismissed the service, by sentence of a general court-martial, for surrendering without firing a shot.

Succession of Colonels. 93

ROBERT MAC KAY.

Appointed ijth November 1695.

Robert Mackay, third son of John, Lord Reay, was an officer in the Scots Brigade in the Dutch service, and accompanied the Prince of Orange to England in 1688. He was promoted captain of the grenadier company in Major-General Hugh Mackay's regiment, and served in Scotland in 1689. He distinguished himself at the battle of Killicrankie, where he received several wounds, and was left for dead on the field of battle. He, however, showed some signs of life, and was removed to a cottage by the enemy, and eventually recovered. He was soon afterwards promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and King William gave him the colonelcy of a newly raised Scots regiment (afterwards disbanded), from which he was re- moved, in 1695, to the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS. His constitution had become debilitated by severe service and numerous wounds, and he died at Tongue, the seat of his family, in December 1696.

ARCHIBALD Row.

Appointed 1st January 1697.

This officer entered the army in the reign of King James II., and at the Revolution in 1688 he joined the Prince of Orange, who promoted him to the lieutenant- colonelcy of the Sixteenth regiment, with which corps he served in the Netherlands, and acquired the reputation of a brave and skilful officer. He served at the battles of Steenkirk and Landen, and at the siege of Namur ; and was rewarded, in 1697, with the colonelcy of the TWENTY- FIRST FUSILIERS. He served under the great Duke of Marlborough in 1703, and in 1704 he commanded a bri- gade at the battles of Schellenberg and Blenheim. On the last-mentioned occasion his brigade led the attack on the village of Blenheim, and he headed his own regiment

94 The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

with distinguished gallantry, advancing up to the enemy's palisades before he gave the word " fire." In a moment afterwards he was shot, and thus closed a life of honour with a death of glory. His valour has rendered his name immortal in the history of his country.

JOHN, VISCOUNT MORDAUNT.

Appointed 25th August 1704.

John, Viscount Mordaunt, son of Charles, Earl of Peter- borough, was an officer in the first regiment of Foot Guards, in which corps he rose to the rank of captain and lieutenant- colonel. He evinced great gallantry at the battle of Schellenberg, where he headed fifty grenadiers, at the storm of the enemy's works, and of that number only him- self and ten grenadiers escaped. At the memorable battle of Blenheim he lost his left arm. His services were rewarded with the colonelcy of the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS, from which he exchanged to the Twenty-eighth regiment ; but, on the death of Major-General De Lalo, who was killed at the battle of Malplaquet, in 1709, Viscount Mordaunt was reappointed to the TWENTY-FIRST regiment. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general on the 1st of January 1710, and died of the smallpox in April following.

SAMPSON DE LALO.

Appointed 26th June 1706.

Sampson de Lalo was a French gentleman of the Pro- testant religion, whom the Edict of Nantes forced to quit his native country. He found an asylum from persecution in England, and, entering the British army, proved an effi- cient and meritorious officer. After a distinguished career of service in the subordinate commissions, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-eighth regiment, and was promoted to the colonelcy of the same corps in February

Succession of Colonels. 95

1704; in June 1706, he exchanged to the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS. He commanded a brigade under the great Duke of Marlborough, served at several battles and sieges, and was promoted to the rank of major-general in January 1709. During the siege of the castle of Tournay, he was nominated by the Duke of Marlborough to negotiate the terms of capitulation with the governor. He evinced great gallantry at the battle of Malplaquet, where he was mor- tally wounded. In the Annals of Queen Anne it is stated that " he was in great favour and esteem in the British army."

JOHN, VISCOUNT MORDAUNT.

Reappointed 4th September f/og. Died in 1710.

THOMAS MEREDITH.

Appointed ist May 1710.

This officer served in the wars of King William III., who promoted him to the commission of captain in the Third Horse, now Second Dragoon Guards. On the augmentation of the army in 1702, he was nominated colonel of the Thirty-seventh regiment, then newly raised, and he accompanied that corps to Holland in 1703. In 1704 he served at the battles of Schellenberg and Blenheim, and was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general on the 25th of August 1704. In 1705 he commanded a brigade at the forcing of the French lines at Helixem and Xeer-Hespen. He was advanced to the rank of major-general in 1706, and to that of lieutenant-general in 1707 ; in 1710 he was removed to the TWENTY-FIRST regiment, and in 1714 to the Twentieth. He died in 1719.

96 The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

CHARLES, EARL OF ORRERY, K.T.

Appointed 8th December 17 10.

The Earl of Orrery took an active part in raising a regiment of foot (afterwards disbanded), of which he was appointed colonel on the 1st of May 1703 ; in 1705 he was nominated Knight of the Thistle ; and in 1706 he was re- moved to another regiment, afterwards disbanded. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general in 1709, and served at the battle of Malplaquet, at the head of a brigade of infantry, and evinced great gallantry. In 1710 he was advanced to the rank of major-general, nominated Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the States of Brabant and Flanders, and removed to the TWENTY-FIRST FUSI- LIERS ; in 1711 he was created a peer of Great Britain, by the title of Baron Boyle, of Marston, in Somersetshire ; and in 1712 he served under the Duke of Ormond. He was sworn a member of the Privy Council in 1713. On the arrival of King George I. in England, in the autumn of 1714, the Earl of Orrery was appointed one of the Lords of the Bedchamber ; he was afterwards sworn a member of the Privy Council. In 1722 he was committed a prisoner to the Tower of London, on a charge of high treason, but no crime was proved against him. He died on the 28th of August 1731.

GEORGE MACARTNEY.

Appointed 1 2th July 1716.

This officer entered the army in the reign of King Wil- liam III., and was promoted in April 1703 to the colonelcy of a newly raised regiment of foot (afterwards disbanded), with which he served three campaigns on the Continent, under the great Duke of Maryborough. He afterwards proceeded to Spain, and commanded a brigade of infantry at the battle of Almanza, where he distinguished himself, and was taken prisoner. In 1709 he was promoted to the rank of major-general, and in 1710 to that of lieutenant-

Succession of Colonels. 97

general. His regiment having been disbanded at the Peace of Utrecht, he was appointed to the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS in 1716, and removed in 1727 to the Seventh Horse, now Sixth Dragoon Guards. He died in July 1730.

SIR JAMES WOOD.

Appointed yth March 1727.

Sir James Wood served many years in the army of the States-General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. His first commission was dated the 3ist of December 1688, and he rose to the rank of brigadier-general in 1704, in which rank he was admitted into the British service, in con- sequence of his reputation ; and in 1727 he was appointed colonel of the TWENTY-FIRST regiment. In 1735 he was promoted to the rank of major-general. His decease oc- curred on the 1 8th of May 1738.

JOHN CAMPBELL.

Appointed ist November 1738.

John Campbell of Mamore was an officer in the army in the reign of Queen Anne, and attained the rank of lieu- tenant-colonel. During the rebellion in 1715 and 1716 he was aide-de-camp to the Duke of Argyll ; and in June 1737 he obtained the colonelcy of the Thirty-ninth regiment, from which he was removed in the following year to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS. He commanded a brigade at the battle of Dettingen, in 1743 ; was appointed major-general in the following year; and during the rebel- lion in 1745 and 1746 he held a command in Scotland. He was advanced to the rank of lieutenant-general in 1747 ; removed from the Fusiliers to the Scots Greys in 1752 ; and in 1761 he was appointed governor of Lime- rick, and also succeeded to the title of Duke of Argyll. The Order of the Thistle was conferred upon his Grace in 1765. He died in 1770.

98 The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

WILLIAM, EARL OF PANMURE.

Appointed 2qth April 1752.

William Maule, who had been several years an officer in the Scots Foot Guards, and a member of Parliament, was created a peer of Ireland on the 6th of April 1743, by the title of Earl of Panmure. He served at the battle of Dettingen in the same year ; also at the battle of Fontenoy in 1745 J and on the ist of December 1747 was promoted to the colonelcy of the Twenty-fifth foot ; from which he was removed, in 1752, to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS. The rank of major-general was conferred upon his lordship in 1755. ^n the following year he was second in command at Gibraltar ; and in 1758 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. He was further advanced to the rank of general in 1770 ; and obtained the colonelcy of the Scots Greys in November of the same year. He died on the 4th of January 1782.

THE HONOURABLE ALEXANDER MACKAY.

Appointed loth May 1770.

The Honourable Alexander Mackay, son of George, third Lord Reay, was appointed ensign in the Twenty-fifth regiment in 1737 ; and in 1745 he obtained the commission of captain in the Earl of Loudoun's newly raised regiment of Highlanders, afterwards disbanded. He served against the rebels in the same year, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Prestonpans. In 1750 he was nominated major in the Third foot, and on the 2ist of December 1755 he was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the Fifty-second regiment, then newly raised, from which he exchanged, in March 1760, to the Thirty-ninth ; in 1761 he was elected a member of Parliament for Sunderland ; in August 1762 he was promoted to the colonelcy of the One Hundred and Twenty-second regiment, which was disbanded at the Peace of Fontainebleau ; and in March 1764 he obtained the colonelcy of the Sixty-fifth. He served in America, in

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Succession of Colonels. 99

which country he obtained the local rank of major-general in 1768; in 1770 he received the same rank in the army, and was removed to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH Fusi- LIERS in the same year. In 1772 he received the appoint- ment of Governor of Tynemouth and Clifford's Fort ; in 1777 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and in the following year appointed Governor of Landguard Fort, from which he was afterwards removed to the govern- ment of Stirling Castle. In 1780 he was nominated Com- mander-in-Chief in Scotland. He died in May 1789.

THE HONOURABLE JAMES MURRAY.

Appointed $th June 1789.

The Honourable James Murray served in the Fifteenth regiment, in which corps he attained the rank of major, and was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy on the 5th of January 1751. He commanded the Fifteenth in the expe- dition against Rochefort, under Lieutenant-General Sir John Mordaunt, in 1757, and at the capture of Louisbourg in 1758 ; in 1759 he commanded a brigade at the battle and capture of Quebec, under the renowned Major-General James Wolfe ; in 1760 he led a division up the river St Lawrence, and contributed to the reduction of Montreal,