SUCCESSION OF COLONELS (continued 2)

2nd bat.

The second battalion embarked at Londonderry for Scotland on the 9th of April, 1808, after transferring 200 men to the first battalion, which raised the strength of the latter to nearly 900 rank and file.

1st bat.

On the 26th of April, whilst in garrison at Cork, new colours, to replace those left in South America, were presented to the Seventy-first by Lieut.-General John Floyd, who had commanded the cavalry and advance in the campaign of 1790 in the East Indies.

The following animating and soldier-like address was made by the gallant General on the occasion:—

“Seventy-first!!

“I am directed to perform the honourable duty of presenting your colours.

“Brave Seventy-first, the world is well acquainted with your gallant conduct at the capture of Buenos Ayres in South America, under one of His Majesty’s bravest Generals.

“It is well known that you defended your conquest with the utmost courage, good conduct, and discipline, to the last extremity. When diminished to a handful, hopeless of succour, and destitute of provisions, you were overwhelmed by multitudes, and reduced by the fortune of war to lose your liberty and your well-defended colours, but not your honour. Your honour, Seventy-first Regiment, remains unsullied.

“Your last act in the field covered you with glory. Your generous despair, calling upon your General to suffer you to die with arms in your hands, proceeded from the genuine spirit of British soldiers. Your behaviour in prosperity—your sufferings in captivity—and your faithful discharge of your duty to your King and country, are appreciated by all.

“You who now stand on this parade, in defiance of the allurements held out to base desertion, are endeared to the army and to the country, and your conduct will ensure you the esteem of all true soldiers—of all worthy men—and fill every one of you with honest martial pride.

“It has been my good fortune to have witnessed, in a remote part of the world, the early glories and gallant conduct of the Seventy-first Regiment in the field; and it is with great satisfaction I meet you again with replenished ranks, with good arms in your hands, and with stout hearts in your bosoms.

“Look forward, officers and soldiers, to the achievement of new honours and the acquirement of fresh fame!!

“Officers! be the friends and guardians of these brave fellows committed to your charge!!

“Soldiers! give your confidence to your officers. They have shared with you the chances of war; they have bravely bled along with you,—they will always do honour to themselves and you. Preserve your regiment’s reputation for valour in the field and regularity in quarters.

“I have now the honour to present the

“Royal Colour. “This is the King’s colour!!

“I have now the honour to present your regimental colour.

“This is the colour of the Seventy-first Regiment.

“May victory for ever crown these colours!!!”

The Peninsula was at this period the centre of political interest. Portugal, deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the people of each rose in arms to recover the national independence. Dissensions had arisen in the Royal family of Spain, occasioned by the sway of Emanuel Godoy, who bore the title of the “Prince of Peace.” This Minister was dismissed, but the Court was unable to restore tranquillity. In this emergency the French Emperor was solicited to be umpire, and Napoleon ultimately placed the crown of Spain on his brother Joseph, who was transferred from the throne of Naples. The Spaniards flew to arms in consequence. The British Government resolved to aid the Spanish and Portuguese patriots, and a British army was ordered to proceed to the Peninsula, under the command of Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley. The first battalion of the Seventy-first Highlanders formed part of the force selected on this occasion.

It embarked at the Cove of Cork on the 17th of June, 1808, its strength consisting of 52 sergeants, 22 drummers, and 874 rank and file.

In June, 1808, His Majesty King George III was pleased to approve of the Seventy-first bearing the title of Glasgow in addition to the appellation of Highland regiment.[6]

In the first instance, the Seventy-first were brigaded with the Fifth, Thirty-eighth, and fifth battalion of the Sixtieth Regiment, under Brigadier-General Henry Fane, and sailed for Portugal, in conjunction with the forces destined to aid the Spaniards and Portuguese, on the 12th of July. After a favourable passage, the troops anchored in Mondego Bay in the beginning of August, and a landing was effected in the vicinity of the village of Frejus.

Early in the morning of the 4th of August a small picket of the enemy stationed in the neighbourhood fell back, and the operation of disembarking the troops was carried into effect without opposition. The army then moved on to a position across a deep sandy country, where it halted and encamped for the night.

At this period a change took place in the arrangement of the brigades, and the first battalion of the Seventy-first was placed, with the Thirty-sixth and Fortieth Regiments, in that commanded by Major-General Ronald Craufurd Ferguson.

The division under Major-General Sir Brent Spencer, K.B., from Cadiz, consisting of about 4,000 men, joined on the 8th of August; and, after a short halt, the army was again put in motion to occupy a more forward position, where it remained for some days. On the 17th August the enemy, commanded by General Laborde, was encountered near Roleia. The position was attacked and carried with great loss to the French, who retreated to Torres Vedras.

The light company of the Seventy-first was the only part of the regiment engaged, the remainder being employed in manœuvring on the right flank of the French. It suffered a trifling loss, having but 1 man killed and 2 wounded.

The Seventy-first subsequently received the Royal authority to bear the word “Roleia” on the regimental colours and appointments, in commemoration of this victory.

Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, after the battle of Roleia, did not pursue the enemy by the high roads, but, keeping to the right near the sea, marched to Vimiera to cover the landing of a brigade commanded by Major-General Anstruther, which was effected on the 20th of August.

The morning of the 21st of August was given up to the troops, in order to prepare and repose themselves. The men were engaged in washing and cleaning their equipments, when the approach of the enemy, moving to the left, was discovered at eight o’clock in the morning, and the brigades commanded by Major-General Ferguson, Brigadier-Generals Nightingall, Acland, and Bowes, were consequently moved across a valley from the heights on the west to those on the east of Vimiera.

Marshal Junot, Duke of Abrantes, moved on his army to the attack of the position, directing it on the British centre, where the Fiftieth Regiment was posted, and moving along the front gradually to the left until the whole line became engaged.

A short time previously to this, the soldiers of the brigade were ordered to sit down, with their arms in their hands, keeping their formation. The enemy in the meantime cannonaded the whole line, and pushed on his sharpshooters and infantry. To oppose the former, Major-General Ferguson ordered the left sections of the companies to move forward and skirmish. Upon the retreat of the enemy’s sharpshooters, the action became general along the front of this brigade, and the whole moved forward to the attack. Nothing could surpass the steadiness of the troops on this occasion, and the general and commanding officers set a noble example, which was followed by all.

The grenadier company of the Seventy-first greatly distinguished itself, in conjunction with a subdivision of the light company of the Thirty-sixth Regiment. Captain Alexander Forbes, who commanded the grenadier company, was ordered to the support of some British artillery, and seizing a favourable opportunity, made a dash at a battery of the enemy’s artillery immediately in his front. He succeeded in capturing five guns and a howitzer, with horses, caissons, and equipment complete. In this affair alone the grenadier company had Lieutenants John Pratt and Ralph Dudgeon and 13 rank and file wounded, together with 2 men killed.

The French made a daring effort to retake their artillery both with cavalry and infantry; but the gallant conduct of the grenadier company, and the advance of Major-General Ferguson’s brigade, finally left the guns in the possession of those who had so gallantly captured them.

George Clark, one of the pipers of the regiment, and afterwards piper to the Highland Society of London, was severely wounded in this action, and being unable to accompany his corps in the advance against the enemy, he deliberately sat down, and unstrapping his pipes, called out, “Well my bra’ lads, I can no farther wi’ ye a fighting, but diel ha’ my soul if ye sal want music,” and immediately began playing “Up and war them a’ Willie.” He was afterwards presented with a handsome stand of pipes by the Highland Society. This is the second instance in which the pipers of the Seventy-first have behaved with particular gallantry, and evinced high feeling for the credit and honour of the corps.

During the advance of the battalion, several prisoners were taken, among whom was the French General Brennier, who surrendered himself on the columns giving way to corporal John M^cKay. The latter was afterwards promoted to an ensigncy in the Fourth West India Regiment.

The result of this battle was the total defeat of the enemy, who subsequently retreated on Lisbon, with the loss of twenty-one pieces of cannon, twenty-three ammunition waggons, with powder, shells, stores of all descriptions, and 20,000 rounds of musket ammunition, together with a great many officers and soldiers killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.

The conduct of the battalion, and of its commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Pack, was noticed in the public despatches, and the thanks of the Houses of Parliament were conferred on the troops.

The following officers of the Seventy-first were wounded in the battle of Vimiera: Captains Arthur Jones and Maxwell Mackenzie; Lieutenants John Pratt, William Hartley, Augustus M^cIntyre, and Ralph Dudgeon; Ensign James Campbell, and Acting Adjutant R. M^cAlpine. Twelve rank and file were killed; six sergeants, and eighty-six rank and file wounded.

The Seventy-first subsequently received the royal authority to bear the word “Vimiera” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of this battle.

The Convention of Cintra was the result of this victory; it was signed on the 30th of August, and by its provisions the French Army evacuated Portugal.

The British Army was ordered to move forward to Lisbon, some of the reinforcements for it having preceded it by water, and occupied the forts at the mouth of the Tagus. The French Army having by this convention fallen back on Lisbon, the British proceeded to the vicinity of Fort St. Julien, and encamped there.

All the objects of the expedition being carried into effect, and the French troops embarked for France, the British Army remained for some time at Lisbon and its vicinity. At this period (September) Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, having assumed the command, made dispositions for entering Spain.

The first battalion of the Seventy-first was now brigaded with the Thirty-sixth and Ninety-eighth Regiments, under Brigadier-General Catlin Craufurd, and placed in the division under the command of Lieut.-General the Honourable John Hope, afterwards the Earl of Hopetoun. On the 27th of October the division was put in motion, and after a short stay at Badajoz, resumed the march, proceeding by Merida, Truxillo, Jaraicejo, Puerto-de-Merivette, and crossing the Tagus at the bridge of Almaraz, directed its route upon Talavera-de-la-Reyna. From this town the column proceeded to the Escurial, seven leagues to the north-west of Madrid.

Intelligence was here received of the enemy’s approach towards Madrid, and two companies of the Seventy-first, under Major Archibald Campbell, were pushed forward to occupy the important pass in the Guadarama Mountains, which separate Old from New Castile. After a halt of a few days, the division was put in motion over the Guadarama Pass to Villa Castin, at which place Lieut.-General the Honourable John Hope, in consequence of the intelligence which he received of the enemy’s movements, made a night march to the left, by Avila and Peneranda, and finally proceeded to Alba de Tormes. At the latter place a junction was formed with a detachment from the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, then at Salamanca. The army under Sir John Moore was shortly afterwards put in motion towards Valladolid, and subsequently to the left, to form a junction with Lieut.-General Sir David Baird’s division, which had landed at Corunna.

Previously to this period, the Spanish Armies under General Blake, near Bilboa on the left, General Castanos in the centre, and General Palafox lower down the Ebro on the right, had been completely defeated. Lieut.-General Sir John Moore consequently made arrangements for a retreat on Portugal by Ciudad Rodrigo; but it having been represented to him that Madrid held out against the French, he was induced to effect a junction with Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, in order to make a diversion in favour of Madrid, by attacking Marshal Soult on the River Carion.

The British force, twenty-nine thousand strong, joined at Toro on the 21st of December, and on the 23rd of that month Sir John Moore advanced with the whole army. The cavalry had already met with that of the enemy, and the infantry was within two hours’ march of him, when an intercepted letter informed the British Commander that Napoleon, who had entered Madrid on the 4th of December, was then in full march for Salamanca and Benevente. A retreat on Corunna, through Gallicia, was immediately decided on, that through Portugal being then impracticable.

Accordingly the several divisions marched towards the Esla, the greater part crossing by the bridge of Benevente. On the 26th of December, after a day’s halt, the cavalry under Lieut.-General Lord Paget and Brigadier-General the Honourable Charles Stewart had an engagement with some of the Imperial Guards that had forded the River Esla under General Le Févre, who was made prisoner, with several of his men.

At this period the situation of the British Army was dispiriting in the extreme. In the midst of winter, in a dreary and desolate country, the soldiers chilled and drenched with the heavy rains, and wearied by long and rapid marches, were almost destitute of fuel to cook their victuals, and it was with extreme difficulty that they could procure shelter. Provisions were scarce, irregularly issued, and difficult of attainment. The waggons, in which were their magazines, baggage and stores, were often deserted in the night by the Spanish drivers, who were terrified by the approach of the French. Thus baggage, ammunition, stores, and even money were destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy; and the weak, the sick, and the wounded were necessarily left behind. The Seventy-first suffered in proportion with the rest, and by weakness, sickness, and fatigue lost about 93 men.

1809.

1st bat.

On the 5th of January, 1809, a position was taken up at Lugo, where some skirmishing occurred, in which three companies of the Seventy-first were engaged, and repulsed the enemy.

Lieut.-General Francis Dundas was appointed from the Ninety-fourth Regiment to be Colonel of the Seventy-first on the 7th of January, 1809, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir John Francis Cradock, K.B., removed to the Forty-third Regiment.

The retreat was again commenced on the 9th of January, and on the 11th the army, still nearly fifteen thousand strong, reached Corunna. The British Army, having accomplished one of the most celebrated retreats recorded in modern history, repulsing the pursuing enemy in all his attacks, and having traversed two hundred and fifty miles of mountainous country, accompanied by severe privation, was not destined to embark for England without a battle.

The transports not having arrived, a position was occupied in advance of Corunna, and some sharp skirmishing ensued, in which four companies of the Seventy-first were warmly engaged, and lost several men in killed and wounded. Lieutenant William Lockwood was severely wounded. On this ground the battle of Corunna was fought on the 16th of January; but the Seventy-first being placed on the extreme left of the British line, had little part in it. The result of the action was glorious to the British Army, but was darkened by the loss of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, who received a severe wound during the battle, and died at ten o’clock on the same night. His remains were wrapped in a military cloak, and interred in the Citadel of Corunna, over which Marshal Soult, with the true feeling of a soldier, erected a monument.

Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, who succeeded to the command upon Sir John Moore being wounded, was also wounded, and the command devolved upon Lieut.-General the Honourable John Hope.

At eight o’clock on the night of the 16th of January the troops quitted their position, leaving the pickets posted and a few men to keep up the fires, and then marched into Corunna, where they embarked for England on the following day.

In commemoration of this battle, and of the conduct of the battalion during the expedition, the Seventy-first, in common with the army employed under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, received the royal authority to bear the word “Corunna” on the regimental colour and appointments.

The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were conferred on the troops, and were communicated to Lieut.-Colonel Pack by Lieut.-General Sir David Baird in the following letter:—

“Portsmouth, 30th January, 1809.

“Sir,

“I have great pleasure in transmitting to you copies of letters from the Lord Chancellor and the Speaker of the House of Commons, enclosing the resolutions of both Houses of Parliament, dated 25th of January, 1809, which contain the thanks of those Houses to the army lately engaged before Corunna.

“In communicating to you, Sir, this most signal mark of the approbation of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, allow me to add my warmest congratulations upon a distinction which you, and the corps under your command on that day, had a share in obtaining for His Majesty’s service.

“I have, etc., (Signed) “David Baird, “Lieut.-General.

“Officer commanding first battalion “Seventy-first Highlanders.”

After the battalion had landed at Ramsgate it was marched to Ashford, in Kent, where it continued for some time collecting the men, who, from contrary winds, were driven into different ports.

While at Ashford the battalion was brigaded with the Warwick Militia and the Ninety-first Regiment, under Brigadier-General the Baron de Rottenburg. Great sickness prevailed at this station, and Surgeon James Evans and several of the soldiers died of typhus fever.

On the 20th of March, 1809, the Royal authority was granted for the Seventy-first to be formed into a light infantry regiment, since which time it has been distinguished as the Highland Light Infantry.

The first battalion marched on the 27th of April, 1809, for Brabourne-Lees Barracks, and was brigaded with the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry Regiments. Every exertion was here made to increase the strength and improve the discipline of the corps. In June the first battalion was increased by a large reinforcement, consisting of several officers and 311 non-commissioned officers and privates from the second battalion, which continued to be stationed in North Britain. Several volunteers from the militia were also received at this period.

Immense preparations had been made by the British Government to fit out the most formidable armament that had for a long time proceeded from England. The troops, amounting to 40,000 men, were commanded by Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham. The naval portion consisted of 39 ships of the line, 35 frigates, and numerous gunboats, bomb-vessels, and other small craft, under Admiral Sir Richard Strachan. The object of the expedition was to obtain possession of the islands at the mouth of the Scheldt and to destroy the French ships in that river, with the docks and arsenals at Antwerp. The first battalion of the Seventy-first, towards the end of June, received orders to prepare for the above service, and marched on the 28th and 29th of that month in two divisions, encamping near Gosport.

On the 16th of July the battalion, consisting of 3 field officers, 6 captains, 27 subalterns, 5 staff, 48 sergeants, and 974 drummers and rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth on board His Majesty’s ships Belleisle and Impérieuse, and towards the end of the month sailed for the Downs.

The battalion was brigaded, under Brigadier-General the Baron de Rottenburg, with the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry, in the division commanded by Lieut.-General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser, and in the corps of Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B.

The expedition sailed from the Downs on the 28th of July, and having arrived off the Roompet Channel, preparations were made for landing; small craft to cover the landing were also sent in shore, and the light brigade, composed of the Sixty-eighth, Seventy-first, and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry, were landed under their fire. In an instant they were in contact with the enemy’s sharpshooters, who fell back, skirmishing. Being pushed hard, four guns, with their equipment and several prisoners, were taken by two companies of the Seventy-first, under Captains George Sutherland and Henry Hall, and one company of the Eighty-fifth.

A battery and flag-staff on the coast were taken possession of by the tenth company of the Seventy-first, and in lieu of a flag a soldier’s red jacket was hoisted on it.

This advance having succeeded at all points, and the enemy having fallen back on Flushing and Middleburg, the army was disembarked. The advance then dividing, proceeded by different routes. The Seventy-first moved by the sea dyke on a fort called Ter Veer, the situation and strength of which was not sufficiently known, an enemy’s deserter having given but imperfect intelligence respecting it.

After nightfall the column continued to advance in perfect silence, with orders to attack the post with the bayonet, when, on a sudden the advance-guard fell in with an enemy’s party, who came out for the purpose of firing some houses which overlooked the works. The column following the advance-guard had entered an avenue or road leading to the fort, when the advance commenced the action with the enemy, who, retiring within the place, opened a tremendous fire from his works with artillery and musketry. Some guns pointing down the road by which the battalion advanced did great execution, and the Seventy-first had Surgeon Charles Henry Quin killed, and about 18 men killed and wounded. The column, after some firing retired, and the place was the next day regularly invested by sea and land. It took three days to reduce, when it capitulated, with its stores and a garrison of 800 men.

Flushing having been invested on the 1st of August, the Seventy-first, after the surrender of Ter Veer, were ordered into the line of circumvallation, and placed on the extreme left, resting on the Scheldt. The preparations for the attack on the town having been completed, on the 13th a dreadful fire was opened from the batteries and bomb-vessels, and congreve-rockets having been thrown into the town, it was on fire in many places. The ships having joined in the attack, the enemy’s fire slackened, and at length ceased. A summons being sent in, a delay was demanded, but, being rejected, the firing recommenced.

On the 14th of August one of the outworks was carried at the point of the bayonet by a party of detachments and two companies of the Seventy-first under Lieut.-Colonel Pack.

In this affair, Ensign Donald Sinclair of the Seventy-first was killed; Captain George Spottiswoode and a few men were wounded.

Flushing, with its garrison of 6,000 men, capitulated on the 15th of August, and the right gate was occupied by a detachment of 300 men of the First or Royal Scots, and the left gate by a detachment of similar strength of the Seventy-first under Major Arthur Jones. The naval arsenal and some vessels of war which were on the stocks, fell into the hands of the British.

The Seventy-first proceeded shortly afterwards to Middleburg, where the battalion remained for a few days, when it was ordered to occupy Ter Veer, of which place Lieut.-Colonel Pack was appointed Commandant, and Lieutenant Henry Clements, of the Seventy-first, Town Major. The battalion remained doing duty in the garrison until this island, after destroying the works, etc, was finally evacuated on the 22nd of December.

On the 23rd of December the battalion embarked in transports and sailed for England, after a service of five months in a very unhealthy climate, which cost the battalion the loss of the following officers and men:—

Sergeants, Drummers,

Officers. and Rank and File.

Died on service 1 57

Killed 2 19

Died after return home 2 9

— —

5 85

In passing Cadsand, that fort opened a fire on the transports, one of which, having part of the Seventy-first on board, was struck by a round shot which carried off Sergeant Steel’s legs above the knees.[7]

On the 25th of December the first battalion of the Seventy-first disembarked at Deal, and marched to Brabourne-Lees barracks, in Kent, where it was again brigaded with the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry, and was occupied in keeping itself in an efficient state for active service.

1810.

Upon the Seventy-first being made light infantry, they were permitted to retain such parts of the national dress as might not be inconsistent with their duties as a light corps. A correspondence on the subject took place as follows between Lieut.-Colonel Pack and the Adjutant-General in April, 1810:—

“Sir,

“I beg leave to state that until I read the Adjutant-General’s letter of the 31st January last, a copy of which I have the honour herewith to enclose, I did not think it possible any misconception could exist as to the Seventy-first being no longer considered a Highland Regiment, having myself clearly understood from His Royal Highness the Duke of York and the present Commander-in-Chief that in becoming light infantry the corps was to be put, as to Colonel’s allowances, clothing, and appointments, exactly on the same establishment as English regiments of the line, being only allowed to retain our name and such characteristics of the old corps as were in no way found objectionable, and out of which in point of ‘esprit de corps’ much good and no possible harm could arise, and it was under this impression that the bonnet cocked as a regimental cap was submitted to the Horse Guards for approval, and was sealed by the Adjutant-General for our use. With this security I should now rest satisfied, but on a point affecting the honour of the regiment, I cannot allow a shadow of doubt to rest. I have, therefore, to entreat the Commander-in-Chief that unquestionable authority may be given for our wearing the bonnet so cocked, for retaining our pipes, and still dressing our pipers in the Highland garb. It cannot be forgotten how those pipes were obtained, and how constantly the regiment has upheld its title to them. These are the honourable characteristics alluded to, which must preserve to future times the previous remains of the old corps, and of which I feel confident His Majesty never will have reason to deprive the Seventy-first Regiment.

“I have the honour to be, “Sir, “Your most obedient servant, (Signed) “D. Pack, “Lieut.-Colonel Seventy-first “Regiment.

“The Adjutant-General of the Forces, “Horse Guards London.”

“Horse Guards, “12th April, 1810.

“Sir,

“Having submitted to the Commander-in-Chief your letter of the 4th instant, I am directed to state that there is no objection to the Seventy-first being denominated Highland Light Infantry Regiment, or to their retaining their pipes, and the Highland garb for the pipers, and that they will, of course, be permitted to wear caps according to the pattern which was lately approved and sealed by authority.

“I have, &c., (Signed) “William Wynward, “Deputy Adjutant-General.

“Lieut.-Colonel Pack, Seventy-first “Regiment.”

On the 8th of May, 1810, the first battalion marched to Deal Barracks, where every exertion was continued to render it fit for active service. Here the battalion was deprived of the services of Lieut.-Colonel Pack, who was appointed a brigadier in the Portuguese army under Marshal William Carr Beresford, afterwards General the Viscount Beresford.

Nothing of moment occurred until the early part of September, when the battalion received orders to hold six companies in readiness for foreign service. They were prepared accordingly by drafting into them, from the companies which were to remain at home, the most effective officers and men, several not having recovered from the Walcheren fever.

The following were the companies selected and completed for foreign service, namely:—

1st or Capt. M^cIntyre’s. 4th or Capt. Walker’s.

2nd ” Hall’s. 6th ” Spottiswoode’s.

3rd ” Adamson’s. 10th ” Lewis Grant’s.

They consisted of 2 field officers, 6 captains, 15 lieutenants, 7 ensigns, 4 staff, 38 sergeants, 12 drummers, and 603 rank and file.

On the 14th of September the above companies embarked in the Downs on board the Melpomene and St. Fiorenzo frigates, three companies with the staff, and Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Nathaniel Levett Peacocke, on board the former; the remaining three companies, under Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Reynell, afterwards colonel of the regiment, on board the latter. They sailed on the following day for Lisbon, and entered the Tagus on the 25th of September, after a short and pleasant passage. The companies were disembarked on the following day, and quartered in the San Benito and Espirito Santo convents.

The greatest exertions were made to complete the companies in field equipment, bât-mules, &c., which being effected, the detachment marched from Lisbon on the 2nd of October to Mafra, where it was shortly afterwards joined by Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, who assumed the command, and Lieut.-Colonel Peacocke returned to the second battalion in North Britain. The detachment being ordered to join the army under Lieut.-General Viscount Wellington, then retreating before Marshal Massena, Prince of Essling, marched from Mafra on the 8th of October, and on the 10th of that month effected the junction at Sobral, where it was brigaded with the Fiftieth and Ninety-second Regiments under Major-General Sir William Erskine, in the first division under Lieut.-General Sir Brent Spencer, K.B.

The army having retired into a position in the rear of Sobral, that place was occupied by the Seventy-first, having for its support the Fiftieth and Ninety-second Regiments and Major-General Alan Cameron’s brigade. On the 12th of October the pickets were violently attacked by the enemy’s advance, and retired skirmishing. In the meantime the place was ordered to be evacuated, and the pickets having joined, the Seventy-first took up a position on the outside, within musket-shot of the town. In this affair the detachment had 8 men killed and 34 wounded.

In this position the Seventy-first continued, when on the 14th of October they were again attacked with the greatest impetuosity, and charged with the bayonet. The enemy was completely repulsed, with very considerable loss in killed and wounded, being chased to the spot from which he made the attack. Both parties resumed their original position.

In Viscount Wellington’s despatch reporting this affair, the names of Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, commanding the Seventy-first, and that of Brevet Lieut.-Col. Thomas Reynell, were particularly mentioned.

A soldier of the sixth company, named John Rea, behaved on this occasion in the most gallant manner, and particularly distinguished himself, for which he received a silver medal with the following inscription:—“To John Rea, for his exemplary courage and good conduct as a soldier at Sobral, 14th October, 1810.”

On the 15th of October the Seventy-first was ordered to withdraw into the position at Zibriera, which was in continuation of the lines of Torres Vedras. In this celebrated position, which bid defiance to the French army, the troops were constantly on the alert, occupied in rendering it as strong as circumstances would admit, and in observing the motions of the enemy.

Marshal Massena did not think proper to attack the British army in this stronghold, and occupied his time in reconnaissances and demonstrations, until compelled, through want of provisions and consequent sickness of his troops, to abandon his designs, and retire to a position in his rear. This object he finally effected in a masterly manner, in the night, between the 14th and 15th of November, followed by the allied forces. Both armies thus evacuated positions on which the attention of Europe had been fixed, and which they had occupied for a month in presence of each other.

The division in which the six companies of the Seventy-first were placed advanced by the route of Alemquer, Cartajo, Atataya, and Almoster, and halted in and about the latter place from the 20th to the 26th of November, inclusive. The enemy, in the mean time, retired to an extremely strong position at and in the vicinity of Santarem, where Marshal Massena halted, although threatened by Viscount Wellington, who, after some manœuvring, took up a position immediately in the enemy’s front, having his head-quarters at Cartajo, and the different corps of the army in the villages. The brigade to which the Seventy-first belonged occupied Alquintrinha.

1811.

1st bat.

At this place the Seventy-first remained in quarters until March, 1811, at which period the army, having been reinforced, was about to resume the offensive, when the enemy retired during the night of the 5th of March, taking the same road, through Estremadura, by which he entered Portugal.

The British army accordingly marched in pursuit of Marshal Massena, and the brigade in which was the Seventy-first accompanied it, moving by Redinha, Miranda de Corvo, and Saryedes, passing the Coa, a little above Sabugal, upon the 5th of April, and on the 9th arrived at Albergaria, a small town on the frontiers of Spain. The Seventy-first remained in Albergaria until the 2nd of May, when the enemy, having been strongly reinforced, moved off from Salamanca, and on that day crossed the frontier with a large convoy of provisions for Almeida, then closely invested by the Portuguese forces under Brigadier-General Pack.

In consequence of this movement the allied army broke up its cantonments on the Azava, and formed in order of battle upon the high ground behind the Duas Casas, the left extending to the high road to Almeida, which crossed the river by a ford near Fort Concepcion, and the right keeping up a communication with the bridge at Sabugal; opposite the centre the village of Fuentes d’Onor was strongly occupied by light infantry.

Upon the 3rd of May the French took post on the opposite side of the valley of the Duas Casas, their left fronting Fuentes d’Onor, and their right extending about two miles and a half to Almeida. In the afternoon of the 3rd of May they attacked Fuentes d’Onor with much vigour. That post was defended with the greatest bravery, until the light companies, being worn out and harassed by repeated attacks, were obliged to retire, and the enemy possessed himself of the lower part of the village.

The Seventy-first was now ordered up in support, and, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, charged the enemy through the village and across the Duas Casas, taking ten officers and about a hundred men prisoners. The corps retained its conquest that night and the whole of the next day, but upon Sunday, the 5th of May, the French having succeeded in turning some troops to the immediate right, was obliged to give way; but having been promptly supported by the Seventy-fourth and Eighty-eighth Regiments, it again advanced, took possession of and retained the village until the conclusion of the action.

A struggle of such duration could not be carried on without great loss, and the Seventy-first suffered severely. It went into action about 320 strong, and lost nearly one-half of its number in killed and wounded.

The Seventy-first had Lieutenants John Conseil, William Houston, and John Graham, and Ensign Donald John Kearns, together with 4 sergeants and 22 rank and file killed. Captains Peter Adamson and James M^cIntyre, Lieutenants William M^cCraw, Humphrey Fox, and Robert Law (Adjutant), Ensigns Charles Cox, John Vandeleur, and Carique Lewin, 6 sergeants, 3 buglers, and 100 rank and file, were wounded. 2 officers, with several men, were taken prisoners.

In commemoration of the gallantry displayed in this prolonged action, the Seventy-first subsequently received the royal authority to bear the words “Fuentes d’Onor” on the regimental colour and appointments.

The following letter from Lord Fitzroy Somerset will serve to show the opinion entertained by Lord Wellington of the conduct of the Seventy-first on this occasion.

“Villa Formosa, 8th May, 1811.

“Sir,

“Lord Wellington being highly gratified with the conduct of the Seventy-first Regiment, has directed me to request that you will transmit to me the name of a non-commissioned officer who may be eligible for a commission, in order that his Lordship may recommend him for an Ensigncy on the present occasion.

“I have the honour to be, Sir, “Your most obedient servant, “Fitzroy Somerset.

“Lieut.-Colonel “The Honourable Henry Cadogan, “Seventy-first Regiment.”

According to his Lordship’s recommendation, Quartermaster-Sergeant William Gavin was shortly afterwards promoted to an ensigncy in the regiment.

The Seventy-first upon the 14th returned to their old quarters at Albergaria, and remained there until the 26th of May, when the brigade was ordered to the Alemtejo frontier, as a reinforcement to Marshal Sir William Beresford’s army, at this time besieging Badajoz, and threatened by the advance of Marshal Soult from the south of Spain.

2nd bat.

On the 15th of May, 1811, the second battalion embarked at Leith for South Britain, arrived at Ramsgate on the 23rd of that month, and remained stationed in England for nearly two years.

1st bat.

The first battalion, upon its route southward, crossed the Tagus on the 31st of May, and arrived near Albuhera on the 14th June, having passed through Portalegre, Aronches, Campo Mayor, and Talavera Real.

The sanguinary battle of Albuhera, fought on the 16th of May, had obliged Marshal Soult to retire previously to the arrival of the reinforcements, which being considered no longer necessary, the battalion retired to Elvas, where it remained two days, moving to Toro de Moro on the 19th of June, where it remained for a month. At this encampment a detachment of 350 men, with a proportion of officers, joined from the second battalion then stationed at Deal.

About this period the first battalion became a part of the army, under Lieut.-General Rowland (afterwards Viscount) Hill. The junction of the armies of Marshals Marmont and Soult having obliged Viscount Wellington to raise the siege of Badajoz, which had been resumed after the battle of Albuhera, the battalion, in co-operation with his Lordship’s retrograde movement, retired to Borba on 20th of July. Here it remained until the 1st of September, when it moved to Portalegre, and thence marched to Castello de Vido, on the 4th of October.

A detachment from Marshal Soult’s army, under General Girard, having been levying contributions in Spanish Estremadura, Lieut.-General Rowland Hill, with a view of putting a stop to his movements, broke up his cantonment at Portalegre, upon the 22nd of October, proceeding by Albuquerque and Malpartida. On the 27th, when, within a moderate march of the enemy at Arroyo-dos-Molinos, he halted his troops, and, at night, breaking up his bivouac, made a flank movement close to the road by which the French intended to march on the following morning. In that position he awaited the approach of day, when on the 28th of October, the British marched directly on the rear of the town with such celerity that the cavalry pickets were attacked before they had time to mount.

The French main body, though in the act of filing out, had so little intimation of danger, that the officers and men were surrounded before their formation was effected, and to seek safety they individually dispersed. Many of them were killed, and about 1,400 were taken prisoners. All the enemy’s artillery and baggage were captured. General Brun, and Colonel the Prince of Aremberg, together with several other officers, were among the prisoners.

In this brilliant affair the Seventy-first was one of the three corps that advanced through the centre of the town, and were, therefore, principally engaged; but the enemy, from his complete surprise, being unable to make a combined resistance, the British sustained but a trifling loss.

The battalion subsequently returned to Portalegre, where it arrived early in November. Although the Thirty-fourth Regiment was allowed to inscribe the words, “Arroyo dos Molinos” on its colours, still, for some inexplicable reason, the same privilege has always been refused to the other regiments that were present at that action.

Lieut.-General Hill, on the 7th of November, issued the following General Order:—

“Portalegre, 7th November, 1811.

“Lieut.-General Hill has great satisfaction in congratulating the troops on the success which has attended their recent operations in Estremadura, and in so doing he cannot but endeavour to do justice to the merits of those through whose exertions it has been obtained. A patient, willing endurance of forced and night marches, during the worst of weather, and over bad roads, of bivouacs in wet weather, oftentimes without cover and without fire, and a strict observance of discipline, are qualities, however, common in British soldiers, which the Lieut.-General cannot pass unnoticed. Having on this occasion witnessed the exertion of them in no ordinary degree, he feels that nothing but the most zealous attention of commanding officers, the goodwill and zealous spirit of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, could produce such an effect, and he requests they will, generally and individually, accept his warmest thanks, particularly those corps which were engaged in the action of Arroyo dos Molinos, whose silent attention to orders, when preparing to attack, and when manœuvring before the enemy, could not but excite his notice, and give them an additional claim on him.”

Letters from the Secretary of State, dated the 2nd, and from His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief, dated the 6th December, were promulgated, expressive of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent’s approbation and thanks to Lieut.-General Hill, and the troops under his command, for their brilliant operations on the recent expedition in Spanish Estremadura, in having totally surprised and defeated the enemy, under General Girard.

Viscount Wellington, having made preparations for the recapture of Ciudad Rodrigo, concentrated the main body of the army in that neighbourhood, and the troops, under Lieut.-General Hill, were therefore ordered to divert the enemy’s attention in the south.

The first battalion of the Seventy-first remained at Portalegre, until the 25th of December, when the brigade moved into Estremadura, for the purpose of expelling the French, who were ravaging the country. After the performance of this duty, the battalion returned to its former quarters at Portalegre, in February, 1812.

1812.

1st bat.

Upon the 19th of March, 1812, the battalion moved northward to Castello Branco, where it remained for about a week, and afterwards returned for the last time to Portalegre. The Earl of Wellington having made arrangements for the third siege of Badajoz, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s corps was destined to cover his movements, and with that view proceeded on the 21st of March towards Merida, and afterwards to Don Benito, where the troops remained for a few days; but upon the approach of Marshal Soult with a large army, with the intention of raising the siege, Lieutenant-General Hill retired upon Albuhera, through Arroyo de San Servan and Talavera Real.

Badajoz having been assaulted and carried by the troops, under the Earl of Wellington, on the night of the 6th of April, after a sanguinary conflict, the movement of Marshal Soult was rendered nugatory, and the troops under his orders retired into Andalusia.

Marshal Marmont, having, during the progress of the siege, penetrated into the province of Beira, and threatened Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida, the Earl of Wellington, after the fall of Badajoz, crossed the Tagus, leaving Sir Rowland Hill’s force to watch Marshal Soult, which took post at Almendralejos for that purpose.

The battalion was stationed at this town, from the 13th of April until the 11th of May. It having then become expedient to render the communications between the French armies on the north and south of the Tagus as precarious as possible, by the destruction of the bridge of boats at Almaraz, the corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, being the most disposable and convenient force, was accordingly ordered on this important service.

The French, feeling the importance of this bridge to their mutual strength and security, had surrounded it on both sides of the river with formidable enclosed works, having in the interior of them casemated and loop-holed towers. The troops appointed for these strong works, consequently, anticipated an arduous struggle.

Upon the 12th of May the corps broke up from Almendralejos, and marching by Truscillo and Jaraicejo, reached on the 18th of that month the Sierra, 5 miles from Almaraz, on which stands the Castle of Mirabete. This post was so strongly fortified that it blocked up the only road to Almaraz for the passage of artillery, which was considered by the enemy absolutely necessary for the destruction of the works. Sir Rowland Hill thought otherwise, and ascertaining that infantry could cross the Sierra by a track through Roman Gordo, he left his artillery, and descended at night with a column of 2,000 men. The leading company arrived at dawn of day, close to the principal fort, built on a height a few hundred yards in front of the tête de pont, but such were the difficulties of the road, that a considerable time elapsed before the rear closed, during which the troops were fortunately sheltered by a ravine, unseen by the enemy.

On the 19th May the Fiftieth Regiment, and the left wing of the Seventy-first, having been provided with ladders, were appointed to escalade the works of Fort Napoleon, supported by the right wing of the Seventy-first and the Ninety-second Regiment.

From a feint made upon Mirabete, the French were aware that an enemy was in the neighbourhood. The garrison on the alert immediately opened a heavy fire, and vigorously resisted the efforts made to push up the escarp; but the moment the first men gained a footing on the parapet, the enemy took to flight. The whole of this brilliant affair was completed in the short space of 15 minutes, and with little loss. The Seventy-first had Captain Lewis Grant, with 1 sergeant and 7 rank and file killed; Lieutenants William Lockwood and Donald Ross, 3 sergeants, and 29 rank and file were wounded.

The names of 36 non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Seventy-first were inserted in regimental orders for conspicuous bravery upon this occasion, and the Royal authority was subsequently granted for the word “Almaraz,” to be borne on the regimental colour and appointments.

The following orders were issued upon this occasion:—

“Bivouac, near Fort Napoleon, 19th May, 1812.

“Brigade Order.

“Major-General Howard cannot delay expressing his warmest acknowledgments to Lieut.-Colonel Stewart and Major Harrison, of the Fiftieth Regiment, and Major Cother, of the Seventy-first Regiment, who commanded the three columns of attack this morning on Fort Napoleon, and the works on the Tagus, for the gallant and distinguished manner in which they led the columns intrusted to them, as well as to all the other officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, for their bravery and good conduct, which produced the brilliant result of the capture of the works in question.”

“Truxillo, May 22nd, 1812.

“General Order.

“Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill congratulates the troops on the success which has attended their exertions in the present expedition. Every object for which it was undertaken has been attained, and in the manner most desirable and effectual. It is highly gratifying to the Lieut.-General to report on this occasion his admiration of the discipline and the valour of the troops under his command. The chance of war gave to the Fiftieth and Seventy-first Regiments the most conspicuous share in these events, who nobly profited by the opportunity; but the Lieut.-General is satisfied that the same zeal and the same spirit would have been found in every corps if there had been occasion for bringing them into play.

“The Lieut.-General has not failed to report to his Excellency the Commander of the Forces the particulars of this brilliant service, and the good conduct of all those concerned in it. He will, therefore, not say more at present than to express his warmest thanks for the assistance which he has received from all ranks; and he is confident, when it shall again be his good fortune to lead them against the enemy, he shall have to report conduct equally honourable to them and equally advantageous to their country.”

The following is an extract from Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s despatch to Lord Wellington:—

“I cannot sufficiently praise the conduct of the Fiftieth and Seventy-first Regiments to whom the assaults fell, the constant steady manner in which they formed and advanced and carried the place was worthy of those distinguished corps and the officers who led them.”

The bridge and works in the neighbourhood of Almaraz having been completely destroyed, the Seventy-first returned to Truxillo, where they remained a few days, then moved to Merida, and afterwards to Almendralejos. Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s force having received orders to make a diversion in the south, while the main army was moving northward on Salamanca, the battalion again moved from Almendralejos to the borders of Andalusia, through Llerena. On this march, the advanced parties of cavalry were constantly skirmishing with the enemy, but the Seventy-first was not engaged.

From Llerena the battalion returned to Zafra, whence, after a short halt, it proceeded to Villa Franca, and finally to Don Benito. In these marches through Estremadura, the weather was oppressively hot, and, joined to the clouds of dust raised by the troops, was so fatiguing that it was considered expedient at one time to move by night, and thus these inconveniences were alleviated.

While the force under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill had been thus employed, the allied army, under the Earl of Wellington, had gained a victory on the 22nd of July over the French at Salamanca, for which he was advanced to the dignity of Marquis.

From Don Benito, the battalion moved upon the 13th of September, and passing through Truxillo, Talavera, and Toledo, arrived at Aranjuez upon the 1st of October, from which place, after a halt of three weeks, it moved to Ponte Duenna, further up the Tagus.

The sudden approach of the united armies of Marshals Soult and Suchet rendered a speedy retreat necessary, and the division accordingly retired from Ponte Duenna in the night of the 28th of October, moving to form a junction with the army of the Marquis of Wellington, who had now relinquished the siege of Burgos. Near Madrid, the division halted for a short period, when, being joined by the garrison of that city, the troops retired leisurely by the Guadarama Pass on Alba de Tormes. This town, the Seventy-first occupied from the 7th to the 13th of November, and during that period sustained a loss in action with the enemy of 1 sergeant and 6 rank and file killed; 1 bugler and 5 rank and file wounded.

The army having received orders to retire on Portugal, the battalion abandoned this post, arriving at Coria upon the 1st of December, where the retreat terminated. In this quarter, the Seventy-first continued until the 13th of December, at which time they were pushed forward to Puerto de Bannos, where they were joined by a draft of 150 men from the second battalion.

1813.

While stationed at this post, an attempt was made, in February, 1813, by the French, to surprise Bejar, then occupied by the Fiftieth regiment. The Seventy-first were ordered forward to support, but previously to their arrival that brave regiment had driven back the enemy and completely foiled his efforts.

2nd bat.

On the 18th of March, 1813, the second battalion of the Seventy-first embarked at Gravesend for North Britain, and arrived at Leith on the 23rd of that month.

1st bat.

Upon the 5th of April, the Seventy-first changed quarters with the Fiftieth regiment, and continued to occupy Bejar until the 21st of May, at which period the army broke up from its winter quarters for active operations. The battalion on its advance moved by Salamanca and Toro, and encamped at La Puebla on the 20th of June, the evening before the memorable battle of Vittoria.

Upon the morning of the 21st of June, the two armies being in position, the Seventy-first was ordered to ascend the heights of La Puebla, to support the Spanish forces under General Morillo. They accordingly advanced in open column, and having formed line, were immediately hotly engaged with the enemy, and upon this occasion suffered an irreparable loss in the fall of their Commanding Officer the Honourable Colonel Henry Cadogan, who fell mortally wounded while leading his men to the charge, and being unable to accompany the battalion, requested to be carried to a neighbouring eminence, from which he might take a last farewell of them and the field. In his dying moments, he earnestly inquired if the French were beaten, and on being told by an officer of the regiment who stood by supporting him, that they had given way at all points, he ejaculated, “God bless my brave countrymen,” and immediately expired.

While recording the deep sense of sorrow which the Seventy-first experienced in the loss of a commanding officer who had so often fought at their head, and whose devoted gallantry had so frequently called forth their admiration, it is but a meet tribute to the memory of that brave officer to extract from the despatch of the Marquis of Wellington the following expressions of his Lordship’s regret at his loss:

“And I am concerned to report that the Honourable Lieut.-Colonel Cadogan has died of a wound which he received. In him His Majesty has lost an officer of great zeal and tried gallantry, who had already acquired the respect and regard of the whole profession, and of whom it might be expected that if he had lived he would have rendered the most important services to his country.”

After the fall of the Lieut.-Colonel, the Seventy-first continued advancing, and driving the enemy from the heights, until the force which was opposed to them became so unequal, and the loss of the battalion so severe, that it was obliged to retire upon the remainder of the brigade. In the performance of this arduous duty, the battalion suffered very severely, having had 1 field officer, 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 6 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 78 rank and file killed; 1 field officer, 3 captains, 7 lieutenants, 13 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 255 rank and file were wounded.

The officers killed were Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, Captain Henry Hall, Lieutenants Humphrey Fox and Colin Mackenzie. Those wounded were Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Charles Cother, Captains Samuel Reed, Joseph Thomas Pidgeon, William Alexander Grant, Lieutenants Alexander Duff, Loftus Richards, John McIntyre, Charles Cox, William Torriano, Norman Campbell, and Thomas Commeline.

Lieut.-General Sir William Stuart, on subsequently receiving the thanks of the House of Commons for his gallantry at Vittoria, thus recorded the bravery of this regiment on that day, in the course of his answer to the Speaker:—

“I cannot advert to that battle and not submit to the memory, and, if I may use the term, to the affection of this House the name of one gallant officer upon whom the brunt of this contest particularly fell—I mean, Sir, the late Colonel Cadogan; the fall of that officer was glorious, as his last moments were marked by the success of a favourite regiment upon the magnanimity of whose conduct he kept his eyes fixed during the expiring hour of a well-finished life.”

On this occasion the French suffered a great loss of men, together with all their artillery, baggage, and stores. King Joseph, whose carriage and court equipage were seized, had barely time to escape on horseback. The defeat was the most complete that the French had sustained in the Peninsula. It was this victory which gained a bâton for the Marquis of Wellington, who was appointed a Field-Marshal. In a most flattering letter, the Prince Regent, in the name and behalf of His Majesty, thus conferred the honour:—

“You have sent me among the trophies of your unrivalled fame the staff of a French Marshal, and I send you in return that of England.” This was in allusion to the bâton of Marshal Jourdon, which was taken by the Eighty-seventh Regiment at Vittoria.

The Seventy-first subsequently received the Royal authority to bear the word “Vittoria” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of this signal victory.

When the Seventy-first paraded on the morning of the 22nd of June, the dreadful havoc made by the action of the preceding day became painfully manifest, and an universal gloom was thrown over all, at missing from their ranks nearly 400 brave comrades who had been either killed or wounded on the heights of La Puebla.

The enemy having been completely beaten at all points was forced to retreat in confusion on Pampeluna, and the British army immediately followed in pursuit. The battalion in this advance arrived at Pampeluna on the 29th of June, and shortly afterwards followed, as part of Sir Rowland Hill’s army, a large force of the enemy, who were retreating into France by the valley of Bastan. During this forward movement the Seventy-first had some skirmishing in the valley of Elizondo, but without loss. Upon the 8th of July the Seventy-first arrived at the heights of Maya, from whence, for the first time, they had the cheering prospect of beholding the empire of France extended under them in all its fertile beauty. Joy was diffused through every heart: every trial and danger was forgotten while viewing this splendid and gratifying sight. Upon these heights the battalion was encamped until the 25th of July.

Marshal Soult having been selected by Napoleon for the command of the French army in Spain, with the rank of “Lieutenant of the Emperor,” that officer used the most active exertions for its re-organization, and made immediate arrangements for forcing the British position in the Pyrenees. With this view he advanced in person with a large force against the right, stationed at Roncesvalles, and detached Count D’Erlon with about 13,000 men to attack the position of Maya.

The Count D’Erlon, upon the 25th of July, advanced against the right of the Maya heights, where the ridges of the mountains branched off towards his camp. The force at this point was not sufficient to resist such formidable numbers, and the reserve being posted at some distance to watch passes of importance, which could not be left wholly unguarded, was brought up by battalions as the pressure increased.

The intrepidity with which these attacks were met, and the obstinate bravery with which every inch of ground was disputed, were obliged at last to yield to overwhelming numbers; but although the troops were forced to retrograde, yet in their retreat they took advantage of every rising ground, and disputed it with the utmost tenacity. At the commencement of this attack a part of the first battalion of the Seventy-first Regiment was detached to a neighbouring high peak, under the command of Major William Fitzgerald of the Eighty-second Regiment, and was strengthened by a company of that corps. Lieut.-General the Honourable Sir William Stewart, in his report to Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, thus expressed himself respecting these men:—“I cannot too warmly praise the conduct of that field officer (Major Fitzgerald) and that of his brave detachment. They maintained the position to the last, and were compelled, from the want of ammunition, to impede the enemy’s occupation of the rock by hurling stones at them.”

In another part of this communication, the Lieut.-General thus alluded to the Eighty-second Regiment and to the first brigade, which was composed of the Fiftieth, Seventy-first, and Ninety-second Regiments:—

“I feel it my duty to recommend to your attention, and favourable report to the Commander of the Forces, the conduct and spirit of Colonel Grant, and of his brave corps, the Eighty-second Regiment; also the whole of the first brigade, than which His Majesty’s army possesses not men of more proved discipline and courage. The wounds of him, and every commanding officer in that brigade, were attended with circumstances of peculiar honour to each of them, and to those under their orders.”

The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the action of the 25th of July, as nearly as could be ascertained:—

3 sergeants and 54 rank and file killed; 6 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 76 rank and file wounded.

The Seventy-first continued retiring until the 30th, when Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill took up a strong position beyond Lizasso. In this post he was attacked with much spirit by the enemy, who at the same time, by manœuvring on the left flank, rendered necessary a change of position to a range of heights near Eguaros, which all the efforts of the French failed to carry. Upon this occasion the Seventy-first was seriously engaged, and had 1 sergeant and 23 rank and file killed; 2 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 33 rank and file were wounded.

The enemy having been foiled in all the objects of his attack found it necessary, in his turn, to retreat, moving on the 31st of July by the pass of Doña Maria, where he left a strong corps in an excellent position. This force was immediately attacked by the columns of Lieut.-Generals Sir Rowland Hill and the Earl of Dalhousie, and dislodged after a gallant resistance. In the action of this day the first brigade, consisting of the Fiftieth, Seventy-first, and Ninety-second Regiments, had the honour of bearing its share and of distinguishing itself. The Seventy-first had 1 sergeant and 29 rank and file killed; 2 sergeants and 45 rank and file were wounded.

The battalion now returned to the heights of Maya, from whence, after a halt of a few days, it moved to Roncesvalles.

Previously to this change of quarters, an order was issued by Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, relative to the conduct of the troops in the actions of the Pyrenees, of which the following is a copy:—

“Arrizi, August 3rd, 1813.

“General Order.

“Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill requests that the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the corps of the army under his command will accept his best thanks for the gallant conduct they have displayed during the late active and interesting operations.

“The chance of service has placed the troops under his command in situations where they were exposed to an immense superiority of forces, a circumstance unavoidable in operations so extensive as those in which this army has been engaged; and it has at all times been necessary to cede ground to the enemy. The Lieut.-General, however, has the satisfaction of knowing that the troops have on every occasion maintained their high character; that they have only withdrawn from their positions by superior orders, and then it has been invariably attended with circumstances highly creditable to them. The Lieut.-General has not failed to report to the Commander of the Forces the details of the several affairs in which the corps have been engaged, and he knows that their services are duly appreciated by his Excellency.”

The Royal authority was subsequently granted to the Seventy-first to bear the word “Pyrenees” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of the services of the first battalion in the actions of the 25th, 30th, and 31st of July, which have been designated the “Battles of the Pyrenees.”

In these actions the Seventy-first had Lieutenant Alexander Duff killed, Major Maxwell Mackenzie, Captains Leslie Walker and Alexander Grant, Lieutenants Thomas Park, John Roberts, William Woolcombe, William Peacocke, and Anthony Pack, wounded.

The following “Morning Reports” of the 14th of June and 7th of August, the former being prior to the battle of Vittoria, and the latter a few days subsequent to the actions in the Pyrenees, will show how the ranks of the Seventy-first were thinned within a period of less than two months:—

Sergeants. Buglers. Rank and File.

14th June, 1813, present

and fit for duty 54 21 909

7th August, 1813, ditto 21 15 356

— — ——

Decrease 33 6 553

For nearly three months the battalion was encamped on the heights of Roncesvalles, during which period St. Sebastian and Pampeluna were captured. The men were principally employed during this interval in the construction of block houses and batteries, and the formation of roads for the artillery.

In the early part of the season the neighbouring heights of Altobispo were occupied weekly by the brigades of the division; but as the cold increased with the high winds, the pickets alone were appointed for this duty. Such was the inclemency of the weather, and natural advantages of this position, that it was scarcely thought that the enemy would attempt an attack. This opinion, however, was ill founded, as upon the night of the 11th of October an attempt was made by a strong party upon the advance, composed of 15 men of the Seventy-first, under Sergeant James Ross. Instead of flinching from an unequal contest, this small band, relying upon the strength of the position, and being, moreover, favoured by the darkness, which concealed its strength, maintained its ground, and forced the enemy to retire. The bravery of this party called forth high praise from Lieut.-General the Honourable Sir William Stewart, commanding the division, and at his request the soldiers composing it were all presented with medals.

On the 8th of November the division was again in motion, for the purpose of entering the French territory; and on the 9th of that month it bivouacked near the heights of Maya, where orders were received to march as light as possible. The heights were passed that night by moonlight for the purpose of joining the grand army; but the march over bad roads was so fatiguing that when the brigade arrived in position on the Nivelle it was not called upon to take an active part in the glorious proceedings of the rest of the army on the 10th of November, in forcing the French from their fortified position on that river.

After the battle of the Nivelle, the battalion marched in the direction of Cambo, on the Nive, where some smart skirmishing occurred, in which 2 men were killed, and 4 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 41 rank and file wounded. When the French crossed to the right bank, the Seventy-first occupied part of the town of Cambo.

The battalion remained in Cambo for nearly a month, and was here joined by a detachment of 4 sergeants and 82 rank and file, under the command of Lieut. Charles Henderson, from the second battalion, at this period stationed at Glasgow.

On the 9th of December the first battalion was engaged in the passage of the Nive. The left wing of the Seventy-first entered the river, supported by the fire of the right, and reached the opposite bank without experiencing any loss.

The enemy now retired within Bayonne, and the corps of Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill was established with its right on the Adour, the left above the Nive, and the centre at St. Pierre, across the high road to St. Jean Pied-de-Port.

In this disposition the second division, of which the Seventy-first formed part, was placed at St. Pierre. Marshal Soult, having completely failed in an attempt which he made against the left of the army, moved with his whole force against Sir Rowland Hill’s corps, with the expectation of overwhelming him before he could be supported.

The enemy came on with great boldness upon the 13th of December, and made vigorous efforts against the centre, which he repeatedly attacked; but at last, finding his most earnest endeavours fruitless, he drew off. In the action of this day the loss of the first battalion of the Seventy-first was very severe, having been placed close to the main road, against which the French made such formidable and repeated attacks.

Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell Mackenzie and Lieutenants William Campbell and Charles Henderson, together with 2 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 23 rank and file, were killed. Captains Robert Barclay and William Alexander Grant, and Lieutenants John M^cIntyre and William Torriano, with 37 rank and file, were wounded.

The following short, but highly expressive Division Order was issued by Lieut.-General the Honourable Sir William Stewart, K.B.

“Head-quarters, near Petite Moguerre, “December 14th, 1813.

“The second division has greatly distinguished itself, and its gallantry in yesterday’s action is avowed by the Commander of the Forces and the Allied Army.”

In commemoration of these services, the Seventy-first subsequently received the royal authority to bear the word “Nive” on the regimental colour and appointments.

The battalion marched on the 19th of December to Urcuit, and to Urt upon the 28th of that month. A small picket of the Seventy-first, under the command of Corporal Dogherty, here distinguished itself by beating off an enemy’s party of nearly treble its strength.

1814.

While stationed in this quarter, the companies were frequently engaged in skirmishes with the enemy, particularly at St. Hellette, heights of Garris, and St. Palais, in the month of January, 1814.

In the beginning of February the battalion marched from Urt, and during its advance had frequent skirmishes with the enemy’s rear guard.

On the 26th of February the battalion was in action at Sauveterre, and upon the 27th had the honour of participating in the battle of Orthes.

In commemoration of this victory, the Seventy-first afterwards received the royal authority to bear the word “Orthes” on the regimental colour and appointments.

Two divisions of the French army having retired to Aire after the action of the 27th of February, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill moved upon that town to dislodge them. Upon the 2nd of March the French were found strongly posted upon a ridge of hills, extending across the great road in front of the town, having their right on the Adour. The second division attacked them along the road, seconded by a Portuguese brigade, and drove them from their position. Lieut. James Anderson and 17 rank and file were killed; Lieut. Henry Frederick Lockyer, 1 sergeant, and 19 rank and file were wounded.

A detachment from the second battalion, consisting of 1 captain, 4 subalterns, and 134 rank and file, under the command of Major Arthur Jones, joined at Aire.

On the 25th of March, part of the battalion was engaged in an affair at Tarbes, in which Lieutenant Robert Law was wounded, and upon the 10th of April was in position at Toulouse, where some of the companies were employed skirmishing, and sustained a loss of 1 sergeant and 3 rank and file killed; 6 rank and file were wounded.

During the night of the 11th of April, the French troops evacuated Toulouse, and a white flag was hoisted. On the following day, the Marquis of Wellington entered the city, amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants. In the course of the afternoon of the 13th of April, intelligence was received of the abdication of Napoleon, and had not the express been delayed on the journey by the French police, the sacrifice of many valuable lives would have been prevented.

A disbelief in the truth of this intelligence occasioned much unnecessary bloodshed at Bayonne, the garrison of which made a desperate sortie on the 14th of April, and Lieutenant Sir John Hope (afterwards Earl of Hopetoun) was taken prisoner. Major-General Andrew Hay was killed, and Major-General Stopford was wounded.

A treaty of peace was established between Great Britain and France; Louis XVIII was restored to the throne of France, and Napoleon Bonaparte was permitted to reside at Elba, the sovereignty of that island having been conceded to him by the Allied Powers.

The war being ended, the first battalion of the Seventy-first regiment marched from Toulouse to Blanchfort, where it was encamped for 16 days, and afterwards proceeded to Pouillac, where it embarked on the 15th of July for England, on board of His Majesty’s ship “Sultan” of seventy-four guns.

Prior to the breaking up of the Peninsula army, the Duke of Wellington issued the following General Order:—

“Bordeaux, 14th June, 1814.

“General Order.

“The Commander of the Forces, being upon the point of returning to England, again takes this opportunity of congratulating the army upon the recent events which have restored peace to their country and to the world.

“The share which the British army have had in producing those events, and the high character with which the army will quit this country, must be equally satisfactory to every individual belonging to it, as they are to the Commander of the Forces, and he trusts that the troops will continue the same good conduct to the last.

“The Commander of the Forces once more requests the army to accept his thanks.

“Although circumstances may alter the relations in which he has stood towards them for some years so much to his satisfaction, he assures them he will never cease to feel the warmest interest in their welfare and honour, and that he will be at all times happy to be of any service to those to whose conduct, discipline, and gallantry their country is so much indebted.”

In addition to the other distinctions acquired during the war in Spain, Portugal, and the South of France, the Seventy-first subsequently received the Royal Authority to bear the word “Peninsula” on the regimental colours and appointments.

The first battalion arrived at Cork on the 28th of July, and marched to Mallow, where it remained for a few days. On the 4th of August, the battalion marched to Limerick, where Colonel Reynell assumed command of it in December, and in which city it continued to be quartered during the remainder of the year.

2nd bat.

The second battalion remained stationed in North Britain.

1815.

1st bat.

In January, 1815, the first battalion of the Seventy-first regiment marched from Limerick to Cork, and embarked as part of an expedition under orders for North America. Peace having been concluded with the United States, and contrary winds having prevented the sailing of the vessels, the destination of the battalion was changed, and subsequent events occasioned its being employed against its former opponents. The tranquillity which Europe appeared to have gained by the splendid successes over the French in the Peninsula was again to be disturbed. Napoleon, who had been accustomed to imperial sway, was naturally discontented with his small sovereignty of Elba. Besides, the correspondence kept up by him with his adherents in France, gave him hopes of regaining his former power, which were, for a short time, fully realised. He landed at Cannes in Provence, on the 1st of March, 1815, with a small body of men, and on the 20th of that month entered Paris at the head of an army which had joined him on the road. This could not be wondered at, for the officers and soldiers had won their fame under his command, and gladly welcomed their former leader, under whom they probably expected to acquire fresh honours, which might erase the memory of the defeats sustained in the Peninsula.

Louis XVIII, unable to stem the torrent, withdrew from Paris to Ghent, and Napoleon resumed his former dignity of Emperor of the French. This assumption the Allied Powers determined not to acknowledge, but resolved to deprive him of his sovereignty, and again restore the ancient dynasty.

The first battalion of the Seventy-first, in consequence of these occurrences, proceeded to the Downs, and was there embarked on board small vessels, which conveyed it to Ostend, where it disembarked on the 22nd of April.

The battalion next proceeded to Ghent, and, after remaining there a week, marched to Leuze, between Ath and Fournay, and was subsequently placed in the light brigade with the first battalion of the Fifty-second, six companies of the second, and two companies of the third battalion of the Ninety-fifth Regiment (Rifles), under the command of Major-General Frederick Adam, in the division of Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton.

The strength of the brigade was as follows:—

Rank and File.

52nd Regt. 1st bat. 997

71st do. do. 788

95th do. 2nd bat. Rifles 571

95th do. 3rd do. do. 185

———

Total 2,541

Brevet Colonel Reynell, afterwards Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Reynell, commanded the battalion at this period.

Napoleon resolved on attacking the Allies before their forces had been fully collected, and by well-marked and admirably combined movements, a portion of his army was concentrated, on the 14th of June, between the Sambre and the Meuse.

On the morning of the 16th of June, as the battalion was proceeding to the usual exercising-ground of the brigade at Leuze, it received orders for an immediate advance upon Nivelles, where it arrived late that night. On the same day, Prince Blücher had been attacked at Ligny, and was forced to retreat to Havre. The Duke of Wellington and a portion of his army had been also attacked at Quatre Bras by Marshal Ney, who, however, made no impression upon the British position.

In the course of the morning of the 17th of June, the Duke of Wellington made a retrograde movement upon Waterloo, in order to keep up his communication with the Prussians. At day-break on the same morning, the first battalion of the Seventy-first retired, and took up its position, with the rest of the allied army, on the plains in the neighbourhood of Waterloo, being situated to the left and rear of Hougomont.

The Seventy-first, with the rest of the army, bivouacked in position during the night of the 17th of June, drenched by the rain, which fell heavily. Upon the morning of the memorable 18th of June, the battalion stood in open column, and in this situation was exposed for some time to a heavy fire of artillery, but a judicious movement to a short distance alleviated in a great measure this annoyance. Line was next formed, and about two o’clock the battalion, with the rest of the brigade, advanced, met their opponents in position, charged, and instantly overthrew them.

A heavy fire now commenced upon the retreating enemy, but the alignment having been completely deranged by the impetuosity of the advance, Colonel Reynell, with his usual coolness, proceeded to restore order, and had just completed the dressing of the line when the French cavalry was seen advancing. Square was instantly formed, and the Seventy-first, with the rest of the brigade, sustained a charge from 3 regiments of French cavalry, namely, 1 of cuirassiers, 1 of grenadiers-à-cheval, and 1 of lancers.

The charge was made with the most obstinate bravery, but nothing could overcome the steadiness of the British infantry, and after a destructive loss, the French were forced to retire. At this moment a piper played up the Seventy-first quick march, followed with the charge. Major-General Adams with the regiment exclaimed, “Well done, Seventy-first; you are all lions together, and as for you, piper, you are an honour to your country. Forward, my lads, and give them the charge in style, as I know and see you can do.”

Previously to this advance of the enemy’s cavalry the square of the Seventy-first was struck by a round shot, which killed or wounded an officer and 18 men of the eighth company.

About seven o’clock in the evening the left wing of the battalion was formed in rear of the right, and while thus placed was, with the rest of the division, attacked by a column of the Imperial Young Guard, which had been kept in reserve during the day. It was allowed to approach close without molestation, when the regiments, throwing in a close and well-directed fire, prevented its deployment, and it retired in confusion.

The enemy having now exhausted all its efforts, the British, in their turn, advanced. The Seventy-first, in the first instance, suffered much from the fire of some guns that enfiladed its front; these were soon silenced, and the battalion was afterwards left unmolested. In this advance the light brigade captured several guns. Night closed in fast, and the corps rested after this lengthened and sanguinary encounter, the pursuit of the discomfited enemy being committed to the Prussians, under Marshal Blücher, who had arrived on the field of battle in time to decide the defeat of the French.

The Seventy-first had Brevet Major Edmund L’Estrange (Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B.), and Ensign John Todd, killed. The following officers were wounded: the Lieut.-Colonel commanding the battalion, Colonel Thomas Reynell; Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Arthur Jones; Captains Samuel Reed, Donald Campbell, William Alexander Grant, James Henderson, and Brevet Major Charles Johnstone; Lieutenants Joseph Barrallier, Robert Lind, John Roberts, James Coates, Robert Law, Carique Lewin, and Lieutenant and Adjutant William Anderson.

The number of serjeants, buglers, and rank and file killed amounted to 29; 166 were wounded, of whom 36 died of their wounds.

The following were present with the regiment at this battle:—

Colonel, Lieut.-Colonel J. Reynell.

Lieut.-Colonel, Major A. Jones.

Major, L. Walker.

Captains.

S. Reed. J. Henderson.

J. T. Pidgeon. A. T. M. McIntyre.

A. Armstrong. C. Johnstone.

D. Campbell. Alex. Grant.

William A. Grant.

Lieutenants.

J. Barrallier. William Long.

L. Richards. Robert Law.

J. R. Elwes. C. J. Cox.

C. Stewart. Carique Lewin.

R. Baldwin. William Woolcombe.

W. C. Hanson. William Torriano.

Robert Lind. G. W. Horton.

J. Roberts. J. Coote.

James Coates. C. Moorhead.

James Fraser. D. Soutar.

E. Gilborne. N. Campbell.

J. Whitney.

Ensigns.

A. Moffatt. A. M. Henderson.

W. P. Smith. J. Spalding.

H. W. Thompors. J. Impitt.

J. Barnett. R. L’Estrange.

Paymaster, H. McKenzie.

Adjutant, William Anderson.

Surgeon, A. Stewart.

Assistant Surgeons.

J. Winterscale. Samuel Hill.

Both Houses of Parliament, with the greatest enthusiasm, voted their thanks to the army for its “distinguished valour at Waterloo.”

For the share which the battalion had in this glorious victory, the Seventy-first were permitted to bear, in common with the rest of the army engaged upon the 18th of June, the word “Waterloo” on the regimental colour and appointments. Colonel Thomas Reynell and Major L. Walker were appointed Companions of the Bath. The officers and men engaged were presented with silver medals by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and were allowed to reckon two years additional service.

The battalion, with the rest of the army, afterwards marched towards Paris, and entered that city on the 7th of July. The brigade encamped that day on the Champs Elysées, near the Place Louis Quinze, being the only British troops quartered within the barriers, and continued there until the beginning of November, when it proceeded to Versailles, and to Viarmes in December.

Meanwhile Louis XVIII had entered Paris and was again reinstated on the throne of his ancestors. Napoleon Bonaparte had surrendered to Captain Maitland, commanding the “Bellerophon,” British ship of war, and the island of St. Helena having been fixed for his residence, he was conveyed thither with a few of his devoted followers.

In Edinburgh, on the 26th of July, at the annual competition for prizes given by the Highland Society of London, Sir John Sinclair, President of the Judges, in the course of his address referred to several instances where the sound of the bagpipes had been productive of the most decisive results, and stated that it had been used with the same effect in the late glorious conflicts, as appeared by letters from the army. He said that before he obeyed the directions of the Committee in delivering the prizes it was necessary to state that George Clark, piper-major to the Seventy-first Regiment, having formerly received a pipe from the Highland Society of Scotland for his gallant conduct at the battle of Vimiera in continuing to play upon his pipes after he was severely wounded, it was thought proper to vote him a gold medal instead of considering him as a candidate for one of the prizes.

2nd bat.

On the 24th of December, 1815, the second battalion of the Seventy-first was disbanded at Glasgow, the effective officers and men being transferred to the first battalion.

1816.

In January, 1816, the Seventy-first marched to the Pas-de-Calais, in which part of France the regiment was quartered in several villages, having its head-quarters at Norrent Fonte, a village on the high road from Calais to Douay.

On the 21st of June, 1816, the regiment assembled on the bruyère of Rombly, between the villages of Lingham and Rombly on the one side, and Viterness and Leitre on the other, for the purpose of receiving the medals which had been granted by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent to the officers, non-commissioned officers, buglers, and privates, for their services at the battle of Waterloo.

A hollow square upon the centre was formed on this occasion; the ranks were opened, and the boxes containing the medals were placed within the square. Colonel Reynell then addressed the regiment in the following manner:—

“Seventy-first!!

“The deep interest, which you will all give me credit for feeling, in everything that affects the corps cannot fail to be awakened upon an occasion such as the present, when holding in my hands, to transfer to yours, these honourable rewards bestowed by your Sovereign for your share in the great and glorious exertions of the army of His Grace the Duke of Wellington upon the field of Waterloo, when the utmost efforts of the army of France, directed by Napoleon, reputed to be the first captain of the age, were not only paralyzed at the moment, but blasted beyond the power of even a second struggle.

“To have participated in a contest crowned with victory so decisive, and productive of consequences that have diffused peace, security, and happiness throughout Europe, may be to each of you a source of honourable pride, as well as of gratitude to the Omnipotent Arbiter of all human contests, who preserved you in such peril, and without whose protecting hand the battle belongs not to the strong, nor the race to the swift.

“I acknowledge to feel an honest and, I trust, an excusable, exultation, in having had the honour to command you on that day, and in dispensing these medals destined to record in your families the share you had in the ever memorable battle of Waterloo, it is a peculiar satisfaction to me that I can present them to those by whom they have been fairly and honourably earned, and that I can here solemnly declare that in the course of that eventful day I did not observe a soldier of this good regiment whose conduct was not only creditable to the English nation, but such as his dearest friends could desire.

“Under such agreeable reflections, I request you to accept these medals, and to wear them with becoming pride, as they are incontestable proofs of a faithful discharge of your duty to your King and your country. I trust that they will act as powerful talismans to keep you in your future lives in the paths of honour, sobriety, and virtue.”

At the conclusion of the above address the arms were presented, “God save the King” was played, and the battalion, by signal, gave three cheers. Colonel Reynell then, from the lists of companies in succession, called over the names of those entitled to receive a medal, and with his own hand placed it in that of the soldier.

1817.

New colours were presented to the regiment on the 18th of January, 1817, by Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B., who made the following address on the occasion:—

“Seventy-first Regiment!

“Officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, it affords me the greatest satisfaction, at the request of your commanding officer, Colonel Reynell, to have the honour of presenting these colours to you.

“There are many who could perform the office with a better grace, but there is no one, believe me, who is more sensible of the merit of the corps, or who is more anxious for its honour and welfare.

“I might justly pay to the valour and good conduct of those present the compliments usual on such occasions, but I had rather offer the expression of my regard and admiration of that excellent esprit de corps and real worth which a ten years’ intimate knowledge of the regiment has taught me so highly to appreciate. I shall always look back with pleasure to that long period in which I had the good fortune to be your commanding officer, and during which time I received from the officers the most cordial and zealous assistance in support of discipline: from the non-commissioned officers proofs of the most disinterested regard for His Majesty’s service and the welfare of their regiment, and I witnessed on the part of the privates and the corps at large a fidelity to their colours in South America, as remarkable under such trying circumstances as their valour has at all times been conspicuous in the field. I am most happy to think that there is no drawback to the pleasure all should feel on this occasion. Your former colours were mislaid after a fête given in London to celebrate the Duke of Wellington’s return after his glorious termination of the Peninsula war, and your colonel, General Francis Dundas, has sent you three very handsome ones to replace them.

“On them are emblazoned some of His Grace’s victories, in which the Seventy-first bore a most distinguished part, and more might be enumerated which the corps may well be proud of. There are still in your ranks valuable officers who have witnessed the early glories of the regiment in the East, and its splendid career since is fresh in the memory of all. Never, indeed, did the character of the corps stand higher; never was the fame of the British arms or the glory of the British empire more prominent than at this moment, an enthusiastic recollection of which the sight of these colours must always inspire.

“While you have your present commanding officer to lead you, it is unnecessary for me to add anything to excite such a spirit; but was I called upon to do so, I should have only to hold up the example of those who have fallen in your ranks, and, above all, point to the memory of that hero who so gloriously fell at your head.”

The following appears from the Regimental Records to be a correct list of the nationalities of the recruits raised for the regiment between 1804 and 1815:—Scotchmen, 2,560; Irishmen, 1,087; Englishmen, 248; foreigners, 20: total, 3,915. The following is the list of casualties sustained by the regiment between 1808 and 1815.

This list is very inaccurate, as no notice is taken in the Records of the number of men that were killed in skirmishes, which probably was very considerable. At Corunna it is stated that several men were killed and wounded, but the actual number is not given. The number of wounded at Walcheren is not given:—

Total Action. Killed. Wounded.

Killed

and Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Privates. Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Privates.

Wounded.

3 Roleia .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. 2

112 Vimiera .. .. .. 12 8 6 .. 86

1 Corunna .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. ..

22 Walcheren 2 .. .. 19 1 .. .. ..

42 Sobral .. .. .. 8 .. .. .. 34

147 Fuentes d’Onor 4 4 .. 22 8 6 3 100

43 Almaraz 1 1 .. 7 2 3 .. 29

13 Alba de Tormes .. 1 .. 6 .. 1 .. 5

370 Vittoria 4 6 1 78 11 13 2 255

140 Maya .. 3 .. 54 .. 6 1 76

61 Eguaros 1 1 .. 23 .. 2 1 33

85 Doña Maria .. 1 .. 29 8 2 .. 45

48 Cambo .. .. .. 2 .. 4 1 41

70 Nive 3 2 1 23 4 .. .. 37

39 Orthes 1 .. .. 17 1 1 .. 19

1 Tarbes .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. ..

10 Toulouse .. 1 .. 3 .. .. .. 6

212 {Waterloo 3 3 .. 62 14 7 3 120

{ (killed and

{ died of

{ wounds)

1,419 19 23 2 366 59 51 11 888

Two officers were taken prisoners at Fuentes d’Onor, and several privates at Orthes. Three men were missing at Waterloo.

1818.

The regiment formed part of the “army of occupation” in France until towards the end of October, 1818, when it embarked at Calais for England, and arrived at Dover on the 29th of that month.

After landing the regiment proceeded immediately to Chelmsford, where it remained for a short time. During its stay at this place the establishment was reduced from 810 to 650 rank and file.

On the 25th of November the regiment marched to Weedon, Derby, and Nottingham, having its head-quarters at the former place.

1819.

The regiment was inspected at Weedon on the 1st of May, 1819, by Major-General Sir John Byng, who reported most favourably to His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief upon its appearance and discipline. In consequence of this report His Royal Highness was pleased to dispense with any further inspection of the regiment during the year.

Whilst stationed at Weedon, Colonel Reynell presented Sergeant Angus Mackay, Pipe Major, with a highland purse of white goat-skin handsomely mounted with silver, with the following inscription richly engraved on a shield:—

“From Col. Reynell to Acting-Sergeant Angus Mackay, Piper in the Seventy-first H.L.I., in testimony of approbation of his uniform good conduct.”

On the 21st of June, 1819, the regiment marched to Chester, having detachments at Liverpool and the Isle of Man. On August 12th, Colonel Thomas Reynell was appointed Major-General by brevet.

1820.

In June, 1820, the regiment marched to Rochdale, Blackburn, and Burnley. In July following it proceeded to Hertford, Ware, Hoddesdon, and Hatfield; and on the 20th of November it was removed to Canterbury.

Previously to the departure of the regiment from Hertford, it was inspected by the Adjutant-General to the Forces, Major-General Sir Henry Torrens, K.C.B., who communicated to Colonel Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., commanding the Seventy-first, the expression of the satisfaction experienced by His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief in perusing the report made on that occasion.

1821.

In June, 1821, the regiment marched to Chatham, having detachments at Sheerness, Tilbury Fort, and Harwich. Here a further reduction took place of 2 companies, making the establishment to consist of 576 rank and file.

1822.

From Chatham the regiment marched to London, and proceeded by the canal to Liverpool, there to embark for Dublin, where it arrived on the 3rd of May, 1822. The regiment remained in that city until the beginning of October, when it marched to the south of Ireland. The head-quarters were stationed at Fermoy, and detachments proceeded to the villages of Ballyhooly, Castletown Roche, Kilworth, Kildorrery, Wattstown, Glanworth, and Mitchelstown. A subaltern’s party was also encamped at Glennasheen, in the county of Limerick, the disturbed state of that part of Ireland requiring detachments in the above posts, and the utmost exertions of every individual for their protection.

1824.

Lieut.-General Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Eighty-eighth to that of the Seventy-first Regiment, on the 16th of January, 1824, in succession to General Francis Dundas, deceased.

The regiment remained here for two winters, and in the beginning of May, 1824, orders were received to march to the Cove of Cork, to embark for foreign service.

Before the Seventy-first marched to the coast for embarkation, very gratifying addresses were presented to Colonel Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, commanding the regiment, from the magistrates and inhabitants of the district round Fermoy, conveying their approbation of the conduct of the corps, which had won the esteem of all classes.