Chapter IV: Part 4

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withdrawn from their positions by superior orders, and then it has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.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 2nd bat.]

The second battalion remained stationed in North Britain.

[Sidenote: 1815.]

[Sidenote: 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. T. Pidgeon.
A. Armstrong.
D. Campbell.
William A. Grant.
J. Henderson.
A. T. M. McIntyre.
C. Johnstone.
Alex. Grant.

_Lieutenants._

J. Barrallier.
L. Richards.
J. R. Elwes.
C. Stewart.
R. Baldwin.
W. C. Hanson.
Robert Lind.
J. Roberts.
James Coates.
James Fraser.
E. Gilborne.
J. Whitney.
William Long.
Robert Law.
C. J. Cox.
Carique Lewin.
William Woolcombe.
William Torriano.
G. W. Horton.
J. Coote.
C. Moorhead.
D. Soutar.
N. Campbell.

_Ensigns._

A. Moffatt.
W. P. Smith.
H. W. Thompors.
J. Barnett.
A. M. Henderson.
J. Spalding.
J. Impitt.
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.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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:—

Key: Sgnts. = Sergeants. Prvs. = Privates.

Total | | Killed. | Wounded.
Killed | +----+----+----+-----+----+----+----+----
and | | |Sgnts. |Prvs.| |Sgnts. |Prvs.
Wounded.| Action. |Officers.|Buglers. |Officers.|Buglers.
--------+-----------------+----+----+----+-----+---------+----+----
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
|{Waterloo }| | | | | | | |
212 |{ (killed and }| 3 | 3 | .. | 62 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 120
|{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.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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.

A very gratifying order was also issued by Major-General Sir John Lambert, K.C.B., commanding the south-western district of Ireland, relative to the conduct of the regiment. The regiment embarked for North America on the 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th of May, 1824, on board the Indian trader “Prince of Orange,” “Cato” and “Fanny” transports, and anchored at Quebec, on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of June.

[Sidenote: 1825.]

In the year 1825, the establishment of the regiment was augmented from 8 to 10 companies, and formed into 6 _service_ and 4 _depôt_ companies, consisting of 42 sergeants, 14 buglers, and 740 rank and file.

In consequence of this arrangement, the officers and non-commissioned officers of 2 companies were sent to England, to join the depôt companies at Chichester.

[Sidenote: 1826.]

The detachments stationed during the summer months at the posts of Sorel and Three Rivers, rejoined the head-quarters of the regiment at Quebec, on the 15th of October.

On the 25th of October and the 4th of November the service companies were inspected by Lieut.-General the Earl of Dalhousie, the Commander of the Forces in British North America, who expressed his fullest approbation of their discipline and interior economy, as well as of their conduct and appearance.

[Sidenote: 1827.]

The head-quarter division of the Seventy-first embarked at Quebec for Montreal, on the 17th of May, 1827, after having been stationed in that garrison nearly three years. Preparatory to this change of quarters, the service companies were again inspected by Lieut.-General the Earl of Dalhousie, who, in orders, assured Lieut.-Colonel Jones that he had never seen any regiment in more perfect order.

The service companies arrived at Montreal on the 19th of May, and detachments from them were stationed at Isle-aux-Noix, St. John’s, William Henry, La Chine, Coteau-du-Lac, and Rideau.

[Sidenote: 1828.]

On the 8th of May, 1828, the Seventy-first embarked for Kingston in batteaux, and arrived there on the 16th of that month. It remained stationed here for 12 months. During the summer and part of the autumn it suffered much from fever and ague, having had at one period nearly a third of the men in hospital.

[Sidenote: 1829.]

Upon the 1st of June, 1829, the head-quarters embarked in a steamboat for York, now called Toronto, the capital of the Upper Province, and arrived there on the following morning. One company was detached to Niagara, another to Amherstburg, and a third to Penetanguishene, on Lake Huron. A small number of men occupied the naval post at Grand River, on Lake Erie. The Seventy-first occupied these posts for a period of two years.

On the 10th of August, 1829, the depôt companies embarked at Gravesend, for Berwick-on-Tweed.

Major-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Ninety-fifth to that of the Seventy-first Regiment, on the 21st of September, 1829, in succession to General Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B., who was appointed to the Forty-ninth Regiment.

[Sidenote: 1830.]

In June, 1830, the depôt companies were removed from Berwick-on-Tweed to Edinburgh Castle.

[Sidenote: 1831.]

In May, 1831, the service companies moved down to Quebec, where the whole were assembled on the 16th of June. After a stay of nearly five months in that city, orders arrived for them to proceed to Bermuda. They embarked on the 20th of October, 1831, in the transports “Layton” and “Manlins,” arriving off St. George’s, Bermuda, upon the 11th of November, when they immediately disembarked, sending a detachment of 1 captain, 2 subalterns, and 120 men to Ireland Island.

The head-quarters were subsequently moved to Hamilton, and small parties were detached to the signal posts at Gibbs Hill and Mount Langton.

[Sidenote: 1833.]

During the years 1832 and 1833, the service companies continued at Bermuda, and the depôt remained in North Britain. On the 30th of August, 1833, Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Charles Grey exchanged from the half-pay to the Seventy-first Highlanders with Lieut.-Colonel Joseph Thomas Pidgeon.

[Sidenote: 1834.]

[Sidenote: 1836.]

On the 11th of September, 1834, the service companies embarked at Bermuda for Great Britain, and arrived at Leith on the 19th of October following. The regiment was afterwards stationed at Edinburgh, where it remained during the year 1835. It embarked at Glasgow, on the 11th of May, 1836, for Ireland, and was stationed at Dublin during the remainder of the year. New colours were presented to the regiment while at this station, by the colonel of the regiment, Lieut.-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., K.C.H., assisted by the Honourable Mrs. Grey, wife of the colonel commanding the regiment.

[Sidenote: 1837.]

In June, 1837, the regiment proceeded from Dublin to Kilkenny.

[Sidenote: 1838.]

Major-General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham, K.C.B., was appointed Colonel of the Seventy-first Highlanders, on the 28th of March, 1838, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., appointed to the Thirty-first Regiment.

Meanwhile orders had been received for the regiment to proceed on foreign service, and on the 20th of April, 1838, the 6 service companies embarked at Cork, for Canada. The 4 depôt companies remained in Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1839.]

On the 2nd of June, 1839, the depôt companies embarked at Cork, for North Britain, and were afterwards stationed at Stirling.

The establishment of the regiment was augmented on the 12th of August, 1839, from 740 to 800 rank and file.

[Sidenote: 1840.]

During the year 1840 the service companies were stationed at St. John’s, Lower Canada. The depôt companies proceeded from Stirling to Dundee, in April.

[Sidenote: 1841.]

Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Eighty-seventh Royal Irish Fusiliers to that of the Seventy-first, on the 15th of March, 1841, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham, K.C.B. and K.C.H., deceased.

In May, 1841, the depôt companies proceeded from Dundee to Aberdeen.

Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Charles Grey exchanged to half-pay with Lieut.-Colonel James England, on the 8th of April, 1842.

[Sidenote: 1842.]

The service companies proceeded from St. John’s to Montreal in two divisions, on the 27th and 28th of April, 1842.

In consequence of the augmentation which took place in the army at this period, the Seventy-first Highland Light Infantry was ordered to be divided into two battalions, the six service companies being termed the first battalion, and the depôt, augmented by two new companies, being styled the reserve battalion. The depôt was accordingly moved from Stirling to Chichester, and after receiving about 350 volunteers from other corps, was there organised into a battalion for foreign service. Nearly all these volunteers were English and Irish, who were allowed to join the regiment notwithstanding the protestations of the commanding officer, who requested that none but Scotchmen should be allowed to volunteer. The nationality of the regiment was thereby unnecessarily destroyed for many years.

The reserve battalion of the Seventy-first, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel James England, embarked at Portsmouth in Her Majesty’s troop ship “Resistance,” which sailed for Canada on the 13th of August, 1842, and the battalion landed at Montreal on the 23rd of September, where the first battalion was likewise stationed, under the command of Major William Denny, who, upon the arrival of Lieut.-Colonel England, took charge of the reserve battalion.

[Sidenote: 1843.]

The reserve battalion marched from Montreal to Chambly on the 5th of May, 1843, and arrived there on the same day.

The first battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel England, embarked at Quebec for the West Indies in the “Java” transport, on the 20th of October, 1843. The head-quarters disembarked at Grenada on the 15th of December following.

It is a circumstance worthy of record that all the men of the first battalion who were married without leave were replaced by volunteers from the reserve battalion, thereby preventing the separation and consequent misery of those families, and that all permanent volunteers for Canada, and old soldiers who were permitted from general good character to remain in the colony after discharge, or who were found unfit for service in a tropical climate, were replaced by volunteers from the reserve battalion.

[Sidenote: 1844.]

The head-quarters of the first battalion embarked on the 25th of December, 1844, at Grenada, for Antigua. Lieut. Francis P. Stewart Mackenzie died of yellow fever at Grenada, on the 21st of December, much regretted by his brother officers.

[Sidenote: 1845.]

During the year 1845 the head-quarters of the first battalion continued at Antigua.

The head-quarters and three companies of the reserve battalion marched from Chambly on the 11th of May, 1845, and arrived at Kingston, in Canada, on the 14th of that month.

[Sidenote: 1846.]

On the 18th of April, 1846, the head-quarters and four companies of the first battalion embarked at Antigua, on board the transport “Princess Royal,” and landed at Barbadoes on the 24th of the same month.

The first battalion, under the command of Captain Nathaniel Massey Stack, embarked for England at Barbadoes on the 29th and 31st of December, on board of Her Majesty’s ship “Belleisle.” During this tour of service in the West Indies, which lasted just three years, 1 officer, 8 sergeants, and 124 rank and file died of fever and dysentery.

On the 6th of October, 1846, the reserve battalion left Kingston, in Canada West, and the head-quarters arrived at La Prairie on the 8th of that month.

[Sidenote: 1847.]

The ship “Belleisle,” having the first battalion on board, sailed for Portsmouth on the 1st of January, 1847, and arrived at Spithead on the 25th of that month. After disembarking at Portsmouth, the battalion proceeded to Winchester, where it was stationed until the 19th of July, when it was conveyed in three divisions by railway to Glasgow, and on the 21st of December it was removed to Edinburgh.

In September, 1847, the head-quarters of the reserve battalion were removed from La Prairie to Chambly, and in October proceeded to St. John’s, in Canada East.

[Sidenote: 1848.]

Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Ninth Foot to that of the Seventy-first Highlanders on the 18th of February, 1848, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart. and K.C.B., deceased.

Three companies of the first battalion proceeded from Edinburgh to Dublin on the 27th of April, 1848, and the head-quarters, with the three remaining companies, were removed to Dublin on the 1st of May. In June the head-quarters were removed to Naas.

During the year 1848, the head-quarters of the reserve battalion remained at St. John’s, in Canada East.

[Sidenote: 1849.]

Lieut.-General Sir James Macdonell, K.C.B. and K.C.H., was appointed from the Seventy-ninth to be Colonel of the Seventy-first on the 8th of February, 1849, upon the decease of Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B.

In compliance with instructions received upon the occasion of Her Majesty’s visit to Dublin, the head-quarters of the first battalion, with the effectives of three companies, proceeded from Naas to that garrison on the 28th of July, and were encamped in the Phœnix Park. The three detached companies also joined at the encampment on the same day. On the 13th of August the head-quarters and three companies returned to Naas.

The head-quarters and two companies of the reserve battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart., proceeded from St. John’s to Montreal, in aid of the civil power, on the 28th of April, 1849. The head-quarters and three companies quitted Montreal, and encamped on the island of St. Helen’s on the 30th of June, but returned to St. John’s on the 16th of July. On the 17th of August, 1849, the head-quarters and two companies proceeded from St. John’s to Montreal in aid of the civil power, and returned to St. John’s on the 6th of September.

[Sidenote: 1850.]

In April, 1850, the first battalion proceeded from Naas to Dublin.

The head-quarters and two companies of the reserve battalion quitted St. John’s and Chambly on the 21st of May, 1850, and arrived at Toronto on the 23rd of that month, where the battalion was joined by the other companies, and it continued there during the remainder of the year.

[Sidenote: 1851.]

In April, 1851, the first battalion proceeded from Dublin to Mullingar, and in July following was removed to Newry, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel William Denny.

During the year 1851, the reserve battalion continued to be stationed at Toronto.

[Sidenote: 1852.]

In May, 1852, the reserve battalion proceeded from Toronto to Kingston. On the 8th of June following, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart., retired from the service by the sale of his commission, and was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Nathaniel Massey Stack.

In August the first battalion moved to Kilkenny, sending detachments to New Ross and Wexford.

On the 1st of November orders were received from the Horse Guards by the first battalion to hold itself in readiness for embarkation for the Mediterranean.

[Sidenote: 1853.]

On the 3rd of January it received new colours, shortly after which it moved to Cork. Soon after the arrival of the first battalion at Cork, the old colours were placed over a tablet erected at Kinsale to the memory of the late Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, a native of that place, who commanded the regiment for many years.

During the months of February and March the first battalion embarked in three freight ships for Corfu. By a War Office Letter of 20th February, 1854, the first battalion was augmented from the 1st April by 1 pipe major and 5 pipers. In May, 1853, the reserve battalion proceeded to Quebec, and was quartered in the Citadel. After the embarkation of the first battalion, the depôt proceeded to Chatham.

[Sidenote: 1854.]

The reserve battalion embarked at Quebec on the 20th September, landed in England on the 13th of October, and proceeded to Canterbury, where it was shortly afterwards joined by the depôt from Chatham. On its departure from Canada, 100 men volunteered to the Sixteenth and Canadian Rifles. On the 1st of January of this year the following was the composition of the first and reserve battalion. The depôt is not included:—

1st battalion Reserve battalion Total
--------------------+--------------+--------------------+------
Scotch. | 540 | 470 | 1,010
English. | 21 | 38 | 59
Irish. | 34 | 26 | 60
--------------------+--------------+--------------------+------
Total. | 595 | 534 | 1,129
--------------------+--------------+--------------------+------
Presbyterians. | 517 | 467 | 984
Church of England. | 37 | 34 | 71
Church of Rome. | 41 | 33 | 74
--------------------+--------------+--------------------+------

The English and Irish were all, with the exception of boys from the Military Colleges, the remains of the volunteers who joined the reserve battalion in 1842. On the 24th of November, all the effectives of the reserve battalion, consisting of 1 major, 3 captains, 6 subalterns, 1 assistant surgeon, 20 sergeants, 6 buglers, and 391 rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth on board the line-of-battle ship “Royal Albert,” for the Crimea, and landed at Balaclava on the 20th of December, where it was kept, sending frequent working parties to the front. The reserve battalion thus had six weeks’ home service after being twelve years abroad.

[Sidenote: 1855.]

The first battalion embarked at Corfu for the Crimea on board the transport “Medway” on the 26th January, 1855, and landed at Balaclava on the 7th of February. On the 13th the first and reserve battalions were amalgamated into one battalion of eight companies, about 900 strong, of all ranks. It remained at Balaclava till the 3rd of May, when it embarked on board the “Furious” and “Gladiator” steam frigates, forming part of the first expedition to Kertch, which, however, was recalled without accomplishing its object. The regiment was disembarked on the 8th of May, and marched to the front, joining the third brigade of the fourth division, and serving in the trenches. It was re-embarked on board the frigates “Sidon” and “Valorous” on the 22nd of May, and proceeded to Kertch with the expeditionary force of the Allied army. The whole landed at Kamish Burnu (about five miles from Kertch), under cover of the gunboats, bivouacked that night, and proceeded the next day, marching through Kertch to Yenikale, where it encamped. The regiment re-embarked at Yenikale on the 10th of June, on board the steam frigates “Sidon” and “Valorous,” to return to Sebastopol, but was again disembarked on the 12th, the head-quarters and right wing remaining at Yenikale, and the left wing proceeding to Cape St. Paul, to protect those points in conjunction with a French and Turkish force.

In the beginning of August a draft of 120 men, under Captain Rich, disembarked at Balaclava, and marched to the front. It was attached to the Highland division, being occasionally employed in the trenches. At the end of September it embarked for Yenikale, and joined the head-quarters on the 2nd of October. On the 24th of September three companies, under Major Hunter, crossed the Straits of Yenikale, in conjunction with a French force, to Taman, where a large quantity of hutting material and fuel was obtained. The expedition returned to Kertch on the 3rd of October.

[Sidenote: 1856.]

The strength and composition of the regiment on the 1st of January was as follows, exclusive of a depôt at Malta, which was about 100 strong:—

-----------------+---------+----------+--------+--------
| Scotch. | English. | Irish. | Total.
+---------+----------+--------+--------
Head-quarters | 823 | 36 | 44 | 903
Depôt at Perth | 264 | 37 | 50 | 351
-----------------+---------+----------+--------+--------
Total | 1,087 | 73 | 94 | 1,254
-----------------+---------+----------+--------+--------

of which, Presbyterians 1,061, Church of England 77, Church of Rome 116.

The head-quarters and six companies, under Colonel Ready, remained in Yenikale, having two companies on detachment, under Major Campbell, at Kertch, till the 30th of May, when the head-quarters moved into Kertch, which was handed over to the Russian authorities on the 22nd of June. On the same day the head-quarters and six companies embarked on board the steam ship “Pacific,” and two under Major Campbell, in the steam ship “Edina,” and disembarked at Malta on the 29th of June.