Chapter IV: Part 4

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“The stern valour of the NINETY-SECOND would have graced
Thermopylæ.”

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The enemy having turned the British position at Roncesvalles, the troops were withdrawn. The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND was ordered to march from Puerto de Maya, and arrived in position at Iruite early in the morning of the 26th of July.

The troops composing the right of the allied army at Roncesvalles, having retired towards Pampeluna, the NINETY-SECOND marched, on the 27th of July, from its position near Iruite, and halted between Puerta Velate and Lanz. On the following day, the battalion marched to a bivouac near Lizasso, and, on the 29th, marched somewhat further towards Pampeluna.

On the 30th of July, the battalion advanced to a position between the village of _Lizasso_ and _Eguaros_, when the enemy appeared at the former place, and commenced an extended movement upon the British left. The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Major John McPherson, was directed against him, and found itself opposed to a column of about two thousand men, which the battalion immediately charged, and drove from the ridge in a most gallant style. After this the French moved still further to their right, and accordingly the left of the allies was thrown back in the direction of Arestegui. The action ceased about dark.

The NINETY-SECOND had Captain George W. Holmes wounded. Nine rank and file were killed, and twenty-six wounded.

The NINETY-SECOND advanced, and on the 31st of July, came up with the enemy strongly posted on a hill at _Dona Maria_, which could only be approached by a narrow ziz-zag road through very close underwood. In this favorable position the enemy made great resistance, but was ultimately driven from the heights, and his defeat was particularly ascribed to the persevering bravery individually displayed in the ranks of the NINETY-SECOND regiment.

Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, under whose eye the battalion was this day engaged, bestowed the most flattering encomiums on its gallantry. On this occasion Major McPherson was wounded, and Captain James Seaton assumed the command. Captains James Lee and Dugald Campbell, Lieutenant James Hope, and Ensign Thomas Mitchell, were also wounded. Ten rank and file were killed, and sixty-nine wounded.

After carrying this post, the NINETY-SECOND moved towards Lanz, and, on the 1st of August, marched through the pass at Lanz to Ariscun, and on the 2nd, again occupied the heights of Maya.

The royal authority was subsequently granted for the NINETY-SECOND to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the regimental colour and appointments, to commemorate the services of the first battalion in these combats, which have been designated the “_Battles of the Pyrenees_.” Medals, bearing the word “PYRENEES,” were conferred on Major John McPherson and Captain James Seaton; and the former was promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel.

The effective strength of the NINETY-SECOND was now reduced to twenty-seven serjeants, fifteen drummers, and three hundred and twenty rank and file. The battalion marched on the evening of the 2nd of August to the village of Erassu, and on the 5th reoccupied the heights of Maya.

On the 8th of August, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Maya to the valley of Alduides, and the next day to Roncesvalles, between which place and the heights of Don Carlos, the battalion remained encamped until the beginning of November.

In the meantime, _St. Sebastian_ and _Pampeluna_ had been captured, and the British commander, looking down from the lofty Pyrenees on the well-guarded territory of France, resolved to carry the war into the heart of that country.

On the 7th of November, the enemy made an attempt to cut off a piquet of the NINETY-SECOND, but was foiled. On the following day, the battalion marched from Roncesvalles to Alduides, and on the 9th proceeded through Maya to Urdax, in which neighbourhood the whole division was assembled.

The British army was put in motion at an early hour in the morning of the 10th of November, and advanced to attack the enemy in his fortified position on the _Nivelle_. The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, forded that river a little below Ainhoe, and was ordered to attack the strong redoubts on the heights immediately in rear of the village.

The action became very warm towards the centre of the British line, and the sixth division, with the Portuguese division immediately on the left, having turned the redoubts to the right of the enemy’s position on the heights of Ainhoe, the French in front of the NINETY-SECOND made little resistance, running out of the redoubts in the utmost confusion; the enemy giving way at all points, left the allies a complete victory, and abandoned all his artillery and stores. The NINETY-SECOND occupied the huts in the French position for the night, and the next day advanced to Espelette.

On the 12th of November, the division moved in advance to reconnoitre the enemy at Cambo, and after driving in his outposts and effecting the object in view, the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked at a short distance from the town.

The battalion went into quarters in Cambo on the 16th of November; the enemy having previously blown up the bridge, retired across the _Nive_, leaving some pieces of heavy artillery behind.

On the 27th of November, a detachment of one hundred men joined from the second battalion, which still remained in Scotland.

The rivers, which had been greatly swollen by the rains, having partly subsided, the allied army was put in motion across the _Nive_ on the 9th of December. The NINETY-SECOND, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, forded that river near Cambo, but did not meet with much opposition, as the enemy retired to prevent his retreat to Bayonne from being cut off by the sixth division, which was crossing lower down the river. The NINETY-SECOND advanced on the same day to Urcuray: on the 10th and 11th, the French attacked the troops on the left of the Nive, but on each day were repulsed.

On the 11th of December, the NINETY-SECOND advanced to Petite Moguerre, a small village near Bayonne, situated between the rivers Nive and Adour.

The enemy was observed at daylight in the morning of the 13th of December, formed in very heavy columns between his entrenched camp at Bayonne, and the village of St. Pierre, on the road leading to St. Jean-Pied-de-Port.

The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, was ordered to advance to the centre of the position at _St. Pierre_, against which the enemy appeared to direct his principal attack. The battalion had scarcely arrived on its ground, when it was led into action, and by a most opportune and determined charge, drove the French from the British position (of which they had for a moment possessed themselves) to the very point from whence they had started.

The NINETY-SECOND was recalled to its proper position, and no sooner was it formed there, than the enemy again attacked, and was again repulsed. Besides being exposed during this day to a continued fire of musketry and artillery, the battalion made _four_ distinct charges with the bayonet, each time driving the enemy to his original position in front of his entrenchments.

Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir William Stewart, K.B., in his report of the action, stated, that “several brilliant charges were made by our troops in the centre, against which the enemy’s principal attack was directed, more particularly that by the NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”

In speaking of the defeat of the enemy’s principal attack on the road to St. Jean Pied-de-Port, where the first brigade was stationed, the Marquis of Wellington said in his despatch, “they were particularly engaged in the contest with the enemy at that point, and these troops conducted themselves admirably.”

On this occasion Lieutenants Duncan McPherson, Thomas Mitchell, and Alan McDonald were killed. Major John McPherson (mortally), Captains George W. Holmes, Ronald McDonald, and Donald McPherson; Lieutenants John Catenaugh, Ronald McDonald, James John Chisholm, Robert Winchester, and George Mitchell, and Ensign William Fraser were wounded. Twenty-eight rank and file were killed, and one hundred and forty-three wounded.

In commemoration of this action, an honorary badge was conferred by His Majesty on Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, bearing the word “NIVE,” and the senior captain of the regiment (Captain James Seaton) was promoted to the brevet rank of major. The royal authority was also granted for the NINETY-SECOND to bear the word “NIVE” on the regimental colour and appointments.

The enemy retired into Bayonne a little before dark, and the NINETY-SECOND went into its former quarters in Petite Moguerre.

On the 14th of December, the following order was issued by Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir William Stewart, K.B.:—

“Head Quarters, near Petite Moguerre,
“14th December, 1813.

“The second division has greatly distinguished themselves, and
its gallantry in yesterday’s action is avowed by the Commander of
the forces and the allied army.”

The NINETY-SECOND marched from Petite Moguerre on the 17th of December, and on the 19th occupied cantonments in Arquite.

[Sidenote: 1814]

On the 4th of January, 1814, the battalion marched from Arquite, and encamped near Urt; on the 8th it went into cantonments in that village. On the 20th of January the battalion marched from Urt for St. Jean de Luz, where it received new clothing, and on the 20th returned to Urt.

The enemy attacked on the 27th of January a piquet of the NINETY-SECOND, stationed in an island on the Adour, but was driven back.

At this period the allied army was put in motion, and the NINETY-SECOND marched from Urt to Urcuray.

The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, marched on the 14th of February to attack a considerable body of the enemy under General Harispe at _Hellette_, which was forced to retire to Meharin. On this occasion Lieutenant Richard McDonell was wounded; one private was killed, and seven rank and file wounded.

On the morning of the 15th of February, the NINETY-SECOND marched in pursuit of the enemy, who was discovered, late in the evening, strongly posted on the heights in front of _Garris_, which the division attacked and carried in gallant style. The French obstinately disputed their ground, and made several attempts to recover it after dark, but finding the British troops immovable, they retreated with considerable loss through St. Palais. On this occasion Major James Seaton was mortally wounded, and expired on the 22nd of the following month. The other casualties were three rank and file wounded.

During the night the enemy destroyed the bridge at St. Palais, and every exertion was made to repair it. On the 16th of February, the NINETY-SECOND crossed in the afternoon, and occupied a position in advance.

On the 17th of February, the enemy was discovered in the village of _Arriverete_, on the right bank of the Gave de Mauleon, endeavouring to destroy the bridge over it. A ford was discovered a little higher up, which the NINETY-SECOND crossed under cover of the British artillery, and immediately attacking the troops in the village with its usual success, drove the enemy out of it, and secured the bridge by which the troops were enabled to cross. The enemy retired across the Gave d’Oleron, and the battalion, which had ten rank and file wounded in this enterprise, was cantoned in Arriverete and the neighbouring villages.

In honor of this occasion, it was granted by royal warrant, that Lieut.-Colonel Cameron should bear for his crest a Highlander of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, up to the middle in water, grasping in his right hand a broad sword, and in his left a banner inscribed 92nd, within a wreath of laurel; and as a motto over it the word “_Arriverete_.”

The following is an extract of the Marquis of Wellington’s despatch on this occasion:—

“St. Jean de Luz, 20th February, 1814.

“The enemy retired across the river at St. Palais in the night,
destroying the bridges, which, however, were repaired so that
the troops under Sir Rowland Hill crossed on the 16th, and on the
17th the enemy were driven across the Gave de Mauleon.

“They attempted to destroy the bridge at Arriverete, but they had
not time to complete its destruction; and a ford being discovered
above the bridge, the NINETY-SECOND regiment under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, supported by the fire of Captain Beane’s
troop of horse artillery, crossed the ford, and made a most
gallant attack upon two battalions of French infantry posted in
the village, from which the latter were driven with considerable
loss.”

The Marquis of Wellington addressed the following letter to Lieut.-General Lord Niddry (afterwards Earl of Hopetoun), colonel of the NINETY-SECOND, relative to an application to be permitted to bear the word “ARRIVERETE” on the regimental colour and appointments:—

“Cambray, 13th April, 1816.

“MY DEAR LORD,

“I have received your letter of the 2nd, regarding the desire of
the NINETY-SECOND regiment to bear the word “_Arriverete_” on
their colour, &c., to which I have no objection, and I will apply
for the distinction, if after this explanation they should still
desire it.

“Arriverete is a village on the Gave de Mauleon, at which there
is a wooden bridge. We had passed the river at other points, but
our communication across it was difficult, and the enemy was of
such a force at Sauveterre, in the neighbourhood, that we could
not venture to move along it, and I wished to get possession of
the bridge before the enemy could destroy it. The NINETY-SECOND
forded the river, and attacked and took the village, against a
very superior force of the enemy, in the most gallant style, (in
the manner in which they have always performed every service in
which they have been employed), but without much loss; there the
affair ended; we were not prepared at that time to do more, and
we held that village as a _tête-de-pont_ till our means were in
readiness for our further operations.

“There is no doubt but the troops behaved as gallantly in this
affair as they could in any of greater importance, but the
result was not of that consequence to the ulterior operations of
the army, to have rendered it notorious to the army at large;
and although I reported it as I ought, I know there are many
belonging to the army, some even who were present, have no
recollection of the name of the place which was the scene of the
action, and some not even of the action itself.

“It appears to me to be beneath the reputation of the
NINETY-SECOND to have to explain for what cause the name of
a particular place has been inserted in their colours; and
notwithstanding that on no occasion could they or any other
troops behave better than they did upon that, I acknowledge that
I am anxious they should not press the request. But if after this
explanation they continue to wish it, I will take care it shall
be granted.

“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “WELLINGTON.

“Lieut.-General Lord Niddry, K.B.,
&c., &c.”

The NINETY-SECOND marched in the morning of the 24th of February, 1814, and crossed the Gave d’Oleron by a ford near Villeneuve, and on the 25th moved on the road towards _Orthes_, and encamped near Laas, where the battalion halted. The allied army was at this period crossing the Gave de Pau, near Peyrehorade, with the exception of the corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill.

On the 27th of February, the army under the Marquis of Wellington, on the right bank of the Gave de Pau advanced to attack the French position near _Orthes_, and the action soon became general. The first brigade, to which the NINETY-SECOND under Lieut.-Colonel Cameron belonged, was directed to a ford above the town of Orthes, and had the honor of leading the second division across the Gave de Pau, under a very heavy fire of musketry and artillery, and possessing itself of the road from Orthes to the town of Pau, immediately in rear of the enemy’s left flank, his retreat on that line was consequently cut off. The NINETY-SECOND was ordered to move upon the road to St. Sever, along the rear of the enemy, whose retreat, which had been conducted hitherto with some degree of order, now became a perfectly confused flight. The pursuit was at an equally rapid pace, in which the battalion was conspicuous for several miles, until it halted at Sault de Navailles.

In commemoration of this victory, which cost the enemy twelve pieces of cannon, and about seven thousand men, the NINETY-SECOND received the royal authority to bear the word “ORTHES” on the regimental colour and appointments. His Majesty was also pleased to confer honorary badges, bearing the word “_Orthes_,” on Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron, who commanded the first battalion, and on Major James Mitchell, who commanded the light companies; the latter officer was promoted to the brevet rank of lieut.-colonel.

The NINETY-SECOND had only three rank and file wounded, and one killed, in the battle of Orthes.

On the 28th of February, the NINETY-SECOND marched to St. Medard, and on the 1st of March proceeded to Grenade; the main body of the allied army had at this period crossed the Adour at St. Sever.

The enemy, on the 2nd of March, was seen strongly posted on a ridge in front of the town of _Aire_, with his right resting on the Adour. The allied army advanced to the attack, and compelled him to retire; but a brigade of Portuguese troops on the British flank giving way, the French became encouraged, and in their turn advanced. The _fiftieth_ and NINETY-SECOND regiments, after clearing their own front, were moved rapidly to the point where the enemy was successful, and by a most splendid charge immediately put him to flight.

These regiments now became considerably separated from each other, from having to occupy the ground destined for the Portuguese troops, and the NINETY-SECOND was again opposed to a strong column on its flank, which it immediately charged, and pursued through the town of Aire, in which the battalion was afterwards cantoned.

Captain William Fyfe, Lieutenants John A. Durie and Richard McDonell were wounded. The other casualties of the battalion were three rank and file killed, and twenty-nine wounded.

His Majesty, in honor of this occasion, granted permission for Lieut.-Colonel Cameron to bear upon his shield a view of the town, with the word “AIRE.”

The following Division and General Orders were issued, alluding to the action of this day:—

“DIVISION ORDERS. Aire, March 3rd, 1814.

“Lieut.-General Sir William Stewart congratulates the division
on its further advance and success against the enemy. To the
admirable conduct of the fiftieth and NINETY-SECOND regiments led
by their gallant commanders, and by Major-General Barnes, the
good fortune of yesterday’s action is decidedly attributed, which
the Lieut.-General has to state to Lieut.-General Sir Rowland
Hill, for the information of the Commander of the Forces.”

“GENERAL ORDERS. Aire, March 5th, 1814.

Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill congratulates Lieut.-General Sir
William Stewart, Major-General Barnes, and Major-General Byng,
on the brilliant part which they bore in the action of the 2nd
instant.

“The gallant and steady conduct of the fiftieth regiment, under
Lieut.-Colonel Harrison, and of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, under
Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, excited the admiration of all who were
witnesses of it.”

On the 10th of March, a letter and address, of which the following are copies, were received, and promulgated to the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment.

“DEAR SIR, Aire, March 10th, 1814.

“The mayor and inhabitants of this town having requested me
to convey to you, with their sentiments of gratitude, the
accompanying address, I feel infinite pleasure in so doing; as I
deem the sentiments expressed in it justly due towards you, and
the distinguished regiment under your command.

“I have &c.,
(Signed) “WILLIAM STEWART,
“_Lieut.-General_.

“Lieut.-Colonel Cameron,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”

(Translation.)

“SIR, Aire, 9th March, 1814.

“The inhabitants of the town of Aire are not ignorant that if
they were preserved from pillage and destruction at the close
of the obstinate and sanguinary conflict of the 2nd of March,
they are indebted for such preservation from that calamity to
your honorable conduct, and the strict discipline which you have
maintained amongst the troops under your command.

“Penetrated by sentiments of the liveliest gratitude towards a
commander distinguished by such noble qualities, the town of Aire
has charged me to be their interpreter in communicating their
thanks, and to offer you the homage of their esteem.

“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “CODROY, _Mayor_.

“To Lieut.-Colonel Cameron,
Commanding NINETY-SECOND Highlanders.”

Information having been received that the enemy was making a movement to his left, and attempting to throw himself upon the right flank of the British, a corresponding move was made by the Marquis of Wellington, and the NINETY-SECOND marched from Aire on the 13th of March, by the road to Pau, and halted in a position near Garlin, the French being posted behind the river Gros Lees. On the 18th, the battalion marched to Conchez, the enemy retiring towards Lembege on the approach of the allies.

The NINETY-SECOND moved upon Lembege on the 19th of March, where a skirmish took place, the enemy falling back to Vic Bigorre; here he seemed determined to make a stand, but the third division, which moved by a road to the British left, drove him in excellent style from his position, and he retired across the Adour. The battalion halted for the night in front of Vic Bigorre.

On the 20th of March, the left of the army crossed the Adour, and moved upon the enemy’s right near Rabastens, while the right marched upon Tarbes, the French having retired from it, as the allied columns were forming for their attack.

The NINETY-SECOND continued in pursuit of the enemy on the main road from Tarbes to Toulouse, by St. Gaudens, Mariemont, and St. Julien, and halted on the 26th of March at Muret: there had been constant rain for several days previous, which impeded operations; on the 27th, the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill were withdrawn to St. Roque.

On the 31st of March, 1814, the division crossed the Garonne by a pontoon bridge, and proceeded to Miremont; on the 1st of April to Cintegabelle, and crossed the Arriege. No road for artillery could be discovered from this place to Toulouse, and the NINETY-SECOND recrossed the Garonne at St. Roque, the pontoons being removed towards Grenade.

The NINETY-SECOND marched on the 5th of April to cantonments at St. Simon. At this period the river Garonne had swollen, and this circumstance made it necessary to remove the pontoons by which part of the allied army had crossed; they were however replaced, and on the evening of the 9th of April the main body of the British army was on the right of the Garonne.

On the 10th of April, the NINETY-SECOND advanced by the Muret road to the vicinity of _Toulouse_, and drove Marshal Soult’s outposts into his entrenchments on that side. The services of the battalion were not again required during this day; it however witnessed the gallant conduct of its comrades on the opposite bank of the river, driving the enemy from his redoubts above the town, and gaining a complete victory.

During the 11th of April nothing particular occurred beyond a skirmish, and confining the enemy to the suburbs. The French evacuated Toulouse during the night, and the white flag was hoisted. On the 12th of April the Marquis of Wellington entered the city amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants. The NINETY-SECOND followed the enemy on the Villa Franche road, and encamped in advance of that town.

In the course of the afternoon of the 12th of April, intelligence was received of the abdication of Napoleon: 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 Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Earl of Hopetoun), the Colonel of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, was taken prisoner. Major-General Andrew Hay was killed, and Major-General Stopford was wounded. This was the last action of the Peninsular war.

On the 20th of April, 1814, the NINETY-SECOND marched into Villa Franche; on the 24th to Beziege; and on the 25th occupied quarters in Toulouse.

A treaty of peace was established between Great Britain and France; Louis XVIII. was restored to the throne of France, and Napoleon Buonaparte was permitted to reside at Elba, the sovereignty of that island having been conferred upon him by the allied powers.

The war being ended, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Toulouse on the 5th of June, and continued on the move until the 19th of that month, when it encamped at Blanchfort, about two leagues from Bourdeaux.

In addition to the other distinctions acquired during the war in Spain, Portugal, and the south of France the NINETY-SECOND received the royal authority to bear, the word “PENINSULA” on the Regimental Colour and Appointments.

On the 9th of July, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Blanchfort, and encamped near Pouillac. On the 17th of July, the battalion was conveyed down the Garonne in small craft, and embarked in H. M.’s ship “Norge,” which sailed immediately, and on the 26th entered Cove of Cork harbour.

The NINETY-SECOND disembarked at Monkstown on the 29th of July, and marched to Fermoy barracks, where the thanks of Parliament were communicated to the officers and soldiers for “the meritorious and eminent services which they had rendered to their King and Country during the course of the war.”

On the 6th of August, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, commanded by Colonel Cameron, was inspected at Fermoy by Major-General Sir William Aylett, who expressed in orders his great satisfaction at its appearance under arms, as well as of its interior economy. Its effective strength consisted of fifty serjeants, sixteen drummers, and seven hundred rank and file.

Two captains and three lieutenants were ordered on the 12th of October to proceed to Scotland to take under their charge the non-commissioned officers and men of the second battalion, about to be transferred to the first battalion.

On the 24th of October, the second battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment was disbanded at Edinburgh, and twelve serjeants, thirteen drummers, and one hundred and sixty-one rank and file were transferred to the first battalion, which they joined at Fermoy in January following.

[Sidenote: 1815]

The NINETY-SECOND regiment marched on the 27th of January, 1815, from Fermoy to Cork barracks, where an authority was received for the establishment to be one thousand rank and file.

The NINETY-SECOND regiment was not destined to remain long on home service. The peace of Europe was again disturbed. Napoleon Bonaparte returned from Elba, landed at Cannes, in Provence, on the 1st of March, 1815, with a handful of men, and on the 20th of that month entered Paris at the head of an army which had joined him on the road. Louis XVIII. withdrew from Paris to Ghent, and Napoleon assumed his former dignity of Emperor of the French; but the allied Powers refused to acknowledge his sovereignty, and determined on his dethronement. Preparations for war commenced accordingly, and the NINETY-SECOND regiment was ordered to proceed on foreign service.

The regiment marched to the Cove of Cork on the 1st of May, and embarked in transports, which sailed on the 3rd of May. Its effective strength consisted of forty-seven serjeants, sixteen drummers, and six hundred and twenty-one rank and file. The regiment anchored near Ostend on the 9th of May, was removed in boats on the following day, and subsequently proceeded by the canal to Bruges.

On the 11th of May the regiment proceeded to Ghent, where it landed, and was quartered. Louis XVIII. was residing there at this period.

The regiment marched from Ghent to Alost on the 27th of May, and on the 28th to Brussels, where it was placed in Major-General Sir Denis Pack’s brigade, with the third battalion of the Royals, the forty-second Highlanders, and the second battalion of the forty-fourth regiment.

On the 3rd of June the British brigades of the fifth division, to which the NINETY-SECOND belonged, were reviewed by Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, who expressed his entire approbation of their appearance, and his happiness at again seeing those that had served with such reputation in the Peninsula.

Napoleon left Paris on the 12th of June, and conformably to his usual plan of directing at once his whole force against some important point, he determined to attack the British and Prussian armies before the arrival of the Austrians and Russians, who were already in movement towards the frontiers. On the 15th, intelligence having been received that the French had entered the Netherlands, the NINETY-SECOND lay upon their arms during the night.

On the 16th of June, the division under Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Picton marched at daylight, and about two o’clock came within range of the enemy’s artillery in front of Genappe, at some farm-houses denominated _Les Quatre Bras_, where the main road from Charleroi to Brussels is crossed by another from Nivelles to Namur, and which served as the British communication with the Prussians on the left.

The NINETY-SECOND regiment was ordered to line a ditch in the front of this latter road, to the left of the farm-houses, and the Duke of Wellington took his station with it. The enemy poured a very hot fire of artillery on this post, and his cavalry charged it, but was received by a well-directed volley from the regiment, and forced to retire with great loss of men and horses. His cannonade still continued, and his cavalry again charged, and were repulsed as before. In the meantime the French infantry had been forming under cover of their cavalry attacks, assisted by their artillery, and now advanced upon the regiment, when the Duke of Wellington said, “NINETY-SECOND, you must charge these fellows!” These words were scarcely uttered, when every man of the regiment sprang over the ditch, and his orders were fully and literally obeyed. The enemy was not only driven from the houses and gardens about Quatre Bras, but chased for half a mile beyond it, until the regiment was recalled about nightfall, and the action ceased.

On this occasion the regiment had to lament the loss of its commanding officer, Colonel Cameron,[16] an officer who had led the NINETY-SECOND in many a sanguinary field. He fell as he had lived, with honor; and the Duke of Wellington thus expressed himself in his despatch to Earl Bathurst of the 29th of June, transmitting lists of the killed and wounded:—

“Your Lordship will see in the enclosed lists the names of some
most valuable officers lost to His Majesty’s service. Among them
I cannot avoid to mention Colonel Cameron, of the NINETY-SECOND,
and Colonel Sir Henry Ellis, of the twenty-third regiments, to
whose conduct I have frequently drawn your Lordship’s attention,
and who at last fell distinguishing themselves at the head of the
brave troops which they commanded.

“Notwithstanding the glory of the occasion, it is impossible
not to lament such men, both on account of the public, and as
friends.”

The Duke of Wellington particularly mentioned the twenty-eighth, forty-second, seventy-ninth, and NINETY-SECOND regiments in his account of the action at Quatre Bras.

The NINETY-SECOND regiment during the action was successively commanded by Colonel Cameron, Lieut.-Colonel James Mitchell, and Major Donald Macdonald. Colonel Cameron, Captain William Little, Lieutenant James John Chisholm, Ensigns Abel Becher, and John Ross McPherson were killed. Lieut.-Colonel James Mitchell, Captains George W. Holmes, Dugald Campbell, and William Charles Grant; Lieutenants Robert Winchester, Thomas Hobbs, Thomas McIntosh, James Ker Ross, Ronald McDonald, Hector Munro Innes, George Logan, John McKinlay, George Mackie, Alexander McPherson, Ewen Ross, Ensigns John Branwell, Robert Logan, Angus McDonald, Robert Hewitt, and assistant-surgeon John Stewart were wounded. Thirty-five rank and file were killed, and two hundred and forty-five were wounded.

The following is a copy of Major McDonald’s report of the action, written on the spot, to Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B.—

“SIR,

“Colonel Cameron and Lieut.-Colonel Mitchell having been
both severely wounded, I have the honor to report, for your
information, (not having been under your eye during the whole
of the day,) that the NINETY-SECOND regiment repulsed repeated
attacks of cavalry, and by a rapid movement charged a column of
the enemy, and drove them to the extremity of the wood on our
right.

“Our loss has been severe, as will be seen by the return of
killed and wounded.

“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “DONALD MCDONALD,
“_Major 92nd, Commanding_.

“Major-General
Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B.”

The Prussians had been attacked on the 16th of June at Ligny, and were forced to retreat to Wavre, and the Duke of Wellington made a corresponding movement to keep up his communication with them. In the course of the morning of the 17th of June, the troops were withdrawn from Quatre Bras, and the regiment was directed to form the rear-guard of the infantry, until it occupied its position in front of _Waterloo_, at a place named Mont St. Jean, where it arrived without being molested by the enemy.

At the beginning of the memorable battle of Waterloo, which commenced about ten o’clock in the morning of the 18th of June, the NINETY-SECOND regiment, under the command of Major McDonald, with the rest of Sir Denis Pack’s brigade, was placed in support of some Belgian troops on the left of the main road to Brussels, and throughout the day was exposed to the fire of the enemy’s artillery and sharpshooters.

The allied troops to the right having repulsed the repeated attacks in that quarter, the enemy directed his attention in a more particular manner to this part of the British line; and after having succeeded in carrying the farm-house of _La Haye Sainte_, under a most tremendous fire of artillery, he drove the Belgians from their post, and established himself in that part of the position. The moment the Belgians were seen running past the regiment to the rear, the third battalion of the Royals, and the second battalion of the forty-fourth regiment on its right in brigade, moved to the point which had thus been abandoned, and for some time maintained their ground in a manner becoming British soldiers, although ultimately obliged to give way. The NINETY-SECOND at this time was reduced to less than three hundred men. A column of three thousand French was formed in the position in front of the regiment, which was concealed by the nature of the ground. The French Commander having possessed himself of so advantageous a post, and seeing the troops give way, considered everything gained, and ordered arms.

This was the state of affairs, when Major-General Sir Denis Pack galloped up to the regiment, and called out “NINETY-SECOND, you must charge, for all the troops to your right and left have given way.” Three cheers from the regiment expressed the devoted readiness of every individual in its ranks.

The French column did not show a large front. The regiment formed four deep, and in that compact order advanced, until within twenty paces, when it fired a volley, and instantly darted into the heart of the French column, in which it became almost invisible, in the midst of the mass opposed to it.

While the regiment was in the act of charging, and the instant before it came in contact with the enemy, the Scots Greys (second dragoons) came trotting up in rear of its flanks, when both corps shouted “_Scotland for ever!_” the column was instantaneously broken, and in its flight the cavalry rode over it. The result of this dash, which only occupied a few minutes, was a loss to the enemy of two Eagles, and two thousand prisoners, those that escaped doing so without arms or knapsacks.

After this brilliant affair, Sir Denis Pack rode up to the regiment, and said, “You have saved the day Highlanders, but you must return to your position; there is more work to be done!”

It would be superfluous to detail every part that the regiment had to act on this eventful day; how it stood in square, in line, and in column, never yielding an inch to enemies who considered themselves invincible when fighting, as in the present instance, under the direction and in the presence of their Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who frequently expressed his astonishment and admiration at the manner in which the British fought, particularly “_Les Braves Ecossais_,” as he termed them.

Towards evening two Prussian officers rode past the regiment inquiring for the Duke of Wellington, and their columns began to appear moving upon the enemy’s right, by the road from Wavre. At this time the French made a last effort by a general attack throughout the whole line, and the moment they were repulsed, the allied troops advanced, drove them from every position, and forced them to seek safety in flight, leaving their artillery, and everything that constitutes an army in the field.

The regiment was directed to desist from the pursuit, and return to its original ground, after giving three British cheers to the Prussian army. In this manner was achieved the Battle of Waterloo, the importance of which may be best estimated by the lengthened peace which has ensued; and the memory of this eventful victory will ever survive as a proud monument of the national glory of the British army.

On the 18th of June, the NINETY-SECOND regiment had Captains Peter Wilkie and Archibald Ferrier, Lieutenants Robert Winchester, Donald McDonald, James Ker Ross, and James Hope wounded. Fourteen rank and file were killed, and ninety-six wounded.

In acknowledgment of the services which the army performed in the battle of Waterloo, and the actions immediately preceding it, each subaltern officer and soldier present was permitted to count two years additional service, and silver medals were conferred on all ranks, bearing on the one side an impression of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and on the reverse the figure of Victory, holding the palm in the right hand, and the olive branch in the left, with the word “WELLINGTON,” over its head, and “WATERLOO,” 18th June, 1815, at its feet.

Lieut.-Colonel James Mitchell, who succeeded to the command of the regiment at Quatre Bras, was appointed a companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, and had the Order of St. Anne of Russia conferred upon him. Major Donald McDonald, who commanded the regiment during the whole of the battle of Waterloo, was promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel, appointed a companion of the Bath, and received the order of St. Wladimir of Russia.

The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted to the army with the greatest enthusiasm “for its distinguished valour at Waterloo;” and the NINETY-SECOND, and other regiments engaged, were permitted to bear the word “WATERLOO” on their colours and appointments.

The Highland Society of Scotland unanimously passed a vote of thanks “for the determined valour and exertions displayed by the regiment, and for the credit which it did its country in the memorable battles of the 16th and 18th of June, 1815.”

On the 19th of June, the allied army resumed its triumphant pursuit of the French towards Paris, in the neighbourhood of which city the regiment encamped on the 3rd of July, without having been employed on any affair of consequence during the march.

The following General Order was issued by the Duke of Wellington, on the 4th of July:—

“The Field Marshal has great satisfaction in announcing to the
troops under his command, that he has, in concert with Field
Marshal Prince Blucher, concluded a military convention with the
Commander-in-Chief of the French army near Paris, by which the
enemy is to evacuate St. Denis, St. Ouen, Clichy, and Neuilly,
this day at noon, the heights of Monte Martre to-morrow at noon,
and Paris next day.

“The Field Marshal congratulates the army upon this result of
their glorious victory. He desires that the troops may employ the
leisure of this day and to-morrow, to clean their arms, clothes,
and appointments, as it is his intention that they should pass
him in review.”

Louis XVIII. entered Paris on the 8th of July, and was once more reinstated on the throne of France. Napoleon Bonaparte having fled to the south of France surrendered himself a prisoner on the 15th of July to Captain Maitland, commanding the “Bellerophon” British ship of war, and the island of St. Helena was afterwards appointed for his residence.

While in camp near Paris, the British army was reviewed by the Emperors of Austria and Russia, and other Sovereigns in alliance with Great Britain, who paid very high compliments to the regiment, and greatly admired its Highland costume.

On the 28th of October, the regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Mitchell, broke up from its encampment, and marched to St. Germains; on the 30th to Montain Ville; and on the 2nd of November to Neuf le Vieux.

The regiment marched on the 10th of November to occupy the following villages—Monfort, Neuf de Vieux, Creçy, Mareile, and Mere.

The Brigade orders of the 29th of November, directed the regiment to proceed en route to Boulogne, and Major-General Sir Denis Pack, after alluding to the orderly and soldier-like conduct of the regiment both in camp and quarters, and expressing his regret at losing it from under his command, concluded as follows:—

“The services rendered by the NINETY-SECOND regiment in the Duke
of Wellington’s campaigns in the Peninsula, and His Grace’s
late short and triumphant one in Belgium, are so generally and
so highly appreciated, as to make praise from him almost idle;
nevertheless, he cannot help adding his tribute of applause.”

On the 30th of November, the regiment marched to Meulan, and arrived on the 15th of December at St. Leonard, near Boulogne; on the 17th it arrived at Calais, and embarked the same day for England.

The effective strength of the regiment consisted of thirty-six serjeants, sixteen drummers, and four hundred and forty-nine rank and file.

On the 19th of December, the regiment landed at Margate; on the 20th marched to Deal; on the 21st to Dover; and on the 22nd to Braebournlees Barracks, from whence it proceeded _en route_ to Colchester on the 28th of December.

[Sidenote: 1816]

The regiment arrived at Colchester on the 1st of January, 1816, where an authority was received to reduce its establishment to eight hundred rank and file.

On the 19th of February, the regiment marched from Colchester _en route_ to Hull, where it arrived on the 2nd of March. On the 22nd of August, the regiment proceeded to Berwick-upon-Tweed,—from whence it marched to Edinburgh on the 7th of September, and on the 12th went into quarters in Edinburgh Castle, being the second visit to its native country since the original formation of the regiment.

The Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia, having expressed a wish to see the NINETY-SECOND regiment, it was paraded on the 22nd of December accordingly, and His Imperial Highness expressed his admiration of the corps.

[Sidenote: 1817]

On the 7th of April, 1817, the regiment commenced its march by divisions to Port Patrick, there to embark for Ireland. It arrived at Belfast on the 24th of April, and on the 26th, detachments were sent to occupy barracks at Carrickfergus, Downpatrick, Crumlin, Ballimony, Newton Glens, Castle Dawson, Ballycastle, and Randalstown.

[Sidenote: 1818]

Major-General Sir Sidney Beckwith inspected the NINETY-SECOND regiment on the 28th of April, 1818, who issued a very complimentary order regarding its appearance.

On the 17th of June, the regiment commenced its march in two divisions for Castlebar, where the head-quarters arrived on the 28th, having about twenty detachments in various places.

The regiment was inspected on the 14th of October by Major-General Buller, who expressed his approbation of its appearance.

On the 4th of November, orders were received for the regiment to be held in readiness for embarkation at Cork, for Jamaica.

[Sidenote: 1819]

The regiment marched on the 8th of January, 1819, for Fermoy, where it arrived on the 20th of that month. On the 12th of April, it marched from Fermoy to Middleton barracks, and on the following day it embarked, at the Cove of Cork, on board the “Chapman,” “Nautilus,” and “Ocean” transports. The effective strength consisted of thirty-one serjeants, twenty-one drummers, and six hundred and three rank and file.

On the 14th of April, Major-General Benjamin Gordon expressed “his marked approbation of the steadiness and very soldier-like appearance of the regiment, and the regularity with which its embarkation was conducted yesterday.”

The regiment sailed on the 16th of April, and arrived at Jamaica on the 2nd of June. It disembarked at Kingston on the 4th of that month, and proceeded to Up-Park Camp, followed by the whole population of the town and its vicinity, who crowded from all quarters to witness so novel a sight as a Highland regiment in Jamaica.

Shortly after its arrival in Jamaica, the regiment was attacked by yellow fever in its most virulent form, and three companies, under the command of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Blainey, marched, on the 5th of July, to Stony Hill barracks.

Such was the mortality and sickness in the regiment, that it was, in August, in a manner ordered to be dispersed. Another company marched on the 26th of August to Stony Hill, and a part of one to the Apostles’ battery. On the 28th of August a strong detachment, chiefly composed of convalescents, embarked on board the “Serapis” guard-ship, then at anchor off Port Royal.

Major Archibald Ferrier died at Up-Park Camp on the 22nd of September, and Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John Blainey having died on the 28th of August at Stony Hill, Brevet-Major Peter Wilkie assumed the command of the regiment, and on the 23rd of September removed with the head-quarters on board the “Serapis.” Nothing can depict the state of the regiment better than the following letter from Brevet-Major Wilkie to Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, Assistant Adjutant-General at Jamaica:—

“H. M. Ship Serapis,
“25th September, 1819.
“SIR,

“From the very peculiar situation of the NINETY-SECOND at the
present moment, I am much afraid it will not be in my power to
send in the returns required by the different public offices
before Tuesday or Wednesday next, as having unfortunately lost
the Adjutant, and every one acquainted with the important duty
of the orderly room, in the course of the present month, I have
consequently been necessitated to take into it any one that could
write. Under these circumstances, I trust you will grant me all
the time you can, to enable me to give them in with some degree
of accuracy.

“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “PETER WILKIE,
“_Captain 92nd regiment_.

“Lieut.-Colonel Campbell,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Jamaica.”

The head-quarters were removed on the 9th of November from on board the “Serapis,” and returned to Up-Park Camp, where the several detachments joined, and the regiment was again assembled. It was remarked that the men who had been on board ship continued perfectly healthy after their return, whereas those who had been stationed at Stony Hill and the Apostles’ Battery, suffered considerably.

The total loss sustained by the regiment from the 25th of June to the 24th of December, 1819, consisted of ten officers,—namely, Majors Archibald Ferrier, and John Blainey (Brevet Lieut.-Colonel), Lieutenants Andrew Will, Thomas Gordon, Hector Innes, George Logan, Richard McDonnell, and George Mackie (Adjutant), Ensign Francis Reynolds, and Assistant Surgeon David Thomas; thirteen serjeants, eight drummers, and two hundred and fifty-four rank and file.

[Sidenote: 1820]

Lieut.-General John Hope was appointed colonel of the NINETY-SECOND on the 29th of January, 1820, in succession to General the Earl of Hopetoun, G.C.B., who was removed to the Forty-second, Royal Highland regiment.

The regiment was inspected on the 16th of February by Major-General Henry Conran, who expressed himself much pleased with the appearance and steadiness of the men under arms.

On the 10th of March, the head-quarters and five companies were removed from Up-Park Camp to Fort Augusta; and on the 14th of that month the other five companies proceeded to Port Royal. In both places the regiment enjoyed comparatively good health.

A detachment of fifty-five rank and file joined the regiment from Scotland on the 24th of May.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederick Stovin, K.C.B., who was promoted from the twenty-eighth to the NINETY-SECOND regiment on the 2nd of September of the previous year, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel James Mitchell, who retired from the service, joined at Jamaica on the 24th of October 1820.

The regimental orders of the 30th of October directed that the dress, on parades and duties, should be white trousers, and that no other dress would be permitted.

On the 21st of December, two companies of the regiment marched from Fort Augusta to Spanish Town.

[Sidenote: 1821]

The head-quarters and three companies at Fort Augusta marched on the 3rd of January, 1821, to Spanish Town, and on the 4th, the five companies at Port Royal were removed to Fort Augusta: one of them was shortly afterwards ordered to join the head-quarters at Spanish Town.

A detachment of one hundred and eighty-five rank and file joined at Jamaica from the regimental depôt on the 13th of January, and on the 5th of February another detachment of twenty-nine joined, making a total of two hundred and fourteen men.

On the 8th of March, the regiment was again inspected by Major-General Henry Conran, commanding the forces at Jamaica, who expressed his approbation of the correct field movements and interior regularity of all its departments.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederick Stovin, having on the 21st of June obtained leave of absence to return to England, Major Peter Wilkie assumed the command of the regiment. On the 18th of August one of the four companies stationed at Fort Augusta marched to join the head-quarters at Spanish Town; and on the 17th of October, the three companies at Fort Augusta, were removed to Port Royal.

On the 24th of October, orders were received from the Secretary at War to reduce the regiment to an establishment of eight companies, consisting of twenty-nine serjeants, twelve drummers, and five hundred and seventy-six rank and file. In consequence of this order, the regiment was formed into eight companies, six being stationed at head-quarters in Spanish Town, and two at Port Royal.

On the 10th of November, a detachment of the regiment, consisting of two subalterns, two serjeants, one drummer, and thirty-two rank and file, embarked for New Providence.

The fifty-eighth and sixty-first regiments being about to return to Europe, a general order was issued on the 28th of November, permitting the men to volunteer to other corps serving in Jamaica; consequently, thirty-three men from the fifty-eighth, and forty-seven from the sixty-first, joined the NINETY-SECOND regiment.

[Sidenote: 1822]

On the 15th of February, 1822, the two companies of the regiment stationed at Port Royal embarked for Port Antonio, where they were detached. On the 19th of February, the head-quarters and three companies marched from Spanish Town, embarked on the same day at Port Henderson, and landed at Falmouth on the 24th of that month; the other three companies embarked shortly afterwards for Montego Bay.

In March the regiment was stationed as follows: head-quarters and two companies at Falmouth, two companies at Port Antonio, two companies at Lucca, and two companies at Maroon Town.

Lieut.-Colonel David Williamson joined at Falmouth, in Jamaica, on the 10th of April, and assumed the command of the NINETY-SECOND, to which he had been appointed from half-pay of the fourth regiment, on the 4th of October of the previous year.

A detachment of recruits, consisting of sixty-nine rank and file, joined on the 25th of April. At this period the officers of the NINETY-SECOND were directed to wear wings, instead of two bullion epaulets for all ranks as heretofore.

One of the two companies stationed at Lucea marched on the 23rd of August to Montego Bay, and on the 27th of November was moved from thence to Maroon Town.

[Sidenote: 1823]

Major-General Sir John Keane, K.C.B., assumed the command of the troops in Jamaica, on the 1st of May, 1823, and in the early part of June visited the different stations of the regiment, when he approved highly of its discipline and appearance.

Lieut.-General the Honorable Alexander Duff was appointed colonel of the NINETY-SECOND on the 6th of September, 1823, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, G.C.H., who was removed to the seventy-second regiment.

[Sidenote: 1824]

A detachment of thirty recruits joined on the 10th of February, 1824, and they were stationed at Fort Augusta.

The head-quarters of the regiment marched from Falmouth to Montego Bay on the 5th of April, where they arrived at daylight on the following morning; and on the 7th embarked in H. M. ship “Pyramus,” the other two divisions embarking about the same time. The regiment landed at Fort Augusta on the 10th, 12th, and 16th of April. Six companies and the head-quarters remained at Fort Augusta, and two companies were detached to Kingston Barracks.

During the two years the regiment was stationed on the north side, the men enjoyed a high state of health, considering the climate of Jamaica. Of their conduct in quarters, the best judgment may be formed from the following address presented to Lieut.-Colonel Williamson, by a committee of the magistrates and vestry of Trelawny appointed for that purpose:—

“Court House, Falmouth.
“5th April, 1824.

“SIR,