Chapter I: Introductory--My Enlistment

I do not wish to enter into the genealogy of my family, notwithstanding I was asked to do so by some friends on several occasions when talking over the past few years of my life in the army. This I find to be rather a delicate subject, and one that I am not prepared for. It would matter but little to any of my readers, as I am of obscure and humble parentage. Had any of my forefathers shone in the busy scenes that take place amongst us from time to time, I would have every chance of being known and made known to many of my fellow-countrymen, and my late sufferings and many narrow escapes, which I endured while in the service of my Queen and country, would at times be felt with pain and pleasure. Suffice it, then, to say, that I am an Invernesian by birth--a true-born _Clachnacuddin_.

The most of my early days were spent in the capital of the Highlands. Often have I followed the sound of the pibroch, and went along with the recruiting parties, headed by their sergeant with his sword drawn, marching up one street and down another. What a gay life (I thought to myself) to be a soldier!--buckle, shoe, and sporan dazzling in the sun--also their head-dress, so soldier-like, and all arrayed in fine order. What a delusion! What a difference there is in the soldier’s life when in the camp and field--in front of the foe, surrounded on all sides with danger! Not so here at Inverness, where my young and ardent bosom became inflamed to be a soldier, buoyed up with the idea of thinking it quite a gentleman’s life. But it would be well for every man who wears a red coat to go on active service: it is there and only there he can get a thorough knowledge of his position. The party at Inverness would talk of battles, sieges, narrow escapes, and so on, which led me to believe that to be a soldier would open the way to fame and honour. At this time I was but fourteen years of age, and of course I was not as yet able to be a soldier; but I trusted that the time would soon come when I would stand five feet seven inches. Ah, yes! that day did come, and I have, by sad experience, undergone the trials of a soldier’s life.

I spent a good many of my early days with a relation--a gentleman of small estate, near Fort-George--who acted to me with the kindness of a father. When at this place I was in the habit of going to Fort-George, and my desire became strengthened of becoming a soldier. When I saw them going through their evolutions--large gun drill, firing salutes, and so on--it would often bring to my mind what the Inverness party used to say of a soldier’s life being all glory and honour. A Highland regiment, or part of a regiment, lay at this time at Fort-George. One morning, as I went down to the little village of Campbeltown for letters, I fell in with a sergeant who was residing at the Fort. (In after years, in the late Crimean war, I was standing by his side in the trenches in front of Sebastopol when he was struck by the splinter of a shell and killed on the spot; and little did I know when I saw him that morning at Campbeltown that I would be so close to him when he lost his life.) The first thing I asked him was if he thought I was height enough, as I wished very much to become a soldier. I recollect of his taking me to a public-house and measuring me, but I was one inch below the standard. This stung me a little, as my mind was now fully made up to join the army. However, I went home, and a few days after this little affair happened, my kind friend and benefactor, with whom I was at this time staying, sent me to a day-school at Nairn, always telling me that I must be diligent and learn at school, as he intended to do something for me. I soon tired of this work at Nairn. A field-day at Fort-George would always whisper, honour and fame is all I want.

After staying at Nairn for two summers, I left and went to Inverness, my native town. I was still below the standard, and the recruiting parties would often tell me I was too little for anything. I met in at this time with an old schoolmate, who told me he was going to Edinburgh, and that if I would go along with him he would pay my fare to that city. I agreed, and was ready in a week from that time. I kept my father and the rest of the family in the dark regarding this. The day arrived, and my friend and I left for Edinburgh. A few days after our arrival I went to visit the Castle. The Castle was garrisoned by the 79th Cameron Highlanders, and to this gallant corps I volunteered my services. They were accepted. I went through all the forms that a recruit has to go through when he enlists, and my name was enrolled in the 79th, and I became a Cameron Highlander.