Part 2
[5] “Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly and forcibly impressed on the consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a strict observance of order, discipline, and military system, which has given the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and has enabled them proudly to assert the superiority of the national military character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under circumstances of peculiar difficulty.”--_General Orders in 1801._
In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January 1809, it is stated:--“On no occasion has the undaunted valour of British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the troops themselves: and the enemy has been taught, that whatever advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows not how to yield,--that no circumstances can appal,--and that will ensure victory, when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any human means.”
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT, HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY:
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT In 1777,
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES To 1852.
COMPILED BY
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.,
ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.
Illustrated with Plates.
LONDON: PRINTED BY GEORGE E. EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE, PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE.
PUBLISHED BY PARKER, FURNIVALL, AND PARKER, 30, CHARING CROSS.
1852
THE SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR AND APPOINTMENTS
THE WORD “HINDOOSTAN,” IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS DISTINGUISHED SERVICES WHILE EMPLOYED IN INDIA FROM 1780 to 1797;
THE WORDS “CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,” FOR THE CAPTURE OF THAT COLONY IN JANUARY 1806;
THE WORDS “ROLEIA,” “VIMIERA,” “CORUNNA,” “FUENTES D’ONOR,” “ALMARAZ,” “VITTORIA,” “PYRENEES,” “NIVE,” “ORTHES,” AND “PENINSULA,” IN TESTIMONY OF ITS GALLANTRY IN THE SEVERAL ACTIONS FOUGHT DURING THE WAR IN PORTUGAL, SPAIN, AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, FROM 1808 TO 1814;
AND
THE WORD “WATERLOO,” IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS DISTINGUISHED SERVICES AT THAT BATTLE ON THE 18TH OF JUNE 1815.
THE
SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,
HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY.
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD.
Year. Page.
INTRODUCTION xiii
1777. Formation of the SEVENTY-THIRD regiment, afterwards numbered the SEVENTY-FIRST Regiment 2
” John Lord Macleod appointed colonel of the regiment _ib._
1778. War with France 3
” Removal of the regiment from North Britain to Guernsey and Jersey _ib._
” Proceeded to Portsmouth _ib._
” A second battalion added to the regiment _ib._
” Names of officers 4
1779. The first battalion embarked for India 5
” The second battalion removed from Scotland to Plymouth _ib._
” Siege of Gibraltar by the Spaniards _ib._
1780. The second battalion embarked for Gibraltar 6
” The first battalion arrived at Madras 7
” War with Hyder Ali _ib._
” The first battalion formed part of Major-General Sir Hector Munro’s army 7
” Siege of _Arcot_ 8
” Action at Perambaukum 9
” The survivors of the British troops engaged in this unequal contest conveyed to Hyder Ali 11
” Attempts of the Spaniards against _Gibraltar_ 12
1781. Progress of the War with Hyder Ali 13
” Battle of _Porto Novo_ 14
” Presentation of silver pipes to the first battalion by Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote for its gallantry on that occasion _ib._
” _Tripassoor_ retaken by the British 15
” Second action at Perambaukum, and defeat of the enemy 16
” Relief of _Vellore_ 17
” Battle of _Sholingur_ _ib._
” Gallant defence of Gibraltar 18
” _Sortie_ of the garrison 20
1782. _Vellore_ blockaded by Hyder Ali 22
” Advance of the British through the Sholingur Pass, and relief of _Vellore_ _ib._
” Battle of _Arnee_ 24
” Decease of Hyder Ali 25
” And succession of his son Tippoo Saib _ib._
” The combined attempts of France and Spain against Gibraltar 26
” Employment of red-hot shot by the garrison _ib._
” The expedient successful 28
” The garrison honored by His Majesty’s approbation 29
1783. Termination of the siege of Gibraltar 30
” Peace concluded between Great Britain, France, and Spain _ib._
” The second battalion sailed from Gibraltar for England 31
” Progress of the war with Tippoo Saib _ib._
” Siege of _Cuddalore_ _ib._
” Unsuccessful _sortie_ by the enemy 33
” Intelligence of the general peace received in India _ib._
” The second battalion disbanded _ib._
1784. Peace concluded with Tippoo Saib 34
” Restoration of the officers and men who had been made prisoners at the action of Perambaukum _ib._
1785. The regiment stationed at Madras _ib._
1786. The numerical title changed from Seventy-third to SEVENTY-FIRST Regiment _ib._
1787. Stationed at Wallajohabad and Chingleput 35
1788. Embarked for Bombay _ib._
” Returned to Madras _ib._
1789. Major-General the Honorable William Gordon appointed colonel of the regiment _ib._
1790. Hostilities commenced by Tippoo Saib 36
” The regiment marched towards Trichinopoly _ib._
” Siege of _Palghautcherry_ 37
” _Darraporam_ captured by the enemy 38
1791. Reviewed by General the Earl Cornwallis 39
” Action near _Bangalore_ 40
” Capture of _Bangalore_ by the British 41
” Advance towards _Seringapatam_ 42
” Action with Tippoo’s troops _ib._
” Return of the army to Bangalore 43
” Capture of _Nundydroog_ by the British 45
” ---- of _Savendroog_ 46
” ---- of _Outredroog_, _Ram Gurry_, and _Sheria Gurry_ 47
1792. Second advance of the British towards _Seringapatam_ _ib._
” Successful attack upon the enemy 48
” Siege of _Seringapatam_ 49
” Peace concluded with Tippoo Saib, and his two sons delivered as hostages 50
” Return of the regiment to Madras 51
1793. The French revolution, and declaration of war by the National Convention against Great Britain and Holland _ib._
” The flank companies engaged in the siege and capture of _Pondicherry_ 52
1794. Contemplated expedition against the Mauritius 52
” The design relinquished, and march of the regiment to Tanjore _ib._
1795. Holland united to France, and styled the Batavian Republic _ib._
” The flank companies embarked for Ceylon _ib._
” Capture of the Island 53
1796. The regiment marched to Wallajohabad _ib._
1797. The regiment inspected by Major-General Clarke, and complimentary order on the occasion _ib._
” Embarked for England 54
1798. Disembarked at Woolwich _ib._
” Proceeded to Scotland _ib._
” Authorized to bear the word “HINDOOSTAN” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._
1800. Marched from Stirling, and embarked for Ireland 55
1801.} 1802.} Stationed in Ireland 56
1803. Major-General Sir John Francis Cradock, K.B., appointed colonel of the regiment _ib._
1804. A second battalion added to the regiment _ib._
1805. The first battalion embarked on a secret expedition under Major-General Sir David Baird 57
” Arrival at the Cape of Good Hope _ib._
1806. Action at _Bleuberg_ 58
” Surrender of the colony to the British 59
” Authorized to bear the words “CAPE OF GOOD HOPE” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._
” Expedition to the _Rio de la Plata_ 60
” Surrender of _Buenos Ayres_ 61
” The city retaken by the enemy 62
” The first battalion taken prisoners and removed into the interior of the country 63
” Escape of Brigadier-General Beresford and Lieut.-Colonel Pack _ib._
1807. The second battalion removed from Ireland to Scotland _ib._
” Convention entered into by Lieut.-General Whitelocke, and release of the first battalion 64
” The first battalion arrived at Cork _ib._
1808. The second battalion embarked for Scotland _ib._
” Presentation of new colours 65
” Address of Lieut.-General John Floyd on that occasion _ib._
” The first battalion embarked for the Peninsula 67
” Authorized to bear the title of _Glasgow_ Regiment, in addition to the appellation of _Highland_ Regiment _ib._
” Battle of _Roleia_ 68
” Authorized to bear the word “ROLEIA” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._
” Battle of _Vimiera_ 69
” Authorized to bear the word “VIMIERA” on the regimental colour and appointments 70
” Convention of Cintra _ib._
” March of the troops into Spain 71
” Joined the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore 72
1808. Retreat on Corunna 72
1809. Lieut.-General Francis Dundas appointed colonel of the regiment 73
” Battle of _Corunna_ _ib._
” Authorized to bear the word “CORUNNA” on the regimental colour and appointments 74
” The thanks of Parliament conferred on the troops _ib._
” The first battalion arrived in England 75
” Formed into a _Light Infantry_ Regiment 76
” Expedition to the Scheldt _ib._
” The first battalion embarked at Portsmouth _ib._
” Action on landing 77
” Attack and capture of _Ter Veer_ 78
” Siege and capitulation of _Flushing_ _ib._
” Occupation of Ter Veer by the first battalion 79
” Return of the battalion to England _ib._
” Loss of the battalion on this expedition _ib._
1810. Permitted to retain such parts of the national dress as were not inconsistent with light infantry duties _ib._
” The first battalion again ordered for foreign service 80
” Embarked for Portugal 81
” Joined the army under Lieut.-General Viscount Wellington _ib._
” Actions at _Sobral_ 82
” Occupied a position in the lines of Torres Vedras _ib._
” Marshal Massena retired to Santarem 83
” Advance of the first battalion _ib._
1811. Pursuit of Marshal Massena 84
” Battle of _Fuentes d’Onor_ _ib._
” Authorized to bear the words “FUENTES D’ONOR” on the regimental colour and appointments 85
” The second battalion removed from Leith to South Britain 86
” The first battalion formed part of the army under Lieut.-General Rowland Hill _ib._
” Affair of _Arroyo-del-Molinos_ 87
” The royal approbation conferred on the troops engaged 88
” Operations consequent on the preparations made by Viscount Wellington for the recapture of _Ciudad Rodrigo_ 89
1812. Third siege of _Badajoz_ _ib._
” Capture of _Badajoz_ _ib._
” Destruction of the enemy’s bridge of boats at _Almaraz_ 90
” Authorized to bear the word “ALMARAZ” on the regimental colour and appointments 91
” Subsequent operations 92
” Battle of _Salamanca_ 93
” Retreat from Burgos _ib._
1813. Attempted surprise of Bejar by the French 94
” March of the first battalion to Bejar _ib._
” The second battalion returned to North Britain 94
” Battle of _Vittoria_ _ib._
” Death of Colonel the Honorable Henry Cadogan, Lieut.-Colonel of the SEVENTY-FIRST Regiment 95
” Authorized to bear the word “VITTORIA” on the regimental colour and appointments 96
” Advance on Pampeluna 97
” Skirmish at _Elizondo_ _ib._
1813. Occupied positions in the Pyrenees 97
” Action at _Maya_ _ib._
” ---- near _Eguaros_ _ib._
” ---- at the Pass of _Doña Maria_ 99
” Authorized to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the regimental colour and appointments 100
” Encamped on the heights of Roncesvalles 101
” Gallant repulse of the French by a small party of the SEVENTY-FIRST on the heights of _Altobispo_ _ib._
” Advance to the French territory _ib._
” Battle of the _Nivelle_ 102
” Passage of the _Nive_ _ib._
” Authorized to bear the word “NIVE” on the regimental colour and appointments 103
1814. Skirmishes at St. Hellette, heights of Garris, and St. Palais 104
” Action at Sauveterre _ib._
” Battle of _Orthes_ _ib._
” Authorized to bear the word “ORTHES” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._
” Affairs at _Aire_ and _Tarbes_ _ib._
” Battle of _Toulouse_ _ib._
” Termination of the Peninsular War, and general order by the Duke of Wellington 105
” The first battalion embarked for England _ib._
” Authorized to bear the word “PENINSULA” on the regimental colour and appointments 106
” The first battalion arrived at Cork _ib._
” The second battalion remained in North Britain _ib._
1815. Return of Napoleon to Paris, and renewal of the war 107
” The first battalion embarked for Ostend _ib._
” Battle of Waterloo 108
1815. Honors conferred on the army for the victory 110
” Authorized to bear the word “WATERLOO” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._
” The first battalion marched to Paris _ib._
” The second battalion disbanded 111
1816. Presentation of the Waterloo medals to the regiment _ib._
” Address of Colonel Reynell on that occasion _ib._
1817. Presentation of new colours by Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B., and his address to the regiment 113
1818. The regiment returned to England 114
1819. Inspected at Weedon by Major-General Sir John Byng 115
1820. Inspected by the Adjutant-General _ib._
1822. Embarked for Ireland _ib._
1824. Lieut.-General Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B., appointed colonel of the regiment 116
” The regiment embarked for Canada _ib._
1825. Formed into six _service_ and four _depôt_ companies _ib._
1829. The depôt companies proceeded to Berwick-on-Tweed 118
” Major-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., appointed colonel of the regiment _ib._
1831. The service companies proceed from Quebec to Bermuda 118
1834. The _Tartan Plaid Scarf_ restored to the SEVENTY-FIRST Regiment 119
” The service companies arrived at Leith _ib._
1835. The regiment stationed at Edinburgh _ib._
1836. Embarked for Ireland _ib._
1838. Major-General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham, K.C.B., appointed colonel of the regiment _ib._
” The service companies embarked for Canada _ib._
1839. The depôt companies removed from Ireland to North Britain _ib._
1841. Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B., appointed colonel of the regiment 120
1842. The regiment formed into two battalions _ib._
” The _Reserve_ battalion embarked for Canada _ib._
1843. The _first_ battalion removed from Canada to the West Indies _ib._
1846. The _first_ battalion embarked at Barbadoes for England 121
1847. Arrived at Portsmouth, and proceeded to Glasgow _ib._
1848. Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., appointed colonel of the regiment _ib._
” The _first_ battalion proceeded to Ireland 122
1849. Lieut.-General Sir James Macdonell, K.C.B., appointed colonel of the regiment _ib._
” The reserve battalion employed at Montreal in aid of the civil power _ib._
1852. CONCLUSION 123
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF
THE SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
Year. Page.
1777. John Lord Macleod 125
1789. The Honorable William Gordon 126
1803. Sir John Francis Cradock, G.C.B. 127
1809. Francis Dundas 129
1824. Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B. 131
1829. Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B. _ib._
1838. Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham _ib._
1841. Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B. 133
1848. Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B. 140
1849. Sir James Macdonell, K.C.B. and K.C.H. 141
APPENDIX.
Page.
Memoir of Captain Philip Melvill 143
Memoir of General the Right Honorable Sir David Baird, Bart., G.C.B. 144
Memoir of Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B. 151
General orders of the 18th of January and 1st of February 1809, relating to the battle of _Corunna_ and the death of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore 161
List of regiments which composed the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore 165
British and Hanoverian army at Waterloo on the 18th of June 1815 166
PLATES.
Page.
Colours of the regiment _to face_ 1
The two sons of Tippoo Saib delivered as hostages to General the Earl Cornwallis 50
Costume of the regiment 124
INTRODUCTION
TO THE
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF THE
SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,
HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY.