272 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
The regiment remained in Ireland till 1775, when, after an absence of thirtytwo
years, it embarked at Donaghadee for Scotland, where it did not long
remain. The War of Independence having broken out, the corps was again
destined for America. Previous to leaving Glasgow, in 1776, the soldiers
were supplied with new arms and accoutrements, including broadswords and
pistols, which latter were provided by the Colonel. They sailed from Greenock
on the 14th of May, and were constantly engaged in the arduous struggle
which ensued in the New World, until peace was concluded in 1783. Here we
may mention that during this war the broadsword was laid aside, from a belief
that it retarded the progress of the men while marching through the woods ;
and it has never since been resumed. At the termination of the war, the
regiment was removed to Nova Scotia, and did not return to Scotland till the
year 1790.
On the breaking out of the war with France, in 1794, it was again actively
engaged in Flanders-fought at the battle of Nimeguen, and suffered in the
harassing retreat to Bremen ; and when that short and unsuccessful campaign
had been finished, was embarked for the West Indies, where, under the gallant
Abercromby, it assisted in reconquering these islands from the French.
The
conduct of the Royal Highlanders at Alexandria, where the Invincibles of
France were broken and defeated, became the theme of general commendation.
It is worthy of remark, that the only man in all England who attempted to
depreciate their fame was the late William Cobbett, who attempted, in his
Register, to show that the standard surrendered to Major Stirling of the 42d,
had been taken by one Lutz of another regiment. This petty hostility, on
the part of the “Lion of Bottley,” proceeded from the vulgar and narrowminded
prejudice which his splenetic disposition entertained towards everything
appertaining to Scotland or Scotsmen; an antipathy, however, which he
had the candour to renounce, after he had actually visited the country, and
seen Scotland as she is. So great was the enthusiasm of the public at the
success of the British arms, that the Highland Society of London resolved to
present their soldier-countrymen of the 42d Regiment with a handsome mark
of their approbation; but the affair of the standard led to a communication
with some of the officers, which, from a mistaken notion of honour on the part of
the latter, had the effect of retarding for a time the intentions of the Society.’
“At a fete given at the
Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, on the 13th of January 1802,” says a journal
of that date, “ Major Stirling, of the 42d regiment, appeared in the full uniform
of that gallant corps, He was received with loud and most enthusiastic
applause, the music striking up the favourite air of ‘ The Garb of Old Gaul.’ ’’
The next ‘‘ field of glory” was the well-known campaign in Egypt.
Much national feeling prevailed at this period.
AS we have already noticed in the memoir of the Marquis of Huntly, the late Duke of York,
being President of the Society in 1817, presented the Marquis, on behalf of the 42d Regiment, with
a superb piece of plate.
