Part 8

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.