Chapter III

E now come to the second period in the life of the youthful regiment, when service in the Mediterranean was gradually to prepare it for the prominent part it afterwards played in the stirring events of the time.

On the 5th September they embarked at Southampton for Gibraltar, where they arrived on the 26th, and disembarked on the morning of the 27th, landing at the “Ragged Staff.”[1]  The effective strength was 3 field-officers, 7 captains, 9 lieutenants, 6 ensigns, 4 staff, 29 sergeants, 21 drummers, 727 rank and file.  Here their education in drill and interior economy was continued. White trousers were served out to the men,[2] who seem previously to have had only the Highland dress. Only the flank companies had as yet got feathers for their bonnets.  Mention is made of officers and men parading in their “belted plaids.”  The orderly officer wore white breeches and boots.

Having in the last chapter given the names of the officers of 1794, with any particulars which are known regarding them, it may be interesting to the regiment to have a list of the sergeants of that year also.  I have accordingly copied their names from “The Muster Roll of H.M. 100th Regiment of Foot (or Gordon Highlanders), 183 days, from June 25th to December 24th, 1794, included,” and have added all the particulars 1 could gather from other regimental papers.

They seem nearly all to have been drawn from remote districts, and it speaks well for the education given at the period in the parish schools of Scotland, that no less than five of their number were afterwards promoted to commissions in the line or embodied militia.

The list, which gives a fair idea of the districts from which the regiment was recruited, is as follows:—

Extracts from Regimental Orders, 100^th Regiment (or Gordon Highlanders), 29th October 1794, Gibraltar.  Officers to set their watches by the adjutant’s, that they may be exact to time on parade.

N.C. officers or soldiers never to go into the town without a pass.

The companies always to be inspected by their respective officers and they will be pleased to proceed with them as follows:— When the company is fallen in and dressed, it will receive the word of command— “Fix bayonets; shoulder arms; open. pans; slope arms.” The officer will then go through the company and inspect the locks.  When that is done, he will order, “Carry arms; shut pans; order arms; to the right face; draw ramrods.” Each man will then draw his ramrod, and as the officer comes opposite to him he will ram it down, and after he has returned it, he will face to his front.  The officer will then inspect every part of the men’s dress and Lord HuntIy particularly orders that the men’s faces and hands are all washed and their hair combed, as there can be no excuse for [25] dirtiness. After each man has been looked at, the company will stand easy.

November 1^st— A fatigue party of twenty men to be employed every morning in cleaning barracks.  Lord Huntly was ashamed of the state they were in.

Roll to be called at 8 p.m.

Officers in future, when they mount guard, will be pleased to wear gloves ; a pattern will be seen at the adjutant’s quarters.

November 2^nd —In order to accommodate officers, Lord Huntly has no objection to their making up frock jackets, which they may wear when off duty; a pattern will be shown.  They may likewise wear round Hatts (sic), and a small Durk (sic), such as Lord Huntly has got.  Bathing parades and strict orders as to sanitary matters.

November 6^th—Lord Huntly, understanding that most of the officers wish to mount guard in the belted plaid, he shall give orders for their mounting in that dress.

The Grenadiers[3] and Light Infantry will mount guard in bonnets, and the battalion companies in leather caps.  The Grenadiers will have a white feather, and Captain Cameron will endeavour to procure green ones for the Light Infantry.

November 9^th — Each man to pay 1d. a week to the sergeant-major for pipe-clay; also to pay for hair-powder, soap, and oil for light.

December 29^th—Every officer attending the general parade to be dressed in the belted plaid.

The quartermaster will divide all the (hose) tartan equally among the companies.  The men will be charged for these hose, and the two pairs they are annually entitled to from the colonel will be served out to them when the convoy arrives.

In December 1794, the regiment received its colours on Windmill Hill.  After their consecration by the garrison chaplain, the Marquis of Huntly made an impressive address, calling the attention of the officers and men to the duties which their King and country expected from them, and to the honours which he trusted they would acquire under these banners.

The first, or King’s colour, was the great Union ; the second, or regimental colour, was of yellow silk.  In the centre of both, the number “100,” surmounted by a crown and the words “Gordon Highlanders,” the whole within a wreath of thistles and roses.[4]

[26] It appears the men were often employed on various working parties, for which they were paid, but which must have interfered with their military education.

R.O., Gibraltar, January 29th, 1795. —There will be no parade this afternoon, as the men are employed heaving down the La Lutine frigate.[5]

The n.c. officers are positively ordered to discontinue the practice of selling liquors in their own houses.

Gibraltar, February 8th, I795. —No officer is to appear with a white stock or neckcloth, and their jackets are to be hooked through the frill at the top and across the breast, not only on parade, but at all other times.

February I5th. —No officer will appear on court-martial duty except in regimental waistcoat, breeches, and boots. The first officer who disobeys this order shall be desired to wear the above dress on all occasions.

In March, Lord Huntly. rebukes n.c. officers for allowing sentries to relieve one another.

Bounties to recruits had risen by the competition of officers raising men, and this practice is checked by War Office Circular, February 21st, 1795

My Lord, —The high bounties offered to the new levies being judged extremely prejudicial to the recruiting for the navy, and His Majesty having in consequence thereof signified his commands that the bounty given to recruits enlisted for general service shall not exceed fifteen guineas, and that the bounty given recruits for the Fencibles shall not exceed ten guineas,[6]

I have the honour to be, My Lord, your Lordship’s most obedient Servant,

(Signed) M, LEWIS.

To Lieut.-Colonel the Marquis of Huntly, 100th Regiment of Foot.

April 3rd.—Lord Huntly hopes the companies will vie in trying which shall be in the best order, and it is recommended to the men to punish one another when any berth in the barrack-room is found dirtier than it ought to be.  He repeats the order that no man is to appear in his new jacket or belted plaid but on duty.  He expects the officers at parade to be clean and dressed like officers; he will not punish the whole for the slovenliness of one, and anyone who comes improperly dressed may expect to be ordered to wear upon all occasions the uniform directed for regimental duties.  No officer [27] is to be seen with strings in his shoes, except with the belted plaid.[7]

April 12th.—Officers to be particular that the men are well dressed, caps or bonnets well put on and jackets hooked through the shirt at the top across the breast, that uniformity may be established as much and as soon as possible.

May 4th. —Sergeant Fergusson of the Light Company, on account of his not having made up his books agreeably to order, is removed to the 6th Company, and Sergeant Stewart appointed in his room; and as Lord Huntly considers it an honour belonging to a flank company, he will remove a n.c. officer who at any time behaves improperly.

May 8th. —The men to have their shirt frills well ironed and hair well powdered for the review.

The Highland dress appears not to have been considered a correct costume for dancing, as the Orders of May 9th desire “the officers to appear in belted plaids at the Commander-in-Chief’s dinner[8] on Monday, but Lord Huntly begs them to appear at the ball on Monday evening in white breeches.”

June 4th. —At the request of the captains of companies, the men were allowed a bottle of black strap[9] each and fresh provisions, it being the King’s birthday.

R.O., June 9th. —Lord Huntly appoints John MacPherson of the Grenadier Company and Alex. Clark of the Light Company to do duty as volunteers.[10]

At this time the regiment was held in readiness to proceed to the Island of Corsica.

The regiment, consisting of ten companies, embarked on the 11^th June, and in Garrison Orders of the 10^th the Commander-in-Chief expresses “his approbation of their good conduct and regularity of discipline since he has had the honour of commanding them.”  They landed at Bastia on the 11th July.[11]

Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte,[12] had separated from France, and in 1794 tendered the sovereignty of the island to King George III., and united itself to Great Britain.  A body of [28] Corsican troops was added to our army, their officers ranking junior to those of the regular British army.  The island was governed by a Viceroy (Sir Gilbert Elliot), who, on the 27th July, inspected the regiment in belted plaids.  Judging from the Regimental Orders, that form of the Highland dress was seldom, if ever, again worn by the rank and file, though it is mentioned later for the officers.  Afterwards the “feile-bheag,” or little kilt, was used, that is, the lower half of the belted plaid, permanently pleated and stitched; but so essential to the full Highland dress was the “breacan”[13] or upper half considered, that the remembrance of it was kept up by the ornamental plaid still worn by all ranks in full dress; though it is not made, as it formerly was, and as it might still be, to form a light cloak for the shoulders when required.

Highland soldiers seem to have borne a character for honesty in Corsica, according to Carr’ s “Caledonian Sketches,” published in 1807, where it is stated that “While Corsica was in our possession, the Governor’s butler, on great fetes and public occasions, used to request that some of the men without breeches might have charge of the plate during the entertainments.”  Grapes, however, seem to have been a great temptation to the young soldiers, and they were cautioned against trespassing in the vineyards, under pain of court-martial.

Lord Huntly keeps his eye on all ranks.  “Officers will be pleased to put their swords in their belts, and not walk about with them in their hands.”

Ensign MacDonald, who seems to have been slack in his orderly duty, “is to be officer of the day till further orders.”

Any woman refusing to wash for the men is to be turned out of barracks, and her rations stopped; 6d. a week to be paid for each man’s washing.

Some of the young Highlanders seem to have thought being on sentry over French prisoners was much the same sort of duty as herding cattle from the corn at home, and Lord Huntly cautions them against such unsoldierlike conduct as sitting at their posts.

Officers when not on duty or parade may wear any kind of black hat they please with a feather in it.  No soldier to appear in the streets without side arms. Volunteers in future to attend all parades.

Fault is found with want of cleanliness in hospital and barrack-rooms, and officers are desired to be very particular, on account of the men’s health.

Grape-stealing and other slight irregularities having ceased, [29] Lord Huntly, in Regimental Orders of August 23rd, returns his warmest thanks to the officers for their great attention to their companies, and is certain that, as long as they exert themselves, he must have great satisfaction and credit from the regiment.  Lord Huntly is happy to see that for some days past the men have returned to their former good behaviour, and hopes they will continue behaving in the same manner, as they will then be a credit to their country, and may depend on having every indulgence and kindness shown them that is in his power.

The regiment was now in a state to perform all duties, and detachments were sent to various places. Major Erskine is Commandant of St Fiorenza, where prisoners, both French and Turks were confined.

A War Office circular, October 2nd, 1795, permits n.c. officers and soldiers to send letters home for 1 d.,[14] signed outside by the commanding officer.

September 9th.—In consequence of the good conduct and regular behaviour of John Cameron of the 1st Company, ever since he joined the l00th Regiment, he is again appointed sergeant, and Lord Huntly hopes that in future sergeants will be more careful of the language they make use of to one another, and that they will not trouble their officers with every trifling dispute they may have together.

At this time bonnets to complete the regiment arrived, and Lord Huntly orders officers commanding companies immediately to provide feathers, that they may be made up.  “Lord Huntly will make a present of one feather to each man.”

R.O., Bastia, December 18^th, 1795. —As Lord Huntly expects to leave this day or two, he begs leave to return to the officers his warmest acknowledgments for their uniform support and attention to the regiment; and also to express to the n.c. officers and soldiers his most grateful thanks for their regular and good conduct since he had the honour of commanding them, and to assure the officers and soldiers that their interest will always be his study, and that no exertions on his part will be wanting to prevent the Gordon Highlanders from being drafted.[15]

That he kept his word is proved by the fact that no instance can be found of men from the Gordon Highlanders being drafted, [30] though several regiments in garrison with them at Gibraltar shortly after, including the 42nd Royal Highlanders and 90th Regiment, were so treated.[16]

R.O., Bastia, December 22nd, 1795.—Major Erskine takes the earliest opportunity of communicating to the officers his anxious wish that the discipline of the 100th Regiment should be carried on as pleasantly as possible during the short time he is to have the honour of commanding it, and he begs to assure them that nothing in his power shall be wanting that can contribute to their comfort and happiness.  He takes the same opportunity of informing the n.c. officers and soldiers that he will be happy to show them every indulgence consistent with propriety, to make up in so me degree for the loss they will sustain by the absence of Lord Huntly,[17] to whom they should ever consider themselves indebted for his exertions in their behalf.

Mention is now made of the “musick”[18] practising regularly; and whereas hitherto each company had its own tailor and shoemaker, each charging his own price, there was now a tailors’ shop and shoemakers’ shop, the former presided over by a master tailor, while the shoemakers were looked after by Sergeant MacIntosh, and their charges were fixed “as in the 42nd and other Highland regiments.”

R.O., February 1st, I796.—As to-morrow is Lord Huntly’s birthday, all the stopt wine will be issued to the men to drink his Lordship’s health.[19]

It appears from the Regimental Return, February 1st, that there were over 100 men sick.

Hairdressing must have been a serious business in those days.  Each company had a barber, who found soap and hair-powder, and was paid 3d. a week by each man.  The hair was well greased, combed out, powdered, and tied behind.  The soldiers sat on a bench one behind the other, and tied each other’s tails, taking it in turn to be powdered.  So the junior had to be up betimes, the senior being left to the last.  “Hair to be just long enough at the sides to friz a little, and behind an inch below the rosette.”  Both officers and men were clean shaved.

R.O., May 21st.—The companies to parade every afternoon at four, in any dress they please, that their hair may be inspected by an officer.  Lord Huntly’s company is excepted from this parade, on account of having paid more attention to their hair than others.

[31] On the 3rd May 1796, Lieut.-Colonel the Marquis of Huntly was promoted colonel of the regiment, and Major Erskine, lieut.-colonel commandant.  On the 15th, the greater part of the regiment marched to Corte to suppress a rebellion which had broken out there.  They had much severe marching in a difficult mountainous country, and were thanked in. General Orders for their exertions and good conduct during the above service.

At this time there was an opinion prevalent with the military authorities that the Highland dress was unhealthy for soldiers in a hot climate, and Lieut.-Colonel Erskine appears to have shared this prejudice.  While at Bastia, the men’s belted plaids were made into tartan trousers, to be worn with buckled shoes on guard, and into tartan jackets for fatigue.  They had also grey trousers, or white in the hot weather.  It appears that the change of dress did not conduce to the health of the men, but, according to General David Stewart, had the contrary effect.  It was certainly disliked by the men, who, after a time, made known to the colonel their wish to return to the kilt, and it was resumed.

A draft of recruits joined at Bastia, under Captain M’Donald.  In July Lieut.-Colonel Erskine obtained leave of absence.

R.O., Baslia, July 28th, I796.d—Lieut.-Colonel Erskine having made a most favourable report to Lord Huntly of the great attention of the officers and of the general good conduct of the n.c. officers during his absence, he takes this opportunity of returning them his best thanks, and trusts the reports which he shall from time to time receive from Major Napier will be equally good.

Major Napier accordingly took command, and in Orders of July 29^th he “hopes that whenever Lord Huntly or Colonel Erskine meet the regiment again, they may find it in much the same good order as when they left it.  The regiment is so much obliged to Lord. Huntly for his great exertions for them, that Major Napier hopes they will take a particular pride in behaving in such a manner as they are certain will always give him great pleasure.”

On the 14th August, a detachment of 1 field officer, 2 captains,. 4 subalterns, 7 sergeants, and 208 rank and file, was held in readiness to embark on a secret expedition.  In consequence of the unanimous wish of the officers and men, Major Napier requested the Commander-in-Chief to permit the whole regiment to take part in this service, to which he received the following reply:—”The Commander-in-Chief is sensible of the zeal and laudable motives which have induced the officers and men of the 100th Regiment to offer their services on the present occasion, and he desires Major Napier to express his best thanks to them, as well as his assurance that he will be ready at all times to testify his satisfaction at their general [32] good conduct and appearance, although circumstances will not, at this time, allow him to avail himself of their services to the extent they offer them.”

The expedition proved to be against Porto Ferraio in the Isle of Elba.  It was completely successful, and without loss to the troops engaged, the Island of Elba remaining in possession of Great Britain till given up at the Treaty of Amiens, 1802.

R. O., August 21st.—The major having found the barrack-rooms, without exception, in the most infamous condition, he directs the orderly officer to be particularly attentive to their being perfectly clean and swept, and not allow old hose, shoes, etc., to be under the beds.  Orderly n.c. officers of dirty rooms to attend drill till further orders.

R.O., August 25th.—As the regiment is to embark immediately for Gibraltar, officers commanding companies will be pleased to provide anything they think will be wanted for the men during the voyage.

The success of the revolutionary party in France, and the brilliant career of their countryman, Napoleon Bonaparte, had encouraged the French partisans among the Corsicans, and the inhabitants began to repent their union with Britain.  The British Government, therefore, seeing that the advantage of possessing the island was small, while the cost of keeping it would be great, decided to sever the connection, and gradually to withdraw the troops.

Garrison Orders, Bastia, September 5^th, I796.—The 100th Regiment being to depart for Gibraltar, Lieut.-General de Burg cannot suffer them to leave Corsica without testifying his approbation and satisfaction of their general good conduct and soldier-like behaviour since he has had the honour to command them.  At the same time, he desires they will accept his best wishes for their success and welfare on all occasions.  Lieut.-General de Burg pledges himself to those men of the 100th Regiment who are detained as artificers, that he has no intention of placing them in any other corps whatever, and that he will forward them to their regiment the moment they can be spared from the public works they are now employed in.[20]

On September 6th they embarked—1 field officer, 5 captains, 7 lieutenants, 5 ensigns, 3 staff, 37 sergeants, 21 drummers, and 706 rank and file-on the transports Granby, Esther, Elizabeth, and Borus, protected by seven men-of-war under Admiral Mann.  In those days of slow post and no telegraph, the Admiral was unaware [33] that war had been declared by Spain against Great Britain,[21] till he was fired upon by the Spanish fleet, which was greatly superior in force.  Our Admiral made all sail for Gibraltar, but the Granby was taken, having on board 2 staff officers, 3 sergeants, and 48 rank and file of the regiment,[22] who were made prisoners of war.  Thus the first loss sustained by the Gordon Highlanders was in a naval engagement.

The following account of this affair is given by Captain Vivian of the 28th Regiment, then at Gibraltar, in a letter dated October 22nd, 1796—

The Spanish fleet had passed by this a fortnight since. At that time war was not declared, and they pretended to say it was not about to be; but in a few days they met Admiral Mann and immediately gave chase to him, but he happened to be nearer the Rock than they were, and owing to their prime sailers being afraid to engage without the whole fleet, he got off.  An 80-gun ship, an uncommon sailer, was ahead of her fleet and coming up fast with a transport, when Admiral Mann made a signal to the Hector to put about and take her in tow.  Though the Rector was a league astern of the fleet, as soon as the 8o-gun ship saw her put about, she did the same, and ran for the Spanish fIeet.  They had fifteen sail to the British seven. The only thing they took was an hospital ship belonging to the 100th Regiment.[23]

 After this adventurous voyage, the regiment landed at Gibraltar on the 4th October.

R.O., October 5th.—Each company to have a set of types to mark their clothing.

October 7^th.—Officers will be pleased to complete all their men’s bonnets with black ribbon of the same kind they formerly had, that they may be enabled to wear their bonnets properly, and not down on their heads like a night-cap.

As it is uncertain if the men are to be charged for their provisions on board ship, officers of companies are to charge them 3d. for each day, which will be repaid if the provisions are not charged for.

October 20th.—The men’s hair not to be powdered, but well greased, and tied the same as if they were powdered.  The scarcity of flour, which was often used by the men as hair-powder, seems to account for this order.

[34] The regiment was under canvas.  A marquee was allowed for each field-officer and captain, to 3 lieutenants, and to 4 ensigns or surgeon’s mate.  One tent to a n.c. officer and 9 men, or 3 married couples.  Vivian writes—”The troops are encamped on the south front for fear of the town being set on fire by the Spaniards.”  Many men were employed on the works and in other ways, receiving extra pay, which must have made the duty heavy on others.

R.O., October 18th.—All constant workmen and servants not with officers of the regiment to pay two reals a week pistreen money.[24]

R.O., October 27th. —In consequence of the hard work the men have had in cleaning their encamping ground, and also of their good behaviour since they landed, the major desires that the quartermaster will be pleased to buy wine, to be paid for out of the pistreen fund.  Each man of the fatigue party to get a pint.

The pipers are to attend all fatigue parties.  This is the first mention of pipers in orders.  At this time, though the pipers were a most important part of a Highland regiment, and were he1d in the highest esteem by officers and men, they were not recognised by the authorities, and had no separate rank as the drummers had.  They were purely a regimental, not an army, institution.[25]

A dispute as to precedence having arisen between the piper and the drummer of a company of a Highland regiment, and the captain deciding in favour of the latter, the piper expostulated, saying “Oh, sir, shall a little rascal that beats a sheepskin take the right hand of me that am a musician?”[26]

November 29th. —To-morrow being St Andrew’s Day, officers paying companies will be pleased to advance one day’s pay immediate1y after parade, which will be at two o’clock.

In the Garrison Orders, Gibraltar, the promotions are given, and among them, December 9th, 1797: — “100th Regiment—Sergeant-major Thomas Thomson to be adjutant, vice Henderson deceased.”

The same Gazette shows that the position of army chaplain might be purchased in those days: —”42nd Foot—M. Calder, clerk, to be chaplain, by purchase, vice Watson, who retired 23rd November.”

Sergeant John M’Intosh was made acting sergeant-major, his. appointment being confirmed in March, “to receive pay from the date of Adjutant Thomson’s promotion, and also the additional pay which Adjutant Thomson received from the regimental fund.”

R.O., Gibraltar, May 26th, I797. —Major Napier, wishing to [35] establish in the regiment a badge of honour for those men who have never been found guilty by a court-martial of any crime or irregularity since the regiment was embodied, requests officers commanding companies will send in a list to his quarters of such as come under that description.[27]

From the Garrison and Regimental Orders at this time, it appears that the soldiers of the 42nd and 100th Regiments were served out with round hats with feathers to be worn on guard.  The officers to supply themselves with the same, and a foraging cap for each man.  The hats[28] to be worn on guard, but bonnets at evening parade.  The men had pads and false tails (clubs of hair), for which they paid 3 reals 12 quartos each, but false shirt frills are forbidden.

In April a draft of recruits arrived.

By Regimental Orders of March 15th, 1797, a Sergeants’ Mess was established for the first time, “and the major hopes they will always conduct it in so proper a manner as never to require his interference.”

On the 6th April, Lieut.-Colonel Erskine rejoined, and gives credit to Major Napier for the “improved appearance of the corps,” but regrets that his first orders should be for a court-martial on some men for “rioting in the streets and very unsoldierlike conduct.”  There were great temptations to excess at Gibraltar, where wine was cheap, and free indulgence in it affected the conduct of many men of the garrison.  In the journal of a private of the Gordon Highlanders, he laments that many of his comrades had taken to gambling, and I find Regimental Orders on the subject.[29]  There were many general and district courts-martial in Garrison Orders, but few, however, on men of the 100th.

A soldier of the 28th is sentenced to receive 1000 lashes for desertion.  These brutal punishments in the army were only a reflection of those in civil life, at a time when men were hung for stealing a sheep, and when an unfortunate debtor was confined in a crowded and loathsome jail till his debt was paid, which often meant till his life’s end.  Colonel Erskine and his officers seem to have had a great aversion to the infliction of corporal punishment, and though the law obliged regimental courts-martial to order it, the culprit’s captain often begged him off, and the commanding officer would appear to have been glad of a good reason for remitting that part of the sentence.

[36] R.O., May 1797.—Lieut-.Colonel Erskine has always pleasure in attending to the requests of officers in favour of any man of general good character who may be unfortunately confined under sentence of court-martial, but begs they will not apply in favour of one whose crime is such as makes it incompatible with his duty as commanding officer to forgive.  He has told the regiment a thousand times, and he once more repeats it, that he will forgive no man whatever who is guilty of being drunk on guard, sleeping on his post, of being abusive to n.c. officers, or of stealing.

R.O., August 26th. —At the regimental court-martial held this day, was tried Alex. Kennedy of the Light Company for refusing to go sentry when ordered by the corporal, for which crime he was ordered to receive 300 lashes.  On account of his character, the commanding officer pardons him on this occasion; but he desires the regiment to remember that nothing but Kennedy’s remarkable good character would induce him to forgive his disobedience of orders, which no plea whatever can justify, and any soldier who receives an order that may be improper, will always get redress by complaining through the regular channel.

Again. —Robert Robertson and Daniel Ross of Major MacDonald’s company are sentenced to 250 and 200 lashes respectively; but at the request of Major MacDonald, the corporal punishment is remitted by the commanding officer, but both men are sent to the Prevost.

Recruits lately joined appear never to have received belted plaids, and are credited with one year’s allowance of tartan, deducting what was allowed them in their kilts. Sergeants’ tartan cost 1s. 9d. and privates’ 1s. 6d. a yard.

R.O., June 29th. —Dirty barrack-rooms to be cleaned by the pioneers, and the n.c. officers and men off duty belonging to the dirty room are to pay—sergeants 2s. 6d., drummers 1s., privates 6d.; the money to be equally divided between pioneers and regimental hospital.

June 25th, 1797. —The King, considering the low rate of pay of subalterns of infantry, which is inadequate to their necessary expenses, orders an in crease of 1s. a day to all lieutenants, ensigns, adjutants, and quartermasters.  And their pay is no longer to be subject to deductions for poundage, hospital, and agency as heretofore.

The pay of the infantry soldier, which had been 6d.,[30] as the old song says

a happy the soldier who lives on his pay,
And spends half a crown out of sixpence a day—

[37] was this year increased to 1s., and the liberal allowance of small beer was continued; there was a stoppage, however, on home service of 6 5/7d. per day for food, and on foreign service of 6d. a day when rationed and 3 1/2 d. a day when not rationed by the public.

R.O., Gazette, July 5th, I797. —100th Regiment. Volunteer Gordon MacHardy to be ensign without purchase, vice M’Donald, promoted in the 51st Foot.[31]

August 30th. —Lieut.-Colonel Erskine hopes that the melancholy accident that happened last night to Robert Chisholm of Captain Gore’s company, and the consequences that are likely to follow to William Henderson, who was the cause of his death, will prevent soldiers of the regiment making free use of their hands; for even if Henderson should escape with his life, for which he must be tried, it must be dreadful for any honest man that, by unjustifiable violence, he has been the cause of another man’s death.

Henderson was found not guilty of wilful murder, and returned to his duty.

At this time Captain J. Cameron, Lieutenants Arch. M’Donnell and Jas. Henderson, Ensigns W. M’Pherson and John M’Pherson, and five sergeants were employed to recruit in Scotland.

R.O., September 10th. —The major, in going round barracks, is requested to give any directions he may think necessary for the health and comfort of the men.

October 22^nd. —The recruits this day drawn into companies must at first be treated at drill and upon every occasion with the greatest lenity.

November 16^th. —Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, having heard that the men wish to wear the Highland dress, cannot agree to it at present, being afraid of their health, and because they have lately paid for blue pantaloons, but he promises that as soon as possible their request shall be granted.

December 16th — That any man who may unfortunately have got into a scrape, or who has merited to be returned as a bad character, may have an opportunity of recovering himself, Lieut.-Colonel Erskine will call for a return on the 4th June next, when he and every officer will be glad to hear of any reformation, and every man will be returned as of good character who has behaved well in the intermediate period.

[38] At this period the men were ordered to be inoculated,[32] and officers are to explain to those averse to it the nature of the operation and the danger of smallpox.

R.O., February 22nd, I798.—The men to be supplied with proper puffs for powdering their hair.

R.O., Gibraltar, March 4th, I798.—As the regiment is to embark on Friday, Lieut.-Colonel Erskine trusts the men will conduct themselves with the same regularity they have hitherto done on such occasions.  Upon no occasion is the discipline of a regiment so conspicuous as in embarking and disembarking.  Lieut.-Colonel Erskine is convinced of the regard the soldiers of the 100th Regiment have for their own character and the credit of their regiment, and he is confident they will conduct themselves as before.  He is sorry to say that there are a few men who have no regard for their own character or that of the regiment, and if such men indulge in intemperance, they will be seriously punished on board ship.

[39] On the 16^th March 1798, the regiment embarked on board of the transports Alliance, Queen, Singleton, Minerva, Mary, and Jane.  Tempestuous weather drove them for shelter into the Tagus, and it was only after a boisterous passage of two months that the regiment disembarked at Portsmouth in the 15^th May.

Thus ended their first tour of Mediterranean service.  The men were no longer “Johnny Raws”; the reports of General Officers were all to the effect that the Gordon Highlanders were orderly and regular in quarters, and exemplary in the performance of duty.  The Regimental Orders show that this was accomplished by continual attention on the part of Lord Huntly and Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, who commanded them, and whose motto seems to have been “Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re.” [Gentle in manner, strong/resolute in action/deed aka: iron fist in a velvet glove]