Chapter V

he regiment embarked at Ramsgate on the 8th August, with an effective strength of 1 colonel, 1 lieut.-colonel, 2 majors, 6 captains, 12 lieutenants, 7 ensigns, 5 staff, 40 sergeants, 21 drummers, and 730 rank and file.

Women were not allowed to go with the transports, and General Moore mentions in Orders that a “sett of gentlemen” who were present at the embarkation of the 4th Brigade had offered to pay all the soldiers’ wives’ passages to London, and also to give 2s. 6d. to each.

Colonel the Marquis of Huntlv joined his regiment on this expedition, taking command in the field; but he afterwards, in Regimental Orders, “desires that all reports of every description may be made to Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, in like manner as if he had the whole command of the regiment.  The lieut.-colonel will fill up all vacancies of non-commissioned officers, and in every respect consider himself as commanding, except with respect to signing returns, which must be done by Lord Huntly himself.”

The army effected a landing below Patten on the Helder, on the 27^th August, in the face of a considerable body of French and Dutch troops.  A melancholy accident occurred during the landing, one of the boats being upset, and Sergeant Evan Cameron and fourteen rank and file of the Gordon Highlanders being drowned.

The enemy having abandoned his fortifications, and evacuated the town of Helder, it was occupied by our troops.  A numerous train of heavy and field artillery was found in this important post, and the troops were warmly thanked by Sir Ralph Abercromby.  The 92^nd, though among the first ashore, were not actively engaged with the enemy, and suffered no loss, except from the misfortune mentioned above.  On the 30^th, the Dutch fleet in the Texel surrendered, and hoisted the colours of the Prince of Orange.

The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were afterwards unanimously accorded to Sir R. Abercromby and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and the soldiers for the action of September 27^th, “thereby securing the command of the principal port and arsenal of the Dutch Republic, and affording H.M. fleet the means of rescuing from the French the naval force in the Texel.

On the 2^nd September, the army took up a position on the Zuyder-Zee, and the troops were placed in cantonments, the 92^nd being in advance of the right, at Oude Sluys.  Here, as is customary in the British army, strict orders were given for the protection of the lives and property of the inhabitants.

The service on which the army was to be employed did not permit camp equipage to be carried, but only such small articles as are usually carried by soldiers, and one small portmanteau for each [54] officer.  The Commander in Chief “rests assured that every temporary sacrifice will be borne with the cheerfulness which tends to secure the success of the British army,” and adds that when the army marches without camp equipage, more than the normal allowance of spirits will be made to the men.  There seems to have been no regular commissariat, as commanding officer of regiments are recommended to purchase bullocks to be driven along with them for the use of their respective corps.

During the time the army remained here, the usual attention to arms and appearance on parade was required of the regiment.  The false tails must have been very troublesome appendages—many had lost them, but their hair was to be neatly combed back and tied.  At evening parade, after a day’s march, the battalion companies were to put on their clubs, and the flank companies their plaits, but on the line of march they need not wear them.  At the same time, more warlike duties and precautions were not neglected; pickets were advanced in front of the army at night, and neither officer nor soldier was allowed to lie down to s1eep, but to sit with their arms in their hands.

At daylight on the morning of the 10th September, the French and Dutch forces under General Brune attacked the pickets, and the action soon became general; they were repulsed by the British, and in Orders from headquarters, Shagan Bourg, of that evening, Sir Ralph Abercromby thanks his troops “for their noble and steady conduct,” and Major-General Moore, who was himself wounded, told the 92nd that their conduct made him proud of being their countryman.

On this occasion the Gordon Highlanders lost their first comrade “killed in action,” Private Malcolm Ferguson.[1]  Captain the Hon. John Ramsay and six or seven rank and file were wounded.

The Russians joined the expedition about September 13th, and on September 14th, Field-Marshal His Royal Highness the Duke of York landed and took command of the army, General Sir Ralph Abercromby remaining in command of the division, in which was Major-General Moore’s Brigade, of which the Gordon Highlanders formed a part.

In General Orders of the 16th, a 1etter was published addressed to Sir Ralph, by express command of His Majesty, and signed “Henry Dundas,” expressing the anxiety felt by His Majesty and by the public respecting the expedition, “the sense His Majesty entertains of the steady and enterprising bravery of the army under your command, in the arduous and ever memorable action of the 27th ult.” “High as the British army stood before this, it will be impossible that the landing at the Helder point, preceded [55] and attended by so many untoward difficulties, and the battle by which it was immediately followed, should not attract the admiration of Europe, and raise their character still higher in every part of the world, as it has already done in the eyes of their sovereign and their countrymen.”  The King goes on to lament the loss of valuable officers and soldiers which attended the glory of that day, and expresses his anxiety for the wounded.  He compliments Sir Ralph on the “cool judgment; military order, and superior abilities” he had displayed, and praises the “perfect harmony and unanimity which prevailed between the land and sea forces.”

The Duke of York, being at the head of 35,000 men, and being aware that extensive reinforcements were advancing to support the Republicans, resolved to move forward and attack the enemy.

The force was divided into four columns, the nature of the ground precluding the employment of large masses.  The first, 8000 Russians and a British brigade, was to advance by the Sand-dvke against Brune’s left, resting on the sea.  The second, 7000 men, of whom 5000 were British, was charged with the attack of the French centre.  The third, under Sir J. Pulteney, was intended to make a diversion than a real attack, unless in case of unlooked-for success; and the fourth, under Sir Ralph Abercromby, was destined to turn the enemy’s right.

On the morning of the 19th September the troops stood to their arms at four o’clock, and the army advanced to the attack, which was at first successful at all points; but the Russians, after having captured Bergen in the most gallant style, failed to hold it; tempted a by plunder they broke ranks, and they being driven back, the places acquired by the other columns had to be abandoned, and the army withdrew to its former position at Zype.

In this action 60 officers and 3000 men and 16 pieces of cannon were taken from the enemy, which sufficiently proves that no advantage had been gained by them.[2]

In General Orders of the 20^th September, H.R.H. the Duke of York compliments the troops on “the distinguished and spirited exertions which added new lustre to the British arms.  The column under Sir Ralph Abercromby, after a most fatiguing march, possessed the  city of Hoorn; but, from the doubtful situation of affairs on the right, could not in prudence advance further.  H.R.H. will not fail to represent to His Majesty the sense he entertains of the services of the generals and different corps engaged on this occasion.”

On the 22nd was published to the army a letter of thanks from the City of London.  “To Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., and the generals, officers, and soldiers under his command, for their gallant and essential services in effecting a landing on the [56] coast of Holland, driving the enemy from their strongly fortified situation, thereby rendering it practicable for the squadron of His Majesty’s ships to compel the surrender of the Dutch fleet in the Texel, and that he be presented by the Court (of Common Council), as a token of their sense of the important service thereby rendered to this country, with the freedom of the city, and with a sword of the value of 100 guineas.”

Moore’s Brigade occupied farmhouses and barns, and he and the regimental officers spared no pains to ensure the comfort of their men so far as the nature of the service allowed.

By General Order of the 27th, all pieces of ordnance, colours, and tumbrils taken from the enemy are to be delivered to the British artillery, and the paymaster of the artillery is to pay to the regiment that took them the following rewards:—

For each common howitzer, £20; for each tumbril, £10; for each colour standard, £10.  All horses taken are to be paid for if fit for the public service, but no small-arms are to be paid for except those of deserters, who are to be paid for their arms.

From the 20th September the opposing armies remained within their entrenchments, .strengthening their lines of defence; the enemy having meanwhile increased his numbers by the arrival of French reinforcements.

G.O., October 1st.—Regiments are immediately to cook one day’s provisions, and commanding officers will take measures to be able to move at short notice.

R.O., October 1st. —The regiment will fall in to-morrow so as to close upon the 25th Regiment, and enable the brigade to move forward at three o’clock.  The same orders and directions as when the regiment last marched.

At this date the 92nd had present and fit for duty 30 sergeants, 21 drummers, and 662 rank and file.

On the 2nd October the Duke of York made another attempt on the French and Dutch position between Bergen and Egmont-opZee.  The combined attacks were made in four columns.  “That under Sir Ralph Abercromby, composed of 13 battalions, 8 1/2 squadrons of cavalry, a half-troop Royal Horse Artillery, and some field-pieces, formed on the dyke and beach which connect the sandhills of Patten to those of Camperdown.  By 6.30 a.m. the infantry stood in column of companies, the artillery on the right, and the cavalry on the right of all. At seven o’clock General Coote’s, General Hutchinson’s, Colonel MacDonald’s, and General Moore’s Brigades moved.  The first turned at Camperdown immediately to the left, and proceeded on the road to Schoreldam.  The second moved on the ridge of the sandhills which commanded that road; the third entered and marched in the centre of the sandhills, inclining [57] to the left.  General Moore’s Brigade formed the more immediate advance guard of the column by penetrating into the sandhills directly, and keeping continually his right flank on the hills which rose from the beach.

“The French, though in possession of Camperdown Hill, an elevation of about 300 feet, did not make any resistance to this first movement, but tired a signal gun and retired skirmishing, when the advanced brigades got possession of the entrance to the sandhills, the main column proceeded forward, occasionally reducing its front when the beach became very narrow on account of the tide.  The right flank of the cavalry was continually in the water.  The column proceeded in this way for six or seven miles, the troops much harassed and fatigued in consequence of the nature of the soil, which yielded at every step up to their ankles.

“The French had now lined some high sandhills with a body of riflemen, who began to keep up a very smart tire upon the British; shortly they were considerably reinforced, and they galled our troops from almost every eminence and outlet of the multitude of sandhills.  In spite of all, our troops advanced with that ardour and perseverance. which so eminently distinguish the British soldier.  Though perfectly unacquainted with the system of sharp-shooting (and it is impossible not to lament the want of that species of warfare in our army), though galled on all sides by offensive weapons that did their mischief partly unseen and always at a distance; though momentarily deprived of the encouraging presence of their officers by wounds they received, and though they were themselves neither equipped for light service, nor had the advantage of a light body for that purpose; notwithstanding this combination of unfavourable circumstances, our brave countrymen persevered and fought their way for four miles.  We should be unjust to omit on this occasion the honourable testimony which has been given from every quarter of the personal courage and good example of their leaders.

“It was a country most favourable to the French system of making war, and gave them a decided advantage over an invading enemy.  If we except their Grenadiers, the troops employed on this service were under the size of our rear rank battalion men.

“General Moore’s Brigade having suffered immensely both in men and officers, regiments from the main column were continually thrown into the hills, which measure became the more indispensable, as the force of the enemy hourly increased upon us.  Only the 92nd Regiment and some of the Guards remained with the cavalry and artillery on the beach.  The French, taking advantage of every strong post which commanded the beach, kept up a galling tire; they brought two guns from Egmont-op-Zee, which were advantageously planted, and cannonaded the column on the beach and the [58] cavalry. A strong body of French also appeared on the heights above Bergen.  The British on the sandhills were exhausted by fatigue and want of water, and weakened by loss of men.  In vain did they attempt to storm the enemy’s position, they were beaten back, but their innate intrepidity seemed to rise in proportion as the resistance they met became more formidable and destructive; they repeated the attack with unabated fury, and though their ranks were thinned, no symptom of fear or disorder appeared amongst them.  The remainder of the column was ordered to charge, the whole instantly pushed forward against the post, which formed towards the beach an amphitheatre of hills, the tops of which were defended by the enemy.  Our troops rush through a most tremendous fire of musketry, gain possession of the heights and drive the enemy to a considerable distance. By this time Colonel MacDonald’s Brigade had arrived, and became instantly engaged on the left. About half-past four o’clock the enemy gave way and retired on all sides, but as Bergen was not taken and the British were considerably advanced, Sir Ralph determined to take up his position for the night, and not push forward to Egmont-op-Zee till the day following.[3]

Our guns had been advanced to check the French artillery, and two troops of the 15th Light Dragoons guarded them, being concealed by sandhills, when 500 French cavalry, thinking the guns unprotected, charged them, and were actually engaged with the gunners when the two troops of the 15th dashed into the French, and drove them off. The French, ashamed of being repulsed by such a handful of men, rallied and advanced again, when a third troop of the 15th, which had been ordered to advance, came up, charged, and drove them off half a mile.  The whole British cavalry had now reached the scene of action, but it was too late to attempt more. When the last charge was made it was near six o’ dock.  The cavalry passed the night on the beach in line with the infantry on the sandhills, where neither horses nor men had any water.”

The Duke of York, in his dispatch of October 4th, states—The points where this well-fought battle were principally contested were from the sea-shore in front of Egmont, extending along the sandy desert or hills to the heights above Bergen, and it was sustained by the British columns under those highly distinguished officers, General Sir Ralph Abercromby and Lieut.-General Dundas, whose exertions, as well as the gallantry of the brave troops they led, cannot have been surpassed by any former instance of British valour.”

The following description of the part more immediately played by the Gordon Highlanders is taken from Cannon’s “Historical [59] Record”:—”The 92nd Regiment was ordered to escort twenty pieces of artillery to the front along the sea-shore.  In the performance of this duty it was attacked by a column of nearly 6000 men, when a most sanguinary conflict ensued, immediately under the eye of General Sir Ralph Abercromby.[4]  Trusting to their superior numbers, the French advanced with resolution, and fairly met the bayonets of the regiment.  Colonel the Marquis of Huntly was wounded in this memorable charge,[5] which completely overthrew the enemy and preserved the guns; the command then devolved upon Lieut.-Colonel Erskine.

“The French centre was supported by the town of Alkmaar,[6] and Sir Ralph Abercromby had passed Bergen, in order to turn the French position at Alkmaar, to which place the 92nd, immediately after the brilliant affair before recorded, advanced.  As the men fought hand to hand, the furious conflict, which lasted 3 1/2 hours, was signalised by many feats of individual bravery and devoted courage.

“It may be observed that this is one of the few instances on record of crossing bayonets by large bodies.  Even the supernumerary rank of the 92nd on this occasion was bayoneted.  Among the number Lieut. Gordon M’Hardy was killed, and Lieut. Donald M’Donald (who afterwards succeeded to the command of the regiment at Waterloo) received three bayonet wounds.”

A private soldier of the regiment, in his journal published afterwards, mentions, as an instance of the fierceness of the fight, that when searching for the killed and wounded among the sandhills, they found a Highlander and a Frenchman fast locked together in the death grip, which was so firm that when the raised the Highlanders, who was uppermost, the Frenchman’s body was also raised from the ground.  Several in the struggle were transfixed with each other’s bayonets, clubbed firelocks were used, and sometimes the combantants were so close as only to have room to use their fists.

A French writer also says—”Les deux parties se chargerent plusieurs fois à la baionnette avec la plus grand fureur.”  “On remarqua le courage et l’adresse dse montagnards Écossais qui combattaient dans les inondations, et franchissaient avec agilité tous les obstacles pour gagner le flanc des troups qui leur étaient opposées.”[7]  And in the Military Journal, 1799, Vol. II, p. 146, in [60] describing the action of October 2nd, it is said: —”The courage and activity which were exhibited by the Scotch Highlanders[8] on this occasion drew the attention and excited the admiration of both sides.  These brave fellows were seen up to their middles in water struggling to outflank the troops that were opposed to them, and daring with wonderful intrepidity not only the elements, but manfully and dexterously pushing forward in the midst of a severe and galling fire.”

Had war correspondents accompanied our army then, no doubt many heroic actions would have been made public which were only heard of by the comrades of the actors, or in the glens and villages where they related them on their return.

Perhaps Private Norman Stewart summed up the performance of his comrades as well as a more official dispatch, when he told an English inquirer, “Ilka lad shot a shentleman to hersel.”

The Gordon Highlanders had proved themselves as firm in fight as they were “polite” and “orderly” in quarters.  They had won their first honour, the royal authority being given to bear the word “Egmont-op-Zee” on the regimental colour and appointments.  They may have afterwards equalled, but they could never excel, the conduct displayed in this their first great battle.

An incident well known in the regiment may be he re related.

Major-General Moore, having been severely wounded in the course of this eventful day, was lying on his face stunned and apparently dead; as his senses were returning, he heard two soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders say, “Here is the general, let us take him to the doctor,” and, having done so, they said, “We can do no more; we must join the lads, for every man is wanted.”  On his recovery, the general inquired for these men, and offered a reward of £20, but no one claimed it.  It was therefore supposed either that they were killed, or were prevented by the feeling common among Highlanders, that it is wrong to take money either for preserving the life of a friend, or for taking the life of an enemy.[9] General Moore remarked that “it was a noble trait of the regiment that no man in its ranks carne forward to personate the parties and claim the reward.”  In any case, the circumstance says much for the honourable feeling of the men.

In 1804, General Moore, on being made a Knight of the Bath, wrote to the commanding officer,[10] that being as a knight entitled to supporters to his coat of arms, he had chosen a light infantry soldier for one, being colonel of a light infantry regiment, and a Highland soldier for the other, “in gratitude to, and in commemoration of” these two soldiers, adding, “I hope the 92nd will not have any [61] objections, as I have commanded them, and as they rendered me such a service,” and he asked to have a correct drawing of the uniform.

That night the Gordons had to lament the loss of many a comrade who would see Lochaber no more.  The regiment had 3 officers, 2 sergeants, and 65 rank and file killed in action; 12 officers were wounded (of whom Captain M’Lean was also taken prisoner), 208 n.c. officers and soldiers were wounded, of whom 29 died of their wounds, and 38 were taken prisoners of war, of whom some were wounded.  So that out of the 33 officers (including the staff) and 7 I 3 n.c. officers and men who were fit for duty on the morning of October 1st, 15 officers and 313 n.c. officers and men were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner by the evening of the 2^nd!

Officers Killed
Captain William M’Intosh.[11]
Lieutenant George Fraser.
Lieutenant Gordon M’Hardy.

Officers Wounded
Colonel the Marquis of Huntly.
Captain John Cameron.
Captain Alexander Gordon.
Captain John M’Lean.
Captain Peter Grant.
Lieutenant Norman M’Leod.
Lieutenant Charles Chad.
Lieutenant Donald M’Donald.
Lieutenant Charles Cameron.
Lieutenant John M’Pherson.
Ensign George William Holmes.
Ensign James Bent.

 

The following list of n.c. officers and soldiers killed or died of wounds is taken from the “Return of men of the 92nd Regiment (or Gordon Highlanders) killed, wounded, dead of wounds, and missing in consequence of the action which took place in Holland on the 2nd October 1799, as al so those that were drowned at the landing on the 27th August 1799. Chelmsford, 15th November 1799.”[12]

Killed

 The above 60 names are all I find in the Return, but the “Historical Record” makes the number 65, and the regimental record agrees.

 Died of Wounds

In the Return they are given by companies, which are called the Colonel’s (formerly Captain M’lntosh’s), Lieut.-Colonel Erskine’s, Major Napier’s, Captain John Cameron’s, Captain Ramsay’s or Grenadiers, Captain Paton’s or Light, Captain Gordon’s, Captain M’Lean’s, Captain MacDonald’s (formerly Colonel’s), Captain Grant’s.

The troops passed the night on the ground they had won.  The distance from Patten to Egmont is about fifteen miles, and the army had fought its way over ground sometimes of deep, yielding sand, and sometimes deep in water.  They were worn out with fatigue, those on the sandhills by the sea had no water, and the state of the country was such that waggons for the wounded could not be brought forward till late next day.

Meanwhile, General Brune, finding himself outflanked by the British column under Sir Ralph Abercromby,[16] and finding his centre menaced, drew back his line to a position stronger than that he had left.  On the 3rd October the order had just been given for the troops to send for their rations, when a report was made that the French were retiring from Egmont-op-Zee.  Not a moment was to be lost.  The troops stood to their arms, and marched forward without expressing a murmur, leaving their provisions on the ground.  It was expected that a strongly armed battery would have to be carried by assault, but the French had retired two hours, and were not overtaken in a pursuit of three miles.  The British entered Alkmaar and pushed their advanced posts forward, so as to stand parallel with those of the French-Dutch army.  They were cantoned in barns and huts, but the remainder of the 92nd bivouacked that night on the ground near Egmont.  The troops had suffered almost as much as human nature could endure, but their efforts had been crowned with success.

Sir Ralph Abercromby’s Division did not suffer in the action of the 3rd, the brunt of it falling on the other British divisions and on the Russians.  The French-Dutch suffered severely, and we took 500 prisoners.

On the 4th and 5th October the two armies rested on their arms, but on the 6th an attack was made by the Duke of York on the entire front of the enemy’s line.  In the beginning of the engage-[65]ment the Anglo-Russian army made several successful impressions against the enemy, took Ackerslot, and advanced to Castricum; but the action becoming general, General Brune, availing himself of a favourable opening, advanced at the head of his cavalry, and broke the Anglo-Russian line, and they were driven back with considerable loss.  In this successful advance General Brune had two horses shot under him.

The engagement lasted till night, when the French-Dutch army returned to its original position, but the issue of the battle, though by no means decisive, was in their favour.  They had rendered the British attack abortive, an attack on which depended not only the success of their enterprise, but their means of subsistence, as no provisions could be obtained in the situation of the Anglo-Russian army, whose position is described by the Duke of York in Orders of the 8th as one of “insupportable hardship.”

A Council of War, assembled by the Duke of York, decided that the army could not maintain itself in its present position, and they accordingly retired behind Zype. Although in this new position the army was not more than six or seven miles from where they disembarked, its communications were rendered impracticable by the continual rains that had fallen, the breaking up of the roads, and overflowing of the dykes and canals.[17]  The French, under Brune, entered Alkmaar on the 8th, and his right column, under General Daendels, entered Hoorn on the 9th.  The Anglo-Russians retreated from Enkhuisen and Medemblick, after having destroyed the timber and dockyards, some ships of the Dutch East India Company, and most of the public stores; but they were obliged to leave their wounded for want of conveyance.[18]

The rear-guard was attacked, and General Daendels threatened the left; and there was constant skirmishing.  On the 12th and 13th the Anglo-Russians occupied ground near Zype, before Patten, Warmenkuyzen, Dirkshoorn, and Winkel; some in huts and some in tents covered with straw and branches.  Here an armistice was proposed, and the terms were concluded at Alkmaar on the 18th. It was agreed that hostilities should cease, that the allied army should re-embark and leave Dutch territory by November 1^st,[19] that 8000 [66] French and Dutch prisoners should be given up, among them Admiral de Winter, who had been taken prisoner at the naval battle of Camperdown in 1797.

General Brune’s plan of defence, of which the inundation of the country by cutting the canals formed an important part, was so good that, notwithstanding the well-concerted manoeuvres of the British general s and the valour of their troops, this victorious army was checked within six miles of the field of battle, and the enemy, though beaten, obtained a decisive superiority.  Great Britain had, however, accomplished half her object in the capture of the fleet.[20]

The Gordon Highlanders, reduced as they were in numbers, took part in all the operations of the campaign without further loss in officers or men.  The regiment received a draft of sixty-five volunteers from the Gordon Fencibles—ready made soldiers—who were posted to companies on October 9th.

At this time Lieut.-Colonel Erskine commanded the Brigade, Major-General Knox being otherwise employed.

The following letters from Captain John Cameron to his father at Fassiefern give a graphic account of part of this campaign as seen by a company officer, and serve incidentally to show the interest taken by the officers in their men.

Letter from Captain John Cameron to his father at Fassiefern: —

Oudesluis, 3rd 8eptember 1799.

We set sail from the Downs on the 13th of August, and on the 15th we were in sight of Isle Showen, when such a violent tempest arose as drove us out to sea, where we tossed about at the mercy of the winds and waves till the 21st, when we again came in sight of land, and anchored that night in sight of the entrance of the Texel, in company with Admiral Duncan’s fleet and the Russian fleet.  On the morning of the 22nd we weighed and stood in towards the land, when a violent current had nearly driven us on the Hack, a dangerous shoal in the entrance of the Texel.  We were immediately obliged to bear up anq come to anchor.  About an hour after, it blew a perfect hurricane from the north-west, which endangered the whole fleet.  However, after the 1055 of about twenty anchors, we got to sea again, where the horrors of the scene were indescribable, and our situation became truly unpleasant; but at last, after failing in another attempt to get inshore, on the evening of the 26th our fleet were all safely moored in a line extending from within four miles of Camperdown on the right to the battery on the Main at the entrance of the T exel on the left.  Our gunboats and all the ships of war (as the enemy themselves afterwards acknowledged) were extremely judiciously placed, and moored so close inshore as effectually to protect our landing.

[67] The situation of the country is very unfavourable to a landing if opposed by a spirited enemy. The beach, to be sure, is smooth and hard, but there is constantly a great swell upon it.

About fifty paces from the beach a double row of sand heights extend themselves from Camperdown on the right to a battery within two miles of the Helder on the left, forming the extreme point on one side, as Texel, a small Village on the island of Texel, does on the other, to the entrance of the Texel )r Zuyder-Zee. The entrance is so narrow that but one ship can pass at a time, and though it will admit the largest ships, yet were a 74 by any accident to turn crossways in entering, her stem and stern would be on the bank, whilst there might be twenty fathoms water under her waist. In this en trance the Dutch frigates were moored in line at a place called Vew Deep; about three miles further in lay the Dutch fleet under Admiral Hory.  They were covered by a considerable battery at the extreme point of the entrance, being at the end of the sand height, and another betwixt that and the Helder, supposed to be the strongest in Holland, mounting 52 pieces of ordnance, 24 of them 24-pounders.  Parallel to the sand heights lies one of the most immense plains I ever beheld—dead flat, but partially divided from the heights by an ugly, though narrow, lake or marshy swamp, nearly opposite to the right of our fleet.  There was a trifling kind of work with a few guns placed in the interval of the sand heights, called Pitten.  The Dutch army was posted in front of Pitten, with the marsh in front, their left and rear covered by part of the Zuyder-Zee. A division of them occupied a post with a flag-staff on the sand heights above Pitten, and they had almost 2000 men in the battery at the point and Helder.  About daybreak on the morning of the 27th we began to get into the boats, and at four the 3rd Brigade and a battalion of Guards and the reserve were engaged with the enemy in the interval betwixt the heights, below Pitten, on the seaside.  I happened to be amongst the first of our regiment that landed, with two companies, and was ordered to march to the flag-staff on the heights above Pitten (where the battle then raged), there to remain till further orders.  When we got to the heights, we found them hotly engaged about a quarter of a mile from us on our right.  There and on the left, to which we were removed an hour or two after, we remained idle spectators of the whole action, which lasted with great fury on both sides till four in the afternoon.  Sir Ralph exposed himself like a boy for a long time in the heat of action, which animated the troops in an extraordinary degree; but, notwithstanding, the victory was not immediately very complete, as General Daendilio retired without confusion, without interruption, and without being followed; but, indeed, they had a great train of artillery, and we had not got any landed, and our left was not engaged, being reserved for the attack of the batteries, which was the main object; but, to our astonishment, about eight at night they evacuated them without firing a shot, spiking their cannon and returning to their army, and we immediately took possession.  Major Gordon was sent with my company and another to take possession of the Dutch arsenal at Newark, where we saw our fleet oblige the Dutch fleet to surrender, and where we met with more attention from the Dutch Admiral Boser then ever I met with in any part of the world.  Never as long as I breathe will I forget the kindness of the honest B. and his beautiful Irish wife.

The Dutch army are returning towards Alkmaar, and our first line have [68] Advanced this far after them, about fourteen miles from Newark, which is about three miles from Helder.  Our regiment compose the left of General Moore’s Brigade, which is the left of the first line of the army, and opposed 1 the right of the Dutch army.

From the same to the same:
Friedenhof, 11th September 1799.

I wrote you very fully from Oudesluis, the place we were last in, about eighteen miles from this, giving as far as I could some account of our movements.  I forgot to mention one very melancholy circumstance that took place as we landed in this country.  A boat, carrying part of Captain Gore’s company of ours, overset, by which means 1 sergeant and 14 privates of ours, a midshipman and 7 seamen were drowned.  I am extremely sorry to say two of the men were Barra men, Donald M’Kinnon and Alexander M’Leod—poor fellows, their fate was really hard.  We left Oudesluis on the 5th and marched to this place, from which Major Napier was advanced with two companies, one of which was mine, to the villages in front, and about eight miles distant from Alkmaar.  There we had an opportunity of seeing the enemy daily, and of skirmishing with their advanced posts.  On the 8th we were relieved and returned here.  On the evening of the 9th I was sent out with a picket of reserve of eighty men, with some artillerymen and a howitzer in rear of our former posts.  At the village during the night the enemy well pretty quiet, except when they kept beating their drums and sounding bugles constantly.  About daylight General Moore came up on his way to the advanced posts, and on my inquiring if I should return to my picket, he said not this day.  Soon after an extreme smart firing commenced on the right of the line of the army.  In about half-an-hour the general returned and told m he perceived the enemy intended to attack the whole line.  He had scarcely spoken when the firing became violent at the advanced posts at the villages, and the general told me to form my picket so as to cover the retreat of the advance posts.  The situation was an extremely advantageous one.  Our men were placed on the reverse side of a pretty high dyke, just so far up as to be able I see well over it, with the howitzer on the top.  The advanced posts began immediately to retire, and the enemy pursued with great activity, considering the place being completely intersected with canals, and the bridges all broke down.  The general remained on the very spot where I was formed with m picket.  The enemy had now forced all the advanced posts, and sharpshooters from their advance began to try their hand, when the Royals appeared and soon after formed.  They had scarcely formed, when our regiment also came up, and my picket joined their companies and the action commenced.  This battle was a severe one while it lasted, and was equally severe throughout the whole line.  Three battalions of Grenadiers supported by field pieces attacked our post three different times, but were very soon repulsed, each time with great slaughter, and, which is very extraordinary, with little or no loss on our side (owing, I believe, to our being so well sheltered by the dyke), as we had only one man killed, and Captain Ramsay and six or seven men wounded.  The man who was killed was, poor fellow, a Uist man of my company.  I had also a man wounded, a Skye man.  General Moore was wounded in the finger, [69] and Captain Ramsay in the thigh, but the escapes on all sides were wonderful.  The enemy took at least four or five hours retiring from the time they commenced their retreat, and filed off pretty regularly towards Alkmaar, which was at least ten miles distant.  This action, I think, reflects great lustre on the British arms, and adds much to the character of Sir Ralph.  General Moore’s compliments to our regiment were, I think, beyond measure high and flattering.  He said that to-day he was indeed proud of being a Scotchman, and that he never saw so much bravery joined to such a ready obedience of orders.  Our conduct to the prisoners, upwards of fifty of whom we took, was truly meritorious, as we extended mercy to all, even to villains who were skulking behind ditches and in hop fields, and taking their deliberate aim hours after the action.  One fellow in particular fired at one of our sergeants as he passed from one company to another, and that instant held up his hands for mercy, which was shown him.  Another fellow fired at three of our officers and immediately surrendered.

From the same to the same:
Deslyp, near St ——, North Holland, October 4th, 1799.

It is with infinite concern and even reluctance that I find myself bound to write to you on the present occasion, as my letter must be one continued detail of the most tragical, though glorious, events.  About three o’clock on the morning of the 2nd, the column of the allied army under Sir Ralph Abercromby, of which General Moore’s Brigade (to which you know the 92nd belong) formed a part, commenced its march in order to attack the enemy by a flank movement.  Our march was along the seaside with a range of very high sandhills on our left, which extends all along the coast.  The passage is in some places so narrow that we could march but by half companies, and often only six or seven men abreast.  The intention was that our column was to take Egmont-op-Zee, which lay about thirteen or fourteen miles distant on an angle of these sandhills, and by which the enemy’s whole position would be exposed, as it flanks Alkmaar.  During the march, and till we came in view of Egmont, the enemy were continually retreating before us and evacuating their posts on the hills with very little fighting, but then it was that the battle raged with great fury on both sides.  Our situation at first was really a cruel one.  We were a good deal exposed to their fire without having it in our power to return it, as they were screened by the sandhills, and several of our regiments were engaging them between us and them.  During this period we had twenty men wounded, and poor Lord Huntly received an ugly wound in the shoulder.  Our right wing was now ordered by Sir Ralph to charge them, which they did with the bayonet.  However, our left was soon obliged to support our right, when, after a most obstinate resistance, we drove them from sandhill to sandhill about two miles back, but, God knows, not without considerable loss.  The remains of the 92nd continued on that ground all night and last night also, and were this morning, I am told, to join the column in storming Egmont.  You will see by the papers the loss we have sustained; it is painful and horrible to me to think of it.  There is, I hope in God, not much fear for the wounded officers and men, as any of them (Heavenly Creator, rest their souls!) that [70] were severely wounded died from the coldness of the night in the field. Of the poor lads that left the country with me, as far as I can yet learn, there is killed Alexander M’Phee and Angus M’Phee, and Duncan Rankin; wounded Sergeant M’Kinnon, Corporals Duncan and Richard Evans.  Lieutenant D. M’Donald, Duncan’s friend, is amongst the worst wounded of the officers that have survived.  He has got two thrusts of a bayonet through his breast.  Of my company I do not exactly know the loss, but when I left the field I could find but five or six of them that were not either killed or wounded.  Charles Cameron, my only officer, was wounded half-an-hour before I was; poor Hugh Achreachten and Captain Campbell, Duntroon,[21] were killed very early in the day within fifty paces of me, but alas! it was not in my power to see two such intimate friends put decently under ground.  I am just at this moment told that there are thirty-six of my company still to the fore.  Late in the evening I received a slight wound in the knee; you may easily suppose it is a slight one, when I remained an hour with the regiment, charged once with them after I got it, and did not leave it till they forced me to the doctor.  The clutching the doctor had at me to get out the ball was infinitely worse than the wound itself, and disabled me so much that I was obliged to be moved back to the cantonments.[22]

From the same to the same:
Yarmouth, 2nd November 1799.

I wrote you immediately after the action of the 2nd October, mentioning some of the particulars of that dear-bought glory which the 92nd acquired that day, but I believe I forgot to mention Ewan Cameron, Glensuilach, being pretty severely wounded, though now doing well (as all the wounded are).  His brother Allan, Glencoe’s old servant, died of his wounds the day after the action; little Dougald Cameron, from Dochanassie (Mr Ross’s regimental weaver, who belonged to my company), fought like a lion that day; though wounded in three different places, one being through and through his body, he refused to quit the field till the action was over.  He was sent to England in one of the hospital ships. 

A story was told me many years ago by an old man at Ballachulish of Ewen MacMillan, Captain Cameron’s foster-brother, who was a soIdier in his company and his servant.  Ewen was a good shot and skirmisher, “having been accustomed to deer-stalking[23] at home.  One day on outlying picket in Holland, when the French riflemen were annoying them by firing from shelter, and at greater [71] distances than the Highlanders’s smooth-bores could reach, MacMillan, seeing one of the enemy take cover at a place where he thought he could get within reach unseen, proceeded without permission to leave his post and stalk the Frenchman, crawling along he back of a wall, till, thinking himself sure of his aim and resting his musket on the wall, he was about to fire, but the Frenchman was too sharp for him and fired first, the bullet cutting off part of his ear.  Not disconcerted by his close shave, he fired in return, wounded his adversary, and before the latter had time to reload[24] [72] rushed in and bayoneted him; then running back to his comrades, and pointing to his bleeding head, in an aggrieved tone said to his captain in his native tongue:—

“Am bheil sibh a faicinn gu’de a rinn Mac an Diabhul sin orm?”

“Is math a thoill thu e, Eobhain, a choinn gun d’fhag thu d’aite,” was the unsympathising rebuke.

“Cha dean e tuille e co-dhiu!”[25] said Ewen as he doubled back to his post.

 

 

 

 

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