Chapter VI

N the 28th October the regiment marched to Colenzugby, near the Helder, and embarked on board H.M. ships Kent and Monarch, landing at Yarmouth next day with an effective strength of 24 sergeants, 20 drummers, and 446 rank and file; and were billeted in the town.  In Orders of the 29th, the following regiments are ordered to Ipswich—2nd Battalion Royals, 25th Regiment, 92nd Regiment (or Gordon Highlanders).

R.O.,. Yarmouth, 3rd November 1799.—The regiment will march to-morrow morning at half-past seven o’clock.  The pipes will go round the town at seven.

No sooner, however, had they arrived at Ipswich than they were ordered to Chelmsford, a three days’ march.  Such of the convalescents among the wounded as were able walked under charge of a sergeant; the others went on waggons.  Captain Cameron, in a letter dated November 8th, gives an amusing account of the journey of some of the wounded officers: —”Captain Grant with his arm broken, Lieutenant G. Fraser with a ball still lodged in his head, and your humble servant on crutches, set off from Yarmouth in a post-chaise together, with a stout fellow in his Highland dress mounted sometimes behind, sometimes before.  You will readily conceive what an exhibition this appeared to honest John Bull.  I every minute expected to be asked what was to be paid for the show.”[1]

At Chelmsford they were again under the orders of Major-General Moore, to whom the commanding officer applied for leave to let a certain proportion of the men go on pass to Scotland for part of the winter.  The journey was not so costly as might be thought, as the Carron Company ran packets from London to the Forth.  These vessels were armed, for fear of privateers, and gave free passage to soldiers on furlough on their engaging to help to defend them.

While at Chelmsford, the bard MacKinnon, who was a corporal in the Gordon Highlanders, composed his well-known poem describing the battle of the 2nd October, which, with another on the Egyptian campaign, is given in Appendix V.  They are considered among the finest and most spirited pieces in the Gaelic language.

Soldiers’ letters signed by the commanding officer were allowed to go at a cheap rate of postage.[2]

[74] On January 1st, 1800, the regiment wanted to complete 381 men.

R.O., January 9th.—Officers will appear in grey pantaloons, half-boots, bonnets, sash, and gorgets,[3] when the regiment is ordered to parade in marching order; the grey pantaloons to have red binding on them.

By Horse Guards Order of February 3rd, 1800, hair-powder was ordered to be discontinued by His Majesty’s command.  This must have been an immense relief to the army, for although no gentleman of fashion was in those days considered properly turned out without it, it was very troublesome to those who did not aspire to that title.  They, however, still wore false queues, “if their own hair does not admit of being tied in that form.”

Here the regiment received canvas knapsacks painted yellow, having a circle of red in the centre, in which the crown and thistle, with the words “ Gordon Highlanders,” were inserted.

R.O. —The bonnets to be fifteen inches in height, reckoning from the bottom of the velvet to the top of the feathers.  The heckle to be worn upright, and to be of an equal height with the black feathers.[4]

In February, a detachment of artillery with drivers, horses, and guns was attached to the regiment, and forty men were selected to learn the exercise of the guns, Ensign Campbell being put in charge of the whole.  All the men were afterwards taught gun-drill.

During the spring a few volunteers from Fencibles were received, and also recruits.  The colonel had power to discharge men, and “by Lord Huntly’s order,” a man is discharged “having found another man in his place.”

R.O., February 22nd. —The men who have been fixed upon to be detached as riflemen will take with them their new clothing, and they will immediately set about cocking and making up their new bonnets.  The officers will take care that they be neatly cocked.

R.O., February 24th. —The detachment of riflemen will march to-morrow at ten o’clock under command of Ensign Cameron.  The major expects that the detachment will conduct themselves in such a manner as to do credit to the regiment they belong to, and that Ensign Cameron will so exert himself on the march, and after he has arrived at Horsham, that his detachment will appear as respectable in the corps they are to join, as the regiment has always done among other regiments.

The meaning of the above Order was that H.R.H. the Com-[75]mander-in-Chief had been impressed by the rapid movements and accurate fire of the enemy’s riflemen, and by the execution they had done in Holland; he therefore determined to constitute a similar corps as part of the British establishment.  The commanding officers of fourteen regiments of the line were directed to select from each 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, 30 privates, and 1 person qualified for a bugler, to compose a rifle corps; and to send in to the Commander-in-Chief the names of 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, and 1 ensign willing to volunteer for this service.[5] These detachments were assembled at Horsham, under Colonel Coote Manningham of the 41st Regiment, A.D.C. to His Majesty, and Colonel Stewart of the 67th,[6] as an “Experimental Corps.”  Three companies of these riflemen, made up of the detachments of the Royals, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 79th, and 92nd Regiments, under Lieut.-Colonel Stewart, embarked with the force under Sir J. M. Pulteney, and landed at Ferrol in Spain on the 25th August 1800; they covered the advance, and particularly distinguished themselves in the two skirmishes which took place near that fortress, the Spaniards being defeated in both.  Colonel Stewart was dangerously wounded, also 2 captains, 1 subaltern, and 8 rank and file, of whom some died of wounds.  This was the first day a British rifleman ever fired a shot at an enemy.[7]

The 79th and 92nd detachments formed the Highland Company, wearing their own dress.  When the Rifle Corps was afterwards formed, the officers and men of the “Experimental Corps” were allowed to volunteer for it, but with two exceptions the men of the Gordon Highlanders elected to return to their own regiment.  Lieutenant Alexander Clarke, Ensigns Charles Cameron and A. Cameron volunteered, however; but Lieutenant Clarke was killed in Egypt, and only the two ensigns donned the “green [76] jacket” as lieutenants.  The latter[8] eventually became General Sir Alexander Cameron, K.C.B., of Inverailort, Colonel of the 74th Highland Regiment, and his son, Arthur Wellington Cameron, served in the 92nd from 1844 till 1876, and commanded the regiment in India.

R.O., March 24th, 1800.—As the issue of beer ceased to-day, and as in future the men are to receive 1d. a day in lieu thereof, that sum is to be added to their present weekly rate of subsistence.[9]

On April 10th, 1800, the regiment was ordered to the Isle of Wight, marching in three divisions on the 12th, 14th, and 15th, via London, Bagshot, and Winchester, and arriving at Newport on the 23rd, where they were quartered in billets, a detachment being at West Cowes.  During its march, the regiment halted for a day at Islington and the men went sight-seeing all over London.  Marching through Hyde Park they passed the King but did not recognise him till too late to salute.  At Hounslow and Bagshot they saw bodies of highwaymen hung in chains.  The soldiers greatly admired Winchester Cathedral.

A severe scarcity had followed the disastrous harvest of 1799, and provisions had risen almost to famine prices;[10] consequently, the commanding officer allowed married men with families to add to their means by working in the neighbourhood.

R.O., Newport, May 15th, 1800. —The lieut.-colonel begs officers commanding companies to impress on their men’s minds that meat of every kind is procured at present with the greatest difficulty, and they cannot expect to receive it of as good quality as when it was in greater abundance.  The soldiers, in looking about them and comparing their own comfortable position with that of the labouring class of people, the produce of whose labour does not admit of their buying meat at all, should submit with cheerfulness to bear, in common with the people in general, their share of the dearth and scarcity which at present unfortunately exists.

R. O., Newport, 17th May. — The regiment to be ready to embark [77] at an hour’s notice. Officers to have only one portmanteau, and no women or children to go, but they are to receive an allowance from Government.

Each company to carry a box for the new feathers which are to be served out on arrival at their destination.

The British Government had determined to send a secret expedition to France, of which the Gordon Highlanders were to form part.  They embarked on ships of war on the 27th of May at Cowes, but did not sail till the 30th.  In the interval they were joined on board ship by a large draft of volunteers from Highland Fencible Regiments, especially the Caithness, a regiment recruited chiefly in that county and Ross-shire.[11]  Nineteen recruits had also joined from Scotland during the month, but the regiment was still below its establishment of 1000 rank and file, the embarkation strength being:—1 lieut.-colonel, 2 majors, 7 captains, 16 lieutenants, 6 ensigns, 6 staff, 36 sergeants, 22 drummers, and 600 rank and file.  Several men had returned from French prisons, but 28 of those wounded in Holland, who had not yet recovered, and 8 who were still missing (supposed to have be en killed or died of wounds) are struck off the strength.  There were also recruiting parties in the north, and those attached to the “Rifle Corps.”

Their destination proved to be against the forts in Quiberon Bay, where it was expected the Royalist party of that district would join them.

The troops, consisting of artillery, infantry, and royal marines, were in three divisions, commanded by Colonel the Earl of Dalhousie, Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, and Lieut.-Colonel Clephan.  Erskine’s Division consisted of the 1st Battalion 20th Regiment and his own regiment (the 92nd), with three six-pounders and two howitzers.

[78] On the 7th of June the expedition disembarked at the Isle of Houat, in Quiberon Bay, where they encamped, and were constantly exercised in heavy marching order, recruits included, to prepare them for the expected “most active and honourable service.”  “It is not necessary,” say the General Orders, “to ask the men to do their duty bravely, but whosoever is catched plundering or marauding after landing will suffer death.”

On the 18th of June the regiment embarked on board H.M.S. Terrible, destined with others to attack the fortress of Belle-Isle, but the orders were countermanded on the 19th, and they returned to the Isle of Houat next day, without having landed on the mainland of France.  “Embarking and disembarking, vessels running foul of each other, such is what we are engaged in,” writes an officer; as the song says—

At the siege of Belle-Isle
I was there all the while;
I was there all the while
At the siege of Belle-Isle.

The Gordons returned to camp at Isle of Houat, but they had little rest for the soles of their feet on land.  On the 23rd they were on board H.M.S. Diadem, bound for Port Mahon, in the island of Minorca, where a large force was assembling.[12]  They arrived on July 20th, but remained on board ship till the 7th August, when they landed and occupied barracks.  Here they found the 42nd Royal Highlanders, who received them with the hospitality so characteristic of the Scot abroad.  Wine flowed, the quaint old streets of Mahon re-echoed Highland toast and song, and no doubt many a Highland head ached next morning!

R.O., August 8th.—The lieut.-colonel will not take any particular notice of the irregularities which happened last night, on account of the men meeting so many of their friends, but he expects not to have anything more happening of the same nature.[13]

All officers of the 42nd and 92nd had two epaulettes, while officers of the other regiments in garrison under field rank had but one, so their men presented arms to the Highland subalterns, till cautioned in Garrison Orders how to distinguish them.

The men were not so healthy as they had been at sea,[14] which was attributed to excess in wine and in the delicious fruits with which [79] Minorca abounds; but, though they indulged occasional1y too freely in the juice of the grape, the Highlanders did not forget the old folks at home.  When there were neither savings banks nor postal orders it was not easy for a soldier to send money.  According to Sergeant Duncan Robertson’s journal, most of the Gordon Highlanders belonged to the estates of their officers, and they seem to have entrusted to them, as their natural guardians and friends, the money they wished to send to their parents.  In Captain Cameron’s letters I find constant reference to this practice, mentioning the sums belonging to each man, with his name or the by-name by which he was distinguished at home from others of the same name as “Ewen dubh Tailear,” “Ewen dubh Coul,” both men of the name of Ewen Cameron, etc.

The regiment embarked on the 30th August, forming part of the greatest armament which had left Britain during the war,[15] which was col1ected in the Straits of Gibraltar, menacing the coasts of Spain.  The united fleet consisted of twenty sail of the line, twenty-seven frigates, and eighty-four transports, having on board about 20,000 foot soldiers.  This formidable force appeared off Cadiz on the 5th October, but, finding that yel1ow fever was raging in the city, the British commanders, dreading the contagion among the troops which would result if the city were taken, countermanded the orders to land, decided to withdraw from the enterprise, and returned to Gibraltar.

By Regimental Orders of September 23rd, on board the Stately, the men of the regiment were ordered to have “half gaiters” made; hitherto they seem only to have had their hose.

October 31st.—The discharge of Sergeant Donald MacKinnon, of the recruiting company, is mentioned, which is the only reference to any kind of depôt.

After remaining a short time on board ship at Gibraltar, where they lost Sergeant Lachlan MacIntosh, who was drowned in the bay, the regiment proceeded to Minorca,[16] and, after a fortnight’s stay, sailed again on the 21st November, and anchored at Malta on December 1st.[17]  Here the troops were landed as often as possible for exercise.  The detachment of riflemen rejoined, and the regiment received a draft of recruits and volunteers from the Fencibles. Officers are desired to make most minute inquiries into the wants [80] of these men, and to provide them with everything that can be procured.  There was evidently some difficulty in fulfilling these orders, and old bonnets and jackets had to be made up for them; “and collect all the yellow c1oth they can, so that at all events they may have yellow cuffs and collars.”

At Malta the regiment furnished four carpenters, two masons, and one blacksmith to be employed under the chief engineer.

At this time 6 officers, 7 sergeants, 1 drummer, and 15 privates were employed recruiting in Scotland.[18]

Meanwhile the French army which had been left by Napoleon in Egypt, consisting of about 30,000 men, with about 15,000 Copts, Greeks, and Arabs as allies, was in possession of that country, and the British Government determined to wrest it from them.

It was intended that three armies should co-operate.  The Turks were to march across the desert from Asia Minor; a body of British troops under Sir David Baird was to be brought from India by the Red Sea; and the main army of the British was to be landed on the opposite shores.  This last and most important body was part of that which had been harassing the coasts of France and Spain, and which was now assembled at Malta, about 15,000 strong, under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby.[19]

The 92nd numbered 730 n.c. officers and rank and file on January 1st, 1801.

The regiment sailed for Marmorice Bay, on the coast of Asia Minor, and arrived at that fine harbour early in January.  The expedition remained there in expectation of Turkish reinforcements and horses for the cavalry. There was much sickness in the army, which, with the exception of short intervals, had been at sea, often in very bad weather, since May 1800.  All the sick were encamped on shore, and regiments were successively encamped while their ships were being cleaned; the rest landed daily, practising disembarking, and for exercise and bathing.  Great attention was paid to their health, every man being obliged to wear flannel next his skin, etc.  At this place they experienced a fearful storm, which continued three days and nights, the hailstones being as large as walnuts.  Many ships were drifted on shore, tents were blown away, and horses broke loose, causing great confusion and suffering to the invalids.[20]  A good market was established, where sheep cost a dollar each, and plenty of fruit and vegetables could be had at cheap rates, the good conduct and fair dealing of the soldiers giving confidence to the inhabitants.

[81] In February, Volunteer Mungo Macpherson, of the 92nd, was promoted ensign in the 42nd.

A curious story was told of two officers of the 92nd, who, while at Marmorice, met during a walk a very magnificently dressed Turk, followed by a number of retainers.  One of the officers, with British contempt for this display of Oriental grandeur, and thinking it possible the grandee might understand English, but certainly would be ignorant of Gaelic, said to his companion, “Co a ghaIla is mathair d’on chu leisg so?”  What was his astonishment when the Turk answered, “Seadh a’ ille agus gu’de an seorsa mathair dh’araich thusa mar chuilean.”[21]

 After mutual apologies and explanations, the Celtic Turk dined on board with the officers, and afterwards sent boatloads of fruit and vegetables for all the men.  His name was Campbell, and, having in a quarrel killed a school-fellow at Fort-William, he had fled the country, entered the Turkish service, and had risen to high position.

At last Sir Ralph, tired of waiting for the Turks, determined to attack the French with the force under his immediate command, and set sail on the 22nd February, the voyage being enlivened by the capture of several French ships laden with luxuries for their army, which afforded a seasonable supply to the British.  On the 2nd March[22] this magnificent array of nearly 200 ships cast anchor in the Bay of Aboukir, near Alexandria, at the spot where Nelson had, three years before, defeated the French fleet.

On the 1st March, at sea off Alexandria, the 92nd had only 496 rank and file present and fit for duty, 129 present being sick, 38 in hospital, and others left in various places.

The General Orders as to a landing express the satisfaction of the Commander-in-Chief with the behaviour of the troops in their transactions with the inhabitants at Marmorice Bay; he trusts the same exemplary conduct will be continued, and the manners, customs, and religious opinions of the people most rigidly respected.  The regimental preparations for landing included putting leather peaks to their bonnets, and giving into store their greatcoats, fatigue jackets, and trousers, taking with them two shirts, a blanket, razor, and cleaning materials.

The landing, which had been delayed by stormy weather, was [82] effected on the morning of the 8th.  The troops, with their muskets unloaded, took their places silently in the boats, each boat containing fifty men, while armed vessels covered the flanks as the line rowed vigorously towards the shore.  The French, confident in the strength of their position on the heights above the beach,[23] had not thought it necessary to oppose so difficult an operation with a large force; but it was composed of artillery, cavalry, and infantry, while the guns on the fort of Aboukir also commanded the landing.  They allowed the invaders to approach within easy range, then opened so heavy a fire of shot, shell, grape, and musketry that the water was ploughed up by it, and the foam was like surf rolling on breakers.  Several boats were sunk, and the loss among the crowded crews was severe, causing momentary confusion; but the sailors pulled hard, the soldiers sat silent and steady, their arms in their hands, anxious for the moment to use them, and the line pressed forward with such precision that the bows of almost all the first division struck the sand at the same time.[24]  The troops instantly jumped into the water, which in many places reached their middles loading and forming as quickly as they could.  The French cavalry charged, and advancing into the water, made havoc among the British, till they, overcoming all difficulties and falling into line, with loud cheers drove the horsemen before them.  The 23rd and 40th rushed up the heights without firing a shot, but charging with the bayonet two battalions which crowned it, and taking three pieces of cannon.

The 42nd formed as on parade, then mounted the position notwithstanding the fire from two guns and a battalion of infantry.  They were then attacked by cavalry, which they quickly repulsed.  The 28th also distinguished themselves.  The Guards had hardly got out of their boats when they were suddenly charged by cavalry from behind the sandhills, but the 58th, already formed on their right, checked the cavalry by their fire, giving the Guards time to present a front, when the cavalry again retreated with loss.  The 54th and Royals landed at the instant that 600 infantry were advancing through a hollow against the left flan k of the Guards, but on seeing the fresh arrival they fired a volley and retreated.

The exaltation at this moment cannot be described.  The French, finding the heights carried, and General Coote advancing with his brigade, ran from all points of their position, but main-[83]tained a retreating fight for about an hour, when the whole of the British troops were established on the heights, though weaker by 500 men killed and wounded.  The enemy had lost 300 men and 8 pieces of artillery.

The Gordon Highlanders did not meet with such determined opposition as did the regiments on their right, but they did considerable execution, and pursued the enemy for some distance, when they were ordered to halt and pile arms.  This brilliant opening had most important effects on the fate of the campaign; the gallant conduct of the troops, and the rapidity of their success in sight of the whole fleet, filled the soldiers, many of whom were young and inexperienced, with confidence in their own prowess, even against these veterans of France, of whom some regiments, from their constant career of victory in Italy, were called “The Invincibles.”[25]

G.O., Aboukir Heights, March 9th, 1801.—The gallant behaviour of the troops in the action of yesterday claims from the Commander-in-Chief the warmest praise that he can bestow.  It was with particular satisfaction that he observed that conduct marked equally by ardent bravery, and by coolness, regularity, and order.

After thanking Major-Generals Coote, Ludlow, and Moore, and Brigadier-General Oakes, who commanded the troops engaged, he goes on to acknowledge “the effective assistance received from the navy on this occasion, in consequence of the judicious arrangements made by Admiral Lord Keith.”

No doubt many feats of individual bravery were performed, and long remembered.  It is still told in Brae Lochaber how Donald Cameron, known as Donald Mor Og, a man remarkable for his great strength, was on this occasion attacked by a French dragoon, when Donald, parrying the Frenchman’s blow, transfixed him with his bayonet, and lifting him from the saddle threw him over his shoulder among his comrades, crying, “Sin agibh fhearaibh, spéic a dh’ Abercromby![26]

[84] When the Gordons halted, the heat of the day, and the powder getting into their mouths in biting off heads of cartridges, had made them very thirsty, when, to their relief, they found in the huts which had been occupied by the enemy not only plenty of water, but camp kettles on the fires, containing mutton, poultry, and everything in preparation for a good dinner, which the French had intended to enjoy after they had driven the British back to their ships.  Though not eaten by those for whom it was cooked, the feast was not wasted; the Highlanders did it ample justice, and cracked many a joke on the excellence of the Frenchman’s cuisine, and the mortification they would feel at losing so good a meal.[27]

They passed the night on the sandhills (where Sir Ralph had taken up a position about three miles forward, his right on the sea and his left on Lake Maadieh), a bitter wind blowing on them from which they had no protection but their ordinary clothes, and stood to their arms an hour before daylight, when the Commander-in-Chief, noticing their cold condition, ordered a gill of rum to each man.  The 92nd were then ordered to advance with a party of cavalry, under Lieut.-Colonel Erskine and Major R. Wilson.  After an hour’s march they arrived at a battery on an eminence which they were to attack, but the enemy had anticipated them and carried off their guns.  Here they had a fine view of Alexandria, and halted to refresh.

Meanwhile every exertion was made to complete the disembarkation of the cavalry, artillery, and stores.  The castle of Aboukir was invested, and entrenchments thrown up round the camp.  The sick and wounded were sent on board ship. The army remained here till the 12th; the advanced posts skirmished, however, occasionally, and a surgeon and twenty men of the Corsican Rangers were taken by a sudden dash of the enemy’s cavalry.

G.O., Aboukir Heights, March 11th, 1801.—The main body of the army is considered for the present as forming three lines, as follows:—1st line, Brigade of Guards, Major-General Coote’s Brigade and Major-General Finch’s; 2nd line, Major-General Cradock’s and Major-General Lord Cavan’s; 3rd line, Major-General Stewart’s and Major-General Doyle’s.

“The army will advance to-morrow morning at eight o’clock according to the above order.  The Brigade of Guards, marching from their right, will head the first column; they will proceed along the road near the sea-beach, leaving the Redoubt of Mandora to their left, and will be directed on the flag-staff about two miles in front of it.  Fifty dragoons from General Finch’s Brigade will join the Guards.  The mounted men of General Finch’s, followed by [85] General Coote’s, marching also from the right, will lead the second column.  They will proceed along the Lake, leaving the Redoubt of Mandora to their right.  They will march on a conspicuous green hill in front of Mandora.  Lieut.-Colonel Murray will conduct them.  The brigades on the right of the second and third lines will follow the Guards, and the brigades on the left will follow General Coote’s,” etc. etc.

The 92nd were in Major-General Coote’s Brigade, along with the 1st Royals and the 1st and 2nd battalions 54th Regiment.

During the first two days at Aboukir the men had suffered greatly from thirst, till they found springs by digging in the sand near the sea.  Sergeant D. Nicol in his journal records that his comrades had the idea that the Bible says there is no rain in Egypt, and that as they had showers at Aboukir the Bible must be wrong; after discussion it was decided that the Bible meant that the country did not depend on rain as others do, but on the inundation of the Nile.  Apropos of religious discussions, another soldier of the 92nd mentions, that in hospital at this time, he had long arguments with a comrade who tried to convince him of the superior claims of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

The army moved forward on the evening of the 12th, and came in sight of the enemy strongly posted on high ground in front of an old Roman camp, with his right to the canal of Alexandria, and his left towards sea; though weaker in infantry than the British, he had more cavalry and artillery.[28]  During this forward movement the 92^nd were extended as skirmishers in advance of the left, and exchanged shots with the enemy’s cavalry, who skirmished with them all the way till they formed line within cannon shot of the French position, and were allowed to rest and refresh; but they were quickly compelled to retire to a safer distance by round shot pitching among them, which, however, did no great execution, though one poor fellow had his head carried away while sitting eating his supper.[29]

The Gordons at this time had more than 200 sick, and on the morning of the 13th had not quite 350 rank and file on parade.  They had been all the preceding night on picket in front of the enemy, and had not been allowed to lie down or take off their knap-[86]sacks, and were very glad of the allowance of rum which was served out at daylight.  They were also ordered to leave their packs in charge of weakly men, one from each company.[30]

The enemy had received a reinforcement of two half-brigades  of infantry and a regiment of cavalry from Cairo, and other corps from Rosetta, making their total force about 6000 men, of which were cavalry, with between 20 and 30 pieces of cannon. Their position was on very commanding ground, the approach to which formed a glacis for the whole range of fire from their numerous artillery.[31]

As Sir Ralph Abercromby had determined to turn their right, the British army marched in two lines and column of regiment from the left, the reserve covering the movement on the right, and keeping parallel with the first line.

It had not advanced out of the wood of date-trees in front of Mandora Tower before the enemy left the heights and moved down by their right, commencing a heavy fire of musketry, and from all their cannon, on the 9’2nd Regiment, which formed the advanced guard of the left column.  At the same time the cavalry, under General Bron, charged down on the 90th Regiment, forming the advanced guard of the right column.  This regiment firmly maintained its ground, and, allowing the cavalry to approach, fired such a volley as completely altered their direction; they then passed the 92nd, which regiment, with steady precision, fired a volley with terrible effect.  Wounded horses were galloping about, so ome without riders, some with their wounded masters, their feet tangled in the stirrups, dragged along by the maddened steed, while the bayonet did its work among those of the dismounted who refused to surrender, and among the few dragoons who reach the ranks of the regiment.[32]

“The discipline and steadiness of the 90th Regiment were most honourable and praiseworthy.”  “The conduct of the 92nd had been no less meritorious.  Opposed to a tremendous fire, and suffering severely from the French line, they never receded a foot but maintained the contest alone until the marines and the rest of the line came to their support.”[33]

 On the approach of the supports, the 92nd were ordered to lie down and allow the 17th and 79th to pass over them, the army pushing on with the greatest vigour, but with the strictest regularity.  The French kept up a constant fire of musketry and artillery, but did not again oppose in line, but only as tirailleurs.  The Gordons [87] now proceeded to the left, where the Dillon Regiment was closely engaged near the old tower of Mandora, where the French had two guns protected by infantry and cavalry, which, in spite of their efforts, were captured and turned against themselves.

Sergeant D. Nicol in his journal says that at one time at Mandora the 92nd was in danger of being surrounded.  Ammunition for the two guns failed and the guns were sent to the rear.  Five companies were in line, the others being extended to the left amongst bushes towards the lake.  The Colonel ordered the men not to fire till, they could see their enemy’s feet as they advanced from a hollow in front.  When the order to fire was given, “like magic it dispelled the gloom from our countenances.  Every man did his duty manfully.  We encouraged each other, firing, and at the same time praying, for soldiers do pray, and that fervently, on such occasions.”

Sir Ralph, in his dispatch dated “Camp before Alexandria, March 16th, 1801,” in describing the action of March 13th, mentions the 90th and 92nd as having “behaved in such a manner as to merit the praise both of courage and discipline”; no other regiment is named.  The 90th and 92nd and Dillon’s Regiment were the only ones which afterwards received Royal authority to bear the word “Mandora” on their colours and appointments.  Dillon’s, which was composed of foreigners, was afterwards reduced.  The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and the Gordon Highlanders are therefore the only two corps in the army which have Mandora among their honours.

On the heights before Alexandria, Sir Ralph, wishing to follow up his success and to carry the position to which the French had now retired, advanced across the plain.  General Hutchinson with the second line moved forward towards the left to secure a rising ground known as the Green Hill; General Moore was directed to the right, that both flanks might be assaulted at once, and the first line remained in the plain rather to the right.  During this movement the 90th, 92nd, and Dillon’s Regiments, still keeping to the left, found the enemy inclined to make a stand on the Green Hill, but with the assistance of the 44th, they compelled them, after a warm contest with the bayonet, to abandon their position and retire to the works in front of Alexandria, from which the enemy began to play from all their field artillery and heavy ordnance.  The army continued under the most terrible and destructive fire for a long time, whilst Sir Ralph reconnoitred the enemy’s position, but they patiently endured this exterminating fire.  “If a word was heard, it only contained a wish to be led to the assault.”[34]

At length Sir Ralph decided it would not be prudent to attempt [88] forcing the heights, which appeared to be commanded by Fort Crétin; and for want of artillery he could not have maintained them.  The army was therefore withdrawn at sunset, still marching as if on parade, and occupied that position from which it had driver its opponents, and which was soon to be the theatre of its glory and revenge.  Sergeant Robertson, in his journal, thus describes the situation of the Gordons after the contest on the Green Hill:—”We received orders to rest ourselves, but were not permitted to remain quiet, for the French commenced a heavy cannonade upon us (we being pretty close to the works), by which many were killed and which compelled us to retire as far as the heights the French quitted in the morning.  During this retrograde movement, I observed a ball carry off both the feet of one poor fellow, and another who, imagining a ball was spent, in attempting to stop it had his leg carried away above the knee.  The latter was a tailor in the 92nd.”

The regiment bivouacked in sight of Alexandria and of the objects of historic renown which surround it.  The nights are very cold in Egypt in March, which is the more trying from the contrast with the heat during the day.  The men had only a light blanket and many of them made holes in the soft dry sand, covering them selves with it.  The evening was spent in the melancholy duty of collecting the wounded and burying the dead, friend and foe alike.  Our men noticed that nearly every Frenchman had a pack of cards on him.  The loss of the British army was about 1100 men killed and wounded.  The French from their position did not suffer so much, losing 500 in killed and wounded; four field-pieces were taken and a great quantity of ammunition.  Sir Ralph Abercromby had a horse shot under him.

G.O., 14th March 1801.—The Commander-in-Chief has the greatest satisfaction in thanking the troops for their soldierlike and intrepid conduct in the action of yesterday.  He feels it is peculiarly incumbent on him to express his most perfect satisfaction with the steady and gallant behaviour of Major-General Cradock’s Brigade, and he desires that Major-General Cradock will assure the officers and men of the 90th Regiment that their meritorious conduct commands his admiration.

To the 92nd Regiment and Regiment of Dillon’s an equal share of praise is due, and where it has been so well earned, the Commander-in-Chief has the greatest pleasure in bestowing it.”

The Gordon Highlanders had 11 officers wounded (of whom 4 died of their wounds), 22 n.c. officers and soldiers were killed, and 77 n.c. officers and men were wounded.[35]

In a letter dated Egypt, March 15th, 1801, “from a hole in the sand,” Captain Cameron writes:—”We had 11 officers, 8 sergeants,

[89]

[90] and 119 rank and file killed and wounded.”  Captain Cameron mentions among other wounded who are doing well, “a poor little boy not quite fourteen, son to our Quartermaster Wilkie, and ensign in the regiment.” “As to the lads that left the country with me they have been very lucky this time, as only two of them have been wounded, and those not dangerously.  Ewen Coul’s son is one, and Alexander Kennedy the other.”

Lieut.-Colonel Erskine was wounded early in the day by a grape-shot, which mangled his thigh.  At first hopes were entertained of his recovery, but he sank after the amputation of the limb and died in a few days.  He had asked his brother officers to let him carry to the grave a gold locket which he wore round his neck, containing a lock of his sister’s hair and of the lady to whom he was engaged.

In 1894 a soldier of the garrison of Alexandria, while employed on some excavations in the sand, found the skeleton of a man, having only one leg and with a gold locket on the neck.  He wrote mentioning the circumstance to the Times newspaper, and Colonel Erskine’s story being well known both to his regiment and his family, there was no doubt the remains were his.  They were reinterred in consecrated ground at Alexandria, and a suitable monument to his memory erected at the mutual cost of the officers of the Gordon Highlanders and Mr Erskine of Cardross, the locket being kept by the latter as an heirloom.[36]

“In him the Service lost one of its best officers,” writes an officer of his regiment, and there can be no doubt that his thorough knowledge of his profession, his high sense of duty, the impartiality with which he carried on discipline, combined with his kindness and attention to the welfare of his men, had the best effect on the character of the regiment, with which he had served since it was raised.  His portrait still hangs in the officers’ mess-room of the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders.

On the death of Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, the command devolved upon Major Napier.