The rainy season being over, the army reinforced, the lost cattle replaced, and arrangements made for an abundant supply of provision, the army commenced its march, on the first of February, 1792, for Seringapatam. The Sultan took up a formidable position to cover his capital, and was attacked during the night of the 6th of February. The following statement of the share the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders had in this engagement, is from Lieutenant Campbell’s Journal:—

The regiment formed part of the left division under Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell, which advanced to the attack in the following order—Grenadier Company, SEVENTY-SECOND; Light Company, SEVENTY-SECOND, with scaling-ladders; Pioneers; Twenty-third Native Infantry; SEVENTY-SECOND Regiment; First and Sixth Native Infantry. “We (the SEVENTY-SECOND) moved from the left along the north side of the ridge of hills extending from the Carriagat pagoda to the Cappalair rocks; by ten at night we found ourselves near the base of the hill, where the officers were directed to dismount. When we were about two hundred yards from the lower entrenchment, our grenadiers filed off from the right with trailed arms, a serjeant and twelve forming the forlorn hope. When about fifty yards from the works, the sentinel challenged us, and instantly fired his piece, which was followed by a scattered fire from the rest of their party. We rushed among them, and those who did not save themselves by immediate flight, were shot or bayoneted. The greatest number of them ran down to the Carriagat pagoda, where they made a stand, and kept up a smart fire until we were almost close to them; then retired under our fire to the foot of the hill, where they were joined by a strong body from the plain, and made a stand at a small choultry, from which a flight of steps led to the bridge across the nulla. By this time the general attack on the enemy’s lines had commenced, and there was an almost connected sheet of fire from right to left; musketry, guns, and rockets rending the air with their contending noise. We sat upon the brow of the hill a few minutes, while our men were recovering their breath, and had a commanding prospect of the whole attack, though nearly three miles in extent, as we contemplated the scene before us, the grandest, I suppose, that any person there had beheld. Being rested a little, Colonel Maxwell led us down the hill under a smart fire; we rushed forward and drove the enemy across the nulla in great haste, although they stood our approach wonderfully. We crossed the bridge under a constant fire, the enemy retreating as we advanced; we crossed the Lokany river, the opposite bank of which was well covered by a bound-hedge, and their fire did execution: a serjeant of grenadiers was killed, Captain Mackenzie mortally wounded, Major Frazer and Captain Maitland shot through their right arms, besides other casualties. After we had penetrated the bound-hedge, the enemy took post behind an extensive choultry; but nothing could stop the ardour of our men,—we charged without loss of time, and soon dislodged the enemy, who retreated along the banks of the Cavery to a second choultry, where their numbers were reinforced. We had now got into their camp, upon the right flank of their lines; they retreated steadily before us, and our fire and bayonets did great execution among them, the road being strewed with their bodies. We charged and dislodged them from the second choultry; here Lieutenant M^c Pherson of the grenadiers was wounded; we pursued the enemy to a large pagoda; they attempted to cross the river, but the place was so crowded with guns, tumbrils, bullocks, elephants, camels, followers, and heaven knows what, that we were in the midst of them before they could escape, and for some minutes there was nothing but shooting and bayoneting. Colonel Maxwell came up with the twenty-third native infantry; the sepoys of the fourteenth native battalions advanced; they took us for the enemy, and fired, but their officers suppressed the fire before much injury was done: the seventy-first regiment also joined us, and preparations were made to cross the river and force the lines on the opposite side. Colonel Baird requested me to lead with twenty men; I instantly rushed into the stream, followed by twenty grenadiers of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment; we pushed on through holes, over rocks and stones, falling and stumbling at every step, the enemy’s shot reducing our numbers; and myself, with about half a dozen grenadiers, arrived at a smooth part of the stream which proved beyond our depth; five of us, however, got over; but the regiments did not venture to follow, and we returned with difficulty. An easy passage had been found out lower down; the seventy-first and SEVENTY-SECOND regiments had got into the island; the flank companies of the fifty-second, seventy-first, and seventy-fourth regiments forded higher up, and the enemy, seeing our troops on all sides of them, betook themselves to flight.

“About one o’clock in the morning the seventy-first, and SEVENTY-SECOND regiments advanced to the pettah, from which the inhabitants had fled, and we released a number of Europeans from prison. About seven o’clock the SEVENTY-SECOND marched into the famous Llal Baugh, or, as I heard it translated, ‘garden of pearls,’ and were posted in one of the walks during the day.”

A decisive victory was gained on this occasion over the army of Tippoo, and, perhaps, no regiment had performed a more distinguished part on this occasion than the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders; they had forced the passage of one nulla, and two rivers, and had charged nine successive times, overpowering their enemies on every occasion. Their loss was Captain Thomas Mackenzie and fourteen rank and file killed; Major Hugh Frazer, Captain Hon. William M. Maitland, Lieutenants M^c Pherson and Ward, one serjeant, two drummers, and forty rank and file wounded, one man missing.

In the General Orders issued on the 7th of February, it was stated—“The conduct and valour of the officers and soldiers of this army have often merited Lord Cornwallis’s encomiums; but the zeal and gallantry which were so successfully displayed last night, in the attack of the enemy’s whole army in a position that had cost him much time and labour to fortify, can never be sufficiently praised; and his lordship’s satisfaction on an occasion which promises to be attended with the most substantial advantages, has been greatly heightened by hearing from the commanding officers of divisions, that the meritorious behaviour was universal, through all ranks, to a degree that has rarely been equalled.”

The power of the Sultan being greatly reduced, and the siege of his capital about to commence, he solicited conditions of peace, and hostilities were suspended. He afterwards ceded half of his dominions to the allies, paid a large sum of money, and was permitted to retain the other half of his territory.

The war being thus terminated, and a great accession of territory made to the British dominions in India, the army quitted the island of Seringapatam, towards the end of March, and the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders proceeded to the cantonment of Wallajabad, where they arrived on the 28th of May. The Governor in Council evinced the high sense he entertained of the conduct of the troops, by presenting them with a gratuity out of the money paid by Tippoo Sultan, which was confirmed by the Court of Directors, and six months’ batta, or field allowance, added thereto.

The SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders remained at Wallajabad, with two companies detached to Arnee, upwards of twelve months, during which period the French Revolution, which commenced a few years previously, had assumed a character that called forth the efforts of other countries to arrest the progress of its destructive principles with the effects of its example in the world, and war commenced between Great Britain and France. News of this event arrived in India in May, 1793; in June the regiment was ordered to prepare to take the field, and on the 26th of that month, pitched its tents east of Shiveram Hill under the orders of Major Frazer; it marched soon afterwards against the French settlement of Pondicherry, on the coast of Coromandel, and arrived before the fortress in July,—being formed in brigade with the seventy-third, seventy-fourth, and third East India Company’s European regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Baird; the troops employed on this service were commanded by Colonel John Brathwait. The siege of Pondicherry was commenced in the early part of August, the army encamping in a thick wood where tigers were so numerous that the natives durst not travel in the night. On the 11th of August the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders were on duty in the trenches, and had two men killed; they also lost two men on the following day;[15] and several others on the 22nd of that month, on which day a white flag was displayed by the garrison, with a request for permission to surrender. The French soldiers in the fortress had embraced democratical principles and were particularly insubordinate; they insisted that the governor should surrender, but after the white flag was displayed, they fired two shells, which killed several men, and wounded Major Frazer of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment. During the night they were guilty of every species of outrage, breaking into houses and becoming intoxicated. On the following morning, a number of them environed the governor’s house, and threatened to hang the governor, General Charmont, before the door, when application was made for English protection. The British soldiers rushed into the town, overpowered the insurgents, rescued the governor, and preserved the inhabitants from the further effects of democratical violence.

After the completion of this service, the regiment returned to the cantonment at Wallajabad, where it arrived on the 11th of September, and was stationed at that place during the year 1794.

On the decease of General Murray, the colonelcy was conferred on Major-General Adam Williamson, from the forty-seventh regiment, by commission dated the 19th of March, 1794.

While the regiment was reposing in cantonments at Wallajabad, and the officers and soldiers were reflecting with exultation on the reputation they had acquired in the Mysore, circumstances occurred in Europe which occasioned them to be again called into active service. The Dutch people had imbibed the democratical doctrines of the French republic, and in the early part of 1795 Holland became united to France. When information of these events arrived in India, an expedition was immediately fitted out against the large and mountainous island of Ceylon, where the Dutch had several settlements, and the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders were selected to take part in the enterprise; the troops employed on this service were commanded by their Lieut.-Colonel, James Stuart, who was promoted to the rank of major-general at this period. The regiment embarked from Fort St. George on the 30th of July, and two days afterwards the fleet arrived on the coast of Ceylon; on the 3rd of August the troops landed four miles north of the fort of Trincomalee, and the siege of this place was commenced as soon as the artillery and stores could be landed and removed sufficiently near to the place. On the 26th of August a practicable breach was effected, and the garrison surrendered the place. The regiment had Ensign Benson, two serjeants, and seven rank and file wounded on this service.

The commanding officer of the regiment, Major Frazer, who was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy on the 1st of September, was detached against the fort of Batticaloe, which surrendered to him on the 18th of September. The two flank companies of the regiment were afterwards detached, with two companies of sepoys, under Captain Barbutt, against the fort and island of Manaar, which surrendered on the 5th of October.

The regiment continued to be actively employed until the whole of the Dutch settlements in Ceylon were reduced, which was accomplished in February, 1796, when the governor, John Gerand Van Angelbeck, surrendered the fortress of Colombo to the British arms. The people in the interior of the island had not been deprived of their independence by the Dutch, and they were not interfered with by the British so long as they preserved a peaceful demeanour.

As the island of Ceylon—which produces an astonishing diversity of vegetables, with the finest fruits—is celebrated for the number of cinnamon trees it produces—and abounds in most animals indigenous to the East, particularly in wild elephants—the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders remained until March, 1797, when they were removed to Pondicherry, preparatory to their return to England.

The regiment transferred its men fit for service to the corps about to remain in India, and embarked at Madras in February, 1798. On arriving at Gravesend, it received orders to proceed to Perth, where it landed in August, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Hugh Frazer.

The services of the regiment in the East Indies were afterwards rewarded with the royal authority to bear the word “Hindoostan” on its colours.

On the 23rd of October, Major-General James Stuart, who had long commanded the regiment with reputation in India, was appointed to the colonelcy, from the eighty-second foot, in succession to General Adam Williamson deceased.

The regiment was stationed at Perth two years, and its recruiting was not successful, not more than two hundred recruits having joined: in 1801 the regiment was removed to Ireland;[16] and its numbers were augmented by drafts from the Scots fencible regiments.

At the conclusion of the peace of Amiens in 1802, the establishment was reduced; but on the re-commencement of hostilities in 1803, it was again augmented: it was soon in a high state of efficiency and discipline, two-thirds of the men being Scots Highlanders, and about one-third English and Irish.

Great efforts were made to repel the threatened French invasion in 1803 and 1804, and a second battalion was added to the regiment; it was formed of men raised in Aberdeen, for limited service, under the Additional Force Act, and was placed upon the establishment of the army from the 25th of December, 1804. It was embodied at Peterhead, and remained in Scotland some time.

While the French army was at Boulogne menacing England with invasion, a coalition was forming in Germany to oppose the domination of Bonaparte, whom the French had elevated to the title of Emperor, and the first battalion of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment was appointed to form part of a secret expedition under Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B.; this enterprise was, however, laid aside, and in August, 1805, the regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Colquhoun Grant, embarked with a secret expedition under Major-General Sir David Baird, which sailed at the end of the month. At day-break on the 28th of September the fleet approached the island of Madeira, and the soldiers were gratified by the sight of its high mountains, covered on the lower slopes with vines, and on the loftier summits with forests of pine and chesnut, gilded with the rays of the rising sun; and about eight o’clock the whole anchored in the spacious bay, in the centre of which stands Funchal, the capital; the lofty black rocks adorned with brilliant verdure rising behind the town, form a striking contrast with the white houses, and present to the view a splendid landscape. At this place the fleet remained six days, and afterwards sailed to the Brazils, entering the harbour of St. Salvador on the 12th of November. Captain Campbell of the SEVENTY-SECOND stated in his Journal:—“The town was opening as we approached the inner part of the bay, and displayed the most gay and romantic scenery. It is built on the ridge of a hill, and some of the houses are showy and extensive; they are generally white with red tiles; but those in the lower part of the town consist of from five to seven flats, or stories, each; and, the streets being narrow, the houses almost meet above. The hills are enclosed as gardens, and whichever way one turns, the eye is equally gratified with the variety and luxuriance of the scenery.”

The regiments were landed in succession for a few hours; horses were procured for the cavalry, and some supplies obtained for the voyage. It was a remarkable circumstance that the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment had not one sick man.

On the 28th of November the fleet again put to sea, and directed its course towards the Dutch colony of the Cape of Good Hope, then in possession of the Batavian government, which was united with France in hostility to Great Britain.

On the 3rd of January, 1806, the lofty promontory which marks the southern extremity of Africa was seen, with its summit in the clouds, and at five o’clock on the afternoon of the following day, the fleet anchored off the Cape of Good Hope. At four o’clock on the morning of the 6th of January the signal was made for the seventy-first, SEVENTY-SECOND, and ninety-third regiments, forming the second or Highland brigade under Brigadier-General Ferguson, to enter the boats; and, moving to the shore, it effected a landing in Lospard’s Bay; the light companies of the seventy-first and SEVENTY-SECOND regiments driving the Dutch sharp-shooters from the contiguous heights, killing and wounding thirteen of the enemy.[17] After pursuing the enemy some distance, the troops halted near the Blue Mountains.

Before daylight on the following morning the SEVENTY-SECOND advanced, with one six-pounder, to surprise a body of the enemy, encamped at a small village; but the Dutch made a precipitate retreat, and the regiment returned to its camp, where it arrived about eight o’clock.

At three o’clock on the morning of the 8th of January the Blue Mountains echoed the sound of the British bugles summoning the soldiers to arms, and when the troops had advanced to the summit of the hills, the Batavian army was seen formed, with twenty-three pieces of cannon, in order of battle, in the valley in front. The grenadiers of the twenty-fourth regiment drove the Dutch mounted riflemen and jaggars from the high grounds on the front and on the flank, and the Highland brigade moved forward to engage the opposing army. Nineteen Dutch guns sent forward showers of bullets as the three British regiments advanced rapidly upon their opponents; when within five hundred yards, the enemy commenced with grape, and when at two hundred and fifty yards distance, the fire of musketry was opened along his whole front; but the advance of the brigade was too rapid for the enemy to take correct aim. Arriving within one hundred and fifty yards of the opposing line, the Highlanders levelled their muskets with steady aim, advancing and firing, until within sixty yards of their adversaries, when Brigadier-General Ferguson gave the word “CHARGE.” A loud British shout instantly rent the air, and the heroic Highlanders closed with bayonets upon their numerous adversaries, who instantly fled in dismay, pursued across the deep sands by the victorious Highland brigade. The Dutch marksmen on the right flank, with two guns, keeping up a constant fire, Captain Campbell of the SEVENTY-SECOND was detached against them with his grenadier company; he soon drove the Dutch sharp-shooters from the bushes, and was about to charge the guns, but they were removed with too much speed to be overtaken.

After gaining a complete victory, and pursuing the enemy three miles under a burning sun, and along deep sands, the Highlanders were ordered to halt, and the first brigade urged the pursuit.[18]

Major-General Sir David Baird stated in his public despatch:—

“The Highland brigade advanced steadily under a heavy fire of round shot, grape, and musketry. Nothing could resist the determined bravery of the troops, headed by their gallant leader, Brigadier-General Ferguson; and the number of the enemy, who swarmed the plain, served only to augment their ardour, and confirm their discipline. The enemy received our fire and maintained his position obstinately; but in the moment of charging, the valour of British troops bore down all opposition, and forced him to a precipitate retreat.”

“Your lordship will perceive the name of Lieut.-Colonel Grant among the wounded; but the heroic spirit of this officer was not subdued by his misfortune, and he continued to lead his men to glory, as long as an enemy was opposed to His Majesty’s SEVENTY-SECOND regiment.”

The loss of the regiment was limited to two rank and file killed; Lieut.-Colonel Grant,[19] Lieutenant Chrisholme, two serjeants, one drummer, and thirty-three rank and file wounded.

The word “Cape of Good Hope,” borne by royal authority on the colours of the regiment, commemorates its distinguished gallantry on this occasion.

After the action, the army took up a position in the Reit Valley; on the 9th of January, the troops advanced towards Cape Town, taking post on the south of Salt River, and the town surrendered. Lieut.-General Janssens had taken up a position in a pass leading to the interior of the country. On the 10th of January, the regiment marched to Wineberg barracks; and on the 11th, Lieutenant M’Arthur of the SEVENTY-SECOND was detached, with thirty men of the regiment, to take possession of Hout’s Bay. “After Lieutenant M’Arthur’s departure, it was ascertained that the enemy had a strong garrison at Hout’s Bay, and Major Tucker, of the SEVENTY-SECOND, was sent after him on horseback, to detain him until a reinforcement should arrive; but the lieutenant had reached the vicinity of the place with much expedition, and finding how matters stood, showed his men rank entire, and only partially, but to the most advantage. Having procured pen, ink, and paper, he summoned the garrison to unconditional surrender, otherwise he would blow the place about their ears, assault the works, and give no quarter. The Dutch immediately surrendered at discretion, and when the major arrived, he found Lieutenant M’Arthur in full possession of the works, consisting of a strong block-house and two batteries.”-See Captain Campbell’s Journal.

On the same day that this order was issued the regiment advanced up the country to co-operate with the troops under Brigadier-General Beresford, and in a few days the Batavian governor surrendered the colony to the British arms. From this period the important colony of the Cape of Good Hope has formed part of the possessions of the British Crown.

After the surrender of the Cape, the head-quarters of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment were established at Simon’s Town, where the Hottentots in the Dutch pay tendered their services to the British government, and were afterwards formed into a corps, now the “Cape Mounted Riflemen:” the regiment had also detachments at Muisenberg, Hout’s Bay, and Oliphant’s Bay, and in September it took the garrison duty at Cape Town.

The regiment was stationed at Cape Town during the years 1807, 1808, and 1809: in April of the latter year King George III. approved of its discontinuing the Highland Costume.

In February of this year the second battalion proceeded from Scotland to Ireland.

In February, 1810, the first battalion marched from Cape Town to Stellinbosch, and while stationed at this place it was selected to form part of an expedition, designed to co-operate with troops from India in the capture of the Mauritius. It embarked eight hundred men, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Monckton, from Simon’s Town, on the 22nd of September, 1810, but various circumstances occasioned a delay of nearly five weeks before it commenced the voyage, and a landing of the troops from India had taken place a few days before the division from the Cape arrived. Its appearance off the island was, however, particularly opportune, as the French governor had previously resolved to defend his lines before Port Louis, but when he saw the division from the Cape approach the island, he lost all hope of being able to make effectual resistance, and surrendered this valuable colony to the British arms.

The regiment landed at Port Louis on the 7th of December, and was selected to form part of the garrison of the island.

On the 25th of September, 1811, the establishment of the first battalion was augmented to a thousand rank and file, and it was completed by drafts from the second battalion, then in Ireland.

After performing duty at the Mauritius upwards of three years, the regiment received orders to proceed to North America, war having commenced between Great Britain and the United States; and it embarked from Port Louis on the 27th of June, 1814, with orders to proceed, in the first instance, to the Cape of Good Hope. The following General Orders were issued on this occasion, by Lieut.-General Sir Alexander Campbell:—

“In obeying the orders of His Royal Highness the commander-in-chief, for the removal of the first battalion of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment from these islands to the Cape of Good Hope, the Commander of the Forces is impelled, not less by the calls of justice and public duty, than by his personal and private feelings, to express to Lieut.-Colonel Monckton, and all the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of that excellent, respectable, and valuable corps, how sensible he is of the loss this command sustains by their departure. The Lieut.-General, however, derives some consolation from the ardent hope he entertains that the regiment is proceeding to fields of glory, where opportunities will be afforded for sustaining the high character it has already established, and adding to its well-earned fame, by fresh deeds of valour, emulating those of our most distinguished battalions, whose prowess and discipline have rescued Europe from the tyrant’s grasp. He requests their acceptance of his best thanks for their most exemplary good conduct, during the period he has had the honor to have them under his orders, and which he shall not fail to communicate to His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, for our Sovereign’s information, and likewise to His Excellency the Commander of the Forces at the Cape of Good Hope, a station where their gallantry and orderly behaviour are so well known and appreciated.”

The design of sending the regiment to America was afterwards abandoned, in consequence of the termination of the war in Europe having rendered several other corps disposable: the SEVENTY-SECOND landed at the Cape of Good Hope, and was stationed At Cape Town.[20]

On the 26th of April, 1815, Lieut.-General Rowland Lord Hill, G.C.B., was appointed Colonel of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment, from the ninety-fourth foot, in succession to General Stuart, deceased.

After remaining at the Cape of Good Hope ten months, the regiment received orders to transfer its services to India, to take part in the war with the Rajah of Napaul. Some delay occurred in procuring transports; but on the 29th of June the head-quarters embarked for Bengal, under Lieut.-Colonel Monckton, and landed at Calcutta on the 5th of September; the remainder of the regiment arrived soon afterwards. The war had in the meantime terminated, and the regiment was ordered to return to the Cape of Good Hope, proceeding, in the first instance, to the Mauritius; the annexation of that island to Great Britain, by the treaty of peace which was concluded after the removal of Bonaparte from the throne of France, having been followed by circumstances which rendered the augmentation of the garrison necessary. The regiment embarked from Fort William in November, and arrived at Port Louis in the early part of January 1816; but the garrison had previously been reinforced by the fifty-sixth regiment from Madras, and the detention of the SEVENTY-SECOND was not necessary.

From the Mauritius the regiment continued its voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived in Table Bay on the 14th of February; but having touched at the Mauritius, where an epidemic disease prevailed, it was detained in quarantine until the 3rd of March, when it landed at Cape Town.

The termination of the war in Europe and North America had been followed by the reduction of the strength of the army, and the second battalion of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment was disbanded at Londonderry on the 3rd of January, 1816; the men were sent to the Isle of Wight for the purpose of joining the first battalion. The regiment had, however, returned from India, and its numbers being above the establishment of a corps on the Cape station, they were permitted either to volunteer to regiments not complete, or receive their discharge. The establishment, at this period, was fifty-four officers, one thousand and seventy-seven non-commissioned officers and soldiers; but a reduction of thirteen officers and two hundred and ten soldiers was soon afterwards made.

In October one company of the regiment was detached to the frontiers of the colony, to relieve a company of the eighty-third regiment, which had been detached a considerable period.

Lieut.-General Lord Hill was removed to the fifty-third regiment, in February, 1817, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the SEVENTY-SECOND, by Major-General Sir George Murray, G.C.B., G.C.H.

On the 10th of June four companies of the regiment embarked at Simon’s Town, for Algoa Bay, where they arrived in fifty-four hours, and marched from thence to Graham’s Town, the frontier head-quarters, to relieve the twenty-first light dragoons, who were ordered to proceed to India. These companies were distributed in detachments along the bank of the Great Fish River, to occupy posts established a short time previously, and to construct others, in continuation of a chain, to protect the frontiers against the depredations of the warlike tribes of Kafirs, who maintained a constant state of preparation for aggression and acts of hostility, and whose propensities appear more suited to plunder and warfare, than the cultivation of their country. This proved an arduous and toilsome duty, in a country nearly devoid of resources, infested by savage animals and marauding Kafirs; the soldiers lived under canvas, were frequently exposed to the inclemency of the weather, especially while constructing new posts, and patrols were constantly moving from station to station; yet the men were preserved, by the care and attention of their officers, remarkably healthy, and the eldest soldiers, who had been long accustomed to the comparative ease and luxury of the service at the Mauritius and Cape Town, performed this difficult duty with facility.

Notwithstanding every effort made to cover the country, depredations were frequently committed, and a party of Kafirs having succeeded in stealing a quantity of cattle from a Dutch farmer, in the beginning of February, 1819, the circumstance was reported to Captain Gethin, who was stationed at De Bruins Drift. The captain instantly pursued the robbers, with a few soldiers, accompanied by a number of Dutch farmers, mounted and armed; he came up with the cattle in a country covered with thick underwood, and trusting to the support of the armed farmers, in the event of an attack, he entered the bush with a few men, and was proceeding to drive out the cattle, when the party in advance was surrounded and attacked by a number of Kafirs armed with spears and clubs. The captain and his small party made a determined resistance; but the farmers stood aloof, leaving the soldiers to perish. Captain Gethin was overpowered, and fell pierced with thirty-two wounds; one serjeant and one private soldier were also killed on this occasion. Captain Gethin was a highly respected, brave, and intelligent officer; he had distinguished himself in the Peninsular war, particularly at the siege of St. Sebastian, and had been rewarded with promotion; his death was much regretted.

A detachment of the regiment continued on the frontiers, and took an active part in the border warfare with the Kafirs, whose predatory habits it was found difficult to restrain; the head-quarters remained at Cape Town, with detachments at Simon’s Town and Robben Island, until December, 1821, when it was relieved by the sixth regiment, and embarked for England. Two companies remained behind three months for the want of transport, and fifty soldiers of good character who had claims to pension, were permitted to settle in the country.

On the departure of the regiment from the Cape, the Governor, General Lord Charles Somerset, was pleased to express, in orders, his approbation of the conduct of the corps during its stay at that colony, and to add, that he should not fail to make known its excellent behaviour to the Commander-in-Chief, and to recommend it to His Royal Highness’s particular favour and protection.

In March, 1822, the regiment landed at Portsmouth, from whence it proceeded to Fort Cumberland, and in May to Plymouth, where the two companies left at the Cape, joined in June. In July the regiment embarked for Woolwich, where it occupied part of the Horse Artillery barracks.

The regiment was removed to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey in May, 1823.

Major-General Sir George Murray was removed to the forty-second, the Royal Highland regiment, in September, 1823, and was succeeded by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope from the ninety-second regiment.

The excellent conduct of the regiment on all occasions, which had procured for it the commendations of the general officers under whom it had served, had been repeatedly brought before the Commander-in-Chief, His Royal Highness the Duke of York and Albany, by the commanders of the colonies in which it had served, and had been communicated to His Majesty, King George IV., who was graciously pleased to authorise, on the 11th of December, 1823, its resuming the Highland Costume, with this difference, that the officers and men should wear trews instead of kilts: at the same time the King was pleased to approve of its assuming, as a special mark of royal favour and approbation, the title of the “Seventy-second, or the Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders.”

On quitting the islands of Jersey and Guernsey in April, 1824, the regiment received a vote of thanks and approbation from the principal inhabitants and public functionaries of the former, and a similar document from the Royal Court of the latter, expressing their high sense and admiration of its discipline, and of the peaceful and orderly behaviour of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers. The regiment embarked from Jersey and Guernsey in April, and proceeded to Plymouth, to relieve the sixty-first foot.

In June His Majesty approved of the regiment assuming, as a regimental badge, the Duke of Albany’s Cipher and Coronet, to be borne on the regimental colour.

From Plymouth, the regiment embarked for Scotland on the 31st of August: it landed at Newhaven on the 13th of September, and was met on the beach by its Colonel, Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, who marched into Edinburgh Castle at its head: the regiment afterwards sent detachments to Stirling, Fort William, and Dumbarton.

New colours having been prepared for the Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders, the regiment was assembled at Bruntsfield Links, on the 1st of August, 1825, under Lieut.-Colonel Calvert. The new colours were presented to the Colonel, Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, by Lady Hope, with a suitable address; they were afterwards consecrated by the Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Moon, in an eloquent prayer, in which he implored the God of Battles ever to crown them with honour and victory; Sir John Hope then presented them to the regiment, which was formed in square to receive them, and said:—

“In delivering to your charge these colours, which have been presented to the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment by Lady Hope, I am fully aware that I am not addressing a newly-raised corps, whose name and character have yet to be acquired. As it has pleased His Majesty to confer so distinguished an honour on the regiment, as to permit the SEVENTY-SECOND to assume the name of the Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders, I cannot omit congratulating the corps on having received so flattering and honorable a mark of approbation, and expressing my conviction, that this additional badge, which is now placed on these colours, will afford a new and powerful inducement for maintaining the high character which the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment has so long and so deservedly possessed. I feel particularly gratified that the honour of delivering these colours has devolved on me, and that their presentation should also have taken place in the capital of the country where the regiment was first raised, and after its return from a long period of honorable and distinguished service. The country being now at peace, there is no opportunity for the SEVENTY-SECOND to gain fresh honours by victories in the field; but the regiment may deserve and obtain almost equal honour and credit by setting an example of discipline and good conduct on home service, which becomes now particularly incumbent when so highly distinguished by being named after His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, to whom the whole army is indebted for the present state of order and discipline to which it has attained. That the SEVENTY-SECOND will ever continue to deserve the approbation of His Royal Highness I make no doubt: and I have now to offer my most sincere good wishes for the prosperity of the corps collectively, and of every individual officer, non-commissioned officer, and private soldier of the regiment.”

Towards the end of July, routes were received for marching to Port Patrick, for embarkation for Ireland; and before quitting Edinburgh, the regiment received the thanks of the Lord Provost and Magistrates for its exemplary conduct; it landed at Donaghadee on the 26th of August; and the head-quarters were established at Belfast.

In September, 1826, the regiment marched to Londonderry, from whence nineteen detachments were sent out; and in May, 1827, the detachments were called in, and the whole proceeded to Dublin.

Orders were received in September to form six service and four depôt companies; the service companies embarked for Liverpool, from whence they proceeded to London, where they arrived on the 9th of October, and took the duty at the Tower.

On the 5th of January, 1828, the first life guards, royal horse guards, four battalions of foot guards, and the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment, were reviewed on the parade in St. James’s park, by Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington, in presence of Don Miguel, Infant of Portugal.

In April the regiment marched to Canterbury, where it was inspected on the 2nd of June by General Lord Hill, commanding-in-chief, who was pleased to state,—“That although it had been his lot to see and serve with most of the regiments in the service, he felt he should not be doing full justice to the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders, if he did not express his particular approbation of every thing connected with them, and add, he had never before seen a regiment their equal in movements, in appearance, and in steadiness under arms.”

The regiment remained at Canterbury until the end of June, when it marched to Gravesend, where it embarked, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Arbuthnot, for the Cape of Good Hope—a colony where the reputation of the corps was established, and it landed at Cape Town in September and October following.

In May, 1830, the depôt companies were withdrawn from Ireland, and landing at Glasgow, were stationed in Scotland during the five following years.

While the service companies were stationed in Cape Town, the aggressions of the Kafir tribes, which are divided into three nations,—the Amapendas, the Tambookies, and the Amakosa, assumed a formidable and an atrocious character previously unknown. The colonial boundary extended, on one side, to the Keiskamma, but a chief named Macoma, had been permitted to reside within the British territory. Owing to some atrocities committed by him and his followers on the Tambookies, which were attended with the shedding of human blood within the colony, he was deprived of the lands he held by sufferance in the British territory. His expulsion was, however, not strictly enforced until 1833, when he was removed beyond the boundary, and he became violently exasperated against the British. The predatory habits of the Kafirs also led to disputes, when the British were searching for stolen property, and the lenity observed towards the aggressors emboldened them, and occasioned them to become more audacious in their attacks.