It arrived at the high table-land of the Cape of Good Hope on the 4th of January, 1806, and shortly afterwards came to anchor. The whole of the following day the surf upon the shore of the bay was too violent to admit of any attempt to land. Brigadier-General William Carr, afterwards General Viscount Beresford, was detached, with such of the cavalry as had horses, and the Thirty-eighth Regiment, to Saldanha Bay.

In the morning of the 6th of January a landing was effected by the Highland brigade, consisting of the Seventy-first, Seventy-second, and Ninety-third Highlanders, and numbering 2,200 men, under the command of Brigadier-General Ronald Craufurd Ferguson, in the performance of which service Lieut.-Colonel Pack, the commanding officer of the Seventy-first Regiment, was wounded. The following day was devoted to landing the supplies and the remainder of the army.

Early in the morning of the 8th of January, Major-General Sir David Baird formed his troops in two columns, and moved up to the heights of Bleuberg, from whence the enemy was seen, drawn up in order of battle, in two lines, with twenty-three pieces of cannon, his numbers being calculated at 5,000, of which a large proportion was cavalry.

The British lines were formed with promptitude and correctness, and the enemy was attacked with the utmost spirit. He maintained his ground with some firmness, until a charge of the Highland brigade dislodged and completely routed him, with the loss of three guns and 700 men.

In this affair the Seventy-first had Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Robert Campbell wounded. 5 men were killed, and 2 sergeants and 64 rank and file were wounded[5].

The troops halted for the night at the Reit Valley, and on the 9th of January the army moved towards the Salt River, where it was intended to take up a position previously to the attack of Cape Town, when a flag of truce appeared from the town, which produced some negociations, that terminated in its surrender to His Majesty’s arms. Lieut.-General Janssens, the Governor of the colony, after his defeat of Blenberg on the 8th, had retired towards the interior of the country by the Hottentot Holland Kloof, or Pass, from whence, on the 19th of January, he signed and ratified the treaty that placed the whole of the Cape of Good Hope and its dependencies in the possession of Great Britain, under whose sway it has since continued.

The following letter from Brigadier-General Ferguson to Major-General Sir David Baird, relative to the regiment and its commander, is here inserted:—

The Seventy-first went into quarters at the cantonment of Wynberg, about seven miles from Cape Town, on the road to Simon’s Bay, where the battalion remained until the 12th of April, when, most unexpectedly, an order arrived for its immediate embarkation on an expedition to the Rio de la Plata, in South America, which had been planned by the British Commanders, naval and military, at the Cape. The Seventy-first was the only corps of the Cape garrison destined for this service, with the addition of a few dragoons and some artillery. At this period the strength of the battalion amounted to 800 rank and file, having received some recruits from foreign corps at the Cape. The troops were to be commanded by Brigadier-General William Carr Beresford, afterwards Viscount Beresford.

The battalion was embarked in line-of-battle ships and transports, and on the 14th of April the fleet sailed from Table Bay, directing its course to the westward until the 20th, when, in consequence of unfavourable weather, and having parted company with one of the transports in which were three companies of the Seventy-first, the signal was made to rendezvous at St. Helena, at which island the fleet arrived on the 30th of April, with the exception of the missing transport. Here the force under Brigadier-General Beresford received an augmentation of 200 men from the St. Helena Regiment, making a total of 1,087 rank and file.

On the 2nd of May the fleet sailed from St. Helena, and after a tedious voyage arrived at Cape St. Mary at the entrance of the Rio de la Plata, on the 8th of June, where it met with the missing transport.

The troops that had sailed in the line-of-battle ships were transferred on the 16th of June to the transports, which proceeded up the river, and on the 24th of that month came to anchor opposite the city of Buenos Ayres. The force amounted in all to 1,466 rank and file; the Seventy-first mustered 784 rank and file. On the 25th, at night, the Seventy-first, with the other troops, effected a landing without any opposition. The following morning they pushed forward, and met the enemy at the village of Reduccion, who made a trifling stand, and then retired towards the city. On this occasion Captain Henry Le Blanc of the Seventy-first lost his leg, and a sergeant and 5 rank and file were wounded.

The British troops continued to advance in pursuit of the enemy, and on the morning of the 27th of June forced their passage across the Rio Chuelo. Some skirmishing followed this movement, but the city of Buenos Ayres almost immediately surrendered. In the evening the town and fort were taken possession of by the first battalion of the Seventy-first and detachments of marines and St. Helena Regiment. Major-General Beresford, in his despatch to Sir David Baird, wrote as follows:—

The Seventy-first occupied barracks in Buenos Ayres, and remained undisturbed until the beginning of August, by which time the enemy had collected a force of about 1,500 men, under a leader named Pueridon, at five leagues from the city. Brigadier-General Beresford in consequence moved out with 300 of the Seventy-first, 50 from the St. Helena Regiment, and six field pieces; attacked and dispersed the enemy, taking all his artillery, namely, ten pieces of various calibre. The battalion had only 5 men wounded in this operation.

About this period a body of the enemy, headed by Colonel Liniers, a French officer in the service of Spain, crossed from Colonna to Concher, evidently with hostile intentions. Forming a junction with the force under Pueridon, the whole marched upon Buenos Ayres.

On the 10th of August the enemy commenced operations by the massacre of a sergeant and his guard of the Seventy-first Regiment, who were posted at a place in the suburbs where the bull-fights were usually exhibited. On the following day much skirmishing ensued in the outskirts of the city, the enemy taking possession of the tops of houses, from which he kept up a galling and destructive fire. During this time the main body of the British force took up a position in the Grand Square, but afterwards retired into the fort of Buenos Ayres. Being now bereft of all resources, and having no hope of support, no alternative remained but to capitulate. At about one o’clock, therefore, the fort was surrendered to the enemy and hostilities ceased. The troops marched out with the honours of war, and laid down their arms in the square. The officers being granted parole were quartered upon the inhabitants of the town, and the men were confined in the prisons of the city.

In these melancholy proceedings Lieut. Mitchell and Ensign Lucas were killed, and the regiment lost 91 men in killed and wounded.

In August, 1806, the second battalion embarked at Glasgow for Ireland, and arrived at Belfast on the 1st of September.

About the middle of September the Seventy-first were removed from Buenos Ayres into the interior. Brigadier-General Beresford, with his staff, and Lieut.-Colonel Pack, were placed at Luxon, from whence they subsequently effected their escape, upon learning that the removal of the prisoners still further up the country had been ordered.

Lieut.-Colonel Pack was thus enabled to join the troops which had landed near Monte Video in January, 1807, under the command of Brigadier-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, who at Lieut.-Colonel Pack’s request, directed a board of naval and military officers to inquire into the particulars of his escape, by whom it was unanimously approved, and he was declared free to serve.

The second battalion was removed from Ireland to Scotland in January, 1807, but returned to Ireland in June following.

In May, 1807, a further removal to the interior of the prisoners took place. The officers were collected at a college belonging to the Jesuits about forty leagues to the northward of Cordova, and entirely separated from their men. In this situation they remained until August following, when, just as they were ordered to prepare for a transfer to a station still more remote, the accounts of the convention entered into by Lieut.-General John Whitelocke were received, by which it was stipulated that the prisoners should be restored to liberty on condition that all the British forces should be withdrawn. It is scarcely necessary to remark that the prospect of being restored to liberty and friends was greatly damped by the military events which produced it, and which completely extinguished the ardent hopes of success that had been entertained from the arrival of the last British force in South America.

In September the whole of the officers and men were reconducted to Buenos Ayres, from whence they were conveyed in boats to Monte Video, and there embarked in transports with a view of returning to Europe.

It is a circumstance highly creditable to the character of the soldiers of the Seventy-first that, although so many powerful allurements were held out to induce them to remain in South America, but few individuals were found to swerve from their duty and allegiance to their King and country. The Spaniards were very fond of the Highlanders, particularly of those who were Catholics. One of these, named Donald Macdonald, overcome by solicitations, had almost agreed to remain at Buenos Ayres, but whilst wavering one of his companions sung to him “Lochaber no more;” the effect was irresistible; the tears started into poor Donald’s eyes, and wiping them away, he exclaimed, “Na, na! I canna stay, I’d maybe return to Lochaber nae mair.”

The fleet sailed immediately, and after a tedious and rough voyage of three months, the transports having the Seventy-first on board put into Cork Harbour in December, and on the 27th of that month the whole were landed, without uniform, clothing, arms, or accoutrements, and marched to Middleton under the command of Major Henry Tolley, Lieut.-Colonel Pack having previously returned to England from South America.

In March, 1808, the regiment proceeded from Middleton to Cork, where its equipment in every respect was completed.

The second battalion embarked at Londonderry for Scotland on the 9th of April, 1808, after transferring 200 men to the first battalion, which raised the strength of the latter to nearly 900 rank and file.

On the 26th of April, whilst in garrison at Cork, new colours, to replace those left in South America, were presented to the Seventy-first by Lieut.-General John Floyd, who had commanded the cavalry and advance in the campaign of 1790 in the East Indies.

The following animating and soldier-like address was made by the gallant General on the occasion:—

The Peninsula was at this period the centre of political interest. Portugal, deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the people of each rose in arms to recover the national independence. Dissensions had arisen in the Royal family of Spain, occasioned by the sway of Emanuel Godoy, who bore the title of the “Prince of Peace.” This Minister was dismissed, but the Court was unable to restore tranquillity. In this emergency the French Emperor was solicited to be umpire, and Napoleon ultimately placed the crown of Spain on his brother Joseph, who was transferred from the throne of Naples. The Spaniards flew to arms in consequence. The British Government resolved to aid the Spanish and Portuguese patriots, and a British army was ordered to proceed to the Peninsula, under the command of Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley. The first battalion of the Seventy-first Highlanders formed part of the force selected on this occasion.

It embarked at the Cove of Cork on the 17th of June, 1808, its strength consisting of 52 sergeants, 22 drummers, and 874 rank and file.

In June, 1808, His Majesty King George III was pleased to approve of the Seventy-first bearing the title of Glasgow in addition to the appellation of Highland regiment.[6]

In the first instance, the Seventy-first were brigaded with the Fifth, Thirty-eighth, and fifth battalion of the Sixtieth Regiment, under Brigadier-General Henry Fane, and sailed for Portugal, in conjunction with the forces destined to aid the Spaniards and Portuguese, on the 12th of July. After a favourable passage, the troops anchored in Mondego Bay in the beginning of August, and a landing was effected in the vicinity of the village of Frejus.

Early in the morning of the 4th of August a small picket of the enemy stationed in the neighbourhood fell back, and the operation of disembarking the troops was carried into effect without opposition. The army then moved on to a position across a deep sandy country, where it halted and encamped for the night.

At this period a change took place in the arrangement of the brigades, and the first battalion of the Seventy-first was placed, with the Thirty-sixth and Fortieth Regiments, in that commanded by Major-General Ronald Craufurd Ferguson.

The division under Major-General Sir Brent Spencer, K.B., from Cadiz, consisting of about 4,000 men, joined on the 8th of August; and, after a short halt, the army was again put in motion to occupy a more forward position, where it remained for some days. On the 17th August the enemy, commanded by General Laborde, was encountered near Roleia. The position was attacked and carried with great loss to the French, who retreated to Torres Vedras.

The light company of the Seventy-first was the only part of the regiment engaged, the remainder being employed in manœuvring on the right flank of the French. It suffered a trifling loss, having but 1 man killed and 2 wounded.

The Seventy-first subsequently received the Royal authority to bear the word “Roleia” on the regimental colours and appointments, in commemoration of this victory.

Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, after the battle of Roleia, did not pursue the enemy by the high roads, but, keeping to the right near the sea, marched to Vimiera to cover the landing of a brigade commanded by Major-General Anstruther, which was effected on the 20th of August.

The morning of the 21st of August was given up to the troops, in order to prepare and repose themselves. The men were engaged in washing and cleaning their equipments, when the approach of the enemy, moving to the left, was discovered at eight o’clock in the morning, and the brigades commanded by Major-General Ferguson, Brigadier-Generals Nightingall, Acland, and Bowes, were consequently moved across a valley from the heights on the west to those on the east of Vimiera.

Marshal Junot, Duke of Abrantes, moved on his army to the attack of the position, directing it on the British centre, where the Fiftieth Regiment was posted, and moving along the front gradually to the left until the whole line became engaged.

A short time previously to this, the soldiers of the brigade were ordered to sit down, with their arms in their hands, keeping their formation. The enemy in the meantime cannonaded the whole line, and pushed on his sharpshooters and infantry. To oppose the former, Major-General Ferguson ordered the left sections of the companies to move forward and skirmish. Upon the retreat of the enemy’s sharpshooters, the action became general along the front of this brigade, and the whole moved forward to the attack. Nothing could surpass the steadiness of the troops on this occasion, and the general and commanding officers set a noble example, which was followed by all.

The grenadier company of the Seventy-first greatly distinguished itself, in conjunction with a subdivision of the light company of the Thirty-sixth Regiment. Captain Alexander Forbes, who commanded the grenadier company, was ordered to the support of some British artillery, and seizing a favourable opportunity, made a dash at a battery of the enemy’s artillery immediately in his front. He succeeded in capturing five guns and a howitzer, with horses, caissons, and equipment complete. In this affair alone the grenadier company had Lieutenants John Pratt and Ralph Dudgeon and 13 rank and file wounded, together with 2 men killed.

The French made a daring effort to retake their artillery both with cavalry and infantry; but the gallant conduct of the grenadier company, and the advance of Major-General Ferguson’s brigade, finally left the guns in the possession of those who had so gallantly captured them.

George Clark, one of the pipers of the regiment, and afterwards piper to the Highland Society of London, was severely wounded in this action, and being unable to accompany his corps in the advance against the enemy, he deliberately sat down, and unstrapping his pipes, called out, “Well my bra’ lads, I can no farther wi’ ye a fighting, but diel ha’ my soul if ye sal want music,” and immediately began playing “Up and war them a’ Willie.” He was afterwards presented with a handsome stand of pipes by the Highland Society. This is the second instance in which the pipers of the Seventy-first have behaved with particular gallantry, and evinced high feeling for the credit and honour of the corps.

During the advance of the battalion, several prisoners were taken, among whom was the French General Brennier, who surrendered himself on the columns giving way to corporal John M^cKay. The latter was afterwards promoted to an ensigncy in the Fourth West India Regiment.

The result of this battle was the total defeat of the enemy, who subsequently retreated on Lisbon, with the loss of twenty-one pieces of cannon, twenty-three ammunition waggons, with powder, shells, stores of all descriptions, and 20,000 rounds of musket ammunition, together with a great many officers and soldiers killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.

The conduct of the battalion, and of its commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Pack, was noticed in the public despatches, and the thanks of the Houses of Parliament were conferred on the troops.

The following officers of the Seventy-first were wounded in the battle of Vimiera: Captains Arthur Jones and Maxwell Mackenzie; Lieutenants John Pratt, William Hartley, Augustus M^cIntyre, and Ralph Dudgeon; Ensign James Campbell, and Acting Adjutant R. M^cAlpine. Twelve rank and file were killed; six sergeants, and eighty-six rank and file wounded.

The Seventy-first subsequently received the royal authority to bear the word “Vimiera” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of this battle.

The Convention of Cintra was the result of this victory; it was signed on the 30th of August, and by its provisions the French Army evacuated Portugal.

The British Army was ordered to move forward to Lisbon, some of the reinforcements for it having preceded it by water, and occupied the forts at the mouth of the Tagus. The French Army having by this convention fallen back on Lisbon, the British proceeded to the vicinity of Fort St. Julien, and encamped there.

All the objects of the expedition being carried into effect, and the French troops embarked for France, the British Army remained for some time at Lisbon and its vicinity. At this period (September) Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, having assumed the command, made dispositions for entering Spain.

The first battalion of the Seventy-first was now brigaded with the Thirty-sixth and Ninety-eighth Regiments, under Brigadier-General Catlin Craufurd, and placed in the division under the command of Lieut.-General the Honourable John Hope, afterwards the Earl of Hopetoun. On the 27th of October the division was put in motion, and after a short stay at Badajoz, resumed the march, proceeding by Merida, Truxillo, Jaraicejo, Puerto-de-Merivette, and crossing the Tagus at the bridge of Almaraz, directed its route upon Talavera-de-la-Reyna. From this town the column proceeded to the Escurial, seven leagues to the north-west of Madrid.

Intelligence was here received of the enemy’s approach towards Madrid, and two companies of the Seventy-first, under Major Archibald Campbell, were pushed forward to occupy the important pass in the Guadarama Mountains, which separate Old from New Castile. After a halt of a few days, the division was put in motion over the Guadarama Pass to Villa Castin, at which place Lieut.-General the Honourable John Hope, in consequence of the intelligence which he received of the enemy’s movements, made a night march to the left, by Avila and Peneranda, and finally proceeded to Alba de Tormes. At the latter place a junction was formed with a detachment from the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, then at Salamanca. The army under Sir John Moore was shortly afterwards put in motion towards Valladolid, and subsequently to the left, to form a junction with Lieut.-General Sir David Baird’s division, which had landed at Corunna.

Previously to this period, the Spanish Armies under General Blake, near Bilboa on the left, General Castanos in the centre, and General Palafox lower down the Ebro on the right, had been completely defeated. Lieut.-General Sir John Moore consequently made arrangements for a retreat on Portugal by Ciudad Rodrigo; but it having been represented to him that Madrid held out against the French, he was induced to effect a junction with Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, in order to make a diversion in favour of Madrid, by attacking Marshal Soult on the River Carion.

The British force, twenty-nine thousand strong, joined at Toro on the 21st of December, and on the 23rd of that month Sir John Moore advanced with the whole army. The cavalry had already met with that of the enemy, and the infantry was within two hours’ march of him, when an intercepted letter informed the British Commander that Napoleon, who had entered Madrid on the 4th of December, was then in full march for Salamanca and Benevente. A retreat on Corunna, through Gallicia, was immediately decided on, that through Portugal being then impracticable.

Accordingly the several divisions marched towards the Esla, the greater part crossing by the bridge of Benevente. On the 26th of December, after a day’s halt, the cavalry under Lieut.-General Lord Paget and Brigadier-General the Honourable Charles Stewart had an engagement with some of the Imperial Guards that had forded the River Esla under General Le Févre, who was made prisoner, with several of his men.

At this period the situation of the British Army was dispiriting in the extreme. In the midst of winter, in a dreary and desolate country, the soldiers chilled and drenched with the heavy rains, and wearied by long and rapid marches, were almost destitute of fuel to cook their victuals, and it was with extreme difficulty that they could procure shelter. Provisions were scarce, irregularly issued, and difficult of attainment. The waggons, in which were their magazines, baggage and stores, were often deserted in the night by the Spanish drivers, who were terrified by the approach of the French. Thus baggage, ammunition, stores, and even money were destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy; and the weak, the sick, and the wounded were necessarily left behind. The Seventy-first suffered in proportion with the rest, and by weakness, sickness, and fatigue lost about 93 men.

On the 5th of January, 1809, a position was taken up at Lugo, where some skirmishing occurred, in which three companies of the Seventy-first were engaged, and repulsed the enemy.

Lieut.-General Francis Dundas was appointed from the Ninety-fourth Regiment to be Colonel of the Seventy-first on the 7th of January, 1809, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir John Francis Cradock, K.B., removed to the Forty-third Regiment.

The retreat was again commenced on the 9th of January, and on the 11th the army, still nearly fifteen thousand strong, reached Corunna. The British Army, having accomplished one of the most celebrated retreats recorded in modern history, repulsing the pursuing enemy in all his attacks, and having traversed two hundred and fifty miles of mountainous country, accompanied by severe privation, was not destined to embark for England without a battle.

The transports not having arrived, a position was occupied in advance of Corunna, and some sharp skirmishing ensued, in which four companies of the Seventy-first were warmly engaged, and lost several men in killed and wounded. Lieutenant William Lockwood was severely wounded. On this ground the battle of Corunna was fought on the 16th of January; but the Seventy-first being placed on the extreme left of the British line, had little part in it. The result of the action was glorious to the British Army, but was darkened by the loss of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, who received a severe wound during the battle, and died at ten o’clock on the same night. His remains were wrapped in a military cloak, and interred in the Citadel of Corunna, over which Marshal Soult, with the true feeling of a soldier, erected a monument.

Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, who succeeded to the command upon Sir John Moore being wounded, was also wounded, and the command devolved upon Lieut.-General the Honourable John Hope.

At eight o’clock on the night of the 16th of January the troops quitted their position, leaving the pickets posted and a few men to keep up the fires, and then marched into Corunna, where they embarked for England on the following day.

In commemoration of this battle, and of the conduct of the battalion during the expedition, the Seventy-first, in common with the army employed under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, received the royal authority to bear the word “Corunna” on the regimental colour and appointments.

The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were conferred on the troops, and were communicated to Lieut.-Colonel Pack by Lieut.-General Sir David Baird in the following letter:—

After the battalion had landed at Ramsgate it was marched to Ashford, in Kent, where it continued for some time collecting the men, who, from contrary winds, were driven into different ports.

While at Ashford the battalion was brigaded with the Warwick Militia and the Ninety-first Regiment, under Brigadier-General the Baron de Rottenburg. Great sickness prevailed at this station, and Surgeon James Evans and several of the soldiers died of typhus fever.

On the 20th of March, 1809, the Royal authority was granted for the Seventy-first to be formed into a light infantry regiment, since which time it has been distinguished as the Highland Light Infantry.

The first battalion marched on the 27th of April, 1809, for Brabourne-Lees Barracks, and was brigaded with the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry Regiments. Every exertion was here made to increase the strength and improve the discipline of the corps. In June the first battalion was increased by a large reinforcement, consisting of several officers and 311 non-commissioned officers and privates from the second battalion, which continued to be stationed in North Britain. Several volunteers from the militia were also received at this period.

Immense preparations had been made by the British Government to fit out the most formidable armament that had for a long time proceeded from England. The troops, amounting to 40,000 men, were commanded by Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham. The naval portion consisted of 39 ships of the line, 35 frigates, and numerous gunboats, bomb-vessels, and other small craft, under Admiral Sir Richard Strachan. The object of the expedition was to obtain possession of the islands at the mouth of the Scheldt and to destroy the French ships in that river, with the docks and arsenals at Antwerp. The first battalion of the Seventy-first, towards the end of June, received orders to prepare for the above service, and marched on the 28th and 29th of that month in two divisions, encamping near Gosport.

On the 16th of July the battalion, consisting of 3 field officers, 6 captains, 27 subalterns, 5 staff, 48 sergeants, and 974 drummers and rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth on board His Majesty’s ships Belleisle and Impérieuse, and towards the end of the month sailed for the Downs.

The battalion was brigaded, under Brigadier-General the Baron de Rottenburg, with the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry, in the division commanded by Lieut.-General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser, and in the corps of Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B.

The expedition sailed from the Downs on the 28th of July, and having arrived off the Roompet Channel, preparations were made for landing; small craft to cover the landing were also sent in shore, and the light brigade, composed of the Sixty-eighth, Seventy-first, and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry, were landed under their fire. In an instant they were in contact with the enemy’s sharpshooters, who fell back, skirmishing. Being pushed hard, four guns, with their equipment and several prisoners, were taken by two companies of the Seventy-first, under Captains George Sutherland and Henry Hall, and one company of the Eighty-fifth.

A battery and flag-staff on the coast were taken possession of by the tenth company of the Seventy-first, and in lieu of a flag a soldier’s red jacket was hoisted on it.

This advance having succeeded at all points, and the enemy having fallen back on Flushing and Middleburg, the army was disembarked. The advance then dividing, proceeded by different routes. The Seventy-first moved by the sea dyke on a fort called Ter Veer, the situation and strength of which was not sufficiently known, an enemy’s deserter having given but imperfect intelligence respecting it.

After nightfall the column continued to advance in perfect silence, with orders to attack the post with the bayonet, when, on a sudden the advance-guard fell in with an enemy’s party, who came out for the purpose of firing some houses which overlooked the works. The column following the advance-guard had entered an avenue or road leading to the fort, when the advance commenced the action with the enemy, who, retiring within the place, opened a tremendous fire from his works with artillery and musketry. Some guns pointing down the road by which the battalion advanced did great execution, and the Seventy-first had Surgeon Charles Henry Quin killed, and about 18 men killed and wounded. The column, after some firing retired, and the place was the next day regularly invested by sea and land. It took three days to reduce, when it capitulated, with its stores and a garrison of 800 men.

Flushing having been invested on the 1st of August, the Seventy-first, after the surrender of Ter Veer, were ordered into the line of circumvallation, and placed on the extreme left, resting on the Scheldt. The preparations for the attack on the town having been completed, on the 13th a dreadful fire was opened from the batteries and bomb-vessels, and congreve-rockets having been thrown into the town, it was on fire in many places. The ships having joined in the attack, the enemy’s fire slackened, and at length ceased. A summons being sent in, a delay was demanded, but, being rejected, the firing recommenced.

On the 14th of August one of the outworks was carried at the point of the bayonet by a party of detachments and two companies of the Seventy-first under Lieut.-Colonel Pack.

In this affair, Ensign Donald Sinclair of the Seventy-first was killed; Captain George Spottiswoode and a few men were wounded.

Flushing, with its garrison of 6,000 men, capitulated on the 15th of August, and the right gate was occupied by a detachment of 300 men of the First or Royal Scots, and the left gate by a detachment of similar strength of the Seventy-first under Major Arthur Jones. The naval arsenal and some vessels of war which were on the stocks, fell into the hands of the British.

The Seventy-first proceeded shortly afterwards to Middleburg, where the battalion remained for a few days, when it was ordered to occupy Ter Veer, of which place Lieut.-Colonel Pack was appointed Commandant, and Lieutenant Henry Clements, of the Seventy-first, Town Major. The battalion remained doing duty in the garrison until this island, after destroying the works, etc, was finally evacuated on the 22nd of December.

On the 23rd of December the battalion embarked in transports and sailed for England, after a service of five months in a very unhealthy climate, which cost the battalion the loss of the following officers and men:—

In passing Cadsand, that fort opened a fire on the transports, one of which, having part of the Seventy-first on board, was struck by a round shot which carried off Sergeant Steel’s legs above the knees.[7]

On the 25th of December the first battalion of the Seventy-first disembarked at Deal, and marched to Brabourne-Lees barracks, in Kent, where it was again brigaded with the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry, and was occupied in keeping itself in an efficient state for active service.

Upon the Seventy-first being made light infantry, they were permitted to retain such parts of the national dress as might not be inconsistent with their duties as a light corps. A correspondence on the subject took place as follows between Lieut.-Colonel Pack and the Adjutant-General in April, 1810:—