76TH HIGHLANDERS.

Skye and North and South Uist, to Inverness, to be enrolled and serve as soldiers in the 76th Regiment. The men on their arrival were attested by a justice of the peace, and received his Majesty's bounty of five guineas. By these means the ranks were soon filled up, and although they contained about 100 Irish and nearly double that number of Lowlanders, in addition to the fine-looking, healthy young Highlanders from Lord Macdonald's estate, yet the regiment had as great a proportion of the natives of the mountains as most others denominated Highland corps. John Macdonnell of Lochgarie, then serving as major in the 71st, or Fraser Highlanders in America, was promoted to be lieutenantcolonel-commandant, and Captain Donaldson, from the 42d, or Royal Highland Regiment, to be first major. The lieutenant-colonel being taken prisoner while returning to Europe, the command devolved on Major Donaldson, a most intelligent, excellent officer, who had served a long time in the 42d, was perfectly acquainted with the character of the Highlanders, and spoke the Gaelic language most fluently. Under this officer the regiment was formed, and a code of regimental regulations established for the conduct of both officers and men, which tended greatly to keep up that regularity and good conduct for which the regiment was remarkable during the whole period of its existence.

The corporation of the City of Edinburgh having

made an offer to Government of raising a regiment for his Majesty's service, it was accepted, and the 80th or Royal Edinburgh Regiment was raised under the patronage of the magistracy of the city. It consisted of 1000 Scotch Lowlanders, divided into ten companies, with the usual proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers. Most of the officers were recommended by the magistrates, but each officer was obliged to furnish his quota of men, and through their own activity and the influence of the corporation, recruiting went briskly on, and the ranks were filled, or nearly so, in a very short time. Sir William Erskine, then serving in America, was appointed colonel-commandant, and LieutenantColonel Thomas Dundas lieutenant-colonel, and Captain James Gordon first major. The headquarters were at Edinburgh, or in its neighbourhood, in the low country. The regiment being formed under the orders of so excellent a lieutenant-colonel, assisted by captains, most of whom were serving in regiments of the line when promoted, soon began to assume a good military appear

ance.

The 76th Regiment soon after its formation was sent into Fort-George, a most convenient quarter for the perfecting of a newly-raised corps. It so happened that few of the non-commissioned officers who understood the drill were acquainted with the Gaelic language, and as all words of command are given in English, the major

76TH HIGHLANDERS.

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directed that neither officer nor non-commissioned officer ignorant of the former language should endeavour to learn it. The consequence was that the Highlanders were behindhand in being drilled, as they had, in addition to their other duties, to acquire the knowledge of a new language. The first duties performed by the regiment were therefore done by the lowland and Irish recruits, but very great anxiety and zeal were shewn by the Highlanders, and uncommon pains were taken by the major to explain to them the articles of war, and the nature of the duties required of them in Gaelic; and they very soon became fit for the performance of their duties, and evinced a natural talent for the profession of a soldier. So exact were they in the discharge of their duties, that, upon one occasion, Colonel Campbell, the lieutenant-governor, was seized and made prisoner by the sentry posted at his own door, because the man conceived a trespass had been committed on his post, nor would the sentinel release the colonel until the arrival of the corporal of the guard.

Fish was plentiful at times in this quarter, but the major found it necessary that the soldier should have a certain allowance of meat also, to enable him to undergo the fatigues of the drills, which were incessant, and for this purpose he made a contract for sheep, directing that a certain quantity of mutton should be distributed to each mess on particular days. The Highlanders did

not approve of this, as a certain moiety of their pay was stopped for payment, and, for the first time, some murmuring began. The officers' commissions having all arrived, and the colonel's being unfurled, the major harangued the regiment in Gaelic, explaining to them the powers of the commanding officer in this and other respects, and calling upon any of the men who still refused to eat mutton, to come forward and say so. One unfortunate did so, whom the major ordered to be tried by a drum-head court-martial summoned on the spot. The man was found guilty, and sentenced to receive corporal punishment, which was immediately inflicted; that done, the major next inquired of the whole corps whether any of them still objected to mutton, an inquiry which was listened to in silence, and never afterwards were any complaints heard from them on that subject. The regiment having remained some time in this quarter several companies were detached to the sea coast of the Moray Firth, and in the end of the year the headquarters were removed to Aberdeen. In February 1779 they moved to Perth, and early in March, the regiment being assembled at that place, was reviewed and inspected by a general officer, and reported fit for service.

The 80th Regiment had also been detached to the coast of the Firth of Forth during the winter, but being assembled, and inspected, and reviewed by a general officer, was reported fit for service. The two regiments

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were embarked on board transports, the one on the north, and the other on the south side of the Firth, on the 17th March 1779. Major Donaldson's health not permitting him to go abroad, the 76th were therefore commanded by Lord Berriedale, second major, but Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas commanded the troops. The fleet sailed for Portsmouth, and in a short time anchored at Spithead. While waiting there for the assembling of a fleet with reinforcements of men and stores for the army in North America, an order was received for the two regiments to set sail for the Island of Jersey, the enemy having made an attempt on that place. Being then one of the captains of the 76th Regiment, and having the command of the Apollo transport, with about 200 men on board, mostly Highlanders, I was summoned by signal on board the ship of the commanding officer of the regiment to receive orders in case of disembarkation. I was told that the soldiers were to land with the musket and bayonet, only leaving behind the half basket-hilted sword, which formed part of their equipment; but this order was not to be communicated to the men until the signal for landing was actually made. Lord Berriedale also recommended to the officers to land in small clothes and boots, as it was probable the regiment might be obliged to lie out at night. Having returned to my transport, I communicated the major's suggestions to the officers respecting their dress,