SECTION XV..

Preparations of France-Situation of the Duke of York-Earl of Moira lands at Ostend-Marches to join the Duke of YorkSmart Skirmishing-Enemy's Works before Nimeguen carried— Succcession of Attacks by the French-Inclemency of the Season-Distresses of the British-Retreat-Inhumanity of the Dutch Boors-Reach Bremen-Hospitably received-Embark for England-Highlanders encamp at Danbury-Regiment in 1795 augmented to 1000 men-New Regulations-Effects of these on the promotion of Subalterns.

DURING the preceding spring, France had made prodigious preparations, having raised a force of more than 200,000 men, provided with every necessary accompaniment of artillery and stores; the whole to be employed in Flanders. This, with the partial defection of Prussia, after having accepted the British subsidies, placed the allied armies in a very critical situation, particularly that small part under the command of the Duke of York. The French Convention sent into Flanders their ablest generals, Pichegru, Moreau, and Jourdan, who, exasperated by their defeats at Cambray, Landrecy, Cateau, and Tournay, determined to bring forward the utmost extent of force that they could command. In consequence of these preparations, the original destination of the force under the Earl of Moira was changed to this great theatre of the war, and again sailed, on the 22d, for Ostend, and landed there on the 26th of June. The amount of this reinforcement was 7000 men, and consisted of the following corps, 19th, 27th, 28th, 40th, Royal Highlanders, 54th, 57th, 59th, 87th, and 88th regiments.

Lord Moira had now to decide on his future movements, whether he should remain in Ostend, and sustain a

siege from an enemy who had already occupied Ypres and Thoureut, and were ready to advance upon him, or force a march through the enemy, and join the Duke of York. To sustain a siege in Ostend, would have occupied a considerable portion of the enemy's troops, but it would have deprived his Royal Highness of a very necessary reinforcement, when opposed to so numerous a host as was now ready to attack him. It was, therefore, determined to march forward, and to embark all the stores from Ostend, along with the troops left to garrison the place. Both services were conducted with address and precision. The evacuation and embarkation were entrusted to Colonel Vyse, who had just embarked the last division, as the first of the enemy entered the town. The troops were stationed on the sand hills in the neighbourhood, and were ordered under arms in light marching order, the officers leaving all baggage behind, except what they carried on their backs. They moved off the ground on the evening of the 28th, and halting ten miles beyond the town, proceeded at midnight towards Ostaker, and reached Alost on the 3d of July. While in this place, about 400 of the enemy's cavalry dashed into the town, and, being mistaken for Hessians, were allowed to push forward unmolested to the market place. Colonel Doyle, who rode up to them, was wounded by a cut of a sabre, before the mistake was discovered. However, they

were soon driven back by the 8th light dragoons and the picquets. *

.*

On the 9th the troops marched by Warloo's camp, and joined the Duke of York's army at Malines. This was a fatiguing march, but it had been so well conducted, that the enemy, although in very superior numbers, under Ge

* A Highlander passing through the market-place with a basket on his head as the enemy rushed in, one of them made a cut at the hand which held the basket, and wounded him severely. However, he drew his bayonet with the other hand, and attacked the horseman, who made off. Macdonald carried home, his basket, murmuring, as he went along, that he had not a broadsword.

neral Vandamme, did not venture upon any attack except this dash into Alost. A succession of petty skirmishes occurred until the 20th, when Lord Moira resigned his command, and was succeeded by Lieutenant-General Ralph Abercromby.

The brigades of the army were changed on the 31st of August, and the third brigade, in which were the Highlanders, with the guards, formed the reserve under the command of Lieutenant-General Abercromby.

The enemy having obtained possession of Boxtel on the 14th of September, General Abercromby, with the reserve, was ordered to force them from this position. The third brigade, now under the command of the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Wellesley of the 33d regiment, marched, at four in the morning of the 15th, and joined the brigade of guards. When they approached Boxtel, the enemy were discovered to be in too great force to be attacked with any prospect of success. Various movements took place till the 6th of October, when the army crossed the Waal at Nimeguen. In this position, there were several smart engagements till the morning of the 20th, when the enemy made a general attack on all the advanced posts of the army. The whole were defended, and the enemy repulsed with great gallantry; but the 37th regiment, mistaking a party of the enemy for Rhoan's hussars, allowed them to advance too close. In consequence of this mistake, that gallant regiment sustained a severe loss in officers and men. * On the 27th and 28th, the enemy renewed their attacks on the outposts. In that on Fort St André, Lieutenant-General Abercromby was wounded. By a continuation of this system of incessant attack, the outposts were all driven in, and the enemy, having established themselves in front of Nimeguen, began to erect batteries,

* The enemy, on many occasions, took advantage of the variety of uniforms in the British army, and frequently dressed parties in a similar manner for the purpose of deceiving our troops,-an artifice which sometimes succeeded.

preparatory to a siege of the place. It was therefore resolved to attempt the destruction of these works, and, on 4th of November, the Honourable Lieutenant-General De Burgh, with the 8th, 27th, 28th, 55th, 63d, and 78th Highland regiment, supported by two battalions of Swiss in the Dutch service, and some regiments of dragoons, was ordered on this duty. The works were carried with all the gallantry to be expected from such troops. The enemy made a brave defence. The loss of the British was 1 serjeant, and 31 rank and file, killed, and 1 field officer, 5 captains, 5 subalterns, 10 serjeants, and 149 rank and file, wounded. As the enemy quickly repaired their batteries, and continued their approaches with fresh vigour, it was found necessary to evacuate the town.

After this evacuation, which took place on the 7th, the army was cantoned along the banks of the river, where they began to suffer much from the severity of the weather, and the want of necessaries, as the clothing for the year had not been received. So intense was the frost, that the enemy were enabled to cross the Waal on the ice, and, by availing themselves of their superior numbers, to commence active operations. As they threatened the towns of Culenberg and Gorcum, it was determined to compel them to repass the Waal. About 8000 British, among whom was the third brigade, marched against them on the 13th of December. The French were posted at Thuyl, the road to which was flanked by batteries planted in the Isle of Bommell, the place itself being surrounded with entrenchments. These obstacles were surmounted, and, notwithstanding their great superiority of numbers, the French were forced from all their posts, and obliged to re-cross the Waal, with the loss of a considerable number of men, and several pieces of cannon.

The loss of the British was comparatively trifling, being only 1 field officer, and 5 rank and file, killed, and 1 drummer, and 18 rank and file, wounded.

The enemy having again crossed the Waal on the 4th of

January 1795, and taken Thuyl, General Walmoden sent orders to Generals David Dundas and Dulwich, to collect their forces and drive them back. They were found, however, to be too strong; and, having advanced a considerable force, they attacked General Dundas at Gildermalsen, but were received with great firmness, and repulsed with the loss of 200 men. The British lost 3 privates killed, and 1 general officer, (Sir Robert Lawrie,) 2 captains, 1 subal-. tern, and 54 privates, wounded; the loss of the 42d being 1 private, killed, and Lieutenant Coll Lamont, and 7 privates, wounded. The severity of the weather, and the duties which pressed upon the troops, in consequence of the accumulated numbers, and successive reinforcements of the enemy, were such as few constitutions could withstand for any length of time. It was, therefore, determined to withdraw, and take up a more defensive position behind the Leck. During the preliminary movements in execution of this determination, the enemy advanced in considerable force, and on the 8th attacked the troops under Lord Cathcart. The attack was made, and received with such energy, that each party alternately attacked and was repulsed four times. successively, till at length the enemy were forced to give up the contest, and retreated with considerable loss.

On this occasion, the 14th and Enniskillen regiments particularly distinguished themselves, as did the 28th, which came up towards the latter part of the action, and decided the day. The loss was 3 subalterns, and 13 privates, killed, and 5 field officers, 2 captains, 1 subaltern, and 52 privates, wounded.

Having crossed the Waal on the 10th in great force, the enemy pressed forward on the British, now reduced by disease, and accumulated hardships; * and, on the 14th, Pichegru made a general attack along the whole line from Arn

* The most distressing of these was the state of the hospitals, of which it was observed, that whoever entered them never came out till carried to the grave; and when a man was sent to the hospital, his return was never expected.