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the happiest cordiality subsisted between them. The ef fects of this good understanding were permanently felt. Of this several characteristic anecdotes have been communicated to me by old officers who had served in the regiment, and by others who visited Ireland at a subsequent period, and met with gratifying proofs of the favourable impression entertained in that country of the character of the 42d regiment. Perhaps the similarity of language, and the general and prevailing belief of the same origin, might have had some influence over the Irish and Highlanders. Upon the return of the regiment from America in 1767, many applications, founded on this favourable opinion, were made by towns and districts to get them stationed among them.

There were few courts-martial; and, for many years, no instance occurred of corporal punishment. If a soldier was brought to the halberts, he became degraded, and little more good was to be expected of him. After being publicly disgraced, he could no longer associate with his comrades; and, in several instances, the privates of a company have, from their pay, subscribed to procure the discharge of an obnoxious individual.

Great regularity was observed in the duties of publie worship. In the regimental orders, hours are fixed for morning prayers by the chaplain; and on Sundays, for Divine service, morning and evening. The greatest respect was observed towards the ministers of religion. When Dr Ferguson was chaplain of the corps, he held an equal, if not, in some respects, a greater, influence over the minds of the men than the commanding officer. The succeeding chaplain, Mr Maclaggan, preserved the same authority; and, while the soldiers looked up with reverence to these excellent men, the most beneficial effects were produced on their minds and

• These orders state, "Prayers to-morrow at nine o'clock-Prayers in the barracks on Tuesday at eight o'clock." It would appear that various causes interrupted the daily prayers; but by these orders it appears they were frequent.

conduct by the religious and moral duties which their chaplains inculcated.

While their religious and moral duties were under the guidance of Dr Ferguson, they were equally fortunate in having, as their military director, so excellent and judicious a man as the late Duke of Argyll, who commanded during the seven years they were stationed in Ireland, viz. from 1749 to 1755. Under such auspices and instructions, and with the honourable principles which generally guided the soldiers, the best result was to be anticipated; and it was not without reason that their countrymen of the North considered them as an honour to their districts, and held them up as an example to the rising generation.

Although the original members of the regiment had now almost disappeared, their habits and character were well sustained by their successors, to whom they were left, as it were, in charge. This expectation has been fulfilled through a long course of years and events. The first supply of recruits after the original formation was, in many instances, inferior to their predecessors in personal appearance, and in private station and family connections, but they lost nothing of that firm step, erect air, and freedom from awkward restraint, the consequence of a spirit of independence and self-respect, which distinguished their prede

cessors.

Such were the character and behaviour of this corps during the eight years of peace which succeeded the German war of 1740 and 1748. They were soon to be more actively employed in a distant part of the world.

• I have been told that many of the old soldiers were more anxious to conceal any little breach of moral conduct from the chaplain than from the commanding officer.

SECTION III.

OPERATIONS IN AMERICA.

Embark for New York, 1756-Louisburg, 1757-Ticonderoga, 1758-Louisburg, 1758-Fort Du Quesne, 1758 - West Indies, 1759-Guadaloupe, 1749.

In the year 1754 mutual encroachments on their respective territories in the western world led to hostilities between the English and the French in that quarter. Several skirmishes were fought on the frontiers. The first of these, in point of importance, was an attack on a post commanded by Major (afterwards the celebrated General) Washington, which the French claimed as within their territories. Washington, after a good defence, surrendered by capitulation. This affair, which gave the first proof of Washington's military talents, excited a considerable sensation in England; but nothing further was done, than to direct our ambassador to make a representation on the subject to the French Court. In this manner hostilities were continued for nearly two years, till at length, in May 1756, war was formally declared.

A body of troops, the Highlanders forming a part, were embarked under the command of Lieutenant-General James Abercromby, and landed at New York, in June 1756. These were soon followed by more troops, under the Earl of Loudon, who was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the army in North America. An active war was now expected; but much valuable time was wasted in holding councils of war, in making preparations, and in accustoming the troops to what were called the usages of war. The general was so occupied with schemes for improving the condition. of his troops, that he seemed to have no time for employ

ing them against the enemy, and allowed a whole season to pass away without undertaking a single enterprise. In the meantime, the Marquis de Montcalm, the commander of the French army, carried on, with great activity, an irregular warfare, by skirmishes and detached incursions, exceedingly distressing to the inhabitants, and destructive to the British troops.

The Forts of Ontario, Oswego, Granville, &c. fell in succession. Oswego, under the command of Colonel Mercer, held out for two days, when he was killed. The death of their brave commander so dispirited the garrison that they surrendered immediately. By the terms of capitulation, it was agreed that the troops should be protected from plunder, and conducted safely as prisoners to Montreal. These terms were most scandalously violated. The troops were robbed and insulted by the Indians, and several were shot as they stood defenceless on the parade; and, to crown all, Montcalm gave up twenty of the men to the Indians to be sacrificed by them to the manes of their countrymen who had fallen in battle. Montcalm attempted to exonerate himself from the reproach of such inhuman conduct, by alleg ing that the British soldiers gave spirits to the Indians, and that, in their intoxication, these excesses were committed; though he did not explain how his prisoners came to have spirits at their disposal.

Some time previous to this, several changes and promotions took place in the 42d regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell (the late Duke of Argyll) was promoted to the command of the 54th regiment, and was succeeded by Major Grant; Captain Duncan Campbell of Inveraw was advanced to the majority; Thomas Græme of Duchray, James Abercromby, son of General Abercromby of Glassa, and John Campbell of Strachur, were appointed captains; Lieutenant

• When the men understood that there was to be a vacancy in the regiment, by the promotion of Colonel Campbell, they came forward with a sum of money, subscribed among themselves, to purchase the Lieutenant-Colonelcy for Major Grant; but the promotion going in the regiment without purchase, the money was not required.

John Campbell, captain-lieutenant; Ensigns Kenneth Tolme, James Grant, John Græme, brother of Duchray, Hugh McPherson, Alexander Turnbull of Stracathro, and Alexander Campbell, were appointed lieutenants; and from the half-pay list were taken, Lieutenants Alexander McIntosh, James Gray, William Baillie, Hugh Arnot, William Sutherland, John Small, and Archibald Campbell; the ensigns were, James Campbell, Archibald Lamont, Duncan Campbell, George M Lagan, Patrick Balneaves, son of Edradour, Patrick Stewart, son of Bonskeid, Norman McLeod, George Campbell, and Donald Campbell.

Previous to the departure of the regiment from Ireland, officers with parties had been sent to Scotland to recruit. So successful were these, that in the month of June, seven hundred recruits were embarked at Greenock for America. When the Highland regiments landed on that continent, their garb and appearance attracted much notice. The Indians, in particular, were delighted to see a European regiment in a dress so similar to their own.

During the whole of 1756 the regiment remained in Albany inactive. During the winter and spring of 1757, they were drilled and disciplined for bush-fighting and sharpshooting, a species of warfare for which they were well fitted, being in general good marksmen, and expert in the management of their arms. Their ardour and impatience, however, often hurried them from their cover when they ought to have remained concealed.

In the beginning of summer, a plan was laid for an attack on Louisburg. In the month of June, Lord Loudon embarked, with Major-General Abercromby and the 22d, 42d, 44th, 48th, 2d and 4th battalions of the 60th, together with 600 Rangers, making in all 5300 men. Proceeding to

• A gentlemen in New York wrote, that," when the Highlanders landed, they were caressed by all ranks and orders of men, but more particularly by the Indians. On the march to Albany, the Indians flocked from all quarters to see the strangers, who, they believed, were of the same extraction as themselves, and therefore received them as brothers."

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