Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 6, 1898

58
THE CELIIC MONTHLY.
full grtlloj) bore down upon these live battalions
:ini:l trampled tliera under foot.
Thtt French cavalry now penetrated to Cum-
berland's centre, and defeat became imminent.
The Dutch cavalry refused to i-ally. Saxe then
attacked the left with some of his reserves and
the Scots and Ii-ish brigades, " who fought like
devils, they neither gave nor took quarter.
Observing Cumberland to be extremely active in
defence of his position, they in a manner cut
down all before them, with a full resolution, it'
possible, to reach His Royal Highness, which
they certainly would have done had not Sir
John Ligonier observed the danger the Duke
was in and came to his re.scue." These infuriated
men vowed to get at him to take him prisoner
or slay him, in revenge for the horrid and wanton
cruelties he perpetrated at, and after, Culloden.
The gallant Ligonier advanced with the Scots
Greys, the Inniskillins, and three other regiments
of British dragoons. These gallant troopers
galloped forward, and instantly the first line of
their opponents was broken, then charging on,
speedily overthrew the second. The British
horsemen mingling fiercely with the French
cavalry used their broadswords with terrible
effect, but pursuing too far they received the
fire of a battalion of French infantry posted in
some low ground behind a hedge. 'J'he undaun-
ted dragoons instantly attacked and routed the
infantry, but being charged by a new line of
combatants they were forced to retreat, and
their brave commander was taken prisoner,
saving the Duke at the cost of his own liberty.
The British cavalry in this attack captured
several standards, but the enemy took many
men and horses. In an account of the battle,
written by an artillery otiicer, it is stated that
the Scots Greys and other dragoons gave the
French cavalry ''a prodigious stroke" and took
several standards, but the enemy by superior
numbers obliged them to retreat. "This day's
action is looked upon as most glorious on the
part of the allies who were engaged." In
another account " our cavalry, led by Sir John
Ligonier, charged the French with such success
that they overthrew all before them."
Here, as at Minden, Waterloo, and Balaclava,
the Scots Greys and the Inniskillins rode side
by side.
At last the infantry began to give way on all
hands, and the " hero of Culloden," defeated
here, as at Fontenoy, thought of making good
his retreat to Maestricht abuut 3 p.m. In the
"Memoirs of Cumberland," the loss sustained
by the French is given at 10/200 killed and
wounded, and of the allies at 6,000. The
British soldiers, infantry and cavalry, fought
splendidly, and were again the victims of
unskilful leading.
In the defence of Hulst, and Bergen-op-Zoom
iu North Brabant, the " Black Watch " and
Loudon Highlanders greatly distinguished them-
selves in the defence of tho.se fortresses. In
retiring from Hulst and embarking for South
Beveland 300 of the " Black Watch," the last
to embark, were attacked by a large body of the
enemy. The Highlanders, regardless of the
great superiority of the French, instantly
attacked them, and behaved with so such
bravery that they beat them ofl", though from
three to four times their number, killing many,
wounding more, and taking some prisoneis.
— {If<)(ine Ga:ette.)
A few days after the battle of Lafeldt, Bergen-
op-Zoom was besieged by Count Lowendahl with
2.5,000 French. The place was strongly forti-
fied, and having never been stormed was deemed
impregnable It was garrisoned by 3,000 men,
including the Loudon Highlanders and some
officers of the " Black Watch," who had volun-
teered with their Colonel, Lord John Murray,
to assist the garrison. After nearly three
months' siege it was taken by storm, after the
springing of 41 mines by the besiegers and 38
by the besieged, in one of the latter 700 French
were blown into the air. The Dutch commander,
a deaf old man, never anticipated an assault.
Obtaining possession of the ramparts the French
entered the streets of the town. They were met
by the Highlanders, who attacked them with
such impetuosity that the enemy were driven
from street to street and back to the ramparts,
until the French receiving large reinforcements,
compelled their opponents to give way, disputing
every inch of ground with desperate resolution
till two-thirds of their number were killed on
the spot, the remainder then abandoned the
town, carrying the old governor with them, and
joined Cumberland at Ruremonde.
A good story is told of the fidelity of a
Highland otticer's servant at this siege. A
party from the lines of the garrison was ordered
to attack and destroy a battery raised by the
French. Captain Fraser of Culduthel, an officer
of the "Black Watch," accompanied this party.
He ordered his servant to remain in liis quarters.
The night was pitch dark, and the party had
such difficulty in proceeding that they were
forced to halt for some time. As they moved
forward, Captain Fraser felt his path impeded,
and putting his hand down to discover the
cau.se, he caught hold of a plaid, and seized the
owner, who seemed to grovel on the ground.
He held the caitifl" with one hand, while with
the other he drew his dirk, when he heard the
imploring voice of his servant, who was his
foster-lirother,
" What the devil brought you here !" he asked.
"Just love of you, and care for you."