In such exercises Wauchope was an adept. In military science he made it a point to be thoroughly conversant not only with the details of drill, but in general strategy, to be able to grip a given situation with comprehensive tact. A born soldier, he instinctively realised what was the right thing to do and the right time to attempt it. Nor was he the man to ask his men to do anything that he would not himself do, or take a part in. When in Edinburgh Castle it was his habit, in order to keep the regiment up to the fighting standard of physical endurance, to march them out a nine or ten miles round of country, and that in all sorts of weather; sunshine or rain apparently made no difference. Frequently have we seen him swinging along at the head of his men, sometimes on horseback, but more often on foot, over roads inches deep with mud. Like most favourite officers, he had his pet name. As we have already said, the name by which he was familiarly known in the Black Watch was 'Red Mick.' One day the regiment had been ordered out for a march, and in passing a group of the men the Colonel happened to overhear one of them say, 'Red Mick will be going to ride to-day.' The regiment was in due time drawn up on parade, and addressed by their commander as to the order of march; then looking the man who had made the remark straight in the face, he finished up by saying, 'but to-day Red Mick will walk!' [Sidenote: Military life at York] While the regiment was in York, Wauchope took a deep interest in the benevolent institutions of the city, and specially in the Scotch community. He was the President of the St. Andrew's Society, which, through his active interest in its affairs, greatly increased in numbers and {143} influence. 'He always,' says one who knew him there, 'let it be known that he was a Scotsman, and was proud of his country. The stirring speeches that he made before the St. Andrew's Society are still remembered with delight; and as an evidence of the regard in which his memory is still held there, that Society is about to erect a tablet in the Presbyterian church to the memory of the officers and men of the Black Watch who have since fallen in battle.'