"Major-General Carmichael cannot refrain from expressing his regret on the departure of the ROYAL SCOTS. The honourable testimony from Governor Bentinck and the inhabitants of the good conduct of the regiment for nearly nine years corresponds with the opinion the Major-General has formed of their correct discipline and military order in all respects, which evince the incessant attention of Colonel Stewart and the officers of the corps. He sincerely wishes them every happiness, and looks forward with the pleasing hope of meeting the regiment on future service. (Signed) "A. STEWART, _Brigade-Major_." [116] "The ROYALS led the attack, on which occasion the distinguished gallantry of this corps was most conspicuous." "The ROYALS refused to give way in the least, until General Hay received orders, through General Oswald, from General Graham, to retire, it having been found that success was physically impracticable, as the defences round the breach were not destroyed; and, from the showers of musketry, grape, hand-grenades, shells, and large stones, with which the attacking column was assailed, it appears miraculous that any escaped."--_Extract from Sir T. Graham's despatch._ "The ROYAL REGIMENT proved, by the numbers left in the breach, that it would have been carried, had they not been opposed by real obstacles, which no human prowess could overcome."--_Extract from Division Orders._ [117] "Major-General Hay speaks most highly of the conspicuous gallantry of Colonel Barns in the successful assault of the coverlain, with the brave battalion of the ROYAL SCOTS. "Indeed I conceive our ultimate success depended upon the repeated attacks made by the ROYAL SCOTS."--_Sir Thomas Graham's despatch_. [118] Extract from General Orders. [119] The Americans were about 6000 strong, and the British only 1500: namely, ROYAL SCOTS, 500; 1st battalion King's Own, 480; 100th regiment, 450; one troop 19th Light Dragoons; and a proportion of artillery.--_London Gazette._ [120] The Americans were 5000 strong; the British were 2800.--_London Gazette._ [121] Lieut.-General Drummond's Despatch. [122] General Orders. [123] A stone was placed in the church at Montreal, Lower Canada, with the following inscription:-- "In memory of Lieut.-Colonel JOHN GORDON, commanding the 1st battalion Royal Scots Regiment of Foot, who departed this life on the 25th of September, 1814, in consequence of a wound received in action with the enemy in front of Fort Erie, on the 17th of the same month. "This slab is placed by the officers of the battalion, to commemorate their high esteem for him as a man, and their respect for his character as a soldier." [124] This valuable and gallant officer had served many years in the Royal Regiment, in which he had a son, Captain George Hay, killed at the battle of Vittoria.