Historical Record of the Seventy-first Regiment, Highland Light Infantry: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1777, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1852Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Seventy-first Regiment, Highland Light Infantry: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1777, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1852
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Regiment of Foot, 71st (Highland Light Infantry)
The French made a daring effort to retake their artillery, both
with cavalry and infantry; but the gallant conduct of the grenadier
company, and the advance of Major-General Ferguson’s brigade,
finally left the guns in the possession of those who had so
gallantly captured them.
George Clark, one of the pipers of the regiment, and afterwards
piper to the Highland Society of London, was wounded in
this action, and being unable to accompany his corps in the
advance against the enemy, put his pipes in order, and struck
up a favourite regimental air, to the great delight of his
comrades. This is the second instance in which the pipers of the
SEVENTY-FIRST have behaved with particular gallantry, and evinced
high feeling for the credit and honor of the corps.[23]
During the advance of the battalion, several prisoners were taken,
among whom was the French general, Brennier. Corporal John M^cKay,
of the SEVENTY-FIRST, who took him, was afterwards promoted to an
ensigncy in the Fourth West India Regiment.
The result of this battle was the total defeat of the enemy, who
subsequently retreated on Lisbon, with the loss of twenty-one
pieces of cannon, twenty-three ammunition waggons, with powder,
shells, stores of all descriptions, and 20,000 rounds of musket
ammunition, together with a great many officers and soldiers
killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.
The conduct of the battalion, and of its commanding officer,
Lieut.-Colonel Pack, was noticed in the public despatches, and the
thanks of both Houses of Parliament were conferred on the troops.
The following officers of the SEVENTY-FIRST were wounded in the
battle of _Vimiera_: Captains Arthur Jones and Maxwell Mackenzie;
Lieutenants John Pratt, William Hartley, Augustus M^cIntyre, and
Ralph Dudgeon; Ensign James Campbell, and Acting Adjutant R.
M^cAlpin.
The SEVENTY-FIRST subsequently received the royal authority to bear
the word “_Vimiera_” on the regimental colour and appointments, in
commemoration of this battle.
The “_Convention of Cintra_” was the result of this victory, and
it was signed on the 30th of August. By its provisions the French
army evacuated Portugal, which country became freed from its
oppressors.
The British army was ordered to move forward to Lisbon, some of the
reinforcements for it having preceded it by water, and occupied the
forts at the mouth of the Tagus. The French army having by this
convention fallen back on Lisbon, the British proceeded to the
vicinity of Fort St. Julien, and encamped.
All the objects of the expedition being carried into effect,
and the French troops embarked for France, the British army
remained for some time at Lisbon and its vicinity. At this period
(September) Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, having assumed the
command, made dispositions for entering Spain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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