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)
After the battle of the Nivelle, the battalion marched in the
direction of Cambo, on the Nive, where some smart skirmishing
occurred, in which two men were killed, and four serjeants, one
bugler, and forty-one rank and file wounded. When the French
crossed to the right bank, the SEVENTY-FIRST occupied part of the
town of Cambo.
The battalion remained in Cambo for nearly a month, and was here
joined by a detachment of four serjeants and eighty-two rank and
file, under the command of Lieutenant Charles Henderson, from the
second battalion, at this period stationed at Glasgow.
On the 9th of December the first battalion was engaged in the
passage of the _Nive_. The left wing of the SEVENTY-FIRST entered
the river, supported by the fire of the right, and reached the
opposite bank without experiencing any loss.
The enemy now retired within Bayonne, and the corps of
Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill was established with its right on
the Adour, the left above the Nive, and the centre at _St. Pierre_,
across the high road to St. Jean Pied-de-Port.
In this disposition the second division, of which the SEVENTY-FIRST
formed part, was placed at St. Pierre. Marshal Soult having
completely failed in an attempt which he made against the left of
the army, moved with his whole force against Sir Rowland Hill’s
corps, with the expectation of overwhelming him before he could be
supported.
The enemy came on with great boldness upon the 13th of December,
and made vigorous efforts against the centre, which he repeatedly
attacked; but at last, finding his most earnest endeavours
fruitless, he drew off. In the action of this day the loss of the
first battalion of the SEVENTY-FIRST regiment was very severe,
having been placed close to the main road, against which the French
made such formidable and repeated attacks.
Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell Mackenzie, and Lieutenants William
Campbell and Charles Henderson, together with two serjeants, one
bugler, and twenty-three rank and file were killed. Captains Robert
Barclay and William Alexander Grant, and Lieutenants John M^cIntyre
and William Torriano, with thirty-seven rank and file, were wounded.
The following short but highly expressive Division Order was issued
by Lieutenant General the Honorable Sir William Stewart, K.B.:
“_Head-Quarters, near Petite Moguerre,_
“_December 14th, 1813._
“The second division has greatly distinguished itself, and its
gallantry in yesterday’s action is avowed by the Commander of the
Forces and the allied army.”
In commemoration of these services, the SEVENTY-FIRST subsequently
received the Royal authority to bear the word “NIVE” on the
regimental colour and appointments.
The battalion marched on the 19th of December to Urcuit, and to Urt
upon the 28th of that month. A small piquet of the SEVENTY-FIRST,
under the command of Corporal Dogherty, here distinguished itself,
by beating off an enemy’s party of nearly treble its strength.
[Sidenote: 1814.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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