In the defence of Bergen-op-Zoom, two of the Scotch battalions, supported by a Dutch battalion of infantry, made a most determined stand, refusing for a long time to yield ground to the enemy, until superior numbers compelled them to retire. Some idea of the severity of the struggle may be formed from the fact that Colyear’s battalion, which had gone into action 660 strong, could only muster 156 men afterwards. It is thus described by an old writer:—“Overpowered by numbers, deserted, and alone, the Scotch assembled in the market-place and attacked the French with such vigour that they drove them from street to street, till fresh reinforcements pouring in compelled them to retreat in their turn, disputing every inch as they retired, and fighting till two-thirds of their number fell on the spot, valiantly bringing their colours with them, which the grenadiers twice recovered from the midst of the French at the point of the bayonet. ‘Gentlemen,’ said the conquering General to two officers who had been taken prisoners—Lieutenants Travers and Allan Maclean—‘had all conducted themselves as you and your brave corps have done, I should not now be master of Bergen-op-Zoom.’” Succeeding the sunshine of victory, there arose a cloud upon its history which we wish, for the credit of our Government, we could omit to record. Denied the privilege of further recruiting at home, the States of Holland insisted upon the admission of foreigners into its ranks, and thus to a great extent its Scottish character was destroyed. When war broke out and our country needed troops, our Scotsmen repeated the petition that their brigade should be recalled for the service of their own land. The request was refused, whilst regiments were raised in Scotland, and even German auxiliaries enrolled upon the British establishment, rather than do what appears only an act of justice to the soldiers of the Old Scots Brigade. As if further to exasperate the Scots, when war was declared between Britain and Holland, and our brigade thus placed in a cruel dilemma, unheeded, it was surrendered to the enemy, who, almost as prisoners of war, sent it to garrison distant fortresses on the inland frontier. At length recalled by George III. in 1793, it was, in 1795, sent to reinforce the garrison of Gibraltar, and in the following year was removed to the Cape of Good Hope. In 1798 it was transferred to India, where it shared with the Highland regiments the glory of “Seringapatam” in 1799, and the battle of “Argaum” in 1803; the former being afterwards authorised for the colours and appointments.