History of the Scottish Regiments in the British ArmyMurray, Archibald K.
History
History of the Scottish Regiments in the British Army
Murray, Archibald K.
Great Britain. Army -- History
Having acquired these public honours and Royal favours, the
Seventy-second was once more ordered to the Cape of Good Hope, to arrest
and punish the aggressions of the Kaffirs, who continued to prey upon
the industry of our colonists, and had become a hinderance, by the
terror they inspired, to the progress of the colony. At length the
expulsion from the colony of a vagrant chief, Macomo, who had abused the
British protection, stirred the animosity of earlier years, which,
encouraged by our lenity, unmasked itself in a desolating irruption,
especially evident in and around Graham’s Town, which fell an easy prey
to the rapacious fury of the enemy. To avenge the innocent blood thus
shed, and retaliate the ruin that had been entailed, the Seventy-second
advanced with other troops into Kaffirland, inflicting a severe but just
chastisement for the atrocities that had been committed; taking,
moreover, such pledges from the foe as it was fondly hoped should secure
protection and peace for the future. Having apparently subdued the
spirit of lawless aggression, and restored confidence in the colonists
by a residence of nearly ten years amongst them, the regiment returned
home, and landed at Plymouth in 1840.
Whilst stationed at Windsor in 1841, it was destined anew to receive a
signal mark of Royal favour—its new colours being presented by the Duke
of Wellington, in the quadrangle of the palace, and in presence of Her
Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, and the King of Prussia. In presenting
these colours, the Duke of Wellington thus addressed the soldiers:—
“I have long known the Seventy-second Highland Regiment. Half-a-century
has now nearly elapsed since I had the pleasure of serving in the same
army with them in the plains of Hindoostan; since that period they have
been engaged in the conquest of some of the most valuable colonies of
the British Crown; and latterly, in performing most distinguished
services at the Cape of Good Hope. Fourteen years out of the last
sixteen they have spent on Foreign service; and with only eighteen
months at home for their re-formation and their re-disciplining, appear
in their present high state of regularity and order.... I have made it
my business to inquire particularly, and am rejoiced to find that the
Seventy-second have always commanded that respect and regard, wherever
they have been stationed, to which their high state of discipline and
good order so justly entitle them. You will, I am sure, always recollect
the circumstances under which these colours are now given into your
charge; having been consecrated by one of the highest dignitaries of the
Church, in the presence of Her Majesty, who now looks down upon you, and
of her Royal Visitor; and I give them into your charge, confident that
at all times, under all circumstances, whether at home or abroad, and in
all privations, you will rally round them, and protect them to the
utmost of your power.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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