The National tribune., 1899-11-09
THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS|
Famous BattaIiOn's sGlorious Record
in War.

The reports from the seat of war in South
Africa show that the Gordon HighlandcrS
the 1st battalion of the 18th regiment, the
men whose dash and bravery have made
them conspicuous in many campaigns. have
again disregarded danger and added more
glory to their brilliant record. In the en-
gagement before Glencoe they advanced
with ringing, rousing cheers. and. ac-
cording to the accounts received from
there, fell like an avalanche against the
enemy and swept over the kopjes. bayonet-
ing the broken enemy in all directions.
1t is less than two years since the Cor
don Highlanders made a military sensa-
ton, and the story of the Storming of Dargai
Ridge will never be told without reference
10 the heroism of the Highlanders. 1t was
in this engagement that. when ordered
10 the front by Gen. Kempstor. Col. Matthias
rapidly formed his men, and said:
Men of the Gordon Highlanders, Our
General says that the position must he
taken at all costs. The Gordon High
landers will take iti''
The officers sprang into the open, the
Ipipers struck up Cock of the North" and
with a shout the leading company of the
killed men were in the fire zone.
Among the first to show the way across
the deady strip of ground which was being
churned by the bullets of the enemy was
Piper Findlater, animating his comrades
with the stirring, familiar strains, and
Cock of the North" could be heard above
the rattle of the musketry until Il shot
through both legs laid him low. Even
then the piper would not give up. but.
propped against a bowlder, he continued
to play.
At one time it seemed that the Gordon
HighlanderS would be aunihilated, but
men sprang into the depleted ranks, and
with a cheer the mixed troops, led by the
HighlanderS, streamed on, and the enemy
seeing that their barriers had been swept
away left their rock batteries and fled.
But il was a bloody victory and the Cor
don Highlanders suffered most.
The origin of the organization has been
traced to the Duke of Gordon, who, with
the assistance of his mother. raised the
regiment in 1894. The Duchess rode over
the lands of her possessions, dressed in
striking Highland costume, and called
upon the young men to enlist. She went
10 the County fairs, and, according 10 an
account of the organization, she placed
the Queens shilling between her lips,
inviting the 'gallants' to advance"
They helped to quell the rebellion in
Ireland, and then they were sent to Holland,
there that the GOrdons conquered Egg
mont-op-Zee, and won battle i'll which
both sides used only the bayOnet.
They were praised repeatedly by Wei
lington, and their colors bear the names of
! nearly all the Pennsular battles. AT
tDTuillld Slh bDTbOH f1lBHidilItTS carried
Sir John Moore off the field and the Off
GERS of the regiment wear black cord on
the collars of their tunics TO this day III
memory of that fatal field.
At Waterloo they We're in great measure
responsible for the defeat of the French.
The Highlandcrs were cut down to 200
men by the murderous fire, but they charg-
ed in their old style French column of
more than 1000 men. AS they broke into
it the Scots Grays. famous Scottish
cavalry regiment, dashed up to their sup
port. The Gordong graspcd the names
and the stirrups Of the charging cavalry
and were dragged into the midst Of their
enemies, shouting the cry. Scotland for
evcr!" and by this charge the French col
umn was broken up and scattered.
In numerous campaigns since then they
have distinguished themselves.
In 1881 the regiment lost many mem
bers on Majuba Hill, and after that the
Gordons became the 1st battalion OF the
18th regiment.
The 75th regiment was raised originally
in 1877 as the 18th Stirlingshire regiment
of Highlanders. They, too, have a mag
nificent record, having served in every
part Of the Empire. In the Indian mutiny
three of their members gained the Victoria
Cross. and before Delhi, so great was the
slaughter that the 75th was led to the
assault by a Sergeant and Corporal.