The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-14
Famous Black Watch Of Scot
land Arrives at Edinburgh.
AFTER 20 YEARS ABSENCE
Formed 10 1929 tho Royal HIghlandsrs
Haw Participated Ia All The Great Wars
Of tho British Empire.

watch. better known as the AID High
handlers. arrived in Edinburgh. Oct ~
from South Africa.
The regiment left Edinburgh in the
year iss2. to take part IN the Egyptian
campaign. The 42d Is our oldest klIted
regiment. and carries us back more than
17o years. We flnd that this distinguish
"a regiment was formed from six inde-
pendent companies, which were formed
dor service In Scotland IN l729
Each company had a commander, and
one OF these was Lord Lovat. Each com
pany was quite independent OF the other,
but all were dressed In the kilt, the tar
tan of which was dark. hence the Gaelic
name. Am Freiceadan Dubah," or
'Black Watch" This was In contrast to
the Red Soldiers"
These companies performed their duties
90 we'll that In 1889 the then government
formed them into a regiment, under the
command OF John, Earl of Crawford. and
gave the new regiment the number of
tsd. In the year 1747 the number was
changed TO that of AID. by which their
title they have been known ever
since. Soon after their embodiment
there was a desire on the part
OF the king TO see the corps of
which so much had been heard: so, in
the year 174a the Highlanders marched
from Perth 20 London, and encamped on
Finchley common. Their general APP
pearance created a great sensation in
London. but the men OF the regiment
heard with some misgivings that the king
had left for the continent, and they were
TO be sent to Flanders.
This was TO them breach OF faith,
and. as a consequence nearly 200 OF the
rank and file turned their faces to Scot
In und xrll laa ma haA Lar
Gravesend. The absentees were pursued
land brought back to London, where three
OF their number were shot on Tower Hill,
and the others transported. The service
companies shared in the battle OF Fonre-
noy, where they manifested great cour-
age.
MUCH SEVERE FIGHTING.
The year l75s saw the 42d embark to
spot where they shared in much severe
hghting--under the leadership OF General
Abercromby. We find, for instance, at
the attack on Ticonderago, In July, 175S.
20 desperate was the attack on this
stronghold that the Highlanders tried to
climb the breastworks by standing on one
another's shoulders, and when ordered
20 fall back. they as a regiment had lost
15 officers and e22 men killed and
wounded.
Their conduct was so admired that the
Royal Highlanders." The following year
found them engaged at the capture OF
Martinique and Guadaloupe. after which
they returned 20 America and saw hard
nghtirg against the North American
Indians. particularly at the battle OF
"Bushey Run" Yet none OF these bat
sles are borne on their standards.
In 1867. the 42d was quartered in Ire
land, where they served for eight years.
Returning to Scotland. they embarked
soon after for North America, where
many years OF hard campaigning fell 20
their lot. In 1856. their present I'd Bat
TALON was embodied. and numbered the
7sd. which was re-linked In 1881 In 1isa,
xhe AID landed at Portsmouth, and
marched for Glasgow via Berwick. Seven
years afterwards the service companies
were employed in Holland. where. In
January, 1875, the 42d won the RED
Heckie." which has ever since been
distinctive badge.
The campaign In Egypt in 1901 found
che l2d Royal Highlanders under Sir
Ralph Abercromby where they added
fresh iaurels 70 their history. particularly
at the battle OF Alexandria. Here tney
were engaged in desperate melee with
fhe French 1nvincibles," on which oc-
casion Major Stirling captured their regi-
mental standard.
The loss In the ranks OF the Royal
Highlandars was heavy. having durng
ahe campaign lost upwards of 700 khIed
and wounded. After few years rest
the regiment was serving under Sir Jonn
Moore at Corunna, where officers and
men were conspicuous for zeal and devo-
tion. Moore more than once expressed
Die admiration OF the courage OF the
Royal Highlanders. whose list OF casual
dies was 2ib men killed and wounded
Sharing in the fatal expedition 10 Wal
thAir nnrnhQra radfCQI hN
fever from 900 70 2N men At for duty.
IN THE PENINSULA.
r After three years OF home service they
embarked for the Mediterranean, after
wards Joining Wellington in the Peninsu-
%, and took part In most OF the battles up
Till waterloo The t2d was qtattered in
Brussels when the pibroch called them
10 arms. II Is told in the regimental rec
ords how the inhabitants could not but
admire the military bearing as the 42d
and ga marched through their streets 10
meet the French at "Quatre Bras"
Their loss in this campaign was over
200 In killed and wounded. After Water
Zoo the 42d spent the most OF their service
IN the West Indies and Mediterranean
stations. arriving In Scotland In 1852
Their next operations come within pre-
eent-day recollection.
As the senior corps the Royal High
landers. under, Sir Colin Campbell, led
by the advance UP the slopes OF the Alma
on 10th September. 1854. The old briga-
dier became very proud OF the Highland
brigade. The regiment shared. in the
outy In tho trenches before sebsstopoi,
and formed part OF the expedition 20
Kertch Returning 10 Dover In lS56. their
esrrisd ranks were hardly filled I'D when
Che chorus embarked az Portsmouth for
India In 1857.
Landing IN Calcutta IN October they
formed part OF the army under Sir Colin,
pnd shared In the decisive battle OF
Cawnpore. the siege and capture OF
lucknow. engagements at Bsreiliy, uur
assault on Fort Rhypa. On New Years
Day, 1851. Sir Hugh Rose presented new
colours 10 the t2d and mentioned how, In
January. 1859, No. 8 company. under
Captain Lawson. kept 1000 OF the enemy
at bay for II hours.
After II years service IN India tha
Royal Highlandsrs returned 20 Scotland
Tor q few months. thence going 20 Alder
khot
the expedition 10 the Gold Coast in
IG< found the tzd under Sir Garnet
E1lfeley. After the advance TO coomas-
- began the native portsrs deserted
~.