(flotnell Inineraitg ICtbrarg 3tlfara, New ^Jnrlt BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF HENRY W. SAGE 1891 Cornell University Library DA 68.12.G74 Memoir of General Graham : 3 1924 027 998 065 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924027998065 MEMOIR GENEEAL GEAHAM NOTICES OF THE CAMPAIGNS IN WHICH HE WAS ENGAGED FROM 1779 TO 1801. EDITED BY HIS SON COLONEL JAMES J. GEAHAM, AITTHOK OF THE " ABT OF WAB. ' " Generous as brave — Affection, kindness, the sweet oflBces Of love and duty, were to liim as needful As his daily bread." Rogers. EDINBUEGH : PEIVATELT FEINTED BY E. & R CLAEK. 1862. H f\S\^o^lo^ PEEFACE. The circTimstances under which this volume has been brought into existence are briefly these. The manuscript which forms the nucleus appears to have been designed by the late General Graham with the twofold purpose of serving as a tribute to the memory of a very dear friend of his early life, Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, and of vindicating his friend's memory in connection with an expenditure of the public money, which Colonel Gordon, acting in his oflficial capacity, had very properly sanctioned, in order to obtain the release of Captain Asgill, but which the auditors of the public accounts, on some frivolous pretext, long hesitated to ratify. Whatever may have been the real object of General Graham in drawing up a narrative of ■VI PKEFACE. transactions during the last four years of the American war, the result is a sketch expressed in plain and homely language, but with all the truth and power of an original drawing. To read it is, to a certain extent, to realize the dire suspense of the young officers at Lancaster on the night pre- vious to their being assembled to cast lots for life or death. In deciding to put the General's manuscript in type, the editor felt the satisfaction of a person about to give effect to one of the last wishes of a revered parent. In the execution of this reso- lution he felt an irresistible desire to add to the narrative in his possession some account of his father's career subsequent to his captivity in America, that the monument about to be raised to the memory of Colonel Gordon might become a memorial also of the attached friend by whom it was first designed. The materials available for such a memoir being scanty, he has been obliged to confine himself to an outline of the services upon which the General was engaged, interspersed with a few personal recollections and letters calculated PREFACE. Vli to illustrate the General's history and private life. To the judgment which may be passed upon his undertaking the editor cannot feel iadifferent ; but he is more disposed to rely on the iadulgence of his readers than to add anything further with a view to modifying or influencuig their judg- ment. Having, in the course of his researches, felt the want of a more satisfactory account of the Duke of York's campaigns than any he has been able to meet with, he takes this opportunity of noticing that circumstance, as the campaigns of the British army from 1793 to 1795, although attended with less favourable results than other wars in which we have been since engaged, pre- sent many questions of considerable professional interest, which merit more attention than they seem to have hitherto received. The editor's task being now completed, he presents the book to those for whom it is specially intended — the friends and relatives of the late General Graham — ^in the hope that the old friends of the General may find in its pages some traces VIU PREFACE. of the amiable . cheerful companion of former days ; and that the descendants of the General may find in them an incitement to emidate his honourable ' career. London, 18th April 1862. CONTENTS. CHAPTEE I. Birth-place . . . Parents . . . Account of Paisley . . . Educa- tion... Entrance into tlie army . . . . CHAPTEE II. Account of the raising of the 76th Highlanders and 80th or Edinburgh regiment... Strictness of the Highlanders on duty...DislLke of the Highlanders to stoppages from their pay for messing... Court- martial... Embarkation for Jersey... Attachment of the Highlanders to national costume... Eetum to Spithead... Sail for America .... CHAPTEE IIL First acquaintance with Major Gordon. ..His family... Colonel Maitland, 71st regiment... Earl of Stirling crosses to Staten Island... General Knyphausen crosses into the Jersies and tries to draw Washing- ton from his position... Conspiracy at Charleston... Paoe CONTENTS. Page Gates moves into North Carolina... Battle of Cam- den . , . Daring conduct of Partizans . . . General Wayne attacks them... Soldiers make great progress in learning their duty... General Arnold and Major Andr^... General Leslie's expedition... Activity of Major Ferguson as a partizan... Takes post on King's mountain, is defeated, and killed. ..Lord CornwaUis retires to Winnsborough... American partizans... General Phillips sails for the Chesa- peake... Expedition under General Arnold... Sud- den attack on picquet... Sudden hreak up of a wedding party... Desultory warfare near Peters- burg . . . . . . . .17 CHAPTEE IV. Lord Corn walUs prepares to move from "Winnsborough... The Cowpens... Morgan pursued... Green's move- ments... Battle of Guilford... March to Cross Creek ...Second battle of Camden... Siege of ITinety-six raised by Lord Eawdon...Lord CornwaHis unites his forces with those lately commanded by General Phillips 38 CHAPTEE V. Major Gordon noticed by Lord Cornwallis. . .Picturesque bivouac... Action at James' city... York and Glou- cester occupied by Lord CornwaUis' army...Yigorous efforts to fortify the former... Americans reinforced by the arrival of French troops... Eapid progress made by the besiegers... Gallant sortie of the gar- rison under Colonel Abercromby... Surrender of York town . . .Arrangements with regard to prisoners ...Pohteness of the French officers . . .51 CONTENTS. XI CHAPTEE VI. Page Prisoners marcli into Virginia.,. Anecdote on march... AnriTe at Winchester... Complaint of insufficient accommodation... Letter in reply &om General Morgan, and anecdote of that officer... Irregular supply of rations... Eemove to Little York. ..Death of Lieutenant Cunningham . . . .66 CHAPTEE VIL Warfare between the American royalists and the re- publicans . . . Correspondence between General Wash- ington and Sir Henry CHnton and Sir Guy Carleton relative to the execution of Captain Huddy ...AH the British captains, prisoners of war, ordered to assemble at Lancaster. . .American General Hazan reads his order to select one of them as a victim for retaliation... Lots drawn for the unfortunate... Judicious and energetic measures taken by Major Gordon ........ 75 CHAPTEE VIIL Captain Asgill leaves Lancaster... Arrives at Phila- delphia... Exertions of Major Gordon... His inter- view with the Erench ambassador and the members of Congress... Asgill at Philadelphia... Letter to Colonel Dayton... General Washington's orders... Further correspondence. ..Escape of AsgiU planned ...Letters from Washington to Asgill... AsgUl's release... Letter from Count de Vergennes...Lady AsgiU's letter to Count de Vergennes...Asgill's return to England ...... 90 XU CONTENTS. CHAPTEE IX. Paok Major Gordon's return to Lancaster... His promotion... Description of Morris' house and surrounding scenery... Death of Colonel Gordon. ..Copy of Lady AsgiU's letter to Colonel Gordon delivered to General Graham on his death bed . . .104 CHAPTEE X. Anecdotes... Old Highland customs... "War with France ...Error committed in undertaking the siege of Dunkirk... Eehef of Meuport . . . .110 CHAPTEE XL Campaign in Holland... Alison's inaccuracy with regard to the movements of Lord Moira's corps... Lord Moira's stratagem... The hardships suffered by his troops... General orders, etc.... Plundering... Eules to be observed on a halt... Communications to be made on front and ilanks... Marauding... Order of march... Cutting down forage... EoU calls and patrols to prevent plundering... Bad bread to be exchanged... Eeturns for bread and forage...Ee- moval of nuisances about camp... Quarter-master's returns. ..Bat horses... Eeturns for wood, straw, btit and forage, money and ammunition... Drivers for the ordnance... Keeping up communications be- tween corps... Posts at Duffel.. Allotment of wag- gons, and weight to be carried, etc... Deputy- provost-marshal. ..Lord Moira's farewell order... Order of march 21st July... Directions for move- CONTENTS. xiii Page ment of outposts... No huts or straw to he set on fire. ..Order of march 22d July.. .Order of inarch 23d July... Sentries over weEs, and safeguards to protect private property... Plundering and maraud- iag... Outlying and inlying picquets... Assignment of quarters... Order of march 24th July.. .Differ- ence in currency... "Watering cavalry horses and SLoking wells ... Formation of troops, three deep and two deep . . , Army to be under arms for inspection in order of battle... Orders for conduct- ing bread and forage waggons... Order of march 28th July... Troops to provide themselves with green forage... Men not to be sent on duty without subsistence... Order of march 29th July... Evening states... Conveyance of sick... Distribution of Cattle ...Eegiments to furnish men for additional gun- ners . . . . . . . .120 CHAPTEE XII. Narrative of a spy... His escape from Paris... Joins the Duke of York at ramars...Is recommended to Colonel Calvert, the of&cer in charge of the secret intelligence department... Eesult of his first mission ...Critical position... Taken prisoner by theErench ...Their inhuman treatment... Narrow escape from being hanged... Is taken to Paillencour...His ac- quaintance with Adjutant -General Cherin...Is offered a command in the Eepublican army... Hos- pitality of General Cherin and his of&ceis... Inter- view with Custine . . . Tempting offer made by CIustine...Set at liberty and is escorted to the English camp by a party of dragoons... Interview with Major 0'Brady...His conduct is highly com- mended by the Duke of York. . . .174 b XIV CONTENTS. CHAPTEE XIII. Page General Clairfayt is defeated... The Duke passes the Waal... Evacuation of N'imeguen...800 Dutch taken prisoners... The time to make a move accord- ing to the Dutchman's maxim... Sickness amongst the troops. . . The Duke of York returns to England. . . Count Walmoden succeeds His Eoyal Highness... The enemy pass the "Waal on the ice and surprise the Dutch... Aie driven back again by Major-Gene- ral Dundas...The severe frost and hardships of the troops... The enemy dislodged at Surgen by Lord Cathcart... Affair at Eldermalsen... Dreadful suffer- ings on the march... Popular excitement... Em- barkation of the troops at Lake Bremen . . 192 CHAPTEE XIV. Scenery at St. Vincent... Description of the Caribs... Eevolt of the Caribs... French revolutionary agents ...2d "West India Eegiment raised . . . 208 CHAPTEE XV. Arrival at St. Vincent... Major-General Irving in com- mand... Attempt on the Vigie...The citadel evacu- ated... Colonel Graham ordered to take Blackett's Bluff... Orders countermanded... Surprise of camp and retreat to BeUevue Eidge... Colonel Graham covers the retreat... Major- General Hunter takes command... Arrival of General Abercrombie with reinforcements... Assault of Vigie... Distress of the Caribs... Negotiations for peace... Eresh hostilities ...Colonel Graham severely ■wounded... "Wounds dressed by a soldier's -wife... Is sent to England... "Wonderful recovery . . . . . .215 CONTENTS. XV CHAPTEE XVI. Faqx Takes the command of the 27th... Is ordered to HoUand... Action at the Helder...Is severely ■wounded in the eye...EejoiciQgs ia England on the troops landing at the Helder...A public letter of thanks... Eejoins 27th regiment at Swinly camp ...Ferrol expedition. ..... 229 CHAPTEE XVIL 27th regiment joins the expedition under Ahercromhy at Gibralter... Sickness amongst the troops... De- tention at Malta... Arrival ia Egypt... Cut made across the Isthmus separating the Lake of Ahoukir from the dry bed of Lake Mariotis... Inundation completely successful . . . Surrender of the Castle St. Julien . . . Surrender of General Belliard . . . Operations undertaken to the westward of Alex- andria... Lieutenant- Colonel Graham leads the ad- vance of General Cootes' division... French corps under General "F.ffl ar driven from their position between Marabout and Alexandria... Investment of Alexandria completed... Surrender of General Menon 237 CHAPTEE XVIIL Eetums with his regiment to Malta... Is sent home... General Eerrier's place at Dumbarton Castle filled up before his death... Appointment of General Graham to StirUng Castle and employment on the staff... Marriage... Verses by Eobert Burns on Mrs. Graham... Letter from Lady Charlotte Campbell... XVI CONTENTS. Page Letter from Sheridan . . . Staff employment in Ire- land . . . DiscipUne witliout the lash . . . Lord Hill wishes him to go to Portugal... Letter from Sir W. H. Clinton... Letter from Sir John Floyd... Letter from Sir Frederick Adam... Seeks to be employed in Holland... Letter from Sir Thomas Graham . 247 CHAPTEE XIX. Conclusion of peace. ..Is struck off the staff... Ketires to his government at Stirling Castle. . .List of the sieges of the Castle... Its defence by General Blakeney ...Dress of the old garrison corps... Gardening under di£B.culties...The Stirling heads published by Mrs Graham... Encouragement given to the arts by the royal house of Stuart... Skilful carving in Scotland... The general enthusiasm about Scotland only of recent date. ..Effect produced by Scott's novels. . .Striking view from the top of the castle. . . Letters from Sir Walter Scott . . . .265 CHAPTEE XX. Great prosperity of England during the French war succeeded by distress and suffering on the return of peace... Demand for reform in Parliament... Meet- ings in various parts of England... Act for their suppression... Union societies in Scotland... Ad- dresses posted in manufacturing towns declaring for equality of rights, etc... Strike of 60,000 artizans and mechanics... Proclamations of the magistrates, cautioning the people from taking part in the tumult ... Glasgow sharpshooters ... Skirmish at CONTENTS. XVU Page Boimymviir...Airi-val of prisoners at Stirling Castle ...Report of lieutenant Hodgson to General Graham... Trial of the prisoners... The formation of veteran battaUons . . . . . .278 CHAPTEE XXI Stilling a favorite resort of artists... Visit of "Wilkie... Letter from him. ..Letter from Dr. Gregory of Edinburgh... Letter from Mr. Williams... Letter from Herman Eyland, Esq.... Death of General Graham ........ 286 EEEATA. Page 13, line 19, comma after, instead of before, only. „ 67, „ 6, for Wallace's, read Wallis^s. „ 179, „ 4, for drum, read drive. „ 183, for Appendix I), read 0. „ 191, „ B, read I). „ 233, lilies 15-16, for recruited, read recovered. ADDEITDA. Page 30, at foot of page, add — " See Appendix A. „ 37, line 8, after the word watched, add — " Some of these officers were surprised and made prisoners on our entering the town." „ 37, at foot of page, add — " See Appendix B. „ 68, „ „ „ AA. J) 82, „ „ „ BB. 1! 86, „ „ „ AB. „ 121, „ „ „ BA. MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. CHAPTEE THE FIEST. Early life, and entrance into the Army. Sajtuel Geaham,* lieutenant-General, and lieutenant- Govemor of Stirling Castle — the son of Mr. Jolm Graham and Euphanel Stenson, his wife — was born at Paisley on the 20th May 1756. The period at which his father's family were first attracted to the shrine of St. Mirrent is iavolved in an uncertainty, the solution of which it is not intended at present to attempt, but for several years previous to his * Bucianan of Auchmar classes the surname Graham amongst the surnames of families now reputed Scotdi, whose descent is from England. He says — " According to Buchanan and some others of our historians and antiquaries, the Grahams are descended from one Eulgentius, a nobleman lineally descended from the ancient kings of the Britons, who, in the beginning of the third century of the Christian era, with an army of his countrymen attempting to free themselves and country from the Roman servitude, their just t Patron saint of the Abbey of Paisley. B MEMOm OF GENERAL GKAHAM. birtli, Paisley seems to have been their residence. By his maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Cecilia Millar, he was descended from a common ancestor with the family of Millar of Earnock, in Lanarkshire. endeavours were nevertlieless frustrated by the superior power of their adversaries, in which exigency Fulgentius and divers of his associates were obliged to flee for refuge to Donald, first of that name, king of the Scots, then at vrar with the Romans, who not only gave a very kind reception to these strangers, but bestowed estates upon Fulgentius and some other principal men of them, whose posterity remained always thereafter in Scotland. The principal person of Fulgentius' progeny having, after the battle of Dun, in which Eugenius, king of the Soots, with the greatest part of his nobility and others of any account of the Scottish nation, were killed by Maximus, the Roman Legate, in conjunction with the perfidious Picts gone with divers other Scots into Denmark, he continued there tUl the restoration of King Fergus II., anno 404, or, as Boece, 423. " That person of Fulgentius' race who went to Denmark, whose proper name was Grseme, married in Denmark, and his daughter was married to Fergus II., though others relate that Graeme's daughter was mother to King Fergus, being married to Erthus, his father, which carries little probability, in regard Grseme was not only a principal assistant to King Fergus in his own lifetime, but was after his death elected governor or regent of the kingdom during the minority of his son Eugenius, and having in that time broke over the wall of Abercom, greatly harassed the dominions of the Britons, so that, from that adventure, that wall is said to have obtained the denomination retained as yet, of Graham's dyke, which denomination others assert to be taken from the Emperor Severus, who repaired that wall which was first begun by Julius Agricola, in the reign of the Emperor Domitian. The reason given for the last is, that Severus being bom in Africa was of very black and swarthy complexion and that thence the dyke BIETHPLACE. ' 3 The rise of Paisley to its present standing of import- ance as a commercial town, has taken place since the time now referred to ; in the middle of the last century, the population of the town did not exceed 5000 souls, was termed Grim's dyke ; grim, in Irisli, signifying black or swarthy, whence the Scottish word grim is derived. However this be, the first seems the most probable. And that which very mnch evinces Graeme's origin, as above asserted, is that his grand- child Eugenius, upon assumption of the government (as our histo- rians relate) gave for pretence of the war commenced by him against the Britons, the restitution of his grandfather Graham's lands. " Our history gives no account of the posterity of this Graeme for some ages. The first to be met with of them is that Graham who, with Dunbar and the forces of Lothian, appeared in the rear of the Danes when in battle with King Indulph and his army, which was the occasion of the defeat of the first. " The next was Constantino, married to Avila, daughter to Kenneth, one of the ancestors of the Stewarts, in the year 1030 ; and in the year 1125 William de Graham is witness to the foun- dation-charter of Holyrood House, in the reign of King David I. The said ^William's son. Sir David, got charters of Charletoun and other lands in Forfarshire in the reign of King William of Scotland ; as did his son, another Sir David, from Malduin, Earl of Lennox, of the land of Strablane, and from Patrick Dun- bar, Earl of Dunbar or March, of the lands of Dundaff and Strathcarron, in the reign of King Alexander II. ; as did his suc- cessor, also David, the lands of Kincardine from MaUse Forteth, Earl of Strathem, in the reign of King Alexander IH. Before all which lands mentioned in the above charters, that surname seems to have been in possession of Abercom, Eliestoun, and other lands in Lothian. And although one Muir is reported to have had Abercom in the reign of King Alexander III., yet in all probability he has had but some part thereof, acquired from the Grahams, which, after having continued some httle time with 4 MEMOIK OF GENEKAL GRA.HAM. but it was then, as it must always continue to be, a place of great bistorical interest. The earliest notice of Paisley on record is the de- scription of the station established there during the occu- pation of the country by the Eomans. The " Preetorium" is stated to have embraced within its boundary the com- pass of a mile, and to have been fortified by three fosses and dykes of earth, including great part of the ground on which the old town now stands ; but when Paisley was selected as the site of a great ecclesiastical edifice in Muir, returned to the Qraliams again, and went from them -with. Margaret, heiress thereof, to James, brother to the Earl of Douglas, in the reign of King James I. " There were two principal families of this name in the reign of King Alexander III., the one heing of Abercom. Both these are mentioned among the magnates Scotice, in cognition of the debate betwixt Bruce and Baliol anent the Scottish kingdom, as also inserted in that famous letter written by King Robert I. to the pope in the year 1320. These two thereafter were united when Patrick Graham of EHestoun and Kilbride, second son to Sir Patrick Graham of Kincardine, in the reign of King Eol)ert III., married his only daughter and heiress of David, Earl of Strathern, and by her obtained that Earldom whose son Malise was deprived of the same by King James I. in regard that estate was entailed to heirs-male ; but he gave Malise, in lieu of Strathern, the earldom of Monteith, armo 1428, whose posterity continued for nine generations earls thereof. William, the ninth Earl, having no issue, disponed his estate to the Marquis of Montrose, and died anno 1694. " The first cadet of this family was Sir John Graham of Kil- bride, Gartmore's ancestor. And the last cadet of any repute was Walter, ancestor to Graham of Gartur." ABBEY OF PAISLEY. 5 1163, no town or even hamlet appears to have been then in existence. The abbey was founded by Walter, the steward of David I, King of Scotland, and several of the descend- ants of the founder added to the original endowment by gifts both of money and lands. By the peculiar sanctity of character attributed to the patron saint of the abbey St. Mirren, this religious establishment soon acquired great celebrity, and pilgrims from all parts of the kingdom were attracted in numbers to its shrine, many of whom eventually made it their permanent residence. In poiat of wealth and magni- ficence, this monastery, although the foundation of a private family, rivalled the religious houses founded by royalty at Dunfermline and St. Andrews. Its deer-park was of more than a mile in extent. Its orchards and gardens equalled those of any similar establishment, and the ecclesiastics attached to the monastery were accommodated in a style of splendour in keeping with the general magnificence of the endowment. This ancient pile was the burying-place of the Stewarts previous to their accession to the throne of Scotland and subsequent to their accession. Elizabeth Mure and Euphemia Eoss, consorts of Eobert II., were interred there, as well as Eobert III. The abbots of Paisley having always shewn them- selves hostile to Edward I., the abbey was burned by 6 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GEAHAM. the English army in 1307, but it was subsequently restored in a style surpassing even its original magnifi- cence, and continued to flourish untU. the Eeformation, when its walls were again laid in ruins, and its revenues secularized in favour of the ancestors of the Abercom family. Surrounded by such venerable relics as these at a period of life when the mind is most susceptible of im- pressions, it is not surprising that the subject of this memoir should have imbibed a love for the legends of bygone days. This was a taste which grew with his years, and in after life few people excelled him in a knowledge of the history of his native country and its antiquities. He received the rudiments of his education at the grammar school of Paisley. At a subsequent period he was removed to the High School of Edinburgh ; and having completed his education at the College of Edin- burgh, he was sent to France, where he acquired a proficiency in the French language, which often proved useful to him in after life. When it became necessary for him to choose a pro- fession, he gave the preference to a military life, and having obtained an ensigncy, by purchase, in the 31st Eegiment, on the recommendation of Sir Adolphus Oughton, he joined the additional companies of the regiment in Edinburgh Castle in the year 1777. FIEST PROMOTION. 7 In the same year, the war with America caused an augmentation of the army, and several regiments were levied in Scotland. By raising a quota of men he was promoted to a lieutenancy in the 76th Highlanders, and, ia April ] 779, succeeded to the captain-lieutenancy of the regiment. The following account of the various events at this period of his life has heen left ia his own handwriting. MEMOIK OF GENEKAL GKAHAM. CHAPTEE THE SECOND. Raising of 76t]i and 80tli Regimeata — Arrival in America. The late 76tli and 80th Eegiments were raised in North Britain in the beginning of the year 1778. The first consisted of 1000 Scotch Highlanders, and the other of the same number of Scotch Lowlanders, divided into ten companies, with the usual number of officers and non- commissioned officers. Lord Macdonald having patron- ized the Highland regiment, recommended most of the officers, who were nominally to raise a quota of men for their commissions. Such of them as were doing duty with regiments from which they were promoted, began to enlist men, and marched with their parties to Inverness, in the north of Scotland, the place appointed for the as- sembling of the regiment ; there were also some officers appointed from haK-pay, who enlisted men in the High- lands, but the most of the subalterns were connections of his Lordship's family. A Highland chieftain in those days was stiLL invested with considerable power and influence, and this influence his Lordship made use of, by directing a body of men of a certain age and descrip- tion to be sent from his extensive estates in the Island of 76th highlandees. 9 Skye and Nortli and South Uist, to Inverness, to be en- rolled and serve as soldiers in the 76th Eegiment. The men on their arrival were attested by a justice of the peace, and received his Majesty's bounty of five guiaeas. By these means the ranks were soon filled up, and although they contained about 100 Irish and nearly double that number of Lowlanders, in addition to the fine-looldng, healthy young Highlanders from Lord Macdonald's estate, yet the regiment had as great a pro- portion of the natives of the mountains as most others denominated Highland corps. John MacdonneU of Lochgarie, then serving as major ia the Tlst, or Fraser Highlanders in America, was promoted to be lieutenant- colonel-commandant, and Captain Donaldson, from the 42d, or Eoyal Highland Eegiment, to be first major. The lieutenant-colonel being taken prisoner while returning to Europe, the command devolved on Major Donaldson, a most intelligent, excellent officer, who had served a long time in the 42d, was perfectly acquainted with the character of the Highlanders, and spoke the Gaelic lan- guage most fluently. Under this officer the regiment was formed, and a code of regimental regulations established for the conduct of both officers and men, which tended greatly to keep up that regularity and good conduct for which the regiment was remarkable during the whole period of its existence. The corporation of the City of Ediaburgh having 10 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GKAHAM, made an offer to Government of raising a regiment for his Majesty's service, it was accepted, and the 80th or Eoyal Edinburgh Eegiment was raised under the patron- age of the magistracy of the city. It consisted of 1000 Scotch Lowlanders, divided into ten companies, with the usual proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers. Most of the officers were recommended by the magistrates, but each officer was obliged to furnish his quota of men, and through their own activity and the influence of the corporation, recruiting went briskly on, and the ranks were filled, or nearly so, in a very short time. Sir William Erskine, then serving in America, was appointed colonel-commandant, and lieutenant- Colonel Thomas Dundas lieutenan1>-colonel, and Captain James Gordon first major. The headquarters were at Edinburgh, or in its neighbourhood, in the low country. The regiment being formed under the orders of so excel- lent a lieutenant-colonel, assisted by captains, most of whom were serving in regiments of the line when pro- moted, soon began to assume a good military appear- ance. The 76th Eegiment soon after its formation was sent into Fort-George, a most convenient quarter for the per- fecting of a newly-raised corps. It so happened that few of the non-commissioned officers who understood the drill were acquainted with the Gaelic language, and as aU words of command are given in English, the major 76th highlandees. 11 directed that neither officer nor non-commissioned officer ignorant of the former language should endearour to learn it. The consequence was that the Highlanders were behindhand m. being drilled, as they had, ia addi- tion to their other duties, to acquire the knowledge of a new language. The first duties performed by the regi- ment were therefore done by the lowland and Irish recruits, but very great anxiety and zeal were shewn by the Highlanders, and uncommon pains were taken by the major to explain to them the articles of war, and the natiire of the duties required of them in Gaelic ; and they very soon became fit for the performance of their duties, and evinced a natural talent for the profession of a soldier. So exact were they in the discharge of their duties, that, upon one occasion. Colonel Campbell, the lieutenant-governor, was seized and made prisoner by the sentry posted at his own door, because the man con- ceived a trespass had been committed on his post, nor would the sentiael release the colonel imtil the arrival of the corporal of the guard. Fish was plentiful at times in this quarter, but the major found it necessary that the soldier should have a certain allowance of meat also, to enable him to undergo the fatigues of the drills, which were incessant, and for this purpose he made a contract for sheep, directing that a certain quantity of mutton should be distributed to each mess on particular days. The Highlanders did 12 MEMOIE OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. not approve of this, as a certain moiety of their pay was stopped for payment, and, for the first time, some mur- muring began. The officers' commissions having all arrived, and the colonel's being unfurled, the major harangued the regiment in Gaelic, explaining to them the powers of the commanding officer in this and other respects, and calling upon any of the men who still re- fused to eat mutton, to come forward and say so. One unfortunate did so, whom the major ordered to be tried by a drum-head court-martial summoned on the spot. The man was found guilty, and sentenced to receive corporal punishment, which was immediately inflicted ; that done, the major next inquired of the whole corps whether any of them still objected to mutton, an inquiry which was listened to in silence, and never afterwards were any complaiuts hoard from them on that subject. The regiment having remained some time in this quarter several companies were detached to the sea coast of the Moray Firth, and in the end of the year the headquarters were removed to Aberdeen. In February 1779 they moved to Perth, and early in March, the regiment being assembled at that place, was reviewed and inspected by a general officer, and reported fit for service. The 80th Eegiment had also been detached to the coast of the Firth of Forth during the winter, but being assembled, and inspected, and reviewed by a general officer, was reported fit for service. The two regiments EMBAEKATION FOE JERSEY. 13 were embarked on board transports, the one on the north, and the other on the south side of the Firth, on the 17th March 1779. Major Donaldson's health not permittiag him to go abroad, the 76th were therefore commanded by Lord Berriedale, second major, but Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas commanded the troops. The fleet sailed for Portsmouth, and in a short time anchored at Spithead. While waiting there for the assembling of a fleet with reinforcements of men and stores for the army in North America, an order was received for the two regiments to set sail for the Island of Jersey, the enemy having made an attempt on that place. Being then one of the captains of the 76th Eegi- ment, and having the command of the Afollo transport, with about 200 men on board, mostly Highlanders, I was summoned by signal on board the ship of the com- manding of&cer of the regiment to receive orders in case of disembarkation. I was told that the soldiers were to land with the musket and bayonet, only leaving behind the haK basket-hilted sword, which formed part of their equipment ; but this order was not to be communicated to the men until the signal for landing was actually made. Lord Berriedale also recommended to the officers to land in small clothes and boots, as it was probable the regiment might be obliged to lie out at night. Having returned to my transport, I communicated the major's suggestions to the officers respecting their dress. 14 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. and having given other necessary orders in case of being called upon to land during the night, I retired to my cabin. In the course of the night, the soldiers got possession of a whetstone belonging to the vessel, and employed them- selves sharpening their swords ; and in the morning early, having entered the cabin, I was surprised to see one of the officers, a most respectable gentleman and of one of the most ancient famUies of the Macdonalds, dressed out in the fuU Highland costume. " Sir," I said, " you certainly heard me communicate to the officers the major's wishes respecting their dress." " I did so, indeed," he replied ; " but as it was not an order, and as this is the dress in which I am determined to die, I have put it on." * * Stewart's HiGHfUifDEKS, Vol. 1. Page 354.— On the lOtli April 1776, the 42d Regiment being reviewed by Sir Adolpbus Ougbton, was reported complete, and so unexceptionable tbat none were rejected. Hostilities having commenced in America, every exertion was made to teach the recruits the use of the firelock, for which pur- pose they were drilled even by candle light. New arms and accoutrements were supplied to the men ; and the colonel of the regiment, at his own expense, supplied hroad swords and pistols. Page 387. — The pistols were of the old highland fashion, with iron stocks. These being considered imnecessary except in the field, were not intended, like the swords, to be worn by the men in quarters. When the regiment took the field on Staten and Long Island, it was said that the broadswords retarded the men by getting entangled ia the brushwood, and they were therefore taken from them and sent on board the transports. SAILS FOE AMEEICA. 15 The troops did not land, and the fleet returned to Spithead. Having waited there untU the assembling of all the ships with stores, and recruits for the different regiments serving in North America, we set sail with a large fleet under the orders of Admiral Arbuthnot, and being convoyed by the grand fleet to the Land's-End, we Admitting that the objection was well founded so fai as regarded the swords, it certainly could not apply to the pistols. In a close woody country, where troops are liable to sudden attacks and sur- prises by a hidden enemy, such a weapon is peculiarly useful. It is, therefore, diftcult to discover a good reason for laying them aside. Neither does there appear to have been any objection to the resumption of the broadsword when the service alluded to terminated. The marches through the woods of Long Island were only a few miles, whereas we have seen that the two battalions of the 42d, and Eraser's and Montgomery's Highlanders, in the Seven Years' war, carried the broadsword on all their marches through woods and forests of many hundred miles in extent. In the same manner the swords were carried in Martinique and Guadaloupe islands, intersected with deep ravines, and covered with woods no less impervious than the thickest and closest woods of America. But on that service the broadsword, far from being complaiued of as an incumbrance, was on many occasions of the greatest efficacy when a decisive blow was to be struck, and the enemy were to be overpowered by an attack hand to hand. I have been told by several old officers and soldiers who bore a part in these attacks, that an enemy who stood for many hours the fire of musketry, invariably gave way when an advance was made sword in hand. It is to be regretted that a weapon which the Highlanders could use so well, should, together with the pistol, which is peculiarly serviceable in close woody countries, have been taken from the soldiers ; and, after the expense had been incurred, sent to rust in store. They were never restored, 16 MEMOm OF GENERAL GRAHAM. arrived at New York on the 27tli August. The two regiments were encamped on Long Island at Bedford, surrounded by the orchards of the Dutch inhabitants ; the recruits and draughts for the army were cantoned in the contiguous villages. and the regiment has had neither swords nor pistols since. It has been said that the broadsword is not a weapon to contend with the bayonet. Certainly, to all appearance it is not, yet facts do not warrant the superiority of the latter weapon. Prom the battle of Culloden, when a body of nndisoiplined Highlanders, shepherds, and herdsmen, with their broadswords, cut their way through some of the best disciplined and moat approved regi- ments in tiie British army (drawn up, too, on a field extremely favourable for regular troops), down tUl the time when the swords were taken from the Highlanders, the bayonet was in every instance overcome by the sword. MAJOR GOBDON. 17 CHAPTEE THE THIKD. Major Gtordon — Surrender of Charleston — Battle of Camden — Partizan Warfare — ^ilajor Andre — Various Incidents in the War. — 1780 to 20tli May 1781. My brother, a lieutenant in the 64th Eegiment, being sent over from New York by his lieutenant-colonel, the Hon. Major-General Leslie, to inspect and report upon the recruits for that regiment, met with such treatment in the execution of this duty, as to oblige him to demand satisfaction from another officer. Hav- ing told me the circumstances, I was preparing to do the needful upon the occasion, but haviug mentioned the affair to my friend and brother officer. Captain Montgomery Cunningham (known by the name of Mont Blanc), that officer undertook the business ; and the matter being settled to the satisfaction of all parties, my brother and I were immediately visited by Major James Gordon, of the 80th Eegiment, who addressed us, saying that he had heard of a recent occurrence, and as he had served in the same regiment with our father, the 115th or Eoyal Scotch Lowlanders,* and should ever * Kaised in Paisley in 1761, disembodied about 1763. b2 18 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. entertain a great regard for his memory, he insisted that if it ever again happened that either of us stood in need of advice or a friend, we should apply to him, although he had not seen us since our infancy. From that moment my intimacy with this most excellent man commenced, and terminated only with his existence. At this period Major Gordon appeared to be about or above middle age, cheerful and lively, active and zeal- ous in his profession, although his person had a ten- dency towards " en-bon-point."* During the time of the encampment the army fired a " feu-de-joie" for the repulse of the French army under the orders of the Count d'Estaing, at Savannah in Georgia. For our success on that occasion the country is much indebted to the activity and exertions of the late Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Maitland of the 71 st or Fraser Highlanders. That gallant officer, penetrating * Wien the Clievalier arrived in Scotland in 1745, he was hospitably entertained in Linlithgow Palace by Major Gordon's mother, Mrs. Glen Gordon, her brother. Governor Glen, being at that time keeper of the palace. At a subsequent period, when fortune turned against the arms of the Chevalier, a troop of Hawle/s dragoons took pos- session of the palace, and made fires on the floojiE, and committed other excesses ; Mrs. Glen Gordon remonstrated with Hawley on the conduct of his men, but the only redress she obtained was an intimation that she might leave the palace if she did not relish the presence of the troops. It is related of her that she retorted by saying (in allusion no doubt to the battle of Falkirk), " I can run from fire as well as any of you," and then quitted the palace. CAMPAIGN m AMERICA. 19 through morasses and swamps almost impassable, suc- ceeded in entering the town with a reinforcement of troops, and thus decided the victory. Unfortunately for the service, he was soon afterwards carried off by a fever, brought on by his exertions in that unhealthy country. About this time also the British garrison was with- drawn from Ehode Island, and the troops brought to New York. The flank companies of each of the young regiments were ordered to join the battalions of light infantry, and grenadiers composed of the companies of this description of force of all regiments of the line, and commanded by distinguished officers. The encamp- ment broke up in November, and the two regiments went into winter quarters. His Excellency Sir Henry CHnton, the commander- in-chief, having resolved to attack Charleston in South Carolina, gave orders for a large body of troops with stores, artillery, etc., to be put on board ship for this purpose, and embarking himseK in command, set sail with a large fleet under the orders of Admiral Arbuth- not about Christmas, leaving the command of New York and its dependencies to General Knyphausen, a Hessian commander of the foreign troops. The fleet encountered heavy gales and bad weather on their voyage to the southward, which greatly retarded the intended opera- tions of the army. At New York the froSt was so severe 20 MEMOIE OF GENEKAL GKAHAM. as to induce a large tody of Americans under the orders of a general they called the Earl of Stirling to cross over upon the ice to Staten Island, where they remained for some days, but did not venture to attack the British posts under the orders of Colonel Stirling of the 42d Eegiment, a Brigadier-General. Part of the 76th Eegiment was sent over from New York to that island at the time, but returned soon after on the departure of the enemy. Major Lord Berriedale, commanding the 76th, having succeeded to the Earldom of Caithness, was permitted to go to South Carolina to wait upon His Excellency, and while acting as aid-de-camp to the Commander-in-Chief was badly wounded on a recon- noitring party, and obliged to return to Europe, and never again joined the regiment. The 76th was now left without a field officer, never- theless they bore a good character, owing to the steadi- ness and sobriety of the men, and they improved in the performance of their military duties by mixing with other troops. General Knyphausen thought proper to cross over to the Jersies by a bridge of boats with a considerable body of men in the month of April, and marched in the direc- tion of the army of General Washington ; but could not prevail upon the Americans to quit their stronghold, although some sharp skirmishing occasionally took place. Charleston surrendered to His Excellency Sir Henry CAMPAIGN IN AMEEICA. 21 ClintorL on the 18tli May 1780, and as that part of the country seemed to be brought into a state of tranquillity after this capture, Sir Henry returned to New York, taking with him the ^lite of his army, and leaving Earl Cornwallis in command of the troops to the southward. Part of these troops, on their arrival at New York, were sent over to join the army of G-eneral Knyphausen in the Jersies, but as the enemy declined to leave their post, the army was withdrawn and cantoned in the three islands. On the 11th July, a French fleet, commanded by M. Ternay, having a large body of troops on board under the orders of the Count de Eochambeau, ap- peared on the coast of America, having escaped from Brest Harbour, and anchored off Ehode Island. "Whether the news of this circumstance produced an effect on the people of South Carolina, or that their apparent return to their allegiance to the British Government in taking out protections from the commanders, had been an act of dissimulation, is known only to themselves ; at all events, their minds apparently underwent a sudden change. Earl Comw.aIlis, who had been employed in selecting proper places for the frontier defences of the state of South Carolina, with a view to moving into North Caro- lina, was suddenly called at this time to Charleston, and left Lord Eawdon in command on the frontier, whose active mind and military knowledge enabled him 22 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. to carry out the Earl's wishes to their fullest extent, of which ample proof was afterwards given at the posts of Camden and ninety-sis. His lordship was also very suc- cessful in obtaining accurate and certain intelligence of the motions of the enemy. Earl Cornwallis's time was much occupied at Charleston in consequence of the discovery of a conspiracy to an alarming extent, in which many of the principal inhabitants were impli- cated ; and it became necessary to arrest above thirty of them, but such was the lenity shewn upon the occa- sion by Sir Henry Cliaton, that these people were only sent out of the country to St. Augustine in Florida, and their estates sequestrated for the time to pay the ex- penses of the war. The American army, under the command of G-eneral Horatio Gates, the victor of Saratoga, was now sent from the north into Carolina. Of this movement Lord Eawdon got early intelligence, which he communicated to Earl Cornwallis at Charleston. His lordship also made every preparation in case of an attack, putting his troops in the best possible state of efficiency, and on being informed that the advance of the enemy under the command of Baron de Thalbe, a foreign officer, were moving towards him, he sent an express to Earl Corn- wallis, who arrived at Camden on the 13th August. On the 15th, in the evening,* the Earl ordered the * Camden, South Carolina, 120 miles north.- west of Charles- ton, was the scene of two actions in this war. CAMPAIGN m AMEEICA. 23 troops to move out. The right wing consisted of the 23d and 33d Eegiments, tinder the command of Colonel Webster of the 33d. The left -wing consisted of the Volunteers of Ireland, Lord Eawdon's corps, afterwards the Eegiment of the line, and two other provincial battalions (troops raised in America), the whole being commanded by Lord Eawdon. It also contained the infantry of the British Legion, or Tarleton's corps. The reserve included a battalion of the 71 st Eegiment and the cavalry of the British Legion, under Lieutenant- Colonel Tarleton. The enemy also marched out of his cantonments on the evening of the 15th for a similar purpose, and the two armies, feeling one another in the night, halted until daybreak of the 16th, when a con- flict took place, in which the Americans sustained a most signal defeat, losing their baggage and artillery. The enemy, in a state of the utmost disorder, were pur- sued twenty-two miles from the field of battle. His lordship, in his despatch, pays the highest compliments to Lord Eawdon, Colonel Webster, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, and all the officers, and praises the discipline and gallantry of the different corps. Our loss was not very great consideriag the immense superiority of the enemy iu numbers. Baron de Thalbe died of his wounds. At New York, after the arrival of the Trench fleet, it was at one time proposed to embark a body of troops and attack them in the harbour of Ehode Island ; but 24 MEMOIE OF GENEEAL GEAHAM. this scheme was abandoned, and Admiral Arbuthnot blockaded the harbour by anchoring with the British fleet in Gardner's bay. Independent of the movements of the regular army, a predatory kind of warfare had for some time been carried on by the loyal refugees, who, making use of whale boats, landed on the Jersey shore, carried off cattle, and inflicted other damage on the enemy. Fox the protection of these parties, a block- house had been constructed on the brink of the Hud- son's or North Eiver. Their conduct at length became so daring that General Wayne, one of the famed Ameri- can officers, was induced to attack this block-house with his brigade. The refugees fought with such obstinacy and determined courage that he was obliged to retire after some loss. A song appeared in the New York Gazette descriptive of this rencounter. It was attributed to the pen of the Adjutant-General, Major Andr^, and the concluding stanza (supposing him to be the author) was too prophetic of his most unfortunate fate — And now I have finislied my Epic strain, I tremble as I shew it, Lest some warrior drover Wayne Should ever catch the poet. The 76th and 80th Eegiments were now again brought together under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas, being employed in garrisoning the lines at Kingsbridge, where a stream runs, separating New York from the HESSIAN OFFICER. 25 mainland and forming an island. The SOth had the advantage in being commanded by such officers as Lieu- tenant-Colonel Dundas and Major Gordon, yet the 76th, although mthout a field officer, maintained a good cha- racter. The highlanders had made great progress in acquiring the English language and began to lose that feeling of jealousy which too often subsists betwixt high- landers and lowlanders. A considerable space of ground outside the lines was unoccupied by the real inhabitants, and had got the name of neutral. The loyal refugees had taken up their abode in the deserted farm-houses, from whence they continually sent out foraging parties, and for their protection a redoubt, called ISTo. 8, was kept up, being one of a chain constructed for the defence of the army when encamped on this ground. A captain and 100 men were sent from the lines to defend the place in case of the enemy's coming down on the refugees, a duty which lasted forty-eight hours, and as it was necessary to shut up the work at nightfall, and man the parapet during the whole night, one half standing to their arms and the other half reposing, the soldiers thus ac- quired a good idea of their duty. Foraging parties also often went out sometimes under the orders of Hessian field officers, who spoke English indifferently. On one of these occasions the charge of an old redoubt which happened to be on the road was entrusted to a subaltern's party, while the rest marched forward : as it was on the 26 MEMOIR OF GENEEAl GEAHAM. flank, the officer naturally asked for orders, the Hessian field-officer immediately replied, " I give you order ; you and your men die here while we go forward," meaning, that in case the enemy should come on the flanks they were to defend the work to the last extremity. These and other incidents tended greatly to improve the soldiers. It was about this time that a correspondence com- menced betwixt the American General Arnold and the British. General Arnold was entrusted by the enemy with the command of a most important post high up the North Eiver, a second Gibraltar, and command- ing the intercourse betwixt the northern and south- ern parts of America. To facilitate the business, the Vulture sloop of war was sent up the North Eiver, having on board Colonel Beverley Eobinson a loyalist gentleman whose property was situated in that district. Major Andr^ accompanied this officer, and when at anchor in a particular place they were boarded by a boat from the shore in which Major Andre chose to embark and go on shore where he met General Arnold ; but owing to circumstances he could not get on board again, and having a passport from that American Gene- ral, he attempted to pass into the British lines at Kings- bridge by land, but was intercepted and made prisoner at Tarrytown, and the circumstance being reported to General "Washington, his case was referred to a board of general officers, of which General Green was president, MAJOR AJSTDEE. 27 and tlie Marquis la Fayette a member, and he lost his life. The story is too well known to be detailed here, but the following passage in the letter from that unfor- tunate ofELcer to General Washington, wherein he dis- closes himself and his purposes, in some degree bears upon this narrative : — " I take the Liberty to mention the condition of some gentlemen at Charlestown, who, being either on parole or rmder protections, were en- gaged in a conspiracy against us ; though their situation is not similar, they are objects who may be sent in ex- change for me, or are persons whom the treatment I receive may in some degree aifect." This most accom- plished, and much to be lamented officer, raised to high rank by his own merit, was put to death on a gibbet erected in front of the American army, on the 2d Octo- ber 1780, in the 29th year of his age. No British friend attended at his last moments ; but in justice to humanity it is pleasing to record the tender attention he received from every Aiaerican officer intrusted with the security of his person, and the conducting him to the scaffold; nor was there an eye amongst the multitude of specta- tors who witnessed his execution unmoistened by a tear.* His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, immediately on * The manner of Ms execution was scarcely justifiable by tlie sternest rules of international law. It was one of the few acts which can be cited as discreditable to tbe great hero Washington, and like tbe case of AsgUl (of wbich hereafter) was the fruit of the proverbial bitterness of a civil war. — PhUlimore, vol. iii., p. 1 5 6. 28 MEMOIE OF GENEEAL GKAHAM. receiving the accounts of the action at Camden, had ordered a detachment of the army to be embarked under the orders of the Hon. General Leslie, and to sail for the Chesapeake Bay, and to land there, making a diversion in favour of Earl CornwaDis, whose orders they were also directed to obey. The Foot Guards and Hessian Eegi- ment de Bosc, with some proviacial corps and detach- ments both of cavalry and infantry composed this force, amounting to nearly 3000 men. They took post at Portsmouth on the Elizabeth Eiver, and were preparing to strengthen themselves, when they received orders from Earl Cornwallis to re-embark and join him in South Carolina. Earl CornwaUis moved to the north- ward with the troops who had fought at Camden after receiving stores, etc., about the 8th September, penetrat- ing North Carolina, where it was supposed the majority of the inhabitants were friendly to Great Britain. This State is much intersected with rivers and creeks, and at that period abounded also in swamps and morasses. In many districts also where settlers had located them- selves the country was extremely barren. His lordship, however, persevered, and took the road to Salisbury, having Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton's corps on his left flank, and Major Perguson's corps stiU more to the west- ward. This last most enterprising officer was employed on the outposts of the avmf, with about 150 provincial troops and a considerable number of loyalist militia JUJOE FERGUSON. 29 whom he had trained to his mode of warfare, and he and Colonel Tarleton had been extremely useful to the army, having repeatedly defeated the partizan officers of America, who came out of their swamps like locusts and were very troublesome. Major Ferguson united genius to gallantry, having introduced improvements both ia the construction and in the method of using the enemy's own weapon the rifle. His lordship had great confidence ia this officer, and employed him in endeavouring to collect a body of loyal militia in these settlements, in which he was progressing satisfactorily when intelligence arrived of the failure of an attack on our post at Augusta, by a Colonel Clark, a refugee from Georgia, who had got to- gether about 700 men, and attacked that post in the hope of getting possession of the presents sent by the British Government to the Indians, Augusta being the place ia which they were distributed. Major Ferguson, on being apprised of the failure of Clark's attack, formed a plan to intercept him. Unfortunately, several corps of riflemen from Kentucky, the Eastern part of Virginia and South Caroliaa, had also been assembled by their leaders like Clark's force, with a design on Augusta ; these parties fell in with Clark after his defeat, and were persuaded by him to attempt the capture of Major Ferguson's corps. Having united their forces, the whole moved oif in their usual rapid manner, being aU mounted, and carrying nothing but their ammunition, 80 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. rifles, and bags of provisions. Major Ferguson took post on King's mountain, and was there attacked by these people in three columns ; their first onset was repulsed in the most gallant manner, but they again assaulted his position en masse, and he himseK and many of his men having been kUled, and many more wounded, the remainder, after a short resistance, were overpowered and compelled to surrender. Earl -CornwaUis, advancing towards Salisbury, on receiving intelligence of this disaster, took the resolution of retrograding, and accordingly about the 14th of Oc- tober he left Charlotte, retiring in a southerly direction. The rainy season having set in, the roads were now saturated with water ; sickness began to prevail amongst the troops, and his lordship being attacked with the prevailing malady, the command devolved upon Lord Eawdon. The retreat was harassing on account of the water courses, which had been swelled by the rain, while provisions were scarcely to be obtained. How- ever, after fourteen days' marching the army arrived at Wiunsborough. There his lordship intended to remain until the arrival of General Leslie from Virginia. The enemy were not idle ; General Gates, after his defeat at Camden, took post at George Town, where he exerted himself to collect his scattered troops, and re- ceived reinforcements from the north. Three very active partisans at this time hovered on the frontiers of PAETIZANS. 31 South Carolina, Sumpter, Marion, and Pickens. These men, notwitlistanding various defeats and attacks from our troops, were very troublesome, retiring when hard pressed into the swamps and morasses, accessible only to themselves and the beasts of the field ; and reappearing, when opportunity offered, like locusts, interrupting even the communication betwixt Charlestown and Camden. His Excellency General Clinton, having appointed General Arnold a brigadier in the British army, with power to raise a regiment of Provincials for his Ma- jesty's service, upon learning that the Honourable General Leslie's troops had been ordered to re -em- bark and join Lord Cornwallis in South Carolina, directed another embarkation of troops to be sent to Virginia under the orders of Arnold. This force con- sisted of the 80th Eegiment complete (the flank com- panies having again joined), under Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas, the Queen's Piangers, a corps which had seen much service, under Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, a corps of Provincials, under Lieutenanl^Colonel Puobertson, some Yagers and Artillery. They were put on board without delay, and sailing up the Chesapeake, landed and de- stroyed stores and magazines at Eichmond, in Virginia ; and on the 5th of January 1781 re-embarked and sailed to Portsmouth on the Elizabeth river, where they landed and took post. The ililitia having been ordered out by the ruling powers in Virginia, in conseq[uence of this and 32 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. the former debarkation, came down to the neighbour- hood of the British post in considerable numbers, and frequent skirmishes took place with the foraging parties. General Washington now used all his influence to per- suade Count de Ternay to send a fleet with a body of French troops to the Chesapeake, but that foreign officer deemed it prudent first to despatch a ship of war. The ship anchored at the mouth of the Elizabeth river, and sent a siunmons into Portsmouth in the name of her commander, and that of the officer commanding the Militia, desiring the garrison to surrender. This demand not being compKed with, the French ship took her de- parture, sailing for Ehode island, where the naval officer who had been employed made such a report, that an embarkation of troops immediately took place under the orders of Baron Vismesnil, and part of the fleet was ordered to convoy them ; the British fleet, however, being on the watch, this expedition did not venture out. In the meantime, the Commander-in-chief at New York ordered another embarkation of British troops for Vir- giaia, intrusting the command to Major-General Phillips, a most excellent gallant officer, who had served as second in command to General Burgoyne at Saratoga. It consisted of the two battalions of light Infantry of the Line, under Colonel Eobert Abercromby, the elite of the British army, and who had led in almost every action during the war, the 76th Eegiment of Highlanders, a GENEEAL AENOLD. 33 Hessian Eegiment (Prince Hereditaire) with detach- ments of artOleiy and stores. This reinforcement left New York as soon as it was known that the sea was clear of the enemy, and entered the Chesapeake about the end of March — ^Admiral Arbuthnof s fleet being then at anchor in Lynnhaven Bay, a little to the south of the entrance to Elizabeth Eiver. ' A nimiber of boats had been constructed, under the superintendence of General Arnold, for the navigation of the rivers, most of them calctdated to hold 100 men. Each boat was manned by a few sailors, and was fitted with a sail as well as with oars. Some of them also carried a piece of ordnance in their bows. In these boats the light infantry, and detachments of the 76th and 80th Eegiments, with the Queen's Eangers, em- barked under the orders of Major-General Phillips and Brigadier-General Arnold, leaving the remainder of the 76th and 80th, with the Hessians, to garrison Ports- mouth. The detachment of the 76th which embarked consisted of 1 major, 3 captains, 12 subalterns, and 300 men, commanded by the then Hon. Major Needham, now Earl Kilmorey. The 80th had Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas and Major Gordon, and the Queen's Eangers lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe. The troops proceeded up the James Eiver, a noble stream, and landed in several places, burning and destroying warKke stores and ship- ping on the stocks, as well as barracks and foundries. 34) MEMOIE OF GENERAL GEAHAJM. Many incidents occurred on these occasions. At Williamsburg a picquet guard of tlie 80tli was posted at a point on the high road where two roads branched off ; on one side of the road was a tavern with a piazza in front, on the other a ditch from which the earth had been thrown out, forming a parapet and serv- ing as a fence to the college garden. At the fork where the picquet was posted, the ground was covered with trees except where they had been cleared away to form the road. As usual at out-picquets, a large fire was made, round which the soldiers not on duty as sentinels were lying. It had begun to rain, and the lieutenant in com- mand of the 80th ordered the men to stand to their arms, and had just moved them to the shelter afforded by the piazza, when a volley was fired in the direction of the blazing fire from the brushwood under the trees — a company of young men, students at the university, composing a volunteer corps, having managed to creep into the thicket unobserved. The lieutenant, with great presence of mind moved his picquet across the road, leaping the ditch and forming them behind the parapet, he fired in the direction from whence the shots came, but whether any of the young men suffered is unknown, but not a British soldier, not even any of the sentinels, who manfully kept their posts, were hurt. While a British column was crossing a road which ran into the main one, two carriages, each with four A WEDDING TEIP. 35 horses and outriders, happened to come in contact with it, a gentleman jumped out of the leading carriage, and mounting an outrider's horse, dashed into the wood ; a shot or two was fired after him by the troops, but he escaped. A lady remained in the carriage seemingly much agitated. The carriages were detained until the arrival of the General. When the General came up he immediately recognized the lady, having become ac- quainted with her when detained as a prisoner of war on parole in this part of the country. On asking her who the gentleman was, she replied, " He is my hus- band — we are just married." The General said, "It was foolish in him to run the risk he did by trying to escape, for it was not possible that he could long do so." " And if you get him," she said, " what will be done to him?" "Madam," said the General, "he shall be sent immediately back to you, that you may enjoy the honey- moon." As soon as the column had passed, the carriages were allowed to proceed, not a horse being touched, al- though our artillery horses had not recovered from the effects of the sea voyage. The army being again collected, we sailed up James Eiver, and landed at City Point. The enemy did not offer much opposition, although they appeared in con- siderable number ; next day we moved through Blan- ford to Petersburgh (25th April). At the last-named place, the enemy made some show of resistance, but 3f) MEMOIR OF GENERAIi GEAHAM. could not withstand the intrepidity of the light infantry, and fled in all directions, cutting down the bridge on the Apamattoe Eiver to prevent pursuit. They were commanded by Baron Steuben and General Mahlenburg. We found a gi-eat quantity of tobacco in the warehouses of Petersburgh ; * it was the staple commodity with which they procured warlike stores. Orders were given to roll the hogsheads out of the storehouses, and they were burnt, as we had no means of carrying them away — many thousands were thus consumed. Brigadier Arnold moved to Osborne's on James Eiver, with two field-pieces and a small detachment, and took a fleet at that place, a State ship of war, and another armed vessel, with a number of merchant ships loaded with tobacco. The enemy had set fire to several of their vessels before abandoning them, but the troops succeeded in extinguishing the flames in most of them — the Brigadier displaying much activity and intrepi- dity on the occasion. After making some other excursions in the neigh- bourhood, destroying stores of arms, and burning bar- racks, we received orders to march to Bermuda Hundreds, opposite City Point, where we embarked on the 2d May, and on the 5th and 6th dropped down the river. Some of the vessels had got as far down as Hay * Petersburgli, a post town of Virginia, on the south-east bank of the Appamatoe River, twenty miles south of Eichmond. LA FAYETTE. 37 Island, when despatches were received from Lord Corn- wallis, which occasioned our immediate return. After relanding we made a forced march in the night, and again took possession of Petersbiirgh (on the 10th May). During our absence, an aide-de-camp and several staff- officers of the Marquis la Fayette had arrived from the northward with a detachment of continental troops, by whom our motions were closely watched. The Major-General was by this time so unwell that a carriage was obtained for him, and he was lodged in the house of Mrs. Boland. The Marquis la Fayette brought some field-pieces to the opposite banks of the river, and cannonaded us, directing his fire principally against Mrs. Boland's house, in which the General lay dangerously ilL A cannon-ball passed through his bed-chamber, but no further damage was done than killing a black woman, a slave of Mrs. Boland's. General Phillips ex- pired on the 12th May, and was buried at Petersburgh. 38 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. CHAPTEE THE EOUETH. Lord Oornwallis' movementa after the retreat from Charlotte — The Cowpens — Battle of Gtiildford — Second Battle of Cam- den— Lord Cornwallis' force joins the corps at Petershurgh after the death of General Phillips. The bar at Charlestown proved a great impediment to the troops under General Leslie, and the badness of the roads, owing to the rains, retarded very much his move- ments after landing. Lord Cornwallis, who, as stated in the last chapter, had retreated from Charlotte after Major Ferguson was killed, and taken up a position at Wins- borough to await the arrival of Leslie, was consequently- unable to attempt re-entering ITorth Carolina until the ] 5th January. Finding then that Leslie was approaching, he left the defence of Camden, to Lord Eawdon, and pre- pared to move. General Gates had by this time replaced General Green ia the command of the American army, and Colonel Morgan, an active officer, intrusted with the light troops, was pushing forward in the direction of the British posts. Lord Cornwallis directed Lieutenant- Colonel Taiieton, with his legion, a battalion of the 71 st COWPENS. S9 Eegiment, some light companies, and also the 7th Fusi- liers (a regiment mostly composed of recruits, which was on its way to reioforce one of the outposts), to watch and look after Morgan. Tarleton, by the celerity of his movements, soon came up with Morgan, and an action took place (at Cowpens), iu which the British sustained a severe loss, as almost all the infantry engaged were either killed, wounded, or made prisoners. Lieutenant- Colonel Tarleton, with some officers and a party of the l7th Light Dragoons, behaved most gallantly, and so staggered the enemy's cavalry, commanded by Colonel Washington, that a party of men under Ensign Frazer of the 7lst, in charge of the baggage, got safe into the British camp. Morgan, knowing too well the nature of his prize, left the ofRcers and wounded on the field with a flag of truce, and moved off with his prisoners to the northward, being well acquainted with the country. The greater part of the cavalry reached the British camp that night and the following day. This was a severe blow to the army, as the light companies, the 71 st, and legion infantry had always formed the advance, and had seen much service, but his lordship, being joined by the troops under General Leslie, determined to persevere in entering North Carolina even at this season of the year, being indeed the only chance he had of procuring subsistence for his army in this barren country. His lordship before commencing his march had 40 MEMOIE OF GENEEAL GEAHAM. directed that a detachment of troops from Charlestown should be embarked and sent up Cape Tear Eiver to Wilmington* These troops were commanded by Major Craig of the 82d (afterwards General Sir James H. Craig). On the 25th January his lordship halted for two days, and recommended to the army to equip them- selves as light troops ; and set a noble example by causing all his superfluous baggage to be destroyed, in which he was promptly and cheerfully followed by the whole army ; all the wheeled carriages were rendered useless, except such as were necessary for the transport of ammunition, salt, and the hospital. Thus lightened, the army made rapid marches in pursuit of General Morgan and his prisoners, but the wily Virginian escaped into his own province without being overtaken. On the 1st February the British army crossed the Catawba river, breast high in water, the Foot Guards, under General O'Hara, leading ; the enemy in force on the opposite bank, and keeping up an incessant fire ; the column advanced without returning a shot, led by their light company. As soon as they reached the opposite shore their gallant captain, Lieutenant-Colonel Hall, unfortunately fell ; but that circumstance did not restrain their impetuosity, for their lieutenant (the late * A port of entry. North Carolina, on the east side of Claren- don river, 76 miles soutli-east of FayetteviUe; 127 miles north- east of Charlestown, South Carolina. GREEKS MOVEMENTS. 41 General Francis Dundas) at once assumed, the com- mand, and charging with the bayonet, drove the enemy from their ground, and lolled their general The army made a rapid advance, but the enemy retired precipi- tately, crossing the Dar river about the 15th February into Virginia. The noble Earl did not think the force under his command sufficient to warrant his following them into that extensive State ; he therefore marched by easy stages to Hillsborough, where he raised the King's standard, calling upon the inhabitants to return to their allegiance. The enemy soon left Alrginia, and reappeared in North Carolina ; and about the end of February a body of loyalists, amounting to betwixt 300 and 400 men, imder Colonel Pyle, meeting with Lee's legion, forming part of their light troops, and mistaking them for Tarleton's corps, was nearly annihilated. About the same time. General Green having received reinforce- ments, returned with the remainder of his troops, re- crossing the Dar. The army was without information as to the move- ments of the enemy for several days, owing to the activity of the enemy's light troops ; and want of stores, forage, etc., obliged his lordship to move in the dii'ection of "Wilmington on Cape Fear river, having received infoiv mation that the stores he had ordered from Charles- town, and a reinforcement of troops, the 82d, under ^lajor Craig, had arrived there. On the 14th March c2 42 MEMOIE OF GENERAL GEAHAM. his lordship having learnt that General Green was at Guildford Court-house, where he had assembled his whole force, amounting to nearly 7000 men, immediately set off for the purpose of attacking him, although the British troops under his command did not amount to more than 2000 infantry and 200 cavalry. Having detached his waggons he moved with the army towards the enemy on the morning of the 15th. About four miles from Guildford Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, with the advanced guard, came upon the enemy's outposts, and driving them back, took some prisoners, who could give no information about the main body of the army, haAdng been for several days with the advance. The enemy's line, however, soon became visible, drawn up on the skirts of a wood near the Court-house. His lord- ship, on coming in sight of this position, directed Lieu- tenant (now General) M'Leod, with his field pieces, to cannonade their centre, and made his dispositions for the attack. General Leslie, with the 71 st Eegiment, and Hessian Eegiment de Bosc, supported by 1st Bat- talion of Guards, formed the right wing. The left con- sisted of the 23d and 33d Eegiments, under the com- mand of Lieutenant^Colonel Webster, supported by the Grenadiers and 2d Battalion Foot Guards, under Briga- dier-General O'Hara. The Yagers and light infantry of the Guards remained on the left of the guns, and the cavalry on a road, ready to act. The action commenced BATTLE OF GUILDFORD. 43 about half-past one P.M., and the guards being brought into line to the right of the Hessians, soon defeated everything before them. Colonel "Webster was equally- fortunate in the repulse of the force immediately in his front, and then finding the left of the 33d Eegiment exposed to a heavy fire from the right wing of the enemy, he changed front to the left and completed the route of the enemy's right. The Grenadiers, and 2d Battalion of Guards had moved forward to occupy the ground left vacant by Colonel Webster's movement, and the whole line was now in action ; but the woods were so thick, that the enemy, although defeated, was enabled to keep up a desultory fire on the British line, in front, flank, and rear. The Grenadiers, and 2d Bat- talion of Guards, continuing to advance, were the first to gain the cleared ground, near Guildford Court-house, where they met with a body of Continentals, whom, though superior in numbers, they instantly attacked and defeated, taking two six pounders ; but being tlirown into confusion by the heavy fire they encountered, and at the same time attacked by Washington's dragoons, they were forced to relinquish the ground they had taken. The enemy's cavalry, in turn, were driven back by Lieutenant M'Leod's guns ; and the 71 st and Grena- diers coming up in support, the 2d Battalion of Guards was rallied, and returned to the charge, through the spirited exertions of Brigadier O'Hara, who had at the 44 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GEAHAM. time received two wounds ; while the 23d Eegiment appearing on the left, and Colonel Tarleton advancing with part of the cavalry, the enemy were once more put to flight, leaving the two six pounders in our hands, together with two other guns of the same calibre, and two ammunition waggons, being all the artillery they had in the field. The S3d and light infantry of the Guards, overcoming many difficulties, had completely routed that portion of the enemy opposed to them. The 23d, 7lst, and part of the cavalry were ordered to pur- sue. Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton and the remainder of the cavalry proceeded to the right, and put an end to the firing which still continued in that quarter. The militia dispersed in the woods, and the continentals went off by the Eeedy Fork, beyond which it was not possible to follow them, as their cavalry had suffered but little, while our men were excessively fatigued from the seve- rity of the action, and the time it had lasted. The want of provisions, and the state of the wounded, dispersed over an extensive piece of ground, also prevented his lordship from following them next day ; so, after leaving about seventy of the worst cases at the Quaker meeting- house, he proceeded to Bell's Mills, approaching towards Wilmington. His lordship extols the conduct of General Leslie, Brigadier O'Hara, Colonel Webster, LieutenantrColonel MAECH TO CROSS CKEEK. 45 Tarleton, Major de * of the regiment De Bosc, lieutenant M'Leod of the artillery, also of Governor Martin and Brigadier Howard of the Guards, who were volunteers. Colonel Wehster died of his wounds, as did Captains Schultz and Maynard of the Guards, and two Hessian officers. Nearly a third of the force of the army was killed or wounded. The night succeeding the day of battle was very wet, the dead lay unburied, the wounded unsheltered; and the victorious army beiug without tents and without food could not alleviate their suffer- ings. The ensuing momiug was spent iu burying the dead and providing comfort for the wounded, ia which duties his lordship was equally attentive to friends and foes. After remaining two days on the field, the army moved for New Garden, where they met with the rear- guard and baggage. Leaving the worst cases with a flag, his lordship moved on the 18th, by easy marches, to Cross Creek,"f a Highland settlement convenient to Wilming- ton, then in possession of Major Craig. The enemy, although they retreated a considerable distance, seem to have rallied as their light troops were seen in the neigh- bourhood of the army ; but this part of the country is so exceedingly barren and thinly settled that his lord- ship moved on to Wilmington, where he arrived on the * niegiUe. •\ Cross Creek, now " Fayetteville," a flourisliiiig town of North Carolina. 46 JIEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. 7th April. His lordship, after the battle of Guildford, issued a proclamation calling upon the loyalists to come forward ; and he states in his despatch that many of them rode into the camp and took him by the hand, ex- pressing joy at the defeat of General Green, but went no further. In short, either from timidity or change of sentiment, not one appeared in arms for his Majesty's Government.* About this period General Green moved to the south- ward, hoping to make himself master of Camden and the British posts in South Carolina. Earl Cornwallis being apprized of his intention, sent off intelligence of it to Lord Eawdon, but such was the state of the country, and the dispersion of the enemy's light troops, that none of the messengers succeeded in reaching Camden, Lord Eawdon had, however, himself obtained informa- tion of Green's design six days before its execution was * Tie lukewarmness of our friends, and tlie distresses of tte army, compelled me to move to Cross Creek ; but meeting there with no material part of the promised assistance and supplies, I was ohliged to continue my march to Wilmington, where hospi- tals and stores were ready for us. Of this move I sent informa- tion by several expresses to Lord Eawdon, but unfortunately they all failed. My intention was, as soon as I should have equipped my corps and received part of the expected reinforcement from Ireland, to return to the upper country, in hopes of giving some protection to South Carolina, and of preserving the health of the troops until new measures could be concerted with the Com- mander-in-Chief. — Lord Cornwallis Pamphlet. SIEGE OF NINETY-SIX. 47 attempted, and on the 25th he moved out of Camden with little more than 800 men — the 63d Eegiment, Volunteers of Ireland, King's American Eegiment, and New York volunteers (the three last provincial corps) — and attacked and defeated General Green's army, sus- taining, however, a loss of 250 men in killed, wounded, and prisoners. This is called by the enemy the battle of Hobkirk's Hill, and by the British the second battle of Camden. After this defeat General Green made a move to the southward, and having made himself master of the smaller posts on the frontier, sent his light troops to the southernmost one, called Fort Augusta, and succeeded in taking it also. He next set himself down for the attack of 96, a post defended by Lieutenant-Colonel Cruger, a provincial officer, with about 300 provincial troops and some loyalist militia. Lord Eawdon's messengers shared nearly the same fate as those sent by Lord Cornwallis to himself, not one of them succeeded in reaching his destination. Lord Eawdon had directed the lieutenant- colonel to evacuate the post and retire in the direction of Charlestown ; but Cruger not having received any of the messages, determined to defend his post to the last extremity, and did so for a considerable period, dis- playing great gallantry and perseverance in holding out until the arrival of Lord Eawdon. His lordship having evacuated the post at Camden, 48 MEMOIK OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. had gone to Charlestown, and taking with him a rein- forcement of troops, principally composed of the flank companies of the newly arrived regiments from Ireland, 3d, 19th, and 30th, he by rapid marches, and notwith- standing the heat of the weather, came up in time to save the lieutenant-colonel. General Green, on the 19th June, raised the siege, and proceeded to the southward, apparently evincing no inclination to meet his lordship again in the field. Earl Cornwallis, while at Wilmington on the 23d April, got intelligence of General Phillips' expedition, and immediately decided on moving to Virginia to effect a junction with him, and having given instructions to Major Craig at "Wilmington, and also to lieutenanl^ Colonel Balfour at Charlestown for their conduct, in case of failure he set out with the army towards Halifax upon the Eoanoke river, a district less barren, sending Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton in advance, and the lieu- tenant-colonel having crossed the river into Virginia at this place without anything very material happening, information was received at Petersburg of the event, when Brigadier Arnold, with the Queen's Eangers, im- mediately moved off in that direction to meet him, and on the 20th May the two armies formed a junction at Petersburg.* Words can ill describe the admiration * Sir Henry Clinton, after tlie war, issued a pampHet in Justification of his own conduct as Coin m ander-in-CIiief, in wHch ABKIVAL AT PETEESBUKG. 49 in wMch this band of heroes was held hy the two Scotch regiments, and even by the battalions , of light infantry, the " elite " of the army who had fought and generally led in every action during the war. The gallant earl and his brave officers who had shared with him in his long and arduous marches, as well as in his laurels, were almost idolized. Their numbers were : — he animadverts on Lord Comwallis' maroli into Virginia, and declares that it was " a measure determined on without his appro- bation, and very contrary to his wishes and intention." Lord Comwallis' reply vindicates the measure, and explains the grounds upon which it was undertaken. " I could not remain (his Lord- ship says) at Wilmington, lest General Green should succeed against Lord Rawdon, and, by returning to North Carolina, have it in his power to cut off every means of saving my small corps, except that disgraceful one of embarkation, with the loss of the cavalry and every horse in the army. From the shortness of Lord Rawdon's stock of provisions, and the great distance from Wilmington to Camden, it appeared impossible that any direct move of mine could afford him the least relief. In the at- tempt, in case of a misfortune to him, the safety of my own corps might have been endangered, or if he extricated himself, the force in South Carolina when assembled, was, in my opinion, sufficient to secure what was valuable to us, and capable of de- fence in that province. I was likewise influenced by having just heard that General PhiUips had been detached and placed under my orders, which induced me to hope that solid operation might be adopted in that quarter, and I was fully persuaded that until Virginia was reduced we could not hold the more southern pro- vinces, and that after its reduction they would fall without much resistance, and be retained without much difficulty." D 50 MEMOIE OF GENERAL GEAHAM. Brigade of Guards 387" 23d Eegiment 194 33d Eegiment 209 - British. 71st Eegiment (2 battalions) 175 82d Eegiment, light company . 36, Eegiment de Bosc 228 Hessian. British Legion (Lient.-Col. Tarleton' s) 173) Provincial North Carolina Volunteers 335 Total 1435 AMEKIOAN CAMPAIGN. 51 CHAPTEE THE FIPTH. American Campaign continued — ^Action at James City — Siege and Surrender of York Town. Peepaeations were at once made for moving towards the Marquis la Fayette, wlio had been reinforced by troops from the north, as well as by the militia from the neighbourhood of Eichmond. Another detachment from New York joined the British army about 26th May in James Eiver, consisting of two battalions of the troops of Anspach Brandenburg, the l7th and 4!3d British Eegiments. The German regiments and the 17th, being weak in numbers, were sent to join the garrison of Portsmouth, General Leslie was sent to take the command at that post, and Brigadier Arnold went to New York. The 43d Eegiment was kept with the army, and, with the detachments of the 76th and 80th, formed a brigade for Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas. Here I had daily opportunities of being with my friend Major Gordon, whose military ability was justly appre- ciated by Lord Cornwallis, at the same time that it somewhat excited his surprise, as his lordship had known hiTin twenty years before ia the gay circles of 52 MEMOIE OF GENEEAL GEAHAM. London. Our encampments were always chosen on the banks of a stream, and were extremely picturesque, as we had no tents, and were obliged to construct wigwams of fresh boughs to keep off the rays of the sun during the day. At night, the blazing fires which we made of the fence rails illuminated the surrounding scenery, which, in this part of America, is of the most magnifi- cent description. There was but one wish in the army, which was to come up with the marquis. At parting with my friends in the evening, it was always " Prte- lium pugnatum est." The marquis moved to the west- mard, keeping about twenty miles off; we marched as far as Jefferson's Plantation, and Lieutenant-Colonels Tarleton and SimccE were detached, and destroyed to- bacco and stores of various descriptions. The former officer came upon the Assembly of Virginia at Charle-- ville by rapid marches, and made prisoners of several members. The army began to move towards Williams- burgh Neck for the sake of health at this season of the year, as well as because there was no chance of coming up with La Fayette's corps ; we arrived there on the 25th June. On this march the Queen's Eangers, forming a rear-guard, were assailed by an American corps under Colonel Butler, which had followed close in their rear for several days. After some sharp fighting, in which Lieutenant Jones greatly distinguished himself untU he fell, the encmv retired. ACnON AT JAMES CITT. 53 A few days afterwards, his lordship, wishing to ap- proach the shipping at Portsmouth, had occasion to cross the James Eiver to Cobham, and having made choice of James City Point as a proper place for cross- ing, he apprised the naval authorities of his inten- tion, and our haggage, b§,t horses, and the Queen's Eangers crossed over on the 5th July. The rest of the army still remained at James City. La Fayette, with Wayne's brigade, was completely deceived respect- ing this movement, and supposing that all the army had crossed over except the rear-guard, came down to James City on the 6th, moving by a narrow road across the Green Springs leading to a spot of cleared ground on the bank of the river which was immediately in front of Colonel Dundas's brigade. The British army was drawn up in two lines, the brigade of Colonel Dundas forming the left of the front line, the light infantry the right, the Guards, 23d, 33d, and Hessians formed the second line. The picquet-guard of Colonel Dundas's brigade^ consisting of men of the 76th Eegiment commanded by Lieutenant Balneaves, an officer of the 80th Eegiment, was ordered to resist as long as possible, which they did for a length of time. The lieutenant was killed, and Lieutenant Alston of the same regiment, having taken the command, was severely wounded, and after him Ensign Wemyss of the 76th was also wounded, when the picquet received orders to retire ; and the 54 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. enemy, advancing with great boldness, having a six- pounder on each flank, fronted when the head of the column reached the bank, and advancing in line on the open ground, fired their field-pieces. The troops were then ordered to their arms, and the 76th, under the orders of the Hon. Major Needham, the 80th under Major Gordon, and two companies of the 43d under Captain Cameron (the rest of that regiment being in the wood), advanced under their gallant brigadier, Lieu^ tenant-Colonel Dundas. The enemy kept a good coun- tenance for a short time, returning our fire from their field-pieces and muskets, but the noble Earl coming in the rear of the 76th, called out to charge, which order not being heard on account of the noise, he made a motion with his cane, touching a Highlander on the shoulder, which being repeated, they rushed on most rapidly. The 80th in the centre stiU continuing to fire. Major Gordon, mounted on a very tall horse, dashed out in front and stopped them, when several Edinburgh men of this regiment were heard to cry out, " Brigadier ! will you no Ink at the major, we canna get shooting for him ; he's aye rinnin' in the gate." A general charge took place which soon put an end to the combat. The enemy disappeared in an instant, as if removed by magic, abandoning their field-pieces and their wounded. Op^ posite to our left, where my post was, the enemy left a six-pounder loaded with grape shot. The noble lord, YORK AND GLOTTCESTEE. 55 in his despatch, is pleased to make use of these words — "but the 76th and 80th, on -whom the brunt of the action fell, had an opportunity of distinguishing them- selves particularly, and Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas's gallantry and good conduct deserve the highest praise."* Thus fortune in her frolics seemed to render these two corps somewhat worthy of their companions in arms, but aU were soon destined to taste of her frowns. The enemy's loss was considerable, particularly in wounded, many of whom, I afterwards ascertained from their offi- cers, were wounded in the lower extremities, a proof that the young soldiers had taken good aim. The army crossed the river unmolested, next day proceeding to- wards Portsmouth. The light infantry and some regiments embarked about the beginning of August, and sailed for York Eiver. Brigadier-General O'Hara was left with the remainder of the forces at Portsmouth, with orders to destroy the works, embark the troops and stores, and follow the main body as soon as possible. Yorkt and Gloucester were taken possession of by the troops of * There are officers now living who remember to have heard eye-witmesses speak of the distinguished gallantry of Captain Graham of the 76th in this action. t York or York Town, a port of entry and post town of Virginia, capital of York county, on the south side of York river, 12 nules E. of WiUiamsburgh, 15 miles N.W. of Hampton, 57 nules ESJ!. of Kichmond. 56 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. the first embarkation, and about 22d August the whole army was assembled in these places. Working parties both of the army and navy began fortifying Gloucester. As soon as the works were completed, a garrison, con- sisting of the 80th and Queen's Eangers, with the Hessian Eegiment (Prince Hereditaire), under Colonel Dundas, was left for the defence of that post. The rest of the army was employed in fortifying York Town. The York Eiver at this place makes a bend or curve, in the centre of which the town is situated, which consists of a row of houses buHt on a high bank, with wharfs and warehouses below on a level with the water. On the right of the town there is a "considerable ravine, and on the angle of the opposite bank was constructed a pretty strong redoubt with an abatis as a defence on the right flank. The town was then surrounded by a ditch and thick parapet, having a horn work in its centre, in both of which were batteries, the embrasures lined with fas- cines. The parapet ran to the river on the left flank, having two advanced redoubts with abatis constructed on that flank, one on the brink of "the bank over the river, the other advanced, and in a line with the town's parapet and base of the hornwork. The parapet was formed of trees cut in the woods and placed inside ; out- side it was formed of fascines ; and the earth from the ditch, which was sandy and gravelly, was thrown into the space between ; it had also a fraise made of fence rails SIEGE OF YORK. 57 kept in line and projecting by the earth thrown into the opening of the parapet, giving it an appearance of strength which it little merited. During the time that the army was employed in these laborious works there was an encampment outside the town, on the edge of the bank projecting over the ravine with which the town was partly surrounded, particularly on its right, and through which several roads entered the town. This en- campment was strengthened by redoubts and field works, thrown up for artillery, in various places commanding the country iu its front, which was open and level. This was called the outward position. While the troops were employed in this manner, working hard both by day and night, one of the frigates sent with despatches to New York suddenly returned, bringing intelligence that the Count de Grasse with the Trench fleet was iu possession of Chesapeake Bay. A line of battle ship and two frigates blockaded the mouth of York river. The Hes- sian field-officer who had caused a sensation amongst the Scotch soldiers, as before mentioned, being asked his opinion of the defences of the Gloucester side, replied, "I no fear de land, but got tamn she," pointing to the ships. A British fleet under Admiral Graves came off the Cape of the Bay about 5th September, when the French fleet, cutting its cables, stood out to sea, and a partial action took place, after which the two fleets remained in sight of each other for some days, when the British, 5S MEMOIE OF GENERAL GEAHAM. finding no entrance to the Bay, stood to the northward. The Count de Barras having left Ehode Island on 25th August with a fleet and stores of various kinds entered the Bay at this period, having escaped the observation of the British fleet, and Count de Grasse again entered the Chesapeake, forming a junction with the Count de Barras. A body of French troops, commanded by the Trench General St. Simon, was landed at William sburgh from the fleet from the West Indies. Count Eocham- beau also having formed a junction with General Wash- ington's army, after crossing the Hudson or North Eiver, and making a feiat while in the Jersies of attacking New York, suddenly moved to the southward with the Ameri- can army by forced marches. This corps arriving at the head of Wk was soon transported by the French fleet also to Williamsburgh. Our army continued strengthening their posts as weU as they could, felling trees and causing such other obstructions to the advance of the enemy as were in their power, when, on the 28th Sep- tember, information was given by a picquet in front of a working party that the enemy were advancing in force by the Williamsburgh Eoad. The army immediately took post in the outward position. The French and Americans came on in the most cautious and regular order. Some shots were fired from our field-pieces. The French also felt the redoubt on our right flank, defended by the 23d and a party of marines, but did not SIEGE OF YORK. 59 persist. The two armies remained some time in this position observing each other. In ours, there was but one wish, that they would advance. While standing with a brother captaiu (Mont Blanc), we overheard a soliloquy of an old Highland gentleman, a lieutenant, who, drawing his sword, said to himself, " Come on, Maister Washington, I 'm unco glad to see you ; I 've been offered money for my commission, but I could na think of gangin' hame without a sight of you. Come on." On the 29th the enemy made a movement, the Americans moving to the left of our position, leaving the French on our right, so that we were completely invested. On the 30th, a boat with despatches from New York arrived, having come through the French fleet in safety. In the evening of this day the army evacuated the outward position, retiring within the de- fences of York Town. The river is about 1500 yards wide betwixt the two posts York and Gloucester. On the 2d October, the legion under Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton was sent over to Gloucester. On the 3d, a foraging party being sent out from Gloucester by orders of lieutenant-Colonel Dundas, the rear-guard, composed of cavalry, was attacked by the legion of Lauzun, and driven back, until saved by the light company of the 23d under Captain Champagne, who lost several men, and his Lieutenant Moore, a promising of&cer. Briga- dier-General Choisi, commanding on the Gloucester side. 60 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. being reinforced by a body of marines, the communica- tion with the country was cut off. At York Town our labours were incessant, the French and Americans on their side were not idle, constructing their first paral- lel within 600 yards of our works. They had con- structed a battery of heavy guns opposite the redoubts on our right flank, and on the evening of the 9th they fired an eighteen pound ball into the town as a begin- ning, which, entering a wooden house where the officers of the 76th Eegiment were at dinner, badly wounded the old Highland lieutenant whose soliloquy is before nar- rated, also slightly the quarter-master and adjutant, and killed the Commissary-General Perkins who was at table. An incessant cannonade now commenced on both sides, but our batteries and newly constructed works soon began to feel the effects of the powerful artil- lery opposed to them, and on the 10th scarcely a gun could be fired from our works, fascines, stockade plat- forms, and earth, with guns and gun-carriages, being all pounded together into a mass. The Hon. Major Cochrane, of the legion who came express from N"ew York through the Trench fleet, and was appointed to act as an aid-de- camp to Lord Cornwallis, being led by zeal to fire a gun from behind the parapet in the horn work " en ricochet," and anxious to see its effect, looked over to observe it, when his head was carried off by a cannon ball. On the 11th the enemy began his second parallel. GALLANT SOKTIE. 61 On the 12th Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas, Major Gordon, and part of the 80th, came over from Gloucester to do duty in the lines of York Town. On the evening of the 14th the two redoubts on our left flank were attacked, and carried after a gaUant resistance ; that next the river was taken by the Americans, and the other by the French. The French general who commanded the at- tack found faiilt with his aid-de-camp who led for dis- mounting his horse, the works being so much battered and destroyed. The two redoubts were soon included in the enemy^s lines. Early in the morning of the 15th a sortie from our lines, consisting of the grenadiers of the Foot Guards, and Captain John Murray's company of the 80th, commanded by Colonel (afterwards Lord) Lake, and a detachment of Light Infantry, under Major Arm- strong, in all about 350 men, under the immediate orders of Colonel (afterwards Sir Eobert) Abercromby, entered the French lines in the most gallant style, killing above 100 men, and spiking 11 pieces of heavy artillery on one of their batteries almost completed. They re- turned without much loss, in face of a large body of troops under the Marquis JSToaUles sent to attack them. Tliis daring enterprise, although it retarded operations for a short time at that particular spot, had little effect on the general progress of their siege operations, and our loss of men much increasing, the Earl took the resolu- tion of crossing over to Gloucester with the most effect- 62 MEMOIK OF GENERAL GEAHAM. ive of Ms troops, leaving the rest to surrender the place. His Lordship's intention was to attack Lauzun's Legion at Gloucester and get possession of their horses, and then move rapidly off either to the northward or south- ward, as circumstances might dictate. Accordingly, an embarkation took place, and part crossed over ; but while the next embarkation was on the water, a violent storm of wind and rain occurred, which, driving many of the troops down the river nearly under the enemy's lines, obliged liis Lordship to desist from prosecuting his intentions, and recall such troops as had landed at Gloucester. These men suffered a good deal from the enemy's fire while returning on the river. On the I7th Lord Cornwallis proposed a cessation of hostilities, and Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas and Major Eoss (now General) having met the Marquis Noailles and Mr. Lawrence, articles of capitulation were settled. By the 1st the land forces were to become prisoners of war to the United States of America, and the seamen to the naval army of the King of France. By the 3d the troops were to march out with shouldered arms and drums beating to a place where the arms were to be laid down. By the 4th the officers were to keep their private property and wear their side arms. By the 5th the soldiers were to be kept in Virginia, Maryland or Pennsylvania, and to receive provisions as the soldiers of America. A British, Hessian, and Anspach field officer, PRISONER OF WAR. 63 ■witli other officers, in the proportion of 1 to 50 men, were to be allowed to reside near their respective regi- ments on their parole of honour, and bear witness of their treatment, delivering clothing and necessaries to them, for which passports were to be granted on appli- cation. By the 8th, the Bonetta sloop of war to be al- lowed to sail to New York with an officer bearing despatches, and with such other persons as Lord Corn- wallis might think proper to put on board, who are not to be examined. The ship and crew to be accounted for, the dangers of the sea excepted. By the 14th article it was stipulated that no article of this capitula- tion was to be infringed on pretence of reprisals, and if there were any doubtful expressions in it, they were to be interpreted according to the usual meaning and ac- ceptation of the words. The signatures of the Earl Comwallis, Lieutenant-General, commanding the garri- sons of York and Gloucester, and of Commodore Sy- monds, commanding his Britannic Majesty's naval forces in York Eiver, on the one part, and of his ExceUeucy General Washington, commanding the combined forces of America and France, his Excellency Coimt Eocham- beau, Lieutenant-General Grand Cross of the order of St. Louis, commanding the auxiliary troops of his Most Christian Majesty in America, his Excellency the Count de Grasse, Lieutenant-General, commander of the naval army of his Most Christian Majesty in the Bay of 64 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. Chesapeake, on the other part, were affixed to the capitu- lation. On the 19th the garrison marched out betwixt the two lines of American and French troops reluctantly- enough, and laid down their arms. A corporal next to me shed tears, and, embracing his firelock, threw it down, saying, " May you never get so good a master." This over, the regiments set about fixing upon the offi- cers who were to remain on parole of honour with the troops. In the 76th this was done by casting lots, which was also the mode followed by the field officers of the British army ; and it having fallen upon Colonel (after- wards Lord) Lake, that officer expressed himself in such a manner on the occasion, as induced Major Gordon to say that he would take the duty for him, an offer which was joyfully accepted. It fell to my lot to be one of the captains of the 76th detailed to remain with the soldiers in America. Our departure was fixed for the following morning, so that little time was given for pre- paration, but having a great desire to visit the enemy's works, which we had so long contemplated with feelings understood by human nature, but which language can ill describe, accompanied by a friend I visited the French lines, and met with much courtesy from the French. On the top of the parapet where the guns were placed which had been spiked in the " sortie," they showed me a grave, saying, " Voil^ un de vos brave gens." It was that of a serjeant in the Foot Guards who had POLITENESS OF FRENCH OFFICEES. 65 fallen there. Earl Comwallis also mentions the conduct of the French officers in making offers of money for our use. I have heard of one of them, I believe Le Vicomte Vismesml, who apologised by saying, " Je n'ai rien h vous offrir. J'ai eu I'honneiir de servir cinquante ans le Grand Monarque je n' yai gagne que la petite croix et le rhumatisme."* * In the "New York Packet," December 27, 1781,iinder the signature " A Subaltern,'' there appeared a lengthy comment on Lord Comwallis' despatch relating to the reduction of York. The writer chaiges his lordship with beiug " No General" — ^No soldier — ^No politician — and no gentleman. For each of these charges the writer gives his reasons. The last one, that of Lord Comwallis being no gentleman, he says " is evident from his un- grateful silence as to the noble and generous conduct of General Washington and the American officers to him and his army after the capitulation. " The magnanimity, humanity, and politeness of the Com- mander-in-Chief of the American armies would have extorted ex- pressions of gratitude and respect from an Indian savage, a Tartar, or a Turk. A British general and an English nobleman is the OTily human being that could have treated such superlative virtue with sullen disrespect." d2 66 MEMOIE OF GENEKAL GEAHAM. CHAPTEE THE SIXTH. Prisoners of war escorted to Winoliester — General Morgan as to accommodation for Prisoners — Eemoved to Little York. The Britisli prisoners moved out of York Town next day, 20tli, in two divisions, escorted by regiments of militia or state troops ; one took the direction of Mary- land, tlie other, to which I belonged, moved to the west- ward in Virginia. Our guards were all from the upper parts of the state, called backwoodsmen, between whom and the inhabitants of the lower parts there existed no cordiality ; and at night when we halted, they not only allowed, but even encouraged our men to pull down and make fires of the fence-rails, as we had been accustomed to do when we had arms in our hands ; and when a pro- prietor complained they only laughed at him. They did not scruple also to let us make free with a turnip field. We moved on towards the base of the lesser blue ridge of mountains in the direction of an opening or gap called Ashley's Gap, where was a public-house kept by a person of that name. Happening to ride on in front of the PRISONERS MARCH TO WINCHESTER. 67 column, I asked Mrs. Ashley if she could give two or three of us anything to eat. She stared at my uniform, saying — " A militiaman, I guess." " No," was my reply. " Continental, mayhap ;" to which I also replied in the negative. " ho !" said she, " I see you are one of the sarpints, one of ould Wallace's men ; well now, I have two sons, one was at the catching of Johnny Burgoyne, and the other at that of you ; and next year they are both going to catch Clinton at New York ; but you shall be treated kindly, my mother came from the ould country." We soon afterwards arrived at Winchester,* the place of our destination. The officers were lodged in the town on parole, the soldiers were marched several miles off to a cleared spot in the woods, on which stood a few log-huts, some of them occupied by prisoners taken at the Cowpens. The guards who had conducted us were relieved by regiments of militia from the neighbourhood. Crowds of the country people came daily amongst the men, inviting them to their plantations. They were not strictly guarded, and as there was not covering for half their number, it was intimated that we should not object, provided they previously made us aware of their * Wincliester or Fredericktown, a post town of Virginia, situ- ated 32 miles S.W. from the celebrated passage of the Potow- mack through the Blue Ridge. It was formerly fortified, but the works have been allowed to crumble into ruins ; 62 miles W.N.W. of Washington ; 108 miles N.W. of Richmond. 68 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. intentions, and gave in the name of tlie inhabitant ; hut that otherwise we should consider them in the light of de- serters. The huts were few, and there was a prospect of bad weather. Being senior officer, I therefore applied to the commissary of prisoners for permission to send a cer- tain number of men into the town to occupy a church which was little used, to which request he gave his con- sent. Accordingly, 500 men were brought in, and the huts thus emptied were distributed among the other prisoners. A few days afterwards I got a message from Brigadier- General Morgan, who lived near the town, informing me that the soldiers could not be allowed to occupy the church and remain in the town any longer, and that they must return to the huts. I immediately wrote a letter, remonstrating with him, and stating that there was not covering for half of the men at that place, neither had we any money to purchase tools with and erect more, and requesting that the 500 men might be allowed to remain in the town untD. a statement of their situation could be forwarded to head-quarters. To this I received the following reply : — "Saratoga, 28;A Novemher 1781. " Sir — I rec^ your letter of this day's date, and am realy surprized at the purport of it. two or three days before Christmas our army began to hut at Middle brook, jersey, and had nothing to keep off the inclamency of LETTER EEOM GENEEAL MOEGAN. 69 the weather till huts were made. Tou have' time enough, this snow won't last long, it will be gone directly, if your men don't know how to work thay must learn, we did not send for them to come among us, neither can we work for them to bxiild them houses, I have been a prisoner as well as thay, and was kept in close goale five month and twelve days ; six and thirty officers and there serv*^ in one room, so that when we lay down upon our straw we covered the whole floore, consider this, and your men have nothing to grumble at. Col. Holmes had no Eight to bring them to town, thay were ordered to the Barrack, and thare thay ought to have continued, CoL Holmes, tho a commisary of prsoner, is under controul, you have nothing to do but Hut your men as soon as you can, for that must be the case I have sent to Gen^ Washington informing him of all matter and of what I had done, and what I intended to do, and am shure it will meet with his approbation, as he has neaver yet found fault with my conduct, Toul conclude from this that Col. Holmes must obay my orders. The sooner your men hut themselves the better, for thay must not stay in Town much longer. I wiU try to redress every grevence as well as I can, but this I cant look upon as a grevence ; if we had barrack to afford you you should have them, but as we have them not your men must cover themselves, at least I would recommand it to them, or they wiU suffer. 70 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. I Lave wrote this letter in a plain, rough stUe, that you might know what you had to depend on, at which I hope youl not take umbrage. (Signed) Day. Morgan, " To Captain Samuel Graham, ^ a Brittish Officer in Winchester, by express." I lodged with two brother officers in the house of the colonel commanding the militia who guarded the men, and knowing that General Morgan had come to town about some occurrences connected with the prisoners, I waited upon him, and invited him to dinner. He came, and in the course of conversation he asked the Colonel if he remembered a eertain person, a most remarkable rifle shot ; the latter said he did. He then told him that having been ordered to seize a height contiguous to the British posts at Saratoga ; he no sooner did so than his people were driven from it, but having again re-taken the height, he saw an officer on a grey horse advancing, whom he had before observed, he therefore sent this man, who was such an excellent shot, into a tree, with orders to take aim at that officer, which was certainly done, for he did not re-appear, nor was the height re- taken. This was undoubtedly General Frazer, as the story nearly corresponds with the narrative in which General Burgoyne relates the fate of General Frazer ; according to that account he feU by a rifle ball. General GENERAL MOKGAIT'S ADVENTURES. 7l Morgan also told us that the British still owed him a lash, for ia the seven years' war, while quite a youth, he drove a waggon with General Braddock's army, but haviQg committed some gross irregularity, he was tried by a court-martial, and sentenced to receive 500 lashes, of which he had only got 499, as he had counted them himself, and afterwards convinced the drum-major of his mistake. Major Gordon had remained behind at York, ia order to provide for sick and wounded, of whom we had more than 1900 at the time of the surrender; the effectives of all Muds, British and foreign, in the liaes at York Town only amounting to 3273, and in Gloucester to 744, including the provincials. Major Gordon's own quarters were fixed at Fredericktown, in Maryland, where the 80th regiment was kept, and soon after his arrival there he visited Winchester. In conjunction with him I made a representation on the subject of our men's rations, as the issue of flour was very irregular, although the men were well supplied with meat. Our joiat remonstrances, however, had but little effect, and after staying for two or three days, and making me promise to visit him at Christmas, the major returned to Maryland. According to promise I went to Fredericktown at Christmas, but had not been many days there when orders were given for the Maryland division of British prisoners to march to Lancaster, a town of Pennsylvania, half a mile from 72 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. Comstoga Creek, and ten miles .to the north of the river Susquehannah, and for the Winchester division to move to Little York, a town of the same State ten miles to the south of the same river, and both on the great road leading to Philadelphia. Nothing very material happened on the march. The weather was intensely cold, and the frost keen. At a small river in Maryland, on the banks of which the divi- sion halted in the afternoon of one day, they crossed over on the ice next morning. The officers were badly off for money, and there were not wanting Jews in that part of the world hovering about us, offering money at a most extravagant discount for biUs on England ; but Major Gordon set his face against this as far as he could, as- suring us that a paymaster would soon arrive amongst us. Through the activity of Captain Barclay, paymaster of the 76th, that regiment had been fortunate enough to procure some pairs of shoes for the soldiers ; and I was much surprised at an application for a pair from an Irish soldier of the 48d Light Infantry, who had Kved with the colonel of militia, in whose house we lodged at Winchester, but to whom none of us ever spoke, as he had quitted his company without giving the requisite notice. I said I was much surprised at his impudence, when he knew our sentiments regarding his conduct ; his an^er was — " Your honour, ask the Guardsmen, ask your own soldiers, if ever they have been in want of PKISONEES' CAMP. 73 toLacco since I entered the colonel's store, and your honour knows we have had no money to buy it ; no, no, Patt Sullivan is no deserter, but I had my raisins for not telling my ofElcers ; and there was no great harm in taking a few more hogsheads of tobacco and giving it to my starving comrades." At Lancaster the soldiers were kept in. a tolerable barrack, sm'rounded by a high stockade, and strictly guarded. At York they were kept in huts newly con- structed, also surrounded by a high stockade, and were also strictly guarded. At a little distance from, but in sight of, our men's huts, upon a rising ground were situated a number of huts occupied by soldiers of Gene- ral Burgoyne's army, also prisoners of war, but without stockade or guard. Our men named their own camp "Security," and the other camp "Indulgence." Major Gordon having been directed to take charge of the prisoners at Camp Indulgence, and having received but indifferent accounts respectiug them — most of them having married iu the country — generally selected bad weather to visit them, when very few appeared. About this time Herman Ryland arrived from New York to reside with us as paymaster-general, some necessaries for the men were also received, but as some of our fellow-prisoners, who had been long in the coimtry, had enlisted with the enemy and appeared as guards upon their countrymen, wearing the necessaries they had re- E 74 MEMOIE OF GENERA.L GEAHAM. ceived, it required great circumspection in the distribu- tion of them. The major therefore took every precau- tion to save the public money, and allowances only were given to such men as resided in the huts. I remained some time at Lancaster with Major Gordon. In March 1782, a Lieutenant Cunningham of the 80th died there. One of his friends applied to Mr. Ottley, commissary of prisoners, for permission to bury him in the church- yard in his ground ; at first it was refused, but the commissary afterwards consented, and even implored. " No," said Major Gordon ; " you see that spot near the barracks where so many British soldiers have been buried ; that is the place where I myself should wish to lie were I to die, and there will we deposit the re- mains of this British officer ; for you know that officers and soldiers should not be separated, and at the last day the soldiers would be greatly surprised if they saw no officer." He was accordingly buried there. GENEEAL "WASHINGTON TO SIE H. CLINTON. 75 CHAPTER THE SEVENTH. Correspondence relative to tlie selection of an Officer to be Executed, as a measiLre of retaliation — Lots drawn. Whilst hostilities were carried on in America, there was a board at New York styled the Board of Ix)yalists, who managed all matters relating to that unfortunate class. The warfare carried on betwixt these people and the American republicans has been already alluded to as being almost distinct from that of the two armies. It was also characterised by the exercise of cruelties of many kinds on both sides. The following correspon- dence took place at this time, arising out of an occur- rence in this irregular warfare : — " To Hjs Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, Commander-in- Chief, etc., etc. " Sir — The enclosed representation of the inhabitants of Monmouth, with testimonials to the fact (which can be corroborated by other unquestionable evidence), will bring before your excellency the most wanton, cruel, and unprecedented murder that ever disgraced the arms 76 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. of a civilized people. I shall not, because I tHnk it altogether imnecessary, trouble your excellency with any animadversions on this transaction. Candour obliges me to be explicit, to save the innocent I demand the guilty. Captain Lippencot, or the officer who com- manded at the execution of Captain Huddy, must be given up, or if that officer was of inferior rank to him, so many of the perpetrators as will, according to the tariff of exchange, be an equivalent. To do this will 'mark the justice of your excellency's character ; in failure of it, I shall hold myself justified in the eyes of God and man for the measures to which I shall resort. I beg your excellency to be persuaded that it cannot be more disagreeable to you to be addressed in this lan- guage than it is for me to offer it, but the subject requires frankness and decision. I have to request your speedy determination, as my resolution is sus- pended but for your answer. (Signed) « G. Washington. "Head-Quarters, 21st April 1782." (Reply.) " To His Excellency General Washington. " Sir — Your letter of the 21 st instant, with the en- closed testimonials of Captaia Huddy's execution, was delivered to me yesterday ; though I am extremely con- cerned for the cause, I cannot conceal my surprise and SIR H. CLINTON TO GENEEAl WASHINGTON. 77 displeasure at the very improper language you have made use of, which you could not but he sensible was totally unnecessary. The mildness of the British Go- vernment does not admit of acts of cruelty and perse- cuting violence, and as they are notoriously contrary to the tenor of my own conduct and disposition, having yet never stained my hands with innocent blood, I must claim the justice of having it believed that if any such have been committed by any person under my com- mand, they could not have been warranted by my authority, nor can they ever have the sanction of my approbation. My personal feelings, therefore, need no incitement to urge me to take every proper notice of the barbarous outrage against humanity which you have described to me the moment it came to my knowledge ; and accordingly, when 1 heard of Captain Huddy's death, which was only four days before I received your letter, I instantly ordered a strict iaquiry to be made into all its circumstances, and shall bring the perpetrators of it to an immediate trial. To sacrifice innocence under the notion of preventing guilt in place of suppressing, would be adopting barbarity and raising it to the greatest height, whereas, if the violators of the laws of war were punished by the generals under whose power they act, the horrors which these laws were formed to prevent would be avoided, and every degree of huma- nity war is capable of maintained. Could violations of 78 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. humanity be justified by example, many from the parts where your power prevails, that exceed and probably gave rise to this in question, could be produced. In hopes that the mode I mean to pursue wUl be adopted by you, and prevent all future enormities, I have the honour to be, sir, your excellency's etc., etc., etc., (Signed) " Henry Clinton. "New York, 22d April 1782." His excellency Sir Hemy Clinton having embarked on his return to England, Lieutenant-General Eobertson, on whom the temporary command devolved, addressed General Washington on this subject, and received the following reply : — " Head Quarters, U7i May 1782. " Sir — I had the honour to receive your letter of the 1st instant. Tour excellency is acquainted with the determination expressed in my letter to Sir Henry Clinton, of the 21st AprU. I have now to inform you, that so far from receding from that resolution, orders are given to designate a British officer for retaliation ; the time and place are fixed, but I still hope the result of your court-martial will prevent the dreadful alternative. (Signed) « G. Washington. " To his Excellency General Eobertson.'' His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton having arrived at SIR GUY CAELETON. 79 New York, as successor to Sir Henry Clinton, wrote to General Washington : — " New Yoek, *Jih May 1782. " Sir — I am much concerned to find that private and unauthorized persons have on both sides given way to their passions, which ought to have received the strongest and most effectual control, and which has hegot acts of retaliation, which, without proper preven- tions, may have an extent equally calamitous and dis- honourable to both parties, though, as it should seem, more extensively pernicious to the natives and settlers of this country. How much soever we differ in other respects, upon this one point we must perfectly concur, being alike interested to preserve the name of English- men from reproach, and individuals from experiencing such unnecessary evils as can have no effect on general decisions. Every proper measure that may tend to pre- vent these criminal excesses on individuals 1 shall ever be ready to embrace ; and as an advance on my part, I have, as the first act of my command, enlarged Mr. Livingston, and have written to his father in New Jersey, desiring his concurrence in such measures as even under the conditions of war, the common interests of humanity require. (Signed) Guy Cakleton. " To Hs Excellency General Washington." 80 MEMOIE OF GENERAL GRAHAM. (Eeply.) "Head Quarters, 9ih May 1782. " Sir — I had the honour this evening to receive your excellency's letters of the 7th instant, with the several papers iaclosed. Ever since the commencement of this unnatural war my conduct has borne invariable testi- mony against these inhuman excesses, that in too many instances have marked its various progress. With respect to a late transaction I have already expressed my fixed resolution — a resolution formed on the most mature deliberation, and from which I shall not recede. (Signed) " G. Washington. " To Ms ExceUency Sir Guy Carleton." Although the above letters were published in the Philadelphian newspapers, yet we had not an oppor- tunity of seeing them at that time; but in all the papers we observed many inflammatory paragraphs calling upon General Washington and Congress to retaliate for cruel- ties exercised upon the Americans. I remained at Lan- caster till about the middle of May with Major Gordon, and then returned to Little York, where the 76th lay, and had been there only a few days when I was surprised by a visit from the major. He appeared to be labouring under some affliction, being greatly de^ pressed in spirits. He begged of me not to ask him the cause, as he had pledged his honour not to divulge what CAPTAINS ASSEMBLE AT LANCASTER. 81 had been communicated to him, but said that he had brought an order from the commanding officer at Lan- caster, directing the officer in command at Little York to order all the British captains on parole there to repair to Lancaster next day. The major also requested that I would advise them each to take a servant, with spare necessaries, and that he expected to see them at his quarters next day soon after their arrival. Accordingly, having received the order from Colonel Gibson, I com- municated the major's wishes to the captains, and on Sunday, 25th May, five lieutenants of the Foot Guards, one captaia 23d Eegiment, and two of the 76th Eegi- ment, set off for Lancaster, crossing the Susquehannah, and arrived there about three in the afternoon. We re- paired to the major's quarters, where we were soon joined by one captain I7th, one captain 33d, two of the 80th Eegiments, and one of the Queen's Earigers, in all thirteen. The major addressed us in a most feeling manner, acquainting us that orders had arrived to send on one of us as a subject of retaliation for the murder of a Captain Huddy, said to have been put to death by the refugees. He assured us that no exertion should be wanting on his part to save the life of the unfortunate person, be he who he may, and read us letters which he had sketched out, expressed in the strongest terms to General Washington, to the President of Congress, to Count Eochambeau, and to the Chevalier de Lucerne, S2 1^ MEMOIK OF GENERAL GEAHAM. French consul at Philadelphia, and also one to Sir Guy Carleton at N"ew York, acquainting him of the transac- tion. " Moreover," said he, " Gentlemen, I beg leave to teU you, that I am determined to accompany the gentle- man, whoever he may be, to the place of his destination, having obtained the general's promise to be allowed to do so. We parted, not a Little consoled by the thought of being accompanied by this excellent man ; and hav- ing been summoned to assemble next morning at nine o'clock at the Black Bear, on passing through the yard of that inn to the room we were directed to, we there saw a Dragoon of&cer and twenty dragoons, already mounted. In the room we met Brigadier-General Moses Hazan, the of&cer in command, Captain White, his aid- de-camp, and Mr. Witz, commissary of prisoners. The thirteen captains were — Killed at Duakirk. Died a brig.-gen. ia West Indies. Died a lieut.-gen. and a baronet. Earl Ludlow, and a general officer. Quitted the army. Captains Lawford MOls, 1 7tli Reg., served afterwards in mUitia. ,, Saumarez, 23d Eeg., now Sir Thomas, and Ueut.-general. „ Ingram, 33d Reg., died in the service. „ Graham, 76th Keg., a lie^itenant-general. Barclay, 76th Eeg., served ia 54th Eeg., since dead. „ Arbuthnot, 80th Eeg., died in the service in W. Indies. „ Hathom, 80th Eeg., died on half-pay. „ Whitelocke (Queen's Eangers) settled in Nova Scotia, and accompanied by Major Gordon. After the usual Lieuts. Eld, „ Perryn, „ Asgin, „ Ludlow, Foot Guards. „ Greville, GEKEEAL WASHINGTOK'S OEDEES. 83 salutations, the Brigadier-General, ■with much feeling, proceeded to read us the following letters, the Dragoon officer entering at the same time : — * * In 1782, after the capitulation of Lord ComwalHs, many- loyalists luged Sir H. Clinton to threaten vengeance for injuries inflicted on those who had joined the royal standard, but he de- clined issuing a proclamation, and was deterred by the advice of the principal refugees from establishing the civil government, which would have permitted the trial of captive continentals as rebels. While he was engaged in projects of defence, and while commissioners appointed by TiiTn and General Washington were negociating for an exchange of prisoners, one Joshua Huddy, a captain in the service of Congress, was taken by a party of loyalists, and after being conveyed to several prisons, and confined some days, delivered with two others to a Captain Lippencott, for the ostensible purpose of being exchanged ; but Huddy was hung on a tree, with a label on his breast, denoting that his fate was a retaliation for that of one White, an associator. Sir Henry Clinton, highly resenting this disgraceful outrage on humanity, and insult on himself as commander, arrested Lippencott, and with the concurrence of a council of war, ordered him to be tried for murder. But the Americans were not appeased by this act of justice. The inhabitants of Monmouth County trrgently en- treated General Washington, as the person in whom was lodged the sole power of avenging their wrongs, to bring a British officer of the same rank as Huddy to a similar end. Acting with great promptitude on this requisition, the Ameri- can commander wrote to the British general demanding that the murderers of Huddy should be given up to him. Clinton expressed surprise and displeasure at the imperious language in which this communication was couched. The board of loyalists stated circumstances relating to the execution of Huddy, in which, though Lippencott had exceeded his authority and their orders, he had merely adopted the precedent shewn by the Americans in the case of White. Washington's letter was 84 MEMOIE OF GENEKAL aEAHAM. " To Brigadier-General Moses Hazan, Commander at " Lancaster. " Head Quaetees, Uh May 1782. " Sir — The enemy persisting in that barbarous line of conduct they have pursued during the war, have lately most inhumanly executed Captain Joshua Huddy of the Jersey State troops, taken prisoner by them at a post on Tom's Eiver ; and, in consequence, I have writ- ten to the British commander-in-chief, that unless the perpetrators of this horrid deed were delivered up, I should be under the necessity of retaliating, as the only means left to put a stop to such inhuman proceedings. You wUl therefore immediately, on receipt of this, de- signate by lot for the above purpose, a British .captain who is an unconditional prisoner, if such a one is in our possession ; if not, a lieutenant under the same circum- stances from amongst the prisoners at either of the posts accompanied 'with depositions showing that Huddy was not con- cerned in the miu-der of White ; hut, on the other hand, Huddy confessed to his otsti activity in murdering associated loyalists. Lippencott was tried hy court-martial ; he pleaded that he was not suhject to martial law, and by common laws could not be tried in New York for an offence committed in another state, New Jersey. These objections were overruled by the Chief- Justice and Attorney-General, but as it appeared that Lippencott acted under the orders of a board he was bound to obey, he was acquitted. Then the barbarous edict of retaliation was ordered to be enforced. — " Phillimore" on International Law. GENERAL ■WASHINGTON'S OEDEES. 85 in Pennsylvania or Maryland. As soon as you have fixed upon the person, you will send him under a safe giiard to PhQadelphia, where the Minister of War will order a proper guard to receive and conduct him to his place of destination. For your information respecting the of&cers who are prisoners in our possession, I have ordered the commissary of prisoners to furnish you with a list of them. It will be forwarded with this. I need not mention that every possible tenderness that is consistent with the security of him, should be shewn to the person whose unfortunate lot it is to suffer. (Signed) " G. Washington." " To Brigadier-General Moses Hazan, Commander at " Lancaster. " Head Qtjaetees, ISth May 1782. " Sir — It was my wish, for the purpose of retaliation, to have taken an officer who was an unconditional prisoner of war ; but being informed by the Secretary at War that none of that description is in our power, I am under the disagreeable necessity to direct that you immediately proceed to select in the manner before pre- scribed, from amongst all the British captains who are prisoners either by capitulation or convention, who is to be sent on as soon as possible under the regulations and restrictions contained in my former letter to you. , (Signed) " G. Washington." 86 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. Having finished, he again addressed us, saying that it was much his wish that we should settle amongst ourselves who the unfortunate was to be ; but we unani- mously declined, protesting against this breach of a solemn treaty, by which we had come into their power. Major Gordon also added, that these gentlemen were but a small portion of the captains of the army which had surrendered at York Town, and that if such a deed was to be done, the whole ought to be called upon, being certain that no one officer, let him be where he might at the time, would decline to take his chance. The briga- dier replied that his instructions limited him to those only present. The major then said that there was another captain, he believed, now in Virginia, not yet arrived, belonging to the 4Sd Eegiment, and wished to have the decision put off. But the brigadier stated that his instructions particularly mentioned such as were in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and as he was directed to forward the unfortunate person directly, being himself a servant, he was obliged to comply. The brigadier then turning to his aid-de-camp, and to the commissary, the two latter left the room, and in a short time returned, each with a hat in his hand, and accompanied by a drum-boy. In one hat were the names of the thirteen captains, written on separate slips of paper ; in the other were thirteen slips of paper of the same size, upon one of which was marked unfortunate. A drum-boy LOTS DRAWN. 87 drew a name, while the other drew the slip, until the eleventh, when the slip bearing the word came np, after that of Captaia AsgiU. The brigadier immediately addressed the dragoon officer, saying — " This gentleman, sir, is your prisoner ;" but Major Gordon prevailed upon him to delay the departure till next day, and also ob- tained leave to despatch an of&cer to New York without delay. The meeting then broke up, and there being a vast crowd of persons assembled, their observation was — " What odd people these Britishers are ! they went in all cheerful and chatting before they knew which of them was to suffer for our good friend Captaia Huddy ; but now when they know, they all come out in tears, except the young man himself who has been selected." The Hon. Captain Ludlow having procured a swift horse, was furnished with Major Gordon's letter to Sir Guy Carleton at New York ; also with proper passports from General Hazan, and lost not a moment in setting off. The brigadier likewise promised to send off the major's letter to General Washington, which was accord- ingly written out nearly in these words : — ■ " To his Excellency General Washington, Commander-in- " Chief, etc., etc., etc. « Sir — ^As field officer of the British prisoners of war at this place, I have the honour to inform your excel- 88 MEMOIE OP GENEKAL GEAHAM. lency that Captain Charles Asgill of his Britannic Majesty's Eegiment of Poet Guards, a prisoner of war, on his parole of honour, in terms of the capitulation at York Town, whereof your excellency is a principal, with the Counts Eochambeau and De Grasse on one part, and the Earl Cornwallis and Commodore Symonds on the other, has been selected and put in close confinement by your excellency's orders, as an object for retaliation for a murder said to have been committed ia New Jersey by a banditti, styling themselves refugees, in direct vio- lation of that solemn treaty, the fourteenth article of which expressly stipulates that no article shall be in- fringed on pretence of reprisals ; and if there are any doubtful expressions in it, they are to be interpreted according to the usual sense and meaning of the words. I do therefore demand, in the name of his most sacred Majesty George the Third, King of Great Britain and Ireland, my royal master, that you cause the said Cap- tain AsgOl to be set at liberty, and admitted to his parole, in terms of the capitulation, as you shall be here- after responsible. (Signed) James Gokdon." A letter was written to the minister-at-war at Phila- delphia, and to the Chevalier la Lucerne, French ambas- sador ; and a friend having informed the major that the Count Eochambeau was in Virginia, another was written to him, calling upon him to interfere ; and a messenger MEANS TAKEN TO DELAY THE ESCORT. ■ 89 was found who delivered the letter into his own hands. The major being also informed that the party of dra- goons who formed the escort had regular stages on the road, where forage was issued, and finding that the dis- tances between each was considerable, a circumstance which wotdd enable them to reach Philadelphia ia a short time, and delay being most desirable on such an occasion, to give time for the letters to reach their desti- nation, prevailed upon the general to allow him to choose his own stages, provided he furnished forage to the dragoons. Accordingly he lengthened out the jour- ney several days ; but deeming this to be a service of a public nature, he directed Mr. Eyland, paymaster- general, to be prepared with £500 in money, to be car- ried with him next day for that and other purposes. E 2 90 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GKAHAM. CHAPTER THE EIGHTH. Captain Asgill leaves Lancaster — Arrives at PMladelpMa — Exertions of Major Gordon — Further Correspondence — Release of Captain Asgill. On Tuesday morning the 27th, the hawkers were selling in the streets an account of the action of the 12th April, wherein the Count de Grasse had been made prisoner in the "Ville de Paris." I got a copy and gave it to Major Gordon, who said that the news was too good not to be made use of. About eleven o'clock on Tuesday 27th, Captain Asgill and Major Gordon left Lancaster, escorted by the officer and party of dragoons. The brigadier also accompanied them for several miles, and at parting, gave strict orders to the party to obey such orders as Major Gordon should give them. They arrived at Philadelphia (70 miles) in a few days, and the major lost not a moment in findiug the French ambassador, urging him in strong terms to interfere, now that the Count de Grasse was in our power, but without effect. He also found out some members of Congress, and applied to them ; in short, he tried every possible means which he could think of or devise. On ASGIIL AT PHILADELPHIA. 91 going out lie left Captain Asgill in a hotel, and gave strict orders to the sentinel over him (one of the dra- goons) not to allow any person to enter the room in which he was confined. The major had just returned disconsolate and without hope, and entered an adjoining room to compose himself, when he heard the footsteps of some person as if approaching the prisoner's room. Eushing out, he encountered a solemn-looking man iu hlack in the passage, and sharply demanding what he wanted, received for a reply, " I am the chaplain to the Congress of the United States, and have come to give a word of advice to the young man who is about to suffer for one of our good friends." "Tou have no right to come here, sir," said the major, " he you who you may ;" and seeing him to the door, reproached the sentinel on duty, who said in his defence that he durst not deny admission to the chaplain of Congress. It is supposed that several persons in power at Philadelphia did in- terest themselves in favour of Captain Asgill, whether through the instigation of Major Gordon or not is un- certain, hut an order was given for his being sent to Chatham, iu New Jersey, and placed in charge of Colonel Elias Dayton, of the 2d New Jersey troops. The following letter to the colonel, dated head-quarters, 4th June 1 782, has been published : — " Sir — I am just informed by the secretary at war 92 MEMOIK OF GENEBAL GEAHAM. that Captain Asgill, of the British Guards, who is destined to be the unhappy victim to atone for the death of Captain Huddy, has arrived at Philadelphia, and would set off for the Jersey line, the place assigned for his execution. He will probably arrive as soon as this win reach you, and will be attended by Captain Ludlow, his friend, who he wishes to be permitted to go into Xew York with an address to Sir Guy Carleton in his behalf. You will therefore give permission to Cap- tain Ludlow to go by the way of Dobb's Perry into New York, with such representations as Captain Asgill may please to make to Sir Guy Carleton ; at the same time I would wish to intimate to the gentleman, that though I am deeply afflicted by the unhappy fate to which Captain Asgill is subjected, yet that it will be to no purpose to make any representation to Sir Guy Carleton which may serve to bring on a discussion of the present point of retaliation, that on the stage to which the mat- ter has been suffered to run, all argumentation on the subject is precluded on my part. My resolutions have been founded on so mature deliberation, that they must remain unalterably fixed. You may also inform the gentleman, that while my duty calls upon me to make this decisive determination, humanity dictates a tear for the unfortunate offering, and inclines me to say that I devoutly wish his life may be spared. This happy event may be attained, but it must be effected by the GENERAL WASHINGTON'S OEDEES. 93 Britisli commander-in-cMef ; he knows tlie alternative wMcli will accompHsli it, and lie knows that this alter- native only can avert the dire extremity from the iano- cent, and that in this way alone the 'manes' of the murdered Captain Huddy wOl be best appeased. In the meantime, while this is doing, I must beg that you will be pleased to treat Captaia Asgdl with every ten- der attention and politeness consistent with his present situation, which his rank, fortune, and connections, to- gether with his present state, demand. (Signed) " G. Washington." The following is another letter to Colonel Dayton, dated "Head Quaetees, llih June 1782. " Sir — ^You wUl inform me as early as possible what is the present situation of Captain Asgill, the prisoner destined for retaliation, and what prospect he has of relief from his application to Sir Guy Carleton, which I am informed he has made through his friend Captain Ludlow. I have heard nothiag yet from New York in consequence of his application. His fate will be sus- pended until I can hear of the decision of Sir Guy, but I am impatient lest this should be unwarrantably de- layed. The enemy ought to have learnt before this that my resolution cannot be trifled with. (Signed) " G. "Washington." 94< MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. The following are other letters from General Washington to Colonel Dayton, but mthout dates. " Sir — I was informed that Captain Asgill is at Chatham without a guard, and under no restraint. This, if true, is certainly wrong ; I wish to have the young gentleman treated with all possible tenderness consis- tent with his present situation, but until his fate is de- termined, he must be considered as a close prisoner and be kept in the greatest security. I request, there- fore, that he may be sent iromediately to the Jersey Line, where he is to be kept close prisoner in perfect security till further orders. (Signed) " G. Washington." " Sir — I have received your two letters of the 17th and 18th inst. The only object I had in view in order- ing Captain Asgill to be confined to the huts, was the perfect security of the prisoner ; this must be attended to, but I am very willing, indeed wish, that every in- dulgence be granted him that is not inconsistent with that. When I ordered on an officer for retaliation, I mentioned my wilKngness that he should make every application to the British commander-in-chief, in whose power alone it lay to avert the destiny ; but I, at the same time, desired it to be understood that I should receive no application, nor answer any letter upon the ESCAPE OF ASGILL PLANNED. 95 subject whicli did not inform that satisfaction was made for tlie death of Captain Huddy. I imagine that you were not informed of this circumstance, or you would have prevented Major Gordon's application on the sub- ject. (Signed) " G. Washington." I never saw any other letter of Major Gordon's to General Washington, except the one sent off from Lan- caster ; but I know that his exertions were unceasing at this period, and that he even applied to the widow and family of Captain Huddy, who resided not far off, and induced them to intercede for Captain Asgill. Moreover, I know that through the friendship of females at the place, he had laid a plan for the escape of the captain, in case an order had been given for his execution, and that his escape would have been effected, and that the major intended to have avowed his partici- pation and concern in the affair; I know also that a confidential servant of Captain Asgill's went into New York, and returned more than once during their stay at Chatham. On the 5th August, General Washington wrote to the honourable Captain Ludlow, at New York, as foUows : — " Sir — Persuaded that your desire to visit Captain Asgill at Chatham is founded on motives of friendship and humanity only, I enclose you a passport for the 96 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GKAHAJI. gratification of it. The enclosed letters for that gentle- man came to me from New York in the condition you will receive them ; you will have an opportunity of pre- senting them with yourself. Your own letter came under cover to me, vid Ostend. (Signed) " G. Washington." (Copy of the Passport.) " Captain Ludlow, of the British Guards, has my permission (with his servant) to pass the American posts at Dobb's Ferry, and proceed to Chatham. He has liberty also to return to New York the same way. (Signed) " G. Washington." On the 25th August, General Washington in a post- script of a letter to Colonel Dayton, directed that Cap- tain AsgiH be left on his parole at Morristown till further orders. The annexed letters are from General Washington to Captain AsgUl : — " Head Quarters, 7th October 1782. " Sir — I have to acknowledge your favour of the 27th September. The circumstances which produced in the first instance your unfortunate situation, having in some measure changed their ground, the whole mat- ter has been laid before Congress for their directions, and I am now waiting their decision. I can assure you, I shaU be most happy, should circumstances GENEEAIi WASHINGTON'S LETTEKS. 97 enable me to announce to you your liberation from your disagreeable confinement. (Signed) " G-. Washington." " Head Quarters, ISth November 1782. " Sir — It affords me singular pleasure to have it iu my power to transmit to you the enclosed copy of an act of Congress of the 7th instant, by which you are re- leased from the disagreeable circumstances in which you have been so long. Supposing that you would wish to go to ]^ew York as soon as possible, I also enclose a passport for that purpose. Your letter of the 18th Octo- ber came regularly to my hands. I beg of you to believe, that my not answering it sooner did not proceed from inattention to you, or a want of feeling for your situation, but I daily expected a determination of your case, and I thought it better to await that, than to feed you with hopes that might in the end prove fruitless. You will attribute my detention of the enclosed letters, which have been in my possession a fortnight, to the same cause. I cannot take leave of you, sir, without assuring you, that ia whatever light my agency in this unpleasant affair may be viewed, I was never influenced, through the whole of it, by sanguinary motives, but by what I conceived to be a sense of my duty, which loudly called upon me to take measures, however disagreeable, to prevent a repetition of these enormities which have F 98 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. been the subject of discussion, and that this important end, so likely to be answered without the blood of an innocent person, is not a greater relief to you than it is to, sir, your humble servant, (Signed) " G-. "Washington." (Copy of the Act of Congress enclosed.) " By the United States, in Congress assembled, 6th "ISTovember 1782. "In the report of the committee to whom was re- ferred a letter of the 19th August, from the commander- in-chief, a report of the committee thereon, and motion of Mr. "Williamson and Mr. Eutledge, relative thereto, and another letter of the commander-in-chief of 25th October, with a copy of a letter from the Count Vergennes, dated July 29th last, interceding for Captain AsgiU — Eesolved, that the commander-in-chief be directed, and he is here- by directed, to set Captain AsgiU at liberty. (Signed) " C. Thomson, Secn-etary." Copy of the letter from Count de Vergennes, alluded to in the Act of Congress. " Versailles, 2'i)th July 1782. " Sir — It is not in the quality of a king, the friend and ally of the United States, though with the know- ledge and consent of his Majesty, that I now have the honour to write to your excellency. It is as a man of sen- sibility, and a tender father, who feels aU the force of COUNT DE VEKGEXXES. 99 parental love, that I take the liberty to address your excellency my earnest solicitations for a mother and family in tears. Her situation seems the more worthy of notice on our part, as it is to the humanity of a nation at war with her own, that she has recourse for what she ought to receive from the impartial justice of her own general. I have the honour to enclose your excellency a copy of a letter which Mrs. AsgOl has just written to me. I am not known to her, nor was I acquainted with her son, now the unhappy victim destined by lot to expiate the odious crime that a formal denial of justice obliged you to revenge. Your excellency will not read this letter without being extremely affected. It had that effect upon the King and the Queen, to whom I communicated it. The goodness of their Majesties' hearts induces them to desire that the inquietude of an unfortunate mother may be calmed, and her tenderness reassured. I feel, sir, that there are cases where hu- manity itself requires the most extreme rigour ; perhaps the one now in question may be of the number ;* but * " The clearest evidence of the absolute necessity of self-pre- servation is required to palliate any infraction of the rights of a prisoner of war. A prisoner who has yielded under conditions, cannot be injured as long as he fulfils his part of the conditions." — Phillimore on International Law. In the same work, the case of Henry the Fifth, after the Battle of Agincourt, and of Anson and the Acapulco, are given as instances in. which an infraction, of the rights of prisoners were justifiable. 100 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GKAHAM. allowing reprisals to be just, it is not the less horrid to those who are the victims ; and the character of your excellency is too well known for me not to be per- suaded that you desire nothing more than to be able to avoid the disagreeable necessity. There is one con- sideration, sir, which, though it is not decisive, may have an influence on your resolution. Captain Asgill is, doubtless, your prisoner, but he is amongst those whom the arms of the King contributed to put in your hands at Yorktown. Although this circumstance does not operate as a safeguard, it however justifies the interest I permit myself to take in this affair. If it is in your power, sir, to consider and have regard to it, you wUl do what is very agreeable to their Majesties ; the danger of young Asgill, the tears, the despair of his mother, affect them sensibly ; and they will see with much pleasure the hope of consolation shine out for these unfortunate people. In seeking to deliver Mr. Asgill from the fate which threatens him, I am far from engaging you to seek another victim. The pardon, to be perfectly satis- factory, must be entire. I do not imagine it can be productive of very bad consequences — if the English general has not been able to punish the horrible crime you complain of in so exemplary a manner as he should, there is reason to think he will take the most efficacious measures to prevent the like in future. I sincerely wish, sir, that my intercession may meet success. The senti- LADY ASGILL. 101 ment whicli dictates it, and -whicli you have not ceased to manifest on every occasion, assures me that you will not be indififerent to the prayers, to the tears of a family which has recourse to your clemency through me. It is rendering homage to your virtues to implore it. I have the honour to be, sir, with the most perfect consider- ation, (Signed) " De Vergennes." "To ids Excellency General Washington." Copy of Lady AsgUl's letter to the Count de Vergennes. « London, l^h July 1782. " Sir — If the politeness of the French Court will per- mit the application of a stranger, there can be no doubt that one in which the tender feelings of an individual can be interested will meet with a favourable reception from a nobleman whose character does honour not only to his own country but to human nature. The subject, sir, in which I presume to implore your assistance ig too heart-piercing for me to dwell upon, and common fame has most probably informed you of it, it renders there- fore the painful task unnecessary. My son, sir, an only son, as dear as he is brave, amiable as he is deserving to be so, only nineteen, a prisoner by the capitulation at York town, is now confined in America, an object of retaliation. Shall an innocent suffer for the guilty ? Eepresent to yourself, sir, the situation of a family 102 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. under these circumstances, surrounded as I am by ob- jects of distress, distracted with fear and grief, no words can express my feelings or paint the scene. My hus- band given over by his physicians a few hours before the news arrived, and not in a state to be informed of the misfortune ; my daughter seized with fever and de- lirium, raving about her brother, and without one inter- val of reason save to hear alleviating circumstances. Let your own feelings, sir, suggest to plead for my in- expressible misery. A word from you, like a voice from heaven, will save me from distraction and wretch- edness ; I am well informed that General Washington reveres your character, say but to him you wish my son to be released, and he will restore him to his distracted family and render him to happiness. My son's virtue and bravery will justify the deed. His honour, sir, carried him to America. He was born to affluence, in- dependence, and the happiest prospects. Let me again supplicate your goodness, let me respectfully implore your high influence in behalf of innocence, in the cause of justice, of humanity, that you would dispatch a letter to General Washington from France, and favour me with a copy of it to be sent from hence. I am sensible of the liberty I take in making this request, but I am sensible, whether you comply with it or not, you will pity the distress which suggests it ; humanity will drop a tear on the fault and efface it. I will pray that CAPTAIN ASGILL. ] 03 heaven may grant you may never want the comfort it is in your power to bestow on, etc., etc., etc. (Signed) « T. Asgill." Captain Asgill, after his hberation, lost no time in going to New York, where he embarked for England by the first opportunity. 104 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. CHAPTEE THE NINTH. Death of Colonel Gordon. After the release of Asgill, Major Gordon returned to Lancaster quite an altered person, having lost much of that liveliness of disposition which had always seemed so natural to him. The whole of the British prisoners being assembled at Lancaster, we remained there tUl June 1783, when orders were given for our march to New York, in consequence of peace. We moved off in divisions, passing through Philadelphia, where a British general officer. Sir Alured Clarke, had been permitted to reside during the period. Being senior captain, I moved with the first division. Major Gordon remained till the last, in which the men from Camp Indulgence were in- cluded. The soldiers received marching money daily, and the clothing not deKvered out was earned in waggons. Numerous applications were made to us on the road to give away part of our stores. On our arrival at Staten Island we found transports in readiness, and all the men whose regiments were in Europe, and who embarked, COLONEL GOKDON. 105 were settled witli for pay and clothing, and sailed for England. The others were quartered in New York and its dependencies. Major Gordon and the 80th were sent to Kingsbridge, his quarters were in Morris's house. The 76th remained at Staten Island. Shortly after our arrival, Major Gordon got the brevet of lieutenant- colonel, and was named to be president of a court-mar- tial at New York, of which I was also a member. It contiaued several weeks, and a great number of cases came before it, many of them relating to inhabitants of the Jerseys, who had petitioned the commander-iu-chief that their claims or disputes might be submitted to the decision of the court of which Lieutenant-Colonel Gor- don was president, so much was he esteemed during his stay in that neighbourhood with Captain Asgill, even by the enemy. The court on that account protracted its sittings for a length of time. On Saturdays, I always accompanied Colonel Gordon to Morris's house, where we remained till Monday morning. Language fails me to describe the beautiful scenery spread out before us on these occasions. The house itself occupies an elevated situation betwixt the North or Hudson's river, and the East or Sound, commanding an extensive view of that noble stream, with its high and rocky bank on the Jersey shore, clothed with wood from the water's edge to the summit. There may be seen the dark piue rearing its lofty head in the midst of deciduous trees of 106 MEMOIE OF GENEKAl GKAHAM. every description, not tlie least conspicuous of which is that splendid tree, the scarlet oak. The whole contribut- ing to form a picture of surpassing beauty at this season of the year, particularly at sunrise and sunset. We con- tinued to spend our time in this manner for several weeks, untn, the court-martial being dissolved, I returned to my regiment in Staten Island. When I left Colonel Gordon he was getting rather corpulent, but apparently enjoyed good health ; I had not, however, returned to my quar- ters many days when I received an express from Sir WrUiam Mcholson, Colonel Gordon's adjutant, desiring my immediate attendance at Morris's house, as the colonel wished to see me instantly, and informing me that the colonel was in a most dangerous state. I lost not a moment ; and on my arrival was dreadfully shocked to find him in a dying state. He said, " I re- joice to see you before I die, there is a letter I got from England since we pai-ted ; it is from a lady, and you know I have never been deficient in my respect to the fair sex. When you go home apologise to her for my not replying ; you see the state I am reduced to. Another thing, while I have got recollection left, let me entreat, should chance at any time ever entitle you to take such a liberty, that you will tell my noble prince, the Prince of Wales, what a consolation at this moment is the thought, that my conduct in AsgiU's affair has been approved of by so high-minded, so truly honour- COLONEL GORDON. 107 able and exalted a personage. I am told that lie has been pleased to speak in high terms of what I thought my duty at the time." The colonel did not survive many hours after this. His body was carried to New York, and there buried with military honours. The eloquent remarks by General Burgoyne, on the death of General Frazer, may appropriately be trans- ferred to the memory of my lamented friend Lieutenant- Colonel Gordon : — " To the canvas, and to the faithful page of a more important historian, gallant friend, I consign thy memory. There may thy talents, thy manly virtues, their progress, and their period, find due distinction, and long may they survive — long after the frail record of my pen shall be forgotten." — General Burgoyne on the death of General Frazer. Copy of Lady AsgUl's letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Gor- don, delivered to me by him on his deathbed. " Sir — If distress like mine had left any expression but for grief, I should long siace have addressed myself to you, for whom my sense of gratitude makes all acknowledgment poor indeed; nor is this the first at- tempt ; but you were too near the dear object of my anguish to enter iato the heart-piercing subject. I earnestly prayed to heaven that he might not add to his 108 MEMOIK OF GENEEAL GEAHAM. sufferings the knowledge of ours. He had too much to feel on his own account, and I could not have concealed the direful effect of his misfortune on his family, to whom he is as dear as he is worthy to be so. Unfit as I am at this time, by joy, almost as unsupportable as the agony before, yet, sir, accept this weak effort, from a heart deeply affected by your humanity and exalted con- duct, as heaven knows it has been torn by affliction. Believe, sir, it will only cease to throb in the last moment of life with the most grateful and affectionate sentiment to you. But a fortnight since I was sinking under a wretchedness I could no longer struggle with. Hope, resignation, had almost forsaken me. I began to ex- perience the greatest of aU misfortunes, that of being no longer able to bear them. Judge, sir, the transition, the day after the blessed change takes place — ^my son is released, recovered, returned, arrived at my gate, in my. arms ! I see him unsubdued in spirit, in health, unre- proached by himself, approved of by his country, in the bosom of his family, and without anxiety but for the happiness of his friend, without regret but for having left him behind. Your humane feelings that have dic- tated your conduct to him, injured and innocent as he was, surely must participate in every relief and joy his safety must occasion. Be that pleasure yours, sir, as every other reward that virtue like yours, and heaven can bestow. This prayer is offered up for you in the LADY ASGILL. 109 heat of transport as it has been in the bitterness of my anguish ; my gratitude has been soothed by the energy it has been offered with ; it has ascended the throne of mercy, and is, I trust, accepted. Unfit as I am, for nothing but sensibility so awakened as mine could enable me to write, exhausted by too long anxiety, confined at this time to a bed of sickness and languor, yet I coiald not suffer another mail to go without this weak efi'ort. Let it convey to you, sir, the most heartfelt esteem and gratitude of my husband and chil- dren. You have the respect and esteem of all Europe, as an honour to your country and to human nature, and the most zealous friendship of, my very dear and worthy Major Gordon, your ever affectionate and obliged ser- vant, (Signed) " T. Asgill." 110 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. CHAPTEE THE TENTH. Anecdotes — Campaign in Holland, 1793. Upon the return of the 76th Eegiment to England from America, in February 178-1, the promotion of Captain Graham took place from the captain-lieutenancy of the regiment to a company, and very shortly afterwards the regiment was disbanded, and he was reduced to half-pay. An old friend, still living, remembers to have heard him say that he was the first person who appeared in Edinburgh in the highland costume after the act pro- hibiting the use of that dress was repealed, at the in- stance of the Duke of Montrose. This must have been about this period, and after he was placed on half-pay, and considered himself a civilian, as the prohibitory law never applied to officers and soldiers on duty. Another anecdote which has been preserved, but without a date, relates, in all probability, to this period. An officer of one of the regiments stationed in the High- lands was detached from his regiment to an outpost, in a part of the country where he received great attention OLD HIGHLAND CUSTOMS. Ill from the resident gentry in the neighbourhood, all of whom were in the habit of obtaining annually a supply of stores from France, such as brandy, wine, and other articles, the produce of that country. Their practice was to join in freighting a vessel, and an opportunity was taken to land the cargo at some convenient moment when the custom-house agents were engaged elsewhere. During the time that the officer in question was quartered at this highland outpost the annual vessel was signalled off the coast ; but on this occasion the time had not been well chosen, and a requisition was made by the custom- house authorities upon the officer himself, as comman- dant of the troops, for a party of soldiers to protect them in seizing the cargo whenever it might be landed. The officer's duty left him no alternative but to fur- nish a party, in compliance with the requisition ; but, as might be expected, he felt not a little perplexed at finding himself obliged to be aiding and abetting in the confiscation of the property of those kind friends whose hospitality he had so long enjoyed. In this dilemma he hit upon a device, by which he was enabled to rescue his friends' property from the claws of the custom-house myrmidons, without compromising himself, in the exe- cution of his duty, as an officer. He paraded the party of soldiers as required, and marched them oif at the time appointed, but with his drummer leading the way, and making as much noise as a vigorous application of 112 MEMOm OF GENERAL GRAHAM. the drumsticks could produce. The exciseman remon- strated, but in vain. He was told that he should not have called for an officer's party ; that an officer was entitled to the honour of being preceded by a drum ; a double rat-tat-too followed, and the alarm thus created by the drum was such, that timely intimation was given to the master of the vessel to choose some other point for landing. In April 1786, by paying the difference between full and half-pay. Captain Graham was appointed to the 19th Foot ; and in 1787 joined the regiment in Jamaica. He remained in the West Indies until 1789, when he was sent home, and employed on the recruiting service until the return of the regiment to England in 1791. He then rejoined the corps on its arrival at Portsmouth. Amongst the general's memoranda relating to his service with the 19th after the return of the regiment from the West Indies, he notes that the regiment was re- viewed by his Majesty in Hyde Park in February 1792. The appearance of the troops of the line in London, is so far memorable, that it is a sight of rare occurrence even in these days, when troops must occasionally be transferred from one railway to another on the transit through London. When the Emperor of Eussia was in this country some years ago, he expressed a particular wish to see some of the line regiments ; and on that occa- sion, two regiments, the 47th and 59th, were brought to WAK WITH FiRANCE. 113 London expressly to appear before the Emperor ; and singular as it may appear at the present day, no regiment, except the Buffs, can march through the city without a special permission from the Lord Mayor. Even the Guards require to obtain his lordship's sanction. The price of provisions at the review in Hyde Park in 1792 is not stated by General Graham ; but in the " Annual Eegister" for 1792, it appears that at a review before the King at Bagshot, a mutton chop and pint of bad wine were charged 18s., and a cup of coffee and slice of bread and bntter, 5 s. At the opening of Parliament in 1792, the King con- gratulated the House and the country on the peaceable aspect of political affairs, and the prospect of reductions in the naval and mdlitary establishments of the country ; but before the close of the year his Majesty was obliged to address his people in very different language ; and after directing tbe attention of Parliament to the alarm- ing indications of an intention on the part of France to propagate revolutionary doctrines, subversive of the existing constitutions of states, his Majesty, in con- clusion, intimated to the House the necessity of an augmentation of the forces of the country. On the 1st February 1793, France declared war against England. The result of this declaration was the embarkation of the Duke of York, with 10,000 men, for Holland, where his force was augmented by a reiu- f2 114 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GEAHAM. forcement of 25,000 Hanoverian, Hessian, and Bruns- wick troops. The first events of this campaign were most encour- aging ; and at one time 130,000 men might have been assembled to march upon Paris — a movement which would probably have brought the war to a satisfactory ter- mination. History can only now point to the campaign as a monument of the fatal influence of cabinets in war. England, over-elated at the first successes, and more attentive to her maritime interests than to the general objects of the war, insisted on his Eoyal Highness lay- ing siege to Dunkirk, the possession of which was much coveted. This unfortunate resolution sealed the fate of the campaign. A force, which in one mass was capable of achieving great things, was thus fractioned into parts, exposed to ruin in detail. The national indignation of the Frenclr was roused at the bare idea of the soil of France being touched by foreign hosts; and in the national enthusiasm thus created, the rival parties which had risen out of the revolution, overlooked their party animosities, and united in the most energetic measures to resist the invasion of their country.* The * " The state of public feeling in the early part of 1794 ex- emplifies the erroneous conclusions to which men's minds are liable to be led, in judging of the means and resources of neigh- bouring nations. The enormous exertions which had been made by republican France were looked upon by many politicians as certain to exhaust the energies of the nation ; whereas the mill- AKJIY m HOLLAOT). 115 fearfully disorganized state of society at that time was also highly favourable to the morale of the French army, by introducing into its ranks great numbers of a superior class ; the profession of arms, strange to say, being one which offered more security than any other. General Foy, in describing the mode of fighting of the repub- lican armies, says — " Sometimes, in the midst of a shower of balls, an officer, or a soldier, or a represen- tative of the people, would sing the hymn of victory ; the general displayed his hat, with its tricoloured plume, on the point of his sword, as a rallying point ; whilst the men advanced at the charge, their drums beating, and their voices rending the air with cries of 'For- ward, forward ; success to the republic !' (Vive la Re- puUique)." Captain Graham accompanied his regiment, the 19th, to Holland at this time, but before they arrived, the allied army under the Duke of York had raised the siege of Dunkirk, and fallen back upon Menin. The appearance of the army at this time is thus de- picted in Sir H. Calvert's journal : — " It is a very great amusement to me to inspect and examine the manners and dress of the different corps we are acting with — the taxy enthusiasm had at that time attained to such a pitch, that the nation was prepared to make any sacrifices in vindication of the principles they had adopted and introduced into their coun- try." Court and Cabinet George Third; Duke of BucMngham. 116 MEMOIE OF GENEKAL GRAHAM. drawings which Captain Cook brought home from the South Seas are nothing to some of our friend's. Their dress is fully as extraordinary, and their countenances, hy continued exposure to the elements, have the true Indian dye ; but they are the bravest, hardiest soldiers I ever saw." General Stewart, in his " Highlanders," says — " The enemy on tliis occasion took advantage of the variety of uniforms in the British army, and frequently dressed parties in a similar manner for the purpose of deceiving our troops, an artifice which sometimes suc- ceeded." The German officers were described by General Graham as such inveterate smokers, that at guard- mounting it was part of the drummer's duty to keep the captain's pipe alive while the old and new guards went through the usual compliments ; the customary forms being finished, the drummer wiped the mouth-piece of the pipe on his sleeve, and returned the pipe to the captain. The 19th, 37th, and three companies of the 42d joined the Duke about the middle of September.* Prom * There is a letter from Watson, the commissary-general — dated Fumes, 8th Septemher 1793 — which seems to confirm the intended retreat, and says that he has provisions, etc., in the rear of the army. — Lord Grenville to Marquis of Buckingham, 1 1th September 179.3. RELIEF OF NIEUPOET. 117 this time until the middle of October nothing of any importance appears to have taken place except an affair of outposts — ^the enemy availing themselves of a dense fog to attack the advanced post at Warwick — when twenty men were killed and wounded, and fifty taken prisoners. On the 11th October, the 19th, 27th, 42d, and 59th Eegiments were ordered to march from Menin to Ostend for the purpose of embarking to join the army under Sir Charles Grey, destined for the West Indies.* On arriving at Ostend, and while in the harbour. Sir Charles Grey detached the 42d Eegiment and some light * The good accounts from Flanders are overbalanced, I fear, by tbe bad. These checks were, in my opinion, to be expected whenever tbe Frencb took the resolution to leave the sieges on the side of Hainault to their fate in order to break in upon the line of communication. This must have happened equally if the combined armies had remained together and undertaken a joint operation ; and the proposed plan had the advantage of being the only one whose success would have remedied this in- convenience resulting from the nature of an attack from an open country against such a barrier. It must be left to military decision what is precisely the best point of attack, combined or separate, which now remains ; but the loss of Menin as a post of communication does not tend to lessen the diflBculties of any plan, and I am averse to anything which shall hazard the delaying of the West Indian expe- dition. A few to^vns more or less in Flanders are certainly not im- important ; but I am much mistaken in my speculations if the business at Toulon is not decisive of the war. — Lord GrenvUle to Marquis of Buckingham, 15th September 1793. 118 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. companies, amongst others that of the 19 th, then com- manded by Captain Graham, to the relief of Nieuport,* then besieged by the enemy. The enemy, whose numbers were computed at 8000, kept up a brisk fire during the right of the 28-29th, and took one of the towers near the place, but their fire was well answered by the garrison, and the reinforcement under General Dundas, thus seasonably * Nieuport forms the extreme riglit of the frontier line of the Netherlands. This town is distant about one and a half mile from the sea, with which it communicates by the Iser river, navigable for small vessels up to the town, and only ford- able on the sea-beach at the time of extreme low water. Nieuport does not command any chaussee from France by which this country might be invaded, but derives much military importance from the circumstance of its harbour communicating with the three canals of Bruges, Ypres, Furnes, by means of the sluices of which, a very considerable inundation of the adjacent country with fresh water may be effected ; and if the sea water be also admitted at spring tides, the inundation would extend to the neighbourhood of Ypres, and towards Mont Cassel in France. To secure the means of so efficient though destructive a mode of defence of a considerable portion of the frontier must be an object of importance in every scheme of defensive war in this country. The enceinte of Nieuport, which is nearly of a square figure, consists of an ancient wall flanked by small towers, in addition to which a few general flanks have been obtained by throwing out some irregular works on the angles of the body of the place. The whole is surrounded by a good wet ditch, excepting on one side where that part of the river which forms the harbour serves as a ditch. KIEUPORT RELIEVED. 119 received on the morning of the 29th, enabled the brave governor to hold out. In the night of the 30th, the enemy raised the siege and retreated, leaving behind four twenty-four pounders and two mortars, as well as a quantity of shot and shells and intrenching tools. Sir Charles Grey, in his despatch of the 30th Octo- ber, thus expresses himself: — " I feel that much is due to the zeal and intelligence with which Major-General Dundas undertook and executed the service intrusted to him after his arrival at Nieuport." On Meuport being relieved. Captain Graham re- turned with his regiment to England. 120 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. CHAPTEE THE ELEVENTH. Campaign in Holland, 1796 — Lord Moiia's Orders. In June 1794" the 19th Eegiment was again embarked for Flanders with the army, under the Earl of Moira.* On this occasion Captain Graham embarked as aid-de- camp to General Crosbie, on the staff of Lord Moira. The force under his lordship's command consisted of the 19th, 27th, 28th, 40th, 42d, 54th, 57th, 59th, 87th, and 89th Eegiments, amounting in all to about 7000 men. They landed at Osteud on the 26th June. On their arrival the enemy was in possession of Ypres, Bruges, and Thoront, and was advancing on Ghent. Ostend, famous for its resistance to Spinola in the * Upon the subject of the arrival of Lord Moira's force : — The Marquis of Buckingham to Mr. T. Grenville. Aug. 31, 1794. If the object had been to exhaust the enemy by protracting the war, in that case " the war would have been defensive, and co-operation settled to that object, instead of abandoning the Duke of York to certain ruin, if the winds and the circumstances of this country had not permitted Lord Moira's army to arrive just (and only just) in time to cov^r their rptreat and communi- cation." LOKD MOniA AT OSTEND. 121 seventeentli century, when the Archduchess Isabella made a vow not to change her chemise until it was taken, was not now deemed in a defensible state ; but irrespec- tive of that circumstance, the state of affairs in the country was such on the arrival of Lord Moira, that his lordship, who was restricted by his instructions to the defence of Ostend, thought he could not honestly confine his attention to the defence of that place. After glanc- ing at sach plans as suggested themselves for the employment of the force under his command, his first step was to communicate with Generals Clairfayt and Walmoden, proposing a junction of their forces, in order to act from Bruges by Thielt upon the left wing of the FrencL G-eneral Clairfayt eagerly adopted the idea, but made it a condition that Lord Moii-a should singly possess himself of Bruges before he (General Clairfayt) should move. With this object in view, Lord Moira moved out of Ostend on the 2Sth June. In Alison's history of Europe, a degree of supineness and indolence, highly reprehensible in any commander or military body, is attributed to Lord Moira and his corps on their arrival at Ostend. Fortunately for their memory, the reflection thus cast on them cannot be sus- tained by facts. A mere examination of the dates of occurrences at this stage of the campaign is sufficient to convince any G 122 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GEAHAM. ' impartial mind that the historian has, by some means, been led to very inaccurate conclusions in his desire to trace out the causes of events, and that he has thus been prompted to pass a most unmerited censure on his countrymen. The passage referred to occurs in the second volume of Alison's work.* It is there insinuated that the defeat of Clairfayt is partly to be ascribed to the inaction of 30,000 Austrians at Tournay, and 6000 Englisk " repos- mg from the fatigues of the sea voyage at Ostend." We leave the Austrians to answer for themselves, but with regard to the charge against the English, we would ask the historian to explain how the defeat of Clairfayt, which took place on the 25th June,j' could have been * Chap. XV., p. 387. t His Royal Higlmess the Duke of Yobk to the Right Hon. Henry Dundas. Renaix, June 28. Sii — Having received intelligence, on Tuesday night (24th June), that the enemy had moved forward in great force upon General Clairfayt's position, and that they had detached a corps to attack Oudenarde, I found it ahsolutely necessary, for the de- fence of the Scheldt, to march immediately to this place, as from hence I coiild, with greater facility, support that place, and move upon any poiut at which they might attempt to force a passage. The enemy obliged General Clairfayt to abandon his position at Deynse, and to fall back upon Ghent, on Wednesday (25th June), where they again attacked him the next day, but were for- tunately repulsed. LORD MOIEA'S stratagem. 123 averted by Lord Moira and his corps, who were thab day on board their transports on the passage from England, and did not reach Ostend until the following day, the 26th? Owing to the advantages gained by the enemy on the 25th and 26th June, it was necessary for Lord Moira both to preserve the utmost secrecy with regard to his movements, and to mislead the enemy as to his real intentions and the strength of the force under his command. : With the latter object, the burgomaster of Bruges, who was a French partisan, was called upon to furnish rations for 1 5,000 men, being, it was stated, part of the British force just landed at Ostend. This information This retreat of General Clairfayt rendered it impossible for General Walmoden to support himself with so small a hody of troops as he had under his command at Bruges. He therefore found it necessary to abandon that place on Thursday, and to faU back to Landmark, and join General Clairfayt's right flank. The conseq[uenoes of these movements, though necessary, are extremely unpleasant, as all immediate communication with Os- tend is cut off. Yesterday the enemy made another attempt upon Oudenarde, which they cannonaded the whole day, and even carried in the afternoon the fauxbourg ; but were driven back again in the night, and have now retreated to a small distance. Yesterday evening I received the disagreeable intelligence of the Prince of Cobourg's having failed in his attack upon the French army at Gosselies and Fleurus, as well as of the sur- render of Charleroi. — I am, &c. Frederick. 124 MEMOIE OF GENEEAL GKAHAM. was of course immediately communicated to General Vandamme at Wingham by the burgomaster, who was much commended for his zeal in obtaining and forward- ing intelligence ; and Vandamme, who had 20,000 men under his orders, believing the intelligence he had re- ceived as to the strength of his enemy to be correct, instead of attacking the earl, lost no time in getting out of his way. Lord Moira marched through Bruges on the evening of the 29th to MaUe, four miles on the opposite side, and in the course of his march received important despatches from the Duke of York and General Clair- fayt, which caused an alteration in his plans. The Duke, anxious for his assistance, but looking upon it as impracticable for him to march by the ordi- nary road, urged his joining him by Sluys and Sas de Gand. Clairfayt, on the other hand, declared it to be impossible for him to fulfil any engagement with his lordship, in consequence of the Prince of Coburg's defeat, and farther stated that he expected to leave Ghent in a few hours. It was then that Lord Moira resolved to push for- ward by the route of Ecloo and Ghent to join the Duke of York, although he had no longer any assurance of co- operation. In order to favour his movement, he requested General Walmoden to create an impression on the MAECH OF LOED MOIRA'S COEPS, 125 enemy of an impending attack, and he himseK took every possible measure to promote a belief in the exag- gerated account which had been already circulated of the strength of his force. On the 30th Lord Moira's force came into communi- cation with that imder General Walmoden, within three miles of Ghent* On the 6th the rear-guard was attacked near Alost. On the same day, H. R H. the Duke of York, retreatiag from Gram m out in the direction of Antwerp,! reached * On tte same day, an oecurrence took place on tlie marcli, attended ■with rather serious consequences, but affording a very useful lesson to the young soldiers ia the earl's army. A false alaxm was given by a sentinel firing at an ass, and one of the regiments in the rear, on turning out, fired on its picquet. t Lord Gebntille to Marquis of BucKnsraHAM, St. James' Square. Qth July 1794. The retreat to Antwerp has been decided, not by opinions here, nor even by those of the Duke of York and Lord Com- wallis, but by the necessity consequent on the Austrian move- ments. Whether those movements were right, I am not enough of a soldier, nor enough informed as a statesman, to pretend to form an opinion. The immediate effect of them is not neces- sarily the abandoning the towns taken last year, which are ia a state to maintain themselves long, and to impede many of the operations of the enemy. Nor, as long as the Austrians maintain their line from Louvain to Namur, is the possibility of succour- ing them considered desperate. What I most fear in the present moment is the effect of despondency here and abroad. It would have been a flattering and glorious thing to have terminated the war by a successful offensive campaign in Flanders ; but if that 126 MEMOIR OP GENEEAL GRAHAM. Asche. On the 9th, the duke inarched through Malines, and there met with Lord Moira's column, which halted till the duke passed. Head-quarters were fixed that day at the Chateau of Contich, and the corps under the Earl of Moira formed the first line in front of the village of Waerloos. The Hessians occupied Malines, under the command of Lieutenant- General Dalwig. Lord Moira's corps had at this time undergone un- common fatigues. Owing to the secrecy preserved on their leaving Ostend, the officers left all their clothing and camp equipage behind, thinking they were merely moving to an encampment outside the walls of the town, and therefore neither officers nor men had shifted, or had has failed, I am far from tHnking it a reason for abandoning a cause in the issue of which, our existence is implicated. If we listen to the ideas of peace, it is a confession we are unahle to carry on the war, and such a confession is a bad security against the events which must follow in Flanders, in Holland, and, by a very rapid succession, in this island. Lord Grenvillb to Marquis of Buckingham, St. James' Square, I9th July 1794. Lord Cornwallis is returned, speaking highly of the Duie of York, and far otherwise of the Austrian generals, to whom he and all mankind in Flanders impute all that has happened. It is a whimsical circumstance, and hardly to have been foreseen, that, in a war which we carry on conjointly with Austria, the great want which we experience should be that of Austrian generals of capacity sufficient to command the excellent troops which are acting in the Netherlands. CAMP AT ALOST. 127 the covering of a tent or house from the time they landed. Water was scarce, and in consequence of the dryness of the season, and the soil in this part of the country heing of a light sandy nature, they were almost smothered in their encampment with clouds of dust. Amongst the papers left by General Graham, some orders issued by the Duke of York and Lord Moira during this campaign are so suggestive and interesting to military men, even at the present day, that the follow- ing extracts have been made : — Head Quaeters, Alost,* Saturday, 5th July 1794. After Orders, half-past six o'clock. Lord Moira is exceedingly distressed by the com- plaints which have been made to him from inhabitants plundered by the British soldiers. He calls upon the officers commanding regiments, by every sense they have of military discipline or national credit, to exert themselves iu suppressing a conduct so disgraceful'to the army. On his part, he must subject the troops, in consequence of this irregularity, to restrictions which, out of a view of their convenience, he could wished to * Some of tlie proper names and names of places in these orders are probably not quite correct, being ia the orthography of the orderly sergeant who copied the orders. 128 MAEAUDING. have forborne. A captain's guard is immediately to be mounted at the bridge leading into the town, and no soldiers (officers' servants or others) are to be permitted to enter the town, unless under the care of a non-commis- sioned officer, who is to be responsible for the man or party. No officer is to absent himself from his battalion but by the special leave of his commanding officer for a time limited. The provost-marshal has orders to patrol in the environs of the camp, and to punish on the spot every man who shall be found committing the smallest outrage. Should these enormities hereafter take place, it will be strictly inquired how such a want of vigUance existed in the regiment to which the offenders may belong, as to have given the individuals the opportunity of committing the offence. B. 0. When the brigade halts a time that their packs and accoutrements are put off — their packs to be put down regular by the arms, and their accoutrements hung upon them, that every man may be able to get his own with- out any confusion. Head Quarters, Camp on the Heights of Alost, Sunday, 6th July 1794. Eeturns to be immediately made out for two days' bread, forage, and fuel, for the 6th and 7th inclusive. ATFAIB NEAH ALOST. 129 Communications to be immediately made by the different regiments on their front and flanks. Head Quaetees, Camp near Alost, Monday, ^th July 1794. The detachment of the 8th and 14th Dragoons will put themselves under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Churchhill immediately. A return of killed and woimded of the different regi- ments ia the skirmish of yesterday to be given in imme- diately. Head Quarters, After Orders, *7th July. All wheel-carriages, of every denomination and de- scription whatsoever, belongiag to the different regiments and detachments, are immediately to be loaded and. as- sembled on the road leading to Maliaes. A person will be appointed to conduct them, and to give further instructions. The shameful marauding in the neighbourhood of the camp having continued. Lord Moira positively orders that no soldiers shall be permitted to leave their corps under any pretext, except in parties headed by a non- commissioned of&cer. As soon as the regiments get their meat, they are to cook provisions for to-morrow as well as to-day. A return to be immediately given in of the number 130 OKDEE OF MARCH. of loaves wanting by the different regiments and detach- ments to complete them to two days — this day and to- morrow included. Tuesday, 8th July, Camp at Thisselt on the Canal. After Orders. The baggage to be loaded immediately, and proceed by way of Leest to Malines. It will enter Malines by the gate of Ghent, and will quit the town again by the gate of Antwerp, proceeding to "Waerloos where it will halt. The brigades of Brigadier-General Graham and Hun- ter will march from the right at twelve o'clock this night, pursuing the road above directed for the baggage. An officer wiU meet them at Waerloos, and point out the ground on which they are to encamp. Two pieces of cannon will move at the head of the column, and four in the rear. Wednesday, 9th July, Camp at Waerloos. For to-morrow Brigadier- General Hunter, Major Lord Blaney and Major B. Vassel. Brigadier- General Hunter's brigade gives the ordinary guards and orderlies this day ; and to-morrow Brigadier-General Graham's brigade and 87th Kegiment wiU furnish detachments — CAMP AT WAEELOOS. 131 to consist of 2 captains, 4 subalterns, 6 sergeants, 12 corporals, 2 drummers, and 138 privates, for the post at the village of Duffel, on the left of the liae. Two days' bread and forage to be issued to the troops immediately at the commissary's stores in the village of Waerloos, for this day and to-morrow, for which returns are to be sent to the adjutant-general's office. States to be given in to-morrow morning by ten o'clock, from the brigades and the different regiments, and de- tachments not brigaded accoimting for all casuals siace last states. Lord Moira's corps encamped at Waerloos is not to be included in the detail ; it is to have a separate one of its own. A momiag and evening gun to be fired from the British park, or any place more convenient, to be ap- pointed by Lieutenant-Colonel Congreve. It is his Eoyal Highness the Commander-in-Chief's express order that no forage be ever cut down without directions ; and he particularly desires the generals and officers commanding regiments to be most pointed in their attention that no more damage be done to the com or country than what the situation of the camp renders indispensable. He likewise desires to observe that the late instances of plundering which have occurred, events the necessity of frequent rolls calling at unexpected hours, as also of patrolling in the villages roimd the camp. 132 BAD BEEAD. Eeports having been sent to the adjutant-general by Major-General David Dundas's brigade, of unservice- able bread issued to them yesterday, the army has notice that the commissary-general wiU replace all bad loaves which may be sent to him this evening. Mr. Matses' quarters are at a public-house, about the middle of the main street in Contich. Lord Moira's corps will send in a major of brigade at twelve o'clock every day, for orders. It will likewise send to the adjutant-general's an orderly dragoon every evening at gun firing. N^. — The way which has been practised of issuing spirits is for the officers commanding regiments to pur- chase it for their men, and it is re-paid by the quarter- master-general's order. Head Quarters, Thwrsday, 10th July 1794. Communications to be immediately made between the corps. Lord Cathcart's brigade gives the guards and order- lies to-morrow ; a picquet to mount at the village of Waerloos, tUl further orders, consisting of one corporal and six dragoons ; one sergeant, two corporals, and eighteen privates from the infantry, to receive their orders from the deputy adjutant-general. Two days' bread and forage to be issued to-morrow morning, for the 11th and 12th inclusive. In future, CAMP AT -WAERLOOS. 133 all returns for bread, forage, and wood are to be made and sent to the commissary-general the day previous to the issuing. Camp at Waerloos, Friday, Wfh Jvly. Lord Moira's Orders. Captain Dawling, provost-marshal, is desired to pa- trol the camp of Lord Moira's army, and see that all nuisances be removed ; if he finds any, he is to apply to the ofiELcer commanding the nearest regiment, who will give hini every assistance in removing them. A number of dead horses have been seen near the camp, which ought to be buried immediately, and the provost- martial will take care it is done. Lord Moira's After Orders. The picquet at the village of Waerloos, consisting of one corporal and six dragoons ; one sergeant, two cor- porals, and eighteen privates, is taken off tUl further orders. Three days' bread, forage, and wood, wiH be issued the day after to-morrow for three days, viz., the 13th, 14th, and 15th, iaclusive. The quarter-masters of the different regiments and detachments, are to send in their returns to the assist- ant-commissary-general at Waerloos by half -past six o'clock to-morrow evening. 134 BAT HOESES. Head Quaeters, Contich, l^th July 1794. His Serene Highness the Landgrave, having called lieutenant-General Wurmb, has been pleased to ap- point Lieutenant-General Dalwig to have the command of his troops, serving in the ai-my under the command of his Eoyal Highness the Commander-in-Chief. The regiments and departments are to include, in their general return for bread and forage, every person belonging to them who is at, or in the neighbourhood of, Antwerp ; requisitions coming from individuals will not be attended to. Lord Moira's Orders. Every officer commanding a company is to pro- vide, with as much expedition as possible, four b^t horses for the service of that company, for the purchase of each of which eighteen guineas wiU be allowed by government; the horses to be purchased are the pro- perty of government, and the officers commanding com- panies are answerable for them. Head Quaiiteks, Contich, Sunday, \Mh July. The corps under Lord Moira to send in returns, to Major- General Fox, quarter -master -general, of their strength, in order to regulate the issue of wood and HEAD QUARTERS, CONTICH. 1 35 straw, after wliicli returns of wood to be sent in every fourtli day, and returns for straw every seventh, pre- vious to each subsequent delivery. Head Quarters, Conticb, Monday, \Wh July 1794. Earl of Moira's Orders. Eeturns for 200 days, \>tt and forage money from the different regiments and departments to be im- mediately made out and sent to the quarter-master- general. The different brigades and regiments will imme- diately apply to the park of artillery for their ammuni- tion, to complete them to sixty rounds, agreeable to returns which are to be sent in to the adjutant-general's office. The horses ordered to be furnished by captains of companies, are to be paid for by the paymaster of their respective regiments, and charged to their agents. Two additional b^t horses to be provided by each regiment, one for the purpose of carrying the surgi- cal and medical apparatus, the other for carrying the quarter and rear-guard tents; these horses to be paid for by the quarter-master-general. 136 OEDNAKCE DKIVEES. Camp at Waerloos, Tuesday, 15fh July 1794. Eeturns to be given in this evening for two days' bread and forage, for the 16th and l7th instant, to the assistant commissary-general at Waerloos, who will fix the hour for the waggons to assemble to-morrow morn- ing on the chaussee leading to Antwerp, and a person will be appointed by the quarter-master-general to at- tend and conduct them to and from the magazines. Each regiment of the three brigades is to send to the artillery park this forenoon three men to serve for the present as drivers for the ordnance ; such men are of course to be chosen as would be least useful in the ranks. The 87th Eegiment wOl send 13 men for the same purpose ; 5 temporary conductors will also be re- quisite, but as it win be a station desirable from the pay attached to it. Lord Moira wishes to appoint deserving sergeants for that service ; he therefore requests Lord Cathcart to have the goodness to recommend two such from his brigade. General Graham two from his, and Brigadier-General Hunter one. B. 0. Head Quaetees, Contich, Ibth July. Lord Moira's Orders. Duffel, Wednesday, 16th July 1794. HEAD QUAETEES, CONTICH. 137 Head Quaetees, Contich, Thursday, 17 th July. The women of the army to receive flour in room of bread, till further orders. Lord Moira's Orders. A. grand guard to mount immediately at the barrier near the windmill, consisting of 1 captain, 1 subaltern, 2 sergeants, 1 trumpeter, and 50 privates, from the dragoon guards. Brigadier-General Hunter's brigade will relieve Gene- ral Graham's brigade at the different posts in and near the village of Duffel, this day after dinner. It will take this duty for two days. Eeturns of bread and forage for three days, 18th, 1 9th, and 20th inclusive, to be given in from the diffe- rent regiments and departments to the adjutant-general at head-quarters this afternoon. Eeceipts for the wag- goners to be taken at the same time for the bread and forage by the quarter-master of regiments to the assistant commissary at Antwerp to-morrow morning. The orderly time will in future be at 1 1 o'clock. After Orders, I7th July. A detachment, to be commanded by Major Malcolm, 78th Eegiment, is to parade at the great church in Duffel at five o'clock precisely ; it is to consist of a g2 138 DOTFEL. company from the 87tli Eegiment, and a subaltern and 20 men from 3d brigade ; two pieces of cannon are to be lent from Lord Catbcart's brigade to this detachment, as the service for which this party is destined is to keep up a communication with the Hanoverians and Dutch outposts ; the men will, of course, take their packs with them. Head Quartees, Contich, Friday, ISth July. Camp at Duffel, Saturday, 12th July 1794. For the day, to-morrow, Major Harris, Brigadier- General Lord Cathcarf s brigade, will relieve Brigadier- General Hunter's brigade at the different posts at and near the village of Duffel this day at four o'clock in the afternoon ; it will take this duty for two days. j. The brigadier-general commanding the brigade on this service will continue on duty for that time with his brigade. During this service the field-officer of the day will visit the guards and the duty in camp, and the brigadier-general at the advanced posts will appoint a field-of&cer to do duty there. Lord Moira's Orders. Duffel, 2Mh July 1794. An allotment of waggons being made for the general and staff-officers, and respective regiments of the army under the command of Lieutenant-General the Earl of BREAD AND FORAGE WAGGONS. 139 Moira, as per list, the general and stafP-of&cers, and commanding officers of regiments, wiH be pleased to make out receipts for the waggons so allotted, and send them, with the requisition for the delivery of such wag- gons, to Major Pool, waggon-master-general, on the east esplanade near the citadel, Antwerp, where they will be delivered on producing the said receipt. All waggons now in the possession of the staff, or regiments belonging to this army, are to be returned on receipt of the wag- gons contained in this list, and not suffered to go away as the drivers please. The weight each waggon should carry is not to ex- ceed 2000 pounds. The bread waggons to be appropriated solely for the - carriage of bread. Bread for the drivers and forage for the horses to be drawn for by the respective departments and regiments, viz., bread l|- pounds per day; forage, 11 pounds hay and 1 2 pounds oats. The returns for two days' bread and forage to be given in this evening as usual for the 21st and 22dinst. inclusive. The waggons now with the regiments, for which re- ceipts have not been given, will go immediately to Antwerp to Mr. Mill, assistant-commissary in the Eue Imperiale, who wiU instruct the different quarter-masters where to get to their waggons on a receipt being given. 140 DUFFEL. These waggons ■wiU load at Antwerp with bread and for- age, and the former be delivered up to Mr. Mill. The continuation of the appointment of Sergeant Evans of the 27th Eegiment as deputy provost-martial, not having been in orders since the army left the island of Guernsey, it is hereby confirmed, and his pay will be allowed for that period, he having continued to do duty as such. A monthly return to be given in immediately for the 1st of July. Brigadier-G-eneral Graham's brigade will relieve Brigadier-General Lord Cathcart's brigade at the different posts in and near the village of Duffel, to morrow after- noon at four o'clock. Earl of Moira's after Orders, 20th July. Particular circumstances calling Lord Moira imme- diately to England,* he is to be relieved at this post by Lieutenant-General Abercromby. * Sir Harry Calvert, in a letter, dated 14tli July, writes as follows : — " Tlie rank of officers of the corps that has joined under Lord Moira promises to he productive of great inconvenience. As yet the two corps are kept distinct, Lord Moira forming the first line. Entre nous, I believe he iutends to return to England very soon." And again, writing on the 22d July, Sir Harry says : — " Lord Moira. returns to England on account of the dispro- portionate local rank given him last year, which will always de- prive his country of his services on the Continent." LORD MOIRA'S FAEEWELL ORDEE. 141 Lord Moira cannot surrender his command without entreating the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the corps which accompanied hinn from Ostend, to accept his warmest and most grateful thanks for the kind and cheerful acquiescence he has experienced from them, and the severe fatigues with which he was obliged to subject them ; he has the flattering assurance that he is still to have their support in the se3rvice to which they were originally destiued. And that hope lessens his reluctance at ceasing, for the present, to share the honourable dangers of service with them. He trusts they will believe that no light consideration would have obliged him to quit them, as he persuades himself they are sensible of his having endeavoured to repay the generous attachment they have shewn to him by the most lively interest for their weKare. For the present he bids them farewell, with the most fervent prayers for their honour and prosperity. The corps under the command of Lieutenant-General Abercromby are to receive bread and forage to-morrow up to the 25th instant inclusive. Head Quarters, Contich, Monday, 2\st July 1794. The several corps of the army march to-morrow morning precisely at half-past three o'clock, except Colonel Stein's corps, which will remain till the Hesse 142 HEAD QUARTERS, CONTICH. Darmstadt troops arrive near Wetrych, when it wiH proceed and form the head of the column. The diEPerent columns will take the routes marked in the distri- butions which have been sent to the lieutenant-generals. All the out-posts on the river are to continue to be occupied by light troops of the respective corps till eight o'clock, when they will march upon the same routes as their corps did ; all carriages of every sort are to be away this evening at five o'clock; those of the column of H. E. H. the Commander-in-Chief, as well of those of Lieu- tenant-General Sir William Erskine's and Lieutenant- General Abercromby's, are to rendezvous at that hour on the causeway beyond Contich towards Antwerp, where an officer of the c[uarter-master-general's department will attend. The wheel carriages of the other columns to march at the same hour, upon their respective routes. The quarter-masters and camp-colourmen are to assemble and march, so as to arrive to-morrow morning at four o'clock at the following places — those of the British at Bergenhout — those of the Hessians at Diebeer — the Hanoverians at Winhen. The British to send two camp-colourmen per regiment only, and these ought to be careful and strong men. The following is the order of march of the column under the immediate command of his Eoyal Highness : — Major-General Ealph Dundas's brigade. CONVEYANCE OF SICK. 143 Eeserve artillery. Brigade of guards. Major-General Fox's brigade. Eemainder of the heavy cavalry. The hat horses at the head of their respective regiments. The sick of any who are not able to march to be sent to Antwerp immediately, and a proportion of spring waggons will be sent to each brigade to convey them. The quarter-masters and camp-colourmen of the British will assemble at the park of artillery at two o'clock to-morrow morning, where they will be conducted by an of&cer of the quarter-master-general's department. General Abercromby's orders. Duffel, 2\st July. The detail of duty, and the disposition of the out- posts to remain the same as ordered by Lieutenant- General the Earl of Moira. The corps under the command of lieutenant-General Abercromby will march to-morrow morning by the right, and the following order at half-past three o'clock — Bit horses of the army. Heavy artillery and spare ammunition horses. 5th and 6th dragoon guards. 8th, 15th, and 16th light diagoons. Loyal emigrants. The infantry by brigade with the battalion guns. 144! DUFFEL. The brigade iinder the command of Brigadier-General Graham, with the cavalry now on the advanced posts, and 1 squadron 1 5th Light Dragoons, will form the reaj guard. The advanced posts will be withdrawn at seven o'clock in the morning, and the whole of the rear guard will march precisely at eight by the same route with that of the column, viz., by Lindt, Bouchaut, Borsbeck, and Duivin. Lieutenant Tinling of the 57th Eegiment will this evening point out to the different corps the route by which they are to leave camp to-morrow morning, and will conduct the column. Brigadier-General Graham will apply to the burgo- master for guides, who will have them in readiness. Captain Johnston of the corps of engineers, with the artificers, will remain with the rear guard, and as soon as all the advanced posts have been withdrawn, wiU effectually destroy the bridge. The battalion gun now on the advance posts, and which is not attached to General Graham's brigade, will join its brigade this evening at ten o'clock. The 87th Eegiment will close in the left of the 57th before they march at half-past three o'clock. After Orders by Lieutenant-General Abercromby, 21st July. The greatest care to be taken that no huts, straw, or forage be set on fire during the night or before the NO HTJTS OK FORAGE TO BE BtTCNED. ] 45 marcL Officers commanding corps will be pleased to attend particularly to this caution, as the lieutenant- general is determined to make a severe example of any soldier who may disgrace himself by being guilty of that offence. Head Quaetees, Tmsday, 22d July 1794. All the wheel carriages of the British are to assemble at Merxim precisely at five o'clock this evening ; they are to go along the Chanssee through Berginhoute, and behind the glazies of the town; they are to pass the village of Merxim, and halt on the Chauss^e till put in motion by an officer of the quarter-master- general's department. H. E. H. the Commander-in-Chief looks up to the general officers and officers commandiug brigades for the strict observance of these orders, being determined to take particular notice of any breach of them which he may observe. The artillery are particularly directed to keep no waggons with them that are not absolutely necessary. B. 0. Brigadier General Graham desires that the above order may be strictly complied with. After Orders, nine at night The army will march iu three columns in the follow- 1 46 OEDEE OF MAECH. ing order, the first column under the command of Lieutenant-General Harcourt — Major-General E. Dundas's brigade — heavy cavalry. Major-General D. Dundas's do. Major-General White's do. Colonel Vyse's do. followed by the artillery attached to them. This column will march at three o'clock by its right to Achterbroeck, by the route of Berginhoute, Merxim, and Cappol. Second column under the command of Lieutenant- General Sir "William Erskine will march from the right. British reserve artillery. Major-General Stewart's brigade of infantry. Brigadier -General Lord Cathcart's brigade, 2 5|-inch howitzer British. Brigadier-General Hunter's brigade. Major-General Balfour's brigade, 2 1 2-pounders British Major-General Fox's brigade. Brigadier-General Graham's brigade, 2 5^-inch howitzer British, Two battalions of Hesse Cassel regiments of Casport. Two do. of do. guards Two do. of do. life regiment. 7th and 11th British Dragoons. The British reserve artillery to march as soon as this column has passed the OEDEE OF MAECH. Ii7 Park, and to proceed to West Vasse by the route of Berginhoute, Merxim, and Bresshet. The remaining part of this column will pursue the same route, and be ready to commence the march at five o'clock. Third column, under the command of Lieutenant- General Walmoden — Hanoverian reserve artillery — ^two long 1 2-pounders. Hesse Cassel Gensd'armes. Three squadrons Hesse Cassel Carbineers. Hanoverian heavy cavalry. Hanoverian infantry of the line, with six pieces of ordnance from the Hanoverian reserve, to be placed in the column of march as General Walmoden may tliink proper to direct. This column to be ready to commence its march from the left by Achterbroeck at five o'clock, and to proceed by the route of Seauten, Chattel, Creigant, and to the Chauss^e leading from Antwerp to Breda without entering upon that which leads up from Antwerp to Eotterdam. The reserve of the army under the command of Lieu- tenant-General Abercromby will foUow the route of this column. Two 5^-inch howitzers, and two long 6-pound- ers, will be attached to the reserve of the army wliich will be placed as Lieutenant-General Abercromby may direct. The advance of the army, under the command of Lieutenant-General Hammerston, consisting of two companies of Hesse Cassel light infantry, two companies 148 OKDEK OF MARCH. of Yagers, Hessedarmsted light infantry, 4 battalions Hessian Grenadiers, 4 squadrons Hessedarmsted cavalry, four squadrons Hanoverian light dragoons, 87th Eegi- ment British, loyal emigrants. Two battalions of Hessedarmsted infantry is to cover the march of the 2d and 3d column in the manner ■which Lieutenant-General Hammerston may direct. The quarter-masters and camp-colourmen of the Hessians and British, and Hessians, the former as di- rected in yesterday's orders, are to assemble in the churchyard at Berginhoute, at four o'clock in the morn- ing, to be conducted by an ofScer of the quarter-master- general's department. The quarter-masters and camp-colourmen of the Hessians and reserve to assemble at the same hour at Neheim, to be marched from hence to West Vassel by an officer of the Hanoverian quarter-master-general's de- partment, G. 0. Head Quaetees, Cohnsthout, Wednesday, 2Bd July 1794. The Hessians belong to the left wing. Two bat- talions infantry, and two squadrons cavalry to be in reserve for each wing. Lieutenant-General Abercromby will settle the de- tail for the reserve. The general officer of the day to see the camp picquets posted according to the general instructions. HEAD QUAETEES COLMSTHOUT. 149 AH wheel carriages in the same manner last night to assemble to-morrow moriung at six o'clock at Achter- broeck, to be marched from thence by an officer of the quarter-master-general's department to Eosendal. A non-commissioned officer and ten men from each of the regiments of heavy cavalry, as also from the 8th and 14th Light Dragoons, with a subaltern per brigade, and a captain from Major-General David Dundas's bri- gade, to parade at the same time at Achterbroeck to escort the waggons and to assist the quarter-master- general's department, which they are requested to do in enforcing the regulations of the march. The wheel car- riages of the Hanoverians and reserve are to assemble at the same hour on the road leading to Breda, and to march then under the conduct of such officers as Gene- ral Walmoden may appoint. Any wheel carriages which belong to the advanced corps must be sent to one or other of the places mentioned by the above hour. The army halts to-morrow. When the army is to take up its ground, the ad- vanced corps and the corps appointed for its support will always receive their instructions from Major-Gene- ral Hammerston. British Orders. The brigades must furnish sentries to the wells which are near them, to prevent any damage to be done to them, or any unnecessary waste of water. 150 inhabitants' houses protected. The general officers will also be pleased to furnish safeguards to aR the houses near their respective bri- gades. Those corps that have not received bread for the 25th inst. will receive it this night in camp, the com- missary-general having undertaken to deliver it at the head of each regiment so circumstanced. An allowance of wood for the infantry and cavalry of the right wing is ordered to be delivered in front of the camp, between the left of the heavy cavalry and right of the 1st line of infantry, to which place the corps of that wing will send for it. Wood for the brigade of guards, 15th and 16th Light Dragoons, is ordered to be sent to their place of encampment. Head Quarters, Colmsthout, Thursday, 24 tered fire of musketry conmienced on each side. A Turkish corvette bore down upon the battery on the right, which had begun firing as soon as the ships got under weigh ; the corvette never returned a shot until quite close, when luffing up she discharged a broadside which effectually silenced the battery. The French now opened from all their guns a heavy 244< MEMOIE OP GENERAL GEAHAM. fire ; the Britisli pieces Tinliinbered and played upon them whilst the army continued to advance. The French finding that a serious attack was intended, and afraid of being forced with the bayonet, retired from their position, abandoning the heavy guns ; they, how- ever, formed again on another ridge, and maintained from thence a galling fire of musketry and grape. General Coote had now succeeded in his first object, but anxious to push on to the works of Alexandria he ordered the march to be continued. The French retired reluctantly, and had evidently not contemplated the chance of being forced to retreat, as they were obliged to abandon their tents and baggage. On arriving within ] 400 yards of Alexandria, a halt was made to give time for the heavy artillery to arrive. The French lost in this affair about 200, killed, wounded, and prisoners, with seven pieces of cannon; the loss of the British was three killed and forty wounded. The action was maintained entirely by the 27th Eegiment, the Lowenstein Eangers, and the de- tachment of Guards with the Artillery ; the rest of the army never fired a shot, although every part was exposed to the enemy's fire, which was very heavy (particularly in grape), and would have been very destructive but for the inequalities of the ground. The view which now presented itself to the troops (quoting from Sir E. Wilson) was striking from its ani- BOLD POSITION OF COOTE's DIVISION. 245 mation and gaiety, as -well as replete -with historical interest ; the town of Alexandria, with its busy harbour and c[uays, lay at their feet, while, at the same time, the eye rested on the catacombs of Alexandria, the temple of Diana, and the baths of Cleopatra. No time was lost in communicatiug intelligence to General Hutchinson of the success which had been gained. The general-in-chief, on learning the boldness of the position taken up by General Coote, at once despatched a reinforcement, and apprehensive that be- fore its arrival the enemy might make a vigorous sortie on General Coote, he therefore planned a feint on the eastern side, to divert their attention to self-defence. On the morning of the 23d two batteries were ready to open against the redoubt Des Baias, the advanced work on the western side, but the platforms giving way the firing was suspended duriug the day ; fortunately they were repaired in time to take part in the repulse of a determined sortie made by the French in the night, with a view to recover the ground they had lost. On the morning of the 26th the English batteries on the eastern side, containing ten 24 poimders and six 12 pounders, and two howitzers, commenced playiug on the right of the French position. General Menon had expressed himself very indig- nant at the capitulation of General Belliard, and declared his determination to bury himself in the ruins of Alex- 246 MEMOIE OF GENERAL GRAHAM. andria, but, on the morning of tlie 26th, he found him- self reduced to propose an armistice for three days. An officer was sent instantly to General Coote, who arrived in time to prevent his making a lodgment on the hill above Pompey's Pillar. The occupation of that post would have secured the fall of Alexandria, as it is not above 150 yards from the walls of the old town, and it is also nearly equal iu height to Ports Cretin and Caffarelli. On the 31st August General Hope went into Alexan- dria to sign the capitulation. Sir E. Wilson says, " General Menon received him with every mark of atten- tion, and invited him to dinner. The repast was only horse-flesh ; but those who are acquainted with the French general well know that his society would amply compensate for the want of a more luxurious diet." DUMBAETON CASTLE. 247 CHAPTEE THE EIGHTEENTH. Marriage — Serves on Staff in Scotland and Ireland — Letters. In November 1801 Lieutenant-Colonel Graham returned with his regiment to Malta, and, shortly after his arrival there, was sent home by the medical staff, in consequence of being threatened with the loss of the sight of his remainiug eye. Previous to his return to England, the Commander- in-Chief, as a mark of the sense he entertatued of his services, had appointed him to the Lieutenant- Governor- ship of Dumbarton* Castle — a command reported vacant * Pennant describes Dnmliarton Castle as seated on a two- headed rock of a stupendous height, rising in a strange manner out of the sands, and totally detached from every thing else. The sides of the rocks are immense precipices, and often over- hang, except on the side where the Governor's house stands, which is defended by walls and a few cannon, and garrisoned by a few invalids. From its natural strength it was in former times deemed impregnable ; so that the desperate but successful scalado of it in 1571 may vie with the greatest attempts of that kind — with the capture of the Numidian fortress in the Jugurthan War by Marius ; or the more horrible surprise of Feschamps by the gallant Bois-rose. 248 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GEAHAM. in consequence of the death of General Islay Ferrier. The announcement of the death of General Ferrier turned out to be incorrect, and the appointment was therefore cancelled ; and, strange to say. General Terrier lived to see his niece married to the identical officer thus abruptly appointed to take his place. The Lieutenant- Governor was highly incensed at being so unceremo- niously deprived of his life and his situation at one and the same time, and vented his indignation iu the follow- ing laconic advertisement in the newspapers : — " I, Islay Ferrier, am not dead." The Lieutenant-Governorship of Stirling Castle be- coming vacant soon after this occurrence, the appoint- ment was immediately conferred on Lieutenant-Colonel Graham. In 1 802 Lieutenant-Colonel Graham was promoted to the rank of full colonel, and iu 1804 was placed on the Staff in N'orth Britain as brigadier-general. This appointment to the Staff in Scotland was fol- lowed by his marriage to Jane, eldest daughter of James Ferrier, Esquire, one of the Principal Clerks of the Court of Session ; an alliance productive of all the happiness which can be conferred on man by a sensible and devoted wife. The personal attractions of Miss Ferrier having excited the muse of the immortal bard of Scotland burns' lines on MES. GRAHAM. 249 [Eobert Burns], no memoir of the General would be complete without including such a tribute to the wife of his choice. The lines are as follows : — Madam, Nae heathen name shall I prefix, Frae Pindus or Parnassus, Auld Reekie dings them a' to sticks For rhyme-inspiring lasses. Jove's tunefu' dochters, three times three. Made Homer deep their dehtor, But gi'en the body half an e'e, Nine Ferriers wad done better. Last day my mind -was in a bog, Down George's Street I stoited, A creeping, cauld, prosaic fog, My vera senses doited. Do what I dought to set her free. My muse lay in the mire ; Ye turned a neuk — I saw your e'e — She took the wing like fire. The mournfu' sang I here enclose, In gratitude I send you, And pray in rhyme sincere as prose, A' GUDE THINGS MAY ATTEND YOU. EOBBBT BUBNS. St. James' Square, \ Saty. Evening. ) The concluding lines have reference to a copy of his elegy on Sir J. H. Blair which the poet enclosed. 250 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. Owing to Mr. Ferrier's position as Clerk of Session, a friendly intercourse subsisted between his family and that of his illustrious contemporary in the Court of Session, Sir "Walter Scott. A connection also existed between Mr. Ferrier's family and that of the late Pro- fessor Wilson (Christopher IsTorth), by the marriage of Mr. Ferrier's eldest son to the Professor's sister ; and Mrs. G-raham's own sister has since become well known as Miss Ferrier, authoress of " Marriage and Inheri- tance." Mrs. Graham was thus frequently brought into the society of the most celebrated literary people in Scotland of that day. One of the friends of her early life, the beautiful and accomplished Lady Charlotte Campbell, greeted her with the following note on her wedding-day : — " For Mrs. Brigadier-General Graham. " This comes to felicitate J. C. (Inside the cover) " Miss Ferrier, "per ultima volta. " Is it not strange that I should write for the last time to Jane Ferrier without sorrow ? A thousand joys to Jane Graham. You have not time or power to read a long epistle. I merely trace these lines expressive of my best and kindest wishes that since I cannot in per- son be present at the ceremony my heart may wing its way to you. My husband, after his fashion, manifests his sincere joy, and would have been very witty if I had SHERIDAN ASKS A FEIEND TO DINNEE. 251 allowed him. God bless you, my dear friend, not less so as a married than you ever were as a single woman ; and in this pleasing belief, I remain, with pleasure, as well as affection, Jane Graham's heartily affectionate "CM. Campbell." The following original letter, from the celebrated She- ridan to the Hon. H. Erskiae, preserved in Mrs. Graham's portfolio, is very characteristic, and does not appear to have been hitherto published : — " Saturday. "Dear Sir — The Mrs. Crowe, who, like the merry knights, is not only witty herself, but the cause of wit in others ; who has been admired and sought after by all the men of wit and genius of the age, must not leave Edinbro' without the homage of your talents being paid to her, and as there is no time for verse writing or com- position (for she goes on Monday), you must come in person and cut the best figure you can ' extempore.' She is here to see the lions and I am appointed showman. Now, in this case you know, the word lion implies all that is agreeable, entertaining, or interesting. Is it strange, therefore, in seeking for them that you should start into my mind, and that I shall consider my task unaccomplished if I have not the pleasure of shewing you. Mrs. Crowe has commissioned me (venturing upon her intimacy with your brother, as weU as a slight ac- 252 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. quaintance with yourself) to request your company to dinner to-morrow, Sunday, at Dumbucky, five o'clock ; if you can't come to dinner, come in the evening, if not in the evening, come in the middle of the night, but do pray come. — Yours most truly, T. Sheridan. " Honourable H. Erskine." In the same repository from whence the foregoing letter has been selected, some lines from the pen of Leyden are preserved which may serve as a pendant to Sheridan's lively ebullition : — " Mr. Leyden is amazed that Miss Terrier could sup- pose that any engagement would prevent him from waiting upon her and Lady Charlotte. He does not profess much attention to promises — " For promises, as writers mention. Serve bnt to mark the mind's intention ; Now, since we never think it strange To find one's best intentions change, Should promises, like rope or halter, Confine intentions ne'er to alter. — " but the promise which promises so much pleasure in the performance has a superior claim to validity. Com- pliments to Mr. Terrier. Sunday." During the time Brigadier-General Graham was on the staff m North Britain, he had under his command DISCIPLINE WITHOUT THE LASH. 253 a force of about 7000 volunteers and yeomanry. In June 1806 he was struck off tlie staff and remained un- employed until June 1808, when he was appointed to the staff _ in Ireland and took command of the garrison at Corlc The following instance of the General's kindness of heart, and method of managing delinquents, is given upon the authority of an old sergeant of dragoons, for a long time a respectable inhabitant of Stirling: — "When the sergeant was stationed with his regiment at Cork, a private was tried by a district court-martial for striking a non-commissioned officer, and was sentenced to be flogged. The troops in garrison being assembled to wit- ness the infliction of the punishment, Major-General Graham, who then commanded at Cork, rode into the square, and after the sentence had been read, addressing the prisoner, said 'The conduct of the distinguished regi- ment to which you belong has been so exemplary, that I would much regret seeing a man belonging to it flogged. I shall therefore remit your punishment, if any officer of your regiment will speak in your favour.' No one came forward. 'Well,' continued the General, 'I make the same offer if any non-commissioned officer wiU do so.' Still no move. The General went on — ' Surely some one of your companions wUl come forward ; if so I shall forgive you.' But not a man moved. The General then addressing the prisoner, said, ' You are the most 254 MEMOIE OF GENERAL GRAHAM. unfortunate man it has ever been my lot to encounter. If the predicament in which your conduct has placed you does not work reformation no amount of iiogging will. Eemove the prisoner. It is impossible for any man to be more degraded in the eyes of his regiment.'" For some years afterwards the cats were not seen in that regiment ; crime was in a manner banished, thanks to the brave, kind-hearted General ; and the circumstance had also a most beneficial effect on all the corps that were present. While General Graham commanded at Cork, Major- General Hill, to whom he had been known in his previous service, passed through Cork to enter upon his glorious career in the Peninsula, and proposed to General Graham that he should accompany him to Portugal. At that time some personal matters rendered it inconvenient for him to do so ; and repeated efforts made at subsequent periods to obtain more active employment than the Home-Staff afforded, met with no success. It would appear by a letter from Sir W. H. Clinton, dated in 1812, that he had been in correspondence with him on the subject of employment in the Peninsula. " Onil, 25 Miles N.W. of Alicant, « 1th April 1813. " Dear General — I must not leave unacknowledged your letter of the 24th of January, delivered to me the SIR W. H. CLINTON. 255 day before yesterday by Colonel Schroeder of the Bruns- wick Hiissars. I thank you for it, and for all you were kind enough to say iu it. It would have given me much pleasure, indeed, to have served with you ; but had I seen the hard service you have seen, and to boast of the honourable marks you have, indeed, my dear general, I should think no more of service, and you may rely on it I should have staid quietly where I was, in the enjoyment of one of the pleasantest situations a military man can have. " I threw myself in the way of service, more espe- cially because it had been intimated to me that when- ever I attained to the rank I now hold (locally), I must vacate my situation in Ireland. Where should I have then beent I could not, I may say I would not, have accepted service abroad with my then rank had it been then offered to me ; so that I looked forward to being very soon on the shelf ; I have thus lost a place of great emohiment without any adequate return, but I have at least the satisfaction of feeling that I have served, and I hope, in the eye of the world, have done right. It has been judged right not to shew in mine, or in my brother's instance, the same favour which in two instances was granted to poor Anstruther, and in a very- marked manner to my immediate predecessor Sir John Cradock, as admitting staff situations at home to be held wMlst employed on foreign service. 256 MEMOIE OF GENERAL GEAHAM. " Your letter found me soon after the army moved from the position near Alicant. Sir John Murray hav- ing arrived here and found Lord William Bentinck not yet arrived, he assumed his command. We presumed we were waitiag for Lord Wellington's instructions ; however, here we are ready to act the moment the weather will let us ; this and last month are the most unsettled of the year — the spring equinox has been particularly rainy and unpleasant. In ten days we may expect fair weather, then, I presume, we shall go on. The French have hitherto shewn no enterprize ; they contented themselves with a skirmish at Alcoy, sir^ce then they have hardly shewn themselves ; whether this be ' ruse' to draw us out, or really that they wish to shun an action, a short time will prove. Our army is numerous, but we have yet to ascertain whether part of it will fight. Of the two Spanish divisions of Whitting- ham and Eich, the former 4000, the latter 2000 men, we have reason to think tolerably. A Sicilian and Italian are rather more questionable ; however, the former de- ceives us much if they do not do well ; the army is formed into four divisions : two British and Sicilian, mixed, and two Spanish ; M'Kenzie commands one, I the other, British ; Lord F. Bentinck has our diminutive cavalry ; Colonel Adam has the advance, consisting at present of three battalions, viz., 2d, 27th Calabrian (light corps), and the first of the Italian Legion, aU light. EARLY SHOEING AFTEK A VOYAGE. 257 " If 1 can shew any attention to your recommenda- tion of Colonel Schroeder, I shall be glad to do so ; I shall tell Floyd to give yon some account of us and our movements in future ] he recollects with great warmth your kindness to him, and when I shewed him what you said of his good father, his young blood seemed to glow again. " Tou probably may have heard the hussars arrived here in sad plight, and the horses have not been im- proved by early shoeing. There has been a sad over- sight somewhere, we were in too great a hurry to have the services of the cavalry, and we probably shall suffer for the hurry all the campaign ; I know not exactly where the blame lies. You must not expect much from our numbers here ; we have some excellent officers op- posed to us, and we have also some good troops. Suchet commands, and has under him Generals Arispe, de Lordt, and Habert. We have a beautiful country in our front, but it has been sadly plundered by the French ; they will not leave us much to save for the poor inhabitants. — Believe me to be, my dear general, sincerely yours, W. H. Clinton."* * Lieutenant-General Sir W. H. Clinton, K.B., M.P., son of Sir H. Clinton who commanded the army in America, entered tie service in 1784, and served witli the Guards in the cam- paign of 1794 in Holland, and was afterwards employed as aide- de-camp and military secretary to his Eoyal Highness. In 1812, m2 258 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. Some letters from other correspondents sliew that he had also made endeavours about this time to get employ- ment in India. On his promotion to the rank of major- general he was transferred from the command of the garrison at Cork to the Perth district in North Britain, where an extensive depot of French prisoners was at that time established. His residence at Cork brought him into frequent in- tercouse with Sir John Floyd* who commanded the southern district, and a friendly intercourse was kept up after they had both left Cork. In 1812 Sir John writes : — having attained tlie rank of major-general, lie applied for active employment and was sent to SioUy with the rank of lieutenant- general. From there he was dispatched in command of a corps of Italians, Calabrians, Sicilians, Majorcans, and some British and Germans, to Alicant, to co-operate with the Spanish. He was afterwards opposed to Suchet, and rendered important services both in keeping possession of the principal places in Catalonia against very superior forces, and in preventing the junction of Suchet with Soult at Thoulouse, which might have proved dis- astrous to our operations in that part. His services were spe- cially recognised by the Duke of Wellington. * General Sir John Floyd entered the army in 1760 as cornet in Elliot's Dragoons, and was present at the battle of Ems- dorf ; he was subsequently employed for eighteen years in India in various commands of cavalry ; at the siege of Bangalore, 1791; at the battle of Seringapatam, 1792 ; at the siege of Pondi- cherry he was second in command, and he was also present at Malavelly, and at the siege of Seringapatam in 1799. His daughter married the Eight Hon. Sir Robert Peel. SIE JOHN FLOYD. 259 TuNBRiDGE "Wells, M November 1812. Major-General G-raliani. My dear General — We have long been living after the manner of exiles. Not long after we came to Lon- don I bought a house in Cavendish Sq[uare, and great part of the furniture, the property of Mr. Hope, who has two houses in that square — one great and magnificent — the other, my object, small, clean, new furniture, and very pretty. Next day a gentleman offered £1000 for my bargain, which I declined. After being long in ex- pectation of the title, it appeared at last that the house could not be sold. I had paid £1800 deposit-money, and after great plague recovered my money only about a week ago. Meantime, I bought another house in Mansfield Street, near Cavendish Square. I got pos- session about a month ago ; but as it is undergoing a thorough repair, cleaniag, etc., we shall not be able to uihabit it much before the first of next month. Mean- while, we have made Tunbridge Wells our headquarters, from whence we have made various expeditions into the coujitry. We passed three weeks at Lord Pembroke's, Wilton House ; said to be, and I really think it is, the finest house in Europe. It has been long a mine of the finest sculpture, paintings, and books. The present earl has now arranged the whole, with the assistance of Mr. Wyatt, with infinite taste and judgment, and at very 260 MEMOIK OF GENEEAL GEAHAM. great expense. There still remains a great deal to be done. From Wilton House we were singularly fortu- nate in an excursion to Fonthill Abbey, in the absence of the owner Mr. Beckford — a most singular personage, with whom no one associates. His most positive orders are in existence, to admit no one to see the abbey. We, however, got in and saw all ; and a very extraordinary all it is. Mr. Beckford built it with the assistance of Mr. Wyatt. It stands on very high and very beautiful ground, and overlooks the whole country, and has the outward appearance of an abbey, with a very high octa- gon tower or dome in the centre. A great folding-door in the middle of the fi-ont, 54 feet high, was opened by a dwarf, and might have been opened by an infant, so justly made are the hinges, said to have cost £500, and so well poised the great mass of door. From this a stone staircase, of about 30 feet wide, leads to the apartment which I am not able to describe. A famous yeUow room leads into the library, which is a gallery of 334 feet long, 15 or 16 wide, in the centre of which rises the high dome, an octagon, all clear from top to bottom. Every circumstance of furniture, painted glass windows, books, is of the most costly kind ; cabinets of every kind the most expensive ; every article is a curiosity- The light coming through the painted glass windows sheds a curious mellow lustre on everything. The gal- lery and most of the apartments are hung with red cloth ; FONTHILL ABBEY. 261 the double curtains red and purple. The costly magni- ficence of all within the building is not to be described, at least by me. There is neither sculpture nor painting in the whole abbey, except a few bad pictures of old English kings, and a figure of St. Anthony on the altar, at one extremity of the gallery. The whole building is of stone. "It is with great pleasure I learn that you have obtained the pension to which your services and your wounds so fully entitle you. Long may you, my dear General, enjoy every mark of honour and of comfort that can be bestowed on you. " I have just seen a severe example of the fate of war in Colonel Packenbam, who is here at his sister's, Lady Wellington. He received seven or eight balls quite close to the enemy's platoon ia the breach. He considers himself recovering, but is shockingly mangled. Lord Wellington has still an arduous task before him. The French have upwards of an 100,000 men in Spain stUl ; I trust Bonaparte is ill at his ease ia Moscow. A Eussian winter before him, and a Eussian army behind him, are no trifles to contend with. None of my people know of my writing, or a quire of paper would not con- taia all they would have to say. Pray, assure Mrs. Graham of my sincere regards, and believe me, my dear General, most faithfully yours, J. Floyd." 262 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. In 1814, Sir Frederick Adam, who had served with him in the Enniskillens, thus writes to him in allusion to his old corps, for which he always retained a just partiality : — " 6 Sackville Street, "London, 11th February 1814. " My dear Sir — If Lieutenant Drysdale's own merits as an officer had not fully entitled him to my aid in pro- curing the company vacant by the promotion of my old friend Mill, you may be quite sure that your feeling an interest in Mr. Drysdale would have ensured whatever I can do to assist him. " I am, as you observe, still very partial to my old friends the Enniskilleners ; and though the younger brothers are not to be compared in fineness of materials to the elder branch, they have always shewn themselves to be of the same good breed — to drop metaphor, the second battalion fights admirably, which is, after all, the great essential. Your friend Paddy Eeeves, with all his originality, is a good officer, and I was lucky in the hour of trial to have him and his gallant battalion. " I am very sorry to hear your eye is affected, but I hope only temporarily so. My wounds are getting better. I shall not only save my fingers, but eventually recover the use of them ; in the mean time I suffer considerable pain by the exfoliation of bone from my arm. Poor Eeeves, when I last heard from him, was stiU complain- APPLIES TO SEEVE IN HOLLAND. 263 ing. — With every good wisli, believe me, my dear general, very suicerely and truly yours, Feedeeick Adam." During tlie time Sir Thomas Graham commanded in the Netherlands, he addressed the following reply to an application which General Graham made, in the hope of obtaining employment under his command : — " Galmhout, 2Qth March 1814. "Sir — I had the honour of receiving your letter dated 2d December 1813, only by the last maiL I can- not guess what has occasioned so extraordinary a delay. " There certainly could be no apology necessary for making the offer of your services, for I know well the esti- mation you was held in by Sir Ealph Abercrombie. But there has been no opening that could have suited you ; nor is there any probability of there being one ; for, in the event of any fortress being taken, the Dutch Govern- ment would certainly name a governor of their own im- mediately, as they have done at Breda and other places which the Eussians got possession of. I regret, there- fore, being under the necessity of saying, that it is not in my power to be of use to you. — I have the honour to remain, with great regard, sir, your most obedient humble servant, " Thomas Geaham. " Major-General Graham." 264 MEMOIK OF GENEKAL GKAHAM. CHAPTEE THE NINETEENTH. Stirling Castle — Sieges — Stirling Heads — Rise of the enthusiasm about Scotland — Sir Walter Scott. The conclusion of peace in 1814 was followed by a large reduction ia the staff of the army. Major-General Graham being amongst the of&cers struck off the staff at that time, retired to his government at Stirling Castle, where he principally resided for the remainder of his life. Recent improvements in fortification and artillery have tended to diminish very much the importance of Stirling Castle as a fortress ; and anything like disloyal feeling in the country having expired, it seems im- probable that the scenes of strife from which it took its name wUl be repeated under its walls; the office of governor has therefore, in modern times, been abolished; but at the period of General Graham's appointment, a few years, comparatively speaking, had elapsed, since the castle stood a siege, and the name of its gallant defender, Blakeney, was still familiar as household words, the post of governor therefore continued to be an object of ambition to an old officer. It stamped him as a tried SIEGES OF STIRLING CASTLE. 265 servant of the Crown — a man in whom his Sovereign placed confidence, and gave him a certain degree of military consequence in his declining years, which is gratifying to a man whose life has been spent amongst soldiers.* Few places in the country are connected with such a number of romantic traditions and stirring events in his- tory as Stirling. Undoubtedly a Eoman station, it was afterwards an important pass in the line of demarcation between the Scottish tribes occupying the country north of Stirling, and the Eomanized Britons inhabiting the country south of the Forth. In the twelfth century it was one of the four principal fortresses in the kingdom, and as such was given up to the English in 1175, with the other three, Edinburgh, Eoxburgh, and Berwick, as part of the ransom stipulated for the release of WiUiam the lion at the treaty of Falaise. In the wars of Edward First, it was frequently taken and retaken, after protracted sieges, and was evidently at that time a place capable of an obstinate defence. By the victory of Bannockburn it fell into the hands of Bruce, who had been long endeavouring to get pos- session of it. * « In 1447, James, styled Lord Livingstone, being a noble- man of great courage and prudence, was constituted captain of the Castle of Stirling, and had the custody of the young king committed to him by his father when he was the king's governor." — Crawford's Peerage. N 266 MEMOIE OF GBNEEAL GEAHAM. It was besieged and taken by Monk in 1651 ; and in 1681, the seizure of Stirling was planned by Lord Dundee, and the adherents of James Second, although they failed in the execution of their scheme. In the reign of Queen Anne the fortifications were ■ improved ; and the successful defence of the Bridge of Stirling by the Duke of Argyle in 1715, with only 1500 men, against the army of Mar, supposed to number 10,000, in a great measure checked that insurrection ; while in 1745, Prince Charles, on his march to the south, did not attempt to pass the Forth at Stirling, but selected a ford at Frew, six miles from Stirling. It was in the following year that General Blakeney answered the summons to surrender, by saying that he would defend the place to the last extremity ; for as he had lived so he was determined to die — a man of honour. The town surrendered on the 8th of January, and the adherents of Priuce Charles then proceeded to lay siege to the castle. The siege lasted until the 1st of February, when, in consequence of the advance of the Duke of Cumberland, the besiegers abandoned their works, after blowing up the principal magazine, which was kept in the church of St. Ninian's, a small village about a mile from Stirling. During the course of this siege. General Blakeney, in OTder to destroy the idea which was propagated by the Stuart army, of their invulnerability, would not suf- GAEEISON COEPS. 267 fer them to bury their men who were killed in the trenches and batteries. As many as sixty of them were thus exposed to view in one day. The siege-work was quite unsuitable to the habits and mode of warfare of the highlanders, and in consequence, the Irish Brigade, and Drummond's Eegiment from France, were as much as possible employed upon that duty. Until the year 1802, which was subsequent to the appointment of General Graham as deputy-governor, the castle was garrisoned by a coi-ps of about a hundred men, who were commanded by a lieutenant and ensign, and wore a dress decidedly different from all other British uniforms. The men had a small French-looking cocked hat, a long red coat with green facings and long black leggings. The officers wore clothes of superior materials, but of the same hue and fashion, the drummer alone having a short coat of a different colour, namely of green. At a former period the breeches were blue and the belts black ; latterly, the breeches were as stated, and the belts white. The arms were latterly a musket and bayonet with a sword, but at a remoter period, they are said to have carried Lochaber axes, like the Town Guard of Edinburgh. This uniform is said to have been first established by Mary of Guise, wife of James the Fifth of Scotland, and is supposed to have been the Lorraine uniform, but this tradition, although a popular one, does not seem to 268 MEMOIR OE GENERAL GRAHAM. rest on certain grounds. In the other fortresses ap- pointed by the Act of Union to be kept up in Scotland there were similar corps ; the whole were broken up in 1802. The dress of the governor, previous to that period, was also faced with green instead of blue, the present colour. General Graham had always a great predilection for gardening and the study of botany, a peaceful pursuit, often found to be the delight of those who have had to encounter perils and tempest on the ocean of life ; it seems as if in the evening of their days they found a peculiar charm in contemplating the contrast between the rude passions of men and the smiling face of nature in a garden decked as she there is in her most winning garb. We read in Plutarch, that Sertorius the Eoman general, at one period of his life, tired of war, resolved on settling in the Canaries (or, as the poets called them, the Fortunate Islands), where some have placed the Hesperian gardens ; and that his intention was only frustrated through the treachery of a part of his crew. A long list might be furnished of poets, philosophers, statesmen, and warriors, who have shewn their love for gardens and shrubberies ; but among them aH, few can have had to encounter the difficulties which the elements oppose to the formation of a garden on the top of the castle rock at Stirling. The bitter east wind STIRLING HEADS. 269 whicli SO often sweeps over that high and exposed situ- ation, sparing nothing in its course, would have deterred one of a less enterprising disposition from making even the attempt, but in this very difficulty, perhaps, there was a charm for the old soldier. It was very evident from the commencement, that, unless some shelter could be obtained, nothing would grow, the plan he therefore proposed to himself was to obtain this shelter, in the first instance, by a circular belt of evergreens ; but the very raising hardy evergreens was a work of time and difficulty, and he was obliged to protect his belt of shrubs during their infancy, by a cir- cular stockade something like a New Zealand pah. By dint of perseverance, in , the course of a few years his plans were rewarded with a fair share of- success. In the antiquarian treasures of Stirling, Mrs. Graham, as well as the General, found an inexhaustible resource ; and in the " Stirling Heads,"* a work published in 1816, Mrs. Graham has bequeathed to the lovers of antiqua- rian lore a volume of great interest and value. The original heads represented in the work are su- perb oak carvings which once decorated the roof of the presence chamber in the palace of the kings of Scotland, forming, in aU probability, a complete series of portraits of the most eminent personages of the times, in the exact costume of the age in which they lived. These * " Lacunar Strevelineuse." 270 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GEAHAM. heads are about the size of life, and with each a portion of the figure is represented, the whole being enclosed ia a circular frame also of carved oak; the diameter of each, frame included, is probably about two and a half feet, and as they are entirely made of soM oak, the weight of each is, of course, very considerable. The damage which was apprehended by their falling is the reason assigned for the demolition of the roof; but any such necessity cannot be accepted as an excuse for the van- dalism perpetrated in the rough treatment and careless dispersion of these precious relics — the boys in the streets having, it is said, been seen trundling some of them as hoops, while others, it is supposed, were actually cut up to heat the bakers' ovens. Mrs. Graham had not been long ia Stirling Castle before her attention was attracted to the value of these works of art, and she spared no pains to trace out as many as possible, and to preserve the remembrance of them by careful draw- ings ; the result of which was the production of the elegant work just mentioned. The royal palaces of Scotland attest the cultivated taste of the royal race of Stuart, and their encourage- ment of the liberal arts ; the carvings now alluded to are also monuments of the perfection to which the Scotch had attained in wood-carving at an early age. In an excellent article in Blackwood's Magazine (JSTov.lSl?) on the Stir- ling heads, the writer, believed to be Fraser Tytler, says. SCOTIA'S CHAEMS, HOW AND WHEN UNFOLDED. 271 " They illustrate the history and maimers of the age. By addressing themselves to ' the eye,' they embody, corro- borate, and elucidate, those contemporary historical and poetical descriptions which till now have only met ' our ear,' and presented, through this sense, but a vague and indefinite idea." He supposes, that as the art of work- ing in stucco advanced, it superseded or supplanted the art of carving in wood, which had previously been brought to great perfection ; and that as the art of adorning in stucco had attained considerable perfection in the very early part of the seventeenth century, these carvings, in all probability, belong to a date anterior to that period. * An ardent love of country and kindred are strongly marked features in the Scottish character. Thousands of Bums' countrymen can sympathize in the wish he expressed, to have it in his power, unplagued by busi- ness, to make leisurely pilgrimages through his native country ; to sit on the fields of her battles ; to wander on the romantic banks of her rivers, and to muse by the stately towers and venerable ruins, once the honoured abodes of her heroes. We may also quote instances of enlightened Englishmen travelling through the coun- try a century ago, and expressing their delight and gratification. " On returning to Edinburgh," says Pennant, " it was impossible not to recall the idea of what I had seen ; to 272 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. imagine the former condition of this part of the king- dom, and to compare it with the present state ; and by a sort of second sight, make a probable conjecture of the happy appearance it will assume in a few years. Nor could I forbear repeating the prophetic lines* of Aaron HjII, who seemed seized with a like reverie : — ' Once more, Nortli, I view thy ■winding shores, Climb tliy bleak bills and cross thy dusky moors ; Impartial view thee with a -heedful eye. Yet stUl by nature, not by censure try. England thy sister is a gay coquette. Whom art enlivens, and temptations whet ; Eich, jDroud, and wanton, she her beauty knows. And in a con^ious warmth of beauty glows. Scotland comes after like an unripe fair. Who sighs with anguish at her sister's air, Unconscious that she'll quickly have her day. And be the toast when Albion's charms decay.' " But Pennant and Aaron Hill are exceptions ; and we believe the fact to be, that the charming scenery which Scotland presents, and the thrilling incidents interwoven with her national history, were not in them- selves sufficient to attract much attention beyond the Tweed until comparatively a very recent period. The romantic glens and rivers, the battle-fields and venerable ruins, were to be found and seen when Dr. Johnson visited the country, yet he saw nothing he liked so well as Fleet Street. * Written on a window in North Britain. INPLUENCE OF SCOTT'S WOKKS. 273 The magic touch of Walter Scott was required to throw a light over the pages of Scotia's history, illumi- nating at the same time, in the back ground, her beauti- fal valleys and heath-covered mountains. In the effect produced by Scott's novels, we have a striking example of the wonderful power of language, as well as of the fact, that the pleasurable emotion de- rived from a description of any object is not dependent on the intrinsic beauty of the object itself; for we can- not ascribe the enthusiasm created in favour of Scot- land by the Waverley Novels, solely to the natural fea- tures of the country in which the scenes are laid. Much is to be attributed to the admirable manner in which emotions are excited, in connection with the glories or the horrors of the scenery described. No one understood better than Scott, that every scene, to be complete, must be associated with something which affects the imagination — must be distinguished by some event in which the mind can take an interest. The result of this skilful interweaving of events with the materials of the world of nature, is, that the same land where Johnson found nothing worth looking at, has become the land of pilgrimage of thousands, eager to gratify themselves by viewing in reality the scenery depicted on the glowing canvas of the " Author of Waverley ;" thus realizing to themselves, as far as pos- sible, the incidents of his story. 274 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. The same Stirling, on which, in the rude ages of the past, so many eyes were fixed, by reason of its being an important pass, the possession of which was eagerly coveted, has lost none of its importance as a pass, the causes only which gave it importance have changed. It is no longer a military position for which barbarous races are engaged in perpetual contests, but it is the great gateway through which peaceful travellers, in quest of the picturesque and romantic, must pass, standing as it does on the confines of some of the most remark- able and interestiug scenery in the country. " Prom the top of the Castle," Pennant says, " is by far the finest view in Scotland. To the east is a vast plain rich in corn, adorned with woods, and watered with the river Perth, whose meanders are, before it reaches the sea, so frequent and so large as to form a multitude of most beautiful peninsulas ; for, in many parts, the windings approximate so close as to leave only a little isthmus of a few yards. In this place is an old abbey, a view of Alloa, Clackmannan, Falkirk, the Pirth of Porth, and the country as far as Edinburgh. On the north, the Ochill hills and the moor where the battle of Dunblane was fought. To the west, the strath of Men- teith, as fertile as the eastern plain, and terminated by the Highland mountains, among which the summit of Ben Lomond is very conspicuous." And a little further — " The whole ride from Stirling LETTER FfiOM SIR W. SCOTT. 275 to Queensferry (near Hopetoun House) is not to be paralleled for the elegance and variety of its prospects ; the whole is a composition of all that is great and beau- tiful, towns. Tillages, seats, and ancient towers decorate each bank of that fine expanse of water, the Firth ; while the busy scenes of commerce and rural economy are no small addition to the still life. The lofty moun- tains of the Highlands form a distant but august boun- dary towards the north-west, and the eastern view is enlivened with ships perpetually appearing or vaaiish- ing amidst the numerous isles." General Graham's circle of acquaintance was very extensive ; he was at the same time always delighted to make the acquaintance of those who could understand and sympathize in those feelings which Stirling Castle is calculated to awaken ; thus it frequently happened during his residence in the Castle, that visitors became acquainted with him through letters of introduction either to himself or Mrs. Graham ; or in consequence of their being more than commonly enthusiastic in exa- mining the locality. Among the letters of this descrip- tion which have been preserved, the following is from the Great Wizard of the North himself : Dear Mrs. Graham — May I presume upon your kindness so far, as to say that the bearer is my son, who is taking his first flight from home, and for whom I am 276 MEMOIR 0¥ GENEEAL GRAHAM. anxious to secure General Graham's countenance, and yours, in passing through Stirling. I should particu- larly wish him to see what is worth noticing in your Castle, connected as it is with so many noble reminis- cences ; and I hope I do not trespass too much upon your goodness in hoping you will facilitate his progress. His travelling companion is Mr. AUan, son of Mr. AUan of Edinburgh. I need not say that when you have a friend who wishes to see what lions we have to shew on Tweedside, no one can be so happy to offer some small requital for the honour he now solicits, than, dear Mrs. Graham, your truly respectful, and obedient servant, Walter Scott. Abbotsford, 2it7i July. From the same hand Mrs. Graham received upon another occasion, the following graceful acknowledg- ment for some small service which she had been enabled to render : — My dear Mrs. Graham — I scarce know a subject (after good morals) on which a father should be more anxious for his son on his entrance into life, than that of securing him good society, and I feel proportionably your kindness in sending me such vahiable introduc- tions for Walter to your friends at Cork. He is a bash- ful lad, as becomes his extreme youth, but I think well EADICAL COMMOTIONS. 277 disposed to profit by your kindness in a matter of so much consequence. He left us on Wednesday to swim ■with bladders in the great sea of human life, and greatly shall I be obliged to any that wlU hold up his chin occasionally. You wUl think I have scarce got free of the technical language of the bath at Mr. Gunn's, but at least I have the pleasure to say, that after a relapse which followed my getting out here, my health has at length mended, and seems now in the way of being quite confirmed. In fact, I am more absolutely free from all sort of stomach complaints than I have been at any former period of my life, only I am still weak, to which the remedy, that is the constant use of calomel, has con- tributed. Should any wind favourable to us blow you towards this quarter, we should be delighted to see you, the general, and all the family. I will shew you Mel- rose in great style. Mrs. Scott and the girls offer best regards, and I am ever, dear madam, your obliged and grateful servant, Waltee Scott. Abbotsford, 16 th July. 278 MEMOIE OF GENERAL GRAHAM. CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH. Radical Movement — Union Societies — Bonnymuir Prisoners in Stirling Castle— Veteran Battalions. During the great revolutionary war with France, the naval supremacy of England obtained for her a mo- nopoly of the carrying-trade of the world. The require- ments of the war, and foreign exports, afforded ample employment to the artizans and mechanics in the coun- try, while the high price of farming-produce was con- ducive to the interests of the agriculturists. On the return of peace, this state of general pros- perity was succeeded by a state of wide-spread distress and suffering. At that period the great political convulsions of the preceding century in America and France began first to exhibit visible effects on the institutions of this coimtry. The prevailing distress, caused by the termination of the war, was made use of by political demagogues to excite a feeling of hostility to all established authority. The sufferings of the people were ascribed to the weight of the national debt, and the tyranny and oppression of TEEASONABLE PROCLAMATION. 279 the aristocracy ; and a thorougla reform in Parliament declared to be the only panacea for the existing misery and distress. These notions and principles were studiously im- pressed on the people, and promulgated far and wide by means of pamphlets and itinerant orators. Large bodies of men were assembled to listen to in- flammatory harangues, under pretext of petitioning the King and Parliament. The numbers assembled on some occasions exceeded 50,000. One of the most numerous of these meetings was held at Manchester in August 1819, and its dispersion caused a serious sacrifice of life. Various enactments were immediately after this passed, which had the effect of suppressing these meet- ings, but the disaffected in Scotland immediately organ- ized " Union Societies," in which a considerable portion of the operative classes enrolled themselves. These societies held weekly meetings, and soon put themselves in communication with corresponding so- cieties of reformers in England, by means of delegates, who received regular pay ; and these men finding their business thus profitable, spared no pains to exaggerate the strength and progress of the cause of radical reform. " Towards the end of March 1820, a general rising of the unions was talked of in the neighbourhood of Glas- gow ; and it was said that the disaffected had not only been provided with arms, but by repeated drilling, had 280 MEMOIE OF GENERAL GEAHAM. thoroughly instructed themselves in the effectual use of them."* On the 1st of April an address was posted up in Glasgow, Paisley, and other manufacturing towns, call- ing upon the people to take up arms for the redress of their grievances, and announcing the full determination to proceed to hostility against the constituted authori- ties ; declaring equality of rights, though not of pro- perty, to be the object for which they contended, and bidding the troops remember the glorious conduct of the soldiery of Spain, and follow their example. It con- cluded by requesting, that during the continuance of so momentous a struggle, all persons should desist from their labour, from and after the 1st April ; and further, recommended to the proprietors of public works to put a stop to them until the restoration of order. The pro- clamation ended thus : — " And we hereby give notice to all who shall be found carrjdng arms against those who intend to regenerate their country, and restore its in- habitants to their native dignity, that we shall consider them as traitors to their country, and enemies to their king, and treat them as such. " By order of the Committee for forming a " Provisional Government." The injunction to suspend work was very generally * Annual Register, 1820. MEASUEES TO SUPPOET THE GOVEENMENT. 281 observed by the weavers, cotton-spinners, and a great number of artizans and mechanics of other denomina- tions followed their example. In Glasgow and its neighbourhood, 60,000 persons it is supposed struck work. The consequence of this was, that the streets were crowded with idle people menacing the public peace. Proclamations were issued by the magistracy, cau- tioning the people against taking part in any tumult ; and the necessary measures were adopted for the preser- vation of, and for restoring order, if necessary, by force of arms. Stirling Castle was denuded of troops, their pre- sence being required to aid in making up such a force as the expected crisis in Glasgow appeared to require ; and a superb corps of volunteers, named the Glasgow Sharpshooters, may stiU be remembered for their mili- tary appearance and patriotic spirit ; but the number of those who have any recollection of that alarming era is fast diminishing ; a generation almost has passed, and the present generation have little conception of the ex- citement in the country at the period of which we are speaking. Men's minds were familiarized at the time with the idea of a collision between the military and the people by the conflict which had taken place at Manchester ; a repetition of that scene, or an outbreak of a much more formidable character seemed imminent ; day after n2 282 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. day rumours were afloat that the insurrection was on the point of breaking out. At length on the 5th April, while this state of ex- citement was at its height, inteUigenoe was brought to the Castle of Stirling that a battle had actually taken place between the radicals, as they were called, and the military, and that the former had been routed and dis- persed, and a number of them taken prisoners. This report was speedily succeeded by the approach of a troop of cavalry (10th Hussars and Stirlingshire Yeo- manry) escorting a number of prisoners, together with some carts in which wounded men were lying. The long pikes which had been taken from the prisoners were now carried by the dragoons in rest, like lances ; and the martial procession, winding its way to the old castle over the esplanade, by which the drawbridge and gate are approached, was extremely picturesque. Until Lieutenant Hodgson of the 10th Hussars, who commanded this detachment, made his report to General Graham, nothing was known with any certainty as to what had actually taken place, or what might be ex- pected next. From this officer's report, it appeared that intelli- gence having reached him of a gathering of armed men in the direction of Bonnymuir, he had proceeded there from Kilsyth with a detachment of his own regiment and some of the yeomanry cavalry, then on permanent SKIRMISH AT BONNYMUIE. 283 duty ; on arriving at the locality indicated, an assemblage of men, with arms in their hands, became visible on a rising ground, the base of which was skirted by a stone waJl, through which there was only one opening, afford- ing access to the position taken up by these people. The lieutenant immediately led his men to this gap, but before he reached it, the insurgents descended the slope with a cheer, and posted themselves in such a manner as to oppose the passage of the gap. In forcing liis way through, the lieutenant received a severe wound in the hand from a pike ; and his serjeant, who followed him, was also very severely wounded in the arm ; and some of the cavalry horses were seriously injured or killed. After the cavalry passed fairly through the gap, all re- sistance was very soon at an end. Such of the insur- gents as could make their escape did so, and the others threw down their arms and surrendered. A few of the men who were taken had suffered from the swords of the cavalry, and it was believed that one of them had been killed. The prisoners taken amounted to nineteen. ISTo con-ect estimate of the number pre- sent at the commencement of the fray could be given, but it seemed probable that it did not exceed fifty in all. The prisoners were all tried for high treason, and being convicted, were sentenced to be hanged and be- headed; but only two of them suffered the extreme penalty, the sentence on the others being commuted to 284 MEMOIE OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. transportation for life. Baird, one of the men executed, and who was the commander of the party, had been a corporal in the Eifle Brigade. Hardie, his fellow-sufferer, had been a serjeant in the militia. Mr. Peter M'Kenzie of Glasgow has published a very circumstantial account of the enterprize led by Baird and Hardie ; and he argues with great force, that these men and their followers were the victims of foul treachery. The zeal shewn by Baird and Hardie to the last, for the cause of reform, leaves no room to doubt their feelings on that subject ; and their superior intelligence and determin- ation of character accounts for their having been se- lected to take a lead in the revolutionary proceedings in which they engaged ; but it is evident from Mr. M'Kenzie's book, that neither of them planned the expe- dition to seize the Carron works, which seems to have been the object of the party who assembled at Bonny- muir. The active agents in promoting the enterprize are named in Mr. M'Kenzie's book, and the conclusion to be drawn from what is therein stated is, that the pro- moters of the scheme were base traitors, and enticed Baird and Hardie and their followers to take a part in it, solely with a view to betraying them into the hands of Government. In consequence of the state of the country at this period, a call was made upon all discharged soldiers in VETERAN BATTALIONS. 285 the receipt of pension, and capable of serving, and vete- ran battalions were formed of the men who came for- ward to enrol themselves. Stirling Castle was selected as the rendezvous for one of these battalions, and a number of men were speedily obtained ; but there was a want of officers to command them. In this emergency General Graham accepted the temporary services of some retired half-pay officers who had made Stirltag their residence, and came forward in the most patriotic way and expressed their readiness to do duty if required. By means of the assistance thus obtained, an officer's guard was mounted for some time while the popular excitement was at its height.* * General Graham always expressed himself greatly indebted to Major Peddie, acting fort-major, for his zeal and activity at this critical period. No proper places of confinement existed in the Castle at the time these prisoners arrived, yet during the time they remaiaed no accident of any kind occurred, nor was any complaint of any description ever brought to the notice of the governor. — {See Appendix). Major Peddie had previously greatly distinguished himself at the siege of Bergen-op-Zoom, where he would cer- tainly have gained the Victoria Cross, had that institution been in existence, having rescued his commanding officer. Colonel Henry, as weE as another wounded officer, imder a very heavy fire. 286 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. CHAPTEE THE TWENTY-FIEST. Artists at Stirling— Letters from Sir D. Wilkie, Dr. Gregory, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Herman Eyland — Visits to Sir Robert Abercromby — Death, of General Graham. Stirling has long been a favourite place of resort for artists, and any gentlemen of that profession who visited the castle while General Graham resided there, were always welcome to the governor's house. Amongst those who thus became more than transient acquain- tances may be numbei'cd the celebrated WOkie. During one of Wilkie's visits to Stirling he greatly admired a piece of oriental carpet of the texture of tapestry, which he found in one of the churches — an edifice which had been for some time shut up. The General, on hearing of the circumstance, undertook to procure the carpet for him, and succeeded in doing so through his butcher, a very worthy member of the Town-Council. For this little service Wilkie always expressed himself much indebted, as he found it ser- viceable in some of his pictures, from the rarity of the SIR D. WILKIE. 287 pattern, and also owing to some peculiar arrangement of the colour. The following is a letter from the great painter himself on the subject : — " PhiUimore Place, Kensington, « London, Nov. 2, 1817. " Dear Sir — I have but now returned to this place, and was much gratified at finding a letter from you wait- ing for me. It gives me great pleasure to hear of you and Mrs. Graham again, and to find myself remembered in so friendly a way, as I find I have been, by your kindness in obtaining for me the grant from the corporation of the carpet I wished so much to have. I have now to request that you wiH be so kind as send it by the coach to Edin- burgh, to Mr. Brown, hookseller, North Bridge Street, who has got directions from me to pack it properly, to be sent by sea to London. You will also oblige me much by mentioning whether you were put to any incidental expenses in the way of obtaining the carpet, such as fees or so to people connected with the corporation, that I may have the pleasure of defraying them. " Your supposition of its having belonged to the royal palace, is the most probable way of accounting for its coming there. Perhaps some authentic knowledge about this might be got from a book that has been published by a Mr. Thomson, giving an inventory of the jewels and wardrobe of the Kings of Scotland. 288 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. " It might be curious to know whether carpets are mentioned, and what sort of them. I am still persuaded that it can only be of Persian manufacture. That of there being wild beasts and dragons upon it, which I think there is, I am told is an objection to this, as Mahometans are not allowed to represent natural objects ; but I suppose this would apply more to the Turkish than to the Persian manufactures. It would be curious, indeed, if it had really belonged to that interesting apartment now a part of your drawing-room. It is evi- dently an ancient relic, and as such I shall consider it a great curiosity. " I beg, sir, to thank you for the friendly interest you have taken in this affair. I beg to be most kindly re- membered to Mrs. Graham ; and with sincere esteem anc regard, I have the honour to be, dear sir, your verj faithful servant, David Wilkie." The celebrated Dr. Gregory of Edinburgh, propos- ing to pay a visit to Stirling, thus announced his intention to the General : — "Edinburgh, 19th April 1818. " The first time that the wheel of fortune shall whirl me to Stirling I shall not fail to storm your castle and put your whole garrison to the pill — a much surer wea- pon than either siuord or gun. Yourself I shall carry ir MR. WILLIAMS. 289 trmmph to the Borestone* where, nolens volens, you shall read me a military lecture on the battle of Bamiock- burn. J. G." The following is from Mr. Williams the eminent landscape painter in Edinburgh : — " 65 North Castle Street, "lWhJuly\B,2Q. " Dear Sir — Our friend Mr. Geddes, when I was iu London a few days ago, entrusted to my care a print of the Duke of York, to be presented to you for your acceptance. I have now the pleasure of sending it, along with a small parcel from myself, to your excellent lady. " This fine weather must bring innumerable strangers to your magnificent abode, which will give a regal ex- pression to it ; but I fear your time and hospitality must be sadly intruded on. This beautiful evening ex- hibits a charming amber sky towards the west, and I almost fancy I perceive your castle rising among the purple clouds. How I should rejoice to be able to devote a whole month to the scenery of Stirling alone. " Please tell Mrs. Graham that the ' Exhibition' this * On an eminence, overlooking tie celebrated field of Ban- noctbum, near Stirling, a stone is pointed out, to ■wMcli the name of the " Borestone" has been given, from a round hole in its centre, in which it is said Bruce's standard was fixed on the day of the battle. 290 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. year (in London) was but so so. Turner, of course, is always paramount ; and Lawrence stands at the head of portrait painters. His pictures of Peel and Canning were excellent, full of truth and character. I am glad to say, too, that Geddes is getting on very well. His portraits are much admired ; he was painting the Bishop of Limerick when I saw him, ' and succeeded extremely well. Poor Wilkie, from all accounts, is not much better. He wiU spend the winter at Eome; but he does nothing with his pencil. 1 saw a letter from him lately, giving an account of all that he had seen, and a more interesting letter I never read. He, of course, is much made of abroad, and enjoys himself as much as an invalid can do. — Believe me to be, dear sir, yours, with esteem and respect, J. H. Williams." During the remaining years of General Graham's life he seldom quitted Stirling, except to pay an occa- sional visit to his sister Mrs. Hay in Edinburgh. His favourite walk was to Airthrie Castle, the residence of Sir Eobert Abercromby, of whom mention has already been made in the course of this narrative, as bravely sallying from the crumbling ramparts of York Town, at the head of a chosen band, and carrying havoc and con- sternation into the enemy's works. Sir Eobert being many years older than General Graham, the latter looked up to him with a degree of filial respect. Those SIR EOBEET ABEECEOMBY. 291 now living who knew Sir Eobert must recollect him as a vision of a bygone age. At the time here alluded to, although verging on niuety years of age, he was erect in figure, and with the exception of his sight, which was very weak, he retained all his faculties unimpaired. When wallcing about the beautiful grounds and park adjoining his mansion, his figure, if not picturesque, was certainly unique. His coat, usually of a snuff-brown, exhibited in its shape a struggle between a predilection for the broad flaps of the last century, and a desire to counte- nance the prevailing fashion of the day ; this antago- nism of motives endiag in a compromise, and the gar- ment itself ending in belonging to no particular species of the genus coat ; a white neckcloth, a double-breasted red waistcoat of an antiquated build, drab knee-breeches, and top boots, completed the costume. Owing to his very delicate eyesight he always wore coloured spec- tacles, and a green shade over his eyes ; and out of doors he generally walked with a green umbrella over his head, forming an agreeable contrast to his wais1> coat. In the evening, if he had any guests, he always . appeared with the star of the bath on his coat, knee breeches and silk stockings. Punctuality was with him a cardinal virtue ; and those who knew his pecu- liarities always made a poiat of appearing in the drawing-room before the dinner hour. At five o'clock 292 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. punctually, an old French butler (Derry was his name), announced to his master, with a French accent, " dinare ready. Sir Eobert." Everything on the table was fault- less, and the whole of the arrangements like clock-work ; Sir Eobert's defect of sight was in some degree remedied by the acuteness of his hearing. Being a bachelor, he was in the habit of asking his factor, Mr. F , occa- sionally to officiate as croupier when he had a dinner party. Upon one such occasion, Mr. F , having helped some one to roast beef, and the servant having inadvertently taken away the plate without any gravy, Mr. F , addressing the guest he had just helped, asked whether he would not have some sauce with his beef. Sir Eobert, hearing what his factor said, corrected him in this way — " Sauce to roast beef, sir ! who the devil ever heard of such a thing ? Gravy you mean." Sir Eobert's services had been principally in India, and he had been little with his brother Sir Ealph, under whom General Graham had so frequently served. But as he had been in America with General Graham in the earlier part of his career in the war of independence, they had many mutual acquaintances, and many an anecdote iu connection with the history of olden times was recounted when these two old warriors met, of which it is to be regretted that no note was made at the time. Sir Eobert, although a disciplinarian, was greatly beloved by his household. The old French butler who has been AN OLD FEIEND DISCOVERED. 293 alluded to was secured the enjoyment of a delightful cottage on the estate for his life, and Sir Eobert's valet, soon after his master's death, fell into a desponding state, and at last, it is supposed, put an end to his life. In the early part of the year 1830, Mrs. Graham's cousin, Mr. Lewis Ferrier, was appointed chief commis- sioner of the customs at Quebec, and, the General hav- ing accidentally heard that an acquatatance -of his early life, Mr. Herman Eyland, was a resident there, took the opportunity of sending a letter to him by Mr. L. Ferrier, to which he received the followiag interesting reply : — " Beaufort, near Quebec, " Sunday, 9th June 1830. " Never, never, my dear General, have I been more agreeably surprised than I was yesterday, by the receipt of your letter of the 11th April, which was delivered to me by Mr. Ferrier. How often have I thought of you ! How often, during the period of six and forty years have I inquired after you, without ever happening to meet with a person who could give me any information respecting you ! and here now, we are suddenly brought, as it were, face to face, and talking together on matters lang syne gone by, and looking as young as we did fifty years ago ; for you can have no idea of me, at upwards of seventy years of age, nor can I have a recollection of you as being more than seven or eight and twenty. How 294 MEMOIE OF GENERAL GRAHAM. pleasant it is to hear you ! — I was going to say, revert to scenes of early life — and find such as you advert to, still fresh in your memory. This is the first time since we parted that I have heard a word of the lady you men- tion. I think I see her now listening at my door, while you were abusing her. What strange turns does human nature sometimes take, and how we all were astonished at hers ! Do you remember the scene at poor Gordon's, when I drew on the brother, and got a pink in the arm after the ruffians had knocked me down ? Another fair one, whom you must recollect, is still living ; she mar- ried in London about five years after she went to Eng- land, and had three sons by her husband, who died up- wards of thirty years ago. They are all doing very well, and were my neighbours when I was last in London. We still keep up an irregular intercourse by letter — a more intimate one never took place after the separation at New York. You astonish me by what you mention about Sir William Campbell.* We have met at different * This has reference to a visit paid by Sir William Campbell to General Graliam at Stirling Castle sometime previously. UjDon the occasion referred to, the servant announced to the General a visitor — Sir "William Campbell. The General received his visitor in that friendly, cordial manner which was habitual to him ; but it was evident to the visitor that the General neither remembered him as an old acquaintance nor knew the nature of his business. In order to dispel the mystery which evidently attended Ms visit, he lost no time in saying — " I daresay, General, you do not recollect me as Sir William Campbell ; but you wUl, ELEVATION OF A SEEJEANT TO THE BENCH. 295 times wlien lie came down to Quebec ; but I had no i recollection of ever having seen him before. How he could attain or possibly discharge the duties of a chief justice is to me incomprehensible ! He always appeared to me as an unassuming, good sort of man, who might be qualified to act as a Justice of the Peace in a back settlement on this continent. I think the Judge's grateful attention to you does him credit. To me he was under no obligation, and I had entirely forgotten him. " I missed of seeing Sir Thomas Saumarez when I was last in England, and had the mortification of learn- ing after I returned here, that we had taken up our quarters in the same hotel at Portsmouth, without either of us knowing that we were so near each other. I had a kind message from him. a year or two ago, through a lady of our mutual acquaintance, the wife of a Major Elliot. " I must now, my dear General, give you a more par- ticular account of my life and adventures since we last parted. You may know that on the evacuation of New York, I returned to England with my friend Mr. Poyntz and the commander-in-chief. Sir Guy Carleton, in the Ceres frigate. On our arrival we found all the Spenser perhaps recollect Serjeant Campbell in your company in the 76th Eegiment in the American war ; you see before you that individual, and I am now Sir William Campbell, Chief-Justice of Upper Canada." The General perfectly recollected him as hav- ing been in the regiment with him. 296 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. connection (my first and kindest protectors) were out of the ministry, and so they continued for many years. About a twelvemonth afterwards I went over to France, and took up my abode in the vUlage of Clichy, near Paris, where I had been at school some seven or eight years before. " Whilst there I had, through the interest of Lord Spenser, nearly got into employment under the royal family of France, but fortunately circumstances suddenly induced me to return to England, or my head might never have had so bald and venerable an appearance as it now has. " At the time of the first contemplated Eegency, Lord S., who was nominated by the Prince of Wales to the Vice-Eoyalty of Ireland, made choice of me for his private secretary, but the sudden restoration of His Majesty's health put an end to this arrangement, and I remained sur le ^av^ till 1793, when Lord Dorchester, then Governor-in-Chief of British America, brought me out with him to Quebec as his confidential secretary, in which capacity I served under the several persons ad- ministering the government of this province during a period of twenty years, till the summer of 1813, when I gladly resigned the situation under that renowned general Sir George Prevost. "In 1810 I was sent home by Sir James Craig on the public business of the province, and remained there till MK. HERMAN EYLAND. 297 the spring of 1812, in ofiEicial intercourse with the late Lord Liverpool and Mr. Peel, then secretary and under- secretary of State for the Colonies. Before I left Eng- land the Prince Eegent was pleased, on the recommenda- tion of his Lordship, to issue a mandamus, calling me to a seat in the legislative council of this Province, as a mark of His Royal Highness' approbation of my public services. " Within a short time after my arrival ia England I attended the funeral of General Peter Craig (with whom I had had only one interview), and about a year after- wards that of his brother Sir James, a man of the most amiable character and first-rate talents, to whom I was most devotedly attached. 1 was in constant intercourse with him from the time he returned home to the time of his decease, and as constantly with my friend Sir James Kempt, our present governor, who had been quarter-master-general under Sir James Craig at the time I was his civil secretary. " At poor Sir James' funeral I met, for the first time since the evacuation of New York, the late Sir Harry Calvert, but we did not recognise each other — that is to say, we did not speak to each other. Some days after the funeral, Thornton, who was then assistant-military- secretary to the Duke of York, and had been military- secretary to Sir James, told me that he had spoken kindly of me to him ; and I can truly say that from the first 298 MEMOIR OF GENERAL GRAHAM. moment when our acquaintance began at Winchester in Virginia, I uniformly entertained for him sentiments of the most sincere esteem and regard. " Alas ! he and all the rest of a certain class of those you mention have passed away, and you and I, my dear general, must, in the common course of nature, soon follow them to that bourne from whence no traveller returns. Let me entreat you then whilst the possibility of intercoiu'se between us still remains, let me entreat you to continue to favour me with your correspondence. No language can express the high gratification it will afford me, and if either of your sons happen to be destined to serve in this country, let me hope you will desire them to consider me as a parent, and be assured they shall receive from me all the kindness that a parent can shew them. " But you must allow me to chat a little longer with you about myself and my family, and consider that this is the first opportunity I have had of saying a word to you during a period of six and forty years. At the close of 1794 I married a townswoman of my own, to whom I had long been attached. As it was impossible for me to go to her, she yielded at last to my earnest persuasion and came to me by the way of New York. We met in an open boat on Lake Champlain on the evening of the 10th December, after she had been frozen up for some days at Isle aux Noix, and were married the next day CANADIAN MAERIAGE. 299 at Montreal. By the kindness of providence she is still preserved to he the comfort and happiness of my old age — out of nine children we have four only remaioing, two sons and two daughters, aU of them of age but neither of them married, nor am I in a hui-ry to see them so, especially the girls, who are amiable in the highest degree, and the loss of whose society I should not have strength of miad to bear. " My eldest son, "William Deane, resigned his sit\iation of assistant-clerk of the executive council of this pro- vince, in favour of his brother George about eight years ago, and with my consent went to England, where he entered himself at St. John's College, Cambridge, and after four years study took a bachelor's degree, and has since entered into holy orders. Through the interest of Lord Spenser he obtained the curacy of Sandridge, near St. Albans, where he still remains, praying day and night for better promotion ; the curacy being worth only £120 a year, I am obliged to make such an addition to his income as may enable him to hold up his head. '' He bears a high character and has very good talents, which I trust will sooner or later secure him prefer- ment, especially should Lord Spenser's valuable life be continued. In the year 1823 he made a tour with his tutor (a Mr. Spenser, who, I understand, has since been tutor to the Duke of Buccleuch) into Scotland, and on turning to the journal he sent me, I find he was at 300 MEMOIR OF GENEEAL GRAHAM. Stirling on the 26th August of that year. In noticing the castle he expresses himself as follows : — " ' The castle of Stirling is situated at the summit of a lofty precipice, the upper part of which is as steep as a wall, the rest more sloping, and clothed at the base with trees. It is along side of this hill that a walk has been made for the convenience of the inhabitants of Stirling, and surely never was beheld a more magnificent prospect than that which presents itself from this terrace ! The whole country beneath stretches out to an immense ex- tent, in general as smooth as a bowling green, but broken up in many places into huge hills and rocks, which resemble islands rising from a sea. Some are steep and craggy, others covered with wood, and in the distance is the long range of the Highland mountains, among which are pointed out Ben Lomond, Ben Nevis, and Ben Vorlich. The sun was setting with the utmost splen- dour when I first beheld this scene, and gilding every object in the prospect with his parting beams — ^prospect sufficiently attractive from its natural beauties, but ren- dered doubly interesting by the storied associations of the place. At a short distance lay the fields of Falkirk and of Bannockburn ; and on turning my eyes towards the site of the battle of Kilsyth, I called to mind the heroic achievements of the gallant' Marquis of Mon- trose.' '' But not a word more does he say about the castle, STIKLING CASTLE. 301 from which I conclude that he had not the good fortune to enter its Gates. Oh ! had he but known that the governor of that fortress was a man with whom his father had been intimately acquainted at his first en- trance into public life, and in whose society the most joyous period of his existence had been passed, how happy would he have been to pay his respects to such a man! Eeally when I think that he might have had this happiness, that it was positively within his reach, and that through my ignorance of your situation he missed of it, I feel as if I myself had suddenly been deprived of the greatest pleasure I could enjoy. I fear, poor fellow, that there is little chance of his ever making another trip to Stirling Castle, yet I would gladly pro- vide him with the means of going there, did his present situation in the church allow of it. " What you say of poor dear Colonel Gordon makes me very anxious to see the papers you refer to, and which you have been advised to publish. You will be surprised to hear that Asgill refused to pledge himself for the repayment of the monies I advanced him (in case government disallowed the charge), and that a very unpleasant correspondence passed between us on the subject, which is still in my possession.* However * It was natural that Mr. Ryland should wish to get his accoimts settled, but Sir Charles AsgiU may have been quite justified in his refusal to become personally responsible. 302 MEMOIR 01" GENERAL GRAHAM. both that and the robbery were afterwards passed in my accounts upon a representation from Lord Dor- chester. " I am pleased with your having heard of me from Captain Maule of the 79th * for whom I have a real regard, and wOl thank yon to tell him so if you happen to see him again. " I have, I believe, noticed every particular in your letter and bored you with a long tale respecting myself and my family, yet I flatter myself you will not think 1 have trespassed too far on your time after a silence of seven and forty years. On the contrary I will indulge a hope that hereafter you will favour me with frequent intercourse with you by letter. " Be assured I shall to the utmost of my power culti- vate an acquaintance and friendship with Mr. Ferrier, both on your account and my own, for he appears to be a most amiable and respectable man. " And now, my dear general, farewell, no words can express how anxious I shall be to hear from you again. May God preserve you many years, and grant to you and your family every happiness that human nature is capable of enjoying. I am ever, with sentiments of the truest esteem and regard — Most sincerely and affection- ately yours, Hermai^ W. Eylaxd." * Now Earl of Dalhoiisie, late Lord Pamnuie, secretary of State for War Department, DEATH. 303 At this period General Graham was easUy affected, as he had been for years, by atmospheric changes, owing to the wound in his lungs, and frequently also suffered from rheumatism, probably the effect of great exposure and hardships in his campaigns ; he was more feeble than formerly and unable to walk far without feeling fatigue, but he took the same pleasure as ever in his garden, and no indication of any disease tending to shorten life had displayed itself. The sand of life was, however, rapidly, though imperceptibly, ebbing, and on the 25th January 1831, after having retired to rest as usual, he rose in the middle of the night and complained of feeling very cold. He remained in this state for a few hours, then, on the morning of the 26th, in trying to walk across the room, his strength entirely failed, and sinking down, he calmly said " I am dying," and in a few moments ceased to breathe. His remains rest in the vault of Mr. Graham Moir of Leckie in the church of Stirling. APPENDIX. A, Page 30. The country in wliich the armies were engaged at this time was quite uncultivated, and the privations endured by the enemy were quite on a par with those of our own troops. Having upon one occasion met with General Isaac Hayes who commanded the American continentals, he told me that a Captain Millar of Tarleton's legion, made prisoner by Lee's dragoons, was brought to his (the General's) quarters at the dinner hour, and was served Kke himself, and his aide-de- camp and brigade-major, with a cake of Indian meal, a small piece of salt pork, and a ration of rum to miy with some bad water. Captain MUlar, mortified and uncomfortable at the feeling of being a prisoner, took only the pork and the grog, and left the cake upon his plate. The brigade-major cast an eager glance at the cake and asked the general if he should take away the captain's plate, as he seemed to have finished dinner. The general upon this said to Captain Miliar, " Sir, he wishes to get your cake, but as we shall get no further refreshment till to-morrow, I would recommend to you to put it in your pocket." B, Page 37. After our arrival at Petersburg, General Arnold, on whom the command of the force had devolved in consequence of 2 306 APPENDIX. the illness of General Phillips, ordered a party of the 76th and 80th to march down to the bridge which had been destroyed by the enemy a short time before, and make a feint of repairing it. It fell to my lot to command, and while employed we were saluted by a discharge of grape shot from the height on the opposite bant. I received orders to bring off my party cautiously, and having collected them in rear of a house close to the bridge, I told them that the best mode was to move off singly and rapidly, having a space of three or four hundred yards to pass under the muzzles of the enemy's guns ; luckily the place was studded with trees, which partly intercepted the view from the bank on which the artillery- was placed, and favoured the escape of the whole party. A sentiuel of the 80th regiment, who was one of the last to effect his retreat, being observed by some of the enemy's riflemen, who had come down on the bank of the stream, they called out to him to come from behind the tree which sheltered him; the man's name was Pearson, an Edinburgh baker, and his answer was, " Na, na, I came na sae far from hame to show sa muckle folly," and while a party was mustering to take him, he seized a favourable opportunity, fired his piece and joined his party in safety. Captain Samuel Geaham's Letter to General Morgan, AA, Page 68. Sir, — Having been informed that Colonel Holmes's indul- gence in allowing 500 of the British prisoners of war to be quartered in the church in the tovm of Wynchester has not met with your approbation, and that you intend to order these troops immediately to return to the log huts and join the other prisoners, it is my duty to state to you that on our first arrival in this place, an equal division of the huts was made amongst the prisoners, and finding that there was not APPENDIX. 307 a sufficient number to cover above one haL^ I made frequent representations to Colonel Holmes, commissary of prisoners, requesting that some immediate steps might be taken for the protection of the other haK who are exposed to the in- clemency of the weather, as the winter was fast approaching, or to furnish us with tools to build more huts, as we had no money to make such a purchase, he, I have reason to beUeve, has stated our situation to the commissary-general, but not having it in his power to grant our immediate relief, humanely allowed the 76th regiment, about 500 men, to march into the church in the town, which has been of great use, as the huts pos- sessed by them at the barracks have been distributed amongst the other prisoners ; I hope therefore you wUl be so obliging as allow these men to remain in the church, as it would be a great hardship to dispossess the other soldiers of the huts which were occupied by the 76th regiment, and a stiU. greater hardship to oblige a Highland regiment to construct log huts for themselves, to which work they have never been accustomed, especially when the snow is already on the ground. Should you still persist in your determination to order these 500 men to return to the log huts, you will obKge me by acknowleding the receipt of this, that I may have it in my power to show to my superior officer, that I have not failed iu my duty in representing this matter to you. — I have the honour to be most respectfully your humble servant, (Signed) " S. Graham." BB, Page 82. The order to designate an officer for retaUation did not long remain a secret amongst the British soldiers confined at Lancaster, and they expressed their disapprobation of it, by murmurs inside the stockades by which they were enclosed ; in consequence of this, various proposals were made by the 20i APPENDIX. captains, but at length we were swayed by tbe opinion given by Major Gordon, which was, that we had only come to the knowledge of the intended transaction confidentially, through the politeness of General Hazan ; that we could not in honour act upon information thus obtained ; that the treaty had not yet been infringed, and we were bound by our paroles of honour until an infraction of this treaty was actually made. To the honour of the soldiers, I have Httle hesitation in affirm- ing, that if the officers had gone amongst them, and encour- aged them to attempt to disarm the guards, which were not numerous at either of the posts, and break out of their con- finement and force their way into New York, that they would have tried to do so, however desperate the attempt might appear to be. AB, Page 86. The following instance of noble and disinterested feeling, exhibited by Captain David Barclay of the 76th regiment, deserves to be recorded in honour of his memory : — When the American General Hazan, who was entrusted with the duty of designating the officer for retaUation, had in vain begged the officers to select among themselves, he desired his A. D. C. and the commissary of prisoners to retire into the next room to prepare the lots. At the same time, addressing himself to Captain David Barclay, he said, " Sir, I have re- ceived a letter from His Excellency General Washington directing me to give you leave to go into New York, I shall therefore not include your name with those of the other gentlemen : " to this Captain Barclay replied, " Sir, I desire that my name may be included, as I insist upon sharing the fate that awaits with my brother officers.'' BA, Page 121. This quotation from Allison appears to be a literal transla- APPENDIX. 309 tion of the following passage in General Jomini's history of the wars of the French Eevolution. " C'etait pour la cinquieme fois que Clairfayt combattait isolement tendis que 30 milles Autrichiens restaient dans I'in- action a Tournay, et que 6 et 8 mille Anglais sous les ordres de Lord Moira se reposaient k Ostende des fatigues de la traversle." Jomini in this passage alludes to the defeat of Clairfayt by Macdonald at HoogMde on the 13th June, thirteen days before the arrival of Lord Moira at Ostend. C, Page 183. Greneral Custine, for having failed to relieve Mayence in. May 1793, was denounced as a traitor and incompetent, and condemned to death August 1793. A number of the Mayence Club said at the trial, if the proceeding can be deemed worthy of the name of a judicial process, that Custine had allowed himself to be beaten by placing his men at the foot of a mountain. " Tout le monde sait que c'est au sommet des montagnes qu'une armee doit etre plac^e ; eh bien lui est rest€ en bas." This accusation had great weight with men who had never been out of ParLs ia their lives, and were here now acting severally and collectively as judges and jurymen. D, Page 191. Hochard (or Houchard) like Custine terminated his life on the scaffold. In allusion to this circumstance Jomini says, " The Eomans beheaded Manlius for having fought and 310 APPENDIX. gained a battle against the orders of the senate ; the English punished Byng for not having gained a victory at Minorca ; but Houchard is the first instance of a General brought to condign punishment for having gained an important victory, but without annihilating his enemy." The trial of Houchard, like that of Custine, led to an ex- position of the theory of war on the part of the prosecution, but the military principles enunciated in the two cases diflfer materially in value. When Houchard was arraigned, the orator Barrere, prompted it is supposed by Carnot, who was beginning to infuse hfe into the war department, thus ad- dressed the unfortunate general : — " Depuis longtemps le premier principe pour tirer parti du courage du soldat, le principe etabli par Frederick, etcelui detbut les grands generaux, est d'avoir de grandes armees en masses, plutot que de partager ses forces. Au contraire vous n'avez eu que des armSes desseminies morceMes meme lorsqu'on les rassemblait en masse des generaux ignorans ou perfides les divisaient et les faisaient battre en detail, en les opposant toujours K un ennemi sup6rieur. Le Comite a apergu le mal et a Scrit aux g6n6raux de se battre en masse. lis ne I'ont pas fait, vous avez eu des re vers." BoNNYMum Prisoners. In the year 1859 a correspondence appeared in the Stir- ling Journal, imputing to the authorities in Stirling Castle the exercise of undue severity towards the state prisoners con- fined in the castle in 1820. The charge thus brought forward for the first time after a lapse of nearly 40 years, rests upon the authority of a per- son named M'MiLlan, himself a prisoner in the castle in 1820, and now a thriving colonist in Australia. The same publicity which was given to the accusation has, through the courtesy of the editor of the paper, been APPENDIX. 811 given to a reply from Major Peddle, whicli seems to exhaust the subject; little more is therefore necessary, than to take advantage of the opportunity which this Httle work affords, to insert, in a connected series, those articles which have already appeared. The following is the article from the pen of M'MUlan. It was first published in this country in the StirUng Journal, February 4, 1859. " The Good Old Times. — In our obituary to-day will be found announced the death of Mr. Anderson, late of the parish of St. Mnians, Stirling. With regard to this gentle- man and his compatriots, a correspondent in Glasgow sends us the following particulars : — Mr. Anderson was out with Baird and Hardie in 1820, and on the 4th of August in that year John M'MOlan, a native of Camelon, and several others, were sentenced to death in Stirling. How or why the sen- tence was not carried into execution our correspondent does not say; but M'MiUan and Anderson, and seventeen others, arrived ia due time at Sydney. Mr. Anderson, as we have seen, has just died, but Mr. M'MiUan is stUl ahve, and has a residence in Sydney, besides two farms in the country. Mr. M'MUlan about fifteen years ago purchased these two farms. One of them he named Thrushgrove, in honour of Mr. Turner's estate near Glasgow, where the first great Eeform meeting was held in 1816, and where Baird and Hardie's monument was erected in 1832. This monument, it will be remembered, was taken down a number of years ago, and it is only those who have seen it who remember where it stood, seeing that there are a great many buUdings now erected on Thrushgrove estate. Mr. M'MUlan's other farm is named Clayknowes, after a piece of ground well out the Gallowgate, on which stands Clayknowes pottery, where a great Eeform meeting was held during that disturbed time. On one of 312 APPENDIX. these farms Mr. M'Millan occasionally lives. He has still a vivid recoUection of the ' Lion's Den ' in Stirling Castle, and bears a great hatred to it. About twelve months ago he sent home an account of how he and the other prisoners had been treated there. It appears that after they had been condemned they were put into the ' Lion's Den,' where they were kept forty days without bedding, shaving materials, or water. On the fortieth day Colonel Elphinstone arrived in Stirling with the famous 33d Eegiment, and when going round making an inspection with General Graham, governor of the Castle, came to the ' Lion's Den.' As soon as he saw the state the prisoners were in, and learned how long they had been in that condition, the veteran soldier, addressing the Governor, said, that he had been all through the Peninsula, that he had been in French, Spanish, and Portuguese prisons, and had never seen men used as the unfortunate prisoners in the ' Lion's Den ' were. He then ordered them to have soldiers' beds, and sent barbers to have them shaved. He also com- manded that the men be brought out to the fresh air, although when this was done some fell down as if they had been dead. Afterwards, however, they were better treated, and had leave to walk iu the open air daily. A few months ago, continues our correspondent, an article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, giving an account of how Orsini had been treated in the Austrian dungeons, but Mr. M'Millan in writing home assures us that Orsini's treatment fell far short of what the Bonnymuii men experienced at the hands of General Graham and Sheriff M'Donald in Stirling Castle. One of these men, who lives a few miles from Stir- ling, assured our correspondent, about a month ago, that the place in which he was put took him to the ankles in water, and that for a bed he had a bag of straw thrown in to him, as if he had been a dog. Happily scenes of that description have passed away from amongst us, and we now live under a APPENDIX. 313 milder reign. Mr. MlVIillaii is now in independent circnm- stances, which would not, as our correspondent naively re- marks, have been the case had he remained all this time in Camelon." Those who understand military discipline and etiquette win perceive at once that the drama in the prison is a repre- sentation for which we are indebted entirely to the imagi- native powers of Sir. M'MBlan. Colonel Elphinstone was an old soldier, acquainted with the rules of the service, and being only a subordinate officer in the presence of General Graham, the scene described by Mr. M'MiUan never could have taken place. If any repre- sentation appeared to be called for, either regarding the requirements of the prisoners, or their security, Colonel Elphinstone knew perfectly how such representation should be made by an ofScer in his position, and no doubt he would have made any necessary report in the prescribed form. Had any such report been made, the Eort-Major in the castle, from his official position, could not fail to be cog- nisant of its purport and substance. That no such report ever was made Major Peddie can bear testimony; and he is also in possession of a copy of a letter written to the War Office by General Graham, in which the General distinctly states the gratifying circumstance, that the painful duties required by the state of the country had been discharged without a single instance of a complaint. The following letter was addressed to the Stirling Journal, by Major Peddie, on seeing the quotation from Mr. M'Millan's letter :— " THE BONNTMinE PEISONBES AND GENBEAL GRAHAM. " Stirling Castle, 8th Feb. 1859. " Dbae Sie — I have never been so utterly astounded as by P 314 APPENDIX. the perusal of the article in the Stirling Journal of Friday last, headed 'The good old times,' stating, on the authority of John M'Millan, that the prisoners captured at Bonnymuir, when they attacked a party of the 10th Light Dragoons and Kilsyth Yeomanry, were treated, while prisoners in Stirling Castle, with cruelty beyond that practised in the Austrian dungeons. Why, sir, I have been deluding myself for the last thirty- eight years with the very satisfactory conscious- ness that I had, under General Graham, carried out his orders for the most kind and indulgent treatment of those prisoners consistent with their safe keeping. That such was the case we have the testimony of Baird and Hardie. Their last act before stepping on the scaffold was to drink the General's health, and offer their most grateful thanks for the kindness they had experienced while prisoners in the Castle. At the gate they had taken a most affectionate farewell of him, shaking his hand most cordially. This was witnessed by the crowd assembled on the esplanade, and is recorded in the Stirling Journal of the day. On all occasions of the General's visiting the prisoners, they expressed their thanks for his kindness ; and when they finally left the Castle they greeted him with hearty cheers, and for many years after- wards kind messages were sent home by those men, some of them stating that they had named their children after him. I assure you that from the first day of their confinement, their food, washing, and bedding, was the same as that of the soldier. An orderly-officer attended at sis in the morning and saw that their cells had been cleaned out, also at the breakfast, dinner, and supper, when they were locked up for the night. After their sentence was passed they had six- pence a day extra to purchase anything they pleased except spirits ; their friends were allowed to see them on Mondays and Thursdays from ten to three o'clock; they were taken out daily to walk ; books, paper, pens, and ink, were given APPENDIX. 315 them; tliey were visited by the Eet. Doctors Wright, Small, and Smart, and other clergymen ; they were under the medi- cal charge of Dr. VaUange, surgeon of the 33d Eegiment, now residing at Portohello; the law-agents and advocates had free access to them at all times, among others Lord Jeffrey. With all those facOities for making their grievances known, and not a whisper ever having been heard of this nature, I am justified in asserting that none existed. John M'Millan — by the bye, I think his wife was one of the women General Graham was instrumental in getting sent out to their husbands — I perfectly forgive for not admiring the Lion's Den. It is not a very lively place under the most favourable circumstances ; but there was no choice, from the great number of prisoners, until barrack-rooms were at a great expense converted into cells, but untU recently the cells in the Lion's Den were the only place in the garrison for mili- tary prisoners. M'Millan says he was out with the radicals ; if so, he must have taken leave of them before the fight, as he was not brought to the Castle for some days afterwards. His attack on Sheriff M'Donald is most atrocious. The prisoners were always pleased to see him, and appeared taken with his polished manner and the kind way in which he offered his advices. The charge against General Graham will astonish every one who knew him. A more kind, benevo- lent man never existed than the gallant old General. " I have had a note from Dr. Vallange. He says, ' It is a long time ago, yet I have a pretty clear recollection of the circumstances with them; when the 33d Eegiment arrived at Stirhng Castle the most of the prisoners were confined in the Lion's Den, which was made as comfortable as the place admitted of. They were furnished with soldiers' beds, I think, on the floor. I had the sole medical charge of them. I do not recollect of any complaint having been made of their treatment. General Graham was considered 316 APPENDIX. ,a kind and benevolent man.' So much for the Elphinston fiction. " Loving and esteeming the General as a son should do a father, you must believe that this attempt to asperse his character has caused much pain to — Yours truly, " W. Peddie." Mr. Peter Mackenzie, whose work has been already re- ferred to, on seeing Major Peddie's letter, addressed him as foUows : — " THE BONNYMUIR PEISONERS. " Gazette Office, Glasgow, Feb. 14, 1859. " Sir — I have not the pleasure of knowing you personally ; but I have just read your interesting letter in the Stirling Journal of Friday last about the Bonnymuir prisoners of 1820, and I can confidently confirm every word you have stated. I do this the more readily because many of the original letters of Baird and Hardie, before and after their sentence of execution, passed through my hands; and I remember they aU bore testimony to the great attention and kindness they had uniformly received from the authorities, and in par- ticular from General Graham. I was the humble means, many years ago, through my old and excellent friend, the late Mr. Wallace of Kelly, who was then M.P. for Greenock, and who made a statement in the House of Commons on the subject, of procuring the gracious pardon of his Majesty King Wniiam the Fourth, for the whole of the surviving prisoners in New South Wales — John M'MUlan iucluded ; and I have a duplicate of the pardon of the king in my possession, sent me by Lord John Eussell, who was then Secretary of State for the Home Department. Mr. J. A. Murray, now Lord Murray, who was then Lord Advocate, gave a willin g ear to the application I made to the king for mercy to all those un- APPENDIX. 317 fortunate surviving victims; and after the pardon -was oLtaiaed I corresponded witli John M'Millan and others at Sydney on the suhject, but I do not remember they ever made the slightest complaint of the kind as has been now imputed as coming from the mouth of John M'MiUan. He sent to me and to Mr. Wallace, in token of his gratitude, a fine carved ivory walking- stick from Sydney, and not having heard of him or from him for many years, I took for granted that he was dead. If you think this spontaneous statement can be of the slightest use to you as bearing out your own most truthful statement, you are perfectly welcome to send it to the Stirling Journal, with my respectful compliments to its talented editor, with whom, though a Tory, and I an old Radical of the old Whig Constitutional School, I never- theless can reciprocate compliments, I hope, for the sake of truth Au^L justice. — I am, &c., Pbtbb Mackenzie. « To Mr. W. Peddie, Stirling Castle." A further refutation of the calumnies propagated by M'MUlan is furnished by Mr. P. Mackenzie's work. At page 205 of that work, Hardie, in a letter to Mr. Ewing of Glasgow, under date, Stirling, 12th August 1820, thus expresses himself : — " Deae Sir — I had a visit this day of my mother and brother, and my friend Helen . They let me understand that you and another gentleman had been in this town wish- ing to give me a visit. I am truly sorry that you were not admitted. If you had sent iu a card to me giving me notice, I would have applied to the General to get permission for you to come in, and I have not the least doubt but he would have granted it, as he gives us every indulgence that is ia his power." p2 318 APPENDIX. And again, on the lOth August, in a postscript to a letter to Mr. Goodwin of Glasgow, Hardie says : — " I have stUl all the indulgence that I formerly enjoyed, that is before I received my sentence, for which I am bound in gratitude to the General and Fort-Major for their kind at- tention to me." It is also related by Mr. Mackenzie, that a few moments before Hardie ascended the scaffold, he took leave of the sheriff, and requested him, on behaK of Baird and himself, to please to express to General Graham and Major Peddie their sense of gratitude for the humanity and attention which they had always shewn them. It is but reasonable to assume that if any difference was made" in the treatment of the State prisoners in Stirling Castle, Baird and Hardie, as being the leaders, would have been subjected to the most rigorous form of imprisonment ; their testimony, therefore, as to the humanity they ex- perienced, may be taken as conclusive evidence against the truth of M'MiUan's statement. THE END. '*^,-. .♦^■ '*«2 ^ 1«Si ^^■^.^J-Ji^^^j^ii;