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"The greatest misfortune that
can happen to any people is to have no noble deeds and no heroic
personalities to look back to; for as a wise present is the seed of a
fruitful future, so a great past is the seed of a hopeful present." So wrote
Professor Blackie, having in mind the courage and the martial fervour of the
Scottish people. From the dim beginning of history the Celt reveals himself
as a mighty man of war. Heroes lead him in the fight, and bards celebrate
his victories in song, accompanied by the stringed harp and the tuneful
lyre. In Europe he faced the Roman legions, and when the long galleys lay-to
off Dover, the chalk-white cliffs were crowned by a resisting and resolute
people in which the Celtic blood still predominated. Generations passed
alter Caesar, and the eagles waved triumphantly over the rich southern
plains, but the northern fastnesses were held against the Roman arms by the
prowess of the Gael, to whose martial genius is due the fact that Caledonia,
stern and wild has never yielded to the invader's Dover, nor to this day has
been conquered. Very early in the annals of Rome a victory by the Celtic
leader, Brennus, over the Romans is recorded. From classic story we also
learn of a Roman defeat at Allia. B.C. 391, by the Celts of Gaul. From these
early days until the present the Gael has shown a natural aptitude for war,
and in modern times it is needless to say no braver soldiers lace the field
than the kilted lads who dare a Dargai. an Atbara or a Modder River. It was
the same spirit that made a Bannockburn possible, which stirred the Border
Clans in their forays, and the Hebridean oarsmen in their birlinn raids—"dhain
deoin co theireadhe " that responded to the call to arms when the British
Government was controlled by the wise policy of the elder Pitt, whose words
in reference to the Highland regiments are worth remembering. It was after
Culloden. Britain was deeply involved in war, and h scheme to embody the
Highlanders in regular Corps, suggested first by the sagacious and
statesmanly Duncan Forbes to Walpole, was taken on Pitt. Speaking of the
experiment, Pitt said: "I sought for merit wherever it could be found. It is
my boast that I was the first minister who looked for it, and found it, in
the mountains of the North. I called it forth, and drew into your service a
hardy and intrepid race of men, men who, when left by your jealousy, became
a prey to the artifices of your enemies, and had gone nigh to have
overturned the state in the war before last. These men, in the last war,
were brought to combat on your side, they served with fidelity, as they
fought with valour, and conquered for you in every quarter of the world."
The history of the Scottish
Highlanders during the last 150 years proves that national sentiment is of
inestimable value in military enterprise. From the time when the Black Watch
and other Highland regiments became a part of the British Army the
importance of well-managed and easily controlled individuality, as against a
blind uniformity, has been gradually recognised, and practical conviction
has been followed by beneficial results. To-day national sentiment is
accordingly encouraged. Scottish, Irish and English corps vie with each
other in their zeal to uphold the prestige of their country on field of
battle. This quality is forcibly stated by General David Stewart in his rare
book, in which he thus describes the difference between the soldiers of
three great countries:-
The German soldier considers
himself as a part of the military machine and duty marked out in the orders
of the day. He moves onward to his destination with a well-trained pace, and
with as phlegmatic indifference to the result as a labourer who works for
his daily hire. The courage of the French soldier is supported in the hour
of trial by his high notions of the point of honour, but this display of
spirit is not always steady, neither French nor German is confident in
himself, if an enemy gain his flank or rear. A Highland soldier faces his
enemy, whether in front, rear or flank, and if he has confidence in his
commander, it may be predicted with certainty that he will be victorious or
die on ground which he maintains."
Why? General Stewart's answer
is:
"He goes into the field
resolved not to disgrace his name."
The greatest British generals
are among those who acknowledge the military value of a sentiment that
inspires such determination and gives an impetus to native valour.
A monopoly of this quality is
not, of course, claimed for Highland soldiers, but the Highland regiments,
without exception, have shown themselves to possess this high character in a
degree and it is all-important that the reason why should not be forgotten.
The inborn military ardour of the Scottish Highlander is kept alive by
cherishing his racial characteristics. First and foremost is the native love
for his country. No people is more rooted in the soil than the Celt. With
all his love for pioneering, for leading the way to new countries and
settling down in them as his permanent home, it is nevertheless true of no
one more than it is of the Celt that he dearly, loves the glen or mountain
side where first he saw the light. For his country's sake he will willingly
die. Then, there is the deep-seated love for clan and kinsmen, and the
sacred regard for the family tics. It is difficult for a stranger to
appreciate this phase of the Highlander's character it is the key to much of
his life, which, without it, cannot be understood. Love for the traditions
of the fathers, jealousy of their good name, pride in their historical
achievements, and a desire to emulate them, all combine to give force to his
native courage and to give him all impression of his duty. As to the ancient
Roman, so to him also the creed can be applied which these hues contain:
"And how can a man die better
Than facing fearful odds.
For the ashes of his fathers
And the temples of his gods.
And for the tender mother
Who dandled him to rest,
And for the wife who nurses
His baby at her breast"
The natural aptitude which
the Highlander has for war is also stimulated by the regimental
accompaniments of music and dress. The martial music of the bagpipes has
stirred the Highland soldier's blood in many a hard-fought battle, and its
influence has been so great that no Highland regiment would claim to be
complete without its band of pipers. The Highland uniform is not only
attractive in itself. It has the merit of being a rational as well as a
national costume. It permits ease of movement and conduces to superior
health. Highland soldiers love it as the costume of their country from the
olden time, and its use is a constant monitor to wear it worthily. The "garb
of old Gaul and the fire of old Rome" have been coupled together not without
good cause, but that need not be entered upon here. While the "bonnet, kilt
and feather," and the bagpipes remain there will he no lack of Scotsmen to
maintain the strength of the Highland regiments. |
