Macdonald's Highlanders
or
Seventy-Sixth Regiment
In the year 1779, this corps was ordered up from Fort
George for embarkation, and quartered in Burntisland and Kinghorn. Soon
after they arrived there, great numbers of the Highlanders were observed
in parties in earnest conversation. In the evening of the third day,
each company gave in a written statement, complaining of non-performance
of promises, of bounty-money unpaid, &c. and accompanied their statement
with a declaration, that, till these were satisfactorily settled, they
would not embark. They requested, at the same time, that Lord Macdonald,
the chief and patron of the regiment, should be sent for to see justice
done to them. An answer not having been returned soon enough, or in the
manner they expected, they marched away in a body, and took possession
of a hill above the town of Burntisland, continuing firm to their
purpose, but abstaining from all violence; and when several other young
soldiers wished to join them, perhaps as much for the sake of the frolic
as any thing else, they ordered them back to their quarters, telling
them they had no cause of complaint, and no claims to be adjusted; and
that, therefore, they ought to obey their officers, and do their duty,
and leave them (the Highlanders) to answer for their own conduct.
Things remained in this state for some days, the
Highlanders regularly sending parties to the town for provisions, and
paying punctually for what they received. It happened fortunately, that
the regiment was at that time commanded by Major Alexander Donaldson, an
officer of great experience, and not less firm than conciliating. Born
in the Highlands, he had served for nineteen years in the 42d regiment,
and understood perfectly the peculiar habits and dispositions of his
countrymen. Aided by Lieutenant David Barclay, the paymaster, an
investigation took place, and every man's claim was clearly made out.
When this statement was laid before Lord Macdonald on his arrival, his
Lordship and Major Donaldson advanced the money, and took the risk of
recovering it from those whose conduct had nearly ruined a brave and
honourable body of men, as they afterwards proved themselves to be; and
it is a fact that ought not to be overlooked, and which I have from the
best authority, (as, indeed, I have all I state), that, when the
individual claims were sent to the Isle of Skye, all, without
exception, were found to be just;—a circumstance which, no doubt,
was taken into consideration by those who had to form a judgment of this
act of insubordination. No man was brought to trial, or even put into
confinement; and when all was settled, the Highlanders embarked with the
greatest cheerfulness; but, before they sailed, all the men of of
Skye and Uist sent their money home to their families and friends.
