The influence possessed by the family of Atholl in the
Highlands of Perthshire has been noticed in the preliminary sketch of
the character and manners of the Highlanders. This influence was so
extensive, that the Duke of Atholl could, at one period, command the
personal services of 3000 men in arms; and, on important occasions, as
in the beginning of the last century, this number could be augmented to
"6000 of the best men in the kingdom, well armed, and ready to sacrifice
their all for the King's service." [Lockhart Papers.]
As the exercise of such power was almost too great
for any subject, it was found necessary to reduce it by legal authority;
but though law deprived chiefs of their power, it
could not, for many years, destroy the great influence they
enjoyed, founded on the voluntary attachment and
fidelity of their people. It is unnecessary to recur to the many
instances I have already given of this disinterested fidelity,
of which the period in question, thirty years after the
law had abrogated all power formerly vested in chiefs and
great landed proprietors, afforded several very striking and
memorable examples. In times when so
many Northern patriots stepped forward in the service of
their country, the young Duke of Atholl was equally ready, and
Government, acceding to his application for authority to raise a
regiment of Highlanders for general service, with power to appoint
officers, a corps of 1000 men was soon recruited, and embodied at Perth,
Colonel James Murray, son of Lord George Murray, and uncle to the Duke
of Atholl, being appointed colonel.
This was a respectable corps, both in point of
officers and men. The former were young and spirited; the latter of the
best description, in respect of morals, bodily strength, and personal
appearance; although, unluckily, it was not their fortune to prove in
the field how much these qualities conduce to military success. But as
they were exemplary in quarters, attached and obedient to their
officers, (with one exception, [See
Appendix, "Mutinies of the Highland Regiments."]) there is
no doubt, that the usual qualities of the Highland soldier would have
been displayed by them in the field.
In June 1778 they were marched to Port-Patrick, and
thence transported to Ireland, where they were quartered during the
whole war, being thus deprived of that opportunity of distinguishing
themselves in active service, which every enterprising soldier so much
desires.
The Athole Highlanders had every advantage of
discipline while commanded by Colonel Gordon, an officer of great
experience, and firmness of character, though too much of the German
school for a Highland regiment. But although he was of a temper to trust
little to the native character of his men, and too apt to enforce his
orders with a strictness which did not always yield to circumstances, he
seldom had occasion to resort to corporal punishment. The honourable
feelings with which the soldiers were animated, gave him a sufficient
hold of them without resorting to such unpleasant means of coercion, the
disgrace attendant on disorderly conduct being in general a sufficient
restraint. It is creditable to the character of the regiment,
that, under so close an observer of their discipline, much accustomed to
look on soldiers as pieces of machinery, destined to obey his orders
without thought or reflection, beyond the immediate orders they
received, very few punishments were inflicted; and that these were only
of the kind usually inflicted on Highland
regiments of that period.
In 1783, the regiment was ordered to England, and
marched to Portsmouth for the purpose of being embarked for India. The
unfortunate occurrences, which threw such a shade over its character on
that occasion, are mentioned under another head, and, therefore, need
not be detailed in this place. I shall only add, from the best
authority, that these occurrences would not have taken place had the
intentions of Government been previously explained, the inclinations of
the soldiers been consulted, and their extended service to India left to
their own choice, instead of an attempt being made to embark them
contrary to their terms of service.
After the affair at Portsmouth was adjusted, the
regiment marched to Berwick, and was disbanded there in April 1783.
The. officers of this regiment lived on the happiest
and most friendly footing. Those of them who survive, still cherish
their former friendships, and, at the distance of forty years, indulge
in the recollections of early intimacy. These feelings extended to the
soldiers, who, before the occurrence just mentioned, were respectful,
and attached to their officers. The whole corps was, in short, like a
family, which General Murray was the common father and friend. Before
the reduction, he assembled the officers, and, taking a
memorandum of the wishes and views of each individual he
made such good use of his own and his family's influence, that,
before he died, and without any further application
on their part, he got every one who was so inclined re-stored
to full pay.
This good man was indefatigable and unwearied in his
zeal to serve his officers. The late Lord Sydney, when Secretary of
State, used to call him the Bishop of Dunkeld; for, said his Lordship,
"I never see his face but when there is some vacant church, or some
office in Perthshire, or some-thing formerly in the gift of the Bishop
of Dunkeld, to give away." The late Mr Lewis, of the War Office, called
him the Athole Forester; "not," says he, "as the forester or keeper of
Athole deer, but as the guardian and friend of his Highlanders of the
Athole regiment, for whom he will take no refusal."
General Murray was wounded in a singular manner at
the capture of Martinique in 1762, then a captain in the 42d. A musket
ball entered his left side, under the lower rib, passed up through the
left lobe of the lungs, (as was ascertained after his death), crossed
his chest, and, mounting up to his right shoulder, lodged under the
scapula. His case being considered desperate, the only object of the
surgeon was to make his situation as easy as possible for the few hours
they supposed he had to live; but, to the great surprise of all, he was
on his legs in a few weeks, and, before he reached England, was quite
recovered, or at least his health and appetite were restored. He was
never afterwards, however, able to lie down; and, during the thirty-two
years of his subsequent life, he slept in an upright posture, supported
in his bed by pillows. He died in 1794, a Lieutenant-General, Colonel of
the ?2d regiment, and representative in Parliament for the county of
Perth.
