The force was divided into four columns, the nature of the ground precluding the employment of large masses. The first, 8000 Russians and a British brigade, was to advance by the Sand-dyke against Brune's left, resting on the sea. The second, 7000 men, of whom 5000 were British, was charged with the attack of the French centre. The third, under Sir J. Pulteney, was intended rather to make a diversion than a real attack, unless in case of unlooked-for success; and the fourth, under Sir Ralph Abercromby, was destined to turn the enemy's right.

On the morning of the 19th September the troops stood to their arms at four o'clock, and the army advanced to the attack, which was at first successful at all points; but the Russians, after having captured Bergen in the most gallant style, failed to hold it; tempted by plunder they broke their ranks, and they being driven back, the places acquired by the other columns had to be abandoned, and the army withdrew to its former position at Zype.

In this action 60 officers and 3000 men and 16 pieces of cannon were taken from the enemy, which sufficiently proves that no advantage had been gained by them.*

In General Orders of the 20th September, H.R.H. the Duke of York compliments the troops on "the distinguished and spirited exertions which added new lustre to the British arms. The column under Sir Ralph Abercromby, after a most fatiguing march, possessed the city of Hoorn; but, from the doubtful situation of affairs on the right, could not in prudence advance further. H.R.H. will not fail to represent to His Majesty the sense he entertains of the services of the generals and different corps engaged on this occasion."

On the 22nd was published to the army a letter of thanks from the City of London. "To Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., and the generals, officers, and soldiers under his command, for their gallant and essential services in effecting a landing on the coast of Holland, driving the enemy from their strongly fortified situation, thereby rendering it practicable for the squadron of His Majesty's ships to compel the surrender of the Dutch fleet in the Texel, and that "Alison's History." Vol. IV., p. 151.

E

he be presented by the Court (of Common Council), as a token of their sense of the important service thereby rendered to this country, with the freedom of the city, and with a sword of the value of 100 guineas."

Moore's Brigade occupied farmhouses and barns, and he and the regimental officers spared no pains to ensure the comfort of their men so far as the nature of the service allowed.

By General Order of the 27th, all pieces of ordnance, colours, and tumbrils taken from the enemy are to be delivered to the British artillery, and the paymaster of the artillery is to pay to the regiment that took them the following rewards:

For each common howitzer, £20; for each tumbril, £10; for each colour standard, £10. All horses taken are to be paid for if fit for the public service, but no small-arms are to paid for except those of deserters, who are to be paid for their arms.

From the 20th September the opposing armies remained within their entrenchments, strengthening their lines of defence; the enemy having meanwhile increased his numbers by the arrival of French reinforcements.

G.O., October 1st.-Regiments are immediately to cook one day's provisions, and commanding officers will take measures to be able to move at short notice.

R.O., October 1st.-The regiment will fall in to-morrow so as to close upon the 25th Regiment, and enable the brigade to move forward at three o'clock. The same orders and directions as when the regiment last marched.

At this date the 92nd had present and fit for duty 30 sergeants, 21 drummers, and 662 rank and file.

On the 2nd October the Duke of York made another attempt on the French and Dutch position between Bergen and Egmont-op-Zee. The combined attacks were made in four columns. "That under Sir Ralph Abercromby, composed of 13 battalions, 8 squadrons of cavalry, a half-troop Royal Horse Artillery, and some field-pieces, formed on the dyke and beach which connect the sandhills of Patten to those of Camperdown. By 6.30 a.m. the infantry stood in column of companies, the artillery on the right, and the cavalry on the

right of all. At seven o'clock General Coote's, General Hutchinson's, Colonel MacDonald's, and General Moore's Brigades moved. The first turned at Camperdown immediately to the left, and proceeded on the road to Schoreldam. The second moved on the ridge of the sandhills which commanded that road; the third entered and marched in the centre of the sandhills, inclining to the left. General Moore's Brigade formed the more immediate advance guard of the column by penetrating into the sandhills directly, and keeping continually his right flank on the hills which rose from the beach.

"The French, though in possession of Camperdown Hill, an elevation of about 300 feet, did not make any resistance to this first movement, but fired a signal gun and retired skirmishing, when the advanced brigades got possession of the entrance to the sandhills, the main column proceeded forward, occasionally reducing its front when the beach became very narrow on account of the tide. The right flank of the cavalry was continually in the water. The column proceeded in this way for six or seven miles, the troops much harassed and fatigued in consequence of the nature of the soil, which yielded at every step up to their ankles.

"The French had now lined some high sandhills with a body of riflemen, who began to keep up a very smart fire upon the British; shortly they were considerably reinforced, and they galled our troops from almost every eminence and outlet of the multitude of sandhills. In spite of all, our troops advanced with that ardour and perseverance which so eminently distinguish the British soldier. Though perfectly unacquainted with the system of sharp-shooting (and it is impossible not to lament the want of that species of warfare in our army), though galled on all sides by offensive weapons that did their mischief partly unseen and always at a distance; though momentarily deprived of the encouraging presence of their officers by wounds they received, and though they were themselves neither equipped for light service, nor had the advantage of a light body for that purpose; notwithstanding this combination of unfavourable circumstances, our brave countrymen persevered and fought their way for four miles. We should be unjust to omit on this occasion the honourable testimony which has

been given from every quarter of the personal courage and good example of their leaders.

It was a country most favourable to the French system of making war, and gave them a decided advantage over an invading enemy. If we except their Grenadiers, the troops employed on this service were under the size of our rear rank battalion men.

"General Moore's Brigade having suffered immensely both in men and officers, regiments from the main column were continually thrown into the hills, which measure became the more indispensable, as the force of the enemy hourly increased upon us. Only the 92nd Regiment and some of the Guards remained with the cavalry and artillery on the beach. The French, taking advantage of every strong post which commanded the beach, kept up a galling fire; they brought two guns from Egmont-op-Zee, which were advantageously planted, and cannonaded the column on the beach and the cavalry. A strong body of French also appeared on the heights above Bergen. The British on the sandhills were exhausted by fatigue and want of water, and weakened by loss of men. In vain did they attempt to storm the enemy's position, they were beaten back, but their innate intrepidity seemed to rise in proportion as the resistance they met became more formidable and destructive; they repeated the attack with unabated fury, and though their ranks were thinned, no symptom of fear or disorder appeared amongst them. The remainder of the column was ordered to charge, the whole instantly pushed forward against the post, which formed towards the beach an amphitheatre of hills, the tops of which were defended by the enemy. Our troops rush through a most tremendous fire of musketry, gain possession of the heights and drive the enemy to a considerable distance. By this time Colonel MacDonald's Brigade had arrived, and became instantly engaged on the left. About half-past four o'clock the enemy gave way and retired on all sides, but as Bergen was not taken and the British were considerably advanced, Sir Ralph determined to take up his position for the night, and not push forward to Egmontop-Zee till the day following.*

* Partial account of the action fought in North Holland on the 2nd October 1799; by an officer engaged in Sir R. Abercromby's Division.—Mil. Journal, Vol. II.

"Our guns had been advanced to check the French artillery, and two troops of the 15th Light Dragoons guarded them, being concealed by sandhills, when 500 French cavalry, thinking the guns unprotected, charged them, and were actually engaged with the gunners when the two troops of the 15th dashed into the French, and drove them off. The French, ashamed of being repulsed by such a handful of men, rallied and advanced again, when a third troop of the 15th, which had been ordered to advance, came up, charged, and drove them off half a mile. The whole British cavalry had now reached the scene of action, but it was too late to attempt more. When the last charge was made it was near six o'clock. The cavalry passed the night on the beach in line with the infantry on the sandhills, where neither horses nor men had any water."

The Duke of York, in his dispatch of October 4th, states— "The points where this well-fought battle were principally contested were from the sea-shore in front of Egmont, extending along the sandy desert or hills to the heights above Bergen, and it was sustained by the British columns under those highly distinguished officers, General Sir Ralph Abercromby and Lieut.General Dundas, whose exertions, as well as the gallantry of the brave troops they led, cannot have been surpassed by any former instance of British valour."

The following description of the part more immediately played by the Gordon Highlanders is taken from Cannon's "Historical Record":"The 92nd Regiment was ordered to escort twenty pieces of artillery to the front along the seashore. In the performance of this duty it was attacked by a column of nearly 6000 men, when a most sanguinary conflict ensued, immediately under the eye of General Sir Ralph Abercromby. Trusting to their superior numbers, the French advanced with resolution, and fairly met the bayonets of the regiment. Colonel the Marquis of Huntly was wounded in this memorable charge, which completely overthrew the Sir Ralph's son served in the ranks of the Gordon Highlanders at Egmont-op-Zee as a volunteer.-Letter from James Erskine of Cardross, dated October 26th, 1799.

+ The Prince of Wales presented the Marquis of Huntly with a Highland snuff-mull, set in gold with a Gaelic inscription, in memory of his conduct on this occasion.