In conclusion, we may notice, that on King George IV.'s visit to Scotland in August 1822, the squadron attending his majesty appeared off St Abb's Head, about nine o'clock on the morning of Wednesday the 14th. On passing Dunbar, a salute was fired from the battery, and from some pieces of cannon placed on Doonhill by Mr Hay, and where a bonfire was lighted in the evening. Several persons went off in boats, and had an opportunity of seeing the king, who bowed with his usual affability to the spectators. At a meeting of the magistrates and council, held on the Friday preceding, a dutiful and loyal address was voted; and it was agreed that the town should be illuminated, which took place on the Thursday after the king's arrival. On Monday the 19th, the Berwickshire yeomanry went into quarters at Musselburgh; and next day the East Lothian yeomanry assembled at Haddington. Both regiments, with the rest of the mili tary, were reviewed by his majesty, at Portobello Sands, on Friday the 23rd. The king's departure from Scotland was announced about seven o'clock on the evening of the 29th, by some guns placed on the Bass. A bonfire was immediately lighted at Dunbar pier-head, and a salute: fired from the battery, which was echoed by the guns placed on Doonhill; but the wetness and darkness of the night precluded any view of the squadron, save the glimpse of a solitary light at one of their mast heads. NOTE TO CHAPTER XIV. 66 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CORES OF YEOMANRY ČAVALRY, AND REGI MENTS AND CORPS OF VOLUNTEER INFANTRY IN THE COUNTY OF HADDINGTON.* "On the signals being made for an enemy's fleet being off the coast, or that a descent has been effected in the north of England or in Scotland, or that positive intelligence is received to that effect, the corps of yeomanry and infantry will instantly assemble at their respective alarm-posts, where each horseman is to be provided with a cloak, great-coat, or blanket; and with two days' provisions for himself, and two days' corn for his horse; and where as many ball cartridges and flints are to be issued to the infantry as each man can carry, (60 rounds if possible,) and where each soldier of infantry is to be provided with two days' provisions, (to be carried in a havresack or knapsack,) and with a great-coat or blanket, to be rolled up and slung over his shoulder. Such of the infantry as have not yet been armed with firelocks, or pikes, must be provided with pitchforks, or any other weapon which can be pro, cured for them. "East Lothian Corps of Yeomanry Cavalry.—The first, second, and third troops of this corps, will, on an alarm, assemble at Haddington, and join and act with the brigade stationed at that town'; and should the brigade have marched from it, these troops will fol. low the column and endeavour to join it as soon as possible. The fourth troop of this corps will assemble at Dunbar, and join and act with the brigade stationed at that town'; and should the column have marched from thence, the troop will follow and join it as soon as possible. "Dunbar Regiment of Volunteer Infantry.-This regiment will, on an alarm, assemble at Dunbar, and immediately join and act with the brigade at that town. The author is indebted to Hugh Fraser, Esq. Haddington, for this document, as well as for other information. "North Berwick Corps of Volunteers.—On an alarm, this corps will immediately assemble at North Berwick, and join and act with any troops that may be stationed at that town. "Should the enemy land to the eastward of Dunbar, this corps will march from North Berwick, and proceed by Whitekirk and Tyningham Bridge to Dunbar, where the Commanding Officer will inform himself of the march of the brigade from that town, and follow the direction ofthe column, and endeavour to join it as speedily as possible. "Should the enemy land at Tyningham Sands, this corps will march from North Berwick, and proceed to and occupy the strong position of Lawhead. "Should the enemy attempt to land at Peffer Sands, this corps will march from North Berwick, and proceed to and occupy the strong position on Whitekirk heights; and, if in time, will oppose the landing of the enemy at the said sands, taking care to secure a retreat to the above-mentioned heights. "Should the enemy attempt to land at Dirleton Bay, this corps will march from North Berwick, and proceed to and occupy the high ground and woods to the westward of Archerfield; and, if in time, will oppose the landing of the enemy in the above bay, taking care to secure a retreat to the heights at Fenton-tower. "Should the enemy attempt to land at Gulane or Aberlady bays, this corps will march from North Berwick, and proceed to and occupy the strong position at Gulane heights; and, if in time, will oppose the landing of the enemy in these bays, taking care to secure a retreat to Killduff-hill, and afterwards to the strong position at Garleton-hills. "Should the enemy land between Aberlady Bay and Prestonpans, this corps will march from North Berwick, and proceed along the coast and act upon the left flank of the enemy, taking care to secure a retreat to Garleton-hills. "Should the enemy land at Musselburgh, or to the westward of that town, this corps will march from North Berwick, and will proceed along the coast, and endeavour to join the brigade at Musselburgh, under the command of Major-general Sir James St Clair Erskine. "On the taking up of any of the foregoing positions, the commanding officer of this corps will send forward a guide on horse back, (who must be previously secured at North Berwick) to Majorgeneral Sir James St Clair Erskine or myself, according to the line of march the corps may have moved on, and to report its situation, and receive further orders. "In the above movements and operations, this corps will act as a light corps; and when opposing the enemy, will take extended order behind hedges and walls, and in ditches or in woods, and endeavour as much as possible to conceal its force. "On the march of this corps from North Berwick to any of the above-mentioned positions, the corps will kill all the live stock which may not be driven from the coast or employed on the public service, particularly horses. "Haddington Regiment of Volunteer Infantry.—This regiment will assemble at Haddington, and join and act with the brigade stationed there. Should the brigade have marched from thence, the re. giment will follow the column, and endeavour to join it as speedily as possible. "Given at West Barns, this 19th day of November, 1803, "GEO. DON, Maj.-Gen. "The Hon. Lieut.-Colonel Hay Mackenzie, commanding the Haddington Regiment of Volunteer Infantry." END OF PART L. |