The family of Burnett of Leys, with collateral - Electric Scotland

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THE FAMILY OF BURNETT OF LEYS.
Regiments right and left according to seniority. The ground we encamped on is
an immense extent of moor, very wet and full of ruts.
commands the whole,
The Duke of Richmond
Sir Will. Hoare is Lt.-Gen 1
, and the Brigadiers are: ist
Brigade, Colonel Drummond, Royal Artillery; 2nd Brigade, Colonel Fox, Queen's
and i4th Regts. ; 3rd Brigade, Lord Harrington, Buffs and 2Qth Regts. Redoubts
were thrown up in front of the encampment. We were always out twice a day,
when the weather would admit, about four hours each time, fighting a supposed
enemy. One day the Artillery in Brigade and Dragoons were the enemy. We
took up advantageous positions, and threw the Batt ns into squares; the four
companies of Grenadiers were together, and the light companies formed another
party. We were some time with Lt.-Colonel Cathcart, who commanded the 29th
Regt., and afterwards we were sent to protect the baggage. The Dragoons
attacked us, and some of the light infantry foolishly ran forward, and three were
rode over, but not much hurt. The Queen's were in a square near us, and
charged their bayonets. They say the Dragoons came too close. Every day
there is something new. I am generally detached as a guard for some guns part
of the day ;
it is much pleasanter, and I see better what is going on. Saturday
morning at four o'clock we struck tents and marched at six, and altho' the distance
is not more than six or seven miles, we did not get here till two o'clock, fighting
all the way. We drove the advanced corps of the enemy from several strong
grounds, for you must know that they are supposed to have landed at Southampton,
and are advancing towards London. The Grenadiers and 2Qth Regiment drove
them from one hill at the bayonet's point, playing Grenadiers March. This
camp is worse ground than the last, and it has rained ever since we came here.
However, we went out last night at 5 o'clock, and marched about 3 or 4 miles.
The whole advanced in line, fired field pieces and small arms, then marched back
to camp, music playing. The plan was to strike tents to-night, and march two
hours before day to a place called Beacon Hill, there lay on our arms some time,
and march to our first camp, but the road was found impassable for wagons, so
it's given up. It would have been a march of four-and-twenty miles at least.
The 7th is to be the grand day ; some redoubts are to be blown up. We had an
alarm on the first camp, three guns fired in the night ; immediately the Regts.
paraded and marched to their alarm posts, and manoeuvred about three hours and
returned to camp. We were out three times that day. The King was out every
day till we came here. The Prince of Wales charged once at the head of the
i oth Dragoons. Carnegie commands the nth ....
Your affec. brother,
WILL. BURNETT.