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

DEAR BROTHER,
APPENDIX. 325
[*]
Hellwoet, 2nd April, 1793.
I have just time to tell you that we embark tomorrow in our transports for
Williamstadt, from whence we proceed to Bergen op Zoom, the 37th and 53rd
Regts. are here on board the transports, and go also ; the Guards went yesterday
.... The French are retreating fast ; we shall hardly get up with them . . .
DEAR BROTHER,
[3]
WILL. BURNETT.
Marquin, near Tournay,
1 7th May, 1793.
I think I wrote you about the time of our coming here. Since then a
good many troops have come to our neighbourhood, Hanoverians, Cavalry and
Infantry. Prince Ernest is with the former, and, I believe, commands them.
Our light Dragoons are also arrived, and I see them on duty with the
Hanoverians. There is a very fine regiment of Austrian Cuirassiers encamped in
our rear, about 700 strong. Our flank batt n , I believe, has the hardest duty at
present.
We are at an advanced post at a village, and have strong picquets and
guards ; besides that, for fear of an alarm, we are all under arms for some time
before daylight till some time after. I suppose you have heard the particulars of
The Coldstream Regiment
all the actions that have been fought near this lately.
suffered a good deal on the 8th, between thirty and twenty men killed and
wounded; only one officer wounded, and that slightly in two places. The
Sergt.-Major was dreadfully wounded, and taken prisoner; they say he is since
dead, but was very well treated. No other British troops were engaged. Our
flank batt n was out from about half after five, but as we had above eight miles to
march, it was dark before we got there, and we met the Duke of York, who
ordered us back. The French, I fancy, lost a good many men that and the
following day, and were disappointed in throwing reliefs into Conde. I hear we
are to march from this on the i9th, but I do not know where to; I should
imagine further into the country. The i4th and 53rd Regts. are in Tournay, and
the Guards in villages between us and Tournay. There has been repeated orders
to provide ourselves with bat horses, but no money has been given. I dined
with Captain Garden lately; some of your friends enquired after you. Major
Mathews commands this flank batt n . There is a court martial going on just now