Sutherland Highlanders, 93rd Regiment of Foot [Disbanded]

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Norwegian

Sergeant at Arms
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The 93rd aim to be a disciplined, well organised and fun unit to be in, where people can come in and improve their skills. No matter what melee skill you have, the 93rd will welcome you in with open arms and help you improve and learn.
Even though we accept members of all ages into our regiment, we expect maturity from our members. We expect our members to be enthusiastic to play within our ranks.

We won't only stick to playing NW, and we'll probably branch out to other mods in the future.

























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The 93rd Regiment of Foot, Sutherland Highlanders was raised in April 1799 in the mountains and remote north of Scotland - the lands of Sutherland, Ross, Caithness, the Orkneys and Shetlands. Most of the men were from "Fencible" regiments, home defense forces raised to check the threat of invasion by France and Napoleon. There had been three such Sutherland Regiments and the last, the 3rd - had emerged from the inglorious Irish 1798 rebellion with a uniquely high reputation and along with the Reay Fencibles contributed greatly to the new Regiment's strength. Major-General William Wemyss of Wemyss raised the 93rd for his 16 year old cousin Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland. Extra numbers were drawn in 1803 from the disbanded Reay Fencibles, Rothesay and Caithness Fencibles, and the Scots Militia. Most of the remainder were added from the Sutherland estates in a process harking back to the old feudal system. Assembled young men would be looked over by General Wemyss and likely looking prospects would be invited to drink a dram of whisky and take snuff from a large silver-bound horn mull, no further attesting deemed necessary. This was the last instance of the old feudal clan form of gathering men to fight. After this ceremony the men would be told when and where to assemble. Amazingly, every man showed up at the designated time. From the start the 93rd became the most solidly and characteristically Highland of all Scottish regiments. Most of the men were native Gaelic speakers, raised in the traditions of the family, clan and parish. The Regiment now became the "clan" with the commanding officer as "chief". The Regiment wore what they called "Sutherland Tartan", a version of the Government Sett (more commonly known as "Black Watch").

Formally gazetted into the Army in October 1800, the 93rd were dispatched from Fort George, via Aberdeen, to Guernsey. In February 1803, they were sent to quell a brief rebellion in Dublin. During these years they moved about Ireland, becoming quite popular with the Irish people because of their Gaelic language, high discipline and firm and steady conduct. The Regiment in its history would find itself many more times in Ireland. On one occasion a section was sitting in a tavern when a local bully came in challenging them to a fight. The smallest Highlander accepted, rose, lowered his head, ran and butted the bully in the stomach, flattening him. The rest drew their bayonets, cleared the tavern then quietly went back to their conversation and drink.


The 93rd sailed in July 1805 to help recapture Cape Colony from the Dutch. There the 93rd won their first battle honour. While landing 37 men were lost, still cheering madly as their boat capsized. In the ensuing battle the 93rd advanced in line, pipes playing, fired one volley and charged. The enemy broke and ran. After limited skirmishing over the next days Cape Town surrendered and the 93rd moved into Cape Castle, their home for the next eight years.

In an age of great illiteracy, especially in the army, the 93rd was amazing in that nearly every man could read and write. Almost every private had his own Bible - often having been given to him by his family. In Cape Town they built their own church, hired a Chaplain, taught school and gave to charities sending huge amounts home to help those in need. A remarkable, cheerful and united body of men given to music and Highland dancing. Such was their discipline and good conduct that while in garrison with other regiments the 93rd repeatedly was dismissed from Parade when corporal punishment commenced. Instead of having to see the example given by floggings, they instead became the example of discipline.

In August 1814 the 93rd sailed to Plymouth, England thinking of home. Instead on 17 September they embarked on three ships as part of a three-pronged offensive designed to chastise the United States and end the war dragging on there since 1812 when the U.S. declared war and invaded Canada. Napoleon had been sent into his first exile. Tens of thousands of veteran British soldiers were now free to be used in America. One prong of this strategy would attack through the Great Lakes region, the second front would smash into the eastern seaboard ultimately to burn the capital of Washington in retaliation for U.S. forces burning York (Toronto), Canada. The third - with the 93rd aboard - would attack through the Gulf of Mexico. Their final destination: New Orleans.

For this expedition the 93rd were ordered to wear tartan trousers (trews) and "hummel" bonnets in place of the kilt and feathered bonnet. No other Highland units were in this Division and as only Highland Regiments wore the kilt it is obvious then there were no kilted soldiers involved in the New Orleans campaign, contrary to what Hollywood movies (especially either version of "The Buccaneer") and some popular thought would like us to believe.




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OfficersNCORankers




Communications

Wish to join the 93rd?
Add
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[93rd] Norwegian on Steam if you wish to join the EU line.

Add
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[93rd] Sir E-Man or
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[93rd] Panther on Steam if you wish to join the NA line.






Alternatively, you could sign up on our website at http://93rdinfantry.enjin.com/home.




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Your signature is nice though! :razz:

I'll need to look into making something like that for myself. (Or getting one of my guys to make it for me :roll:)
 
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