The Scotch Brigade & Other Regiments in Dutch Service

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Posted by DW Webster the 19th August 2006 (note: tabular info omitted.)

Scots Regiments in the Service of the United Provinces/The Netherlands

David W Webster © 2003

The Scotch Brigade existed in The Netherlands from 1572, when 10 companies of Scottish troops and 10 companies of English troops entered Dutch service. Soon thereafter there were 3 regiments in the Scotch Brigade. It must be emphasised that although the Scotch Brigade was part of the Dutch army, the regiments owed their ultimate allegiance to the Scottish monarch James VI up to 1603, and then the British monarch from 1603 onwards (apart from the Commonwealth period of course), a factor that led to some interesting situations when Britain and the Dutch ended up on different sides at various times.

In addition the Scotch Brigade was quite separate from British army regiments that served in Europe as various times, particularly the War of the Spanish Succession when at least 20 British regular regiments of guards, foot and cavalry served in the area between 1702 and 1714, including the main battles of Blenheim, Ramilles, Oudenaarden, and Malplaquet. Among these 20 regiments Scotland was well represented by “His Majesty’s Royal Regiment of Foot”, i.e. the 1st of Foot, The Royal Scots (or “Pontius Pilate’s Bodyguard” to give them their venerable nickname); the 21st of Foot, The Scots Fuziliers; the 26th of Foot, The Earl of Angus’ Regiment, better known as The Cameronians; and The 2nd Dragoons, the Royal Scots Greys.

At various points in its history attempts were made to integrate the Scotch Brigade into the Dutch army in terms of uniform, language of command, colours, music etc., but these were unsuccessful until 1782 (see later). In other words, from the late 16th century to the late 18th century the Scotch Brigade wore Scottish or British uniforms, used English (or perhaps better said “Scots”) as the language of command, carried their own distinctive regimental colours with the emblems of Scotland and Britain, and marched to Scottish tunes. The bulk of the soldiers and their officers were Scottish, either directly, or by immediate descent through at least one parent. That’s not to say that Scots didn’t serve in other Dutch or foreign regiments in Dutch service, or that non-Scots did not occasionally serve as officers in the Scotch Brigade.

Glozier (4) has analysed 1,867 circumstances in the Dutch army in the period 1618 – 1648 where the information is available on the nationality of both the officer and his immediate superior. The result shows that 76% were Scots serving under Scots, 17.7% non-Scots serving under Scots, 3.6% Scots serving under English, and 2.7% Scots under non-Scots other than English.

The Scotch Brigade was consistently recognised as an elite element of the Dutch state army, with its soldiers regarded as the best in the army, and the most courageous and trustworthy. Returning for the moment to the wider context, this is very similar to the high regard in which Scots regiments were held in Sweden, Denmark/Norway, France, and elsewhere. In Swedish there is one word for mercenary but a different word for the Scots, indicating a much higher status and regard than given to pure mercenaries.

In 1629 Frederick Henry described the Scotch Brigade as the “Bulwark of the [Dutch] Republic” (5).

Many Scots in Dutch service married locally so that it can often be difficult to know if one is dealing with a Scot born in his native country, or born in the Netherlands or elsewhere furth of Scotland of a Scottish military father, and so on down through several generations

Glozier (4) has analysed a total of 2,070 extant marriage records for the 17th century for 19 garrison towns where the information on nationality is clear, showing 1,316 (63.6%) marriages between a Scotsman and a non-Scot, 711 (34.3%) marriages where both parties were Scots, and 43 (2.1%) marriages where a Scots woman married a non-Scot.


“The Scotch Brigade"

Wil Hermsen’s Dutch web site http://members.lycos.nl/WilHermsen/repdex.htm (www.dutchregiments.org) goes into great detail on the subject of Scottish regiments in the service of the Dutch. The information is derived largely by bibliographical research by Wil (6 to 17).

I will have the advantage over most of the readers of Dispatch in that my fluent Swedish allows me to make a good stab at understanding the information!

In The Netherlands (United Provinces), prior to 1772, the Scottish regiments were known by the names of their colonels. In 1772, the Scottish regiments were rationalised into Regiment Schotten I, II, and III. In 1783 the Scottish reference was dropped, the 3 regiments becoming, respectively, Regiments Nationalen 22, 24 and 23.

With a few exceptions, of which more later, these three regiments, in effect the so-called Scotch Brigade, have a history that can be summarised as shown below.

Although “Regiment Schotten” was not used as a designation until 1772, for the sake of simplicity, the 3 regiments that made up the Scotch Brigade are summarised under these headings. Information on the names of the colonels and therefore the names of the regiments is available on this website from the late 1500s onwards, but information on the garrison place is only given from the early 1700s onwards.


Other Scottish Regiments

Scott of Buccleuch’s regiment was raised for Dutch service in 1629 and disbanded in 1655.

Henderson’s Regiment was raised for Dutch service in 1660 and disbanded in 1723, having been taken onto the Dutch establishment in 1665. It was stationed in 1715 in Nijmegen, Tiel, and Zaltbommel, and in 1716 in Venlo.

Between 1701 and 1717 Colyear’s Regiment was stationed in: 1715 – Venlo: 1716 – Ieperen, Namen; and 1717 – Namen. In 1717 it left Dutch Service.

Strathnaver’s Regiment was in Dutch Service between 1697 and 1717. Garrison duty is known for 1715 in Bergen and 1716 in Maastricht.

I have been unable to establish if these 4 regiments were part of the Scotch Brigade, or whether they served separately.

Between 1747 and 1752 the Regiment Drumlanrig commanded by the colonel of that name was stationed in: 1749 – Maastricht; 1750 – Sas van Gent; 1751 – Bergen op Zoom; and 1752 – Ieperen. This regiment was subsequently absorbed into Colyear’s Regiment as a 2nd Bn in 1752 (later Regiment Schotten II).

Also known to have served in the Netherlands are –

Ferguson of Balmakelly’s Regiment. 1697 – 1699 (originally raised in 1689 by James, Earl of Angus).
Hamilton’s Regiment. 1697, 1698, 1701 and 1714.

Again, whether or not these regiments were brigaded with the Scotch Brigade when serving in the Netherlands is not clear.

In addition, a note of caution needs to be drawn in the sense that the name of the person who raised the regiment, the name of the (honorary) Colonel, and the name of the Lt.-Colonel in day-to-day command of a regiment can be different, but the regiment involved is the same one. A further complicating factor can be the name of the effective commander of the regiment if the regimental colonel was given a higher command. In addition, up to 1715, if only a company was involved in certain duties, it might be known by the name of the company commander.

Also, be aware that the regiments on the British establishment who also served in the Netherlands would also be known by the name of their Colonel up to 1751. For instance, between 1702 and 1714 The Cameronians were variously known as (Andrew) Monro’s Regiment, (James) Ferguson’s Regiment, (John) Borthwick’s Regiment, Dalrymple’s Regiment (James – Lord Dalrymple), and (George) Preston’s Regiment.


The Demise of the Scotch Brigade in Dutch Service

It can be shown that the Scotch Brigade formally returned to the British establishment on 1st October 1794 as the 94th of Foot (18) (they were extremely unhappy that a higher precedence was not granted in terms of the original dates of raising of the regiments involved), but various sources give contradictory information on the exact date or dates when the Brigade or elements of it left Dutch service and returned to Britain. In his listing of military records in the Old Parochial Registers of East Lothian between 1795 and 1815 (19), Harris, lists 4 records relating to soldiers of the “Scotch Brigade (94th)”, the earliest in Jan 1795 in Dunbar, the latest in Oct 1809 in Prestonpans. The other 2 records are both in Inveresk. There are a further 20 listings, mostly in Dunbar, where the regiment is just shown as the 94th Regiment of Foot, the earliest in Feb 1808 in Dunbar, with the latest in Apr 1812 in Inveresk.

It would appear to be the case that the sequence of events was as follows. Following the outbreak of the 4th Anglo-Dutch War in 1780 there was understandable concern on both sides regarding the position of the Scotch Brigade. In 1775 George III had sent a request to the States General for the return of the Brigade. This request was accepted but additional unacceptable conditions imposed by the Dutch, so that there was no return to Britain of the Brigade at that time.

In November 1782, the States General decided that all officers should be required to take an oath abjuring all allegiance to their native land, on pain of forfeiture of their commissions. In additions, all regiments in Dutch service were obliged to wear the Dutch uniform; regimental colours were to be replaced so that their “ensigns shall no longer flaunt with the enemy’s coat of arms” (20); and, a few months later, that all commands should be given in Dutch, together with instructions that regiments of the Scotch Brigade should replace the Scots march with the Dutch march.

As a further note of respect and evidence of the high regard in which the Scotch Brigade was held, the colonels of the three regiments, Generals Houston, Stuart, and Dundas, were allowed to enjoy their pay for the rest of their lives, and the three regiments, while nominally the Regiments Schotten I, II, and III as far as the Dutch military establishment was concerned, were allowed to retain as regimental names, the names of these officers.

From 1783 onwards the designation Regiment Schotten was dropped, being replaced by the name Regiment Nationalen. The three regiments of the Scotch Brigade became the Regiment Nationalen 22, 23 & 24.

The process of the identity of these regiments changing from distinctly Scottish to purely Dutch presumably took some period of time, complicated in no small manner by the fact that many of the “Scots” serving were actually born in The Netherlands with Dutch wives and families. At first glance it might appear that the gap until the appearance on the British establishment of the Scotch Brigade in 1794 is quite a long one, but in the light of the above factors it is perhaps not that long a period.

It is known (21) that 1 colonel, 5 lt-colonels, 3 majors, 11 captains, 5 lieutenants, 23 ensigns, one adjutant, one chaplain, and 3 surgeons refused to take the 1782 oath of allegiance and returned to Britain.

The best way of appreciating the progress of the “nationalisation” of the Scotch Brigade in Dutch service is to consider the data put together by Miggelbrink (22) on the officers of the 3 regiments from the so-called “Conduct Lists”. From a position in 1773 where the officers were predominantly Scottish in terms of at least names, by 1788 and 1789 this position was well on the way to being turned around.

In 1795 the “Patriots” took over the government of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, under French protection, and founded the “Batavian Republic”. In 1806 Napoleon placed his brother Louis on the throne of what was then called the Kingdom of Holland, with the southern provinces becoming part of France.

From 1795 onwards Regiments Nationalen 22, 23 & 24 underwent a series of name changes. In 1809 Regiment Nationalen 22 was absorbed into the 1st and 2nd Bn of the French Régiment d’Infantrie de Ligne 126 (wiped out at the action at Borisov or Borrisow, part of the Battle of Berezina in November 1812); Regiment Nationalen 24 was absorbed into the 3rd Bn of the French Régiment d’Infantrie de Ligne 126 (wiped out at the action at Borisov); and Regiment Nationalen was absorbed into the the 1st and 2nd Bn of the French Régiment d’Infantrie de Ligne 125 (1st Bn wiped out at the action at Studianka, part of the Battle of Berezina, and 2nd Bn wiped out at the action at Borisov). Very few made it back to the Netherlands. It is a reasonable supposition that some Scots or soldiers of direct Scottish descent with connections back to the Scotch Brigade were involved in the loss of these regiments during this campaign, - the retreat from Moscow, - apart, of course, from the French Field Marshall Macdonald and others of Scottish descent in Napoleon’s army!.

The modern day Regiment Oranje-Gelderland still commemorate the 1595 raising of the 1st Bn of The Scotch Brigade on the 26th January, while the Regiment Limburgse-Jagers commemorate the 1603 raising of the 3rd Bn of the Scotch Brigade on the 14th July.


The 94th of Foot on the British Establishment

The 94th of foot were disbanded in 1796 according to Adams & Adams 18, and re-raised on Dec 15th 1802 18. According to Harris (23), however, while the Scotch Brigade may have been reduced to one battalion in 1796, it was in continuous service, in South Africa until 1798, then India until 1807, arriving back at Leith in May 1808, and stationed at Dunbar until 1809. The 94th were disbanded in 1818 but re-raised in 1823 with the RHQ in Glasgow. In the Cardwell reforms of 1881 The Scotch Brigade, the 94th of Foot, became the 2nd Bn The Connaught Rangers, disbanded in 1922.


Acknowledgments

The assistance and encouragement of Wil Hermsen, Helma Meijer-van Rijsewijk, Steve Murdoch, Les Harris, Catherine Murray and James McKay are most gratefully acknowledged. Any mistakes are my own!


Bibliography

1. The Naming and Numbering of Scottish Regiments of Foot Cavalry and Militia”, David W Webster, publishers the author and The Scottish Genealogy Society, Edinburgh, 2002, ISBN 1-904060-04-8

2. “Scotland and The Thirty Years War, 1618-1648”, Ed Steve Murdoch, Brill, Breda, 2001, ISBN 90-04-12086-6

3. “Fighting for Identity: Scottish Military Experience c. 1550 – 1900”. Ed. Steve Murdoch and A. Mackillop, Brill, Breda, 2002, ISBN 90-04-12823-9

4. Matthew Glozier, “Scots in the French and Dutch Armies During the Thirty Years’ War”, in “Scotland and The Thirty Years War, 1618-1648”, Ed Steve Murdoch, Brill, Breda, 2001, ISBN 90-04-12086-6

5. H. Dunthorne, “Scots in the Wars of the Low Countries 1572-1648”, in G.G. Simpson, ed. “Scotland and the Low Countries 1124-1994”, Edinburgh, 1996. “Strictures on Military Discipline with some Account of the Scotch Brigade in Dutch Service”, London, 1774.

6. “Afstammingen en Voortzettingen der Infanterie” door: H. Ringoir, Bijdragen van de Sectie Militaire Geschiedenis nr. 1 ('s Gravenhage, 1977)

7. “Vredesgarnizoenen van 1715 tot 1795 en 1815 tot 1940” door: H. Ringoir Bijdragen van de Sectie Militaire Geschiedenis nr. 8 ('s Gravenhage, 1980)

8. “Hoofdofficieren der Infanterie van 1568 tot 1813” door H. Ringoir Bijdragen van de Sectie Militaire Geschiedenis nr. 9 (‘s-Gravenhage 1981)

9. “Huwelijken van militairen behoord hebbende tot het 2e regiment van de Schotse Brigade” (Ned.Ger. 1713 1784) in jaarboek Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie (CBG) 1965 blz. 102 126

10. “Huwelijken van militairen behoord hebbende tot het 1e regiment van de Schotse Brigade” (Ned.Ger. 1708 1784) in jaarboek Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie CBG 1966 blz. 185 214

11. “Huwelijken van militairen behoord hebbende tot het 3e regiment van de Schotse Brigade” (Ned.Ger. 1711 1784) in jaarboek Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie CBG 1967 blz. 58 73

12. “De huwelijksintekeningen van Schotse militairen in Nederland 1574 1665”, door: J. Mac Lean (Zutphen, 1976; Werken Koninklijk Nederlandsch Genootschap voor Geslacht en Wapenkunde IV)

13. “Gegevens van militairen behoord hebbende tot het 1e regiment van de Schotse Brigade” uit het archief van de Raad van State 1698 1784 in jaarboek Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie (CBG) 1968 blz. 204 221

14. “Gegevens van militairen behoord hebbende tot het 2e regiment van de Schotse Brigade” uit het archief van de Raad van State 1698 1784 in jaarboek Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie (CBG) 1970 blz. 165 190

15. Gegevens van militairen behoord hebbende tot het 3e regiment van de Schotse Brigade uit het archief van de Raad van State 1698 1784 in jaarboek Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie (CBG) 1972 blz. 185 188

16. “Het Regiment Hamilton” in jaarboek Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie (CBG) 1975 blz. 107-121

17. “De garnizoenen der Schotse compagnies voor 1665” door: J. Mac Lean in Gens Nostra XXVII (1972), blz. 82 386


18. H.W. Adams & C.P. Adams, “History of the British Regular Army, Vol. 1, A Dative Record of the Sovereign’s Regiments”, Anthony Rowe Ltd., Chippenham, 1990, ISBN 1.872491.02.2

19. L. Harris, “The Military in East Lothian 1795 – 1815”, L Harris, Longniddry.

20. J. Ferguson, “Papers illustrating the History of the Scots Brigade in the service of the United Netherlands”, II, pp 496/497, Resolution of the Council of State, 22 November 1782, 3 vols., Edinburgh, 1899.

21. J. Ferguson, op.cit. pp 402 and 521.

22. Joachim Miggelbrink, “The End of the Scots-Dutch Brigade”, in “Fighting for Identity: Scottish Military Experience c. 1550 – 1900”. Ed. Steve Murdoch and A. Mackillop, Brill, Breda, 2002, ISBN 90-04-12823-9.

23. L. Harris, private communication, December 2002.

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