Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

106 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE1842. it had been deemed prudent to abandon the men'sknapsacks and the officers'baggage,the reservebattalion of the 91st went down the side of thatshattered wreck fully armed and accoutred, andready for instant service.It would be difficult to praise sufficiently thesteady discipline of that young battalion, thusseverely tested during nearly seventeen hours ofperil, above eight of which were hours of darknessand imminent danger. Nor did thatdiscipline fail when the apparent hopelessnessof the situation might have led to scenes ofconfusion and crime. The double guard ofsentries which had at firstbeen posted over thewine and spirit stores, were found unnecessary,and these stores were ultimately left to theprotection of the ordinary sentries.Although the ship was straining in everytimber, and the heavy seas were making a fairbreach over her, the companies of the battalionfell in on the weather side of the vessel as theirlots were drawn, and waited for their turn tomuster at the leegangway and so ; perfectwastheir confidence, their patience, and their gallantry,that, although another vessel was going topieces within a quarter of a mile of the transport