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

136 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE1846. of the 91st, as an eye-witness of this expeditionsays"They (the 91st)could march from sunrise tosunset, and though without food or other refreshmentduringall that time, not a man ever fellout of the ranks, so great was their staying powerand their endurance ;and they never got footsoreor leg weary, for their feet were hard ashorn, and their muscles like whip-cord. Theonly thing they appeared to dislike was a longhalt during a march, for their old muscles gotstiff, and would not relax again until they gotquickly over a mile or two."Both battalions at this time were armed withthe smooth-bore musket with percussion lock,while the 27th Eegiment still had the old " BrownBess." The new weapon of the 91st does notappear to have been highly thought of;was not considered anyin fact, itbetter in the matter ofprecise shooting than that carried by the 27th,and used to kick so terribly that the men neverput in the full charge of powder.White cross-belts were worn by the men ;theone over the right shoulder secured the bayonet,while the other over the left was attached to thecartouche-box made of black leather.There being