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

APPENDICES. 315I.REGIMENTAL RELIC.SERGEANT-MAJOR'S WALKING-STICK.AMONGST the relics in possession of the regiment is acelebrated stick, only used on certain anniversaries. Itshistory is as follows : When the transport left the Cape ofGood Hope in 1802, to convey home the regiment, it wasattacked by a sword-fish, which left sticking in its timbersa portion of its ivory weapon, 33 inches in length. Thisbecame the property of Andrew McLean, afterwards regimentalsergeant-major, who made it into a walking-stick,and by him it was carried during the whole of his servicesin the Peninsular War. Fighting in the South of France,at Waterloo and at Cambray, and with the army of occupationat Paris, Sergeant-Major McLean was promoted to alieutenancy, and, having been specially recommended by thelate General Sir Charles Rowan, he was appointed superintendentof the Metropolitan Police in London, in whichretired topost he served for many years, and ultimatelyBoulogne on a pension of 120 a year. Here ColonelBrowne found him residing, when that officer retired fromthe command of the Dublin Metropolitan Police. LieutenantMcLean died in August, 1869, and Colonel Browne,that this relic of itsdeeming war services would be acceptableto Colonel Gordon and his regiment, transmitted thein allstaff to Dover, to be the property of the regiment times coming, and to be handed over to its successivesergeant-majors. The names of the battles it was carried