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

9 1ST AEGYLLSHIEE HIGHLANDERS. 41the 15th of July they marched to Ramsgateto be 1809.embarked at that port as part of the expeditionunder Lord Chatham, and sailed with the fleetfrom the Downs to South Beverland, where theydisembarked on August the 9th, and enteredMiddleburg, in the island of Walcheren, on the2nd of September. This island, which is one ofthe four principal islands of Zealand, on the WestScheldt, is about ten miles in length and eight inbreadth, and contains a larger population thanany of the others at the mouth of the river, andwas deemed perfectly secure from hostile attacksat the time of the expedition. The inhabitantswere principally Dutch and English, the tradebeing notoriously smuggling. Like the rest ofthe islandsof Zealand, Walcheren had in formertimes been at the bottom of the sea, until theindustry of man succeeded in pushingthe seaback and ramparting the reclaimed land with highdykes. The island therefore had the appearanceof being scooped out and fenced round in the bedof the ocean. The principal towns in Walcherenare, Campveer, Flushing, and Middleburg. Thelatter, in which the 91st were stationed, was afortified place, and had been recently strengthened,having eight gates and twelve bastions to defend