though they had nothing to
eat but the biscuits they carried with them, which by this time
were completely wet. We at length got into Egmont, and on the
following day (5th) into Alkmaar, where we enjoyed ourselves
amazingly. Alkmaar is a most delightful city; but the
inhabitants are rank patriots, and none of the higher class
remained to welcome our arrival. The following day another
engagement ensued,[12] in consequence of the Russians advancing
further than they were ordered to do: during this severe
contest we were snugly in church. It is extraordinary that both
parties were so beaten as to find a retreat necessary, as while
we retreated to our old position, the enemy was also in full
retreat. I shall say no more of the expedition to Holland, as
what remains to be added, you will see fully detailed in the
papers. I go to Norwich, where the regiment is quartered, this
evening. Another expedition is talked of, under Lord Moira.
Adieu."

In the battle of Egmont-op-Zee, seven pieces of cannon, a great number
of tumbrils, and a few hundred prisoners, were taken, and the loss of
the enemy was estimated as exceeding 4,000 men. Major-General Moore, in
whose brigade was the 49th, although severely wounded through the thigh,
continued in action for nearly two hours, until a second wound in the
face obliged him to quit the field. In his dispatch relative to this
battle, the Duke of York observed, that "under Divine Providence this
signal victory obtained over the enemy, is to be attributed to the
animating and persevering exertions which have at all times been the
characteristics of the British soldier, and which on no occasion were
ever more eminently displayed." The following extract from this
dispatch, dated Alkmaar, 6th of October, will shew the part borne in the
engagement by Sir Ralph Abercromby's division, in which was
Major-General Moore's brigade.

"This was the last event which took place on the side of
Bergen; and, as the close of the day was fast approaching,
Colonel Macdonald with two battalions was sent to the support
of General Sir Ralph Abercromby. The heights of the sand hills,
surrounding Bergen for about three miles, remained crowned and
possessed by about eleven British battalions. General Sir
Ralph Abercromby had marched, according to the disposition,
along the beach, with Major-General D'Oyley's, Major-Gene