pitals; of these, about five hundred were
employed in dragging the cannon, and five hundred more in reserve, so
that we could have no more than two thousand in the line of battle,
whereas the enemy must have had at least four times as many, beside a
large body in reserve, and notwithstanding their great superiority we
suffered very little in the retreat; some Regiments attempted to rally,
but it was impossible to form in any sort of order with the whole, till
we got within the walls.

"Our Regiment had about four hundred men in the field near one half of
whom had that day come out of the Hospital, out of their own accord. We
had about sixty killed and forty wounded, and of thirty-nine officers,
Captain Donald McDonald who commanded the volunteer company of the army,
and Lieutenant Cosmo Gordon who commanded the Light Infantry company of
our Regiment, were both killed in the field; Lieutenant Hector McDonald
and Ensign Malcolm Fraser died of their wounds, all very much regretted
by every one who knew them. We had twenty-three more Officers wounded;
of this number was Colonel [Simon] Fraser, who commanded the left wing
of the army, and it was with great pleasure we observed his behaviour
during the action, when he gave his orders with great coolness and
deliberation. He was touched at two different times; the first took him
in the right breast but having his cartouche box slung, it luckily
struck against the star of it and did not penetrate tho', otherways,
must infallibly have done his business. The second, he got in the
retreat, but striking against the cue of his hair, he received no other
damage than a stiffness in his neck for some days. [Fraser then adds
this tribute to Lord Lovat's son:] Here I cannot help observing that if
any unlucky accident had befallen our Colonel, not only his Regiment
must have suffered an irreparable loss, but I think I can, without any
partiality say, it would be a loss to his Country. His behaviour this
winter in particular to his Regiment has been such, as to make him not
only esteemed by them, but by the Garrison in general. Captain Alexander
Fraser of our Regiment, was wounded in the right temple, and thought
very dangerous, the rest are mostly flesh wounds. I received a musket
ball in the right groin, which was thought dangerous for three or four
days, as the ball was supposed to be lodged, but whether it has wrought
out in walking into Town, or did not penetrate far enough at first to