Page 145 - A Jacobite Exile

ensigns. Most of these, however, were held over, as the colonel wrote to
many gentlemen of his acquaintance in Scotland, offering them

commissions if they would raise and bring over men. Major Jervoise did
the same to half a dozen young Jacobite gentlemen in the north of England,

and so successful were the appeals that, within two months of the return of
the company to Gottenburg, the regiment had been raised to its full
strength.

A fortnight was spent in drilling the last batch of recruits, from morning till

night, so that they should be able to take their places in the ranks; and then,
with drums beating and colours flying, the corps embarked at Gottenburg,
and sailed to join the army.

They arrived at Revel in the beginning of May. The port was full of ships,

for twelve thousand men had embarked, at Stockholm and other ports, to
reinforce the army and enable the king to take the field in force; and, by the
end of the month, the greater portion of the force was concentrated at

Dorpt.

Charlie had long since regained his full strength. As soon as he was fit for
duty, he had rejoined, and had been engaged, early and late, in the work of
drilling the recruits, and in the general organization of the regiment. He and

Harry, however, found time to take part in any amusement that was going
on. They were made welcome in the houses of the principal merchants and

other residents of Gottenburg, and much enjoyed their stay in the town, in
spite of their longing to be back in time to take part in the early operations
of the campaign.

When they sailed into the port of Revel, they found that the campaign had

but just commenced, and they marched with all haste to join the force with
which the king was advancing against the Saxons, who were still besieging
Riga. Their army was commanded by Marshal Steinau, and was posted on

the other side of the river Dwina, a broad stream. Charles the Twelfth had
ridden up to Colonel Jamieson's regiment upon its arrival, and expressed

warm gratification at its appearance, when it was paraded for his
inspection.