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Raised as John Wauchope's Regiment of Foot in Musselburgh, the regiment were transferred to
Dutch Establishment in 1701 and disbanded at The Hague in 1717, having
fought at Malplaquet (1709) where Col James' predecessor was killed.
Col James Douglas commanded 1709 -?
Notes:
1. The Earl of Portmore was transferred early in 1703 to the
colonelcy of the 2nd Foot in the Queen's service, held high command in
Portugal, and became at one time commander-in-chief in Scotland. He was
succeeded by John Dalrymple, afterwards the famous second Earl of Stair,
who passed, in 1706, like Ferguson before him, and Preston after him,
from
the Scots Brigade to the colonelcy of the Cameronians, served as a
British general in Marlborough's later campaigns, was ambassador to
France in the days of the Regency, and in later years commanded a
British army in Germany. The short tenure of Bortliwick came to an end
on the bloody field of Ramillies. His successor, Hepburn, seems to have
found his death, if not killed on the spot, in the desperate strife of
Malplaquet ; and James Douglas, the next and last colonel, held the rank
of brigadier from 1709.
2. James Douglas, appointed lieut. -colonel of regiment July
1st, 1697; previously captain and lieut. -colonel in the Scots Foot
Guards. Probably Colonel James Douglas of
Morton in Nithsdale. Brigadier January 1st, 1709; colonel of Lord
Portmore's regiment in succession to John Hepburn from September 16th,
1709.
Born about 1655, he was the only surviving son of William Douglas and
his wife, Esther Eliot of Stobs. It was probably this James who as
Cornet is named as riding down six
Covenanters. He died in
early 1726, and was buried at Morton.
3. James Douglas of Morton, lieut. -colonel of Murray's regiment
in 1699; brigadier as from January 1st, 1709; colonel, in succession to
Hepburn, from September 26th, 1709. Petitions by April 21st, 1708, and
March 18th, 1709.
4. To the High Mightinesses, Lords States-General of the United
Netherlands. (April 21, 1708.)
Very humbly showeth, James Douglas, colonel commanding the regiment
of Scots infantry of Major-General Murray, and in absence of Brigadier
Hamilton having always commanded the Scots Brigade as the oldest officer
in his said capacity, not only of all who are in the Scots Brigade, but
also of all who are in the Dutch regiments (except N. Roulie,
colonel-commandant of the regiment of General van Slangenberch), always
discharged his duties well and properly, and was present at all battles,
sieges, etc., in which the regiment took part, as still he is ready to
sacrifice his blood and life in the service of this country ; and as he,
petitioner, has heard that your High Mightinesses are shortly to appoint
some brigadiers, he, petitioner, very humbly requests that your High
Mightinesses may be pleased to favour and benefit him, petitioner, with
one of the said posts of brigadier.
Which doing, etc.
5. To the High Mightinesses, Lords States-General of the United
Netherlands. (March 18, 1709.)
With all submission, showeth James Douglas, colonel, commanding the
regiment of Scots infantry of General-Major Murray, and in absence of
Brigadier Hamilton, having always commanded the Scots Brigade, being the
oldest officer of this said rank, not only of those in the Scots
Brigade, but he ought also to be considered the oldest colonel of the
whole Dutch infantry, except N. Roulie, colonel, commanding the regiment
of Lieutenant- General van Slangenburg, the petitioner having already
held rank and done service in that capacity during two campaigns, in
virtue of a resolution taken by their Noble Great Mightinesses in April
1703, in favour of the oldest lieutenant-colonel in their service, with
the approval of all the generals of the infantry who attended the said
two campaigns, namely, Generals Slangenburg, Noyelles, and Salisch, till
it pleased Lieutenant-General Dedem to keep him, petitioner, back in his
said rank, and ordered him to serve under several colonels, whom he,
petitioner, had for several years already commanded as
lieutenant-colonel. And also, two years ago, when colonel with the
approbation of the said three generals, the petitioner having obeyed the
said lieutenant-generals' orders about the doing of the service, in
order that the service should not suffer thereby, but under protest that
his submission should be of no consequence, to the prejudice,
afterwards, of his rank and advancement; having always discharged his
duties efficiently and properly, and been present at all battles,
sieges, etc., which the regiment attended, even as yet he is further
prepared to sacrifice his blood and life in the service of this country
; and as he, petitioner, has heard that some brigadiers are shortly to
be nominated by your High Mightinesses, he, petitioner, very humbly
requests that your High Mightinesses may be pleased to favour and
benefit him, petitioner, with one of the said posts of brigadier.
—Which doing, etc.
6. David Douglas, second son of Archibald Douglas of Morton, and
grandson of Brigadier James Douglas (above). Born 26th December 1725.
Left Dutch service as captain in 1783, along with his two sons
Lieutenant James Douglas and Ensign Queensberry Douglas. He became
colonel in the British Scots Brigade, and died December 1821. His son
James (born 1751, died 1820) became a captain, and his son Queensberry
also a captain in the 94th (Scots Brigade). He had also a nephew, Andrew
Douglas, a lieutenant in the Scots Brigade, and subsequently major of
the Peebles militia, who died in 1813.
7. Colyear/Douglas/Wauchope Regiments:
Colyear Regiment: Alexander Colyear was the son of David Colyear (c. 1600 - c.1657) and probably his second wife Jean Bruce. Alexander became a captain of Graham's regiment on 22 November 1661. In May 1672 Alexander Colyear was mentioned as captain of a company in the fortresses of Bergen op Zoom. He became sergeant-major of Graham's regiment on 1 April 1673.
On 1 July 1673 Alexander Colyear became adjudant-general of Stadholder William III, an influential position. In 1673 he was instrumental in planning the conquest of Naarden. On 1 January 1675 he became colonel of this regment.
Later on Alexander Colyear would participate in the 1676 failed siege of Maastricht and the 1678 Battle of Saint Denis. On 20 February 1677 he became an English baron. He died in early February 1680 possible at Bergen op Zoom. In 1656 Alexander Colyear had married Johanna Murray, probably the daughter of Lieutenant-colonel Walter Murray. They had 5 children, amongst which David Colyear 1st Earl of Portmore (11 April 1657 - 2 January 1730); Walter Phillip Colyear (27 August 1658 - 8 December 1747); and Lieutenant-colonel James Colyear (10 July 1664 - at least 1703); a daugther Jean married Patrick Wesley colonel of what would later become the 5th Foot3.
On 1 June 1675 Stadholder William III reviewed Colyear's regiment near Lier and found it to be very good. In the night of 20-21 July 1676 Colyear's regiment guarded the trenches in the siege of Maastricht6. After this siege had failed the army marched west an reached Ulbeek on 1 September. It then marched to Gembloux, and Colyear's regiment was part of it. In 1677 it probably missed the Battle of Cassel.
Colyear regiment at Saint Denis:
In August 1678 the Colyear regiment did fight in the Battle of Saint Denis. Here it lost: captains Bruce and Dallyal killed;
Lt-Col Douglas wounded and prisoner; Captains Ramsay and Mackay mortally wounded.
Douglas Regiment: Regiment of James Douglas (1680-1685)
Of James Douglas' appointment we know not more than that it was occasioned by Colyear's
death and that he was the lieutenant-colonel of the regiment
before he became colonel.
Regiment of John Wauchope (1685-1688)
The regiment then passed to John Wauchope in 1685. In September 1685 Wauchope's participated in maneuvers near Palace het Loo. On 14 August 1686 it was in camp near Nijmegen. In 1687 Wauchope's participated in the maneuvers
near Dieren.
8. Col J. Douglas commanded, 1690 - 1692,
Kingston's Regiment. He succeeded William (Pierrepont), 4th
Earl of Kingston who died, 1690, of apoplexy at Holme Pierrepont
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