Scottish Soldiers.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 34, 4 May 1917, Page 2

Scottish Soldiers.

It would be difficult to find an army in Europe which did not contain descendants of the Scottish soldier of fortune. In Sweden, Gustavus Adolphus had four lieutenant-generals twenty-two colonels, and many other inferior officers, all Scotsmen, in Hs service. He owned that his conquests in Germany were due to the valour of these gallant soldiers. In Muscovy the Bruces, the Gordons, and the Douglases were famous. Even in Germany the übiquitous Scot was to be found, and a General Ogilvy, whose grandfather was a Scotsman, was at one time Field-Marshal of the Empire.

It was in France, however, that thq, Scot was rated most highly, and the old saying ran ; “Piddelle comme une Escossais” (Faithful as a Scot). Louis had such a respect for these soldiers that he ordered that his body should be guarded night and day by twenty-four Scotsmen. This Scots bodyguard was continued under the reign of nine kings without intermission for 150 years. King Charles VII. raised another company of Scots, consisting of 100 hors® and 200 archers. This force bad precedence of all the French troops.