...At last the enemy caught sight, and opened a very heavy and well-directed fire on us, which we had to pass till we got to the turning-point. Then we moved down in line upon them, and opened fire on their guns, which were in a very strong position in a village. We silenced two with our artillery, but all we could do we couldn't get at the third heavy gun, it was so well masked. The 78th were ordered to charge and take the gun. I never saw anything so fine. The men went on, with sloped arms, like a wall; till within a hundred yards not a shot was fired. At the word 'Charge', they broke just like a eager pack of hounds, and the village was taken in a instant...
Major-General Sir Henry Havelock
Cawnpore, Indian Mutiny, July 17, 1857
Born in the Scottish Highlands
The 78th Highland Regiment of Foot were raised in 1793 by Colonel Francis Humberston MacKenzie and Lord Seaforth (Chief of the Clan MacKenzie) at Fort George, some 15 miles northeast of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. A merging history initially a single regiment of foot, a second battalion was added a year later, but they merged in 1796 while stationed in South Africa. In 1804, a second battalion was again raised. In 1817, the two battalions were merged and finally, in 1881, the 78th became the 2nd Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders.
An honoured track record
During the 88 years from its inception to its disappearance as a distinct regiment, the 78th saw service in a dozen foreign countries and accumulated an enviable array of battle honours. Eight of its officers and men were awarded Britain’s highest military honour, the Victoria Cross. The regiment as a whole was also honoured with a V.C.