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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9548d2e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60048 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60048) diff --git a/old/60048-0.txt b/old/60048-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fc2ed0a..0000000 --- a/old/60048-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,24390 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Rifle Brigade (the -Prince Consort's Own) Formerly the 95, by William Henry Cope - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: The History of the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own) Formerly the 95th - -Author: William Henry Cope - -Release Date: August 3, 2019 [EBook #60048] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, John Campbell and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - Old English font is denoted by =equals signs=. - - In the original text a narrative change from one battalion to another - was indicated by some additional blank space. In this etext two blank - lines similarly indicates this transition. - - Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been - placed at the end of each chapter or section. - - A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}, for example Capt^n or - 27^{TH}. The original text had a dot under the superscripts; this dot - has been removed in the etext. - - Six town names with āo ending have been changed to ão for consistency. - - Some other minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. - - - - -THE RIFLE BRIGADE - - - LONDON: PRINTED BY - SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE - AND PARLIAMENT STREET - - -[Illustration: - -Plate I. - -RIFLE CORPS, 1800.] - - - - - THE HISTORY - - OF THE - - RIFLE BRIGADE - - (_THE PRINCE CONSORT’S OWN_) - - FORMERLY THE - - 95th - - BY - - SIR WILLIAM H. COPE, BART. - - LATE LIEUTENANT RIFLE BRIGADE - - [Illustration] - - _WITH MAPS AND PLANS_ - - =London= - CHATTO & WINDUS, PICCADILLY - 1877 - - - - - TO - - FIELD-MARSHAL - - HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS - - THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G. - - _&c. &c._ - - COLONEL-IN-CHIEF - - THIS RECORD OF THE SERVICES OF - - THE RIFLE BRIGADE - - IS - - BY HIS GRACIOUS PERMISSION - - MOST RESPECTFULLY - - DEDICATED - - - - -PREFACE. - - -A wish had long been entertained and often expressed by Riflemen, -both by those serving in the Regiment and by those who had formerly -served in it, that a detailed record of its services should be -compiled. It was suggested to me by many of my friends that I should -undertake this task. The will certainly was not wanting; but the -ability to carry out their wish has not, I fear, been equal to their -partial opinion, or to my own desire to do justice to the subject. - -The materials for such a compilation were not wanting. The late -Colonel Leach published a very brief sketch of the Services of -the Regiment,[1] and his ‘Rough Notes’[2] give many and accurate -particulars of events during the time he served in it. The -Autobiography of Quarter-Master Surtees[3] is a most valuable record -of the events in which he took part. Surtees came as a private into -the 95th from the 56th Regiment in 1802. His good conduct raised -him through the various grades of non-commissioned officer to -Quarter-Master of the old 3rd Battalion. His book I have found, on -comparing it with other records, most accurate in every particular. -As the 3rd Battalion was disbanded before the order for drawing up -and preserving regimental records issued from the Horse Guards, no -formal record of its services exists;[4] and had it not been for the -facts and dates preserved and recorded by Surtees, I should have -found it difficult, if not impossible, to have given any detailed -account of the actions of that Battalion in the Peninsula and at -New Orleans. Though tinged with the peculiar religious opinions -which Surtees adopted, and which perhaps scarcely have place in a -military record, his work is written with a distinctness and in a -style which do him honour. And the high character of the man which -breathes through his work has led me to place every confidence in his -statements. - -Very different are Sir John Kincaid’s two books.[5] These, though -written in too jocular and light a strain for regular history (‘ad -jocos forte propensior quam decet’) contain many anecdotes and facts -of which I have gladly availed myself. And I have found his dates and -statements confirmed by other and more formal materials to which I -had access. - -Costello’s little work[6] has also afforded me much information; and -he has recorded many circumstances unnoticed or lightly touched upon -by others. - -The ‘Recollections of Rifleman Harris’[7] have also been of -considerable service to me in compiling this record, especially as -preserving many particulars, elsewhere unnoticed, of the retreat to -Corunna and of the expedition to Walcheren. His editor, however, -seems to have used the materials Harris wrote or dictated without any -attempt at arrangement; so that it is difficult, and in some cases -almost impossible, to disentangle the narrative, or to arrange the -events he describes in chronological order. - -The valuable List of the Officers of the Regiment, compiled by Mr. -Stooks Smith,[8] has also been of much use to me; and I have to thank -that gentleman for some additional information, and for permission to -republish that list with continuation to the present time, of which -I hope at some future period to avail myself. - -Nor can I close this list of printed works bearing on the history of -the Regiment without mentioning the ‘Recollections of a Rifleman’s -Wife,’ by Mrs. Fitzmaurice, to which I am indebted for many facts and -anecdotes, many of them especially valuable because they relate to -the less stirring times of peace; nor without expressing my thanks -for her permission to use the materials she has thus preserved. - - * * * * * - -When I proceed to acknowledge the personal recollections and the -journals of services in the Regiment which have been placed at my -disposal, I scarcely know how adequately to express my obligations -to those who have aided me. Everyone who has worn the green jacket, -from Generals to private Riflemen, to whom I have applied, or who has -heard of my endeavour to preserve a record of the services of the -Regiment, has, almost without exception, most kindly placed journals -and letters in my hands, or assisted me by personal reminiscences. - -The aid of my friend Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred Horsford -procured for me the transcript of many valuable records and the -elucidation of many points which I could not otherwise have obtained. -Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Lawrence not only communicated to me -many particulars of the services of the 2nd Battalion in the Crimea, -but placed in my hands his private letters written from thence, which -afforded me most valuable information. Major-General Hill was so -good as to draw up for me a detailed statement of the services of -the 2nd Battalion, which he commanded during the Indian Mutiny. To -Major-General Leicester Smyth I am indebted not only for a narrative -of the battle of Berea, but also for the perusal of a private letter -written by him directly after, and describing that engagement, and -for much valuable information. By permission of Brigadier-General -Ross, Lady Ross transmitted to me his letters to his family both from -the Crimea and from India, to the perusal of which I cannot attach -too great importance. - -Colonel Smith, now I believe the oldest officer of the Regiment -living,[9] has freely and kindly communicated to me his recollections -of services in the Peninsula and elsewhere, and has patiently borne -with my many enquiries which his accurate memory has enabled him to -answer. To Colonel Dillon I am indebted for much valuable information -which he kindly obtained for me. Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander was -so good as to write out for me from his journals a detailed account -of the movements and actions of the 3rd Battalion in India, in -which he took part. Lieutenant-Colonel Sotheby had the kindness -to transcribe for me his journal during the Indian Mutiny, and to -illustrate it with sketch-maps. Lieutenant-Colonel FitzRoy Fremantle, -Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre, Captain Percival, Captain George Curzon, and -Major Harvey placed in my hands their valuable journals and diaries. -Colonel H. Newdigate and Captain Austin favoured me with detailed and -important particulars as to the services of the companies of Riflemen -who formed the Camel Corps. To Lieutenant-Colonel Green I am indebted -for his own narrative and that of Mr. Mansel (drawn up at the time) -of the affair at Jamo in which he was so desperately wounded. I have -to thank Captain Boyle for allowing me to see his continuation to -the year 1860 of Mr. Stooks Smith’s List of Officers, and for much -other information. To Captain Moorsom I am under great obligations, -not only for the three plans (of New Orleans, of Cawnpore, and of -Lucknow) which he has contributed to this work, but for materially -aiding me in obtaining important information. And to Surgeon-Major -Reade I am indebted for an accurate and interesting account of the -march to Cawnpore of Colonel Fyers’ detachment, to which he was -attached. - -Sergeant-Major Bond, of the Sligo Militia, and formerly of the 1st -Battalion, gave me a detailed account, from his journal, of the -Kaffir War of 1847-9; and Corporal Scott, late of the 1st Battalion, -communicated to me a most minute and accurate journal which he kept -in short-hand during the Kaffir War of 1851-52, during the Crimean -campaign, and during his service in Canada. It is not too much to say -that without the valuable contributions of these two non-commissioned -officers it would have been impossible to give any detailed account -of the doings of the 1st Battalion during these wars. Sergeant -Fisher, late of the 2nd Battalion, placed in my hands an interesting -journal kept during the Indian Mutiny; and Sergeant Carroll, of that -Battalion, has communicated many particulars respecting the Camel -Corps. - -To these and to other Riflemen I owe my thanks, not only for the -documents they have communicated to me, but for the kindness with -which they have entertained, and the courtesy with which they have -replied to my many questions for further information or details. - -The officers commanding the four Battalions have given free access -to, or transcripts of the several Battalion Records. These, though -drawn up in obedience to an order issued in 1822, do not seem to have -been compiled till some years afterwards. - -That of the 1st Battalion appears to have been written by, or under -the eye of, Sir Amos Norcott, who then commanded it, and by whom the -transcript transmitted to the Horse Guards is signed. For it is very -full and explicit in relating the actions in which he was personally -engaged (as, for instance, the account of the engagement at Buenos -Ayres, which bears internal evidence of having been drawn up by an -eye-witness) but is rather slight and meagre in the narrative of many -Peninsular and other victories. - -The Record of the 2nd Battalion, transmitted to the Horse Guards, -and dated March 10, 1831, is a model of what such a document should -be. It has been compiled with great accuracy; and the movements and -engagements of the Battalion, the lists of killed and wounded, and -the distinctions won by its officers and men, are recorded under -separate heads and with great minuteness. - -These Records have been continued to the present time, for the most -part with great accuracy and precision. - -The Records of the 3rd and 4th Battalions have also been placed in -my hands. The latter, containing, of course, only the movements of -the Battalion, calls for no comment; that of the 3rd Battalion has -been, in the earlier parts, kept irregularly, probably in consequence -of the Battalion being broken up and constantly in the field; and -no one perusing it could form an idea of, or trace accurately the -distinguished service of that Battalion during the Indian Mutiny. - -Nor is it to Riflemen alone that I am indebted for assistance. I -have to thank Major-General Sir John Adye for permission to use the -plan of Cawnpore, published in his account of those eventful days; -Major-General Payn for an interesting letter on the same subject; -the author of the articles on Ashantee in ‘Colburn’s United Service -Magazine’ for his liberal and unsolicited authority to use them as -materials for my narrative; and especially Lieutenant-Colonel Home, -R.E. for his kindness in giving me tracings of the plans of the -operations at New Orleans deposited in the Quarter-Master General’s -Office, and for permission to have copies made of the plans prepared -in the topographical department of that office for the Record of the -52nd. - -I have expressed in another place the assistance I have derived from -the accurately kept journal of the late Major George Simmons, and -from his separate memoir on Waterloo, which were placed in my hands -by his widow. - - * * * * * - -I have not attempted to trace the strategical or tactical movements -of the armies of which the Battalions have formed part, for two -reasons: my own inability to record what has been so well described -by abler pens; and also because any attempt to have done so would -have swelled this book to an extent altogether disproportionate to -its object. - -For it must be borne in mind that I profess to be the historian, not -of wars, but of this particular Corps only, and of that part it alone -bore in them. - -So, in like manner, I have not recorded the deeds of other regiments -which may have acted with the Riflemen, save in a very few instances -where it was impossible to separate the narrative of their movements -from that of the movements of regiments which fought beside, or -supported them. In the case of their old and most frequent companions -in arms, the 43rd and 52nd, it was unnecessary that I should record -their actions, since the histories of both these distinguished -Corps have been fully and well written.[10] And if others who have -fought, and fought well, beside the Riflemen are here unnoticed, -and as yet without a special history, they must believe that their -gallant deeds, albeit unrecorded here, live in the recollection and -the praise of many Riflemen. - -To some readers some of the facts and anecdotes I have here recorded -may appear trifling and unworthy of mention. But it must be borne -in mind that I write for Riflemen, at the desire of Riflemen, and -to preserve the memory of the deeds of Riflemen. By them I am sure -nothing will be considered trivial, nothing out of place in a history -of the Regiment, which records the valour, the acts, the sufferings -or even preserves an anecdote of any (of whatever rank) of the -members of that brotherhood. - - W. H. C. - - BRAMSHILL: _December 1876_. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] ‘Sketch of the Field Services of the Rifle Brigade from its -Formation to the Battle of Waterloo.’ London, 1838, pp. 32. - -[2] ‘Rough Sketches in the Life of an Old Soldier.’ London, 1831. - -[3] ‘Twenty-five Years in the Rifle Brigade.’ Edinburgh, 1833. - -[4] The order for keeping regimental records is dated September 1822. -The 3rd Battalion was disbanded in 1818. - -[5] ‘Adventures in the Rifle Brigade’ and ‘Random Shots from a -Rifleman.’ - -[6] ‘Adventures of a Soldier.’ London, 1852. - -[7] Edited by Henry Curling. London, 1848. - -[8] ‘Alphabetical List of the Officers of the Rifle Brigade from 1800 -to 1850.’ London, 1851. - -[9] He joined the 1st Battalion in April 1808. - -[10] ‘Historical Records of the 43rd Regiment.’ By Sir Richard G. A. -Levinge, Bart. 1868. - -‘Historical Records of the 52nd Regiment.’ Edited by Capt. W. S. -Moorsom. 1860. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - - PAGE - - Formation of an Experimental Corps of Riflemen--Expedition to - Ferrol--Re-formation of the Rifle Corps--First list of officers-- - Account of Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. W. Stewart--Standing orders-- - First Expedition to Copenhagen--Nelson’s testimony--He gives a - medal to the Riflemen--The Rifle Corps numbered 95--Camp at - Shorncliffe under Sir John Moore--Formation of the 2nd Battalion - --Account of Lieut.-Colonel Wade--Sidney Beckwith’s magnanimity-- - Expedition to Germany--Attack on Monte Video--Attack on Buenos - Ayres--Second Expedition to Denmark--Battle of Kioge--Three - companies proceed to Sweden--Arrival of Riflemen in Portugal-- - Affair at Obidos--Battle of Roleia--Battle of Vimiera--Both - Battalions in Spain--Meeting of the Riflemen at the Trianon-- - Retreat--General Craufurd’s stern discipline--2nd Battalion - embarks at Vigo--Fight at Cacabelos--Tom Plunket shoots a French - General--Battle of Corunna--Embarkation of 1st Battalion-- - Casualties-- Arrival in England--Death of Colonel Manningham 1 - - - CHAPTER II. - - Formation of the 3rd Battalion--1st Battalion again proceed to - Portugal--Join the Light Division--March from Calzada to Talavera - --March to the bridge of Almaraz--Scarcity of food--Winter - quarters at Campo Major--2nd Battalion embark for Holland--Humbley - seizes a French picquet--Siege of Flushing--Walcheren fever--1st - Battalion on the Coa--Fight at Barba del Puerco--Craufurd’s - Divisional Order--Beckwith’s system of command--Night march to - Gallegos--Fight at the Coa--Casualties--Battle of Busaco--Lines - of Torres Vedras--Fight at Sobral--Simmons takes some French - prisoners--Massena’s retreat--Fight near Valle--Winter quarters-- - A company of the 2nd Battalion with Ballesteros--Defence of - Tarifa--Defence of Cadiz--Battle of Barrosa 42 - - - CHAPTER III. - - Massena’s retreat from Santarem--Skirmishes at Paialvo; at - Pombal; at Redinha--French politeness--Skirmishes at Casal-nova; - at Foz d’Aronce; at Ponte da Murcella; at Freixadas--Lieutenant - James Stewart--Combat at Sabugal--Skirmish at the bridge of - Marialva; at Fuentes d’Onor--Battle of Fuentes d’Onor--Night - panic at Sabugal--March to the Alemtejo--Cantonments on the - Agueda--Retreat to Soita--Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo--Assault of - San Francisco--Storming of Ciudad Rodrigo--Casualties--Anecdotes - of General Craufurd--Military Executions--Siege of Badajos-- - Capture of La Picurina--Storming of Badajos--Casualties--Harry - Smith’s romantic adventure 71 - - - CHAPTER IV. - - Character of Sidney Beckwith--Riflemen reviewed by Lord - Wellington--Skirmish near Rueda; at Castrejon--Manœuvring near - Salamanca--Battle of Salamanca--March to Madrid--2nd Battalion - companies fight at Seville; at Puente Larga--Departure from - Madrid--Death of Lieutenant Firman--Retreat to the frontier of - Portugal--Sufferings of the Riflemen--Their high state of - discipline--Spanish recruits--Campaign of 1813--Affair at the - Hormuza--Skirmish at San Millan--Battle of Vittoria--The 95th - capture the first gun; and the last at the Araquil--March to - intercept Clausel; to Pamplona; to the Pyrenees--Skirmish at - Santa Barbara--Night marches--Fight at the bridge of Yanci; - at Echalar--First Regimental dinner--Storming of S. Sebastian-- - Fight at the Bidassoa--Cadoux’s picquet at the bridge of Vera-- - Forcing the pass of Vera--The Arrhunes 112 - - - CHAPTER V. - - Battle of Nivelle--Fight at Arcangues--Good feeling between the - Riflemen and the French outposts--Battle of the Nive--Outpost - courtesies and discourtesies--Gave d’Oleron--March to Orthez-- - Battle of Orthez--Battle of Tarbes--Fight at Tournefeuille-- - Battle of Toulouse--Suspension of arms--Embarkation for England - and arrival there--Expedition to Holland--Investment of - Bergen-op-Zoom--Skirmishes before Antwerp; at Donk--Fight at - Merxem--Failure of Graham’s attempts on Antwerp--Bergen-op-Zoom - --Sorties from Antwerp and alarms--The companies in this - expedition occupy Belgium, and eventually join the Battalions - in the Waterloo campaign--Expedition to New Orleans-- - Disembarkation--James Travers captures an American picquet-- - Attack on the bivouack of the Riflemen--Hallen’s picquet-- - Advance towards New Orleans--Attacks on the American lines-- - Truce to remove dead and wounded--Dishonourable conduct of the - Americans during the truce--Difficult march to the shore-- - Re-embarkation--Arrival at Île Dauphine--Sergeant Fukes turns - the tables on a Yankee officer--Fort Boyer surrenders--Return - to England 154 - - - CHAPTER VI. - - Embarkation for the Netherlands--Advance of the 1st Battalion to - Brussels--March to Quatre Bras--Battle of Quatre Bras--Riflemen - the first English engaged; under the eye of the Duke of - Wellington--Retreat through Genappe to Waterloo--Battle of - Waterloo--Casualties; and Anecdotes--Charles Beckwith--March - to Paris--Army of occupation--The 95th made ‘the Rifle Brigade’ - --Return to England--Death of Amphlett--The 3rd Battalion - disbanded 195 - - - CHAPTER VII. - - Home Service--1st Battalion sent to Glasgow to suppress riots-- - 2nd Battalion proceeds to Ireland--The Duke of Wellington - Colonel-in-chief--Address to him on that occasion--Both - Battalions in Ireland--Names of victories to be borne on the - pouch-belt--Outrage on some women of the Regiment--Engagement - with Irish insurgents at Carrigamanus; and at Dasure--Embarkation - of the 1st Battalion for Nova Scotia; and of the 2nd Battalion - for Malta--The Depôt engaged against rioters in Ireland--Death - of Sir William Stewart--The Depôts of both Battalions reviewed - by the Duke of Clarence--Service abroad and at home--A Depôt - Company of 1st Battalion suppresses smuggling at Hastings-- - Return of the 1st Battalion to England--Riflemen sent to Persia - --Death of Colonel Eeles--Return of the 2nd Battalion to England - --Coronation of Queen Victoria--Review in Hyde Park--Inspection - by the Colonel-in-Chief and Marshal Soult--Birmingham Riots--The - 1st Battalion embarks for Malta--Guards of Honour to Queen - Victoria--Riots in South Wales--Embarkation of 2nd Battalion for - Bermuda--Reserve Battalion formed--1st Battalion ordered to the - Cape--Speech of Lord Seaton 217 - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Landing in South Africa--Marches to Kaffraria--Death of Captain - Gibson and Assistant-Surgeon Howell--Bivouack on Mount Misery-- - Fording the Kei river--Attack on the Kaffirs--Fire at King - William’s-town--Expedition to the Amatola Mountains--Surrender - of Sandilli--Arrival of Sir Harry Smith--War against the Boers-- - Crossing the Orange river--Battle of Boemplaats--Death of - Captain Murray--Submission of the Rebels--Riflemen employed in - building--2nd Battalion in Canada--Shipwreck at Sault Ste. Marie - --Embarkation of the 1st Battalion--Sir Harry Smith’s General - Order--Return to England--The Reserve Battalion done away with 245 - - - CHAPTER IX. - - Last review by the Duke of Wellington--1st Battalion again - embark for Kaffraria--Disasters of the ‘Megæra’--Landing at - Algoa bay--Marches up the country--Skirmishes at Mundell’s - Krantz; at Ingilby’s farm--Reconnaissance to the Waterkloof and - Blinkwater--Patrols and reconnaissances--Attack on the - Waterkloof--General Cathcart’s General Order--Escorts--Final - attack on the Waterkloof--Road-making and patrols--Expedition to - Moshesh’s country--Battle of Berea--Death of the Duke of - Wellington--Riflemen guard and escort his body--His funeral-- - Return of the 2nd Battalion to England--The Prince Consort - appointed Colonel-in-Chief--Return of the 1st Battalion--General - Cathcart’s order on that occasion--Camp at Chobham 269 - - - CHAPTER X. - - Embarkation for the East--The 2nd Battalion in Turkey and - Bulgaria--Disembarkation in the Crimea--Kindness of Sir George - Cathcart--Advance to Kentúgan and Kamishli--Popularity of the - Riflemen with the inhabitants--False alarms--Advance to the - Búlganak--Battle of the Alma--March to the Katchka and the - Belbek--Russian baggage captured at Mackenzie’s farm--Attack - on Balaklava--Both Battalions before Sebastopol--Wheatley - disposes of a live shell--Remarkable shot by a Rifleman--Attack - on Fyers’ picquet--Hugh Hannan’s single combat--Battle of - Balaklava--Markham’s picquet at the Magazine Grotto--Wing of 2nd - Battalion sent to the heights of Balaklava--Battle of Inkerman-- - Exploit at the Ovens--General Canrobert’s ‘Ordre Général’-- - Severe duty--Sufferings and sickness--Russian attempt to retake - the Ovens--Reconnaissance on Kamara--Increased suffering and - disease--Huts erected--Death of Sir Andrew Barnard--Second - reconnaissance on Kamara--A 3rd Battalion added--Attacks and - volunteers--Victoria Cross won by three Riflemen--New clothing-- - Wing of the 2nd Battalion embark for Kertch, but return - countermanded--Queen Victoria distributes the Crimean Medal to - 24 Riflemen (officers and men)--Capture of the Quarries--Attack - on the Redan--Death of Lord Raglan--Thirteen Riflemen shot down - coming off picquet--Captain Balfour’s affair in the trenches-- - Final attack on Sebastopol--Captain Hammond--Explosion in French - lines--The armistice--Reviews by French and Russian Generals-- - Embarkation for England--Corunna in 1809 and 1856--Both - Battalions at Aldershot--Reviewed by the Queen--Formation of - the 3rd Battalion--The 1st Battalion proceeds to Scotland--Fire - and riots--2nd Battalion reviewed by the Queen in Hyde Park, - when Her Majesty gave the Victoria Cross to eight Riflemen - (officers and others)--Afterwards proceeds to Dublin--A 4th - Battalion added to the Regiment 298 - - - CHAPTER XI. - - The Sepoy Mutiny--2nd and 3rd Battalions embark for India-- - Woodford’s detachment arrives at Calcutta--March up the country - --Arrival of Fyers’ detachment--Woodford’s party reach Cawnpore - --Fight at the Pandoo Nuddee--Battle of November 27--Fyers’ - march from Futtehpore to Cawnpore--Atherley’s company (3rd - Battalion) reach Cawnpore--Battle of November 28--Death of - Colonel Woodford--The Riflemen take two guns--Fight on - November 29--Woodford’s body recovered and buried--Arrival of - the 3rd Battalion at Calcutta--Marches up the country--Final - battle of Cawnpore--Attack on the Subhadar’s tank--Arrival of - the 2nd Battalion Head-quarters--Marches and expeditions-- - Capture of the fort of Etawah--Operations on the Ramgunga-- - Return to Cawnpore--Formation of the Oude field force-- - Expedition to intercept the Nana--Return _re infectâ_--Escorts - --Advance towards Lucknow--The Riflemen join Outram’s force-- - Operations on the left bank of the Goomtee--First engagement - there--Attack on a picquet of Riflemen--Capture of the Yellow - Bungalow--Escort of mortars--Reconnaissance in force--The iron - and stone bridges--Wilmot’s fight near the iron bridge--Deaths - of Captain Thynne and Lieutenant Cooper--Capture of Lucknow-- - Expedition to Koorsie--Formation of the Camel Corps--Sickness - in the 3rd Battalion--Fight at Baree--Expeditions--Pursuit of - Beni Madhoo--March to Nuggur--Sufferings from the heat--Fight - at Nuggur--Night panic--Pursuit of rebels--Camp at Chinhut-- - Night march to Nawabgunge--Sufferings of the Riflemen from - fatigue, dust, and thirst--Battle of Nawabgunge--Sir Hope - Grant’s opinion of the enemy--Shaw’s combat with a Ghazee-- - Casualties from wounds and sunstroke--Sir Hope Grant’s - despatches 347 - - - CHAPTER XII. - - Return of the 3rd Battalion to Lucknow--Distressing march of the - 2nd Battalion to Sultanpore--Cross the Gogra--A company of the - 3rd Battalion proceed to Sundeelah--Green’s fight at Jamo-- - Capture of Birwah--Death of Ensign Richards--Expedition to the - fort of Amethie--March to Shunkerpore--Escape of Beni Madhoo-- - Expedition to Koilee--Fight near Hydergurh--Pursuit of rebels-- - Riflemen mounted on gun-limbers--Trans-Gogra campaign--March to - Baraitch--Christmas dinner at Jeta--Skirmish near Churdah-- - Capture of Mejidia--Night march to Bankee--Fight at the Raptee-- - Renewed pursuit of Beni Madhoo--Capture of Oomria--March to - Gonda--Expedition into Nepaul--Fight at Sidka Ghât--Expeditions - near the Raptee--Fight at Akouna--Clearing the Jugdespore - jungles--Patrols near the fords of the Raptee--End of the Mutiny - --2nd Battalion return to Lucknow--Marches, services, and - casualties of the 2nd Battalion--Inspection by Lord Clyde--3rd - Battalion moves to Tulsipore to receive captured guns--Proceeds - to Agra 394 - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - The Camel Corps--Riding drill--Move to Cawnpore--Proceed to join - Sir Hugh Rose--Cross the Jumna--Battle of Goolowlee--Capture - of Calpee--Return to Cawnpore--Move to Allahabad and Benares-- - Cross the Ganges--Expedition to Mohaneea--Standing camp at - Kurroundea--Expedition to Nassreegunge; to Bikrumgunge; to - Kochus--Fight at Sukreta--Various expeditions in pursuit of - rebels--March to Fyzabad--Ordered to Lucknow--Pursuit of Tantia - Topee--Capture of Tantia Topee--Camel Corps cross the Chumbul-- - March to Saugor--Operations in the jungles--Fight at Mitharden-- - Chase of rebels near Shahgurh--Move to Agra--Camel Corps broken - up--Colonel Ross’ testimony to their zeal and discipline 429 - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - Home service--1st Battalion inspected by Sir Harry Smith--His - speech--4th Battalion embarks for Malta--Death of Sir Harry - Smith--Marches in India--1st Battalion in Ireland--The Rifle - Brigade exempted from being required to carry a colour on - guards--The ‘Trent’ affair--Embarks for North America--Dangers - of the voyage--Death of the Prince Consort--The designation - ‘The Prince Consort’s Own’ granted to the Regiment--Journey from - St. John’s New Brunswick to Rivière de Loup--Service abroad--Sir - George Brown Colonel-in-Chief--Expedition against the Mohmunds-- - Battle of Shubkudder--Testimonies to the good conduct of the 1st - Battalion in Canada--4th Battalion proceeds to Canada--Death of - Sir George Brown--Bravery of two Riflemen--Fenian raid--Return - of the 2nd and 4th Battalions to England--The Prince of Wales - Colonel-in-Chief--Prince Arthur joins 1st Battalion as - Lieutenant--Two Battalions at Aldershot--Flying columns--Return - of the 1st Battalion to England--Autumn manœuvres--Return of the - 3rd Battalion to England--Illness of H.R.H. the Colonel-in-Chief - --Autumn manœuvres, 1872--Thanksgiving for the recovery of the - Prince of Wales--2nd and 4th Battalions move to Ireland--Review - before the Shah--Ashantee Expedition--2nd Battalion embarks for - the Gold Coast--Autumn manœuvres of 1873--4th Battalion proceeds - to India--Entry of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh into London 451 - - - CHAPTER XV. - - Disembarkation at Cape Coast Castle--March to the Prah--Meeting - with a supposed rhinoceros--African fever--Death of Captain - Huyshe--Advance beyond the Prah--First contact with the - Ashantees--Battle of Amoaful--Defence of Quarman--Advance from - Amoaful--Fight near the Ordah--Crossing the river--Fight at - Ordahsu--Advance to Coomassie--Return towards the coast-- - Aggemamu fortified--Arrival at Cape Coast and return to England - --Reception at Portsmouth and Winchester--Reviews--2nd - Battalion proceeds to Gibraltar--Death of Lieutenant-Colonel - Nixon--The Colonel-in-Chief in India--The Duke of Connaught - takes command of the 1st Battalion--Conclusion 482 - - - APPENDIX I. - - Succession of Colonels-in-Chief and Colonels-Commandant 513 - - - APPENDIX II. - - On the Armament of the Regiment 515 - - - APPENDIX III. - - Actions and Casualties of the Regiment 518 - - - APPENDIX IV. - - Rewards for Distinguished Service 523 - - - INDEX 529 - - - - -LIST OF PLATES. - - - UNIFORM OF THE RIFLE CORPS _Frontispiece_ - - PLAN OF THE COA _to face page_ 56 - - PLAN OF BUSACO ” 60 - - PLAN OF BARROSA ” 68 - - UNIFORM OF THE 95TH ” 71 - - PLAN OF SABUGAL ” 81 - - PLAN OF FUENTES D’ONOR ” 85 - - PLAN OF BADAJOS ” 105 - - PLAN OF VITTORIA ” 135 - - PLAN OF VERA ” 151 - - PLAN OF NIVELLE ” 155 - - PLAN OF NEW ORLEANS ” 187 - - PLAN OF WATERLOO, I. ” 202 - - PLAN OF WATERLOO, II. ” 206 - - UNIFORM OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE ” 217 - - PLAN OF BEREA ” 292 - - UNIFORM, 1856 ” 347 - - PLAN OF CAWNPORE[11] ” 350 - - PLAN OF LUCKNOW ” 374 - - UNIFORM, 1872 ” 474 - - PLAN OF AMOAFUL ” 488 - - ⁂ I have not inserted plans of the Crimean actions, as accurate - and detailed plans of these battles are to be found in Mr. - Kinglake’s ‘Invasion of the Crimea,’ and in other works of the - period, which are generally accessible. - - -FOOTNOTE: - -[11] The position of the troops on this plan is that of November 27, -1857; but the plan will explain the actions on the other days. - - - - -_Erratum._ - - -Page 337, line 31: the name of the sergeant who distinguished himself -is James Harrywood. - - - - -THE RIFLE BRIGADE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - -Towards the close of the last century Colonel Coote Manningham -and Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable William Stewart addressed a -representation to the Government, pointing out the importance of -having a corps furnished with arms of precision, and the advantage -of training such a corps in the special duties of Riflemen. It would -have been interesting to preserve the text of this document; but I -regret that it does not now exist. Every search has been made in -the records of the War Department, by the kindness of Mr. Denham -Robinson, of the War Office, but, I regret to say, without success; -and it has been suggested that it may probably have been transferred -to the Small Arms Department, and may have perished with the records -of that office in the fire at the Tower of London in 1841. - -However, in consequence of the suggestions it contained, the -following Circular was issued to the commanding officers of fourteen -regiments of infantry:-- - - CIRCULAR. - - HORSE GUARDS: _January 17, 1800_. - - _Addressed to Officers Commanding the 2nd Battalion Royals, the - 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th, 49th, 55th, 69th, 71st, 72nd, 79th, - 85th, and 92nd Regiments._ - - Sir,--I have the honour to inform you that it is His Royal - Highness the Commander-in-Chief’s[12] intention to form a corps - of detachments from the different regiments of the line for the - purpose of its being instructed in the use of the rifle, and in - the system of exercise adopted by soldiers so armed. It is His - Royal Highness’s pleasure that you shall select from the regiment - under your command 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, and 30 private men - for this duty, all of them being such men as appear most capable - of receiving the above instructions, and most competent to the - performance of the duty of Riflemen. These non-commissioned - officers and privates are not to be considered as being drafted - from their regiments, but merely as detached for the purpose - above recited; they will continue to be borne on the strength - of their regiments, and will be clothed by their respective - colonels. - - His Royal Highness desires you will recommend 1 captain, 1 - lieutenant, and 1 ensign of the regiment under your command, who - volunteer to serve in this corps of Riflemen, in order that His - Royal Highness may select from the officers recommended from the - regiments which furnish their quota on this occasion a sufficient - number of officers for the Rifle Corps. These officers are to be - considered as detached on duty from their respective regiments, - and will share in all the promotion that occurs in them during - their absence. - - Eight drummers will be required to act as bugle-horns, and I - request you will acquaint me, for the information of His Royal - Highness, whether you have any in the ---- Regiment qualified to - act as such, or of a capacity to be easily instructed. - - I have, &c. - HARRY CALVERT. - A. G. - -Thus we see that the Regiment was formed as a _corps d’élite_; and -as regards the officers there was a double selection, eight of each -rank of company officers being selected from the fourteen originally -recommended. - -The detachments so selected assembled at Horsham, in Sussex, in March -1800, and their first parade as ‘An Experimental Corps of Riflemen’ -took place there on April 1 in that year; Lieutenant-Colonel the -Honourable William Stewart being apparently in command. - -The following is the Return of the state and strength of the Corps on -this its first formation: - - +----------+-------+--------+------+-------+---------+--------+--------+ - | |Lieut.-|Captains|Lieut-|Ensigns|Sergeants|Drummers|Rank and| - | |Colonel| |enants| | | | file | - +----------+-------+--------+------+-------+---------+--------+--------+ - | 1st Foot| | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 21st ” | | | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 23rd ” | | | | | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 25th ” | | | 1 | | 2 | | 32 | - | 27th ” | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 29th ” | | | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 49th ” | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 55th ” | | | 1 | | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 67th ” | 1 | | 1 | | | | | - | 69th ” | | 1 | 1 | | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 71st ” | | 1 | | | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 72nd ” | | 1 | | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 79th ” | | | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | 85th ” | | | | | 1 | | 27 | - | 92nd ” | | | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | - | +-------+--------+------+-------+---------+--------+--------+ - | Total | 1 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 27 | 12 | 443 | - +----------+-------+--------+------+-------+---------+--------+--------+ - |Wanting to| | | | | | | | - | complete | | | | | 1 | 1 | 5 | - +----------+-------+--------+------+-------+---------+--------+--------+ - |Establish-| | | | | | | | - | ment | 1 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 28 | 13 | 448 | - +----------+-------+--------+------+-------+---------+--------+--------+ - -The Corps being now formed marched to a camp of exercise at -Swinley in Windsor Forest in May, and proceeded actively with their -training as Riflemen. They are mentioned with great approbation -by Mr. W. H. Fremantle in a letter, dated July 15, 1800, to the -Marquis of Buckingham, as being ‘good, and much more useful’ than -some other regiments then in that camp.[13] The camp broke up at -the end of July, and at the request of Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart -three companies of the corps (Captains Travers’,[14] Hamilton’s, -and Gardner’s) were ordered to embark, under his command, with the -expedition against the north coast of Spain, under Lieutenant-General -Sir James Pulteney, Bart., and Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, K.B. - -The expedition arrived before the harbour of Ferrol on August 25, and -immediately commenced its disembarkation. This was effected without -opposition in a small bay near Cape Prioriño; but on the troops -proceeding to occupy a ridge of hills adjoining the bay, the Rifle -Corps, which covered the advance, just as they gained the summit fell -in with a party of the enemy which they drove back. In this skirmish -Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart was dangerously wounded through the body. -On the next morning, at daybreak, the position was attacked by a -considerable body of the enemy, who were repulsed with much loss, and -the English troops remained in complete possession of the heights. -But in this action Captains Travers and Hamilton, and Lieutenant -Edmonston, attached to the Rifle Corps, and eight rank and file were -wounded. Sir James Pulteney being, however, of opinion that Ferrol -could not be taken, or the ground he occupied be held, re-embarked -the troops.[15] It was subsequently stated in the House of Lords that -at the very moment he did so the proper officer was on his way with -the keys of the place, to surrender it. And Mr. Ford affirms that -‘had the expedition sailed boldly up to the Ferrol, the Gallicians -were only waiting to surrender, being, as usual, absolutely without -means of defence.’ He attributes the failure to the combined -indecision of the leaders.[16] - -Of this, the first affair in which the Regiment was engaged, it may -be observed that it has the high honour of having shed its first -blood before its actual embodiment, and while it consisted only of -detachments experimentally assembled for instruction. It was the only -corps engaged on the day of disembarkation, and (with the exception -of one officer of the 52nd) the only officers wounded were attached -to it. August 25, the day on which it was first engaged, was the -date of the commissions of its first officers when it was formally -embodied. - -The expedition then proceeded to Malta; and an order was issued by -the Commander-in-Chief for all officers and men of the Rifle Corps, -whose regiments formed part of the expedition, to rejoin them, and -for those whose regiments were not so employed to be attached to -corps serving with the expedition. - -Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, Captain Travers, and Lieutenant Edmonston -returned to England. - -The Rifle Corps was immediately re-formed, principally from -detachments of fencible regiments serving in Ireland, and I presume -also, on the return of the expedition, from the men originally -selected as Riflemen. These detachments began to assemble at -Blatchington in Sussex, near Lewes, about the end of August, and -continued to join during the autumn. The whole of the officers -who had been attached to the experimental corps were appointed to -it; their commissions being ante-dated, as I have observed, to -August 25, the anniversary of which has been since observed as the -foundation-day of the Regiment. A second lieutenant-colonel and two -majors were appointed, and some others were added to complete the -Corps to eight companies, with a captain and two subalterns to each. -The establishment was, therefore, on December 25, returned as follows: - - Colonel 1 - - Lieut.-Colonels 2 - - Majors 2 - - Captains 8 - - First Lieutenants 8 - - Second Lieutenants 8 - - Paymaster 1 - - Adjutant 1 - - Quarter-Master 1 - - Surgeon 1 - - Assistant Surgeon 1 - - Staff-Sergeants 5 - - Sergeants 40 - - Buglers 18 - - Corporals 40 - - Privates 760 - -The officers on its formation were: - - - _Colonel._ - - COOTE MANNINGHAM. - - - _Lieutenant-Colonels._ - - THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM STEWART. ALEXANDER HOUSTON. - - - _Majors._ - - GEORGE CALLANDER. HAMLET WADE. - - - _Captains._ - - ROBERT TRAVERS. THOMAS SIDNEY BECKWITH. - CORNELIUS CUYLER. TIMOTHY HAMILTON. - THOMAS CHRISTOPHER GARDNER. ALEXANDER STEWART. - HENRY SHEPHERD. - - - _Captain-Lieutenant._ - - ALEXANDER D. CAMERON. - - - _First Lieutenants._ - - BLOIS LYNCH. JOHN ROSS. - J. A. GRANT. EDWARD BEDWELL LAW. - JOHN STUART. HENRY POWELL. - PETER O’HARE. WILLIAM COTTER. - THOMAS STIRLING EDMONSTON. JOHN CAMERON. - ROBERT DUNCAN. ---- DOUGLAS. - ALEXANDER CLARKE. L. H. BENNET. - NIEL CAMPBELL. - - - _Second Lieutenants._ - - HENRY GOODE. PATRICK TURNER. - JAMES MACDONALD. SAMUEL MITCHEL. - THOMAS BRERETON. GEORGE ELDER. - LOFTUS GRAY. JAMES PENDERGAST. - JOHN JENKINS. JOHN BURTON. - - - _Paymaster._ - - JAMES INNES. - - - _Adjutant._ - - J. A. GRANT. - - - _Quarter-Master._ - - DONALD MACKAY. - -The Regiment, as it has existed since, and as it has won lasting -renown in so many fields, as ‘a Corps of Riflemen,’ ‘the Rifle -Corps,’[17] ‘the 95th,’ and ‘the Rifle Brigade,’ was then and thus -organised under Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart. For though Manningham was -the colonel, and justly shares the honour of its formation, he seems -seldom to have been present with it; for he was equerry to George -III., and often at Court. - -William Stewart was the fourth son of John, seventh Earl of Galloway, -and at the early age of thirteen was appointed Ensign in the 42nd -Regiment; but subsequently served in the 22nd and 67th, and with -the former had seen service at the capture of the French West India -Islands in 1793. We have seen that it was owing to Manningham’s -and his suggestions that the Rifle Corps was formed; and after its -embodiment he also addressed a long letter to the Adjutant-General -on the discipline and internal economy of such a corps. His -recommendations (which were adopted) were: that it should first be -formed of volunteers from infantry battalions which best could spare -them, and by men from the undrafted part of the Irish militia; and -he added the (rather singular) opinion that Irishmen were preferable -for Riflemen, as ‘perhaps from being less spoiled and more hardy than -British soldiers, better calculated for light troops.’[18] - -He now set himself vigorously to organise and discipline the Corps -thus formed at his suggestions. The standing orders of the Regiment, -which, though issued of course in Manningham’s name, were probably -principally compiled by Stewart, testify not only to his capability -for organising and disciplining it, but in a most remarkable way -to his pre-eminence above and beyond the military ideas of his -time. The germs, if not, indeed, the actual existence of most of -the late improvements for the training and advantage of the soldier -are found in these orders. The good-conduct medal; the medals for -acts of valour in the field; the attention given and the methods -adopted to secure accurate shooting, dividing men into classes -according to their practice at the target, and instituting a class -of Marksmen; the rules for a regimental school, and for periodical -examination of its scholars; the institution of a library; the -provision for lectures on military subjects, tactics and outpost -duties; the encouragement of athletic exercises; these and many other -plans, carried out in the British army only after the middle of the -nineteenth century, are inculcated in the original standing orders, -and were adopted in the Regiment from its formation.[19] - -Sir Charles Napier, who was appointed to a lieutenancy in the Rifle -Corps, December 25, 1800, and joined it at Blatchington, in his -letters to his family, bears high testimony to Stewart’s ability in -organising the Corps; though he seems not to have liked him, and -eventually to have quarrelled with him. ‘Stewart makes it a rule -to strike at the heads. With him the field-officers must first be -steady, and then he goes downwards: hence the privates say: “We had -better look sharp if he is so strict with the officers.”’[20] - -In 1801 Colonel Stewart was selected to command the troops (the 49th -Regiment and a company of the Rifle Corps) ordered to embark on board -the fleet commanded by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker. And on February 28 -Captain Beckwith’s[21] company, consisting of 1 captain, 2 first -lieutenants, 1 second lieutenant, 5 sergeants, 2 buglers, 1 armourer, -and 101 rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth on board H.M.S. ‘St. -George,’ bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson. On arrival -in Yarmouth Roads the right platoon of Captain Beckwith’s Riflemen -was shifted to the ‘London,’ Sir Hyde Parker’s flag-ship. But the -men of the Rifle Corps seem to have been distributed, on arrival in -the Baltic, among the ships of Nelson’s squadron, which on April 2 -attacked and reduced the Danish fleet at Copenhagen. - -In this action First Lieutenant and Adjutant Grant was killed -‘whilst gallantly fighting the quarter-deck guns of H.M.S. “Isis.”’ -He was the first officer of the Regiment killed in action. He had -volunteered for this service. His head was taken off by a cannon-ball -as clean as if severed by a scimitar. Stewart recommended Second -Lieutenant Pendergast, who was in the expedition, for the vacancy, -and he was accordingly promoted on May 9. Two rank and file were also -killed; and 1 sergeant and 5 rank and file wounded, of whom some -subsequently died of their wounds.[22] - -Lord Nelson, in his despatch, says: ‘The Honourable Colonel Stewart -did me the favour to be on board the “Elephant;” and himself, with -every officer and soldier under his orders, shared with pleasure the -toils and dangers of the day.’ - -It is said in the Record of the 1st Battalion that ‘an appropriate -medal was issued upon this occasion by Admiral Lord Nelson to the -non-commissioned officers and several soldiers.’ I have not been -able to find any trace of this medal, which does not seem to have -been given to the officers. For it appears from a correspondence -between Stewart (then Lieutenant-General Sir William Stewart), Earl -St. Vincent, and Lord Sidmouth in 1821-2, that Nelson had been -desirous of obtaining a medal for the captains of his squadron who -were engaged at Copenhagen, and had recommended Stewart for one; but -that Lords St. Vincent and Sidmouth opposed the issue of any such -medal, on the ground that it would be a very invidious distinction -from those captains who, being with Parker’s fleet, were not engaged. -Stewart advanced a request for this medal in 1821, on the plea that, -being a military man, his case was essentially different from that of -the captains. But though his application was then supported by Earl -St. Vincent, it was refused (in very flattering terms however) by -Lord Sidmouth.[23] - -The Regiment marched to Weymouth in the early part of the summer, and -was encamped there. Their being near Windsor the year before, and now -at Weymouth, the summer residence of George III., was probably due -to Manningham’s being attached to the person of that sovereign. They -returned to Blatchington barracks in the autumn. - -On June 25 the establishment of the Corps was again changed, and -companies were given to the field-officers, as was then the case in -line regiments. But this arrangement was of short duration, for on -March 27 following field-officers’ companies were abolished, and -effective captains were appointed in their place. - -In the autumn of 1802 the Regiment marched to Chatham. On this march, -at Maidstone, some of the men broke open the plate-chest of the -officers’ mess. One of the offenders was discovered, and being tried -by court-martial, was sentenced to receive 800 lashes, the whole of -which were inflicted at one time. - -The Regiment appears, even at this early period, to have been a -favourite one with volunteers from the line and militia; and Surtees -mentions four men in the ranks who had been commissioned officers; -one of whom, indeed, was drawing half-pay, and was eventually -recalled to full pay as lieutenant. - -After a short stay at Chatham, the Regiment was moved for the winter -to Shorncliffe and forts in the vicinity. - -On December 25, 1802, the Rifle Corps was ordered to be numbered as -the 95th Regiment, and thus assumed the name under which it was long -known, and which its services on the continent of Europe made famous. - -In May 1803, the head-quarters, with five companies, returned -to their old quarters at Blatchington, and in November moved to -Colchester, and eventually to Warley and Woodbridge barracks; the -other five companies, under Colonel Beckwith, remaining during the -summer at Shorncliffe, where, on Colonel Stewart’s promotion to -Brigadier-General and command of a district, the head-quarters and -other five companies joined them. Here they formed part of that -camp of instruction under Sir John Moore, the marvellous results of -which have been so truly and eloquently described by Sir William -Napier;[24] and here they first met and were brigaded with their -compeers, the 43rd and 52nd, in united action with whom, as the Light -Division in the Peninsula, so many of their laurels were won. - -During the time the Regiment was encamped at Shorncliffe, Colonel -Manningham, carrying out the intentions of his own standing orders, -delivered a course of lectures on the duties of Riflemen in active -service, which he published.[25] - -On the breaking up of that camp, the Regiment moved into Hythe -barracks till April 1805, when it appears to have returned to -Shorncliffe. - -On May 6, 1805, the 2nd Battalion was formed by the transfer of -21 sergeants, 20 corporals, 7 buglers, and 250 privates from the -original Corps (now the 1st Battalion); the remainder of the proposed -establishment being made up by volunteers from the militia; 1 major -(Gardner), 6 captains and 3 first lieutenants being promoted from -the 1st Battalion, which also supplied the adjutant. The command and -formation of the Battalion was conferred on Wade,[26] of the 1st -Battalion, who was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel; and -so vigorously did he proceed in its organisation, that in less than -three months it wanted only 7 sergeants, 6 buglers, and 98 privates -to complete its full strength. It was formed at Canterbury, but moved -to Brabourn Lees, near Ashford, in June, where it was brigaded with -the 1st Battalion. - -It was while the two Battalions were stationed at Brabourn Lees -that a singular instance of self-control and magnanimity was shown -by Sidney Beckwith, then commanding the 1st Battalion. Some men, -volunteers from the Irish militia, meeting Mrs. Beckwith, with her -child and nurse, on the Ashford Road, most grossly insulted them, -proceeding to such lengths (Surtees says) as delicacy forbids to -mention. The culprits were discovered, but not punished; for Beckwith -next day on parade forming the Battalion into square, addressed them; -and, after relating the outrage, added: ‘Although I know who the -ruffians are, I will not proceed any further in the business because -it was my own wife whom they attacked; but had it been the wife of -the meanest soldier in the Regiment, I solemnly declare I would have -given the offenders every lash to which a Court-Martial might have -sentenced them.’ It is no wonder that by such acts of generosity, as -well as by his leading them in the field, this man ‘won the heart of -every soldier in the Battalion;’ as Surtees tells us, who served in -the ranks under him. - -So rapidly and effectually had the 2nd Battalion been organised, that -it was in September of this year ordered on service; the right wing -being marched to Dover to embark for the Continent, and the left wing -to Winchester, to prepare to embark for the Mediterranean. However, -it was subsequently countermanded; the right wing, from Dover, being -marched to Hailsham in October, and the left from Winchester to -Eastbourne; and both in November assembled at Bexhill, where they -were quartered till March 1806. - -In October 1805 the head-quarters and five companies of the 1st -Battalion, under Beckwith, marched to Deal, and embarked at Ramsgate -for Germany, in the expedition commanded by Lord Cathcart. After -a stormy passage, in which some part of the Battalion seems to -have been in great danger from the misconduct of the master of a -transport,[27] they reached the Elbe in November, and on the 18th -disembarked at Cuxhaven, and marched at once for Dorum, a village -twelve or fourteen miles distant, and proceeded by Osterholz and -Bremerlehe to Bremen, the Riflemen forming the advanced guard. On -their arrival before Bremen on the 24th, the barriers were shut, and -the commandant of the Prussian garrison refused to let the troops -enter; the Senate of Bremen also demurring to General Don’s request -for a passage through the place, on account of its neutrality. -However, Beckwith, who commanded the advanced corps, was not the -man to be daunted by such refusals. He accordingly informed the -Prussian commandant that unless his corps was admitted he should -force an entrance. This he did on the morning of the 26th, opening -the barriers by force, apparently without any armed resistance; -and the refusal of the Senate seems to have been prompted rather -by coyness than dislike, for the authorities of the town and the -inhabitants generally received the advanced guard with expressions -of friendship and satisfaction, the Prussian garrison alone looking -on these tokens of welcome with great dissatisfaction. The Riflemen -passed on, still in advance, to Delmenhorst, a Prussian regiment -accompanying them through the city and across the bridge over the -Weser, in order to guard their magazine of corn at Bremen for the -use of their army on the Weser. From Delmenhorst the Riflemen were -detached: three companies at Oldenburg, and two, under Major Robert -Travers, at Wildeshausen, on outpost duty. These last were soon moved -back to Delmenhorst, and shortly after reunited to the other three -companies at Oldenburg. Here they were welcomed and entertained by -the inhabitants, and by none more than by the reigning Grand-Duke -of Oldenburg, who became extremely fond of the Regiment, officers -and men. In consequence of the battle of Austerlitz in December, and -the powerful armies set free by that event, and by Mack’s surrender -of Ulm, to act against us in the North of Europe, the outposts were -withdrawn to Delmenhorst, and eventually into Bremen; and on their -march from Oldenburg the Duke sent forward plentiful refreshments for -the Riflemen, both officers and men. - -They continued at Bremen till February 1806, when the army moved -towards a place of embarkation, Beckwith’s force covering the -retreat; but as great numbers of the Germans, who formed part of the -British army there, were deserting, the 95th were directed to remain -in the villages in order to intercept them. However, eventually -Beckwith’s Riflemen also retreated, and embarking at Cuxhaven, -arrived and landed at Yarmouth on the 19th; thence they marched, by -Lowestoft, to Woodbridge barracks, where they rejoined the remainder -of the Battalion. During this abortive expedition they had never, I -believe, been engaged with the enemy. - -From Woodbridge the Battalion marched, in the spring of 1806, to -Deal, and afterwards to quarters at Ospringe and Faversham, where -they joined the 2nd Battalion, which had moved there from Bexhill. - -On June 13 three companies of the 2nd Battalion (Captains -Macdonald’s, Elder’s, and Dickenson’s), under the command of Major -Gardner, marched from Faversham and embarked at Portsmouth, as -part of the force under Sir Samuel Auchmuty, destined for service -in South America. The transports in which the troops were embarked -were in such bad condition that they were obliged to put into Rio; -and it was not until January 16, 1807, that a landing was effected -at Maldonado, near the mouth of the river La Plata. This operation -was not accomplished without opposition, in which one bugler was -killed and Lieutenant Chawner wounded. The General moved forward -and occupied the suburbs of Monte Video, with a view to investing -the place. On the morning of the 20th the enemy made a sortie, and -attacked our troops with a force of 6,000 men. They advanced in two -columns, one of which pressed our picquet so hard, that Colonel Gore -Browne, of the 40th, who commanded the left of our line, ordered up -three companies of that regiment in support. These companies fell -in with the head of the enemy’s column and very bravely charged it. -The charge was as bravely received, and great numbers fell on both -sides. At length the column began to give way, when it was suddenly -and impetuously attacked in flank by the Riflemen and by a light -battalion which Auchmuty had ordered up. The column then gave way -on all sides, and was pursued with great slaughter to the town. The -other column, observing the fate of their companions, retired without -coming into action. In this sortie the Riflemen lost 5 men killed and -25 wounded. - -A breach having been effected, Auchmuty resolved to assault the -place; and an hour before daybreak on the morning of February 3 the -attacking column moved forward. It was headed by the Riflemen under -Gardner; the storming party being led by Captain Dickenson at the -head of his own company. They got near the walls before they were -discovered, when a destructive fire was opened from every gun that -could bear on the column and from the musketry of the garrison. The -enemy had piled up hides in the breach; and unfortunately, in the -darkness, its situation was not immediately discovered, and the -troops remained under a heavy fire for a quarter of an hour. At -last the breach was discovered and pointed out by Captain Renny, of -the 40th (which formed part of the attacking column), who fell in -the assault. Our troops at once mounted it, led by Dickenson and -the Riflemen, and forced their way into the town; and though cannon -placed at the head of all the principal streets opened a destructive -fire, the place was taken and occupied. - -In this gallant affair Dickenson fell gloriously at the head of -his company; 10 rank and file were killed, and Lieutenants Scanlan -and Macnamara, 4 sergeants, and 15 rank and file were wounded. The -Riflemen engaged were specially thanked in General Orders; and eleven -sergeants received silver medals under the sanction of the Duke of -York, Commander-in-Chief, for their gallantry on this occasion. - -The three companies under Gardner remained in La Plata until they -were joined in May by a wing of the 1st Battalion. - -This force, consisting of five companies (Norcott’s,[28] -O’Hare’s,[29] Jenkinson’s, Ramage’s, and Bennett’s), under the -command of Majors M’Leod and Travers, and numbering 25 sergeants -and 370 rank and file, marched from Faversham on July 23, 1806, and -embarked at Gravesend on the 26th on board the ‘Chapman,’ armed -transport. Their voyage was a slow one. They sailed on the 27th, -remained at anchor in the Downs from the 30th till August 4, arrived -on the 21st in Plymouth Sound, were disembarked on September 2, and -encamped on Buckland Down till the 13th, when they re-embarked, -Norcott’s and Bennett’s companies being placed on board the -‘Alexander’ transport. They did not sail, however, till October 6, -and then only to Falmouth; the other ship, with the head-quarters, -having preceded them on September 28. - -On October 24, Brigadier-General Robert Craufurd (under whom the -Regiment served subsequently so long and so gloriously in other -fields) arrived at Falmouth and took command of the troops assembled -in that harbour for (as it was then called) ‘the remote expedition.’ - -It sailed on November 12, and arrived in Porto Praza Bay, in the -island of St. Jago (Cape Verde) on December 14. Here Craufurd, with -the zeal for discipline which always distinguished him, minutely -inspected the troops forming the expedition, on board the several -transports. The companies of the 95th were frequently landed for -exercise during their stay at this island. They sailed from St. Jago -on January 11, 1807, and anchored in Simon’s Bay, Cape of Good Hope, -on March 14, and in Table Bay on the 20th. - -Here General Craufurd received instructions to proceed, not to the -coast of Chili, to which the expedition was originally destined, but -to the river La Plata to join the force under Sir Samuel Auchmuty. -The troops therefore sailed on April 6, and arrived at St. Helena -on the 21st; sailed again on the 26th, and anchored in the river -La Plata on the 27th. They were not, however, disembarked; and on -June 4 a most violent gale drove the ships out to sea, and they did -not reach Monte Video till the 14th. Every preparation having been -completed for the service on which it was about to be employed, the -expedition, comprising the troops under General Craufurd and those -already at Monte Video under Sir Samuel Auchmuty, sailed on June 17. -General Whitelocke had been appointed to command the whole force, -most unfortunately, as the event proved, and assumed his command at -Monte Video. On the 27th they arrived at Ensenada de Barragon, about -thirty miles to the eastward of Buenos Ayres, where they disembarked -on the morning of the 28th, at nine o’clock.[30] After some fatiguing -marches through a country much intersected by swamps and muddy -rivulets, the army reached Reduction, a village nine miles distant -from the bridge over the Rio Chuello, on the opposite bank of which -the enemy had constructed a formidable line of defence. The General -resolved to cross the river higher up and to turn this position. On -the evening of July 2, the light division of General Gower’s column -crossed at the ford of Passo Chico; the Chuello was about waist-deep, -and the Riflemen carried their pouches on their shoulders. They were -soon seriously engaged with the enemy. They charged rapidly, and -overthrew their opponents in a few minutes, with great loss, taking -twelve guns. In this affair Major Travers and the officers and men -of both Battalions serving with this force greatly distinguished -themselves. One sergeant and 1 private of the 1st Battalion were -killed, and 2 sergeants and 10 rank and file wounded; and 1 private -of the 2nd Battalion was killed, and Captain Elder and 10 rank and -file wounded.[31] - -The left column, with the Commander of the Forces, united with that -under Major-General Gower in the suburbs of Buenos Ayres on the -afternoon of July 3, and the whole army was placed in position. Two -companies of the 1st Battalion, under Major Norcott, were immediately -detached to occupy an advanced post, and became warmly engaged until -dark; by which time they had completely dislodged a very superior -force of the enemy from every point in their front which they were -ordered to occupy. - -On the morning of the 4th this picquet was furiously attacked by -several hundreds of the enemy, whose continued exertions to dislodge -it proved fruitless. Major M’Leod joined the post about the middle -of the day, and distinguished himself by his gallantry and judicious -arrangements. This affair lasted until dusk, and our loss amounted -to 2 officers (Lieutenants James Coane and Charles Noble) severely -wounded, 1 sergeant and 1 rank and file killed, and 2 sergeants and -2 rank and file wounded. The two companies were relieved at night by -a detachment of the 36th, and joined the army in its position. - -Orders were received during the early part of the night for the -attack of the town at daylight on the 5th. The five companies of -the 1st Battalion formed a part of the column of attack under -Brigadier-General Craufurd and Lieutenant-Colonel Packe, leaving one -company as an advanced guard to each division, supported by a light -company. Major Travers commanded the advance of the right column and -Major Norcott that of the left. - -The companies of the 2nd Battalion seem to have been attached to Sir -Samuel Auchmuty’s division, the light battalion of which was divided -into wings, each followed by a party of the 95th. These troops were -all unloaded, and were directed not to fire until the columns had -reached their final points and formed. - -At the appointed signal the troops were in motion. The right column -proceeded down the line of street it was directed to take, until it -nearly reached the river; when, turning to the left, with the view -of making for the Franciscan Convent and taking possession of it, it -was assailed from the parapets and windows of every house along the -whole street in so vigorous a manner as to render it impossible to -penetrate further without the probable loss of every officer and man. -Orders were at this moment given to retire; and General Craufurd took -post in the great Convent of St. Domingo, occupying as many houses as -his means enabled him to break into, on the flat parapetted tops of -which the troops formed. Every possible effort was made to assail the -enemy from all parts of the Convent, but without success; for those -points which the men were enabled to reach were mostly commanded by -the neighbouring houses on one side, which the Riflemen had not been -able to force open, and from which fire they suffered dreadfully. -With the exception of the operations of the force under Sir Samuel -Auchmuty, and of the 45th Regiment, every point of attack failed. - -The capture of the 88th Regiment, together with the Light Brigade -under Lieutenant-Colonels Packe and Cadogan, and the immense loss of -killed and wounded, furnished the enemy with such powerful means of -attack that at three o’clock he had dislodged our force from every -house they occupied, and confined our operations entirely to one or -two points of the Convent. The loss of officers and men at this -time increased most considerably. Every effort was made to preserve -the posts; but, finding his troops deprived of all means of succour, -or prospect of success in holding out, having ascertained the fate -of the neighbouring columns, and further resistance proving quite -useless, the Brigadier surrendered with his column at four o’clock -in the afternoon, and the officers and men were immediately marched -as prisoners to the citadel and other buildings. Major M’Leod, of -the 95th, however, on Craufurd consulting the field-officers in -the Convent, was the only one who demurred to the necessity of -surrendering. But when Craufurd offered, if M’Leod was decidedly of -opinion that they could force their way out, to head the column with -him, he declined the responsibility.[32] - -The left column moved as directed until it came in view of the river; -it had scarcely approached the Franciscan Convent when, by an almost -invisible fire, it lost nearly half its officers and men. Finding it -impossible to penetrate to the objects of attack, Lieutenant-Colonel -Packe acceded to Lieutenant-Colonel Cadogan’s taking possession of -some houses. This was effected, and they were afterwards defended -to the last extremity by that officer and Major Travers; but they -were at length compelled to surrender, having suffered most severely -in killed and wounded, and all chance of further resistance being -deemed useless on account of the capture of the column on their left. -Nothing could exceed the persevering gallantry and conduct of every -officer and man of the Regiment engaged on this unfortunate day.[33] - -The loss of the five companies of the 1st Battalion was Captain -Jenkinson, 2 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 36 rank and file, killed; -Captain O’Hare, Lieutenants Cadoux, Macleod, and Turner,[34] wounded -severely; Majors Travers and M’Leod, and Lieutenant M’Cullock, -wounded slightly; and 8 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 73 rank and file -wounded; and 2 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 39 rank and file missing. - -Of the three companies of the 2nd Battalion the loss was 3 sergeants, -1 bugler, and 46 rank and file killed; and Lieutenants Hill[35] and -Scott, 6 sergeants, and 40 rank and file wounded. - -In consequence of the treaty which had been concluded on the 7th, the -prisoners were released on the morning of the 8th July, and joined -the different posts occupied by the army. - -Every arrangement having been completed for the evacuation of the -country on the south side of the river La Plata, the army was -embarked by the 12th, sailed on the 13th, and anchored at Monte Video -on the 15th. - -On August 8 the five companies of the 1st Battalion sailed for -England, and arrived at Falmouth on November 9. They proceeded to -Dover by sea about the end of January, 1808, whence they marched to -Shorncliffe barracks, and soon after to Colchester to join the other -five companies of the Battalion, to which station they had moved -after their return from Germany.[36] - -The three companies of the 2nd Battalion embarked also, under Major -Gardner, on July 12th. They landed at Portsmouth on December 2, and -joined the Battalion at Hythe on the 18th. - -But we must return to the companies of both Battalions which remained -in England. In July, 1807, five companies of the 1st Battalion, -under Colonel Beckwith, and five companies of the 2nd Battalion, -under Colonel Wade, embarked at Deal with the expedition to Denmark -under Lord Cathcart. They arrived in the Sound on August 18, and -disembarked at Veldbeck, about ten or twelve miles from Copenhagen, -on the 16th. Immediately on landing, the Riflemen of both Battalions -were sent on in advance towards Copenhagen. And here first they -served under the immediate command of the great chief, who commanded -the advance; under whose eye they were so often to fight; whose -praise they were so often to receive: their future Colonel, then -Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley. - -To this march no opposition was offered by the enemy; a small patrol -of cavalry appeared in their front, but retired on the approach of -the Riflemen. They halted for the night at Lingbye, rested on their -arms all night, and early next morning again advanced, and about -mid-day took up a position within a long gunshot of Copenhagen, and -invested the place. - -About three o’clock on that day (August 17) a considerable body of -the enemy advanced from the town and attacked the picquets on the -left of the line towards the seashore. This small force, consisting -of four companies of the 2nd Battalion and six of two line regiments, -in all not more than 1,000 men with two light field-pieces, were -opposed to about 3,000 of the enemy. But almost as soon as they came -in contact the Danes gave way and retired into the town, leaving a -good many dead and wounded. The detachment of the 2nd Battalion lost -1 man killed, and 2 men were wounded. - -On the 19th the 2nd Battalion was moved further to the right, and -nearer to the town; and from this day till the 24th a constant fire -was kept up between the advanced posts and the place; by which, -however, no loss seems to have been inflicted on the Riflemen. -On the 24th they were under arms at two o’clock in the morning, -and immediately advanced, driving in the Danish outposts; in this -operation they encountered considerable opposition, and had some -skirmishing among the gardens and suburbs. During the 25th a constant -fire both of artillery and small arms was kept up from the place, -by which a battalion of the German Legion suffered rather severely. -They were relieved on outpost duty a little before dark by the -2nd Battalion, who did not lose a man at this post. On the 26th a -division was formed, under Sir Arthur Wellesley, to which the two -Battalions of the 95th were attached; and they were ordered to -proceed into the interior to disperse a large body of militia and -armed peasantry. They marched about three P.M., and made their way -through the country on the left of the great road to Roeskild. They -halted that night at Cagstrup; and next morning continued to advance -towards Kioge, halting in the evening at a village near Roeskild. -The troops were now, or just previously, formed into two brigades, -the five companies of the 1st Battalion being attached to that under -the immediate command of Sir Arthur Wellesley, and those of the 2nd -Battalion to General Baron Linsingen’s brigade. - -On the 29th Sir Arthur Wellesley attacked the Danish army, which was -established in position on the north side of the town and rivulet -of Kioge. He sent round Baron Linsingen’s brigade to cross the -rivulet at Salbye and fall upon the enemy’s left flank, while Sir -Arthur himself advanced on his front, covered by the 1st Battalion -skirmishers. The enemy gave way at once before an attack by the -92nd, and retreated in disorder, ‘followed in the most gallant style -by the 1st Battalion of the 95th,’[37] and eventually by the whole -infantry. Major-General Oxholm, the second in command of the Danish -army, attempted to make a stand with the rear-guard in the village -of Hervolge, but was briskly attacked by some German hussars and a -company of the 2nd Battalion; and though he took up a strong position -in the churchyard, which was considerably higher than any other -part of the village, he was, after a short resistance, compelled -to surrender with several officers and about 400 men. In this -action at Kioge the loss suffered by the 95th appears to have been -inconsiderable; no mention of casualties appears in the 2nd Battalion -Record; Sir Arthur Wellesley says that ‘a few men of the 95th -fell.’[38] They must have belonged to the 1st Battalion. The conduct -and steadiness of the 1st Battalion of the 95th, under Colonel -Beckwith, are ‘mentioned particularly’ in Sir Arthur Wellesley’s -despatch.[39] - -The two Battalions were engaged all the remainder of the 29th and -during the 30th in scouring the woods near Kioge, in order to -complete the dispersion of the Danish force and to prevent its -reassembling. They reached Ringstæd on the 31st; and as the regular -portion of the troops of the enemy had retired into one of the -islands, and the militia had entirely disbanded itself, they halted -here till after the surrender of Copenhagen on September 7. But -during this halt detachments were occasionally sent out to search for -and disperse any lurking parties of the enemy, and to bring in arms -or stores. One of these detachments, consisting of 100 men of the 2nd -Battalion, mounted in light German waggons, scoured a considerable -tract of country, and took possession of ten guns of small calibre, -forty rifles, and a number of muskets. - -The terms of the capitulation of Copenhagen extended only to the -British and Danish forces in the Island of Zealand, and the troops -were, therefore, still liable to attack from any Danish force which -might be reassembled on the mainland or in the other islands. Strong -outposts were therefore established in the towns and villages along -the Belt, and the two Rifle Battalions were employed on this service; -the 1st Battalion occupying Callundborg, Slagelse, Corsoer, and -Skielskior; and the 2nd Battalion, Nestved, Lundbye, Wordingborg, and -Præstoe. They remained in their cantonments till October 15, when -they retired towards Copenhagen, which they reached on the 17th. -The two Battalions embarked on board the ‘Princess Caroline,’ 74, -a Danish prize, sailed on the 21st, arrived in Yarmouth Roads in -November, and (after a stormy passage) at Dover on the 15th, landed -next day at Deal, and joined their Battalions at Hythe.[40] - -On April 8, 1808, three companies of the 1st Battalion (Major -Norcott’s, Captains Ross’[41] and O’Hare’s), under the command of -Major Gilmour, marched to Harwich, embarked the next day, sailed -the following day, and joined the troops assembled in Yarmouth -Roads destined for the Baltic, under Sir John Moore, to co-operate -with Sweden. They arrived at Gottenburg on May 17, but owing to -misunderstandings with the King of Sweden they never landed; and -having remained on board their transports nearly ten weeks, they -sailed at the latter end of July, and eventually landed in Portugal, -at Peniche, at the end of August, and formed a junction with the -force under Sir Arthur Wellesley. - -But previously to their arrival there, two companies from those of -the Battalion remaining in England (Captains Cameron’s[42] and -Ramage’s), under Colonel Beckwith, embarked at Harwich early in July. -The strength of this detachment was about 180 men;[43] these landed -on August 19, a few days before Major Gilmour’s force, which was -immediately united to it. - -About the same time four companies of the 2nd Battalion, under the -command of Major Robert Travers, had embarked at Dover on June -8, and formed part of the force destined for Portugal under Sir -Arthur Wellesley. The transports assembled in Cork harbour early -in July. The strength of the detachment of the 2nd Battalion was 1 -field-officer, 4 captains, 13 subalterns, 1 staff, 20 sergeants, 8 -buglers, and 399 rank and file.[44] These disembarked at Figueira, in -Mondego Bay, on August 1, 1808. - -These four 2nd Battalion companies were attached to General Fane’s -brigade; and, immediately after disembarkation, pushed on, keeping -their right towards the sea, several miles over an unbroken plain of -white sand. The men, who had been many weeks on board ship, were much -fatigued by this their first day’s march, as the weather was hot, and -the sand so loose that they sank ankle-deep every step. They encamped -at night near the village of Lavaos, to which the rest of the army -moved up as soon as they disembarked. On August 9, these companies, -forming part of the advance, marched from Lavaos about three o’clock -in the morning. Their destination was Leiria, and their orders were, -if the enemy were in strength at Leiria not to drive him out till the -10th, but to halt in the pine-woods which cover the country between -Lavaos and Leiria. And General Hill was ordered to let 200 Riflemen -and a few dragoons feel their way into Leiria, and if they obtained -possession to support them with his whole corps.[45] However, the -French had evacuated Leiria before the Riflemen entered it, and it -bore terrible marks of their cruelty and excesses. - -The army marched hence towards Lisbon, the Riflemen still forming -the advance, and daily expecting to fall in with the enemy, who -were gradually retiring before them. The first meeting took place -at Obidos on the evening of August 15, where, after a long march, -a party of French cavalry and infantry were found. These were -immediately attacked by the Riflemen under Major Travers, together -with some of the 60th, and forced to retire. In the eagerness of -this first encounter the pursuit was continued too far, and the -Riflemen pushed on to a distance of three miles from Obidos, and -quite away from any support. They were then attacked by a superior -body of the enemy, who attempted to cut them off from the main body -of the detachment to which they belonged, which now advanced to their -support. Larger bodies of the enemy appeared on both flanks, and it -was with some difficulty that General Spencer, who had gone out to -Obidos, when he heard that the Riflemen had advanced, was able to -extricate them.[46] In this sharp skirmish Lieutenant Bunbury and 2 -men were killed, and Captain Pakenham[47] and 6 men wounded. Ralph -Bunbury was the first English officer who fell in the Peninsula. -Harris says that he was ‘the first man that was hit;’ and he was -much regretted by his brother officers. It is painful to add that -this first blood was spilt, in Sir Arthur Wellesley’s opinion, -unnecessarily. ‘The affair,’ he writes to Lord Castlereagh, ‘was -unpleasant, because it was quite useless; and was occasioned solely -by the imprudence of the officer and the dash and eagerness of the -men; they behaved remarkably well, and did some execution with their -rifles.’[48] And to the Duke of Richmond he says, ‘that it was -foolishly brought on by the over-eagerness of the Riflemen in the -pursuit of an enemy’s picquet; the troops behaved remarkably well, -but not with great prudence.’[49] - -They held possession that night of an extensive knoll near the road -by which the enemy had retired, and were under arms till morning, -when they occupied the village of Obidos till the morning of the 17th. - -Early on that day they advanced towards Roleia,[50] where, after -a march of two or three hours, they found the enemy, under General -Laborde, posted in a strong position on high ground, having Roleia -and several passes into the mountains in his rear. The four companies -formed part of General Fane’s brigade, which attacked the enemy’s -position in front; but some were detached to cover the advance of -General Ferguson’s brigade, which operated on the right of Laborde’s -posts at Roleia. As soon as the army moved, the Riflemen of Fane’s -brigade were sent into the hills on the left of the valley, in order -to keep up the communication between the centre and the left columns, -and to cover the advance of the former; and the enemy’s outposts -were rapidly driven in. He was pressed by the attacking force in his -front; Hill’s division advanced against his left, and the Riflemen -were in the hills on his right. From this position he extricated -himself by a rapid retreat by the passes into the mountains, where -he took up a formidable position. The Riflemen were already on his -right, and no time was lost in supporting them and attacking the -different passes. These were all difficult of access, and it is well -known that they were forced with great courage and impetuosity, -especially by the 9th and 29th Regiments. Here, however, I have only -to do with the part borne by the 95th; and their conduct during the -day elicited the approval of Sir Arthur Wellesley. They were almost -all young soldiers, and few of them had ever been under fire; yet, -engaged with the French light troops during an intensely hot day, -they succeeded in driving them before them from pass to pass, and -mountain to mountain, in spite of a destructive fire from thick heath -and brushwood, which hid their opponents from them. During this fight -the Riflemen were fearfully galled by the fire from two houses which -the French light troops occupied, and some high ground in front of -the buildings gave them a further advantage. At last the Riflemen -could stand it no longer; and one of them, jumping up and rushing -forward, exclaimed, ‘Over, boys! over, over!’ In a moment every -one of them was dashing forward, repeating the cry, ‘Over, over!’ -and fixing their sword-bayonets as they ran up the rising ground. -The voltigeurs could not stand this, but turned and fled; and the -Riflemen soon entered and cleared out the houses. Their loss was 17 -rank and file killed, and Captain Creagh and Lieutenants Hill and -Cochrane, and 30 rank and file wounded. It was during this action -that an incident occurred, which I give in Leach’s own words, who -records it[51]: - - ‘Having driven the enemy from one of the highest mountains, and - in the act of collecting our men on its summit to renew the - attack on a second position to which they had retired, one of - my brother officers, whilst holding his canteen to my mouth to - give me some wine, well mulled by the sun, received a musket-shot - through his hand and through the canteen, which latter it split, - splashed my face thoroughly with wine, spoiled my draught, gave - me a sharp blow, which cut my mouth, and spun me round like a - top. For a few moments I concluded that I was wounded; but the - mystery was soon explained by my seeing my friend on the ground - bleeding profusely, and the broken canteen at his side. I sent a - soldier with him to the rear; and notwithstanding that his wound - was for a length of time afterwards painful and troublesome, - we had the pleasure to see him rejoin us in a few weeks. A - more gallant soldier, sincere friend, or a more independent, - straightforward, manly fellow than Cochrane, never wore His - Majesty’s uniform. In proof of the high estimation in which - he was held by his Corps, suffice it to say, that his brother - officers erected a monument to his memory in Ireland,[52] where - he died a few years after the termination of the war in the - Peninsula and Waterloo, in both of which he was actively engaged.’ - -On the 20th the two companies of the 1st Battalion which had embarked -at Harwich, and had landed at Maceira on the day before, joined the -army, which was then in position near Vimiera. - -On the night of the 20th, a detachment of the 2nd Battalion, with -some of the 60th, in all about 200 men, were on picquet in a large -pine wood, on the road from Lourinha to Torres Vedras. About eight -in the morning of the 21st, a cloud of light troops, followed by a -strong column of the enemy, entering the wood, vigorously attacked -this picquet and drove it in on the 97th, which was in support. As -soon as the Riflemen had cleared the front of this regiment, passing -by its right flank to the rear, the 97th poured a steady fire on -the advancing column and held it in check, while the 52nd took it -in flank and drove it back in confusion.[53] This picquet, on being -driven in, rejoined the other 2nd Battalion companies. With this -attack began the Battle of Vimiera. The Riflemen were soon assailed -by a swarm of light troops, who covered the advance of large masses -of infantry. These pressed on up the hill on which the Riflemen were -posted, in spite of a deadly fire which they poured upon them; until, -the Riflemen running in, the 50th received them with a destructive -volley and a furious charge, which sent them, broken, down the hill -in confusion, with the loss of seven guns and many prisoners. In -this fight, three brothers of the name of Hart, privates in the 2nd -Battalion, pressed on the French with such daring intrepidity, that -Lieutenant Molloy, who himself was never far from his opponent in -action, was obliged repeatedly to rebuke them: ‘D--n you!’ he cried, -‘keep back and get under cover. Do you think you are fighting with -your fists, that you run into the teeth of the French!’ - -In the meanwhile the enemy were attacked in flank on our left by -General Acland’s brigade, to which the two 1st Battalion companies -were attached. - -In his despatch of this victory and in General Orders Sir Arthur -Wellesley particularly notices the valour and discipline of the 2nd -Battalion of the 95th under Major Travers.[54] - -In this battle the 2nd Battalion suffered severely; 3 sergeants -and 34 rank and file having been killed; and Lieutenants Manners, -Hill, James Johnson, William Cox, 3 sergeants, and 40 rank and file -wounded. As they had left England about 400 strong, and had suffered -at Obidos and Roleia, about one-fourth of their effective strength -was put _hors-de-combat_ at Vimiera. - -No record exists of the casualties, if any, of the 1st Battalion -companies on this day. - -The two 1st Battalion companies, which had landed with General -Acland’s brigade, were immediately after the action transferred to -General Fane’s brigade, where they joined the four 2nd Battalion -companies. - -As I am the historian not of the War but of the Regiment, I need only -add that, owing to the evacuation of Portugal by Junot’s army, and -the Convention of Cintra, the portion of the Corps in the Peninsula -was not actively employed for some months. - -But at the end of August, the three companies of the 1st Battalion, -which had been to Sweden with Sir John Moore, and had been -disembarked in the Mondego on the 28th, joined their comrades in camp -at Torres Vedras. There were now, therefore, five companies of the -1st and four of the 2nd on active service. - -Early in September the five 1st Battalion companies moved across the -Tagus to Villa Viciosa, where they were quartered; and the four 2nd -Battalion companies soon after drew towards Lisbon, and encamped -near it. The French army had not yet embarked, and the best feeling -existed between our men and their late opponents; Riflemen and French -soldiers walking about the streets of Lisbon and drinking together in -the wine-shops. - -Sir John Moore soon after assumed the command of the army; and moved -from before Lisbon at the end of October. The Riflemen, marching -with the central division, under Moore himself, on the 27th, by way -of Abrantes, crossed the frontier into Spain on November 12, and -proceeded by Ciudad Rodrigo to Salamanca, where they arrived about -the 13th. - -Meanwhile, five companies of the 1st Battalion still at home, -embarked, under Major Norman M’Leod, to join the other companies -already in Portugal; and four of the remaining companies of the 2nd -Battalion embarked at Harwich, under Colonel Wade. After a short -detention at Falmouth, they sailed for Spain, and disembarked at -Corunna on October 26.[55] They were attached to the force under -the command of Sir David Baird, and the Riflemen of both Battalions -formed the advanced guard. A day or two after landing they marched -to Betanzos, and thence through Lugo, Villa Franca, and Cacabelos, -to Astorga, which they reached on November 26. Already on this -march they experienced great privations, owing to the defective -arrangements of the Commissariat; and it was not until they reached -Celada, a village a few miles in advance of Astorga, where they -halted for some days, that they were sufficiently supplied with -provisions. They were then sent forward to La Bañeza; but after a -few days’ halt they were, on account of a report that the enemy were -in force in their front, recalled to Celada. Hence, on account of -the utter rout of the Spanish armies, under Palafox and Castaños, at -Tudela, Moore ordered Baird’s force to retire again to Corunna; and -they retreated, the Riflemen now forming the rear-guard and halting -at Cacabelos, while the army moved on to Villa Franca. But after a -few days, Baird’s force was again ordered forward; and the Riflemen, -now again forming the advanced guard, moved up through Astorga and -La Bañeza to Benevente, which they reached on December 15. They -marched again on the 17th, through Valderas, Mayorga, and Sahagun, -and reached the Convent of Trianon, about a league from the latter -place, on the 20th. - -The companies of Riflemen were here reunited with those already -in the Peninsula; the five companies under Major M’Leod joining -the five head-quarter companies of the 1st Battalion under Colonel -Beckwith; and the four companies of the 2nd Battalion, under Major -Travers, which had served at Roleia and Vimiera, uniting themselves -to the head-quarter companies under Colonel Wade, which had come -out with Sir David Baird. When these men met, a few miles from the -Trianon Convent, the new comers gave a loud cheer to the ‘heroes of -Portugal,’ as they called their comrades who had fought at Roleia -and Vimiera; which was heartily returned.[56] The worn and sunburnt -appearance of the one set of Riflemen contrasted strangely with the -trim and neat look of the other. They were soon all to be alike in -the tokens of toil, want and suffering. A new distribution of the -army taking place, consequent on the junction of Moore’s and Baird’s -forces, the 1st Battalion were attached to the reserve, under Sir -Edward Paget; and the 2nd Battalion, with a battalion of the 43rd -and one of the 52nd, formed a brigade under Brigadier-General Robert -Craufurd. - -I will first trace the services of this Battalion till their -separation from Moore’s army. On the evening of December 23 the -Battalion was called to arms, with a view it was believed of -attacking Soult in his position on the Carrion. In a cold and bitter -night they moved forward; but had not marched far when they were -countermanded, and returned to the quarters at Trianon. Surtees -records an instance of Craufurd’s severe and impartial discipline -during this night march. An officer of the Battalion, who was unwell, -in passing a brook, of which there were many on the road, left his -section and went round it. Craufurd, who happened to be by, recalled -him, and made him walk through and through it several times.[57] The -retreat commenced on the 25th, in terrible weather and over ground -covered with snow. On that night they fell back to Mayorga; and the -next day, though they started early, the state of the ground they -had to get over was such that they did not reach the village of San -Miguel till midnight. The day following they marched to Castro Pipa, -near Castro Gonzalo. Here there was a bridge, the passage of which -Craufurd was to guard until the army, the stragglers and the baggage -had passed over, and then to destroy it. During this operation, while -half the brigade worked at its destruction, the other half held -the enemy at bay; for his cavalry hovered all round and frequently -attacked them, and the Riflemen had some smart skirmishing. At last, -at midnight on the 28th, the brigade passed over in single file by -planks laid over the broken arches, and fell back to Benevente.[58] - -On the next morning the 2nd Battalion left Benevente, and after a -toilsome march of thirty miles, reached La Bañeza late at night; and -on the following day moved on to their old quarter, Celada. On the -31st they marched into Astorga, and halted for an hour or two there -while the magazine was destroyed; observing the road from Astorga to -Leon, by which it was thought the enemy were advancing. However, they -did not appear; and the Battalion moved on another wearisome march -of twenty miles to Foncevadon. Here Craufurd’s brigade, which had -hitherto formed the rear-guard, was detached, and proceeded by Orense -to Vigo, in order to seize the passage of the Minho should Moore’s -army find it necessary to retreat by that route. On January 1, 1809, -therefore, the Battalion marched by most difficult mountain roads to -Ponferrada. Here the men suffered great privation, the Alcalde having -given all the bread to his countrymen of Romana’s army, which was -marching with ours, and thus left our people without provisions after -their wearisome march. - -On the next day they marched over rugged snow-clad mountains; and -while they were toiling over them another instance of Craufurd’s iron -discipline occurred. The word being passed to open out to allow the -General to pass, a hungry Rifleman called out that ‘he had more need -to give them bread.’ This, unhappily, reached the General’s ears, -who at once halted the brigade, ordered the offender to be tried by -drum-head Court-Martial, and flogged on the spot: a terrible, perhaps -a necessary, check to murmuring under such privations. So, labouring -in hunger and fatigue, the Battalion toiled on to San Domingo-Flores, -which they reached at ten o’clock at night, and after a scanty ration -of black bread, lay down, wet and weary, till dawn, when another long -and difficult march brought them at night to La Rua. These terrible -marches caused many stragglers; many perished on the inhospitable -hills; many fell into the hands of the yet more cruel enemy; and -some, with the help of some refreshment from the sparse and poor -population, dragged on wearily and rejoined the Battalion at Orense -or Vigo. - -In such want and sufferings the Battalion reached Orense on January -7, having pushed on a detachment by forced marches to secure the -bridge over the Minho there. A halt on the 8th enabled the men to -wash their linen and take off their clothing and accoutrements; a -relief they had not had for many days; and a supply of provisions -much refreshed the starving soldiers. - -On the 9th they resumed their retreat, marching that day to -Rivadavia, through roads inundated by the overflowing of the Minho -and Avia, swollen by the incessant rains and melting snow. Three more -such toilsome marches brought them to Vigo. And when they crowned -the hills at some distance from the town, and, looking down on the -bay and _ria_ of Vigo, saw the ships which were there waiting to -convey them home, the hearts of the weary, foot-sore Riflemen bounded -for joy, and the rest of the day’s march was performed with a long -unwonted cheerfulness. They immediately embarked; and after waiting -in the bay a few days to give a chance to stragglers to come in, -sailed on the 21st, and landed on February 1 at Portsmouth, whence -they marched to their old quarters at Hythe barracks. - -Meanwhile, the 1st Battalion continued with the force under Sir John -Moore; and being in the reserve, under Sir Edward Paget, which formed -the rear-guard, besides the almost unparalleled sufferings from -hunger, fatigue and exposure to unusually inclement winter weather, -were daily engaged with the enemy. - -On December 28 the reserve passed the Esla at Castro Gonzalo and fell -back on Benevente, and the bridge (as we have seen) was destroyed. -During the whole day and night there was sharp skirmishing between -the picquets of the Battalion and the enemy, who came up with the -rear-guard for the first time on this day. - -On the next day the outposts were withdrawn, and the infantry -marched; but the cavalry was left in Benevente, with outposts on the -bank of the river. - -On January 3 the enemy again came up. The Battalion, forming the -rear-guard of the reserve, was formed in front of the village of -Cacabelos. This place, scarcely more than a hamlet, is situated on -the declivity of a high hill, sloping down to a deep stream, a -branch or tributary of the Sil, which is crossed by a bridge at the -foot of the village street. Two companies (Captains Norcott’s and -O’Hare’s) and a small party of the 15th Hussars were detached to -cover the retreat of the Battalion. These troops were soon warmly -engaged with a very large body of cavalry, advanced by the enemy as -a reconnoitring party; but, as this was soon after joined by a still -more formidable force, they were directed to retire and follow the -Battalion through the village, and to take post on the other side of -the river and bridge, situated at the extremity of the street. - -During the execution of this movement the enemy’s cavalry pressed -forward so rapidly and in such large masses that they compelled the -15th Hussars, who were in rear of the two companies, to retreat at -full gallop. And Sir John Moore and his Staff also dashed past. The -Riflemen, having opened to let them pass, immediately faced about, -and forming across the whole breadth of the street of the village -which they had now entered, poured on the enemy’s cavalry such a -rapid and well-aimed fire that many saddles were emptied and the -pursuit instantly checked. But it was still necessary to go through -the village to pass the bridge, and to gain the opposite bank of the -river; and this was at length effected, not without great exertion -and fatigue, and the loss of about 40 men, killed, wounded, or -prisoners. - -The Reserve formed in position on a range of heights about five -hundred yards from the river, the 95th being advanced as a support to -their rear-guard, and in that position awaited the enemy’s attack. He -was not long in fording the river to our right and left with a large -body of cavalry and about a thousand Voltigeurs, which latter had not -until then come up with the retreating army. They had been passed -over the river on the horses of the cavalry. - -The attack by this infantry began at about four o’clock in the now -rapidly approaching evening, on the flanks of the Rifle picquets and -on the Battalion of Riflemen formed for their support; and the enemy -moved at the same time a large force of cavalry over the bridge on -the high road to Villa Franca. After some severe skirmishing both -with the picquets and the Battalion, these were obliged to fall back -and occupy a more defensible position; and five companies extended -behind the banks, and in the vineyards on each side of the road, -on which the British cavalry and some guns were posted. Scarcely -had this movement been effected when a warm attack was made by the -Voltigeurs and cavalry against the Riflemen, the dragoons, and the -guns. After an hour’s hard fighting it was found impossible to -withstand the superior force of the enemy, and the advanced wing of -the Battalion was withdrawn, and joined the other five companies, -with the view of following the main body of the Reserve, which had -just before been ordered to retire. - -It was now nearly dark; and General Colbert, who commanded the -enemy’s cavalry, conceiving probably that the Riflemen had retired, -and that the English cavalry and guns were unprotected, made a most -rapid and furious charge upon them with a mass of cavalry. The -Riflemen again instantly threw themselves into the vineyards, and -from the banks lining the road poured so hot and well-aimed a fire -that the attacking cavalry were instantly checked. It was at this -moment that Thomas Plunket, a private of the Battalion, noted for his -excellent shooting, crept out with some expression that he ‘would -bring that fellow down,’ and throwing himself on his back on the -snow-covered ground he caught the sling of his rifle over his foot, -fired with deliberate aim, and shot General Colbert dead. His orderly -trumpeter rode up to assist him, but Tom Plunket had reloaded, and -he also fell before his unerring rifle.[59] He had just time to jump -up, and, amidst the cheers of his comrades, by running in upon one -of the rear sections, to escape the sabres of a dozen troopers who -spurred after him in pursuit. - -By the fire of the Riflemen the enemy’s cavalry suffered severely. -Besides their General, some two hundred horsemen were killed, -wounded, or prisoners. - -Night had now fallen, and no further attack was attempted: the -Riflemen retained the position till about ten at night, in order -to give the rest of the army time to fall back. They then retired, -marching all night, a most difficult and fatiguing march, part of it -through vineyards, and arrived at Curtro about daybreak. - -This most gallant action may be said to have been fought altogether -by the 1st Battalion; for no troops assisted them except a few of -the 15th Hussars, who, being hard pressed by the enemy, rode through -the two rear companies at the first onset, and formed on the rising -ground beyond the bridge on the Villa Franca road; and ‘a few of -the 52nd,’[60] who, as night fell, appeared on that ridge to their -assistance; but Colbert’s final charge had then been checked by -the Riflemen. Mr. Moore, in his Life of his brother, says that ‘to -arrest the enemy, four hundred Riflemen, with a small detachment of -horse, were posted,’ while the Reserve crossed the bridge; but in -fact scarce half that number remained on that side of the river. Only -two companies (Norcott’s and O’Hare’s) were there posted; and their -strength would not have been a hundred men each after the casualties -of several days’ march, in weather of unusual severity, and amidst -almost unparalleled toils. - -The march was resumed in a few hours; the weather was intensely -cold, the road rugged and difficult, and the snow knee deep, and the -fatigue and exhausted state of the men were extreme; yet amidst all -these sufferings the Reserve preserved order, ‘covered the retreat, -and protected, as much as lay in their power, the stragglers.’[61] - -On the road from Villa Franca to Herrerias the French patrols during -the night attacked the Rifle picquets, and wounded a few men; but -the Riflemen drove them back, and the enemy did not ascertain that -the retreating army had abandoned the position. After a march of -eighteen miles the Reserve reached Herrerias on the morning of the -4th. A forced march of thirty-six miles brought them on the 5th to -Nogales. Thence they started again, and towards evening of that day, -when near Constantino, the enemy came up with them. Moore was with -them, and his position was difficult. A river was to be crossed, and -a hill overlooking and close to the bridge would, if the enemy should -occupy it, give him such an advantage as would render the passage of -the Reserve very difficult. Moore posted a battery on the top of the -hill, ‘and guarded it, as usual, by the brave Rifle Corps.’[62] They -held the enemy in check while the Reserve defiled over the narrow -bridge; as soon as they were safely over, the guns were limbered -up, and trotted down the hill; the Riflemen followed at the double, -and passed the bridge without the loss of a man. The French rushed -on in pursuit; but when they reached the bridge the Reserve were in -position, and after maintaining the post till nightfall General Paget -fell back towards Lugo. - -During all this retreat Moore accompanied the Reserve, and rode -beside his friend General Paget, their chief. His cheerful demeanour -sustained the spirits of the way-worn, suffering soldiers; he praised -their superior discipline on the march, and warmly applauded their -gallant conduct in action. - -The whole of Sir John Moore’s forces were now in position in front -of Lugo. On the 6th the French came in sight, and collecting in -considerable numbers, took up a position in front of the rear-guard. -On the next day the outposts were attacked, and the enemy repulsed. -And on the 8th another attack was made, and with a similar result. - -On the 9th Sir John Moore drew up his whole force in position, and -offered battle. After waiting in line of battle till towards evening, -the General ordered the army to retire in the night, the Reserve -covering their march. They kept up bright fires to deceive the enemy, -and then, in a night of terrific weather, and in drenching showers of -rain and sleet, they fell back towards Betanzos. Near this town the -enemy came up with them, and attacked them during their passage over -a bridge, with some loss. - -The sufferings of the Battalion in the next few days were terrible. -The men were in a state of starvation; many without shoes, and almost -all in rags. The officers were, many of them, barefooted; and some, -from hunger and fatigue, so incapable of further exertion that they -had to be carried on mules. In this state they arrived, on the 11th, -at El Burgo (the main body of the troops having entered Corunna), -their discipline unimpaired and their courage undismayed. ‘For -twelve days,’ says Napier, ‘these hardy warriors had covered the -retreat, during which time they had traversed eighty miles of road -in two marches, passed several nights under arms in the snow of the -mountains, were seven times engaged with the enemy, and now assembled -at the outposts, having fewer men missing, including those who had -fallen in battle, than any other division of the army: an admirable -instance of the value of good discipline.’ - -As soon as they had passed the river at El Burgo the bridge was -blown up, and two companies of Riflemen, under Major Norcott, were -posted in the village; the remainder of the Battalion being, with the -Reserve, cantoned upon the high road to Corunna, at a little distance. - -The enemy’s cavalry again came in sight on the morning of the 12th, -and, after reconnoitring, dismounted a part of their force, and -attacked the companies at El Burgo vigorously. This skirmishing -continued during the day; but their efforts to drive the Riflemen -from the post were ineffectual. - -On the 14th, however, this post was withdrawn, as the enemy had -forded the river on our left. The Battalion therefore joined the -Reserve in the position taken up by the army on the heights about -two miles in front of Corunna; while the enemy was employed in -concentrating his forces on a very strong range of hills opposite and -nearly parallel to the British line, and distant from it about five -hundred yards. - -The Battalion was advanced, in the course of the morning, about -half-a-mile in front of the Reserve, in order to occupy several -detached and commanding pieces of ground, on the right of Lord -William Bentinck’s brigade, and just opposite a battery of guns on -the left of the French position. - -The enemy’s troops continued to pour into his position during the -whole night. Their bands played, and shouts, plainly heard by the -Riflemen, announced their joy at the certainty of a general action -on the morrow, and the anticipated destruction or capture of the -British army. - -On the 16th several movements of cavalry, artillery and infantry were -observed in the French lines, and about two o’clock in the afternoon -the Riflemen could distinctly see their first line getting under arms -on the brow of the hill. The assault was not long in coming. At three -o’clock a furious onset of three thousand skirmishers burst upon the -whole line of English picquets; which, although at first driven back, -rallied under cover of the numerous stone walls which intersected -the valley, and kept the enemy in check for a considerable time; -particularly at the village of Elvina, which was watched by the -brigade under Major-General Coote Manningham. - -The enemy finding his first efforts to drive in our picquets -unavailing, reinforced his first line with several battalions, and -compelled them to fall back to their respective brigades. The action -immediately became general, and the attacks particularly severe from -the Corunna road to the extreme British right (comprising about -half the English forces). It was evidently Soult’s great object -to turn the right, whilst on the left and left centre the attack -was not pushed with much energy, and was intended only as a feint. -Lord William Bentinck’s brigade was so roughly handled about five -o’clock, and was losing so many men by the fire of the enemy’s guns -on our right (by which Sir John Moore fell at this time), that -Colonel Beckwith pushed on with the whole Battalion; and dashing -into the very midst of the enemy’s artillery, would inevitably have -captured or destroyed them in a few minutes, had not two battalions -of Voltigeurs moved out so rapidly from the second line to their -assistance, that the Riflemen were obliged to fall back for the -moment. They were checked, not quelled; a sharp skirmish, kept up -for two hours between the Riflemen and the Voltigeurs, ended in the -complete repulse of the latter, with considerable loss, leaving seven -officers and one hundred and fifty-six men prisoners in the hands of -their opponents, whom the Battalion took on ship-board and brought to -England. - -By this time the enemy had been completely defeated at all points, -and retired to his position. - -The troops embarked during the night. The 1st Battalion of the 95th -was the last corps that entered the gates of Corunna, having acted as -the rear-guard; and scarcely had it reached its ship, when the enemy -made his appearance, with several guns, on the heights commanding the -bay, from which he fired on all the vessels within range. The fleet, -however, was soon under sail, and arrived at Spithead on the 21st. -The Battalion was landed and marched to Hythe. - -I have reserved till now the details of its losses during that -memorable retreat. - -At Cacabelos, on January 3, 2 sergeants and 17 rank and file were -killed; and Captain Bennett, who died of his wounds on the 11th, -and Lieutenant Eeles were wounded; and on that occasion 4 sergeants -and 44 rank and file were taken prisoners. In the skirmish on the -5th, 1 man was killed and 1 man also on the 10th. One sergeant, 1 -bugler, and 13 rank and file died of want, sickness, or fatigue -during the retreat; and 31 men, wounded or exhausted, fell into -the enemy’s hands. In the final fight before Corunna on the 16th, -Lieutenant Charles Noble, 1 sergeant, and 10 rank and file were -killed, and 8 rank and file were taken prisoners. Thus the total -loss of the Battalion in twenty days was 2 officers, 8 sergeants, 1 -bugler, and 125 rank and file dead, or prisoners in the hands of the -enemy. Lieutenant Eeles, 1 sergeant, and 33 rank and file wounded -disembarked in England. - -But the condition of the survivors and unwounded was deplorable. The -appearance of the Battalion was squalid and miserable. Most of the -men had lost some of their appointments; many were without shoes; and -their clothing was not only tattered and in rags, but in such a state -of filth and so infested with vermin, that on new clothing being -served out it was burnt at the back of Hythe barracks. - - -Among the losses of the Regiment consequent on the retreat to -Corunna, not the least conspicuous was that of their first Colonel, -Major-General Coote Manningham, who died at Maidstone on August 26, -1809, in his forty-fourth year. A short sketch of the life of one who -may be called the originator of the Regiment, may well be given in -this place. He was the second son of Charles Manningham,[63] Esq., of -Thorp, in Surrey, who was Governor of Bengal in 1758, by the daughter -of Colonel Charles Hutchinson, Governor of St. Helena, through whom -he was nearly related to two distinguished Generals, Sir Robert Boyd -and Sir Eyre Coote, who had married her sisters. Under the former, -and in his Regiment, the 39th, his services commenced at the siege of -Gibraltar. On the breaking out of the war of 1793, Manningham, then -a Major in the 45th, was appointed to a light infantry battalion, -formed in the West India Islands, in order to join Sir Charles Grey, -on his coming out to attack the French West India possessions. With -it he took part in the reduction of Martinique, St. Lucia, and -Guadaloupe. He soon after became Lieutenant-Colonel of the 41st, and -in 1795 was appointed Adjutant-General to the force under General -Forbes at St. Domingo. While on this service he was severely wounded -by an ambuscade of the enemy. On or soon after his return to England -he was, in 1798, appointed Aide-de-Camp to King George III., with the -rank of Colonel, and soon after one of His Majesty’s Equerries. He -was promoted a Major-General in 1805; and after serving some time on -the home staff, he was appointed to command a brigade in the division -which went out with Sir David Baird in 1808. On the junction of this -force with that under Sir John Moore, he had a brigade under Moore, -and took part in the retreat; and, as we have seen, held the position -of Elvina in the final action at Corunna. The fatigues and sufferings -he had undergone during this campaign, acting on a constitution -impaired by service and by wounds in the West Indies, brought on, -soon after his return to England, an illness from which he never -rallied. He is buried at Little Bookham,[64] in Surrey, where this -inscription to his memory remains: - - In this vault are deposited the remains of - Major-General COOTE MANNINGHAM, equerry to the king - and colonel of the 95th or rifle regiment of foot; - This corps he originally raised and formed, and by his - unvaried zeal and exertion, as well as excellent discipline - and good example, brought to the highest state of - military reputation and distinction. - - He died at _Maidstone_, on the 26th day of August 1809 - in the 44th year of his age. - - An early victim to the fatigues of the campaign in _Spain_ - operating on a constitution already enfeebled - by long service in the _West Indies_ - and honourable wounds received in that climate. - -A monument to his memory was also erected in the North Transept -of Westminster Abbey, by his friend Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas -Hislop, in 1813; which records that ‘In him the man and the Christian -tempered the warrior;’ and that ‘He was the model of a British -soldier.’ - -His only surviving child married Sir Edward Buller, Bart., and more -than one of her sons has served with distinction in the Regiment, -in which they may be said to bear the honourable distinction of -‘founder’s kin.’ - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[12] Frederick, Duke of York. - -[13] ‘Memoirs of the Court and Cabinet of George III.,’ vol. iii. 88. - -[14] Major-General Sir Robert Travers, C.B., K.C.M.G., died at Cork, -December 24, 1834. - -[15] Sir James Pulteney’s Despatch, August 27. - -[16] ‘Handbook of Spain.’ - -[17] It was popularly known as ‘Manningham’s Sharpshooters.’ - -[18] ‘Cumloden Papers,’ 23. - -[19] ‘Regulations for the Rifle Corps formed at Blatchington Barracks -by Colonel Manningham:’ London, 1801. Stewart also published -‘Outlines of a Plan for the General Reform of the British Land -Forces:’ a pamphlet, of which a second edition, enlarged, appeared in -octavo. London, 1806. - -[20] ‘Life of Sir C. J. Napier,’ i. 19. - -[21] Lieutenant-General Sir T. Sidney Beckwith, K.C.B., died January -19, 1831. - -[22] Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart’s Despatch, ‘Cumloden Papers,’ 41. - -[23] ‘Cumloden Papers,’ 50, 51, 52. This service seems to have -established a friendship between Stewart and Nelson, which terminated -only with the great admiral’s life. Several letters from him, written -in very affectionate terms, to Stewart, are printed in the ‘Cumloden -Papers;’ the last dated only thirteen days before his death off -Trafalgar. Stewart also mentions incidentally that his son Horatio -(who served in the Regiment) bore that name ‘by the express wish of -that great man who fell off Trafalgar.’ He must have wished him to -call his first son after him, for Horatio Stewart was not born till -after Nelson’s death. - -[24] ‘Life of Sir Charles Napier,’ i. 58, 59. - -[25] ‘Military Lectures delivered to the officers of the 95th (Rifle) -Regiment, at Shorn-Cliff Barracks, Kent, during the Spring of 1803.’ -By Coote Manningham, Colonel of the 95th (Rifle) Regiment. Octavo, -London, 1803, pp. 70. And see p. 7. - -In the same year appeared ‘Regulations for the Exercise of Riflemen -and Light Infantry in the Field,’ octavo, pp. 70, with diagrams and -two pages of bugle sounds. What share, if any, Manningham or Stewart -had in these books, I am unable to trace. A preface (signed by the -Adjutant-General) states that it is founded on a work written by a -German officer of distinction. - -[26] Hamlet Wade was one of the original members of the Regiment, -having been promoted to a majority on its formation, from captain in -the 25th Foot. He was an extraordinary, gallant, dashing Irishman (he -was one of the Wades of Clonabraney, County Meath), and anecdotes -of him were still rife when I was in the Regiment. Surtees mentions -Wade’s praise and his rewards to him for his good shooting, when -he joined as a volunteer. He was an admirable shot with the rifle -himself. He and a private of the name of Smeaton used to hold a -target for each other at 150 yards; and it is said (Smith’s ‘List of -Officers,’ 58) that he and John Spurry, a private in the Regiment, -held the target for each other at 200 yards: a wonderful feat, while -the Baker rifle was still in use. There used to be a story of him at -an inspection by the old Earl of Chatham, who expressed a wish to -see some practice with the rifle; and having made some remark on the -danger of the markers, Wade said: ‘There is no danger;’ and calling -one of the men (no doubt Smeaton or Spurry), bade him hold a target, -and he himself taking a rifle fired and hit it. Lord Chatham’s horror -at this was extreme, on which Wade said: ‘Oh, we all do it.’ And -bidding the other to take a loaded rifle, he ran out himself and -held the target for the soldier’s fire. Probably no other men in the -Regiment but themselves could have done this. Colonel Wade, C.B., -died February 13, 1821, having retired from the army. - -[27] Surtees gives the story at length, 53-55. - -[28] Major-General Sir Amos G. R. Norcott, K.C.H., died January 8, -1838. - -[29] Major O’Hare was killed at Badajos. - -[30] The five 1st Battalion companies had thus been _eleven months_ -on board ship. - -[31] The three companies of the 2nd Battalion at Monte Video had -been engaged, on June 7, at San Pedro, when Major Gardner and -Assistant-Surgeon Turner, 1 sergeant and 26 rank and file were -wounded. I find no particulars of this affair beyond the mention of -it, and the casualties, in the Record of the 2nd Battalion. - -[32] ‘Brigadier Craufurd’s Evidence on Whitelocke’s Court-martial,’ -p. 335-6. - -[33] Two majors, 5 captains, 19 subalterns, 3 staff, 24 sergeants, -12 buglers, and 495 rank and file of the Rifle Corps (including -the wounded) surrendered to the enemy. ‘Return in Whitelocke’s -Court-Martial,’ Appendix, p. 45. - -[34] Lieutenant Patrick Turner died of his wounds. - -[35] Major-General Sir Dudley St. Leger Hill, K.C.B., died February -21, 1851. - -[36] ‘Annual Register,’ xlix.; ‘London Gazette,’ September 13, 1807; -and Record of the 1st Battalion. This narrative is evidently drawn up -by an eye-witness: no doubt Sir Amos Norcott, by whom the regimental -Record is signed. - -[37] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 4. - -[38] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ vi. 10. It is strange that no -mention of their services in this expedition appears in the 1st -Battalion Record. That of the 2nd Battalion mentions only the -casualties on the 17th before Copenhagen. - -[39] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 4. - -[40] Surtees, 60-72. Leach, 28-38. ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. and: -Supplementary Despatches,’ vi. - -[41] Major-General Sir John Ross, K.C.B., died April 31, 1835. - -[42] Major-General Sir Alexander Cameron, K.C.B., died July 20, 1850. - -[43] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 28. - -[44] Ibid. iv. 27. - -[45] Ibid. iv. 77. - -[46] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 94. - -[47] Afterwards Major-General Sir Hercules R. Pakenham, K.C.B. -The Duke of Wellington, applying for his promotion on October 15 -following, mentions his being wounded in this affair, and adds ‘that -he is really one of the best officers of Riflemen that I have seen.’ -(‘Supplementary Despatches,’vi. 160.) He was his brother-in-law. He -remained in the Regiment till 1810. - -[48] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 95. - -[49] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ vi. 115. - -[50] Properly _Roliça_. I retain the name granted to the Regiment, -and borne on its badge. - -[51] Leach, 47. - -[52] At Kinsale, where is this inscription in the church: - - SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF - LIEUTENANT THOMAS COCHRANE - OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE. - HE DIED IIND OF JULY MDCCCXXIII., AGED XXXIV. YEARS. - AS A SOLDIER - HIS ZEAL, GALLANTRY, AND INTELLIGENCE - RENDERED HIM VALUABLE TO HIS COUNTRY; - AS A MAN - HIS PRIVATE VIRTUES, EMBRACING EVERY ENNOBLING AND ENDEARING - QUALIFICATION, - SECURED TO HIM THE ESTEEM AND LASTING ATTACHMENT OF HIS BROTHER - OFFICERS, WHO HAVE RAISED THIS MONUMENT TO HIS MEMORY. - - -[53] Leach, 50, who was on this picquet. - -[54] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. III; and ‘Supplementary -Despatches,’ vi. 121. - -[55] Surtees, 74. I take the dates from Surtees, who was with this -force. The dates in the 2nd Battalion Record are here in inextricable -confusion. - -[56] Harris, 160. - -[57] Surtees, 80. - -[58] Surtees mentions that he crossed the Esla, at a ford a little -way from Castro Gonzalo, in a bullock-cart loaded with biscuit, while -the brigade were occupied in destroying the bridge. The time lost in -its destruction might have been saved had Moore or Craufurd known the -river was fordable. - -[59] I note Costello’s assertion that General Paget offered his purse -to any Rifleman who would bring down the French General, only to -point out its improbability, not to say its impossibility. No one -who knew the gallant Sir Edward Paget will believe that he bribed -a soldier to slay a chivalrous and brave enemy; of whom Napier -writes, ‘his fine martial figure, his voice, his gestures, and, above -all, his great valour, had excited the admiration of the British, -and a general feeling of sorrow was predominant when the gallant -soldier fell.’ It is quite possible that, as Costello says, General -Paget flung his purse (or some of its contents) to Tom Plunket, in -admiration of two such unerring shots in the midst of a hot fight. -But this is a very different matter from the previous offer of it. It -is to be observed that Costello was not at Cacabelos, but was then -a recruit at the Depôt; and no doubt the story did not lose, in the -barrack-room or at the camp-fire, where he probably had heard it. - -[60] ‘Napier,’ Book iv. chap. v. - -[61] ‘Life of Sir John Moore,’ ii. 210. - -[62] ‘Life of Sir John Moore,’ ii. 201. - -[63] His grandfather was Bishop of Chichester. See a full account of -the family in Nichols’ ‘Literary Anecdotes,’ i. 207-11. - -[64] He had married the daughter of the Reverend George Pollen, -Rector of Little Bookham. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -The two Battalions, then stationed at Hythe, were ordered to be -completed to a strength of a thousand men each; and active steps were -taken to supply the losses occasioned by the retreat by obtaining -volunteers from the Militia. The Regiment had already become so -famous and so popular, that not only were the deficiencies filled up -in a very short time, but more than a thousand volunteers presented -themselves beyond the numbers required.[65] It was therefore resolved -by the authorities to add a 3rd Battalion to the Regiment. Colonel -M’Leod was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of it, and soon -afterwards exchanged with Colonel Andrew Barnard, of the 1st Royals, -afterwards Sir Andrew Barnard: a name indelibly connected with the -subsequent achievements of the Regiment. Only two or three other of -the steps consequent on the formation of an additional Battalion were -given in the Regiment, the services of those by whose valour and -sufferings the Regiment had obtained the fame which attracted these -volunteers and to whose exertions in recruiting their great number -was due, being, with the usual injustice of the British Government -to its military defenders, ignored. General Sir David Dundas, then -Commander-in-Chief, became Colonel-in-Chief on August 31, 1809, in -place of Manningham; and the Colonelcies of the three Battalions were -bestowed on Major-Generals Forbes Champagné, Sir Brent Spencer, and -the Honourable William Stewart, thus restoring to the roll of the -Regiment the honoured name of its first Lieutenant-Colonel. - -I now resume the history of the services of the 1st Battalion, which -having been completed to 1,010 rank and file, marched from Hythe, -under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, at two o’clock in -the morning of May 25, 1809, and arriving at Dover about six, soon -after embarked in three transports, the ‘Fortune,’ the ‘Malabar,’ -and the ‘Laurel,’ and sailed immediately for the Downs. Here they -were joined by a battalion of the 43rd and by the 52nd, which were -to form the Light Brigade under Major-General Robert Craufurd, who -embarked in the ‘Nymph’ frigate. Contrary winds kept them in the -Downs till June 3, when they made sail; and arriving in the Tagus on -the 28th anchored off Lisbon. Here they remained until July 2, when -about midnight they were put into flat-bottomed boats, and towed up -the river. The men and officers were very crowded, and experienced -great inconvenience for twenty-four hours, until they were landed at -Vallada on the right bank of the river, at or near which place they -bivouacked on that night. On landing they were definitively formed, -with the 43rd and 52nd Light Infantry Regiments, their constant -companions in arms, into the Light Brigade, whose deeds of arms in -Portugal, Spain and France, can never be forgotten while England has -an army. - -The Battalion marched on the 4th to Santarem, where they halted -till the 7th, to allow the baggage animals, the ammunition, and the -Commissariat to come up. On that day they marched to Golegão, and on -the 8th to Punhete and Tancos, still on the Tagus; on the 9th they -passed through Abrantes, but, not halting there, crossed by a pontoon -bridge to the left bank of the river, and bivouacked in extensive -woods. All these marches were, in consequence of the extreme heat of -the weather, performed in the night; the Battalion generally falling -in about midnight, and arriving at their bivouack about eight or nine -in the morning. - -It was about this time that Craufurd issued standing orders to his -Brigade of extreme strictness, not to say severity. This Draconic -code made him at first very unpopular; but as time went on, its -usefulness in maintaining discipline and repressing offences became -manifest. It produced a perfection in the Brigade which the officers -and the men themselves could not but recognise; and this, added to -his own personal valour and reckless daring, eventually endeared him -to the soldiers who followed him.[66] - -At midnight on the 10th the Battalion moved to Gavião, a march of -thirteen hours, the greater part under a blazing sun. On the 12th -they reached, through a bleak and high country, Niza. On the next -day they marched through the pass of Villa Velha, and crossing the -Tagus by a bridge of boats, bivouacked on the opposite bank. On the -14th they advanced by mountainous and difficult roads to Sernadas, -and on the 15th reached Castello Branco. Here they halted on the 16th -and 17th to enable the 43rd and 52nd to join them. On the 18th the -Brigade thus complete marched soon after midnight and bivouacked in -the woods near Ladouira; on the 19th they moved through a desolate -country to Zebreira; and on the 20th, crossing the Elgas, passed into -Spain and encamped near Zarza Major. On the next day, after a long -and oppressive march, they reached Moralegua, and on the 22nd arrived -at Coria, where they halted during the 23rd. - -On the 24th the Battalion marched to Galisteo, on the river Alagon; -on the 25th over a burning plain, with the Sierra de Gata, topped -with snow, in view, to Malpartida, a village on the Calzones. On the -next day, the 26th, crossing the river Tietar by a flying bridge, -they had a most fatiguing march to Venta de Bazagona, and on the 27th -arrived at Navalmoral, the heat being oppressive. - -On the 28th they marched at daylight to the town of Calzada, where -tidings reached Craufurd that an action was imminent between Sir -Arthur Wellesley’s army, with General Cuesta’s Spanish troops, -and Marshal Victor’s army, then in close proximity. He determined, -therefore, if possible, to unite his Brigade to Sir Arthur Wellesley -before it should take place; and undertook the forced march which -has rendered the name of the Light Division famous. Accordingly, -after a short rest at Calzada, he pushed on to Oropesa, two leagues, -which he reached about noon. A distant cannonade began to be heard, -which, increasing as they approached it, acted as an incentive -to speed and endurance. They marched on under a scorching sun to -Oropesa, where they halted for four hours to cook. Here Craufurd -desired the commanding officers to pick out of the ranks such men as -they considered unable to continue a further march. Very few men of -the Battalion fell out; these were left at Oropesa in charge of a -subaltern. After this was done the bugles sounded the ‘_fall in_,’ -and the Riflemen moved onward till about ten at night; when, passing -a cattle-pond, Craufurd halted to allow the men to drink. The parched -soldiers eagerly drank the water, filthy and nauseous though it was. -As soon as they had satisfied their thirst, the march was resumed -and continued through the night, without check, through deep, sandy -roads. Early on the morning of the 29th the Light Division marched -across the field of Talavera, giving three hearty cheers for the -victory of the day before. - -They had thus, in heavy marching order, under a burning sun, and with -a most insufficient supply of food, marched upwards of fifty miles, -with only two short halts, in twenty-five hours. They thus arrived -the morning after the fight at Talavera; but though the Battalion -itself was not present, a detachment of the Regiment left in the -Peninsula in 1808 took part in the action, and was mentioned in Sir -Arthur Wellesley’s despatches as having particularly distinguished -themselves.[67] - -As soon as it arrived at Talavera the Battalion was immediately -ordered to occupy some woods in advance of the British position and -to furnish the picquets, the sentinels of which were facing the -position of the French army. Here the Battalion remained till August -3. During that time it suffered much from want of provision, not more -than one ration of bread, and but little of other food, having been -issued. - -On the 3rd the British army began to fall back in consequence of -information that Soult with a large force was moving towards the -rear of the English with a view of cutting off their communications -with Portugal. Before daybreak they marched and arrived at Oropesa, -the 95th forming the rear-guard with the cavalry. On the 4th they -crossed the Tagus by the bridge of Arzobispo. It was during this -march that Craufurd, knowing that his Division were famishing, -allowed them to kill any animals which might be in the woods in which -they halted that evening. A large herd of pigs being discovered was -instantly set upon by the hungry soldiers, killed, cut up and eaten -in an incredibly short time. About midnight they started again, thus -refreshed, and pushed forward to secure the bridge of Almaraz, the -rest of the army moving on Truxillo. It was of vast importance to -secure this bridge, as it was feared Soult might occupy it. The Light -Division, therefore, was pushed on with great rapidity. The Riflemen -marched for fourteen hours through a hilly and barren country, still -without food, except a kind of pea parched by the sun, and wheat -found in such fields as remained ungleaned; suffering also from want -of water, the streams being almost all dried up; and on the evening -of the 5th the Battalion bivouacked in some woods in advance of the -rest of the Division. Before dawn on the 6th they resumed their march -under a burning sun, and with the same scanty provision, and after -fifteen hours’ march, during which there were many stragglers, faint -from heat and want, they reached the bridge of Almaraz. Two companies -of the Battalion were immediately sent on picquet at a ford a little -below the bridge; and the remainder bivouacked near, in order to -support the picquets in case of an attack. Here they remained till -August 20, the Battalion being always in advance, and bivouacking -in an olive wood near Rio Gardo, and furnishing the picquets at -the ford. Every evening at sunset they moved out of the olive wood, -and lay down with their arms on the bank of the river, and returned -to the camp at sunrise. The remainder of the Light Division were -encamped near the village of Las Casas del Puerto. - -During this whole fortnight the scarcity, or rather the absolute -want, of provision continued. Scanty rations of goat-flesh were -issued during this time; and a coarse kind of pea-flour, with -bran and chopped straw, provided by the Commissariat, which the -officers and men made into a kind of cake with water, and cooked -on a camp-kettle lid or on a stone, was the only provision. Unless -when the men found some ears of corn in a field, and by rubbing them -in their hands and grinding the grains between stones, in this way -supplemented the Commissariat allowance. - -On the 12th the French picquets appeared on the heights opposite the -bridge and the ford, but no shots were exchanged between them and -the two companies of Riflemen always posted at the ford. And indeed -then, as throughout the war in the Peninsula, the best understanding -existed between the Riflemen on outpost duty and the advanced posts -of the French; the officers frequently saluting each other. And so -far did this go that the Riflemen, when ordered to advance to drive -in the French picquets, used to hold up their rifles and tap the -brass bullet-box in the stock of the Baker rifle then in use, to show -their opponents that they were in earnest, and that their adversaries -were to stand on their defence. - -The insufficient food and the unwholesome position of their camp near -the Bridge of Almaraz, in a damp situation, with poisonous vapours -arising from vegetable matter decaying, and swamps half-dried under -a burning sun, soon began to tell on the men of the Battalion; and -fever and dysentery became prevalent among them. - -At midnight on August 20 the Light Division marched from Almaraz -and arrived at Deletosa on the following day, where a large portion -of Sir Arthur Wellesley’s force was encamped. This and the whole -British army (except the Light Division) marched on the 21st for -Truxillo. On that evening the Battalion marched; and about midnight -lay down with their arms until daybreak, when they started again for -Caceres, where they arrived on the 23rd. And on the three following -days they continued their march towards the Portuguese frontier, -starting in the night and proceeding during many hours of the day. -During this march the men suffered much both from the heat of the -sun in a barren, treeless country, and the constant insufficiency of -provisions. And it was not until they reached Valencia de Alcantara -on the 26th, where they halted during the 27th, that they were -able to procure bread, and the luxury of fruit and vegetables from -the neighbouring gardens. Late on the 28th they started again, and -marching during most of the night crossed the rivulet which here -divides Spain from Portugal on the 29th, and proceeding by Maravão, -after a march of many miles encamped at Castello de Vide, where -the Battalion halted for a week. On September 7 they marched to -Portalegre, where they halted two days, after which, resuming their -march, they arrived at Arronches on the 10th, whence one more march -on the next day brought them to Campo Major, their winter quarter, -where they remained three months. During these, sickness and death -ravaged the Battalion; fever, ague and dysentery, the fruits of -exposure, of want, and of the proverbially unhealthy climate of -Alemtejo, in which Campo Major is situated, sent numbers into -hospital; and it is said[68] that nearly three hundred men of the 1st -Battalion died during their stay there. - - -I now return to the narrative of the services of the 2nd Battalion, -which we left at Hythe barracks; whence, after a rest of five -months after the fatigues of Moore’s retreat, their losses being -replaced by volunteers from the Militia, and their clothing and -accoutrements renewed, they marched, about July 20, 1809,[69] about -a thousand strong, under Colonel Wade, to Deal, and there embarked -in the ‘Superb,’ 74, to join the expedition destined for Holland, -under the Earl of Chatham. Subsequently they were shifted into -the ‘Namur,’ on the 22nd, and formed part of the brigade of their -former Lieutenant-Colonel, the Honourable William Stewart, with -the 2nd Battalions of their constant companions in arms, the 43rd -and 52nd. They sailed on July 30, and arrived off Flushing on the -following day. Two companies were immediately detached to act with -the force under Major-General Baron de Rottenberg; and on that night -Lieutenant William Humbley, being in charge of an advanced picquet, -while going his rounds, was informed by a peasant that a party of -French soldiers were at that moment plundering his house. Humbley, -with great promptness, suspecting that while intent on plunder the -look-out would not be very good, at once took with him a corporal and -eight men of his picquet; and, under the guidance of the peasant, the -night being very dark, made his way to the house, about 200 yards -from his post. They moved in perfect silence, and arrived at the -place without a ‘_qui vive_’ from the only sentry there posted. Him a -Rifleman knocked down at once with the butt of his rifle; the others -instantly surrounded the house, and made prisoners the whole picquet, -consisting of 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, and 20 privates. The officer -in command of it alone escaping, by getting out of a back window, -and in the darkness of the night getting away. The Riflemen broke -the whole of the muskets of the French picquet, and conveyed their -twenty-four prisoners into the British lines and forwarded them to -head-quarters.[70] - -The two companies to which Humbley’s picquet belonged, on the next -day repulsed a sortie made from the place; and in this affair -Humbley received a severe wound in the head from a musket ball, and -1 sergeant and 9 rank and file were also wounded. - -During the subsequent siege, a Rifleman named Jackman got close up -to the walls of Flushing, and scooping out a pit with his sword, -entrenched himself in it, and began to fire deliberately at the -French gunners. He is said to have picked off eleven artillerymen, -as they showed themselves at the embrasures; and having done so, -he sprang out of his pit, ran across the open, and rejoined his -Battalion unhurt.[71] - -Five companies, with the rest of Stewart’s brigade, were not landed -till the 9th, when they disembarked on the Island of South Beveland. -The other companies, on the Island of Walcheren, took an active part -in the siege operations until the capitulation on the 15th. During -these operations the Battalion lost 11 rank and file killed, and -Lieutenants Manners and Clarke, and 21 rank and file wounded. But -the casualties from engines of war were trifling compared to the -devastating effects of the climate of Walcheren and South Beveland. -The officers and men were struck down by fevers; and on the 27th -Stewart writes that the increase of the sickness in the 95th was -at the rate of twenty cases daily. On September 8 the Battalion -re-embarked, and this useless, abortive and mismanaged expedition -came to an end. They landed at Dover on the 14th, and on the 18th the -Battalion which had left Hythe barracks less than six weeks before, -a thousand stalwart and hale men, staggered into them a gaunt and -fever-stricken band of about seven hundred: many to be carried at -once to hospital, and not a few to their grave. Thus in the space -of nine months had the Battalion been twice more than decimated by -fatigue, want and pestilence.[72] - - -The 1st Battalion having remained at Campo Major three months -marched on December 12, forming the advance of the Light Division, -to Arronches; and thence by Portalegre, Crato, Ponte de Sor, -Abrantes and Punhete, to Thomar, which they reached on the 23rd. -They continued their march through Leiria, Pombal, Condeixa, and -arrived at Coimbra on the 29th, and halted there during the next -day. Resuming their march on the 31st, they passed through Ponte -da Murcella, to Venda and Gallizes, in which villages they were -quartered on January 1, 1810, arrived at Celorico on the 3rd, and at -Pinhel on the next day; and crossing the Coa on the 6th, occupied the -villages of Villar Torpim, Regada and Cinco Villas. In this position, -with occasional shifting of quarters with the other regiments of the -Division, they continued during the remainder of January, February -and the early part of March. The Riflemen, with a few German hussars, -were the only troops pushed across the Coa to observe the French -outposts at St. Felices, immediately opposite the bridge and pass of -Barba del Puerco; the remainder of the army being quartered on the -left bank of the Coa. - -On February 27 Captain Creagh’s company was ordered to reconnoitre -the village of Barba del Puerco, which he found occupied by a strong -detachment of French cavalry; and after a skirmish with them fell -back, according to his orders, to Escarigo, where he was joined -by Captain Leach’s company, while a third was moved in support -from Villar Torpim to Vermiosa. On the 28th Leach[73] made a fresh -reconnaissance; and finding that the enemy had left Barba del Puerco, -occupied it, sending a party to the bridge which spanned the Agueda -at the foot of the pass. It was ascertained that the French occupied -St. Felices with about 3,000 men of all arms, under General Ferey, -having a picquet of cavalry and infantry at their side of the bridge. -Thus it continued, three companies being posted in the village, and -one on picquet at the bridge, on which were double sentries. At the -same time the whole of the Battalion was pushed up to the Agueda, -the whole line of which they (with the German hussars) occupied, -with four companies at Villa de Ciervo on the left, one company at -Almofela, and another at Escalhao on the right of the position of -Barba del Puerco. - -On March 19 the French General Ferey attempted to surprise the -post of Barba del Puerco. About midnight, leaving a strong force -in support, at the head of six hundred grenadiers, chosen for this -service, he approached the bridge, as the moon, rising behind him, -threw a shadow from the high ground and made his approach invisible. -The roaring torrent of the Agueda, swollen by recent rains and -melting snow, overpowered the tread of the advancing column. Thus -he came, unperceived, on the double sentries on the bridge. They -had just time to fire their rifles, when they were both wounded and -made prisoners. Ferey at once dashed across the bridge with his -grenadiers, sweeping before him a sergeant’s party at the bridge, -and made for the pass. Here he was met and checked by O’Hare,[74] -whose company happened to be on picquet, who defended the face of -the hill, step by step and muzzle to muzzle, as overpowering numbers -forced him up it. Meanwhile the three companies in the village sprung -from their sleep, seized their arms, and without waiting for regular -formation, fought hand to hand with their enemies as they met them. -One company, Colonel Sidney Beckwith, who was in command of the post, -immediately sent away to the right, thinking that the enemy might -attempt to climb the hill by a pathway there and turn his flank; with -the other two he reinforced O’Hare’s picquet; and so they fought for -half an hour, with such daring and such fury that the French turned -and fled across the bridge, leaving 2 officers and 7 men killed, 6 -prisoners and 30 muskets in the hands of their opponents. - -In this affair great deeds of valour were done. Beckwith, while -lowering a piece of rock to hurl down on the advancing Frenchmen, -received a musket-ball through his shako, without its wounding him. -And James Stewart, then the Adjutant, was engaged in a hand-to-hand -fight with two of the grenadiers, when a Rifleman named Ballard shot -one, on which the other was overpowered by, and surrendered to, -Stewart, who was specially mentioned by Sir Arthur Wellesley in his -Despatches, and recommended by Beckwith for promotion; but it never -came, and he was killed a year after in the advance from Santarem. -Lieutenant Mercer and 3 Riflemen were killed, and 10 were wounded. - -In repelling this night attack the Riflemen stood against more than -double their numbers. Six hundred grenadiers crossed the bridge, and -only three companies repulsed them, O’Hare’s picquet and two under -Beckwith; the fourth company occupying the post being detached to -defend the path on the right, which was not attempted, never having -been engaged. - -This fight opened the campaign of 1810. The stern Craufurd, ever -sparing of praise, issued the following divisional order: - - Villa de Ciervo: _March 25, 1810_. - - D. O. - - Brigadier-General Craufurd has it in command from the - Commander-in-Chief to assure Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith and - the officers of the 95th Regiment who were engaged at Barba - del Puerco that their conduct in this affair has augmented the - confidence he has in the troops when opposed to the enemy in any - situation. - - Brigadier-General Craufurd feels peculiar satisfaction in - noticing the first affair in which any part of the Light Brigade - were engaged during the present campaign. That British troops - should defeat a superior number of the enemy is nothing new; but - the action reflects honour on Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith and - the Regiment, inasmuch as it was of a sort which the riflemen of - other armies would shun. In other armies the rifle is considered - ill-calculated for close action with an enemy armed with a musket - and bayonet; but the 95th Regiment has proved that the rifle in - the hands of a British soldier is a fully sufficient weapon to - enable him to defeat the French in the closest fight, in whatever - manner they may be armed. - - (Signed) V. GRAHAM, D. A. G. - -Sir Arthur Wellesley also repeatedly mentions this gallant fight -in his Despatches and letters. Besides the message thus conveyed -by Craufurd, he tells Admiral the Honourable G. Berkeley that the -French were ‘repulsed in fine style’ by the 95th; and in his Despatch -reporting it to the Earl of Liverpool, he adds that ‘this affair was -highly creditable to Colonel Beckwith, and displayed the gallantry -and discipline of the officers and troops under his command.’ - -But this discipline, which thus elicited the approval of the great -commander, was not enforced by Beckwith with sternness or severity. -It is recorded how, during their halts at Campo Major and near the -Coa, during the preceding winter, he had let his Battalion repose -from the fatigues of their long marches, and their sufferings -from famine and disease; not worrying the soldiers with drills or -barrack-yard parades; but rather encouraging amusements and sports -which refreshed and reanimated them. This it was, added to their -knowledge of his valour and experience when leading them in the -field, that made him loved by the Officers and Riflemen of his -Battalion, made them ready to ‘follow him through fire and water when -the day of trial came; for they well knew that he was the last man -on earth who would give them unnecessary trouble, or, on the other -hand, would spare either man or officer when the good of the service -demanded their utmost exertions.’[75] - -About this time the 1st and 3rd Caçadores of the Portuguese -army were added to Craufurd’s Division; the latter commanded by -Lieutenant-Colonel Elder, one of the original officers of the Rifle -Corps.[76] At the same time Ross’[77] troop of Horse Artillery and -the 14th and 16th Light Dragoons were attached to the Light Division. - -Soon after the attack on Barba del Puerco the troops (which had been -reinforced with some of the 43rd and 52nd) were withdrawn to Villa de -Ciervo. - -Early in April, in compliance with orders from home, the ten -companies of which the Battalion on service had hitherto consisted -were reduced to eight, two captains with subalterns, non-commissioned -officers, and a few men returning to England to form a Depôt. These -eight companies were of about a hundred men each, as the Battalion -which embarked a thousand and ten rank and file, had been reduced in -about nine months, principally by disease, to about eight hundred men -in all. - -Craufurd now maintained a long line of posts on the right bank of the -Agueda, from Fuentes Guinaldo on the right to the junction of the -Agueda and the Douro, near Escalhao, on the left. In May the French -began the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, distant a few miles from Gallegos, -then the head-quarters of the Light Division. The 1st Battalion had -picquets at Carpio, Molina das Flores, and Marialva. The Battalion -itself was every evening under arms, and took up a position in a -wood situated on some high ground behind Gallegos, and towards Duas -Casas; here they remained during the night, returning for the day -to their quarters. It seems that Massena observed this movement, -and supposed that these troops were reinforcements to Craufurd’s -Division. He therefore ordered Junot with a considerable force to -cross the Azarva at the bridge of Marialva. This he did at daybreak -on July 4, driving in the picquet at Marialva; the passage of his -cavalry was gallantly disputed and checked by the German hussars; but -Junot advancing in force, Craufurd resolved to fall back behind the -Duas Casas. The Battalion, with some cavalry, covered this movement, -and skirmishing with the French advanced troops, held them back until -Craufurd had established himself behind the river. Junot, probably -thinking Craufurd’s force to be much larger than it was, did not -follow up this advance; and the Battalion took up a position at Val -de la Mula, behind the River Turon, here the boundary between Spain -and Portugal, detaching two companies to Fort Concepcion in front -of the position. On July 10 Craufurd resolved by a night march to -surprise the French posts at Gallegos and Barquillo. Accordingly, -seven companies of the 95th with two of the 52nd got under arms late -on that night, together with the 14th Light Dragoons and some German -hussars. The Riflemen were ordered to load, to march in silence, and -not to light their pipes. The wheels of two of Ross’ guns, which -formed part of the column, were muffled. Thus they marched through -a good part of the night, Craufurd himself accompanying them. On -reaching some high ground, the Riflemen were ordered to lie down -in some high standing corn. Here they waited for dawn; when it -appeared, the orders to fall in and to advance to the edge of the -height were given, and the French appeared in the plain below. They -consisted of about two companies of infantry and a troop of cavalry. -Craufurd ordered Colonel Talbot to charge them with the 14th; this -he did gallantly, sabreing or making prisoners the cavalry; but -the infantry formed square, and receiving the charge, brought down -Talbot himself and several of his troopers, and then made good their -retreat. Why Craufurd did not use his guns, or let loose the Riflemen -at the French infantry, seems inexplicable. But so it was: and after -remaining on the hill inactive spectators of the combat, they marched -back to their position at Val de la Mula. But Ciudad Rodrigo having -surrendered, Craufurd fell back on July 16 to Junça, about a mile and -a half from Almeida, in Portugal, and on the right bank of the Coa. - -At daybreak on the 21st the Battalion, with Ross’ battery, advanced -towards the Turon to support the cavalry who were driven from Val -de la Mula and across the Turon by an advance of the enemy in great -force. On this advance the mines which our engineers had formed under -Fort Concepcion were fired. The two companies of Riflemen posted -there, under Captain O’Hare, proceeded to rejoin the Battalion, and -had not long left their position when the work fell with a tremendous -explosion. On the 22nd Craufurd fell back to near Almeida, his left -protected by the guns of that place, and his right resting on the Coa. - -During the night of the 23rd the Division was exposed to a violent -storm of thunder, lightning and torrents of rain. Day had just -begun to dawn on the morning of the 24th, and the troops, which had -assembled at their alarm posts, were expecting an order to retire, as -all seemed quiet, when the crack of the rifle of one of the advanced -sentries announced the approach of the enemy. Marshal Ney, with an -overwhelming force, was advancing by the road from Val de la Mula, -and attacked and drove in the outlying picquet under Captain the -Honourable Keith Stewart, which occupied that road. In resisting -this attack, and falling back on the supports, Lieutenant M’Cullock, -who was on this picquet, was sabred, and, with several men, taken -prisoner.[78] - -O’Hare’s company were at once ordered in support, and he disposed -them behind some walls. Here they waited till Stewart’s picquet, -slowly retreating and disputing their ground, came in upon them, -followed by a swarm of French tirailleurs. A wing of the 43rd were -about a hundred yards in the rear of these Riflemen; and at this -moment a shell from Almeida, thrown of course at the French, burst -close by, and killed and wounded several Riflemen. - -O’Hare’s company was now ordered to retire. Half the company did so; -the remainder, under Lieutenant Johnston, were still engaged with -the French advanced troops, when a troop or squadron of the enemy’s -hussars, whom our men, on account of the similarity of the uniform to -that of the German hussars, had not noticed, swept round their left -flank, and galloping between the Riflemen and their support the 43rd, -sabred and rode down many, and caused great confusion. - -[Illustration: - - ACTION ON THE COA - 24^{TH} JULY 1810. - - _Drawn by Lieut. G. Goodall, R.E._ - _E. Weller, lith., London._ - _London: Chatto & Windus._ -] - -It was but for a moment: for the 43rd, recovering from their -surprise, fired a volley which emptied many saddles. The action now -became general along the whole line. The French advance was for a -time checked in the broken ground; but Ney’s overwhelming force bore -back the English towards the rocky defile which led to the one narrow -bridge over the Coa. The ground was disputed inch by inch by the -Battalion, the 43rd and the 52nd, while the cavalry, the guns, -the baggage, and the two Portuguese regiments attached to Craufurd’s -Division, descended the steep defile and crossed the bridge, about a -mile to the rear. - -Thus the unequal contest had long and arduously to be maintained. -As they fell back to the hill which overlooked the Coa, it was -perceived that some of the cavalry and artillery had not yet got -across the bridge. Craufurd unhappily ordered a number of Riflemen, -who occupied a position which prevented the enemy from cutting off -the passage to the bridge, to evacuate it, before the 52nd, who -were far on the right of the position, had made good their retreat. -Beckwith at once saw the mistake, and ordered the Riflemen to retake -the hill and the wall. This they did in fine style; but not without -many officers and men falling. And about this time some skirmishers -of the Battalion and a wing of the 43rd, led on by Major McCleod of -that regiment, the senior officer on the spot, not only held their -ground, but, mixed together and gallantly headed, rushed against the -French advanced troops, and checked them until the bridge was clear -and the 52nd over; then, rushing down at speed, they got across the -bridge. As soon as the regiment got over they formed along the bank -of the river, among rocks, walls, and any ground that could afford -cover. The Coa, swollen by the rain of the preceding night, and by -that which had been incessantly pouring since noon, was not fordable, -so that the only point to be defended was the narrow bridge. Twice it -was attempted by a valiant assault of French grenadiers; twice they -were sent reeling back under our fire, almost all killed or wounded; -the few who got across falling on the other side. Still a constant -fire was kept up till about five o’clock; when the French ceased, -apparently giving up all hope of forcing the bridge; and our men -ceasing fire from exhaustion after about twelve hours’ hard fighting. - -The loss of the Battalion in this engagement was very severe. -Lieutenant Donald M’Leod and 11 rank and file were killed; Captains -Creagh, Samuel Mitchell, Lieutenants Matthew Pratt, Peter Reilly, -Alexander Coane, Thomas Smith, and Second Lieutenant George Simmons -were severely, and Lieutenant Harry Smith slightly, wounded; and 1 -sergeant and 54 rank and file were wounded; and Lieutenant M’Cullock -wounded and prisoner, 1 sergeant and 52 rank and file missing. - -Of these, Captain Creagh died the night of the fight; Reilly died the -following day at Celorico; Pratt,[79] shot in the neck, died from the -bursting of the carotid artery on August 1, on the Mondego river, -near Fordaso; and many of the wounded men also died on their way to -Lisbon. - -In O’Hare’s company alone, which, as we have seen, bore the brunt -of the hussar charge, Lieutenant Alexander Coane was dangerously -wounded, 11 men were killed and wounded, and 45 prisoners. Indeed, -it is said that O’Hare’s company only mustered 11 men on parade next -morning. - -A Rifleman, named Charity, in the cavalry charge received a sabre cut -in the head, another in the body, and a musket shot through the arm; -yet recovered and died a Chelsea pensioner many years afterwards. - -In the Despatch reporting this action to the Earl of Liverpool, -Lord Wellington states: ‘I am informed that throughout this trying -day the Commanding Officers of the 43rd, 52nd, and 95th Regiments, -Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, and -Lieutenant-Colonel Hall, and all the officers and soldiers of these -excellent regiments, distinguished themselves.’[80] - -As soon as night had fallen Craufurd withdrew his Division from the -Coa, and the Battalion bivouacked late on that night in some rocky -ground near Valverde, the men suffering from the heavy rains of the -preceding night and day. - -Late in the night of the 25th they marched from Valverde, the rain -still continuing to fall in torrents, and bivouacked near Freixadas. -Here they were met by Lord Wellington, who came up from head-quarters -at Alverca early in the morning, on hearing of the affair at the Coa. -By him the Battalion were ordered into the village of Freixadas, -where they were housed until the 28th. - -On that day they arrived at Celorico, and hutted themselves by -cutting down branches of the trees in a wood. Here, on August 4, -Craufurd’s Division was divided into two brigades; one under Colonel -Sidney Beckwith, consisting of the right wing of the 95th, the 43rd -and the 3rd Portuguese Caçadores; the other, under Colonel Barclay -of the 52nd, consisting of his own regiment, the left wing of the -95th and the 1st Caçadores. The Battalion remained at Celorico until -August 5, when it was ordered to the front to support cavalry; and -for about a fortnight or three weeks it was constantly on the move, -the latter part of the time in heavy and continuous rain for three -or four days. Early in September the army began its retreat, being -covered by the Battalion and the other regiments of Craufurd’s -Division as a rear-guard. On the 20th they marched before daylight -from Celorico, and crossing the Mondego by a ford, fell back by the -road from Viseu to Coimbra. On the 23rd, the enemy’s advanced guard -pressing the cavalry of the rear-guard, Lord Wellington, who was -present, ordered Craufurd to retire by the road leading to Busaco. -This was effected during the two following days; on both of which -the French pressed the rear-guard, composed of some companies of -Riflemen and the 52nd and of some cavalry, with cavalry and infantry -skirmishers intermixed, and some light guns; but the retreat was -effected in good order and with little loss. The Battalion on both -those nights threw forward picquets to support the cavalry. - -On the 25th, when about a league and a half from Busaco, the enemy -pressed the British cavalry so hard that the rear company of the -Battalion had to face about and check them; and soon after the -left wing of the Battalion was halted in a fir-wood, behind the -village of Mora Morta, and effectually stopped them until the Light -Division drew into the Sierra of Busaco, where the rest of the army -were at this time assembled in position. This was an important and -well-performed service; for Craufurd had kept his Division too long -in an advanced position; and it was not without some difficulty that, -protected by these four companies of Riflemen, he moved the Division -into its position on the heights. - -The right wing of the Battalion under Beckwith was halted in the -village of Sula, at the foot of the hill of Busaco, where they were -smartly cannonaded from the opposite heights, but without loss; and -at night they were withdrawn from Sula, leaving a picquet in that -village, and stationed among the rocks on the face of the hill, right -and left of the road leading to Coimbra. - -On the 26th Massena was engaged in bringing up his forces. Some -infantry was pushed into a wood close to Sula, and skirmishing took -place between them and the picquet of the Battalion there; and the -companies attached to Barclay’s brigade, in an adjacent village, -were also attacked. This continued all the day; and as this constant -interchange of fire was very harassing, the companies on picquet -were relieved about every two hours. At last, at nightfall this -skirmishing and fire ceased, and nothing indicated the presence of -the vast hosts but the numerous watch-fires, which illuminated the -sides of the mountains, divided only by a narrow valley. - -[Illustration: - - BATTLE OF BUSACO. - 27^{TH} SEP^R 1810. - - _E. Weller, Litho._ - _London, Chatto & Windus._ -] - -It is not for me to describe the position of Busaco, or the -particulars of the fight. It is enough for this record to note that -in the centre of the side of the Sierra projects a hill forming a -sort of natural bastion, and connected with the mountain itself by -a neck, depressed below the level of the projecting hill. Among the -rocks and broken ground on the sides of this hill were disposed the -Riflemen of this Battalion; while in the hollow behind it Craufurd -had concealed the 43rd and 52nd. Scarcely had day dawned on the 27th, -when the enemy made his advance. Loison’s division climbed the road -leading up the face of the projecting hill, though galled by the -fire of the Riflemen and Ross’ guns. Yet they came on, the Riflemen, -as the French pressed up the hill, running in on their supports and -forming in the hollow between the spur and the mountain. At last -the leading section topped the hill, and then, and not till then, -Craufurd gave the signal; the bugles sounded, and eighteen hundred -men sprang as from the earth. Instantaneously they gave a volley; -the head of the column after one destructive fire from the leading -section reeled; Craufurd ordered a charge; and soldiers, arms, -knapsacks and caps rolled in a confused mass down the precipitous -hill. The French column was wedged in the road, the leading sections -were driven back on the still advancing rear, and all turned back -in utter confusion. Then they came under the fire of the whole -Division which far overlapped their flanks; and through the narrow -street of Sula they fled, trampling the living and the dead. The -Battalion and some Caçadores were ordered to pursue them; and General -Simon, who commanded the attacking brigade, and many others were made -prisoners by the Light Division. - -No further attack was made on this position; but the enemy’s -skirmishers swarmed in the valley, and kept the Battalion employed -till the afternoon, when Craufurd received a flag of truce with -General Simon’s baggage, and granted a temporary cessation of arms. -Leach mentions that, during that time, he went down into Sula, and -met officers and men of Loison’s division, who acknowledged their -loss to be very heavy; one of them asserting that his company, which -mounted the hill 120 strong, could only muster 27 men after their -repulse. - -The time limited for the truce having expired, the French seemed -disposed to keep possession of the village of Sula; but Lord -Wellington, who happened to be at hand, ordered a company of the -Battalion to go down and drive them out: which they did in a very -short time, and established a picquet there. - -On the 28th no movement took place; but on the morning of the 29th, -owing to an attempt on Massena’s part to turn Lord Wellington’s -position by getting round by Coimbra, the English army broke up and -fell back at a very early hour. About nine the Battalion followed, -forming, as usual, part of the rear-guard, with some cavalry; and -at night halted in a wood some miles from Busaco. On October 3 they -reached Pombal; on the 5th Batalha; and on the succeeding days, in -incessant rains, proceeded to Alemquer, where they arrived on the -9th. On the 10th they were pressed by the French advanced guard, and -after a little skirmishing fell back to Arruda in a tempest of rain. - -Thus they reached the Lines of Torres-Vedras, of which no description -is needed here. The portion of the lines this Battalion occupied was -on the right centre of the position, and on the fortified heights -immediately behind Arruda, having advanced posts in front of the -town. In very wet weather the Battalion were allowed to shelter -themselves in Arruda during the day, but always returned to their -bivouack on the heights during the night. - -While the Battalion remained in these lines the enemy made several -reconnaissances, which occasionally brought on affairs of picquets. -On one of these occasions, on October 14, a sharp affair took place -near Sobral between the advanced guard of the 8th _Corps d’Armée_ and -the light troops of Sir Brent Spencer’s division. In this skirmish a -company of the 3rd Battalion, which had lately arrived from England -and had been detained on its way to Cadiz by Sir Brent Spencer, as -the Regiment was his,[81] was engaged, and Captain Percival and -Lieutenant Eeles were severely wounded, and several men killed and -wounded. These young soldiers (as George Simmons observes) ‘behaved -_like Riflemen_, and were complimented.’ - -On the 23rd, Simmons and Hopwood, being on picquet with Mitchell’s -company near Villa Matos, observed two French soldiers entering a -house in their front in search of provisions. Taking three men of the -picquet with them, they crawled to an avenue which screened them from -a vedette who was stationed on a rising ground to give the foragers -notice of any danger. Entering the house they seized the men, who -were armed, and one of whom snapped his musket at his assailants, -but it missed fire. The Riflemen found a large barrel of wine in -the house; and the officers sending back one of the men for all the -canteens he could find at the picquet while the others kept a good -look-out, filled sixty, destroyed the rest of the barrel, and led off -their two prisoners to the picquet. - -The army remained in the lines of Torres-Vedras till November 15. -Leach’s company, which furnished the picquet in front of Arruda on -the night of the 14th, discovered at daybreak on the next morning -that the French army had fallen back during the night; leaving -dummies of straw topped with a shako, and with a pole to look like -a musket, to represent their advanced sentries. Soon after this was -known at head-quarters the Battalion was ordered in pursuit; but -did not come up with the French rear-guard, and halted that night -near Alemquer. On the 16th the Battalion continued the pursuit -through Villa Nova and Azambuja; and though they never got sight of -the rear-guard, they took many stragglers prisoners. They first got -sight of the French near Cartaxo, where they found them posted on -some rising ground, having a heathy plain in their front. Craufurd, -believing that a rear-guard only was opposed to him, was on the point -of attacking; but Lord Wellington, who came up at the moment, forbade -this attack, a whole _Corps d’Armée_ being, in fact, concealed -behind the heights on which the small force visible was posted. The -Battalion halted that night in Cartaxo, and before dawn on the 18th -again started in pursuit, and came up with the enemy’s rear-guard, -which retired before them across a plain to the Rio Mayor, which they -crossed by a narrow bridge at the end of a long causeway. A company -of the Regiment was pushed on as a picquet near the bridge. The enemy -were occasionally exchanging shots with some dismounted dragoons whom -the Riflemen relieved; and Simmons, who was on the picquet, taking -three men with him, crept on the bridge; and lying down behind a -dead mule, which gave them a good rest for their rifles, they took -deliberate aim and evidently hit some of their adversaries, who -became very chary of showing themselves. As the Riflemen had had a -long march and a hard day’s work, they were relieved at night by a -company of the 52nd; and retreating to a grove of olive-trees near at -hand, for they were to remain as a reserve, they kindled their fires -and made themselves as comfortable as a rainy night allowed. But they -were not long undisturbed. For Craufurd, fancying or hoping that the -enemy were moving off, and ever anxious to be the first in pursuit, -took two or three soldiers with him, and walked cautiously along the -causeway so far that the French sentry challenged and fired; Craufurd -ordered his escort to return it. And this alarmed the enemy; who, -fancying probably that the English were crossing the bridge in force, -opened a heavy fire, the balls of which rattled among the olive trees -where the weary Riflemen were bivouacked, and rudely disturbed their -rest. However, at last the uproar ceased; and when day broke on the -19th it was found that during the remainder of the night the French -had formidably increased the strength of their position by placing -_abattis_ on the causeway and breastworks at the end of it. They had -also placed guns on the high ground which rose behind, and which they -had also fortified with _abattis_. The position, in fact, was a very -strong one: in front the Rio Mayor, and swampy ground crossed only by -the bridge and causeway; on the left the Tagus, with ground rising -in bold and hilly eminences; and the considerable town of Santarem -about a league in the rear. After bivouacking in a pine-wood near -Valle, where, as in the previous night, they suffered from torrents -of rain, they were ordered on the 20th to cross by a bridge near -Valle to the left of the enemy’s position and to attack his picquets. -The Battalion was employed to drive in the enemy’s advanced party, -which they effected in fine style, and with but slight loss, though -under sharp fire from the French light troops for about two hours. -The object of this reconnaissance was to ascertain whether Massena’s -whole force occupied the position or only a rear-guard; though, as -Beckwith observed in his north-country phrase to a staff officer who -asserted his certainty that it was but the latter, ‘It was a _gay_ -rear-guard that built that _abattis_ in a night.’ - -However, it being evident that the whole of Massena’s army held this -strong position, the Battalion was withdrawn and placed in houses, -cottages and sheds, near the bridge. On it they had double sentries; -close to it an outlying picquet of three hundred men; a large inlying -picquet close by; and the rest of the Battalion, sleeping always -by their arms, were ready, in case of an alarm, to turn out at a -minute’s notice. - -As the Battalion remained thus posted at Valle, near the bridge to -Santarem, during the winter, and there is nothing to record of them -for four months, I shall return to trace the services of the 2nd and -3rd Battalions; observing only that General Craufurd at this time -went on leave of absence to England, and that Sir William Erskine -succeeded to the command of the Light Division during his absence. - - -We left the 2nd Battalion at Hythe on its return from Walcheren. Its -sufferings and casualties there prevented its taking part in any -operations of the war for some time. But its losses were supplied -with energy; and within a space of five months after its return -from Flanders, two companies (Captain Cadoux’s and Captain Jenkins’) -embarked on February 12, 1810, and formed part of the force assembled -at Tarifa on February 25, under Lieutenant-General Graham, being then -attached to Brigadier-General Dilkes’ brigade. They served at Cadiz, -and under the command of Colonel Norcott distinguished themselves at -the Battle of Barrosa, as I shall more particularly mention when I -come to detail the part taken by the 3rd Battalion in that action. -Meanwhile, to trace the services of these companies. - -One of these (Captain Jenkins’) was detached to act with Ballesteros’ -Spanish force, and disembarked at Algeçiras early in September, and -marched to Ximena; whence on the 18th they advanced to Alcalá de -Gazules, and after some smart skirmishing with a French detachment -from Chiclana, retired to Ximena. It remained in the neighbourhood of -Algeçiras for two months; and after being constantly engaged with the -enemy, it retreated (with Ballesteros’ army) to Gibraltar.[82] - -This company subsequently formed part of the garrison of Tarifa. - -On December 20 it was engaged in Colonel Skerrett’s attempt to -resist the investment of the place, and both companies took part in -successfully repelling the assault on the breach which was made on -the 31st, when their distinguished gallantry was very conspicuous. On -the former of these occasions they lost 2 men killed, and had 10 men -wounded. In the fight at the breach 1 man was killed and 1 wounded. - -After taking their share in this ‘great and splendid exploit,’[83] -this company rejoined the other at Cadiz. - -In July 1810, another company (Charles Beckwith’s) embarked at -Portsmouth, and, having landed at Lisbon, marched to join the army, -then on its retreat from Busaco to Torres-Vedras. It joined at -Coimbra, and was attached to the 1st Battalion in the Light Division. - -This company thenceforward took part in the movements and actions of -the 1st Battalion during the remainder of this and the first half of -the following year. - -On July 5, 1811, another company (Captain Hart’s) embarked at -Portsmouth and joined the Light Division on the frontiers of Portugal -in September. These two companies then, as we shall see, acted -with the 1st Battalion and the Light Division, and distinguished -themselves at the two great sieges (Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos) of -the next year. - -A further reinforcement of two companies (Captains Duncan’s and -Ferguson’s) left England in May 1812, and landed at Lisbon at the -latter end of that month. They joined the army in July, shortly -before the battle of Salamanca, and were attached to the Light -Division. At Salamanca and during the advance to Madrid the four -companies of this Battalion were commanded by Major Wilkins; but soon -after they reached Madrid, Colonel Wade arrived from England with -the Staff of the Battalion, and took command. And on the retreat -from Madrid, the other two companies (Cadoux and Jenkins’), which -had been in Andalusia with Skerrett, having, as we have seen, joined -Lord Wellington’s army early in November, the strength of the 2nd -Battalion in the Peninsula consisted (as did the 1st Battalion) of -six companies until the close of the war. - -I have thus brought down the details of the movements of this -Battalion to this period, because being enfeebled by the results of -the disastrous Walcheren campaign, they were enabled only to join -the army in the field by single, or at most by two, companies at a -time, as their numbers were recruited and their health was restored. -Its marches, its actions and its glories will henceforward form part -of the general history of the Regiment, as will that of the 3rd -Battalion, which, until its junction with the other Battalions, I -will now proceed to particularise. But I will in as far as record or -other information enables me to do so, distinguish the feats of arms -and the losses of each Battalion. - - -The 3rd Battalion on its formation in 1809 was stationed at Brabourn -Lees; and the drill and discipline of this new levy were carried -on so vigorously and effectively that it was able early in 1810 -to send three companies to Cadiz. And on July 11 in that year two -more companies and the head-quarters, under the command of Colonel -Barnard, embarked at Portsmouth on board the ‘Mercury’ frigate, -and landed at Cadiz on the 29th. Cadiz was at this time besieged -by the army under command of Marshal Victor; who occupied all the -surrounding towns and villages except Cadiz itself and the Isla de -Leon, their advanced posts being pushed forward to near the river -Santi-Petri, except near the bridge of Zuazo, the only communication -with the mainland. Here the English picquets were thrown forward -beyond the bridge and on the road to Seville, which forms a causeway -across the marshy plain intersected with saltpans. And so well was it -defended by our picquets, that, as Ford observes, this bridge was the -_pons asinorum_ of the French; for they never could get over it. - -Here the 3rd Battalion, and the two companies of the 2nd under -Norcott, remained until February 1811, when they embarked under the -command of General Graham on the 18th, and landed at Algeçiras on -the 24th. Having bivouacked on a height near Algeçiras, they moved -the next day to Tarifa, where they halted until the 26th. The two -companies of the 2nd Battalion were attached to the brigade of Guards -commanded by Brigadier-General Dilkes, and the four companies of the -3rd Battalion,[84] with two companies of the 47th, were brigaded -under Colonel Barnard.[85] - -On March 1 they marched about twelve miles and bivouacked on some -high ground; and the following day reached Casas Viejas, where they -bivouacked on a hill, and suffered much from the bitterly cold -weather. On the 3rd, having started before daylight, they reached -about mid-day a lagoon through which was a ford. The Spaniards, -who led the column, hesitated so long in attempting to cross, that -General Graham, out of all patience, proposed to General La Peña to -let the British troops advance. The 3rd Battalion was the leading -regiment, and at once entered the ford in column of sections, and -marched straight through it, the water reaching about to their -waist. The rest of the English force followed; and the Spaniards, -shamed into imitation, followed their example. The troops marched -forward, and halted that night in an olive-wood on very high ground, -near Vejer; the soldiers suffering from the extreme cold, which -was severely felt in consequence of their wetting in crossing the -lagoon, and the scarcity of wood for firing. They halted here until -the evening of the 4th, when a little after dark they marched to the -village of Conil, and on the morning of the 5th reached the plain of -Chiclana, and halted on the eastern slope of the knoll of Barrosa. -This is a ridge running in from the sea-coast about a mile and a -half, and overlooking the plain, which is bounded on one side by the -shore, and on the other by the forest of Chiclana. In our front was -a pine-wood. About twelve o’clock General Graham put his troops in -motion, and the 3rd Battalion were ordered down the hill and into -the wood in order to take possession of the height of Bermeja. But -they had not long moved, when Graham was informed that the enemy had -debouched from the forest, and having forced the troops left on the -height, were ascending the hill of Barrosa. The 3rd Battalion were -instantly countermarched, and ordered to get to the plain and engage -the enemy as soon as possible. On emerging from the pine-wood they -found themselves in front of two battalions of the 8th Regiment, one -of grenadiers, the other of voltigeurs. Two companies under Barnard -were left to cover and protect the guns; while the other Riflemen of -this Battalion, inclining to the left, and extending as they came -up the hill, soon became engaged with their opponents. In the same -way Norcott, in command of the two 2nd Battalion companies forming -the rear-guard, as soon as he heard from a sergeant of the German -hussars of the appearance of the enemy, put his column to the right -about, and extending his two companies, made his way out of the wood; -and on getting out of it and seeing the enemy advancing, he put his -right to the cliffs to cover the British regiments then filing out of -the wood, and was soon engaged with the enemy’s voltigeurs; and the -Guards and 67th having advanced, he placed his Riflemen on the flanks -of the brigade, and with them advanced against the enemy’s line.[86] - -[Illustration: - - BATTLE of BARROSA. - March 5, 1811. - - _E. Weller, Litho._ - _London, Chatto & Windus._ -] - -About this time the grenadiers of the 8th French Regiment advanced, -with drums beating, and the 54th (French) entered the pine-wood -to endeavour to turn our left. Notwithstanding the fire of the 3rd -Battalion on them in column, and at a short range, the grenadiers of -the 8th pushed on and drove in our skirmishers; when the 87th, with -some companies of the Guards, charging them with the bayonet, they -gave way, and in a short time fled routed and in disorder; pursued by -the Riflemen, who were engaged with the light troops which attempted -to cover their retreat. However, as is well known, the Spaniards -giving no help, but looking on as unconcerned spectators, Graham was -unable to follow up his victory, and the Riflemen were recalled. - -‘In all my fighting,’ says Surtees, ‘I never saw an action in which -the chances of death were so numerous as in this.’[87] And so the -Duke calls it ‘the hardest action that has been fought yet.’[88] - -In the hour and a half during which it lasted, the two 2nd Battalion -companies lost 6 rank and file killed, and Lieutenants Hope[89] and -Thomas Cochrane (severely) and 1 sergeant, 1 bugler, and 26 rank -and file wounded; and the four 3rd Battalion companies had Captain -Knipe and 13 rank and file killed, and Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard, -Lieutenants William Campbell (severely) and Hovenden, 3 sergeants, -and 45 rank and file wounded. Barnard was severely wounded about the -middle of the action, and was carried to the rear; and while the -wound was being dressed, another shot struck him, and inflicted a -wound more severe than the first. Surtees, who went to the rear to -bring up fresh ammunition, says that the ground there was ploughed up -by the enemy’s round shot and musketry. The 3rd Battalion had four -mounted officers in the field: the horses of two were killed; of -another wounded. - -In his despatch reporting this action General Graham says: -‘Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard and the officers of his Battalion -executed the duty of skirmishing in advance with the enemy in a -masterly manner.’ And he specially mentions Lieutenant-Colonel -Norcott, whom he recommends for promotion.[90] - -Soon after the action the British forces moved off, and crossed to -the Isla, except the 3rd Battalion, which was left on the field to -protect the wounded, and to give notice of any return of the enemy. -But none appeared; and after dark Major Ross, who had succeeded to -the command on Barnard’s being wounded, moved the Battalion across -the field, thickly strewn with dead and wounded of both armies, -and formed it into square on a sand-hill on the beach, where they -rested on their arms during the remainder of the night. It was severe -service which fell to the lot of this young battalion; a march of -sixteen hours in the preceding night; three hours’ manœuvring, and -half of it hard fighting; and all this without food; remaining under -arms on the field till dark; and now only resting on their arms. - -General Rousseau, who had been made prisoner, badly wounded, died -in the course of the night, and was buried on the beach by the 3rd -Battalion. In his pocket they found a leave of absence to return -to France on account of ill-health, which his appearance clearly -indicated, but of which this brave soldier had not availed himself. - -Towards morning Ross moved off his weary and famished Battalion; and -passing by the beach and over the Santi-Petri river, they returned to -their former quarters in the Isla de Leon. - -Here they remained till June 30, when, embarking at Cadiz, they -reached Lisbon (after an unusually slow passage) on July 19, and -marched up the country to join Lord Wellington’s army. They arrived -on August 21, and were attached to the Light Division, then cantoned -in villages near the Agueda. At the same time the company of this -Battalion which had been attached to Sir Brent Spencer’s division was -withdrawn from it, and joined the Battalion.[91] - -[Illustration: - -Plate II. - -THE 95^{TH}] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[65] This return will show the actual numbers: - -_Return of 95th, May 10, 1809._ - - +-------------+------------+-------------+---------+------+-----+------+ - | | Effective | | | | | | - | | April 1, | Volunteers | | | | | - | | previous |from Militia |Remaining| |Left | Grand| - | | to Militia +-------+-----+ in | Total| in | total| - | |volunteering|English|Irish|Portugal | |Spain| | - | +------------+-------+-----+---------+------+-----+------+ - |1st Battalion| 799 | 641 | None| 8 | 1448 | 88 | 1536 | - |2nd Battalion| 863 | 641 | None| 37 | 1541 | 38 | 1579 | - +-------------+------------+-------+-----+---------+------+-----+------+ - -Thus leaving an excess of more than eleven hundred men, after -completing the two Battalions to a thousand men each. This excess -formed the 3rd Battalion. - -[66] For twenty years and upwards after the end of the war, every -officer of the Regiment was required to learn and to know these -standing orders. - -[67] 1st Battalion Record. I do not find this in the ‘Wellington -Despatches’ or in the ‘Supplementary Despatches.’ It was probably -noticed in Divisional Orders. The detachments under Colonel Bunbury -are, however, mentioned with praise in the despatch of Talavera -(‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 537). It may have formed part of these, -for it appears by the return (p. 42, note) that 88 men of the 1st -Battalion and 38 of the 2nd Battalion had been ‘left in Spain;’ and -8 men of the 1st Battalion and 37 of the 2nd Battalion ‘left in -Portugal.’ - -[68] Costello, 24. He was himself in hospital and dangerously ill. - -[69] The 2nd Battalion Record says that they embarked on the 23rd, -but as Stewart (‘Cumloden Papers,’ 56) notes that they changed to the -‘Namur’ on the 22nd, this must be an error. - -[70] Humbley’s Letter, January 31, 1838, in Adjutant-General’s Office. - -[71] Harris, 131. - -[72] There died between the date of their return, and January 10, -1810, 5 sergeants and 128 rank and file. On February 10, 1810, the -Battalion had 161 sick; on February 25, 140 sick. The strength on -embarkation was 70 sergeants, 988 rank and file. - -[73] Lieutenant-Colonel Leach retired from the army 1821. - -[74] Captain O’Hare was very ill and in bed; but at the first alarm -placed himself at the head of his company, which was previously in -the charge of Lieutenant Mercer. - -[75] Leach, 121. - -[76] Major-General Sir George Elder, K.C.B., died December 3, 1836. - -[77] Afterwards Field-Marshal Sir Hew Dalrymple Ross, G.C.B. - -[78] M’Cullock refused to give his parole, and was marched towards -the French frontier; and at Valladolid, being confined in a private -house, his handsome person and his wounds excited the pity, or that -which is akin to pity, of a young lady of the family. The old story: -she laid plans for his escape; she procured him a disguise; she gave -him a supply of money; and he succeeded in rejoining the Battalion. - -[79] ‘As noble a fellow and as worthy a man as I ever met -with.’--George Simmons’ MS. - -[80] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vi. 293. - -[81] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ viii. 218. He was Colonel-Commandant of -a Battalion. - -[82] 2nd Battalion Record. - -[83] ‘Napier,’ Book xv. chap. v. - -[84] The other company of this Battalion had joined the army under -Lord Wellington (‘Wellington Supplementary Despatches,’ vi. 569, -575), and was no doubt the company with Sir Brent Spencer’s Division. -See p. 62. - -[85] ‘Napier,’ vol. ii. appendix ix. 2. - -[86] Norcott’s Report: ‘Wellington Supplementary Despatches,’ vii. -128. - -[87] P. 127. - -[88] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 400. - -[89] Lieutenant-Colonel John Charles Hope, K. H., died October 12, -1842. - -[90] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 396. - -[91] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ viii. 218; and see p. 62. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -On the night of March 5 it was ascertained that Massena had evacuated -his position at Santarem, and had commenced a retreat, and the Light -Division were ordered immediately in pursuit; and at three in the -morning on the 6th they marched. The 1st Battalion, being in advance, -on crossing the bridge came upon the dummy straw sentries (the old -trick of the retreating enemy), and pushing on, arrived at Santarem -at midday. This was found quite deserted; and after an hour’s halt -the Riflemen resumed their march, and that night occupied Pernes. - -On the 7th they followed the retreating enemy to Torres Novas; and -halted at night at Arga and La Marosa. Starting at daybreak on -the 8th, the Riflemen first caught sight towards evening of the -enemy’s rear-guard, which occupied the village of Paialvo. The 1st -Battalion were at once ordered to dislodge them, which, with the -help of a couple of 6-pounders, they did very speedily. On the 9th -they advanced early, and after five hours’ march came up with the -enemy’s rear-guard at the junction of the roads from Leiria and -Lisbon and that to Coimbra. Here a large body of cavalry was posted, -and infantry in force was halted in rear. An advanced squadron of -the 11th _Grenadiers à Cheval_ was charged by the German hussars, -and some prisoners taken by them and the Royal Dragoons. About -40 prisoners, mostly stragglers, also fell into the hands of the -Riflemen. - -During these marches O’Hare’s company were pushed forward, by -mounting them behind the dragoons, and were on the 9th engaged all -day in skirmishing; but without any loss. - -On the 10th, the enemy having shown himself in great strength, in -order to check the advance and to take up a position, the Battalion -retired about half a league, and bivouacked in a pine-wood. On -moving forward on the 11th it was found that the French had taken -up a strong position at Pombal, occupying the old castle situated -on an eminence and the town with infantry; the rest of their force -being posted on the heights behind the town. Two companies of the -1st Battalion, O’Hare’s and another, with Elder’s Caçadores, dashed -over the bridge leading to the town, and found the enemy in some -houses near the bridge, from which they kept up a brisk fire; which -the Riflemen, entering the opposite houses, returned for some time. -Till at last Sergeant Fleming and a few men rushed into one of -the houses held by the enemy and made several prisoners. Then the -Riflemen drove them out of the houses. Lieutenant Hopwood, as he was -entering one of them, got a bad wound in the thigh; pushing on they -carried the castle, the key of the position; and pursuing the enemy, -after some sharp fighting with their voltigeurs, who obstinately -disputed ground which from its nature was very defensible, drove them -completely out of Pombal. But continuing their pursuit too far, some -were taken prisoners, and others escaped with difficulty. The combat -continued till dark, which fell before Lord Wellington could bring up -a sufficient body of troops to make a general attack. After this hard -day’s fighting the Battalion bivouacked in a ploughed field, exposed -to torrents of rain. - -In this skirmish the two companies captured a grey horse, which -carried the baggage of Colonel Soult, the nephew of the Marshal; and -the contents were sold by auction by the captors in the bivouack; -except his medals, which the men presented to Captain O’Hare, whose -company had been actively engaged. - -They stood to their arms before daylight, and found that the enemy -had retired in the night. They immediately followed; and found the -enemy posted in front of the town of Redinha; his right protected -by some wooded heights; his left resting on the river Soure beyond -Redinha, and well protected by ravines. In front was a large plain, -which, when the Riflemen emerged from the defile leading to it, they -found occupied by large bodies of troops. It was a bright Spring day, -and the sight of the one army advancing over the plain the other -in position on it, was splendid. The woods on the right of the -position were immediately attacked by the left wing (four companies) -of the 95th, under Major Stewart, which carried them and cleared -them from the enemy in gallant style. This enabled Lord Wellington -to form his line in front of the defile. At the same time the left -of the position was attacked by the right wing of the 95th, under -Major Gilmour, while the other regiments of the Light Division -supported their attacks. The French rear-guard made gallant attempts -to check their advance; but after a stubborn resistance they were -driven through the town of Redinha and over the bridge; the Riflemen -pressing them so hard, that they and the flying enemy passed over -mixed together. Many of the enemy were forced over the battlements of -the bridge; many threw themselves over to escape from their pursuers; -and not a few were slain in the hand-to-hand fight on the bridge. On -passing the bridge the rear-guard attempted to form on the height -beyond; but the Light Division allowed them no respite, and they -were driven towards Condeixa. The enemy’s guns occasionally gave our -skirmishers some discharges of grape; but they pressed on till dark, -when they were recalled, and bivouacked for the night on a height; -the French army in the valley beneath, and the advanced sentries not -more than two hundred yards from each other. - -On this day Lieutenants Robert Beckwith and Chapman, of the 1st -Battalion, were wounded; and of the 2nd Battalion, 4 rank and file -were killed, and 9 wounded. - -Lord Wellington, in his despatch, highly praises the conduct of the -Regiment on this day, specially naming Majors Gilmour and Stewart; -and in reference to driving the enemy’s right out of the wood, he -says: ‘I have never seen the French infantry driven from a wood in a -more gallant style;’[92] but by some mistake in Sir William Erskine’s -report, he gives the credit of this exploit to the 52nd, while it -was really performed, ‘to the admiration of the whole army,’ by four -companies of the 1st Battalion.[93] - -After some of the 1st Battalion skirmishers had towards evening -driven the French before them, the officer commanding the latter held -up his sword with a white handkerchief tied to it; and on coming to -a parley, he told the officer commanding the Riflemen that he thought -both parties needed some rest after a hard day’s work, and proposed a -truce for the night. To this the Riflemen agreed; and asked him and -his subalterns to share their rations. They very readily accepted the -invitation; and after a scanty dinner of ration beef, and a little -rum for beverage, they separated; one party to resume their retreat, -the other their pursuit, next morning. - -Three months after, Lieutenant Fitz-Maurice of the 95th, who had -been present, was on picquet at Duas Casas, near the Agueda, when -he saw a French officer limping towards him, who saluted him as an -acquaintance. ‘_Est-ce que vous ne me reconnaissez pas?_ I was one of -your guests at Redinha. One of your men wounded me next morning. No -matter. I come now not as a spy; but we have heard that you are short -of rations; and I come, in return for your kindness, to offer you -a share of ours.’ Fitz-Maurice was too old a soldier to admit that -they were in want of supplies; though indeed they were; so, thanking -him for his proffered kindness, which he declined (with great inward -longing and regret, no doubt), they parted as good friends as they -had been on the night of the fight at Redinha. - -O’Hare’s and Balvaird’s companies being on picquet, an alarm was -created by a Rifleman, Humphrey Allen, shooting a French sentry, -in the hope of finding something in his mess-tin, because his own -company had refused to share their provisions with him in consequence -of his having skulked to the rear, carrying wounded, during the day. -A general alarm took place, which brought Beckwith to the front. - -On the 13th the Regiment marched to Condeixa and were left -comparatively quiet on the roadside. For while some manœuvring took -place to turn the enemy’s position, he evacuated it, having set the -town of Condeixa on fire. As Lord Wellington was superintending these -dispositions to turn the enemy’s flanks from a knoll close to the -Regiment, some French tirailleurs crept near unperceived and fired at -him and his Staff without success. Several Riflemen ran up to shoot -or capture them, but they fled on their approach. - -On the 14th at dawn the Light Division advanced against the enemy, -who was posted on ground presenting many obstacles near the village -of Casal-Nova. Other divisions of the army were sent to turn the -flanks, while the Light Division attacked Ney’s centre. The ground -was much intersected with stone walls, which enabled the enemy to -dispute every foot of ground. And this Battalion was skirmishing from -early morning until night; but they drove the enemy from one post of -advantage to another in spite of many checks, and eventually Ney’s -rear-guard fell back upon the main body at Miranda de Corvo. Early in -the day a section of one of the companies was thrown forward among -the skirmishers, and some rising ground being in front, Kincaid was -ordered to take a man with him and occupy it, and to give notice of -any movements of the enemy. He and the man who accompanied him, John -Rouse, an old Rifleman, on getting to the top, ensconced themselves -behind two large stones; but every time Rouse put his rifle over the -stone to get a shot, a shower of French bullets rattled near them. -After several attempts he gave it up, observing, ‘There will be no -moving among them till this shower ceases.’ Kincaid observes that -‘this was the hardest day’s fighting he had ever known.’ - -As the French were retreating before our skirmishers, one man was -observed to remain behind, deliberately loading and firing. Costello -covered him and shot him. On coming up with him, a French sergeant, -who lay wounded beside him, said: ‘_Hélas! vous avez tué mon pauvre -frère._’ The cause of his having remained behind was evident; it was -in the hope of protecting his wounded brother. Costello, much to his -credit, as soon as the fighting was over, returned to look for the -brothers; both were dead, stripped by camp-followers, by whom they -had probably been murdered. - -Major John Stewart was killed in this fight, and Lieutenant Strode -received wounds of which he died. Stewart was a most admirable -officer of light troops, skilful in handling them, experienced -in outpost duty, and (after Beckwith’s example), while strictly -maintaining discipline, never harassing the men with matters of -minute detail. Strode, who was also an excellent officer, always -carried a rifle in action, and in the accurate use of it he excelled. - -This day’s fighting lasted till sunset, when the picquets of the 1st -Battalion occupied the village of Illama, which had been set on -fire by the French; and the officers and men of the picquets saved -many of the inhabitants and their children, who were too exhausted -from famine to extricate themselves, from perishing in their burning -houses. Some, however, were only saved from one death to die, when -brought out, from want and exhaustion. Lord Wellington, in his -despatch, specially mentions the conduct of the Regiment and the -names of Colonel Beckwith and Majors Gilmour and Stewart. - -The Battalion on going over the field after the action found that -they had been opposed by the French 95th Regiment; and many buttons -with that number were cut off the coats of the killed and preserved -as trophies. - -On the morning of the 15th a thick fog prevented the army starting -early in pursuit. When it cleared it was found that the enemy had -evacuated their position, and the Battalion passed through Miranda de -Corvo, which was in flames, having been set on fire by Marshal Ney’s -rear-guard, which had occupied it the night before. - -The Battalion were halted beyond the village on a gentle slope, when -Lord Wellington rode up; and Beckwith took occasion in conversation -with him to mention that the Battalion were suffering much from -having outmarched their supplies, and that some of his men from want -and weakness had been unable to keep up. The Commander-in-Chief at -once told them that they should have the first rations that came up. -The men were just setting about cooking some provisions they had -found abandoned by the French, when they were ordered to fall in at -once and advance. The truth is that Lord Wellington on going to the -front had observed that the enemy were in a strong position behind -the river Ceira, but had committed the fatal mistake of leaving -the rear-guard under Ney in front of Foz d’Aronce on our side of -the river, here crossed only by a narrow bridge. The Battalion at -once attacked them, and after a short but hot engagement drove them -over the river. By some mistake the bridge was destroyed before -the whole of the rear-guard had passed; and these being hotly -pressed, endeavoured to cross the river, and a large number of them -were drowned in the attempt. It was almost dark before the action -commenced and it was quite dark before it was ended. The Battalion -occupied for the night the camping-ground thus suddenly vacated by -the French rear-guard, and at their camp-fires resumed the cooking of -their suppers which had been interrupted by the hasty advance from -Miranda de Corvo; or, rather, they continued the cooking begun by the -French, for they found their pots on the fire, and a good supply of -biscuit. - -In this affair Lieutenant M’Cullock was severely, and Kincaid -slightly, wounded. The general orders of the 16th contain, besides -expressions of approbation and thanks to the army in general, -the following clause: ‘The Commander of the Forces requests the -Commanding Officers of the 43rd, 52nd and 95th Regiments, to name -a sergeant of each Regiment to be recommended for promotion to -an ensigncy, as a testimony of the particular approbation of the -Commander of the Forces of these three Regiments.’[94] - -In compliance with this order, Sergeant Simpson, then acting -Sergeant-Major, was recommended, and was appointed an Ensign in the -2nd (Queen’s) Regiment of Foot. - -The 16th was a day of rest. The Light Division had outmarched their -supplies; the men were fatigued and weak from hunger; and the bridge -over the Ceira being destroyed Lord Wellington gave them a day’s halt. - -On reaching the banks of the Ceira the Riflemen came upon a sight of -such wanton cruelty as seemed to stand out in horrid prominence in a -retreat where cruelty, rapine and slaughter were of daily occurrence. -Nearly 500 donkeys were standing in mute agony, hamstrung by the -inhuman enemy who had fled the preceding night. That they should -prevent their falling into the hands of their pursuers was natural; -that they should choose this alternative of rendering them useless, -instead of killing them, was brutal. - -On the morning of the 17th the Battalion crossed the Ceira at the -ford of Alça Perna; the ford was so deep that the men with difficulty -kept their legs; and having passed it they halted on high ground -covered with wood, a little short of the Alva. The next morning -the enemy was found in a strong position on the rugged banks of -the Alva, behind the Ponte da Murcella. They had broken down the -bridge. However, the Battalion was formed up opposite the enemy, -and some 9-pounders being brought up, their fire and the advance of -the Riflemen ‘put them all in a bustle,’ to use Lord Wellington’s -characteristic language;[95] and George Simmons says he never saw -them go off in such confusion.[96] The Battalion halted on a swampy -height covered with pine-woods, and bivouacked. - -On the 19th, a temporary wooden bridge having been constructed, they -crossed the Alva, and passing through Sabriera, halted for the night -in a wood of pines. - -On this day, amongst many other prisoners, an Aide-de-Camp of General -Loison was taken, with a very handsome Spanish girl, dressed in a -hussar uniform, who was said to be his wife. He was a Portuguese, a -traitor to his country. - -On the 20th, the Battalion advanced through Gallizes and halted in -a fir-wood near Venda Nova. Here they found quantities of carts and -waggons which had been abandoned by the enemy. On the following day -they continued their advance and halted in fir-woods near Marusa. -On the 22nd the Battalion went into houses in the town of Momenta -de Serra in consequence of the inclemency of the weather. Here, as -indeed during this whole advance, they found the dead and mutilated -bodies of the people, and heard from the survivors heartrending -accounts of the cruelties perpetrated by the retreating enemy. On the -23rd they advanced to S. Paio and bivouacked in a wood in front of -it; on the next day they marched to and were quartered in the village -of Mello, and on the 25th bivouacked in a wood near it. - -During these days the Battalion was obliged to make these short -marches in order to let the supplies come up. The men and officers -suffered the greatest privation, only one ration of bread being given -out in four days, and the country behind the retreating French being -stripped of everything. - -On the 26th the Battalion marched to Celorico, which the enemy had -evacuated, and halted there the next day. - -On the 28th the right wing of the Battalion by a forced march reached -Avalans de Ribeira, and 100 men under Captain Charles Beckwith were -sent to dislodge a strong rear-guard of the enemy from a mill in -front of Freixadas. They found the French busily at work, grinding -corn, and soon drove them out of the mill and the village; taking -several prisoners. In this affair the Adjutant, Lieutenant James -Stewart, having dashed into the village with a few Riflemen, was -shot, from a window, through the left breast and heart. He was acting -as Brigade-Major to Colonel Beckwith, and was universally esteemed in -the Regiment. ‘It is not too much to say,’ Leach observes, ‘that no -man in any corps ever filled the situation of adjutant better than he -did, and very few half so well. He was open-hearted, manly, friendly -and independent; a most gallant and zealous officer, and much devoted -to his own Corps. He neither cringed to, nor worshipped any man, -but did his duty manfully, and with impartiality: two qualities -inestimable in adjutants. By the soldiers he was idolised, and very -justly. When his duties as adjutant did not interfere, he was amongst -the first to enter into any frolic and fun; and a more jovial soul -never existed.’[97] - -On the next morning at dawn the whole of the advanced guard, -Riflemen, cavalry, and artillery, attended his funeral; and his body, -wrapped in his cloak, and deposited in a chest, was buried in front -of Colonel Beckwith’s quarter, in the village of Alverca. - -The left wing of the Battalion, with the rest of the Light Division, -had on the 28th crossed the Mondego, and occupied the villages of -Baracal and Mavashal. - -On the 29th the army moved forward on the front and flanks of the -strong position of Guarda, which stands perched on a high hill, and -is said to be the most elevated town in Portugal.[98] Notwithstanding -the strength of his position the enemy did not await our onset, -but moved off in the direction of Sabugal, pursued by cavalry and -artillery only. The Light Division was not now handled by the -fiery Craufurd; and the enemy escaped with the loss of barely 200 -prisoners, which fell into the hands of the pursuing cavalry. - -The Battalion halted in Carapeta and other villages at the foot of -the hill on which Guarda is placed. - -On April 1 the Battalion marched by Adão to Pega, where they halted -about an hour in very heavy rain; and then proceeded to Quintas de -S. Bartolomeo on the banks of the Coa, and nearly opposite Sabugal, -where the 2nd Corps of the French army, under Regnier, were posted in -great force, having picquets on our side of the river. - -The Battalion furnished the picquets, which were ordered to be -extremely vigilant; not to interfere with the enemy if he did not -molest them; but if attacked, to hold their post and never to quit it. - -It was a very dark and stormy night, with heavy rain. George Simmons -and Kincaid were on this picquet, and the latter relates a curious -instance of the impossibility of a man’s walking quite straight in -the dark. On going to visit one of his sentries about midnight, he -found the man absent from his post. Being an excellent old soldier -he felt assured that he had not deserted, and after searching for -him in vain he called him by name. The man’s answer was instantly -followed by the discharge of a French sentinel’s musket; and it then -appeared that on every successive walk up and down his beat he had -verged nearer and nearer to the French lines, which he was close to -when called. The man, convinced that he had kept on his post, was -astounded and incredulous that he had in the pitchy darkness edged -away from it. - -On the 2nd the Battalion moved towards the right, and nearer to the -bridge in front of Sabugal, and during this movement had some slight -skirmishes with the enemy’s advanced posts. - -[Illustration: - - ACTION AT SABUGAL - 3^{RD} APRIL 1811 - - _Drawn by Capt^n Moorsom, C.E._ - _E. Weller, lith., London_ - _London: Chatto & Windus._ -] - -On the morning of the 3rd a thick fog hung over the banks of the Coa. -Beckwith’s Brigade of the Light Division was drawn up in close column -behind the heights on the left bank of the river (in compliance with -the disposition for the attack[99]), when a staff officer rode up and -asked him ‘why he did not cross?’ Beckwith was not the man to whom -such a question should have been addressed, nor one to hesitate in -giving a practical answer to it. He immediately ordered his brigade -to advance. Four companies (the right wing) of the 1st Battalion -led. The banks were steep and the ford at which they crossed deep, -the water nearly up to the men’s armpits. As soon as the Riflemen -had climbed the opposite bank they advanced in skirmishing order. -The officer in command of the French picquet ordered his men to -fire as they retreated. Following the picquet, they soon came upon -a regiment, and continued skirmishing till the rest of the brigade -came up. Then they pushed the enemy through a chestnut-wood and up -the hill; a blinding rain came on, and on advancing Beckwith found -himself, when the shower ceased, confronted by the whole of Regnier’s -_Corps d’Armée_. Their fire and overwhelming numbers forced back the -four companies of the Battalion on the 43rd who were in support. -Regnier followed with three strong columns; but the 43rd received -them with such a fire that they fell back, and the 43rd charging -them, drove them down the hill and into their position. Here the -enemy made a stand, and being reinforced, again obliged Beckwith to -retire. He got his Riflemen behind some walls, where he not only -held and checked the enemy, but again drove the French back and -pursued them; but on reaching their original position, Beckwith was -attacked by infantry on the left, while cavalry on the right charged -the skirmishers. A third time the handful of men were forced back -by overwhelming numbers; but now the other brigade of the Light -Division, attracted by the fire, came up; and the fog clearing off, -the 3rd Division, under Picton, which had crossed the river lower -down, came up on the enemy’s right; and the 5th Division, having -crossed the bridge, appeared debouching from the town of Sabugal; -thus reinforced, Beckwith drove the enemy at the point of the bayonet -into and through his original position, and the French retreated in -confusion. Unfortunately, Sir William Erskine with the cavalry had -lost his way in the fog, and had gone too far to the right; so that -advantage could not be taken of the loose manner in which the enemy -left the field; yet some prisoners were made. - -In this action, in which, as Lord Wellington states, ‘the operations -of the day were, by unavoidable accidents, not performed in the -manner he intended they should be,’ nothing could be more daring -or more characteristic of British courage, than the way in which -Beckwith, with a handful of men (the Riflemen, Elder’s Caçadores, and -the 43rd), withstood and thrice repulsed and pursued a whole _Corps -d’Armée_ placed in a strong position. And deservedly does the great -captain go on to say that he considered ‘the action fought by Colonel -Beckwith’s brigade principally, to be one of the most glorious the -British troops were ever engaged in.’[100] - -Beckwith’s own coolness and gallant bearing in it are recorded by all -the narrators of the action. When obliged by the overwhelming numbers -and fury of the French to give the order to retire, he rode among -his own Riflemen; and seeing some disposition to quicken the pace -he would say: ‘Don’t run; I did not mean that; we will go steadily, -and give them a shot as we retire.’ When he had reached his supports -and could make a stand, he faced them about, and led them forward -again, and was obeyed and followed as calmly and steadily as if he -was marching them up and down the barrack square. - -In this affair Lieutenant the Hon. Duncan Arbuthnot and 1 Rifleman -were killed. Beckwith was wounded in the forehead, and had a horse -shot under him; and Second Lieutenant William Haggup and 12 rank and -file were wounded. - -And of the company of the 2nd Battalion present in this action, 1 man -was killed and 2 wounded. - -During the fight, as the Riflemen were driving the enemy’s -skirmishers through a chestnut-wood, a man of the 1st Battalion of -the name of Flinn, was aiming at a Frenchman, when a hare started -out of the fern with which the hill was covered. Flinn, leaving the -Frenchman, covered the hare, and fired and killed his game. On the -officer commanding the company remonstrating with him, his reply was, -‘Ah! your honour, sure we can kill a Frenchman any day; but it isn’t -always I can bag a hare for your supper.’[101] - -The fight was hardly over, when the fog dissolved in torrents of -rain; and Lord Wellington, riding up at the moment, directed the -Light Division, as an express recognition of its prowess during the -day, to house themselves in the town of Sabugal. They arrived just -in time to anticipate the 5th Division, who yielded the much-coveted -shelter, not without much murmuring. Thus the Riflemen had a roof -over their heads; but the houses were mostly shared with the former -occupants, who were dying of hunger or of ill-usage. - -On the next day the Light Division moved through Quadrazaes, -Valdespina, and Alfayates, and halted for the night at the frontier -village of Forcalhos. - -On the 5th the Battalion marched to Albergueria (in Spain); Massena -having crossed the Agueda, and evacuated Portugal, with the exception -of a garrison in Almeida, which was immediately blockaded. - -On the 8th they marched to Fuentes d’Onor, and on the next day took -up their old line of outposts on the Agueda, at Gallegos, Espeja, and -Fuentes d’Onor. - -On the 10th two companies of Riflemen, consisting of 150 men, under -Captain Cameron, were detached to San Pedro near Almeida, to shoot -the cattle grazing on the glacis of that fortress. Daily until -the 15th, before dawn, they marched to near Almeida, and taking -a position among rocks, and firing at the cattle, compelled the -garrison to withdraw them. They were daily saluted with the fire of -the guns of the place, by which, on the 12th, 1 sergeant (McDonald) -was killed. At dusk they returned to San Pedro, to resume their watch -on the next morning. - -On the 23rd, a force consisting of two battalions of French infantry -and a squadron of cavalry, marched by Carpio to the heights above the -bridge of Marialva, on the Azarva, and halting there, sent forward a -party to attack the picquets of the Light Division stationed at the -bridge, then furnished by the 52nd. The pass was gallantly defended; -and another company of the 52nd and some of the 1st Battalion coming -to the assistance of the picquet, the enemy were repulsed, and -retired towards Ciudad Rodrigo. Lord Wellington, in his ‘Despatches,’ -mentions Lieutenant Charles Eeles as having distinguished himself on -this occasion.[102] - -On the 27th the Battalion marched early in the morning from the -villages of Sesmero, Barquella and Villar de Puerco, which they -occupied, to Alameda, and thence in rear of Gallegos, on which -occasion another attack was made on the picquets, and again the enemy -were repulsed. - -And again, on May 1, six squadrons of French cavalry and a column -of infantry appeared on the old ground of the heights of Carpio and -Marialva; but after making a demonstration for some hours, withdrew. - -On the 2nd the French army was concentrated, and advanced with a -view evidently of raising the blockade of Almeida, or of throwing -supplies into it; and as Lord Wellington was not disposed to dispute -their advance until they approached his position at Fuentes d’Onor, -the Light Division fell back without firing a shot, and passing -through the village of Fuentes d’Onor, took post behind the village -of Alameda. - -But though the 1st Battalion were not actually engaged on this -day, the company of the 3rd Battalion which was attached to the -1st Division took part in resisting the furious attack made by the -enemy’s light troops on the village of Fuentes d’Onor; Lieutenant -Uniacke was severely wounded, and 9 Riflemen were wounded. - -On the evening of the 4th, the Battalion were moved to the rear of -the centre of the British position. On this day General Craufurd -rejoined from England, where he had been on leave, to the great -satisfaction of his Division, which had experienced the want of his -leading on more than one occasion during his absence. - -[Illustration: - - BATTLE OF FUENTES d’ONOR - 5^{TH} MAY 1811 - - _Drawn by Capt^n Moorsom, C.E._ - _E. Weller, lith., London_ - _London: Chatto & Windus._ -] - -On the 5th took place the Battle of Fuentes d’Onor. In the morning -the Battalion was moved to the right and posted in a wood of oaks, -throwing out skirmishers in front. Here they were hotly engaged -for some time with the French skirmishers, who, however, did not -attempt to drive them through the wood; till a large body of cavalry -appearing on their right, and the French skirmishers pressing them -sharply through the wood, they were compelled to retire, as the flank -of the 7th Division being turned, they were in great danger of being -cut off. Then it was that Craufurd moved them in close column, ready -to form square in an instant had the cavalry charged them, across a -plain nearly a mile in extent. This manœuvre was executed with all -the precision and deliberateness of a field-day, while an enormous -force of hostile cavalry hovered around them, but did not dare to -charge, so formidable was their formation, and so steady their -movement; and while a furious cannonade assailed them. They marched -to that part of the position where the Guards were formed in line, -and they wheeling back a company, the Battalion marched through, and -halting in column acted as a support to that part of the position. -They were afterwards placed at a right angle to the right of the -British position, with their own right resting on the river Turones; -and getting behind and among some rocks and broken ground, they were -menaced by a large force of French infantry, which endeavoured to -push in between the 1st and 7th Divisions, but finding the position -unassailable, and being vigorously attacked by four companies of the -Battalion under Major O’Hare,[103] withdrew. Then a tremendous fire -of artillery was opened upon the Riflemen. - -About two o’clock, as the enemy did not seem to threaten any further -attack on this position, the Battalion were withdrawn, and placed in -reserve in rear of the centre. Here they remained, lying down, until -near dusk, when the Battalion moved down into Fuentes d’Onor, to -relieve the troops which had been engaged there. - -While the Battalion were in position near the Turones, and the French -infantry which threatened them kept out of rifle range, Flinn, whose -sporting propensities at Sabugal I have recorded, was observed to -leave the ranks, and, with his comrade, advance towards the enemy. -The officer in immediate command, fancying they were deserting, asked -the sergeant of the company what it meant. ‘Oh no, sir,’ he replied, -‘they are only gone for some amusement.’ Accordingly, ‘on nobler -game intent’ than the hares at Sabugal, after stopping to drink at -the Turones (for the May day was hot) they crept up to the French, -and taking good aim, brought down each his man. Then, putting their -caps on their rifles to receive the return fire, while they were -well under cover, they deliberately walked back, and fell into their -places in the Battalion.[104] - -In this action 1 sergeant and 6 Riflemen of the 1st Battalion were -wounded; of the company of the 2nd Battalion, 2 were killed and -4 wounded; and of the company of the 3rd Battalion, attached to -Sir Brent Spencer’s Division, Lieutenant Westby and 1 private were -killed, 2 were wounded, and 1 sergeant and 1 private were missing. - -Shortly after the Battalion occupied the village of Fuentes d’Onor, -the French, whose picquets were at the other side of the bridge which -spans the Duas Casas, sent over a flag of truce, with a request to be -allowed to carry off their wounded. This was of course acceded to. -Three French officers crossed the bridge, and while the wounded on -both sides were being carried off had much friendly conversation with -our officers, preceded by polite offers of ‘_une prise de tabac_.’ -They were loud in their praises of the gallantry of our troops, and -presaged hard fighting on the morrow. One of them, alluding to the -name of the place, observed to George Simmons that of that ‘Fountain -of Honour’ many of their comrades and of ours had drank deep. The -wounded having been removed, they politely wished our officers ‘good -night,’ and returned to their side of the river. - -They had a captain’s picquet posted near the bridge, and a strong -column of infantry near a church, and two of their sentries were at -the foot of the bridge, while ours were stationed on our side of it. -Great vigilance was necessary, and was exercised by our officers of -the picquet, in consequence of the proximity of the posts. - -A man of the Battalion of the name of Tidy, a blacksmith by trade, -having found a forge in the village, set to work to shoe some of the -officers’ horses. A French grenadier, attracted by the light, crossed -the bridge, and asked to be allowed to light his pipe, and having -done so remained talking to our men. Craufurd, who had come down to -visit the picquet (Costello says to see after the shoeing of his -horse), caught sight of the red epaulette, and sternly asked ‘What -the man was doing there;’ and being informed that he only came to -light his pipe, ordered him to begone.[105] - -In the course of the night the Riflemen on picquet in the village -threw up earthworks in the gardens, and a strong breastwork across -the street. Before dawn they stood to their arms, but when day broke -they found that the French did not renew the attack; nor did any -change occur in the position of the two armies until the 10th, when -it was ascertained at daybreak, by the Riflemen on picquet, that the -French had retired, leaving only a small cavalry picquet at various -points in the line of posts they had occupied. The Light Division and -cavalry pursued them; but the superiority of the enemy in cavalry, -which covered their retreat, effectually checked the pursuit; and the -Battalion bivouacked in its old quarters at Gallegos and Espeja. - -On the 12th three regiments of French cavalry moved from Ciudad -Rodrigo by the heights of Carpio, and our cavalry picquets fell back, -followed by a squadron towards Espeja. Beckwith at once turned out -his brigade, and sent forward some Riflemen as skirmishers; and the -enemy retired across the Azarva with the loss of a few horses. - -On the 26th, the Battalion marched to Nave d’Aver and Aldea de Ponte, -fully expecting to proceed to the Alemtejo; but the next day they -were countermanded, and resumed from the 5th Division the line of -outposts in front of Espeja, Gallegos, &c. - -On June 3, Beckwith, having heard that the French cavalry were -collecting on the Agueda, and not knowing where an attack might be -made, moved his brigade before dawn out of Espeja, and occupied a -wood in rear of it; but no attack being made he returned to his -former post at noon. - -On the 5th, the Light Division broke up from the line of posts -it had occupied since the battle of Fuentes d’Onor, and marching -by Aldea de Ponte, bivouacked in a wood near Alfayates. On the -next day the Battalion crossed the Coa by the very same ford near -Sabugal by which they had advanced to the fight of April 3, and -bivouacked in a neighbouring wood of chestnut-trees. The night was -very dark, and about midnight there occurred one of those strange -panics which excite the terror even of those who never flinched in -battle. Some bullocks straying among the piled arms knocked them -over. Those awakened by the crash of the falling rifles raised the -cry, ‘The French are upon us!’ In a moment all was confusion; the -officers trying to assemble their companies; even Craufurd himself, -it is said,[106] ordering the men to fall in and load; and the camp -followers flying to the rear. After a time the panic died out; and on -the morning of the 8th the Battalion marched to Memoa, and halting -there to cook, proceeded to Penamacor in the evening. - -On the 9th to S. Miguel d’Arch, and halted on the 10th. - -On the 11th, by some blunder of the Staff, they were ordered to -commence their march under a burning sun, and a great many men -fell out, necessitating frequent halts. By some further mistake -the baggage and supplies did not come up, and the men were without -provisions for forty hours. At night they arrived at As Caldas de -Cima, and bivouacked in a wood. - -On the 12th the Battalion passed through Castello Branco, and halted -during the heat of the day at As Cornadas de Rodão, and in the -evening advanced to the pass of Villa Velha. - -On the next day, crossing the Tagus by a bridge of boats, they -marched to Niza, and bivouacked in a wood; on the 14th marched to -Alpalhão, and on the following day to Portalegre, where they halted -until the 19th, when they moved to Arronches. - -On the 23rd they took up their position with the army which Lord -Wellington had concentrated, encamping on a most arid plain near -Monte Raguinga on the Caya, and about three miles from Campo Major. - -Here the Battalion remained for about a month, during which time -Craufurd did not allow his Division to be idle, but frequently took -it out for drill and exercise. During the time it remained here the -Battalion suffered much from the baneful climate of the Alemtejo; and -fever, ague and dysentery were rife amongst the officers and men. -To add to the discomfort of this camp, it was infested with snakes, -scorpions and other reptiles; yet it is strange that among so many -men occupying it, no fatal or serious accident ever occurred from -this nuisance, at least among the Riflemen. - -At last, on July 21, they were released from the life, to them after -active service, so monotonous and every way so disagreeable; and on -that day marching about a league and a half only, bivouacked, and -on the next day marched into Portalegre. On the 23rd they proceeded -to Castello de Vide, where they occupied several quintas round the -town. Thence they marched northward by much the same route by which -they had moved to the Alemtejo, passing Niza on the 29th, and on -the next day crossing the Tagus at Villa Velha, by a pontoon bridge, -and bivouacking in an olive-grove. Thence to Castello Branco on -August 1, to Lausão on the 2nd, Bemposta on the 3rd, Mauras on the -4th, whence they moved to the neighbouring heights on the 6th, and -continued their march towards the northern frontier of Portugal on -the 7th. On the 10th the Battalion crossed the Agueda at the ford of -Vado de Carros, and occupied the villages of Martiago with the right -wing, and Langella with the left. On the 11th they started, with Lord -Wellington, to make a reconnaissance on Ciudad Rodrigo. On their -approaching it some hundred infantry with a few field-guns, came out -of the town, but did not venture beyond the protection of the guns -of the place. The reconnaissance having been effected, the Riflemen -returned to their cantonments. - -During the march from the Alemtejo the men of the Battalion had -suffered much from the heat, and many of the marches had to be -performed in the evening, or before sunrise, or during the night. On -August 21 the four companies of the 3rd Battalion which had been at -Barrosa, joined the Light Division, and a fifth company, which, as -has been mentioned, was attached to Sir Brent Spencer’s Division at -his request, as a Colonel Commandant of the Regiment, also joined, -thus forming five companies of the Battalion, under the command of -Colonel Barnard. They were placed in Beckwith’s brigade of the Light -Division. About the same time another company of the 2nd Battalion, -which had embarked at Portsmouth on July 5, and had landed at Lisbon -on the 14th, under the command of Captain Hart, also joined the Light -Division. - -Sickness, no doubt contracted in the Alemtejo while encamped on -the Caya, still made great ravages among the troops of the Light -Division; three officers and many men of the Regiment having died -while it occupied these cantonments on the Agueda. - -At the end of August the Regiment (or at least the 1st Battalion) -marched to Villa Rejo, on the 28th to Zamarra, and on the 29th to -Atalaya. - -On that evening George Simmons was sent forward with a company, and a -corporal and three men of the German hussars, with orders, by moving -through a woody country and by a circuitous route, to strike on the -road leading from Salamanca; and then to proceed at his discretion, -in order to ascertain, if possible, whether any convoy was on its way -to throw provisions into Ciudad Rodrigo. He reconnoitred Tenebrun, -and bivouacked for the night in a wood. - -The next morning he moved to Boca de Carro and S. Spiritus, and -ascertained from Don Julian Sanchez’s guerillas that a convoy -had left Salamanca for Ciudad Rodrigo, but had been compelled to -return, several parties of guerillas having formed across the road -and attacked it. The company therefore returned to its quarters at -Atalaya. - -On September 9, Leach with his company and one of Portuguese -Caçadores was sent over the Sierra de Gata to occupy two villages, -Las Herrias and Aldea Juella, in the heart of the mountains, to -observe some roads by which it was thought that Marmont might attempt -to move light cavalry or infantry, and to obtain information as to -the movements of the enemy. Here they remained a fortnight, daily -patrolling and reconnoitring, but unable to ascertain anything of the -enemy’s doings. - -Marmont having determined to throw provisions into Ciudad Rodrigo, -assembled his whole army and crossed the mountains from Plasencia. -The Regiment, as part of the Light Division, was posted on the -heights near Horquira. The enemy’s cavalry watched them, and entered -Atalaya on September 23. Here the Riflemen remained three days; -and on the 25th the combat at El Bodon took place between the Hon. -General Colville’s brigade and the enemy’s cavalry. At this time the -Riflemen were on the right bank of the Agueda, occupying the line of -the Vadillo, a tributary flowing through a rocky channel into the -Agueda, and falling into it about three miles from Rodrigo. Their -position was a most dangerous one; for unless the troops on the left -bank of the Agueda could hold the French in check they would have -been cut off. Their safety was further endangered by the obstinacy of -Craufurd; who though he received orders to retire, and join the rest -of the army at or near Guinaldo, at two o’clock in the afternoon of -the 25th, marched only to Cespedosa, one league from the Vadillo. On -the next morning, however, at daybreak, they marched; and crossing -the Agueda by a ford, and taking a circuitous route joined the 3rd -and 4th Divisions near Guinaldo about three o’clock in the afternoon. - -On that night the whole army retired, leaving the Light Division as -a rear-guard. The Riflemen having made up their fires to deceive the -enemy, and to lead them to believe that they were still in bivouack, -followed about midnight. They marched through Casillas de Flores -to Forcalhos, and were on the march during the whole of the 27th, -with the exception of a short halt. General Craufurd having remained -behind with a troop of cavalry to reconnoitre, was sharply pressed -and pursued by the enemy’s chasseurs, and came galloping into the -middle of the Riflemen with the enemy’s troopers at his heels. But -the Riflemen, throwing themselves into rocky ground and cover, which -fortunately was on each side of the road, soon brought the French -cavalry to a check; but these dismounting and acting as infantry -skirmishers, a smart skirmish took place between some companies of -the Regiment and these dismounted men, which continued the greater -part of the day. In the evening the Regiment joined the other -Divisions at Aldea de Ponte. - -Again forming the rear-guard, the Regiment marched at midnight, and -about eight o’clock on the morning of the 28th reached a position on -the height near Soita in a wood of enormous chestnut-trees, many of -which were hollow from age and of such dimensions that men might have -been and were sheltered in them. Lord Wellington was here in a very -strong position; and Marmont having effected his principal object of -re-victualling Ciudad Rodrigo, declined to give battle, and retired. - -The Regiment on October 1 marched to Aldea Velha, and resumed its -cantonments on the Agueda at Castellejo de Duas Casas, Martiago, -Atalaya, Robleda, etc. - -The Regiment now (with the Light Division) maintained the blockade of -Ciudad Rodrigo, and there is little to record of its movements until -the commencement of the more active operations of the siege. - -On November 2, however, information having been received that a -considerable body of French troops were in motion to escort a -new governor to Rodrigo (the former one, General Renaud, having -been taken prisoner near the place by Don Julian Sanchez and his -guerillas), the Regiment moved up nearer to the fortress on this -morning; but it having been ascertained that the governor had -succeeded in entering the place, and that the escort was bivouacked -two leagues in its rear, the Regiment fell back to its former -cantonments. - -On the 20th Lord Wellington inspected the Regiment (with the rest -of the Division) between El Bodon and Fuente Guinaldo. The Regiment -had marched from its cantonments in the morning and returned to them -after the inspection. - -About this time, or rather earlier, Colonel Beckwith went to England -on account of his health, and Barnard (commanding the 3rd Battalion) -took command of his brigade. - -On January 4 the troops intended to carry on the siege of Ciudad -Rodrigo were moved up near the place. In an incessant fall of cold -rain the Riflemen forded the Agueda; the water being nearly up to -their shoulders, the men were obliged to put their pouches on the -top of their knapsacks and to hold on to one another to prevent -their being swept away by the current. The Light Division occupied -Pastores, La Encina, and El Bodon. No sufficient arrangements having -been made for their quarters, houses were with difficulty obtained, -and officers and men were huddled together wherever they could find -shelter. Next day, however, better arrangements were made, and the -companies of Riflemen were housed separately. - -On the 8th the Regiment crossed the Agueda before daylight on a -bitterly cold morning at the ford of Cantarona, near the Convent of -La Caridad; the water was about knee-deep; and passing round a hill -to the north of the town near San Francisco and out of range of the -enemy’s guns, they halted. Several French officers appeared and spoke -to the officers of the 95th with great politeness, being anxious to -ascertain, as it seemed, what this movement meant. - -It was not long before they learned; for at nine o’clock that evening -a party of 300 men of the Light Division, under Colonel Colborne -of the 52nd, stormed the detached fort of San Francisco. Captain -Crampton’s company of the 1st Battalion first formed upon the crest -of the glacis, followed by Travers’s company of the 3rd Battalion, -and another company, commanded by Lieutenant Macnamara, of the 1st -Battalion. In a moment they were in the ditch and swarming over the -parapet. Three guns were taken, 2 captains and 48 men made prisoners, -and the rest of the garrison were killed. In this attack Second -Lieutenant Rutherford Hawksley, ‘a most promising young man,’ was -severely wounded, and died of his wounds. The officer commanding -this outwork, a smart, talkative little Frenchman, was, when made -prisoner, brought to General Craufurd. He had been stripped by the -Portuguese and had nothing on but trousers, and was bleeding from -the nose and mouth. Craufurd having expressed regret that he could -not furnish him with clothing, Tom Crawley, a well-known private -in the 1st Battalion, stepped forward, and saluting, said, ‘He may -have my great coat, your honour.’ Craufurd, who was much pleased, -said,’You are very good, Rifleman; let him have it.’ Almost at -the same time a sergeant was brought in, stripped naked by the -Portuguese; he embraced his captain and burst into tears. Harry -Smith, then on Craufurd’s Staff, gave him his handkerchief to cover -his nakedness.[107] - -The capture of this work enabled the working parties immediately to -begin the first parallel. The garrison kept up an incessant fire of -shot and shell, but by daylight the men were well covered. Early -on the 9th the Light Division were relieved by the 1st. The French -from the old square tower of the cathedral had a good view of this -relief, and a furious fire was kept up on the advancing and retiring -Divisions. - -On the 12th the Light Division again occupied the trenches, fording -the Agueda up to their waists, and continuing in this wet state, -half-frozen, till relieved next day. Some worked at the approaches; -some kept up a fire on the works of the place; and in the evening, -under cover of a fog, thirty men of the 1st Battalion, under -Kincaid, were sent forward to dig holes as near as possible to the -crest of the glacis, in which to shelter themselves, and to pick -off the gunners. This was not difficult for a good marksman; as, -by having his rifle ready, he was able to aim at an embrasure and -fire at it the moment he saw the flash of the gun. But the garrison -threw fire-balls among them; however, the men crouching in their -rifle-pits, lay hid until the fire-balls burned out, and then -springing up again, picked off their gunners in the embrasures. - -At ten the next morning the Division was relieved, and marched back -to its cantonments. The fording of the Agueda, now partly frozen, on -coming to and returning from the trenches, was very trying to the -men. Not only the depth and the cold of the river; but now large -blocks of ice carried down by the current bruised and incommoded -them. In some measure to obviate this, cavalry were ordered to form -across the ford above the infantry, and under this shelter the -Riflemen crossed, if in the cold, at least unmolested by the floating -ice. - -On the 16th they again resumed their place in the trenches. The enemy -had now got the range so accurately that their shells literally -dropped into the trenches. So murderous and incessant was the fire -from the place, that on their relief the next morning a new expedient -was devised to escape its effect. The relieving division came up -by small parties and the Light Division in like manner retired a -few men at a time. But strange is the confidence given by constant -exposure to danger: the Riflemen having discovered that by crossing -the river close to where they then were, and running the gauntlet of -the enemy’s fire for about a mile, instead of going round behind the -hill near San Francisco, they would save both time and distance in -getting to their cantonments, they did so. - -Two breaches having been pronounced practicable on the 18th, the -troops were ordered to assemble on the 19th for the assault of -the place. The storming party consisted of a hundred men from -each Regiment of the Division. The officers of the Regiment who -volunteered for this duty were Captain Mitchell[108] of the 2nd -Battalion, and Lieutenants William Johnston and Kincaid of the 1st -Battalion. The Regiment forded the Agueda as usual, and halted for -about an hour near the Convent of La Caridad. Thence they moved -forward, and halted again behind the Convent of San Francisco. - -The order of attack was as follows: - -Four companies of the 1st Battalion, commanded by Major Cameron, who -were to line the crest of the glacis and keep down the fire of the -place; - -Portuguese, carrying hay-bags, which they were to throw into the -ditch, and ladders; - -The forlorn hope; - -The storming party, commanded by Major George Napier, of the 52nd; - -The main body of the Division, commanded by Craufurd. - -While waiting behind the Convent for the order to advance, Harry -Smith came up to the Regiment, and said, ‘Some of you must come and -take charge of some ladders;’ George Simmons at once stepped out and -offered to go; and, having picked out the number of men required, -followed Smith to the Engineer camp and obtained them. When he -returned, Craufurd fiercely attacked him; ‘Why did you bring these -short ladders here?’ ‘Because I was ordered by the Engineers to do -so, General.’ ‘Go back, Sir, and get others; I am astonished at such -stupidity.’ Simmons returned and procured others; and on his way back -finding a Portuguese Captain wishing to be useful with his company, -he handed over the ladders to him with strict injunctions as to how -to place them, and rejoined his Battalion. - -It is pleasanter to record Craufurd’s last address to his Division, -almost his last words, as they stood waiting to attack; words never -forgotten by some who heard them. - -‘Soldiers,’ he said, in a voice which seemed to be peculiarly -impressive, ‘the eyes of your country are upon you. Be steady; be -cool; be firm in the assault. The town must be yours this night. Once -masters of the wall, let your first duty be to clear the ramparts, -and in doing so keep well together.’ - -At last the signal was given, and the leading Riflemen issued from -behind the Convent of San Francisco and turned to the left to ascend -the glacis. The night was clear enough to enable the defenders to -perceive them; and no sooner had the head of the column appeared, -than a furious fire of shot, shell and musketry lit up the ramparts -in a sheet of flame, while fire-balls enabled the enemy to direct -their aim on the advancing columns. Cameron’s Riflemen extended along -the glacis, and opened their fire. The stormers rushed up to the -ditch, and without waiting for the hay-bags or ladders carried by -the Portuguese, who were nowhere, leaped into the ditch, a descent -of ten or twelve feet, and made for the breach. Kincaid, by mistake, -turned to a ravelin which he fancied to be a bastion, and finding -one angle of it a good deal battered, thought it was the breach, and -mounted it; but soon perceiving his error, was about to return, when -a shout from the other side of the ditch announced that the breach -had been found. He dropped from the ravelin, and on coming to the -breach found the head of the storming party just ascending it. - -But not the stormers only: the rest of the Regiment were pouring -into the ditch. George Simmons finding ladders reared against the -_fausse-braye_ (for the Portuguese by this time had found their way -to the ditch) mounted it with many others, fancying it to be the -breach; but discovering his mistake, slid down the other side and -mounted the breach. As he was ascending the ladders, Uniacke of -the 1st Battalion accosted him. ‘This is the way.’ ‘Impossible,’ -replied Simmons, ‘here are the ladders.’ Uniacke left him, turned -to the left, and just as he reached the rampart an expense magazine -exploded, and blew him and many others up.[109] - -Then was there furious fighting at this breach; but it was soon won. -The men, true to Craufurd’s orders, cleared the ramparts, and within -an hour the place was in our hands. Then began that furious tumult, -and that loosening of all the bands of discipline which mark the sack -of a place captured by assault. The town was set on fire, but by the -exertions of Barnard, Cameron and others it was extinguished. Barnard -and Cameron with some of their officers seized broken gun-barrels, -of which many French ones were found, and by force and even blows -compelled the men to refrain from brutality and madness. By one -o’clock in the morning Barnard had got the Regiment together and -formed them on the ramparts, where, kindling fires, they lay down and -slept soundly after this din of arms. - -And many slept to wake no more. Captain Uniacke, as I have said, was -blown up on reaching the rampart; his arm was torn from the socket, -and he was fearfully scorched. He was carried to Gallegos, where he -died a few hours after, surrounded by the men of his company, by -whom he was beloved.’ ‘Though young in years,’ says Costello, who -served in his company, ‘he was gallant, daring, and just to all whom -he commanded. His affability and personal courage had rendered him -the idol of the men of his company.’ Fairfoot, who was Pay-sergeant -of his company, was resolved that he should be buried in consecrated -ground; but he found an obstacle in the prejudices of the clergy, -who considered him a heretic. However, Fairfoot (with pardonable -equivocation) assured the priests that his Captain was an Irishman, -which to the Spanish priests implied that he was a Catholic. Their -scruples gave way; ‘and I chose,’ said Fairfoot afterwards, ‘the -finest tree in the church-yard of Gallegos.’ At its foot he was laid; -the whole of his company attending, under the command of Thomas -Smith, his subaltern. Lieutenants John Cox and Hamilton, of the 1st -Battalion, were also severely wounded, 1 Rifleman was killed, 1 -sergeant and 15 rank and file wounded; in the 2nd Battalion, Captain -Mitchell, and Lieutenants Bedell and M’Gregor were wounded, the two -former severely; 8 rank and file were killed, and 22 wounded;[110] -and 2 sergeants and 7 rank and file of the 3rd Battalion were wounded. - -Besides these losses in the Regiment they had to regret the loss -of their leader in so many glorious fields, Major-General Robert -Craufurd, who, soon after starting them from the San Francisco -Convent with the inspiriting words, ‘Now, lads, for the breach,’ was -struck down mortally wounded, and died on the 24th. He was buried -with military honours at the foot of the breach his Division had so -gallantly carried, borne to the grave by four Sergeant-Majors of -his Division, and followed by Lord Wellington, his Staff, and the -officers of his Division. Though not of the Regiment, he had led -them in so many a glorious field that he seemed to be of them. At -Buenos Ayres, in the retreat to Corunna, and now in Portugal and -Spain, he had been their Brigadier or divisional General. At first -dreaded and disliked for his strict rules of discipline and for his -unswerving punishment of all breaches of them, he had come to be -beloved by men and officers, who saw to what a pitch of excellence -that code and that enforcement of it had brought the Division he -commanded, making it the admiration or the envy of the whole army; -who recognised that if he was exacting, he always was just; who felt -that he cared for their wants or their comfort; and who knew that he -always led them bravely, always to conquer. - -I am not writing a memoir of General Craufurd; yet two anecdotes -connected specially with the Regiment I may here record. - -On one occasion he was riding in front of the lines when two -Riflemen rushed out of a house, pursued by a Spanish woman calling -out _‘Ladrone! ladrone!’_ They had stolen bread. Craufurd with his -orderly immediately pursued them, the guard was turned out, and -they were made prisoners. The next day they were tried by a brigade -Court-Martial, found guilty, and sentenced to a punishment of a -hundred-and-fifty lashes. One, a Corporal Miles, was of course to be -reduced to the ranks. They were brought out to a wood to be punished. -As soon as the Brigade Major had read the proceedings, Craufurd -addressed the men on their cruelty to the Spaniards. Then, turning to -the Regiment, he upbraided them in no measured terms: ‘You think that -because you are Riflemen, and more exposed to the enemy’s fire than -other troops, you may rob the inhabitants with impunity; but while I -command you, you shall not.’ Then addressing Corporal Miles, he said -in a stern voice, ‘Strip, sir.’ - -When Miles was tied up to a tree to receive his punishment, he turned -his head and said: ‘General Craufurd, I hope you will forgive me.’ -Craufurd answered: ‘No; your crime is too great.’ - -On this Corporal Miles, in a quiet and most respectful voice and -manner, addressed the General: ‘Do you remember, sir, when you and I -were taken prisoners, when under the command of General Whitelocke -at Buenos Ayres? We were marched prisoners to a sort of pound, -surrounded with a wall. There was a well in the centre, from which -I drew water in my mess-tin, by means of canteen-straps which I -collected from the men who were prisoners like myself. You sat on my -knapsack; and I parted my last biscuit with you. You then told me -that you would never forget my kindness to you. It is now in your -power, sir. You know how short of rations we have been for some time.’ - -These simple words, and the soldier’s respectful manner, affected not -only Craufurd but every man in the square. Meanwhile the Bugle-Major -gave the fatal nod, and Miles received a lash. But before a second -fell, Craufurd called out: ‘What’s that? who taught that bugler to -flog? send him to drill; he cannot flog. Stop, stop, take him down; I -remember it well; I remember it well!’ Then he paced up and down the -square, evidently much moved. In a dead silence Miles was untied; and -at last the General said to him: ‘Why does a brave soldier like you -commit these crimes?’ and calling his orderly, he mounted, and rode -off without a word more. The other man was pardoned, and Miles had -his corporal’s stripes restored in a few days. - -On one occasion during Moore’s retreat, Lieutenant Thomas Smith, then -a very young officer who had but lately joined, was accompanying -ammunition which was in charge of a Quartermaster (Ross). On their -arrival at Craufurd’s head-quarters, the wily Quartermaster advised -Smith to go and report their arrival to the General. The other -demurred; saying that he was not in charge of the ammunition, -but only accompanying it. However, the Quartermaster urged him, -reminding him that he must be hungry; they had not, in fact, tasted -food for twenty-four hours; and that the General would probably ask -him to dinner. Thus counselled by his senior and impelled by his -hunger, he presented himself at the General’s quarter and saw his -Aide-de-Camp, who going upstairs returned with an order to proceed -at once a further march of some three leagues. Smith returned to -the Quartermaster with this woful order, adding that as he was in -charge of it, he might remain with it, for that he should go on and -overtake his Battalion. The Quartermaster declared he should do no -such thing; and after a sharp argument they both started and joined -the Battalion. In the morning as Smith was sitting down to breakfast, -an order came from Craufurd, who had come up, that he and the -Quartermaster should attend him. On being ushered into the General’s -presence they found him warming himself before a comfortable brazier, -while breakfast stood on the table. In a voice of great severity he -asked which of the two had received his order the night before. - -‘I did, sir,’ said Smith, ‘but’-- - -‘No _but_, sir,’ interrupted Craufurd; ‘consider yourself under -arrest; and,’ adding a tremendous oath, ‘I will smash you.’ - -Poor Smith--for Craufurd would not hear a word more--returned in -dismay to his brother officers, whom he found at breakfast; but -hungry as he was and pressed by them to be of good heart, food had -now no charms for him. - -Eventually Beckwith represented to Craufurd that the offender was -but a boy just joined; and his pleadings, coupled perhaps with the -fact that they were just going to fight, when every available officer -would be wanted, induced Craufurd, contrary to his wont, to relax his -severity and to release Smith from his arrest. - -Long afterwards as Craufurd was standing talking with the officers of -the Battalion, round a camp fire, he turned to him. - -‘Smith,’ said he, ‘did I not once put you under arrest?’ - -‘Yes, sir, you did.’ - -‘And do you know,’ he continued, ‘what became of the ammunition? I -found it steadily going towards the French lines, and had but just -time to put spurs to my horse and to turn it back. So that through -your default I had nearly lost my ammunition.’[112] - -On the 20th the Regiment marched back to its cantonments. Nothing -could exceed the extraordinary appearance it presented. The men -were dressed in every possible variety of costume which they had -found in the houses. Some wore French uniforms, some breeches and -jack-boots, some cocked hats; many had pieces of salt beef, hams and -any provisions they could lay hands on stuck on their swords fixed -to their rifles. In fact so strange was their appearance that Lord -Wellington, who saw them on their march, asked ‘What regiment that -could be.’ - -One of the Riflemen, a day or two after, playing the game of -‘nine-holes’ with what he fancied to be a cannon-ball brought from -the place, was blown to pieces. It proved to be a live shell, which -passing over some hot ashes, exploded just as he had it between his -legs. - -The Regiment soon after the fall of Rodrigo moved to Ituera. And -while here a military execution took place of some deserters of the -Light Division who had been found in the place. They had been tried -by a Court-Martial, of which General Sir James Kempt was president, -and were shot in the presence of the whole Division. Two of them were -Riflemen; one was in the highland company, which was then kept up in -the 3rd Battalion, of the name of M’Guinniss, a shoemaker by trade. -He had once been a man of good character, but had been led away by -another, named Hudson, of Uniacke’s company. - -To conclude this painful subject I will add here that a month later -when the Regiment was at Castello de Vide another man of the 1st -Battalion was shot for desertion. His name was Arnal, and he was, or -had been, a Corporal. When Ciudad Rodrigo was taken he in some way -escaped and endeavoured to join the French troops at Salamanca; but -in crossing the country he fell in with some Spanish soldiers, who -made him prisoner and marched him back to the Regiment. He had been a -man of good character, and it was hoped that this might have weighed -in his favour; but discipline had to be vindicated, and so great -a crime as desertion to the enemy could not be condoned. This man -met his death with amazing firmness; settling his accounts with the -Pay-sergeant of his company, and distributing his balance among his -comrades the night before his death. When brought out to execution -he refused to have his eyes bound, saying to the Provost Sergeant: -‘There is no occasion; I shall not flinch;’ nor did he. - -On February 14 the Regiment marched to Portalegre, on the 15th to -Arronches, and on the 17th to Elvas. - -On March 17 the Regiment marched out of Elvas, the band playing -‘St. Patrick’s Day,’ to take up their position before Badajos, and -after dusk began to break ground. A very heavy rain came on, and the -weather continued very broken during the whole time of the siege -operations. The ground to be occupied being extensive, and the force -employed comparatively small, the men were required to be in the -trenches six hours by day, and as many in the night; and this amount -of time, with the addition of the marches to and from their camp, and -the continued inclemency of the weather, made the period of the siege -one of unusual hardship to the men and officers of the Regiment. - -On the 19th the enemy made a sortie with about 1,500 infantry and -some cavalry at the moment when the relief of the working parties in -the trenches was taking place. The weather being, as usual, dull, and -a drizzling rain falling, these troops got very close before they -were perceived; and their cavalry, being mistaken for Portuguese, -made their way through the camp of the Light Division. The men flew -to their arms, and the sortie was repulsed; but the enemy succeeded -in carrying off intrenching tools from the Engineers’ camp, and in -injuring the works of the approaches. In this sortie Lieutenant -Freer, of the 1st Battalion, was wounded. - -On the 22nd, the enemy having brought some field-guns out of San -Cristobal, and placed them in position enfilading the trenches, some -Riflemen were ordered out, to get as near the Guadiana as possible, -and to fire across the river, and shoot their gunners. This they did -so effectually that the guns were soon withdrawn, many of the men -working them being killed or wounded. - -On the 26th Fort Picurina was attacked and carried a little after -dark; and a party of Riflemen, taken from the working party, was -ordered to carry the ladders. Lieutenant Stokes, then of the 3rd -Battalion, who was in command of this party, was the first man in -the fort; and it was owing to these men (with others of the Light -Division) that, according to Napier, the capture of the place was -effected. They were provided with axes, and broke down the palisades -and gates of the fort. It being evident that the enemy, as soon as -they knew the place was in our hands, would redouble their fire, the -working parties were urged by their officers to work hard to cover -themselves. The Riflemen did so; and so effectually, that when at -daybreak the enemy opened a furious fire of shell and grape, the men -had made such good cover that they were comparatively uninjured. - -On April 4 George Simmons with a party was in an advanced sap, and -observing that some large guns of the place were doing much injury -to our artillery in an advanced battery, he selected some of the -best shots and directed them to fire steadily into the embrasures. -In half-an-hour he found that the guns were not fired so regularly -as before; and soon gabions were brought and stuffed into the -embrasures. These were withdrawn when the guns were about to be -fired. The Riflemen took note of this, and the moment the gabions -were removed fired steadily into the embrasure. Very soon the gabions -began to be replaced without the guns having been discharged. They -were thus effectually silenced. And from daylight till dark Simmons -kept up this practice with ‘forty as prime fellows as ever pulled -trigger.’ A French officer, probably a celebrated marksman, half -hidden, lying on the grass of the parapet, set up his cocked hat some -way in front of him to deceive our people, and to draw their fire. -Some soldiers by him handed him loaded muskets to enable him to fire -more rapidly. Simmons, leaning over the top of the trench, got a good -view of this man; he selected a good shot, and being anxious that -he should see the Frenchman, desired him to lay his rifle over his -shoulder and steady his aim. The Rifleman fired; and nothing more was -seen of the Frenchman, whom, no doubt, he killed or wounded, though -the cocked hat remained in position until dark. But Simmons, in his -anxiety, had forgotten that the priming of the old Baker rifle was -close to his ear, which was much burnt and the whole side of his head -singed. - -Some of the best shots in the Regiment were selected also to occupy -pits which had been dug between our approaches and the crest of the -glacis, in order to pick off the gunners. This was most arduous -and dangerous work; for not only were the men exposed to a deadly -fire in running out to the pits, and in returning when relieved, but -sometimes a man was wounded or killed in the pit, and the relieving -Rifleman had to pull him or help him out before he could shelter -himself, all the time exposed to a murderous fire from the place. - -[Illustration: - - ASSAULT of BADAJOS - 6^{TH} APRIL, 1812. - - E. Weller, _Litho._ - _London, Chatto & Windus._ -] - -The breaches being reported practicable on the 6th, the assault was -ordered to take place on that evening. It is needless, after Napier’s -magnificent description of this combat, to do more than specify -what part the Regiment took in it. The Light Division, under the -command of Barnard, formed at about eight o’clock in close column -of companies, left in front, about 300 yards from the ditch. They -were detailed to attack the breach in the Santa Maria bastion. Four -companies (the left wing) of the 1st Battalion, under Major Cameron, -were in front, with orders to extend to the left on reaching the -covered way, in order (as at Ciudad Rodrigo) to keep down the fire -from the ramparts. Next came six volunteers of that Battalion, under -Lieutenant William Johnston, provided with ropes, to endeavour to -pull the _chevaux-de-frise_, with which it was known the garrison -had defended the breaches, out of their place. Then followed the -forlorn hope;[113] and then the storming party, consisting of 100 -men from each regiment of the Division. The officers of the Regiment -with this party were Captains Crampton of the 1st Battalion; Hart -of the 2nd; and Diggle of the 3rd; and Lieutenants Bedell, Manners, -Coxen, and M’Gregor, of the 2nd Battalion. The rest of the Division -followed. So noiselessly did Cameron’s four companies advance, and so -accurately had he reconnoitred the ground, that he reached the place -indicated for the head of his column, and extended along the covered -way to his left, without being perceived by the garrison. Every man -as he got into his place, silently lay down, placing the muzzle -of his rifle through the palisades, and at the edge of the ditch. -The men could see the heads of the troops lining the rampart; for -the night was clear, though a sort of haze rising from the ground -and the dark dress of the Riflemen enabled them to get into position -unperceived. Yet a French sentry challenged twice; and his ‘_qui -vive_’ being unanswered, he fired, and drums were heard, beating -to arms. Yet Cameron reserved his fire for about ten minutes, till -the forlorn hope coming up, he began while the heads of the troops -lining the rampart could still be seen immovable. Then began from the -place that murderous and unceasing fire of grape, shell, and musketry -which has been compared by more than one of those who saw it, to -the central fires of the earth, or even hell itself, vomiting forth -their fury. Surtees, who as Quartermaster of the 3rd Battalion and -a non-combatant (though he wished to be in the fray and was hardly -restrained) witnessed it from the quarries, between the Picurina and -the Pardeleras, says that it was so bright and so incessant that he -could plainly see the faces of the defenders, though nearly a mile -off. Yet Johnston with his volunteers, the forlorn hope and the -stormers advanced, slid down the ladders or leaped into the ditch. -The rest of the Division followed, tore up the palisades and ran up -the glacis. There Captain Charles Gray was shot in the mouth, and -many officers and men fell. Yet all pressed on; even the firing party -in the covered way, carried away by frenzy, seeing their comrades -fall, and their aim baffled by the smoke, leaped into the ditch, -and passing, how they could, the drain cut in it and filled with -water, in which not a few were drowned, they surged like the wave -of a raging sea up the breach. But as the wave is repelled from -the rock, so were they checked by the insuperable obstacles; the -_chevaux-de-frise_ of sword-blades fixed in beams; the murderous fire -from behind the wall of sand-bags; the planks studded with nails and -fixed at the upper end; the shells, powder-barrels, grenades and even -cart-wheels, which were hurled down upon them. Again and again as one -wave fell or melted away under that slaughtering shower, another took -its place. O’Hare fell in the breach, shot through the breast with -two or three musket balls. His sergeant, Fleming, who had stood by -him in many a bloody field, fell at his side. Many officers of the -Regiment and many valiant Riflemen lay dead or wounded, or pressed -down by those who were so, in that heap which extended from the top -of the breach to the counterscarp. At last, after two hours of this -murderous work, Lord Wellington gave orders for the Light Division -to draw off. Still the intrepid Barnard, who had more than once -himself ascended the breach, was unwilling to give way; and it was -not till after renewed attempts had been made, and till he saw all -hopeless, that he gave the order for his Division to withdraw. Even -then in that deafening turmoil the order was imperfectly heard; and -many officers were keeping their men from retiring. At last, however, -almost all that lived and could move came away, and the remnant of -the Regiment was formed a little distance from the place between -midnight and one o’clock. Here Surtees found them, having posted off -as soon as he knew (for he was near Lord Wellington when Picton’s -hurried note was brought to him) that the 3rd Division had stormed, -and was in possession of, the Castle. He was scarcely believed; -so incredible did it seem to the assailants of these impregnable -breaches, that any troops could have entered the place. The men and -the officers were lying down, in gloomy sullenness, after their -terrible conflict. A staff officer brought word, ‘Lord Wellington -desires the Light Division to return immediately and attack the -breach.’ The men leaped up, resumed their formation, and advanced -as cheerfully and as steadily as if it had been the first attack. -Proceeding past, and often over, their fallen comrades, they again -mounted the breach; but now the defenders having been called away, -the resistance was slight, and they soon established themselves on -the ramparts. Then Cameron formed his Regiment there; and told them -that when all danger from the enemy was over, he would let them fall -out; but that, until then, if a man left the ranks he would have him -put to death on the spot. They remained under arms and perfectly -steady till between nine and ten next morning; when, as the whole -garrison were prisoners and being marched out, he dismissed them, -and they joined in that madness of intemperance, rapine and lust, on -which it is more agreeable to their historian to draw a veil. - -Great were the losses of the Regiment. Twenty-three officers and 292 -non-commissioned officers and Riflemen fell, killed and wounded in -that fatal night. - -In the 1st Battalion (eight companies), Major O’Hare and Lieutenant -Stokes, 3 sergeants, and 24 rank and file were killed; Captains -Crampton, Balvaird, Charles Gray, and M’Dermid, Lieutenants William -Johnston, Gardiner, McPherson (who died of his wounds), Forster, and -FitzMaurice, 15 sergeants, 3 buglers, and 136 rank and file were -wounded. In the 2nd Battalion (two companies), Captain Diggle, 1 -sergeant and 20 rank and file were killed; Lieutenants Bedell and -Manners, 3 sergeants, and 31 rank and file were wounded. In the 3rd -Battalion (five companies), Lieutenants Hovenden, Cary, Allix, and -Croudace, and 9 rank and file were killed; and Lieutenants Macdonell -(who died of his wounds), Worsley, Duncan Stewart, Farmer, and -volunteer Lawson,[114] 2 sergeants, and 45 rank and file were wounded. - -Well may Sir William Napier sum up his glowing description of the -assault with this stirring appeal: ‘Who shall measure out the glory -of ... O’Hare, of the ninety-fifth, who perished on the breach at -the head of the stormers, and with him nearly all the volunteers for -that desperate service? Who shall describe ... the martial fury of -that desperate soldier of the ninety-fifth who, in his resolution -to win, thrust himself beneath the chained sword-blades, and there -suffered the enemy to dash his head to pieces with the ends of their -muskets?’[115] - -O’Hare, a gallant soldier, beloved by his men, had a foreboding of -his death. As the stormers assembled, he observed, in conversation to -Captain Jones of the 52nd, that ‘he thought that night would be his -last.’ To George Simmons, with whom he shook hands as the stormers -were moving off, his last words were: ‘A Lieutenant-Colonel or cold -meat in a few hours.’ He was found the next morning by Simmons on -the breach, naked. Cary was found by Surtees next day under one of -the ladders, shot through the head. He had, no doubt, been wounded -in ascending it, and fallen from it. He also was stripped. He still -breathed; and Surtees pressed some of the soldiers about the place to -carry him to the camp. They were so drunk that they let him fall; but -he was past all feeling, and died soon after he was laid in his tent. -Croudace also was brought out alive, but died almost immediately. Of -the wounded officers, McPherson died a few days after. He was a man -of herculean stature, and great bravery. ‘He had been true to man -and true to his God, and he looked his last hour in the face like a -soldier and a Christian.’[116] - -Macdonell died a few months after he received his wound. - -Some personal anecdotes of the storm may be given. George Simmons, on -going into the town, went into a house, the Spanish owner of which -told him that the French Quartermaster-General had been billeted -there. He showed him the room he had occupied; and there he found on -the table a paper on which he had made a sketch of the two breaches, -showing the line by which our columns would probably move to attack, -and the spot where our ladders might best be planted to avoid the -fire from the place and the inundation in the ditch. The owner of -the house informed him that the French officers had left it in great -alarm, on being informed of our attack. There were also a bottle of -wine and some glasses on the table; and, as Theodore Hook somewhere -observes, eating and drinking must go on, whatever the vicissitudes -of life, George Simmons sate down, ordered some eggs and bacon to be -fried, and drank the French officers’ bottle of wine. - -Kincaid was acting Adjutant with Cameron’s four companies who lined -the glacis. When they were established in the place, he went to -post picquets in streets leading to the ramparts. While so engaged, -a Rifleman brought him a French officer prisoner, who he said was -the Governor. The officer at once said that he was not; but that he -had passed himself off as such to ensure the soldier’s protection -and better treatment. He added that he was Colonel of a regiment -in the garrison; that his officers were all assembled in a house -near at hand, to which he would conduct Kincaid, and who would -give themselves up as prisoners to anyone who would ensure their -safety. Taking a few men with him to guard against surprise, Kincaid -accompanied him, and found fifteen or sixteen officers assembled, who -professed great astonishment at our being in possession of the town. -As in Simmons’ case refreshment was to be thought of; and Kincaid -and his prisoners discussed some cold meat, and sundry bottles of -wine which their chief placed upon the table. At last Kincaid marched -them off; and before parting the French Colonel told him that he -had two good horses in the stable, of which he advised him to take -possession. This counsel was not lost on Kincaid, who thus became the -owner of a black mare, which carried him till the end of the war. As -he was making his way to the ramparts, many French soldiers, who were -skulking in out-of-the-way corners to escape the fury of the British -troops already in the town, joined him. And marching at the head of -this party, he was very nearly fired on by a picquet of our men whom -Barnard was placing across a street, and who, seeing so many French -uniforms together, fancied it was a rallied party of the enemy. -Happily the challenge of the picquet, which owing to the noise of his -prisoners he had not heard, was repeated and answered; and he handed -over his prisoners to be marched with others to Elvas. - -Surtees was occupied in a more benevolent work. Directly the place -was in our hands, he and Percival, who was in command of the 3rd -Battalion, set about finding and removing the wounded of the -Regiment. This was an arduous work; for the wounded were numerous, -and their claims for assistance incessant. And Percival was lame, -from his wound at Sobral, and not well able to move about; yet they -were obliged to carry the wounded themselves; for of the soldiers -they called on to help them many were drunk; and even those whose -help they secured, soon went off to share in the rapine of the -town. Many are the heartrending details Surtees relates; and many -are the horrors he and all the Riflemen who were present record of -the plunder of the town. No doubt the men were furious with the -inhabitants, who had here assisted the French, while at Rodrigo they -had resisted them; no doubt they were frenzied with the difficulty -of the assault, and savage at the wholesale slaughter of their -comrades. These envenoming motives, added to the usual and (so to -say) admitted license in a town taken by storm, have made the sack -of Badajos one of exceptional violence. Yet all that men could do -to resist it was done. Barnard, commanding the Division, opposed -not only his commands but even his great personal strength to the -plunderers. He endeavoured to prevent the men from entering the town; -but they rushed past him, and while striving to wrest a musket from -a soldier of the 52nd, he fell and was very nearly thrown into the -ditch. He then, with others, went into the streets, and strove to -check the madness of his men; but in vain. - -Cameron, as I have said, got the men of the 1st Battalion together -after the assault and kept them formed on the ramparts till between -nine and ten; he then thanked them for their conduct throughout. ‘And -now, men,’ he added, ‘you may fall out and amuse yourselves; but I -expect you all to be in camp at tattoo to-night.’ It was a vain hope; -and it was two days before the absentees returned, and discipline was -restored. - -On the day after the assault two officers of the 1st Battalion -were talking over the events of the past night at the door of a -tent, when two ladies approached from Badajos, and claimed their -protection. They were evidently, from their appearance and manner, -of the upper class of Spanish society. Both were handsome; and the -younger, then about fourteen, very beautiful. The elder, though -still young, addressed the Riflemen, and said that she was the wife -of an officer in the Spanish service, who was in a distant part of -Spain; that the young lady with her was her sister, who, having just -completed her education in a convent, had been placed under her -charge; that yesterday she had a comfortable house and home; that -now it was in the possession of an infuriated and insane soldiery; -that they had already suffered violence, as their bleeding ears, -from which the ear-rings had been rudely torn, bore witness; and -that to escape greater violence and dishonour worse than death, -they had fled; and had resolved (however strange the step might -seem) to throw themselves upon the honour and the protection of the -first English officers they might meet. It need not be told that -it was freely given, and chivalrously observed, and that they were -conveyed to a place of safety. Nor will it seem strange to add that -the acquaintance begun in so romantic a manner ripened into a warmer -feeling; and that within two years, the younger of them, Donna Juana -Maria de los Dolores de Leon, became the wife of him who had saved -her, Harry Smith, then a Captain in the Regiment, and was long known -in English society as Lady Smith, the honoured wife of the conqueror -of Aliwal. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[92] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 356-7. - -[93] MS. Record 1st Battalion. - -[94] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ vii. 82. - -[95] Letter to Marshal Beresford: ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 372. - -[96] MS. Journal. - -[97] ‘Leach,’ 204-5. - -[98] It is said to be more than 4,000 feet above the level of the sea. - -[99] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ xiii. 609. - -[100] ‘Despatches,’ vii. 445. He adds: ‘The 43rd Regiment -particularly distinguished themselves; as did part of the 95th -Regiment under Major Gilmour.’ - -[101] I am indebted for the particulars of this anecdote (which I had -heard old officers of the Regiment mention) to Mrs. Fitz-Maurice’s -‘Recollections of a Rifleman’s Wife.’ - -[102] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 515. - -[103] This gallant repulse is mentioned by Lord Wellington: -‘Despatches,’ vii. 532. - -[104] ‘Recollections of a Rifleman’s Wife.’ - -[105] ‘Adventures of a Soldier,’ 82. - -[106] Costello, 87. - -[107] Costello, 93. - -[108] Colonel Samuel Mitchell died June 3, 1833. - -[109] Just before the attack he had been twitted by a brother officer -(Fitz-Maurice) with having dressed himself in a new pelisse for such -a night’s work. ‘Never mind,’ he said, ‘I shall be the better worth -taking.’ ‘Recollections of a Rifleman’s Wife.’ - -[110] The following nine non-commissioned officers of the 2nd -Battalion volunteered for the forlorn hope: - - Sergeant Bowley, wounded Sergeant Spencer - ” Comerford, ” ” Tuite - ” Derby, killed Corporal Larkins, wounded - ” Ecke, ” ” Nesbitt, ” - ” Fairfoot,[111] wounded - -[111] Afterwards Quartermaster. - -[112] This anecdote, which I had often heard in the 1st Battalion, -was related to me with graphic distinctness by Colonel Smith. As may -be imagined, his relation differed somewhat from the story, which, -passing through many mouths, I had heard in the Battalion. It was -strange to hear it from the lips of one of the actors in it, when the -other had slept more than sixty years in the breach at Rodrigo. - -[113] The following non-commissioned officers of the 2nd Battalion -volunteered for the forlorn hope: - - Sergeant Cairns Corporal Coward, wounded - ” Fairfoot, wounded ” Derby, killed - ” Kennedy, ” ” McCordell, wounded - ” Taggart, ” ” Nesbitt. - ” Tuite - -[114] He was appointed to a second-lieutenancy in the Regiment May 9 -following. He left it in 1814, and died at Sligo, March 1874. - -[115] Book xvi. chap. v. This incident is also mentioned by Kincaid. -It is to be regretted that the name of this heroic Rifleman has not -been preserved. - -[116] Kincaid, ‘Random Shots,’ p. 288. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - -Soon after the capture of Badajos the command of the Light Division -was given to Baron Charles Alten, and the two Brigades of which it -consisted were commanded, one by Barnard, and afterwards by Sir James -Kempt, and the other by General Vandeleur. On Craufurd’s death and -Vandeleur’s wound at Ciudad Rodrigo, the command of the Division had -devolved on Barnard. How well he handled it, and how gallantly he led -it at Badajos, has already been recorded. - -I may here note that Barnard, who had hitherto commanded the 3rd -Battalion, soon after this period was transferred to the command of -the 1st Battalion, in Beckwith’s place, who had, as already noted, -gone home on account of his health, and did not again return to the -Peninsula. He was one of the original officers of the Regiment, and -a most excellent Rifleman. In here parting from him as a regimental -officer, I may add Kincaid’s testimony to his merits. ‘He was,’ he -says, ‘one of the ablest of outpost generals. Few officers knew so -well how to make the most of a small force. His courage, coupled with -his thorough knowledge of the soldier’s character, was of that cool, -intrepid kind, that would at any time convert a routed rabble into -an orderly, effective force. A better officer probably never led a -brigade into the field.’[117] - -On April 11, the Regiment broke up from the camp before Badajos and -marched to the north. Before doing so the men were ordered to give -up the articles which they had plundered in Badajos; and to prevent -their secreting any of them, their packs were examined. Whatever was -found was collected in heaps and burned. But for two or three days -before, the men had been selling what they had taken; crowds of -country people thronged the camp to purchase; and it presented almost -the appearance of a fair. On the 11th, however, the Regiment marched -to Campo Major. On the next day they proceeded to Arronches and -bivouacked in a wood. The 13th they marched to Portalegre, and on the -14th to Niza. On the next day they crossed the Tagus at Villa Velha, -the 1st Battalion being in Monte de Senhora and the 3rd Battalion at -Sernadas. On the 16th the Regiment marched to Castello Branco. Here -they halted one day to allow the supplies to come up and to rest the -troops, and the day following moved to As Caldas de Cima and Loisa. -Here they came very close to the rear-guard of the French; and as -they were informed by the peasants at S. Miguel d’Arch, which they -reached on the 20th, that the enemy were in force, they moved with -great caution to Penamacor on the 21st, San Bartolomeo on the 22nd, -and passing through Sabugal on the 23rd, bivouacked near Alfayate. -The British force on the north of the Tagus being as yet small, and -the enemy falling back in force, their march had to be conducted with -great caution. - -On the 24th they proceeded to Ituera, where they halted for two days, -and from thence the Regiment occupied cantonments on the Agueda; the -1st Battalion being between Ituera and Castellejo de Azarva; and the -3rd Battalion at La Encina. Here every exertion was made to get the -Regiment equipped for taking the field; the clothing was repaired, -and shoes provided; and everything was done that could be done to -turn the men out in good order for a summer campaign. Nevertheless, -when the Regiment was reviewed by Lord Wellington on May 27 between -Guinaldo and El Bodon, the clothing of the Riflemen was patched with -pieces of many colours, and the dress of many of the officers was -little better. But Lord Wellington, whose soldier’s eye measured not -the spic-and-span appearance, but the endurance and daring of the -men, told them that they ‘looked well and in good fighting order.’ - -On June 6 the 1st Battalion moved to El Bodon, and on the 11th the -whole Regiment left their cantonments on the Agueda, and bivouacked -in a wood near Ciudad Rodrigo; on the 13th, moving on Salamanca, -they advanced to Alba de Yeltes; on the 14th to Sancho Bueno; and -on the 15th to Matilla. On the next day they marched to within -about five miles of Salamanca; and having crossed the Rio Valmusa, -bivouacked near some low hills extending from that stream to the -city. On the 17th they moved towards Salamanca; but the enemy having -constructed forts which commanded the bridge over the Tormes, they -were obliged to cross by a deepish ford about a mile further up the -river, and bivouacked in a wood on the plain a little way from the -ford. - -On the 18th the Regiment moved from this bivouac to Aldea Seca, about -a league and a half from Salamanca; and the enemy fell back after -skirmishing with our cavalry. - -On the following day the Regiment was suddenly called to arms, -the enemy having appeared in force in front of the position; but -no fighting took place, and the Regiment moved from the plain and -occupied Monte Rubio. - -Here they remained some days. And one evening about this time -stormers were called for from the Light Division to lead the assault -on San Vincente, the strongest of the three forts constructed by -the French near Salamanca. Two men per company, the first for duty, -were selected for this service; but after being marched down to -the fort, they were countermanded. An assault had been attempted, -and had failed on the 23rd, and on the 27th the forts surrendered. -On the fall of the forts, the enemy fell back; and the Regiment -made a forward movement, and marched to Castillonos. On the 29th -they bivouacked at Prada de Rubiales; on the next day at Castrillo -d’Aquarino; and on July 1, marching through Alejos, they were -billeted in the town of Nava del Rey, where the beds in their billets -were the first they had occupied for a very long time. On the 2nd -they moved forward to Rueda. A pretty strong force of the enemy, -of all arms, was evacuating Rueda as the Regiment entered it. This -was in fact the rear-guard, which was to hold us in check till his -column could file over the bridge, across the Douro, at Tordesillas. -But our cavalry and Horse Artillery coming up, the latter fired some -shrapnells, which did much execution, and the cavalry had a slight -affair with them. Our Regiment also sent out some skirmishers, who -made a few prisoners, amongst them a Sergeant-Major of hussars, -whose abject terror, even to tears, excited the surprise of those -who saw him. Yet this man must have been a good and probably a brave -soldier; for his exchange for one of our sergeants in their hands, -was asked for by a flag of truce, on the ground that he was about to -become adjutant of his corps. He was accordingly exchanged a few days -afterwards. - -All the march hitherto from the frontier of Portugal to this place -had been through an open country, devoid of trees, abounding -indeed with corn, and near the rivers with vines; but with little -water except in the great rivers, which were far apart. The men -had therefore suffered much, marching under the full blaze of a -Peninsular mid-summer sun. Their occupation of the town of Rueda, -and the delicious coolness of its great wine-vaults, excavated in -the sides of the hills, were a great refreshment. Unhappily the wine -these vaults contained was as great a temptation, to which many -yielded. So had their enemies, who had preceded them; for many of -their bodies were found in the cellars: some hideously mutilated by -the Spaniards. - -The Regiment remained here for a fortnight; the only movement in that -time being that they were on July 3 moved opposite to Tordesillas, -on the left bank of the Douro, the enemy being massed in large force -on the opposite bank. This movement was probably a feint, and they -returned to their cantonments at Rueda. - -On July 16 the Regiment marched from Rueda about nine in the evening -and halted next day near Castrejon. On the evening of the 17th -Kincaid had a picquet in front of the Division. Soon after sunrise a -smart cannonade began behind a hill to the right of the picquet. In -fact Marmont had recrossed the Douro at Tordesillas, and was making -an attack on our position at Castrejon. While the picquet, alert at -the sound of cannon, were earnestly watching the ground in front -of them, no enemy being visible, a terrific turmoil suddenly arose -behind some rising ground on their left. Uncertain whence this noise -might proceed, Kincaid at once placed his picquet behind a deep ditch -about a hundred yards in his rear. He had scarcely done so when a -confused _mêlée_ of horsemen dashed over the hill: two squadrons of -our cavalry, two guns of Horse Artillery, and a strong body of the -enemy’s cavalry, all cutting at each other; and among the rush Lord -Wellington, Lord Beresford, General Bock, and their Staffs. These and -the two guns took shelter behind our picquet, who could not fire, for -friends and foes were mixed up in an inextricable tangle. The cavalry -swept past the front of the picquet; but finding a reserve squadron -of heavy dragoons, they returned again at a gallop, the French now -flying before those they had lately pursued. - -Some companies of the Regiment were thrown out as skirmishers to -support the 14th Light Dragoons. One of these brought in a French -prisoner, badly wounded, who in conversation with Lieutenant -Gardiner, who was a proficient in French, was vehement in asserting -that he would not have been taken, had he had a better horse. On this -being repeated to his captor, he said to Gardiner: ‘Then, sir, tell -him if he had the best horse in France I would bring him prisoner if -he stood to fight me.’ The prisoner assured Gardiner that his horse -had not been unsaddled for a week; and the state of his back, when -the saddle was removed, too surely corroborated his assertion. - -The army was now ordered to retire; and the country being an open -plain was very favourable for cavalry. The British troops therefore -were formed in quarter-distance column ready to form square at any -moment. The Regiment marched in this way for upwards of ten miles, -with all the regularity and steadiness of a field-day; taking up -distant points to march on; and avoiding the villages in order not -to lose time in passing through them. For it was a race between the -two armies to gain some high land beyond the Guareña. And the French -moved on our right during the whole day; often coming within 500 -yards of our flank. Occasionally the enemy opened a cannonade; but on -the whole this day’s march was effected without fighting. The men, -oppressed by the heat, and suffocated by the clouds of dust which -arose from the sandy plain, were tormented with thirst. But there was -no time to halt, nor water at hand to quench it. At last, arriving at -the edge of this table-land, they looked down into the vale of the -Guareña, and the Riflemen hurried their pace to reach the water. The -French instantly unlimbered their guns on the height above and sent -some round shot among them. But our men drank of the muddy stream as -they passed through it, and suffered little from the cannonade; and -they bivouacked on the high ground beyond the river. - -During the early part of the 19th the Regiment continued at rest on -the ground of their bivouack; but in the afternoon (with the rest -of the Division) they were suddenly called to arms, and commenced -a movement to the right, in order to defeat Marmont’s plan of -interrupting our communications with Salamanca. During this march -the enemy cannonaded sharply, and one shot knocked off the head of -a Rifleman, who had but just joined. When night put a stop to the -march and the firing, the Regiment lay by their arms, close to the -enemy’s columns. On the morning of the 20th no enemy was to be seen; -as Marmont had moved forward to turn Lord Wellington’s right flank; -and some intervening ground hid his troops from the Riflemen; they -were put in motion and soon came in sight and in close proximity to -them. Thus they marched as they had done on the two preceding days -with all the regularity of a barrack-square drill, parallel to the -enemy, and close to him. There was a short halt in the afternoon to -refresh the men: for the heat was sultry, and the dust suffocating. -With this exception they continued to march till a late hour in the -evening. - -On the 21st they again started at dawn, and continued to march as -before till about two o’clock, when they halted near the village of -Villa Moresco. A little before dark they were again in motion; and -they forded the Tormes about two miles above Salamanca. The river -here was very deep, and the men were nearly up to their shoulders. -Hardly had they got across when rain began to fall in torrents; -the night grew suddenly dark; the lightning flashed with unusual -vividness, and played on the men’s arms; and the thunder crashed so -close and so loud, that scared horses broke from their picquet-ropes, -and rushed into the ranks of the enemy. In this turmoil the Riflemen -groped their way through the murky night, up to their knees in mud, -to their bivouack in a field not far from the Tormes; where they lay -by their arms, without any shelter from the rain which fell heavily -and incessantly during the whole night. - -On the 22nd occurred the Battle of Salamanca, the only one of -Wellington’s great victories in which the Regiment did not bear a -prominent part. They were under arms at daylight and occupied a -position on the extreme left of the British position; and during -the greater part of the day the only duty they were called upon -to perform was to keep the French right in check. But about five -o’clock, after Lord Wellington had taken advantage of his enemy’s -blunder and driven him from the field, the Regiment was ordered to -advance in pursuit. They did so, and continued to press on the rear -of the retreating foe till about eleven at night, when they halted -near the village of Huerta. Had there been a few hours more daylight, -or had the Spaniards held, as Don Carlos de España was directed to -do, Alba de Tormes, Marmont’s whole army must have fallen into our -hands. In this action the losses of the Regiment were inconsiderable; -being 2 men of the 1st Battalion wounded, and 2 missing; and a -sergeant and 4 men of the 2nd Battalion wounded. - -During the pursuit on this evening a partridge was started, and -ran between the line of the retreating and pursuing forces. George -Simmons caught it, and committing it to his havresack, found it an -agreeable addition to his supper at Huerta. - -On the first streak of daylight on the 23rd the Regiment was again in -pursuit; and fording the Tormes, came up with the French rear-guard -of cavalry and infantry, commanded by General Foy. The infantry -immediately formed three squares, which their cavalry covered; but -these flying on the advance of General Bock’s German cavalry, and -leaving the squares unprotected and unprepared, the Germans dashed -into two of them, and, not without terrible loss, broke them and cut -them up. The third square being at an elbow of roads leading to high -ground, retired in good order. The Regiment was ordered to advance; -but the enemy’s rear-guard having been thus disposed of by Bock’s -Germans, their only office was to follow in pursuit; and soon after -they found the rear-guard, consisting of the three arms, posted on -some high ground near a village. Lord Wellington, who then happened -to be with the Regiment, gave immediate orders for an attack; but on -their advance the French broke up and melted away before they reached -them. - -On the 24th the Regiment moved to Flores d’Avila, passing on the way -through Penaranda. After halting during the 25th to refresh the men, -as this march had been extremely hot and fatiguing, they proceeded on -the 26th to Aldea Seca; on the 27th to Montejo Viejo; on the 28th to -Pedrajo de Portellio; and on the 29th to Olmedo. A little beyond this -place was buried the body of General Ferey, who had died at Olmedo -on this retreat, of wounds received at Salamanca. This was the same -man who had attacked the 1st Battalion at Barba del Puerco in March -1810. He had been interred apparently with honour, and a canopy of -laurel had been erected over his grave. But the Spaniards, as soon as -the French were gone, had dug up his body, and mutilated it, severing -his head--noble and soldierlike even in death--from it. But his old -foes of Barba del Puerco were more generous. They re-interred his -remains, replaced the canopy of laurel which had covered his grave, -and exacted a promise from the people of the place that they would -respect the remains and the tomb of the fallen warrior. - -On the 30th the Regiment forded the Douro and halted on its right -bank about six miles from Valladolid until August 1. This halt on the -bank of a large river where they could bathe and have their clothes -washed, was a great boon to men and officers; for from July 16 they -had been almost daily on the march or in action. - -On August 1 they proceeded to Tudela del Douro; and passing through -Aldea Major, where they recrossed the Douro, and Matta de Qualiaz, -bivouacked on the 7th on the right bank of the Penrone. - -Marching at daylight on the 8th and passing through Carbonero, they -bivouacked on the Eresma not far from Yangues. On the 9th they -marched by Madrona and bivouacked at or near a hunting place of the -kings of Spain, El Palacio del Rio Frio. On the next day they marched -to near Otiro and Madrona-Segovia, not far from the city of the -latter name. - -On the 11th they crossed the Guadarrama mountains, by the Puerto de -Guadarrama, and by an excellent winding road leading over the Sierra -and descending the southern slope, and bivouacked in the Park of the -Escurial. - -Scarcely had the Riflemen taken off their knapsacks when two wild -boars made their appearance; and scared at the number and the noise -of the men, dashed in among them and knocked over several. But in a -moment they had received stabs or cuts from a hundred swords, and in -a very few minutes their carcases were cut up and distributed. - -On the 12th they halted; and on the 13th Lord Wellington made his -entry into Madrid, amidst the congratulations and acclamations of its -inhabitants of all ranks. On that day the 1st Battalion marched to -Rosas; and a day or two after to Gatafe, about eight miles from the -capital. Here, in or about Madrid, the Regiment remained for more -than two months. - - -I have now to resume the account of the two companies (Cadoux’s -and Jenkins’) of the 2nd Battalion, which we left at Cadiz. These -embarked there and landed with Colonel Skerrett at Huelvas. Thence -advancing to San Lucar la Major on August 24, and having driven the -French corps of observation from that place, they took post there. On -the 26th they marched to the heights of Castileja de la Cuesta, near -Seville, where they arrived on the morning of the 27th, about six -o’clock. They advanced to the bridge of Seville under a heavy fire of -grape and musketry, the two companies of the 2nd Battalion forming -the advanced guard. Captain Cadoux, who commanded the Riflemen, with -great judgment made a flank movement to the left; and the result -was that the enemy fled through the streets of Seville, which were -strewn with their dead and wounded. The conduct of this Detachment -of the Regiment is mentioned with praise by Colonel Skerrett in his -despatch.[118] - -These companies subsequently effected a junction with the force under -General Hill, near Toledo, in October; and were engaged in repelling -the attack made by a large body of troops under Soult on Sir Lowry -Cole’s Division at the Puente Larga, near Aranjuez, on October -29. This gallant defence of the bridge fell entirely on the 47th -Regiment and our two companies; and their loss in it was 1 sergeant -and 2 rank and file killed; and Lieutenant Budgen and 8 rank and file -wounded. - -After these companies joined the army under Lord Wellington, the 2nd -Battalion in the Peninsula consisted of six companies. - -On October 21 the 1st Battalion marched to Rivas, and on the 22nd to -Villa Coaxa. And as a large force of the enemy was approaching, at -four o’clock on the morning of the 23rd, the Regiment was ordered to -form on its alarm post, and marched to the city of Alcalá de Henares. -On the 27th it proceeded to Arganda; but assembling at dark, marched -back during the night to Alcalá, which it reached at daylight; and -after resting in the streets made another march; and on the 30th -again moved to near Madrid and halted near the Segovia gate. It -was now determined to evacuate Madrid and to retreat on Salamanca, -as Soult’s army was approaching in force. On the 31st, therefore, -they left the neighbourhood of Madrid to the great regret of its -inhabitants; the men showing by gloomy sullenness, and the women by -contemptuous sneers, their opinion of our leaving them to the tender -mercies of the French. The regret was shared by officers and men of -the Regiment, to whom the sojourn in the capital was long one of the -most pleasing recollections of their Peninsular service. They halted, -on November 2, in the park of the Escurial, and on the 3rd recrossed -the Sierra de Guadarrama and bivouacked near Villa Castin. Here -General Hill took the command of the retreating army, Lord Wellington -being engaged on the siege of Burgos. On the 4th they bivouacked near -Lanza, and on the 5th marched to near Fuente de Baños. The next day -they fell back to the heights between Flores de Avila and Penaranda. -On the 7th the Regiment bivouacked about a league from Alba de -Tormes, and next day crossing the river at the bridge of Alba, -bivouacked in a wood. During this portion of the retreat their march -had been without any circumstances of note; and the advanced guard of -the French had not come up with them. The weather however broke up, -and rain set in, and continued during the remainder of the retreat, -with great violence. - -At this time the portion of the army which had retreated from Burgos -on the unsuccessful attempts to storm it, effected a junction with -the troops falling back from Madrid, and Lord Wellington resumed the -command. - -On November 10 the Regiment moved into the city of Salamanca, and -was quartered in the Irish College. While they remained here, on -the evening of the 13th, about eight o’clock, George Simmons, being -orderly officer, was ascending the stairs in order to see the men’s -lights out. He met Lieutenant Firman, of the 3rd Battalion, who was -on the same duty. As the stairs were extremely slippery, and the men -had torn out portions of the balustrade for fuel, he advised Firman -not to move further until he returned with a light. He fetched one, -and as he was ascending the stairs, he was horrified at hearing -a slip, and a crash below. Firman had fallen a great depth, and -Simmons found him with his skull frightfully fractured and several -ribs broken. He was immediately removed to his billet, where, after -continuing insensible for two days, he died. - -On the 14th the Regiment left Salamanca, and crossing the Tormes, -took post on the heights near the Arapiles, and occupied the ground -of the great victory of July 22. It was thought indeed that a second -battle would be fought on the same spot; but the enemy’s forces being -greatly superior to ours, Lord Wellington resolved to continue the -retreat. And on the 15th, about three o’clock, the Regiment resumed -its march and bivouacked that night in a wood about four miles from -Salamanca. The weather still was dreadful; the rain had made the -roads ankle-deep with mud; and streams, which in better weather -might have been stepped over, had swollen to torrents which the men -had to pass through knee-deep. They were also without provisions; -and ravenous with hunger, they searched for something to eat. They -found some bullocks, dead or half dead, which had fallen on the -road, unable to drag the carts any further. These were immediately -cut up with their swords and eaten half-toasted at the camp fires. -For the soldiers were famished, and the wet wood kindled too slowly -for them to wait. Some, too, groped about the wood on their hands -and knees, searching for the acorns which had fallen from the -oaks and cork trees, and devoured them voraciously; and though -bitter and unpalatable, they stayed the pangs of hunger. Nor were -these wants confined to the men; few of the officers had even a -biscuit; and Costello relates how he saw Lord Charles Spencer, then -a Second-Lieutenant in the Regiment, standing on some branches to -keep him out of the wet, and earnestly watching a few acorns which -he was trying to roast in the embers. As the only means of keeping -themselves dry, the men cut down the branches of the trees and lay -on them. And as the Regiment formed part of the rear-guard on this -retreat, it was of course among the first under arms in the morning -and the last at night, often not reaching the bivouack till some -hours after the other regiments were in theirs. - -On this and the preceding day, the French appeared in force on their -right flank, threatening the communication of the army with Ciudad -Rodrigo. - -On the 16th the retreat was resumed in the same weather and under -the same privations. Many of the men lost their shoes in the sticky -slime of the roads, and had to march barefoot. The French cavalry -hovered close behind the Regiment, but did not attack; and after dark -the Riflemen bivouacked, again glad that in a wood they had at least -acorns to assuage their hunger. - -On the 17th they fell in before dawn. The rain still fell in -torrents. Early in the day the French cavalry pressed the rear-guard, -and the 1st Battalion took possession of some high and broken ground -on each side of the road, and one or two companies were thrown out -as skirmishers to check their advance. But as the enemy continued -to press on, and were very numerous, the skirmishers were called -in. When running in on the Battalion they passed Lord Wellington; -he called out to them: ‘Be cool, my lads; don’t be in a hurry.’ -But the French were close upon them; and they, as well as the -Commander-in-Chief, were obliged to retire. - -While this was happening the Riflemen were surprised to hear the -sharp crack of rifles in their rear. The occasion of this was that -some of the French dragoons crept, under shelter of a wood, near the -baggage and made a dash across the road at it, took some, and made -prisoner Lieutenant Cameron, who was on the baggage-guard. But as -the head of the Division appeared almost immediately, they let him -go. Riflemen were immediately sent into the wood on each side of the -road, and a few shots from them soon drove off the dragoons. This was -the same party which afterwards made a similar dash at Sir Edward -Paget as he was riding alone in an interval between the 5th and 7th -Divisions, and took him prisoner. - -In the afternoon the Regiment reached the edge of the table-land, -whence the ground fell with a long open slope to the Huebra. As soon -as they began to descend it, the enemy, who had assembled a large -force of infantry and artillery under cover of the wood, opened a -severe fire of cannon and musketry, while their cavalry hovered on -the flank, watching for an opportunity of dashing at them, if any -confusion had occurred. Nevertheless the Light Division went down -that hill with all the deliberation and all the steadiness of a -field-day. They forded the Huebra, which was rapid and breast-high, -near San Munoz, under this fire; followed down the slope by the -French skirmishers, whom one company of the 1st Battalion, extended, -kept in check; and these were the last men who passed the Huebra -on that day. On reaching the other side the Division formed column -of battalions, and showed such a front that the enemy evinced -no disposition to venture further. The loss of the Regiment was -considerable, and would no doubt have been larger, but the ground -was so soft from the continued rain that many of the shells buried -themselves in the mud and were harmless. - -This day’s march was even more harassing than the preceding ones. The -constant marching in slushy mud, and continuance in wet shoes, had -made the men’s feet very sore; and they often struck them against the -stumps of small trees, which had been felled, but, being covered with -mud, were not seen. This added much to their sufferings: many men -fell out from sheer inability to march, and were made prisoners; and -some died. - -When the Regiment had passed over, it was discovered that Lieutenant -Joseph Simmons, who was sick, was absent; and he was seen sitting -on the ground on the other side of the Huebra, too weak to walk or -to mount the mule which was beside him. His brother George at once -dashed into the ford; lifted him on the mule, and led him over, -under the fire of shot and shell which still continued from the -height. - -In a forest near the steep bank of the Huebra the Regiment bivouacked -that night; the picquets being only divided by the river from those -of the enemy. The rain and the discomforts of the preceding nights -still continued. But at last the commissaries brought in a few -half-starved bullocks, and the Riflemen looked forward to a meal, -albeit a scanty one. The animals were very soon slaughtered and -divided; fires were lighted, and, with much persuasion, even the damp -wood began to burn. Then men and officers gathered round their fires, -and endeavoured to toast the meat on the points of their swords; but, -just then, the wind rose; the gusts shook the heavy drops from the -loaded leaves, and most of the fires were extinguished; and they were -obliged to resort to the now familiar food of acorns. - -The other divisions were to have marched in the night, and the -Regiment being part of the rear-guard could not move till they -were on the road. But such was the state of the roads and such the -fatigue of the men, that these troops had made scarce any way when -the Riflemen stood to their arms at dawn. A thick haze hung over the -river and the high ground beyond; and they were momentarily expecting -an attack which they must have resisted at all hazards to enable the -army to make good its retreat. But none took place; and it was not -till they had retired some distance, and found no foe in pursuit, -that they ascertained that the French, overcome by the fatigue -and want which they had borne, had fallen back from the Huebra to -Salamanca. - -However, though they had no material enemy to contend with, their -fatiguing march through slimy roads, and their want of food -continued; only the weather improved. The rain ceased; and the sun, -which they had not seen for many days, shone out. After a long march -they bivouacked on the side of a hill near Santi Spiritus. - -During this retreat the casualties of the Regiment were: in the 1st -Battalion, 1 sergeant and 1 private killed, and 5 rank and file -wounded; in the 2nd Battalion, 1 private killed, and 5 wounded, 1 -bugler and 8 rank and file missing; in the 3rd Battalion, 1 private -wounded and 9 missing. - -On the 19th they marched to near Ciudad Rodrigo, and bivouacked on -the banks of the Agueda. And this put a period to their sufferings. -For bags of biscuit and other provisions were brought out to them. -Yet such was the ravenous hunger of the starved soldiers, that -sentries with swords fixed had to be posted over the provisions -during their distribution. - -Great was the relief officers and men experienced by rest, and by -being able to change their clothes, which they had not done since -they left Salamanca, a week before. So swollen were the feet, and so -hard the boots from constant moisture, that some officers and men had -to cut them from their feet. - -On the 25th the 1st Battalion moved to Villa de Puerco, and on the -next day to Alameda, while the 3rd Battalion were cantoned at Espeja. -These villages on the Agueda, so often occupied by them, had come to -be looked upon as a home by the Riflemen (at least by those of the -1st Battalion); and in these cantonments they continued during the -winter. - -Thus closed the campaign of 1812, in which the Regiment had taken -part in the storm of two fortresses; in one general action; in three -combats, and in many skirmishes and affairs of outposts. - -A good deal of sickness, the unfailing consequence of exposure, want -and fatigue, prevailed among the Riflemen on their going into winter -quarters. And the Record of the 1st Battalion makes special mention -of ‘the indefatigable exertions of Surgeon Burke’ during this time. -Many of the men, and some of the officers, suffered from a numbness -in the limbs and extremities, which was said to result from the -change from exposure to comfort, and from want to plenty. - -Soon after their entering their cantonments a circular was issued by -Lord Wellington to Officers Commanding Divisions and Brigades[119] -commenting in very strong terms on the bad conduct of the men, and -the neglect of duty of the officers, during the late retreat. This -caused great dissatisfaction and regret in the Regiment, for it was -felt to be undeserved. That many irregularities took place, and much -duty was neglected in some divisions and corps, may be as freely -admitted, as that armies become disorganised in retreats. But in the -Light Division Craufurd’s strict orders were still observed. ‘Being -dead he yet spoke:’ and in the Regiment, Manningham and Stewart’s -standing orders so strictly defining the duties of company officers -were still observed; and Beckwith’s and Barnard’s admirable system -prevailed; and among them no such irregularities took place. The -circular also stated that the army had ‘suffered no privations which -but trifling attention on the part of the officers could not have -prevented,’ and had ‘not suffered any hardships but those resulting -from the inclemencies of the weather.’ Yet anyone who reads the last -few pages, compiled from Journals of Riflemen who were present, may -think the sufferings of the troops are under-estimated by their great -Leader. Still less did the sweeping accusations of want of discipline -and neglect of duty seem deserved. Both Leach and Kincaid state that -not a man of the Regiment (nor, as they believe, of the Division) -was left behind, except those too badly wounded at San Munoz, or too -utterly exhausted and moribund from hunger or fatigue, to be brought -over the Huebra. Had the great Commander, like Moore, exempted from -censure those who deserved praise, he would not have wounded the -feelings and the _esprit de corps_ of men who had so bravely fought -and suffered, and were yet to fight and suffer, under his eye and at -his side. - -While on the subject of discipline I may perhaps mention an incident -which occurred while the Regiment was in these cantonments, as -well because it shows the confidence of the officer in the right -judgment of the men, as because it evinces the opinion of the soldier -concerning deserved punishment. - -A man of the 1st Battalion, a _vaurien_, had robbed his comrades and -deserted. He was intercepted and brought back by some guerillas; and -having been tried by a regimental Court-Martial was sentenced to -receive 150 lashes. As soon as the Adjutant had read the proceedings -of the court, Colonel Cameron, who then commanded the Battalion, -observing on the infrequency of corporal punishment in it (Costello -says that not more than six men were punished in the six years they -were in the Peninsula), said that he would forgive the culprit if the -Battalion would be answerable for his good behaviour. After a pause, -during which not a man spoke or made a sign, Cameron ordered him to -strip, and he received twenty-five lashes. Before the next bugler -began, Cameron again addressed the men: ‘If,’ said he, ‘this man’s -company will speak for him, he shall be no further punished.’ Still -not a word was said, nor a man moved; and twenty-five more lashes -were inflicted. A third bugler was about to begin, when Cameron again -spoke, and said that if one man of the Battalion would come forward -in his behalf he would forgive him. No one answered, and the bugler -laid on three or four strokes, when a man called out: ‘Forgive him, -sir;’ and, being ordered, stepped out of the ranks. ‘Is it you, -Robinson?’ said Cameron; ‘I thought as much; a man no better than -himself. But I will keep my word. Take him down.’ When the prisoner -had been released, Cameron spoke again: ‘Your bravery in the field, -men,’ he said, ‘is known to me and to the army. Your moral worth -I know now. I am glad that not a man of the Battalion would come -forward for that prisoner, except one; and what he is you know as -well as I do.’ - -At Alameda the officers of the 1st Battalion, for the first time for -some years, resumed their Battalion mess. A large barn formed the -mess-room, in which they constructed two fire-places and chimneys; -and dishes, plates, platters, and cups, which had been used by the -different company messes in the field, brought into common stock, -formed a sufficient if not a very magnificent service. - -About this time a number of Spaniards joined the Regiment as -recruits. An order had been issued in the May preceding[120] to -enlist 100 Spaniards in each Battalion, and Surtees had been sent -into the country about to endeavour to obtain these recruits. But -unsuccessfully; for though many gave their names, and promised to -come in and be attested, yet none appeared. But now it seems they -were obtained. They told Costello that they were compelled by their -government to serve, and that they preferred enlisting with us. They -were divided among the different companies, furnishing about ten -or twelve to each company. They made excellent Riflemen, and were -distinguished for their bravery, degenerating often into ferocity, -prompted by revenge for the injuries they and their families had -suffered from the French. Some of them were made corporals; and -all these men, according to the terms of their enlistment, were -discharged when the Regiment passed the Spanish frontier in 1813. - -Great exertions were made to equip the Regiment for the ensuing -campaign. The clothing was got up from Abrantes; not before needed; -for the Regiment had become, during the campaign and after the -retreat, ‘a thing of shreds and patches.’ - -For the first time, too, in this war tents were provided for the -Regiment, three per company for non-commissioned officers and -privates, and one for the officers of the company. In the last -campaign indeed a sort of ‘_tente d’abri_’ had been extemporised -by making the men sew loops on the corners of their blankets. Two -blankets being looped together, and the ends fixed to stands of arms, -four men could creep under them. But with this disadvantage, that as -two blankets were used for the covering, the four men had only two -blankets to wrap themselves in. Yet they were ordered to pitch these -new company tents always behind rising ground and out of sight of the -enemy. - -The Light Division was divided into two brigades. The 1st and 3rd -Battalions of the 95th, consisting respectively of six and five -companies, with the 43rd and some Portuguese, formed the 1st brigade -under the command of Major-General Kempt. - -The 2nd Battalion, consisting of six companies, were with the 52nd, -and some Portuguese regiments in the 2nd brigade, commanded by -Major-General Vandeleur. - -On May 21 the Regiment broke up from its cantonments, and marching -to Molina des Flores and fording the Agueda near the mill, encamped -that night near San Felices el Chico. Marching at daylight next -morning, they passed S. Espiritus and Martin del Rey, and encamped -near it on the banks of the Yeltes. On the 23rd, after a long march, -they encamped on the left bank of the Huebra at San Munoz, which -they repassed by the very ford where they had their hard fight with -the French six months before. But the face of nature and their own -feelings were indeed different. The slushy swamps were now green -meadows; the then sullen, swollen river now glistened under a -bright sun; the constant, chilling rain was replaced by warm spring -sunshine. And they, then fatigued and faint, now rested and restored; -then famishing with want, now amply supplied; then depressed by the -pursuit of an enemy, now gallantly going to seek that enemy, and -exulting at the prospect of driving him before them. Here they halted -during the 24th; and on the 25th, passing through Aldea Quella de -Penida and Castro, and crossing the Matillo, encamped near Robleza. -On the next morning they marched to the banks of the Valmusa, where -about mid-day they halted and cooked. And then resuming their march, -arrived in the evening at the ford of El Canto on the Tormes, about -two leagues below Salamanca, where they encamped that night and -remained during the following day. On the 28th they moved, and having -forded the Tormes, passed through Monte Rubio, and after a march of -twenty-four miles encamped at Aldea Nueva de Figueira, where they -remained until June 2. On that day marching early they arrived at -Villa Buena, where they cooked and rested; and in the afternoon -proceeded to Toro; where finding that the enemy had blown up the -principal arch of the bridge, they encamped in some fields on the -left bank. Marshal Jourdan now abandoned the line of the Douro, and -fell back on Palencia. And in order to follow the line of retreat of -the enemy, the Regiment on June 3 crossing the Douro by the bridge -of Toro, which had been hastily made passable by planks laid across -the broken arch, advanced to Terra Buena, where they encamped. On the -next day they moved by Casa Sola and La Mota de Toro, and after a -march of about eighteen miles encamped at night on some high ground -overhanging the Convent of Espinaz. - -On the 5th, passing through Castromonte, where they halted an hour, -they encamped at Muderra; and on the next day they marched through -Villa Alba to Ampudia, their camping place. On the 7th, marching -early, they reached the city of Palencia, and passing through it -amidst the acclamations and rejoicing of its inhabitants, encamped -close under the walls on the banks of the river Carrion. On the 8th, -advancing through Valdepero and Mongen, they encamped at Tamara. -The weather now broke up, and from having been hot and fine, now -became chilly with much rain. The next day they moved to La Peña de -Campos, and encamped near the Rio Cieza. On the 10th they crossed the -river by a stone bridge, and passing by the villages of La Peña and -Francoen, and across the canal of Castile, encamped near Lantadilla -on the right bank of the Pisuerga. During the last few marches the -weather had been unfavourable, and the supply of food scanty. The -country was devoid of wood, and fuel was with difficulty procured -for cooking. The peasantry, too, seemed poor, and their dwellings -inferior to those in other parts of Spain. Yet the villagers -everywhere welcomed our men with shouts of joy, and the women danced -before them, in their national manner doubtless, but it seemed absurd -and ridiculous to our people. Yet this amused the tired soldiers, -whose heavy load and rapidity of march were lightened by the antics -of the rejoicing peasantry. - -On the 11th they crossed the Pisuerga by a stone bridge, and passing -by Pallacio encamped near Villa Sandino on the river Brullo. - -Since leaving Toro in pursuit of the enemy they had never seen a -French soldier; but on the 12th, after marching a few miles, and when -near the village of Isar, they came upon a rear-guard, composed of -a pretty large body of cavalry drawn up on some high ground, and a -division of infantry formed in squares. On the cavalry attached to -the Light Division advancing, the enemy’s cavalry at once withdrew. -The Regiment was drawn up on some high ground over the river Hormaza, -and when the squares of the infantry were cannonaded by our guns, -though without much effect, they retired towards Burgos. But when -passing under the height our men were on, they halted and gave them -a volley. This they could do, being in square, and the 95th so much -above them. Yet their fire was ineffectual by reason of distance. -They moved across the plain, and as soon as they were clear of their -guns, these opened a smart cannonade, without, however, doing any -harm. The Regiment then continued its route, and encamped at Hornilla -de Camino, near the river. On the 13th, as the Regiment was starting -early on the march, a tremendous explosion, which seemed to shake the -ground on which they stood, and which the soldiers fancied was an -earthquake, was heard. This was, as they subsequently found, caused -by the enemy blowing up the castle of Burgos, on their evacuating -that place. Continuing their march through Villa Nueva, Organda and -Villa Rejo, they encamped that night at Tovar. - -On the next day, passing through Guermathes, Quintanaleia sobre la -Sierra, to Quintanajuar and Poza, they encamped in a wood near these -two villages. - -On the 15th, after a long and wearisome march through Villa Alta, -Pesados and El Almune, and over a most uninteresting country, they -came to the edge of the heights overlooking the vale of the Ebro. -And the sight of that noble river, fringed with verdant meadows -and fruitful orchards, and dotted with farms and country-houses, -inspirited them. For from the day they had left the neighbourhood of -Salamanca till now, their route had lain through an unwooded, arid -country, sometimes indeed bearing great crops of corn, but always -uninteresting. Wood for firing could scarcely be found; provisions -ran short, and when they were issued, consisted only of tough ration -beef and hard biscuit. But now they were descending into a fruitful -valley, teeming with everything which could supply their wants. The -spirits of the men were elated, and coming to the village of Puente -Arenas, they crossed its long stone bridge, the band of the 1st -Battalion playing ‘The Downfall of Paris,’ and encamped close to the -village. - -At dawn of the 16th they started again, and winding along the left -bank of the river for about a league, and then ascending the heights -which shut it in, marched through a mountainous country, the rugged -hills clothed with wood to their summits, and passing the villages -of Encinillas and Bisquesas, and crossing the river Nela, encamped a -little beyond Medina de Pomar, on the Trueba river. - -On the 17th their march was through mountain tracks impassable for -artillery. They were in fact striking across the country to the great -road from Burgos to Vittoria, in order to intercept the enemy who -were proceeding by that road; and after a fatiguing march encamped -in a woody height near the river Loza. Picquets were thrown out, as -the enemy was supposed to be not far distant, and the Regiment was -placed in thick wood, where there was hardly room to pitch the tents. - -On the 18th they moved very early. A troop of German hussars led, -and then came the 1st Battalion, one company being in advance. After -marching about two leagues they arrived at the point where the road -by which they were moving struck into the great road, which by a -steep descent between high banks, enters the village of San Millan. -Here they came upon a strong rear-guard of the enemy who were coming -down the hill towards San Millan. The German cavalry first attacked -a force of cavalry which was with the rear-guard, and which made a -stand; but they soon routed them, and brought in many prisoners. Then -Barnard extending the 1st Battalion came down upon the infantry, -through the wooded height which overhung the road, and with a sharp -and destructive fire put them into confusion. The 3rd Battalion also -became actively engaged; and the enemy being broken, retired rapidly, -through San Millan and up the hill beyond it, closely pursued by our -people. When the Riflemen were beginning the attack Lord Wellington -rode up, and directed their movements. As he had another division -ready to intercept the French, at Espejo, some distance in advance -towards Vittoria, he desired Quartermaster Surtees to go and fetch -a peasant who was supposed to be with the 1st Battalion, to guide -him to Espejo. But the guide not liking the fire, was nowhere to be -found; and on Surtees reporting this to him, Lord Wellington galloped -off towards Espejo, without a guide. The Riflemen continued the -pursuit of the enemy; who on getting on the height above San Millan, -again showed front, and formed up some battalions. But the inexorable -Riflemen again pressed them so hard, that they fled through Villa -Nueva and Villa Naña; and the country being admirably suited for -Riflemen, they inflicted on them great loss. - -During this fight an officer of the 3rd Battalion was chased round -and round a tree by a French hussar, who cut at him repeatedly, -and would undoubtedly have cut him down had he not spied the rifle -of a man who had been killed; and as it was fortunately loaded, he -shot his antagonist. 1 sergeant and 2 privates of the 1st Battalion -were killed; Lieutenant Haggup was desperately, and it was thought -mortally wounded, being shot through the belly; yet he recovered; and -10 privates of the 1st and 2 of the 3rd Battalion were wounded. - -While the 1st and 3rd Battalions were pursuing the enemy, the second -brigade of the Light Division came up to San Millan; and as the rear -brigade of the French rear-guard, following their companions, arrived -there at the same time, they were attacked by the 2nd Battalion, and -handled much as their first brigade had been by the 1st and 3rd. -They broke and fled at once, abandoning their baggage, and took to -the mountains, where they were pursued and many of them taken by the -Spaniards. The 2nd Battalion had 1 sergeant killed and 1 private -wounded, in this affair. This was the first time the Regiment had -been actually engaged in this campaign. - -The 1st and 3rd Battalions having returned from their pursuit, the -Regiment encamped on the Jumillo, between San Millan and Villa Nueva. - -On the 19th they proceeded by the same road by which their opponents -on the preceding day had fled; and halted at the village of Salinas. -The day was hot; the march ascending the hill fatiguing; and the -clear sparkling rills at Salinas were eagerly resorted to. Every -man dipped his mess-tin; every man, when he had tasted it, made -a wry face. The water was salt. The earth all around is strongly -impregnated with saline matter. And one of the men observed: ‘We must -be near the sea now; for we have got to the salt water.’ - -Continuing their march they encamped that night, after crossing the -river Bayas by a moveable bridge, at Pobes, on the bank of that river. - -On the 20th the Regiment did not move, but continued in the same -encampment. - -[Illustration: - - BATTLE OF VITTORIA - 21^{ST} JUNE 1813 - - _E. Weller, lith., London._ - _London: Chatto & Windus._ -] - -General Alten directed the baggage taken from the French at San -Millan to be sold by auction, and the proceeds to be divided among -the soldiers. Not only horses, mules and carts, and the usual baggage -of an army were thus disposed of, but a variety of female attire was -also found and sold; several Spanish ladies, the wives or _chères -amies_ of French officers, having been among the prisoners taken. -The proceeds of this sale were divided only among the men of the -second brigade, who were in fact the actual captors; very much to -the discontent of the soldiers of the 1st and 3rd Battalions, who -maintained that, if it had not been for their attack and discomfiture -of the first French brigade, this booty would never have been taken. - -On the 21st the Regiment fell in at daylight and advanced, the 1st -Battalion leading, over some high ground; and having arrived early -near the river Zadorra, which flowing from near Vittoria turns at -nearly a right angle towards Miranda, were ordered to pile arms. -The river was thus in their front, flowing from their left to -their right, and then again turning round their right flank. While -they were thus resting with piled arms, Lord Wellington rode up, -and advancing to the very bank of the river, observed the enemy’s -position. This was not unnoticed by the French, who detached a -cloud of voltigeurs, who, rushing across a bridge at the village of -Villodas, seized a woody height on the side of the river our men -occupied, and opened a fire on the Staff. The 3rd Battalion and -two companies of the 1st Battalion which stood next to them, were -immediately ordered to stand to their arms, and drive them back. -This they did in a very short time; and thus they, and not General -Hill’s division, as has been generally said, began that memorable -battle.[121] They drove the French out of the woody height, through -the village and over the bridge; but not having orders to cross, -they extended along the river’s bank, as did the voltigeurs on -their side, and many men fell; for the river was not broad, and a -desultory fire was kept up. And as soon as the French were clear of -the village a cannonade was opened from a battery on some high ground -beyond the Zadorra, by which many men were killed. For the ground was -rocky, and our men were dispersed among the rocks, and the fragments -splintered off by the cannon-balls wounded them almost as much as -the balls themselves. One shot took some Riflemen, who were lining a -garden-wall, in flank and swept off several men at once. - -Their task having been accomplished by clearing the village, some -of the officers and half a company of the 3rd Battalion took post -at the church of Villodas, and observed the course of the battle. -General Hill’s force had now possession of the range of hills on the -enemy’s left; while the smoke and booming of cannon on the right of -their position showed that Sir Thomas Graham had commenced his attack -on that flank. At this moment, about twelve o’clock, a peasant gave -information that one of the bridges over the Zadorra was undefended, -and the 1st and 3rd Battalions, moving to their left along the bank -of the river, crossed by it (the bridge of Tres Puentes) at the -point where the Zadorra bends with a right angle, and ascending the -high ground halted just under the brow of the hill. While they were -there the 3rd Division were seen advancing to the bridge of Mendoza -next on the left to that by which the Riflemen had crossed; and the -French observing them sent down some cavalry and light troops to -oppose them, while a battery of French guns opened fire upon them. -At this moment Barnard, with great promptitude, led his Battalion -to the left, between the French cavalry and the river, and took the -light troops and artillerymen in flank with such a severe fire, that -he drove them off and enabled the 3rd Division to cross the river -without opposition or loss. But the English gunners, who from the -opposite bank were replying to the fire of the French battery, not -distinguishing the dark dress of our men, who were in close contest -with the enemy’s skirmishers, continued to pound them, and several -men thus fell by the fire of our own guns. Nor was it till the head -of Picton’s Division came over the bridge and joined the Riflemen -that they ceased their fire. - -The Light Division covered by the skirmishers of the 1st and 3rd -Battalions, and the 3rd Division covered by two companies of the -1st Battalion, now advanced and pushed up the conical hill in front -of Arinez, the centre of the enemy’s position. In this advance Lord -Wellington rode close behind the two 1st Battalion companies, which -were heading the 3rd Division,[122] calling out to the men ‘That’s -right, my lads; keep up a good fire.’ The Battalion soon cleared the -hill, and were going down the other side, when they were stopped by -a wall at the entrance of the village of Arinez, behind which the -enemy had posted some battalions of infantry, who on our men coming -over the hill opened a sudden blaze of fire, which checked them. -But only for a moment; for running forward they occupied one side -of the wall while the enemy held the other. And in the few minutes -they were there two officers and thirty men of the Battalion fell. -Then some of the 3rd Division, having deployed into line, gave the -French a volley, which dislodged them; and the Riflemen clearing the -wall, rushed into and through the village, and took three guns, the -first which were captured that day. The first of these was taken -by Lieutenant Fitz-Maurice and two privates of the 1st Battalion. -Observing that the French artillery, a battery of six guns, was -retreating, and believing that he could intercept it, Fitz-Maurice -started with his company; but they being in heavy marching order, -were not able to keep up with him. Five guns had passed before he -reached the road; he caught the leading horses of the sixth, and -stopped them. The driver drew a pistol and fired at him, but the -bullet passed through his cap. He called on the two men who were with -him to fire, and one of the horses fell, which completely checked the -gun. Then the rest of the company came up, cut the traces, and made -the three drivers and four gunners prisoners. However, just beyond -Arinez the enemy rallied a strong battalion, who advancing on the -Riflemen forced them to retreat about a hundred yards, and to give up -possession of the captured guns. But as our men had cut the traces -with their swords, taken away the horses, and killed many of the -gunners, when they saw the head of the 3rd Division advancing, they -went forward again; and thus reinforced, drove the enemy finally from -the village, and recaptured and retained possession of the guns. - -In the meantime the 2nd Battalion with the 2nd brigade of the Light -Division were hotly engaged at the village of Margarita, to the left -of Arinez; but that village being carried and the enemy being driven -off, they also advanced on the left of the other two Battalions. - -The whole Regiment then continued to advance in the direction of -Vittoria. On their right a large body of the enemy, which had been -driven by General Hill from the high ground on that flank, were -marching in a parallel direction. They were at first supposed to be -Spaniards; and on its being ascertained that they were French, it was -a question with the commanding officer of one of the Rifle Battalions -whether he should not attack them. But his orders were to make the -best of his way to his front; and he did not like to depart from -them. Moreover the intervening ground was bad, and it might not have -been easy to close with them. So hurrying on and outstripping our -people, they joined their main army in retreat. - -As the Riflemen advanced they came to a village where there was a -French battery which cannonaded them severely. They formed lines of -Battalions and lay down in some ploughed fields, still exposed in -some degree to the enemy’s fire. In about half-an-hour they moved -on; and with little check passed through the city of Vittoria and -proceeded about three miles beyond it, the enemy having abandoned all -their positions and flying before them. Here they bivouacked, having -been on foot since three o’clock in the morning, and having fought -almost all that time, over about twenty miles of ground. - -Surtees being the only quartermaster up with the Regiment, was sent -back to look for its baggage. He repassed Vittoria, and after a long -search amongst the carriages of all descriptions which blocked up the -road, at last found it. But it was impossible to get it forward, or -to extricate it from that wonderful tangle of every kind of vehicle -and impediment which blocked the road to and through Vittoria. -Wherefore, directing those in charge of it where to find the Regiment -next morning, he returned through Vittoria and joined the bivouack. -For the tents had not come up. And men and officers slept by the camp -fires, having supped on provisions obtained from the well-filled -stores of the flying foe. - -On this day 1 sergeant and 3 rank and file of the 1st Battalion were -killed; and Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, Lieutenants Cox, Hopwood, and -Gairdner were severely, and Lister slightly, wounded; 1 sergeant and -36 privates were also wounded: of the 2nd Battalion, Captain Jenkins -and 8 men were wounded: of the 3rd Lieutenant Campbell and 7 privates -were killed, and 16 wounded. - -One of the first who fell was Lieutenant Leckie Campbell, who was -shot through the forehead at the affair in the early morning at -Villodas. Colonel Cameron was so severely wounded in the thigh that -he was obliged to proceed to England. - -A man of the name of Hudson of the 1st Battalion (one of the -deserters found in Ciudad Rodrigo, who had been pardoned) received a -shot in the mouth, which knocked out several teeth, and passed out -at the back of the ear; yet from this wound he recovered. I have -mentioned the Spanish recruits who joined the Regiment. One of them, -by name Blanco, in this battle was distinguished not only for his -bravery, but for his cruelty; stabbing and cutting the wounded French -whenever he came upon them. This so exasperated an old Rifleman that -he felled him with the butt-end of his rifle. The other men could -scarce withhold Blanco from stabbing him on the spot. - -On the 22nd, about mid-day, the Regiment moved in pursuit of the -French, but did not come up with them; and they bivouacked that night -near Salvatierra. - -On the 23rd the Regiment again started in pursuit at daylight, and -arriving at the river Borunda, found the enemy posted on it. The -wooden bridge over it had been set on fire. But some shrapnell shells -fired by Ross’ guns soon made them move off. The Regiment then -forded the river, and pressed the rear-guard so hard that they could -not destroy the bridges they passed. They now set every village on -fire, with a view of delaying our pursuit; the passage through the -flaming villages and falling houses not being easy, and the country -round them being generally enclosed. But this did not much delay the -Riflemen. At Echarri-Aranaz they had a skirmish with the enemy’s -voltigeurs; but they soon moved off. They came up with them again at -the village of La Cuenca; here they drew up, but our Horse Artillery -having opened upon them, they resumed their retreat through Huarte. -The Regiment encamped at La Cuenca. - -On the 24th at daylight they marched, the 3rd Battalion leading; and -after proceeding eight or ten miles found the French rear-guard in a -strong position on the side of a mountain behind the river Araquil. -The banks were rocky and rugged, and the stream swollen by recent -rains. A narrow bridge, therefore, afforded the sole passage. The -1st and 3rd Battalions of the Regiment were the only infantry up at -the time. The two Battalions were halted; and the men were ordered -to put their knapsacks behind the troopers of the German Legion (who -accompanied them) in order that they might move more rapidly. Then -the 3rd Battalion were ordered by General Alten to mount a hill to -the left of the road in order to fire down upon the right of the -French, while the 1st Battalion lined the banks of the river and -opened a smart fire. Under this attack the enemy gave way; and our -people crossing the bridge, pursued them in a kind of desultory -skirmish for about two miles. But they retired slowly, and fighting -hard, to enable the troops behind them to make good their retreat. -The road by which they were moving soon struck the great road, the -‘Camino real,’ leading from Madrid to Pamplona. The enemy detached -one battalion to the right, which moved down a valley and was soon -out of sight. It was ascertained afterwards that they fancied that -this valley had an outlet to the road further on, where they might -take up a position to receive our people. At the end of about two -miles, where there was a narrow pass between two overhanging rocks, -the enemy halted, and soon advanced upon our two Battalions. A -sharp attack now again took place; and the battalion which had left -the road emerged from a wood among our skirmishers. It was roughly -handled, and suffered severely before it regained the road. It -seems that, finding no way out of the valley they had entered, they -returned to help their companions. - -At this moment two of Ross’ guns came up, and opened on them; and a -general fight of all three arms (the Riflemen, the German hussars, -and Ross’ guns) took place, which drove the French from their -position, through the pass and on to the open country beyond. Here -the road is carried on an embankment with very steep sides. And when -they had proceeded about two miles, the fire of Ross’ guns killed two -and wounded one of the horses of the French gun, an 8-pounder.[123] -They were so hard pressed that they had no time to disentangle the -horses, and they flung the gun, with the horses, over the embankment, -here about fifteen feet deep. Thus the Riflemen, who had taken -the first gun at Vittoria, took the last and only gun which the -French carried off from that field. ‘The French entered Pamplona, -therefore, with one howitzer only.’[124] The Riflemen (some of them -mounted behind the troopers of the Royal Dragoons)[125] continued -to pursue them till they were under the walls of that fortress; and -they occupied that night the villages of Aldava, Santa Barafra, and -Berrioplano. - -On the 25th, at an early hour, the Regiment advanced towards -Pamplona, and arriving about a mile and-a-half from it, they moved to -the left, just out of range of the guns of the place, and proceeding -by a mountain road to Villaba, encamped near that village. - -On the 26th Lord Wellington intending to intercept General Clausel, -who having learnt the rout of the main French army at Vittoria, was -endeavouring to make good a retreat into France by the east of Spain, -the Regiment (with some other divisions of the army) moved to Noain -and past the aqueduct of Pamplona, and encamped near Muro, at the -junction of the roads from Tudela and Zaragoza. - -Next day they started early, and near Barasoain halted to cook and -refresh. Then passing through Tafalla, where they crossed the Zadacos -river by a stone bridge, and where the inhabitants received them with -acclamations of joy, they encamped in an olive-grove near Olite. - -On the 28th passing through the town of Olite and striking out of -the Zaragoza road they took that to San Martin. And after crossing a -barren plain, halted to cook in a pine-wood near Murillo del Fruto. -They had then marched about four leagues; but their labours were not -nearly over. For starting again they skirted the river and got to -Gallepienza, where they crossed it by a stone bridge; and proceeding -by a mountain track, where darkness overtook them, they encamped in -a ploughed field, near Caseda, about midnight in tremendous rain. -The whole march had been about twenty-four miles; and they had been -pushed on in the hope of intercepting Clausel; but it was here -reported that the Alcalde of Tudela had given Clausel notice of the -movements of the column, and that he had effected his retreat by -another road. - -Therefore the Regiment halted on the 29th; and on the 30th beginning -its return to Pamplona, crossed the Aragon at Caseda and marched to -Sanguessa, near which they encamped, and halted during July 1. - -On the 2nd they resumed their march towards Pamplona; passing Narden -and Andoain, and encamped near Monreal. - -On the 3rd the Regiment returned by Noain to Villaba, and moving past -it, encamped at the village of Berissa near Pamplona. On the next -day it furnished working parties to throw up works to shelter our -picquets from the fire of the place, or from a sortie of the garrison. - -On the 5th the Regiment commenced its march into the Pyrenees; and -proceeding up a narrow valley to Ostiz, encamped near a rivulet. - -And on the 6th, penetrating into the mountains, they marched by -Olague to Lanz, which is situated at the foot of the Pyrenean range. - -At daybreak on the 7th the Regiment began to climb the mountains and -halted on a mountain side near Gustella and Lagassa, where they were -about to encamp for the night. But in three hours they got a fresh -route and were ordered to move into San Esteban. - -Here they halted in very pleasant quarters until the 14th. During -this time Major-General Skerrett was appointed to the command of the -second brigade of the Light Division, in which was the 2nd Battalion, -in succession to General Vandeleur, who was transferred to the -command of a cavalry brigade. - -On the afternoon of the 14th the Regiment marched from San Esteban, -and encamped on the heights above Sumbilla. - -On the 15th at daylight they marched down the Bidassoa, by a road -which sometimes skirted its bank, and sometimes rose upon the -mountain side over it. On getting near the bridge of Lezaca the -enemy’s advanced post was discovered near it, on the heights of Sta. -Barbara. And the 1st Battalion was ordered to dislodge them. They -climbed the mountain slowly; for it was very steep, and they were -obliged to husband their strength for the fight which might take -place at the top. The French gave them some shots; but when they -arrived on the crest, they quickly drove them down the other side. -And as they stood on the top the Riflemen had a view of the enemy’s -position; and of the Bidassoa, which here makes a sharp bend to the -left, and flows thence through a rocky channel to the sea. Below them -was the town of Vera and the road which, leading into France through -Vera, is called La Puerta de Vera. To defend this pass the French had -thrown up strong works. And here also the Riflemen looked, far to the -left, upon the sea; and a simultaneous cheer burst forth at the sight -of that ocean which seemed to connect them with their native land, -and which, for some years, most of them had not seen. - -The 43rd drove the enemy out of the town of Vera; but they still kept -a picquet in some outhouses near it, and our picquets were posted in -Vera. The Regiment encamped on the heights they had gained. - -It remained in this position, furnishing the picquets, and keeping up -the communication between the army under Sir Thomas Graham, which was -besieging St. Sebastian, and that under Sir Rowland Hill, which was -investing and covering Pamplona. - -On July 25 Marshal Soult, who had assumed command of the French -army, attacked the positions of Roncesvalles and Maya, with a view -to raising the siege of Pamplona or throwing provisions into it; and -after several hardly-contested fights had obliged Hill to fall back. -It therefore became necessary for the Light Division also to retire, -though the enemy in front made no sign of advancing. Accordingly on -the 26th the Regiment marched from their encampment, and crossing -the Bidassoa, and passing through Lezaca and Jansi, encamped for the -night on high ground near Sumbilla. - -They did not move from this till nightfall on the 27th, when they -resumed their retrograde movement; and marching all night did not -reach Zubieta (a march of only two leagues and-a-half) till after -daylight. For the route was by mountain tracks and in the dark, and -was accomplished with difficulty and fatigue. So dark and dangerous -was the way, that at a stream on the road, which dashed down from -the mountain side, a Corporal of the Regiment placed himself in -mid-stream, and taking each passer by the hand guided him to the -other side. On arrival at Zubieta, about a league to the right of San -Esteban, their late quarter, they encamped for the day; and starting -again at nine in the evening arrived at Salin next morning. This -night march, though not so harassing as the last, for the road was -less difficult, was yet not free from danger. For Lieutenant William -Eeles, the Adjutant of the 3rd Battalion, having had his cap knocked -off by the bough of a tree, in endeavouring to catch it as it fell, -pulled his horse off the road, and both rolled down a precipitous -declivity. Fortunately it was not very deep; and horse and man were -recovered unhurt. At Salin they encamped for the day. And on the 30th -proceeded by a long march, by day, to Lecumberri, and were moved -into a wood _à cheval_ on the great road from Pamplona to Bayonne, -and about equidistant from the former and Tolosa. They were again -to keep up the communication between Hill’s corps and that before -St. Sebastian; and also to bar the way to any of the enemy’s troops -which might move by that road. During the last few days they had -heard heavy firing in the direction of Pamplona, but were without -intelligence of the result of the fight. But late on the 31st, their -anxiety was relieved by the arrival of a staff officer, who informed -them of the complete defeat and repulse of the French in the battles -of the Pyrenees; and who also conveyed orders that they were to -advance over the ground by which they had retired. Wherefore, falling -in on the evening of that day, they marched to Larissa and encamped -there. - -On the 1st August they marched early, and passing by Esema, Zubieta -and Irurlia, heard that they were to push forward to intercept the -retreat of the French. They proceeded by a mountainous and rough -road, under a burning sun, and about three o’clock reached some high -ground on the left bank of the Bidassoa. It was a long march and the -heat was oppressive. They had marched about thirty miles, when, about -three o’clock, they arrived on the heights overhanging the river -near the bridge of Jansi. Then the knowledge that they were near the -enemy revived the spirits of the wearied Riflemen; and declaring that -they ‘would knock the dust out of their hairy knapsacks,’ the 1st -Battalion descended the hill on the left, while the 3rd Battalion -held a wood above. Then the disordered column of the enemy was seen -approaching on the opposite bank, faint and weary; and the 1st -Battalion, concealed among the brushwood at the foot of the hill, -received them with a raking fire. Many, pointing to the wounded who -were borne with them, by their gestures implored quarter, and the -generous Riflemen withheld their fire, and called to one another to -spare them. Yet many, as they passed, fired at our men, but without -much effect; for they were so effectually concealed in the brushwood, -that the flash of their rifles was the only guide for the aim of the -enemy. Thus pursued by the 4th Division, they had to pass this fiery -ordeal. Some throwing off their knapsacks, and casting away their -arms, strove to climb a hill on their right; but it was inaccessible; -and on the hill-side the fire of our men picked them off. Then they -pushed some light troops across the river, who became engaged with -the 3rd Battalion; but they were soon driven down, and across the -bridge. In the evening two of our companies got possession of the -bridge, and then the rear of the column had to pass in front of their -fire. At last they got a battalion into line behind a stone wall -beyond the river; this somewhat checked our fire, and the remainder -of the flying enemy passed with less loss. Yet arms, knapsacks, -baggage and wounded were abandoned. - -In this affair the Regiment lost but few men. Captain William -Percival of the 3rd Battalion was wounded, being at the very close of -the day shot through the right wrist. The left hand had been before -contracted by a wound in that wrist; and he was also lame from a -wound in the hip. - -This day’s march was most fatiguing, being made under a hot sun, -and with frequent want of water. The whole distance was about eight -leagues; and considering that it was made in the heat of an August -sun, and that at the end of the march the men had four or five -hours’ hard fighting, it may hold its place with the famous march -from Calzada to Talavera. Napier gives a frightful picture of the -sufferings of the men. It was said that 200 men of one regiment of -the second brigade of the Light Division fell out. But the Riflemen -had a resolution to excel; and many held on till they died. Yet when -the roll of the 3rd Battalion was called just before the fight began, -only _nine_ men were absent. - -On the 2nd, the 1st and 3rd Battalions moved after the French by the -road to the pass of Vera; the 2nd Battalion by Jansi and Lezaca; and -the Regiment took up the line of picquets it had held a week before -without firing a shot. On the march they met Lord Wellington, who, -in recognition of their long march and hard fight of the day before, -honoured them with an approving nod and smile, which much pleased the -soldiers. - -In the afternoon, it being observed that the enemy held the mountain -of Echalar, which standing on the right of our position was in fact -in our line of posts, it was resolved to dislodge them. And the -1st and 3rd Battalions supported by the 43rd were ordered to take -the position. The 1st Battalion extended to the right, and the 3rd -advanced up the face of the hill. A thick fog came on, and though the -French kept up a pretty brisk fire they did the Riflemen no harm. For -their aim being probably rendered uncertain by the mist, they fired -over their heads, and any of their shot which took effect, fell on -the 43rd, who were much lower on the hill-side. The 3rd Battalion, -advancing up the hill in the fog, found themselves against a rock -the top of which was thronged with Frenchmen, who gave them a biting -fire. As the Riflemen were unable to climb the precipitous face of -the rock, the Frenchmen called upon them with gibes, in the Spanish -language, to come on. The Riflemen retreated for an instant to the -rocks around, among which finding cover, they kept up a telling fire -on the occupants of the rock. And one of the Spanish recruits before -mentioned, enraged at the insults of the French, replied to their -sneers in most bitter words, which he accompanied with constant -shots. But he was soon killed. Now gathering courage they made an -advance against the 1st Battalion; but the Riflemen with a shout of -defiance repelled them, and they turned and fled; and descending -their side of the mountain retreated to their own position. - -The men, while the Regiment remained in the neighbourhood, called -this mountain ‘Barnard’s Hill;’ in memory of the valour with which -Sir Andrew, who commanded on the occasion, had carried it. - -An officer of the 1st Battalion had a strange escape in this fight. -When the enemy advanced on that Battalion, they made a rush at him, -which in trying to avoid, he fell into a bush. They seized his sword, -which was not drawn, to drag him out; but it broke away from the -belt, and he escaped. - -A Portuguese regiment took up the ground the Riflemen had gained; and -they encamped near Vera and the Bidassoa. - -On the 3rd another division having relieved them, the Regiment -returned to their old encampment on the heights of Sta. Barbara, -where they remained for about two months. - -On August 25, the three Battalions being together, it was resolved -to commemorate the anniversary of the formation of the Regiment. A -trench was dug round a parallelogram of greensward, which served -for the table, while the _convives_ sat on the opposite bank, with -their legs in the trench. Many patriotic toasts and many healths -were drunk. And the cheering that followed them must have astonished -their French neighbours. Indeed they are said to have remained under -arms part of the night, expecting an immediate attack. This was, I -believe, the first ‘Regimental Dinner.’ - -On the 31st the storming of St. Sebastian took place. Fifty men -under a subaltern of each Battalion of the Regiment were allowed -to volunteer for this duty. Lieutenant James Perceval of the 1st -Battalion claimed this duty by right of seniority, but William -Hamilton, a Second Lieutenant, obtained Sir Andrew Barnard’s -permission to accompany the stormers also. Lieutenant Eaton commanded -the stormers of the 2nd Battalion. I regret that I am unable to -ascertain who led those of the 3rd. - -About noon, they moved forward from the trenches, and after five -hours’ desperate fighting--for the breaches were found to have -fallen in such large fragments as to be almost impregnable, and the -resistance of the enemy was most gallant--they entered and took -possession of the place. Perceval was severely wounded at the foot of -the breach; and Hamilton was also desperately wounded in two places; -one ball entered the eye, passed down through the mouth, and was cut -out at the shoulder-blade. Both recovered; but Hamilton was never -again able to join the Regiment, and was placed on full-pay of it -(as First Lieutenant) some time afterwards. Of the 1st Battalion, -besides these officers, 2 Riflemen were killed, and 2 sergeants and 4 -Riflemen were wounded; of the 2nd Battalion, 3 Riflemen were killed, -and 6 wounded; and of the 3rd Battalion, 2 Riflemen were killed and -2 wounded.[126] - -But on that same day the Battalions from which these volunteers had -been detached had also hard fighting. They had, as usual, been under -arms before daybreak; but after dawn the mountains were covered with -a thick mist, and as nothing appeared they broke up, and had just -returned to their encampment, when the bugles sounded the ‘assembly;’ -and a breeze having carried off the mist, the hills on the French -side of the river were seen covered with troops. These soon began to -descend, and forded the Bidassoa a little below Vera. Some columns -also approached Vera in order to cross by that bridge; but the 2nd -Battalion were posted here, having two companies at the bridge and -in a loop-holed house near it, and the other four in the town. They -resisted and defeated the attempt to cross at that point. Meanwhile -the 1st and 3rd Battalions, seeing the enemy advancing, thought the -attack would be on them. For the French crossed in force, preceded -by numbers of skirmishers under cover of the fire of some mountain -guns. This fell short at first; and instead of reaching our people -some shells fell among their own skirmishers, and caused no little -confusion; while the Riflemen, who were looking down upon them, burst -forth into a loud and derisive cheer, as each shell fell among them. -But when they came across, and our people were to receive them, -they turned to their right, and proceeded towards St. Sebastian to -attack some Spanish troops on the left of the position the Riflemen -occupied, leaving some troops about Vera to keep them in check. - -Thus matters remained till the afternoon; the 1st and 3rd Battalions -suffering, but a little, from the fire of the enemy’s mountain guns. -About three o’clock three companies of the 1st Battalion with part -of the 43rd, crossed by the bridge of Lezaca, and proceeded along -the heights above the river, in a direction parallel to the French; -they were afterwards followed by the remainder of Kempt’s brigade, -and moved from hill to hill, in the evening occupying a height above -Lezaca where they remained for the night. But a picquet was left on -the heights of Sta. Barbara, with orders, as soon as it was relieved -by a Spanish regiment, to follow the Battalion across the Bidassoa. -But this was no easy matter. For a tremendous storm of wind, thunder -and lightning came on; and it was extremely difficult for the picquet -to thread their way by mountain paths along the hill-side. - -The rain also fell in torrents. And as is always the case in these -mountains every rill rapidly became a torrent, and the Bidassoa rose -and ere long became unfordable. That portion of the enemy to the -left of the British position had, on being defeated, recrossed the -river. But General Clausel’s force, which was nearer to Vera, was -unable to do so. Clausel himself, indeed, with two brigades, did -repass the river early in the evening, leaving General Vandermaesen -with the other divisions on the left bank. Then the Bidassoa rose -rapidly, and night set in. Some of his troops attempted to ford the -angry river, but were swept away and drowned. Then the only chance -was to force the bridge of Vera. Here Cadoux’s company and part -of Hart’s company of the 2nd Battalion were posted under command -of the former, in a loop-holed house about thirty yards from the -bridge, having double sentries posted on the bridge itself. Thomas -Smith, the Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, having reported to General -Skerrett that the bridge was held by this detachment, Skerrett sent -his Brigade-Major, who was sleeping in the same room with him, to -Cadoux, desiring him to evacuate it, probably in consequence of -Vandermaesen’s overwhelming numbers. This Cadoux refused to do; -saying that he could hold the bridge-house. Meanwhile, about two -o’clock in the morning, the French, silently drawing near the bridge, -made a rush. The two sentries on the bridge snapped their rifles to -give the alarm; but the priming was wet from the heavy rain, and -they were at once shot down or bayoneted. Cadoux, by his fire from -the bridge-house, kept the head of the advancing column in check. At -this fatal moment General Skerrett sent a fresh order to Cadoux, and -in such terms as he could not disobey, to leave the bridge-house and -join his Battalion. He of course complied; but with the memorable -words that ‘but few of his party would reach the camp.’ Even so -it was. They at once became exposed not only to the fire of the -troops on the bridge, but to a cannonade from the guns of the French -reserve on a height near Vera. Cadoux was killed; 2 sergeants and 14 -rank and file were killed; and Captain Hart, Lieutenants Llewellyn -and R. Cochrane, 9 sergeants and 34 rank and file were wounded. So -that every officer present was either killed or wounded besides 11 -sergeants and 48 rank and file, out of a total strength of about 100 -men. And it is to be noted that until the party left the bridge-house -Cadoux had not lost a man, except the double sentries on the -bridge.[128] The opposition being thus withdrawn the French crossed -the bridge, and returned to their position. Whereas had Skerrett -not only left Cadoux at the bridge-house, but supported him with -the remainder of the Battalion, or with the 52nd, who were close at -hand, not a man of Vandermaesen’s division could have recrossed the -Bidassoa. One company of the 3rd Battalion indeed and some Portuguese -troops came up about daylight, but it was then too late, and the -passage had been effected.[129] - -For this neglect and for the sacrifice of Cadoux and his gallant band -General Skerrett has been greatly and deservedly blamed; in which -censure Sir William Napier (though apparently not fully aware of -Skerrett’s fault) concurs. - -[Illustration: - - ACTION NEAR VERA - 7^{TH} OCTOBER 1813 - - _Drawn by Capt^n H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brig^e_ - _E. Weller, lith., London._ - _London: Chatto & Windus._ -] - -Besides the great loss of Cadoux’s party at the bridge-house, -Lieutenant Nicholas Travers, who commanded the company of the 3rd -Battalion which came up at dawn, was also wounded; and 2 men of it -were killed and 10 wounded. - -But if the Riflemen suffered, the loss they inflicted on their -assailants was enormous. The bridge next morning was strewn with -their bodies; and the river full of them; while many wounded had been -removed. General Vandermaesen, who commanded the force, was killed. - -In the course of the following day the Regiment returned to their -former encampment, and took up the line of picquets they had -previously furnished. Here they remained in quiet until October 6, -on which evening Barnard arrived from head-quarters with the welcome -intelligence that they were to force the pass of Vera on the ensuing -morning. Early in the night a thunderstorm set in; but it rolled -away in the course of the night, and the morning was fine when the -Regiment fell in. Leaving the tents standing to deceive the enemy -as to the object of the movement, the three Battalions, with the -other regiments of the Division, formed at the foot of the heights -behind the town of Vera. A little to the right was an isolated hill, -standing out in front of the great Pyrenean chain on the north of the -valley of the Bidassoa, to which the soldiers had given the name of -‘the Boar’s back.’ This was to be occupied as a preliminary measure. -And Colonel Ross, extending the 3rd Battalion, began to ascend it. -Without firing a shot, though exposed to the fire of the enemy who -crowned the crest, the Riflemen climbed to a pine-wood more than -half-way up the mountain side; whence, after they had rested for -a few minutes, they issued again. At this time the French crowded -behind the crest; and it was thought by their brother Riflemen in the -plain below, who could see the ground beyond, that the enemy would -charge down the slope. But it was not so; for pursuing their way with -all the steadiness of a field-day, Ross and his gallant Battalion -gained the ridge. Then its defenders turned and fled; and then the -Riflemen plied their rifles, which they had not before discharged, -and poured a fire into them as they hurriedly descended the reverse -slope. This exploit and the manner in which it was executed excited -the admiration not only of their own comrades still standing in the -plain below, but of the whole 4th Division, which had been moved up -as a support to the Light Division. - -This being accomplished, the other two Battalions moved forward. The -1st, with General Kempt’s brigade, advanced into the pass, and though -at first sight their task seemed a difficult one, yet the steadiness -and gallantry of the men carried all before them; and with little -loss they stood on the top of the pass. Some descended the other -side. For George Simmons and Cox with about sixty Riflemen, following -the retreating enemy down the pass, took some prisoners, among whom -were a commissary and two bandsmen. These the soldiers ordered to -play some French tunes; but from the alarm and the pace at which they -had retreated, their music was neither very coherent nor melodious. - -But the 2nd Battalion had a more difficult task to perform. The -second brigade was on that day under the command of Colonel -Colborne[130] of the 52nd (Skerrett being absent from the field on -account of ill-health), and to them was allotted the duty of carrying -a high hill on the left called La Bayonette, which bristled with the -enemy’s entrenchments. The Riflemen ascended the lower slopes of the -hill, and coming out of a wood which there girded it, advanced with a -quick fire to a redoubt. The French who filled it, waiting until the -Battalion was within a few yards, then opened a murderous fire, which -checked the Riflemen and obliged them for a moment to retire. But the -52nd at that moment coming up in support, they again advanced, and -together they cleared the redoubt of its defenders and drove them -before them to a second line of works. Here they did not experience -any serious resistance. But at the crest the enemy had constructed -a formidable work, from which they not only poured forth a blaze of -fire, but rolled great pieces of rock on the climbing soldiers. While -these were endeavouring to storm the work, the 1st Battalion, with -the first brigade, gained the top of the pass on their right; and the -enemy’s left flank being thus turned, and his retreat threatened, he -abandoned the entrenchment and retired down the reverse slope of the -mountain. - -As the French were retiring a curious circumstance took place. -Colonel Colborne, accompanied by a small escort of Riflemen of the -2nd Battalion, came suddenly on a battery of mountain guns and some -three hundred men, who were retreating from the right flank of the -French position. He called to them peremptorily to lay down their -arms, which they did, thinking he had a large force at hand. - -The loss of the 2nd Battalion was very severe, amounting to nearly -one-third of its strength. They fell principally at the Star redoubt, -which they first attacked. Captain Gibbons, Lieutenants Alexander -Campbell and John Hill, 4 sergeants, and 23 rank and file were -killed; Captain Hart, Lieutenants Budgen, Ridgeway, Fry and Madden, -6 sergeants, and 128 rank and file were wounded; and 1 Rifleman was -returned ‘missing.’ The 1st Battalion had 10 Riflemen wounded; and -the 3rd Battalion 4 killed and Lieutenant Vickers and 17 wounded. - -The Regiment, now encamped on the ridge, looked over the steppes of -the Pyrenees and the vast plain at their feet. St. Jean-de-Luz seemed -also beneath them, and Bayonne could be seen in the distance; while -the Bay of Biscay bounded their view to the left, and a richly-tilled -and well-wooded country stretched away far to their right. - -Towards evening the 3rd Battalion went down into the plain below on -outpost duty, relieving Longa’s Spanish troops. - -The whole range of mountains was now in our occupation, except one: -the extreme projection on the right called La Montagne d’Arrhune. -This the French retained till the 8th; the Spaniards not having -succeeded in dislodging them. On that day the second brigade of the -Light Division having been sent to assist in carrying it, the enemy -evacuated it, and it was thenceforth occupied by a picquet of three -companies of the Light Division. - -Beyond it was an outlier separated by a valley, and called ‘La Petite -Arrhune,’ though itself a mountain of very considerable elevation. -This the French occupied; and their advanced sentries were posted at -the foot of the slope, and ours on the opposite slope of the valley, -not more than 200 yards apart. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[117] ‘Adventures,’ 143. - -[118] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ Appendix xiv. 108-9. - -[119] See it in ‘Wellington Despatches,’ ix. 582, Nov. 28, 1812. -Leach and Kincaid both mention this regret and dissatisfaction. - -[120] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ xi. 153. - -[121] Surtees, 203, 4. Costello, 153. - -[122] See his private letter to Sir Thomas Picton, ‘Despatches,’ x. -529. He says, ‘The Riflemen of the Light Division were the first to -ascend the hill, and I went up immediately after them.’ He mentions -that these were the 95th. - -[123] Letter from Field-Marshal Sir Hew D. Ross, G.C.B. - -[124] ‘Wellington Despatches,’ x. 456. - -[125] Letter from Sir Hew D. Ross. - -[126] ‘London Gazette.’ Either, however, this list is incomplete, -or the Record of the 2nd Battalion erroneous: for that Record gives -the names of Sergeant-Major Adams, Corporal Port and 14 privates -who volunteered on the forlorn hope. Of these Corporal Port and -5 Riflemen were killed and 6 wounded: 12 disabled out of 16. -Nevertheless, even this list is not perfect. For Mr. Kenneth Stewart -Mackenzie of Seaforth is in possession of a medal with clasp granted -to Sergeant John Himbury of the 2nd Battalion for gallant conduct -on the forlorn hope at St. Sebastian. This medal was presented to -him by the General commanding his brigade. It bears on the _obverse_ -‘ST. SEBASTIAN, 31 DE AGOSTO DE 1813;’ on the _reverse_, a bugle, -the cords attached to a crown, ‘95’ in the centre, ‘RIFLE CORPS’ on -a ribbon above.[127] And the clasp is inscribed ‘FORLORN HOPE’ J. H. -SERGEANT. - -[127] This was the old badge of the Regiment before the Maltese cross -was adopted. - -[128] The particulars of this affair of the bridge of Vera have been -related to me by Colonel Thomas Smith. - -[129] Lord Wellington, in his despatch (‘Despatches,’ xi. 69) states -that the passage of the bridge ‘was made under the fire of a great -part of Major-General Skerrett’s brigade.’ This mistake has been -pointed out by Napier (Book xxii. chap. 3); the truth is, only the -two 2nd Battalion companies resisted it. - -[130] Afterwards Lord Seaton; and Colonel-in-Chief. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - -The Regiment remained now encamped for more than a month on the slope -of l’Arrhune. Extremely inclement weather set in; rain, wind, and -sometimes snow. Occasionally tents were blown away, or falling on -their sleeping occupants buried them under the wet canvass. The men -on picquet also suffered severely. But notwithstanding the altitude -and exposure of their camp and the severity of the weather, the -health of the Regiment was uncommonly good; not one man, in the 1st -Battalion at least, being sick. But this immunity from illness did -not extend to all the officers; for Colonel Ross was obliged to leave -the camp and the command of the 3rd Battalion, and to take up his -residence in the village of Renteria. - -During this time the French were busily employed in fortifying and -throwing up entrenchments on La Petite Arrhune. The officers with -these working parties frequently interchanged civilities with our -officers, saying: ‘You will not be able to remain on these bleak -mountains. You will have to retire into Spain.’ To which the reply -was: ‘We will do so, if we are ordered.’ At last La Petite Arrhune -exhibited a truly formidable appearance. Stone walls were built with -loop-holes to fire through; the ground was escarped where it appeared -accessible; and redoubts were built at intervals. - -[Illustration: - - BATTLE OF THE NIVELLE - 10^{TH} NOV.^R 1813 - - _E. Weller, lith., London._ - _London: Chatto & Windus._ -] - -Pamplona surrendered at the end of October; and Lord Wellington -being thus relieved from any enemy in his rear, immediate measures -were adopted to advance into France. Heavy rains and the consequent -impracticability of the roads postponed this movement, which was -resolved upon in the first days of November, until the night of the -9th. On that day the commanding officers of the three Battalions had -been taken up to the top of l’Arrhune, and from that commanding -position the task laid out for each of the Battalions, and the -ground over which they were to move, had been pointed out to them. -After nightfall on that evening the Regiment moved to its ground, -and about midnight took up its position, crouching behind the rocks -within half-musket shot of the enemy’s picquet. All this was done in -profound silence. No horse, nor even a dog, was allowed to go with -the Regiment, lest their neighing or their barking should reveal the -movement. - -The signal for attack was a gun on the left. A little before daylight -the Riflemen assumed their arms, and watched with anxiety the first -tinge of sunlight on the peaks of the mountains. At last that streak -appeared, the gun pealed forth among the hills, and the Riflemen -sprang up from their lair. The enemy, though surprised (for their -picquet was found seated round the fire), were not unprepared; but -flew to arms and to man their works. The 1st and 3rd Battalions -crossed the valley separating the two Arrhunes, and ascended and -forced the steep sides of La Petite Arrhune. The 2nd Battalion, with -the mountain guns, was stationed near the hermitage at the top of -the greater Arrhune; but when the other two Battalions had advanced, -they also moved forward and took their part in the fray. The French -fought here with great determination, and clung to the works they -had constructed with resolute tenacity. The officers were observed -by the Riflemen to stand on the walls, and urge their men by their -gesture and example to remain. One young man in particular excited -their admiration by prodigies of valour; and refusing to the last -to retire, fell forward pierced by a bullet. Later in the morning, -when La Petite Arrhune had been carried and cleared of its defenders, -General Alten led his Division across and attacked the enemy’s -entrenchments on the opposite range. These were carried with less -difficulty than those they had fought for in the morning. But towards -the close of the day the 1st Battalion charged the right flank of the -French, near a redoubt called the Signal redoubt; and the enemy being -taken in flank at the same time by other troops, turned and fled, -closely pursued by the Riflemen. - -At this moment Barnard, who led them, fell from his horse, wounded -through the right breast by a musket-ball. George Simmons, who was -close to him, was at once at his side, and placed his head on his -breast. It was evident that the lung was penetrated; for blood and -air issued from the wound, and blood came from the mouth also. His -first words were: ‘Do you think I’m dying? Did you ever see a man -so wounded recover?’ Simmons assured him that though his wound was -dangerous, yet that there were many instances of recovery from such -wounds; and that his pulse indicated no appearance of sinking.[131] -‘Then,’ said the gallant chief, ‘you give me hopes. If any man can -recover, I know that I shall.’ While he lay here, as at Barrosa, the -enemy seeing they had brought down an officer of rank plied their -fire on him and those who surrounded him. He was at once carried by -four soldiers into a farm-house, whence three days after he was borne -by his band of the 1st Battalion through the pass to the town of -Vera, where he slowly recovered. - -The loss of the Regiment in this action, known as the Battle of the -Nivelle, was very severe. Of the 1st Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel -Barnard, Captain Charles Smyth, Lieutenants Haggup and Fensham were -severely wounded; 2 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 3 Riflemen were killed; -and 42 wounded. - -Of the 2nd Battalion, Captain William Cox was slightly, and -Lieutenants Charles Eaton, Henry Scott, and Doyle were severely -wounded. Doyle died of his wounds. Five Riflemen were killed; 3 -sergeants and 23 Riflemen wounded; and 3 missing. - -Of the 3rd Battalion, there were Lieutenants Kirkman slightly, Loftus -Jones severely, and 8 Riflemen wounded. - -The Regiment bivouacked that night on the ground it had taken in -front of Sarre. It rained hard all the following day, and for some -days subsequently, and the troops suffered severely from the state -of their camp. On the 15th the Regiment moved to Arbonne, where the -men were quartered in houses, and on the 17th proceeded to Arcangues. -Here the 1st Battalion occupied the château and some houses near it; -while the 3rd Battalion were placed in some houses near the church, -about a quarter of a mile to the rear. The village of Arcangues is -built on high ground, from which three tongues or spurs run out like -a trident. The enemy’s picquets were at the village of Bassussari, -about 400 yards from our picquets posted on these tongues of land; -and in fact the sentries of the opposing armies were so close that -the reliefs passed each other. There were some houses in this line of -posts in the possession of the enemy which it was important to take -from them, and so to connect our picquets on the tongues by a line of -sentries extending across the valleys between them. - -Accordingly, on November 23 the Light Division was ordered to attack -the houses. This task was given to the 43rd. They at once attacked -and carried these houses; but unfortunately the officer commanding -the company engaged went beyond, and attacked a fortified house -which the French occupied in strength on their reinforcing their -post there, and the 43rd became seriously engaged. The 1st Battalion -were then ordered to move forward and cover this officer’s retreat. -But he was made prisoner with many of his men, and his Lieutenant -was killed. The 1st Battalion then held the houses which it was the -object of this movement to secure. - -While this was happening on the left projection, there were some -houses also on the right in the possession of the enemy, which it was -essential to take in order to secure access to a causeway, which ran -along a marsh, and to some high ground near the Nive, occupied by -another Division of the army; and on which stood a château, called, -from the owner of it, ‘Garrat’s House.’ - -This task was also assigned to a company of the 43rd, supported by -some other companies of that regiment, and by the 3rd Battalion. -The houses were at once taken; but an order immediately arrived to -evacuate them, and the 43rd retired. But ere long a counter-order -was issued that they were to be held; when a company of the 3rd -Battalion took possession of them. They had not, however, been long -in them when a third order was given that they were to retire. -Scarcely had they begun to obey it when they were charged by some -cavalry, supported by a column of infantry. The officer in command -of the company, anxious perhaps to fulfil the last orders, and not -unnecessarily to engage himself with a superior force, ordered his -company to run to the rear. He thus brought them off safely, with -the exception of one man wounded; but rather to the offence of his -brother Riflemen, who felt that he might have resisted, and punished -the cavalry, and then have slowly withdrawn before a superior force -of infantry. - -One man of this company I have said was wounded. He was shot in the -head; and came to the surgeon who was with the other 3rd Battalion -companies in reserve, to have his wound dressed. As the surgeon was -sponging it with water from a mess-tin held by the hospital orderly, -a ball struck the tin, knocking it out of the hands of the orderly; -but without injuring any of the party. There were also wounded of the -1st Battalion, Lieutenant Stilwell, 1 sergeant and 3 Riflemen, and of -the 3rd Battalion, 1 sergeant and 1 other man. - -The houses so often taken and evacuated were retaken next day by -another company of the 3rd Battalion, who held them in spite of all -attempts of the enemy to dispossess them. In taking them a young -officer, George Cary, then a Second Lieutenant, advanced with his men -on the enemy, who withdrew for some distance without much resistance; -but on reaching a hedge some way in front of the principal house, -they called to him to come no further, or they would fire. Cary, -having placed his men under cover, called out to them (for he spoke -excellent French) that they might begin their fire when they liked; -but that he must have the house. They made no more resistance; but -walking off planted their sentries within about forty yards of it. - -This is but one of many instances of the good and chivalrous feeling -that existed between the Riflemen and the French troops on outpost -duty. On another occasion soon after, some French officers made -signs of peace to those of our 3rd Battalion on picquet. These being -courteously returned, the French officers advanced, and informed our -officers that some of the inhabitants who had fled from their homes -within our lines were desirous to return to them; and requested our -officers to pass them through our outposts unmolested. This was of -course readily agreed to, and promptly executed; and the officers on -both sides parted with mutual expressions of esteem. ‘But the most -remarkable instance’--(though it occurred a little later than the -period of which I am writing, I will give it here, in the words of -Sir William Napier)--‘happened on the occasion of Lord Wellington’s -being desirous of getting to the top of a hill occupied by the enemy -near Bayonne. He ordered the Riflemen who escorted him to drive the -French away, and seeing the former stealing up, as he thought too -close, called out to commence firing. With a loud voice one of those -old soldiers replied “No firing!” and then holding up the butt of -his rifle towards the French, tapped it in a peculiar way. At the -well-understood signal, which meant “We must have the hill for a -short time,” the French, who though they could not maintain would -not have relinquished the post without a fight if they had been -fired upon, quietly retired. And this signal would never have been -made, if the post had been one capable of a permanent defence. So -well,’ concludes the historian, ‘do veterans understand war and its -proprieties.’[132] - -The well-known signal was holding up the butt, and tapping the brass -tool-box which was in the stock of the Baker, as it was also in that -of the Brunswick rifle. It signified ‘We are in earnest;’ and was -used by the Riflemen when they approached the French outposts to -drive in picquets or with other hostile intent. Without this signal -made they were unmolested. - -On December 9 the Light Division was ordered to advance with a view -to the troops under General Hill passing the Nive. The 1st and 3rd -Battalions drove in the enemy’s outposts, the latter advancing along -a ridge in their front. The 2nd Battalion was also actively engaged. -A heavy fire was kept up by the French, to which the Regiment was -more or less exposed all day. In the evening the Regiment fell back -to the cantonments at and near Arcangues which they had before -occupied. On the morning of the 10th no immediate fighting was -anticipated; so little indeed that the Light Division had orders to -fall back to Arbonne about four miles to the rear, and part of the -second brigade had already marched; but General Kempt, not being -satisfied with the look of things in his front, delayed his movement. -The morning dawned with a thick drizzling rain; and the troops, -having been as usual under arms at daylight, had turned in, when -a sudden order was received to fall in and support the picquets, -for the enemy were advancing. The position of Arcangues has been -already described: the church, the château, the adjacent houses, the -three tongues of hilly land; and there was a table-land, a sort of -open common, at the top. The left tongue was occupied by picquets -of the 52nd; the centre by those of the 43rd; the right by those -of the 1st Battalion; and that near Garrat’s House by those of the -3rd Battalion. As soon as these Battalions turned out, they found -the picquets vigorously attacked. The numbers of the assailants -were overwhelming, and they had to retire. But though this had to -be effected at the double--for there was much ground to get over to -reach the plateau in front of Arcangues--and though they moved over -bad ground, yet the moment they reached the flat ground at top, these -apparently flying skirmishers resumed their formation, and presented -a steady and impenetrable front to the advancing enemy. But some of -the 1st Battalion retiring from the right-hand tongue were unable to -head the enemy, who moving by the ravine, arrived at the plain before -them. Some men[133] and one officer, Second Lieutenant James Church, -were then made prisoners. - -Two companies of the 3rd Battalion were pushed forward to cover the -retreat of the picquets; and having done so, they retired gradually -as the enemy advanced. This Battalion then lined a coppice at -the foot of the high ground on which the church is situated and -connecting the church with the château, whence the 1st Battalion, -having loop-holed it and strengthened it with _abattis_ and a -kind of rude rampart, kept up a galling fire upon the enemy. This -_tiraillade_ continued till dark. - -In this affair Lieutenant Hopwood of the 1st Battalion, Sergeant -Brotherton and Private Patrick Mahon were killed by one ball, which -passed through the heads of all three as they were standing one -behind the other. They fell near a hedge which the Battalion had -defended as they fell gradually back from one defensible point to -another. During the day several French soldiers came through the -hedge and approached their bodies; but as our men supposed that it -was with the intention to plunder them, they shot every man who -passed the hedge. For they were unable from the violence of the -fire to go out themselves to remove their bodies. At last towards -evening a French officer approached through the hedge waving a white -handkerchief; and when our firing ceased, he brought out some of his -men with spades, who buried Hopwood and the sergeant in one grave. - -On this day the losses of the Regiment were: 1st Battalion: 4 -Riflemen killed; 2 Sergeants, 1 Bugler and 21 Riflemen wounded; 2nd -Battalion: 4 Riflemen killed, 3 Sergeants, 1 Bugler and 24 Riflemen -wounded; 3rd Battalion: 1 Rifleman killed, 1 Bugler and 22 Riflemen -wounded. - -On that night the 1st Battalion continued of course in its occupation -of the château d’Arcangues, while the 3rd Battalion bivouacked on the -ridge extending from it to the church. - -On the 11th the Regiment was not engaged. And on that day some French -officers, continuing the good feeling which I have mentioned, and -doubtless anxious to show their confidence, brought out some chairs -and a table from a house occupied by their picquet; and having -carried them into the middle of the adjoining field, within 100 yards -of our sentries, placed some wine and glasses on the table, and -sitting down saluted the officers of our picquet; bowing and holding -up their glasses, as if drinking to their healths. - -Yet this security of the outposts was sometimes broken through. For -on this night a Sergeant of the 3rd Battalion surprised the French -picquet. Taking a few men with him he stole past the sentries and got -up to the picquet house undiscovered; and seizing their arms, which -he found piled outside, broke them. And while the picquet, utterly -surprised, were turning out, he and his companions ran back to their -lines. I do not know the name of this daring soldier. He lost an arm -at the battle of Toulouse, and was consequently discharged. - -On the other hand: some of the 1st Battalion were, in one of the -affairs of outposts about this time, ordered to drive in the French -picquets in front of them. Lieutenant Gardiner, who commanded the -party, observed that he would not shoot the French sentries. So, -calling to them to begone, he told them that he was going to attack -the post. I have already noted that he spoke French fluently. They -retired; but had hardly done so, when the French officer ordered his -picquet to fire on Gardiner, who was making his men fall in for the -attack. The discharge was ineffectual; and the Riflemen were glad to -hear afterwards that the officer in charge of the French picquet was -not a real soldier, but one of the national guard. - -On the 12th the enemy made a show of strengthening his position; -constructing a six-gun battery on the height in front of Arcangues, -which however his gunners never could have served; as the Riflemen -would have shot them before they could have fired a second round. -While therefore our people were strengthening the château of -Arcangues by _abattis_ and throwing up a breastwork, the older -heads declared that it was all a sham. And so indeed it proved. For -though some fighting was anticipated on the 12th, and though in -the afternoon the 1st and 3rd Battalions fell in with the supposed -intention of driving the enemy’s outposts further back from the ridge -in front of Arcangues, yet nothing was done. And in the night between -the 12th and 13th, the sentries of the picquets having reported that -the enemy’s fires were burning more brightly than usual, the _ruse_ -was suspected. And an officer with a patrol, having crept up to -their lines, found them almost abandoned. The truth is that Soult -had withdrawn his force in front of the Riflemen, to attack General -Hill’s force on their right. - -In the morning the Riflemen moved forward to the ridge of Bassussari, -and had some little firing with the rear-guard, which had not yet -cleared off; but one of the known signals being made (an officer -holding up his cap on the top of his sword), the firing ceased; and -the Riflemen were suffered without any opposition to advance their -outposts to the ground they had occupied before the attack on them on -the 9th. - -On this night an untoward event occurred, which gave the officers of -the Regiment some annoyance. After dark, a French officer accompanied -by two men, approached our position; when the Corporal in charge -of the advanced post of the picquet at the _abattis_ took up his -rifle and shot the French officer, whom the two soldiers carried -into their picquet. It was feared that this would endanger the good -understanding of the French outposts with the Riflemen. For it was -not known whether they came on a friendly visit, as they sometimes -did; or whether it was a patrol sent forward to ascertain if we had -withdrawn the picquets pushed forward in the afternoon. If the latter -(and the presence of the two soldiers makes it probable that it was), -of course those composing the patrol, risked the chances of war. -However, no retaliation was attempted, and the outposts continued as -friendly as before. - -Here the Regiment remained without any other matter of moment -worth recording for some weeks, during which they were hospitably -entertained by the owners of the château of Arcangues, an aged lady -and her grandson. - -On January 3, 1814, they were moved to the right; and crossing the -Nive advanced a league or two, in order to support some operations -of the army on the Adour. These being effected they fell back to the -Nive; and were cantoned in the villages of Ustaritz and Aurantz; the -3rd Battalion occupying the latter. - -The weather now became very severe; rain, sleet and snow fell; and -the roads were knee-deep for foot-passengers, and up to a horse’s -girths. - -On January 24 the 1st Battalion was transferred to the second brigade -of the Light Division, and the 2nd Battalion was placed in the first -brigade. This was in consequence of Barnard, commanding the 1st -Battalion, being given the command of the second brigade. - -On February 16 the Regiment moved from its cantonments, and may be -said to have commenced the campaign of 1814. Crossing the Nive at -Ustaritz, they moved to within a league and a half of La Bastide de -Clarence and encamped on a wild heathy plain. Next day they marched -to La Bastide itself, and encamped on a hill beyond it. - -On the 18th they were moved into houses in consequence of the -weather; which beginning with rain, changed through sleet into snow. - -On the 19th the 1st Battalion marched for St. Jean-de-Luz to get -their new clothing, for they were almost in rags; and the means -of transport were not forthcoming, nor the roads easy for its -conveyance. Therefore the Regiment went down to St. Jean-de-Luz, one -Battalion at a time, to obtain it. Having received it on the 23rd -the Battalion started on the 24th to rejoin the army, and passing -though Ustaritz, La Bastide and Garris, arrived at St. Palais on the -28th. Here they were very much disappointed to find that the regiment -which occupied it had orders to move to the front, leaving the 1st -Battalion at St. Palais till a fresh regiment relieved them. For -they had heard firing on the 27th, and now the tidings of the hard -fight at Orthez had reached them. Here they remained some days, in a -state of great anxiety and excitement, until, as they were trying to -persuade some detachments which came up that they were a relieving -battalion, an order reached them to move forward. And marching as -rapidly as possible, they reached Sauveterre on the 7th March, Orthez -on the 8th, and rejoined the other two Battalions at Barcelonne on -the 11th. - -But while the 1st Battalion was absent for re-equipment in clothing, -the two other Battalions had moved from La Bastide to Esturi on -February 21st, and to St. Palais on the 22nd, and on the 23rd they -encamped near La Chere and Charite. And it was found that the enemy -had blown up a bridge over the Bidouze. It was necessary therefore -on the 24th to cross two branches of that river by fords. The first, -the Gave de Mauleon, they passed at Nabes; and then moving forward -to Gave d’Oleron, they found some French cavalry drawn up on the -opposite bank to dispute the passage. A small cottage was on the -bank; and George Simmons,[134] taking a few Riflemen into it, kept -up a smart fire from the windows to cover the passage of the two -Battalions through the ford. As it was very deep, they were halted, -and made to take off their pouches and strap them on the top of their -knapsacks, and then plunge in, Captains Miller and Duncan of the 2nd -Battalion leading the way. The water was above the men’s waists, and -they were obliged to link themselves together to avoid being swept -away; while some of the men clung to the stirrup-leathers and tails -of the horses of the mounted officers. On arrival at the opposite -bank they found that the enemy had endeavoured to obstruct their -mounting it, by drawing harrows with the point upwards to the slope. -The cavalry however did not molest them. One man indeed galloped -towards the bank, but he was instantly shot down by one of the 2nd -Battalion men in the cottage. Under their fire, and that of a couple -of guns, brought up to the left bank, they gave way and retired. This -ford was near Villeneuve; and having passed through that village the -Riflemen halted till the rest of the Division had crossed and formed -up. While here George Simmons, being wet to the shoulders and very -cold, entered a respectable house, and sitting down by the fire, -asked the people to get him some wine and something to eat. Some ran -to execute his orders, while the rest watched him with terror and -aversion. A little child being present, he took it up on his knee and -fondled it, and (as the people refused to be paid for the refreshment -he had asked for) he put some money into its hand. On his setting it -down a general feeling of relief seemed to pervade the bystanders, -who then told him that Soult and his emissaries had informed the -peasantry that the English were barbarians, who would carry off and -murder their children. - -On their march after crossing the Gave d’Oleron, they came in sight -of a body of the enemy’s infantry moving parallel to them, and -apparently making the utmost haste to escape from them. It was at -first proposed to fall on them; but some wiser man having observed -that their supports were probably not far off, they were allowed to -depart in peace. The two Battalions bivouacked on a bleak exposed -common not far from Orion. - -The next day they passed through Orion; and on arrival there learned -that it had been occupied as Soult’s head-quarters the night before. -The wisdom of not attacking the retreating column the day before was -now apparent; for the French being in force at Orion, would have -moved out to their succour; and possibly might have overpowered, and -certainly would have harassed, the soldiers weary with a long march -and the passage of two fords. - -Pursuing their march they arrived near Orthez and soon heard a loud -explosion, which proved to be the destruction by the enemy of the -stone bridge over the Gave de Pau. The two Battalions advanced to -some high ground looking over the town of Orthez. Some troops of the -enemy were observed filing through the town; and some guns being -brought up opened on them, which induced them to quicken their pace, -and their officers were seen riding up and down and urging them on. -They also brought forward some guns which returned the cannonade -without, however, doing much harm. The Riflemen bivouacked on this -height. - -On the 26th Lord Wellington after reconnoitring the enemy’s position -ordered them about twelve o’clock to fall in. And they were soon -after directed to move to the right, and cross a ford a little above -the destroyed bridge. This promised to be a most deadly business as -the French infantry were massed, with heavy guns, directly in front -of the ford. However the Riflemen marched off, the 3rd Battalion -leading. On the way a staff officer overtook them, and ordered them -to conceal themselves as much as possible behind any irregularities -of the ground. This they did and crept on; and just as they got to -open ground leading down to the ford, and expected the artillery to -open upon them, they were suddenly countermanded, countermarched, -and moved far to the left. The truth is that this was a double -feint. First, to make the enemy believe that our people were going -to attempt the ford; and then, lest they should have suspected that -any open demonstration to do so was a feint, to make them fancy, by -our stealth and getting under cover, that it was hoped to conceal -the movement from them. By occupying the enemy’s attention with this -skilful manœuvre, three divisions of the army were enabled to cross -the river by a pontoon bridge at a point near Salles, below Orthez. -By this bridge the Riflemen were also to pass; and marching all day -they bivouacked near the village of Salles and close to the pontoon -bridge at night. - -On the 27th they early crossed the Gave de Pau; and moved by the -great road which leads from Peyrehorade towards the town of Orthez; -and when within about two miles of it, turning to the left, they -ascended the ridge which runs parallel with the river and in front -of which the French were posted in a very strong position. Whether -it was that the Light Division was weak, two of its regiments being -absent, or that they were not needed, the two Battalions were not -actively engaged. Lord Wellington was in front of them during the -afternoon, and ordered that advance of the 52nd which, as is well -known, broke through Soult’s centre and decided the fate of the day. - -Then the enemy fled, and then the Riflemen were ordered in pursuit, -but did not come up with the retreating columns. Their march -continued for about two leagues, in the course of which they passed -the river Lys de Béarn and bivouacked near the village of Bonne -Garde. They were entirely without covering and suffered much; for it -froze hard. The Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion (whether Ross -or Balvaird, I am not sure) did indeed contrive to get into a hut; -but there being no bed unoccupied, he lay down in a kneading-trough -or flour-bin, and appeared in the morning more like a miller than a -Rifleman. - -On the 28th the two Battalions started early, and after crossing the -Lys de France, arrived at Duerse, where they halted for the night. - -On March 1, they passed the Adour, and after a long march entered -Mont-de-Marsan, which the enemy evacuated just before they reached -it. Here they were quartered in good houses, and had comfortable -beds: a change very refreshing to them after their long marches, -often in very bad weather, and after their exposed bivouacks. - -On the next day the 2nd Battalion marched to Bertam, and the 3rd -Battalion to St. Maurice; the march was through the pine forests and -by the sandy roads of the Landes; and being made in a snow storm was -very painful to the soldiers. - -On the next day the 3rd Battalion moved on to St. Sever, where Lord -Wellington had fixed his head-quarters. Here they continued till the -8th, furnishing the guards and duties of head-quarters. On the 4th -the 2nd Battalion had marched to Bascom, where they remained till -the 9th, when both Battalions re-united near Aire, whither the 3rd -Battalion had marched, crossing the Adour on the 8th and moving to -Grenade; and next day to Barcelonne opposite Aire on the right bank -of that river. - -On the 10th both Battalions marched at daylight to some poor cottages -near Arblade, and on the 11th entered Tarsac, where they halted for -the night. The 1st Battalion now rejoined the Light Division, and the -Regiment was re-united. - -On the 14th, as Soult assembled a considerable force and threatened -General Hill’s corps, the Regiment was moved back through Tarsac and -formed on the high road near a wood, where they remained the whole -day expecting to be engaged; but the enemy retiring after making a -demonstration only, they marched back to Tarsac and re-occupied their -quarters there. - -The enemy had left a rear-guard of cavalry, and as they remained -during the next two days, it was determined on the 16th to attack -them. The 15th Hussars were with the Riflemen at Tarsac; and -accordingly on that morning this regiment moved out to attack the -French cavalry. This consisted of the 13th French Hussars, and they -sent one squadron in advance, the rest of the regiment being formed -in support. The English cavalry adopted the same formation, and -a squadron under Captain Hancox, supported by the 2nd Battalion, -advanced to meet their opponents. The French were rapidly charged and -upset; many of them sabred; and about twenty-five made prisoners, -among whom was the French Captain. He was badly wounded, and died of -his wounds in his father’s house, to which he was taken. For he was -a native of the place, which it was said he had not visited for many -years. The rest of the French cavalry rapidly retired and escaped. - -On the 18th the Regiment advanced by the road by which the French had -retreated, and crossing the Adour by a bridge at Arros (or La Rose) -proceeded to St. Germain; whence, after a short halt, to Plaisance, -where they remained for the night, three companies of the 1st -Battalion being pushed across the river. - -On the next day the Regiment marched to Obregon, where they halted -for some hours; and in the evening halted at Aget. - -The French were now falling back on Tarbes, and on this day the -Riflemen heard much firing on their right, which was caused by the -attack of Picton’s light troops on the retreating enemy near Vic en -Bigorre. - -On the 20th the Regiment marched early, and moving along the ridge -on which they had last night encamped, arrived at Rabastens. Here -learning that the enemy had taken up a position near Tarbes, they -moved to the right, by the road leading from Auch to Tarbes. On -approaching this town the French were found posted in a formidable -position on a hill, or rather a succession of heights intersected -with ditches and hedges, which gave it almost the form of -entrenchments. It being at first supposed that no considerable force -was engaged, for on marching along the road only a small party were -observed, a company of the 2nd Battalion was sent to dislodge them. -But when it was ascertained that the position was occupied by a -considerable part of General Harispe’s division, the whole Regiment -advanced to the attack. The 3rd Battalion were on the right, the 2nd -in the centre, and the 1st Battalion on the left. The front of the -enemy was covered by clouds of light troops, whom it was not easy to -dislodge, for they had the protection of hedges and banks; and the -Riflemen had to force their way in skirmishing through some covert of -considerable growth. Then they emerged at the foot of the hill, and -the enemy’s ranks rose ‘tier above tier’ as one eye-witness describes -it, on the side of the mountain. But the Riflemen rushed forward; -and though their opponents fought desperately, and their fire was -delivered from one rank above another like the guns on the decks of -a three-decker, yet the Riflemen drove them from the hill, over it -and into the plain below. ‘The French,’ Napier relates, ‘charged -with great hardiness, and being encountered by men not accustomed to -yield, they fought muzzle to muzzle; and it was difficult to judge -at first who would win.’ It was not long to decide; for within an -hour this hill was taken; its face cleared of all but the dead or -dying, and the French in disordered flight over the plain beyond. -Napier supposes that the French mistook the Riflemen, on account of -their green dress, for Portuguese, and therefore fought with more -perseverance than was usual against English troops. Yet one would -suppose that the veterans of the Peninsula had too often fought -with the green-jackets to be ignorant of their nationality or their -endurance in fight. Be that as it may, all agree that this was an -unusually hard-fought field. Surtees says ‘the firing was the hottest -I had ever seen, except perhaps Barossa.’ And Costello observes ‘I -never remember to have been so warmly engaged as on this occasion, -except at Badajos.’ - -The odds too were very great. I am not able to say how many French -crowded that hill-side; but sixteen companies of Riflemen only drove -them from it. For though the other regiments of the Division were in -reserve, and would doubtless have supported the Riflemen, had they -been repulsed; yet not a shot was fired on that hill except from a -95th rifle. Lord Wellington in his despatch notes the loss of the -enemy as being considerable; that of the Regiment was 11 officers and -80 men. - -Of the 1st Battalion, Captain Loftus Gray and Lieutenant John Cox -were severely, and George Simmons slightly, wounded; 2 Riflemen -were killed, and 5 sergeants and 21 Riflemen wounded. Of the 2nd -Battalion, Captain Duncan was killed, Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott, -Captain Miller, and Lieutenant Dixon were severely, and Lieutenant -Humbley slightly, wounded; 1 sergeant and 2 Riflemen were killed; -and 14 wounded. And of the 3rd Battalion, Captain William Cox and -Lieutenant Farmer were severely, and Lieutenant Sir John Ribton and -Quartermaster Surtees slightly, wounded. 1 Rifleman was killed, and -3 sergeants and 32 Riflemen were wounded. - -Colonel Norcott was conspicuous, riding about on a tall black mare: -he was early in the day wounded in the shoulder. George Simmons -late in the day was wounded in the knee. When he was down the -French continuing to fire at him, his servant, Henry Short, a brave -Rifleman, ran up and deliberately placing himself in the line of -fire, said ‘You shall not hit him again except through my body.’ - -Amongst this carnage some curious, some almost ludicrous, -circumstances occurred. A captain of the Regiment was struck by a -ball on a flask or drinking-horn which he carried at his side. The -force of the ball knocked him down and for the moment stunned him. -The men thinking he was killed, or desperately wounded, were carrying -him to the rear, when he revived and called out ‘Stop, let me feel;’ -when finding he was unhurt except by the blow, he leaped out of their -arms, and again headed his company. His return was heralded by shouts -of laughter, so ludicrous was the whole episode, though the fight was -at the thickest, and the men falling fast. - -When the Riflemen were occupying their camp on the Pyrenees, an owl -had taken up its quarters with them, and always pitched on the tent -of Lieutenant Doyle, who was killed at the Nivelle. Its accustomed -haunt being gone, it transferred its perch to Captain Duncan’s tent. -The joke ran, in the rough mirth of the camp, that he must be next on -the roster; a joke of which he neither liked the point, nor saw the -wit. Yet so it was that he fell in this day of Tarbes. - -This fight was a strictly regimental one; for (as I have said) the -Rifle Battalions only were engaged. It excited the admiration of -their companions in arms. One of them, an eye-witness, thus speaks -of this action: ‘Our Rifles were immediately sent to dislodge the -French from the hills on our left, and our battalion was ordered -to support them. Nothing could exceed the manner in which the -ninety-fifth set about this business. Certainly I never saw such -skirmishers as the ninety-fifth, now the Rifle Brigade. They could -do the work much better and with infinitely less loss than any other -of our best light troops. They possessed an individual boldness, a -mutual understanding, and a quickness of eye in taking advantage of -the ground, which, taken altogether, I never saw equalled. They were -in fact as much superior to the French Voltigeurs as the latter were -to our skirmishers in general. As our regiment was often employed -in supporting them, I think I am fairly qualified to speak of their -merits.’[135] - -The enemy having been driven from the hill retreated across the -plain, which was covered with the pursued and the pursuers. As -they were crossing it, the Riflemen came upon a considerable body -of the French who were retreating from the town of Tarbes, whence -they had been driven by the 3rd Division; and it was proposed that -the Riflemen, quickening their pace, should fall upon their flank -and intercept them. But the French were too quick for them. For -perceiving their intention, they inclined to the right and got away. - -The enemy having crossed the plain took up a strong position on -some heights at the extremity of it; but while Lord Wellington -was making dispositions to attack them, darkness came on; and the -Riflemen bivouacked that night on the plain. The French cannonaded -the bivouack from the height, but the fire was almost harmless; -and as the troops did not move from the ground on which they had -bivouacked, it gradually ceased. And in the night the enemy abandoned -the position and continued their retreat; pursued in the morning by -the Riflemen, who halted that night at Lannemazen. The next day they -proceeded, still in pursuit, to Castelnau. And starting early in -the morning of the 24th, halted that night at L’Isle-en-Dodon. And -on the next day (moving on Toulouse) reached Mont Ferrand. On the -27th they advanced to the village of Tournefeuille, a little beyond -which the enemy still held some ground, occupying some hedges and -enclosures, in front of a bridge about half a mile from the village. -The 3rd Battalion and a Portuguese regiment were ordered to dislodge -them. And the Riflemen extending to the left while the Portuguese -moved on the road, the French gradually fell back towards the bridge -and crossed it, taking the road to Toulouse; and the Riflemen did -not pursue. The loss was trifling. But a most curious circumstance -occurred during this skirmish. A Rifleman of the name of Powell was -shot in the mouth, the ball knocking several of his teeth out. One -of these struck a Portuguese and wounded him in the arm. The surgeon -of the 43rd who happened to be at hand, dressing the wound of the -Portuguese, found in it not a bullet but a tooth. On this the cry -went among the Riflemen that ‘The French were firing bones and not -bullets.’ - -On enquiry being made and the relative positions of the Portuguese -soldier and Powell being ascertained, no doubt remained that -his tooth had caused the wound. Powell was afterwards killed -by a cannon-ball near New Orleans. I relate this extraordinary -circumstance on the authority of Surtees, who was near Powell at the -time he was wounded, and who minutely examined into the circumstances -at the time. I ought to add that I have invariably found Surtees’ -statements corroborated in every particular by the relations -or journals of others; and as he was a man of strong religious -impressions his veracity cannot I think be questioned. - -On the 29th the Regiment moved forward to near Toulouse, and occupied -some villages and châteaux in the neighbourhood. On the 31st the -engineers attempted to throw a bridge over the Garonne above its -junction with the Ariège above the town, and the Regiment was -assembled to pass it; but the number of pontoons being insufficient, -and it not being possible to construct a bridge on trestles, they -returned to their cantonments. But it would seem that the 3rd -Battalion did cross (ferried over probably)[136] and were left as a -picquet in one of the villages on the bank.[137] - -On April 2 all had recrossed the Garonne, and again occupied -cantonments, on this occasion the houses occupied being lower down -the river than those in which they were formerly cantoned; the 3rd -Battalion were quartered in a wine-store, amongst the casks of which -the men slept. During the time they occupied it no depredation -whatever was committed, nor was any man of the Battalion found to be -drunk. On the 6th the Regiment moved down the river towards Grenade, -and encamped near the village of Seilh. A bridge of pontoons had been -thrown across the Garonne here, and some divisions had crossed; but -the river having risen, and fallen trees having been floated down the -river, the pontoons broke away from the right bank, and were swung -round with the stream, being still fast to the left bank. Though -exertions were made to re-establish it, it was not practicable till -the 9th. And early in the morning of the 10th the Regiment with the -other troops of the Light Division crossed it, and moved up into -position in front of Toulouse. The roads were excellent, and they -quickly attained the position they were to occupy. Their right, -the 3rd Battalion, was to touch Picton’s left, and the left was to -communicate with the Spanish force under General Freyre. In front of -the Riflemen the enemy occupied some houses, and they had constructed -a battery near the bridge over the canal of Languedoc; and at the end -of the bridge stood a Convent which they had loop-holed and fortified -in a very effective manner. The Riflemen commenced by driving the -enemy from the houses, and keeping up their attention during the day. -But some of the 3rd Battalion (and of Picton’s division on their -right) pushed on too far, and getting under the fire of the defenders -of the Convent, they suffered severely. To cover themselves they -had to leap into an open sewer; and detestable as was this position, -they had to remain in it for some time, so severe was the fire of -their opponents. But on the left of the Riflemen a different scene -was taking place. The Spaniards had claimed, as a place of honour, to -lead the attack on the Calvinet. Their rout and their flight under -the fire of its defenders are well known. The Riflemen, and the -other regiments of the Light Division, were mainly occupied during -the day in covering the retreat of the Spaniards, who re-formed more -than once and advanced to the attack; but always to be repulsed by -the French fire, and to fly from it. As often as the English troops -interposed, the French retired; as often as they left the fight to the -Spaniards, the French pursued them. - -When the left of the Division was thus occupied in shielding the -flying Spaniards the French rushed out again with loud cries, -in front of the 3rd Battalion, and only with hard fighting were -again driven in. So the battle raged till about four o’clock, when -Beresford having carried the heights on the left of the Riflemen, the -French withdrew within the place, and the battle ended. - -Captain Michael Hewan of the 2nd Battalion was severely wounded. -14 Riflemen of that Battalion were killed; and 3 Sergeants and 23 -Riflemen wounded.[138] - -The Regiment bivouacked on the ground they had occupied, being -saluted from time to time by shot or shell from the place. - -On the 11th the Regiment remained perfectly quiet, and on the -12th entered Toulouse, Marshal Soult having in the previous night -retreated from the place in the direction of Carcassonne. On the -same day Colonel Cooke and Colonel St. Simon, as English and -French commissioners, arrived with intelligence of the abdication -of Napoleon. This was at once communicated to Marshal Soult; but -as he refused to acknowledge the authority of those making the -communication, the Regiment with other troops was started in pursuit, -and marched on the 16th towards Villefranche. On the second day’s -march, as they were halted on the roadside, loud huzzas were heard in -front, and a carriage approached containing Count Gazan, the bearer -of intelligence that Soult recognised the abdication of the Emperor, -and acceded to a suspension of arms. The Regiment, therefore, at once -returned to Toulouse and occupied their former quarters. - -Towards the end of April the Regiment moved out of Toulouse, and -descending the Garonne were quartered in Castel Sarazin and the -neighbouring villages, the 1st Battalion occupying Castel Sarazin, -and the 3rd Grisolles. The 2nd appear to have been at Castelnau -d’Estrettefons. - -Here they remained until the 1st June, when they forded the Garonne -and halted at Grenade. On the next day they reached Cadours near -Cologne, at which the 2nd Battalion halted. On the 5th they marched -to Leitoure; and passing next day through Condom and Nerac halted at -Castel Jaloux. On the 11th they reached Bazas and on the 12th arrived -at Langon. The next day they proceeded to Barsac. On the 14th they -halted at Castres, and the next day entered Bourdeaux. They were not -however quartered there, but merely passed through it, and marched -on to Blanquefort. On the road the Riflemen were reviewed by Lord -Wellington, and the men and officers as they passed saluted with loud -cheers the chief who had for six years led them to victory. - -They remained at Blanquefort till the 13th July, when the 1st and 2nd -Battalions embarked at Paulliac on board H.M. ship ‘Ville de Paris’ -and disembarked at Portsmouth on the 22nd. - -The 3rd Battalion embarked on the 8th July on board H.M. ship -‘Dublin,’ and sailing on the 9th arrived at Plymouth on the 18th, and -disembarking there occupied the barracks. - - -I have been unwilling to interrupt the narrative of events in which -the Regiment was engaged in the North of Spain and the South of -France; but I have now to turn to operations in Holland in which -detachments of the three Battalions were engaged. - -An expedition to that country having been decided on, under the -command of General Sir Thomas Graham[139] (afterwards Lord Lynedoch), -some companies of the Regiment, from the depôts of each Battalion at -Shorncliffe, were selected to form part of it. - -Of the 1st Battalion, Captain Glasse’s company; of the 2nd, Captain -M’Cullock’s; and of the 3rd, two companies, Captains Fullerton’s -and William Eeles’, formed the detachment to accompany this -expedition.[140] - -They marched from Shorncliffe on November 28; but in consequence of -the continuance of easterly winds, did not embark from Deal until -December 9. In this embarkation the Deal boat which was conveying -Captain Glasse’s company on board H.M. ship ‘Grampus’ was swamped; -but the men, after being in considerable danger, were all saved. -Yet their dangers were not over; for on that or the next night the -‘Grampus,’ in which the Rifle companies were embarked, came into -collision with the ‘Monarch.’ These dangers being overcome, the -Riflemen disembarked at St. Martin’s dyck in the Island of Tholen -on December 17; and made a night march to Wosmaer. On the next day -they proceeded to Halteren, and thence to near Bergen-op-Zoom, near -which they halted. At this time Bergen was partially invested, and -the Riflemen were moved up on the 23rd close to the walls. But on the -24th they made a night march to Steenberghen; and on the next day -proceeded to Oudenbosch. Here they halted some days; and on the 29th -an attack was anticipated, but none took place. - -Early in January 1814 a combined movement was arranged between Sir -Thomas Graham and General Bülow, who commanded the Prussian force -with which Graham’s was to co-operate, by which the French were to -be dislodged from Hoogstraten, and a reconnaissance was to be made -on Antwerp. Accordingly the Riflemen moved to Roosendael on January -9, and thence to Calmthout, where they arrived at daybreak on the -11th. The combined movement of the English and Prussians was to have -taken place on the 12th; and on that day the enemy threatened an -attack; but learning from their patrols that the Prussians were also -approaching, they fell back, and being reinforced from the garrison, -took up a position in front of Antwerp, their left resting on the -village of Merxem, their right on Bergerhout. The Riflemen on the -enemy retiring had advanced in pursuit to Capellen. - -On the 13th they advanced towards Antwerp, and soon came up with -the enemy’s rear, as they were retiring into the place. There was a -smart skirmish; and the enemy were driven into Antwerp. The Riflemen -distinguished themselves in this affair; and Sir Thomas Graham in -his despatch particularly mentions ‘the rapid but orderly advance of -the detachment of the 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Corps under Captain -Fullerton’s command,’ with great praise.[141] - -In this affair one Rifleman of the 3rd Battalion was killed, and one -wounded. - -On the 14th they fell back to Calmthout, and on the 15th marched to -Eckeren, where they remained for some days. The Riflemen had suffered -much from the extreme cold; and on January 26 it reached its maximum, -the thermometer marking 13° of frost. - -During the month of January the army under Sir Thomas Graham, -which originally amounted to hardly 6,000 men, was increased by -reinforcements of about 3,000 men. And at this time Major and Brevet -Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron of the 1st Battalion arrived in Holland -and took command of the detachments from the three Battalions. - -As the French had 12,000 men in Antwerp under Carnot’s command, -no regular siege could be attempted with this force and with the -means at Graham’s disposal; it was resolved therefore to attempt -to set fire to the enemy’s ships at Antwerp. With this object the -troops were moved forward. And the Riflemen returned on January 30 -from Eckeren to Calmthout; on the 31st marched to Braeschaet; and -on February 1 advanced to Donk. On that evening the picquets had -some fighting with those of the enemy. On the 2nd the enemy advanced -to Merxem, which had been strengthened with field works, and the -Riflemen had some hard fighting in and about that village, and at -Schooten. Merxem was carried in gallant style; and Graham specially -notes the conduct of ‘the detachments of the three Battalions of the -Rifle Corps,’ under Colonel Cameron’s command, ‘for the distinguished -manner in which they attacked the left and centre of the village, -forcing the enemy from every stronghold.’[142] - -On this day Lieutenant Wright of the 1st Battalion was returned as -wounded;[143] as were Captain William Eeles, Lieutenants Ferguson and -Fitzgerald of the 3rd Battalion. One bugler and 2 Riflemen of the 2nd -Battalion were killed, and 6 wounded.[144] - -The attempt to burn the ships in the Scheldt and in the docks was -unsuccessful; for our mortars numbering only seventeen, two-thirds of -which were Dutch or French ones found on the ramparts of Willemstadt -(where part of the force had disembarked), were unserviceable, and -unable to throw shells a sufficient distance. The enemy too nightly -flooded the decks with water, which the intense frost converted into -a thick coating of ice, which, at that range, helped to resist the -shells thrown by the imperfect mortars. And the enemy were able at -once to extinguish any fire among the shipping which might take place. - -On the 3rd the Riflemen occupied the château of Merxem, where they -remained until the 6th, when the partial investment of Antwerp and -the attempt on the ships having been found a failure, they moved to -Braeschaet. On the next day they were again moved forward to Donk to -repel a sortie of the garrison, which having effected they returned -to Braeschaet; and on the 9th fell back to Klein Zundert, and on the -15th to Loënhout. - -About this time the Prussians, having received orders to proceed to -the south, separated from the British force; and Graham’s position -on the frontier of Holland was far from secure. He fell back, -as we have seen, from Antwerp, and occupied ground between that -place and Breda. He eventually resolved to attempt the capture of -Bergen-op-Zoom. The Riflemen moved on February 28 to West Wesel. In -the storm of Bergen and its failure they had no part; for on March 8 -(the day on which the attempt was made) they marched in the evening -towards Antwerp, it being understood that their destination was to -attack Fort Lillo. They marched all night, and towards morning were -countermanded and halted; and some hours afterwards heard of the -failure at Bergen-op-Zoom. However a picquet of the 3rd Battalion was -left near Bergen; and on the failure of the attack on it, they were -ordered late in the night of the 8th to retire, and to make the best -of their way to their companies. This they effected; but with barely -sufficient time to call in their advanced sentries.[145] - -On the 9th the Riflemen halted at Stabroek, and on the 11th moved to -Capellen. - -Another sortie was made by the enemy from Antwerp on March 26, and -the Riflemen were under arms expecting an attack; but none took -place on them, the enemy having retired. Such alarms and affairs -occasionally occurred; for on the 30th the Riflemen pursued a -foraging party of the enemy, but unsuccessfully, for they made good -their return into Antwerp before the Riflemen could intercept them. -But all really active operations of this expedition terminated -with the failure at Bergen-op-Zoom. Some further operations were -contemplated; but as Graham was on the point of executing them, news -reached the Riflemen on April 4 of the entrance of the Allies into -Paris on March 31. - -However by the Treaty of Paris the Kingdom of the Netherlands was -to be established; and pending the details of that measure being -arranged by the Congress of Vienna, an Anglo-Hanoverian force was to -remain in the country. The Rifle detachments formed part of it. - -Early in April a detachment of one company was sent to occupy Fort -Batz, and on April 15 the Riflemen moved from Capellen to Braeschaet -and Schooten; on the 29th they marched to Contich, and on the -30th to Mechlin, where they remained about a fortnight. On May 14 -they arrived at Brussels; where on the 30th they were reviewed by -the Prince Sovereign of the Netherlands, as he was then styled, -afterwards the King of the Netherlands. - -On Sir Thomas Graham, then Lord Lynedoch, returning to England, the -Anglo-Hanoverian force was placed under the command of General the -Prince of Orange. The Riflemen remained at Brussels until August -29, when they moved to Ypres, and on the 31st arrived at Courtrai. -On September 5, they marched to Menin; but returned to Ypres on -October 12. Remaining there till November 22, they moved on that day -to Dixmude, and to Furnes on December 9. About this time the Rifle -detachments received some reinforcements. Captain Logan, Lieutenant -Robert Cochrane and 45 men of the 2nd Battalion embarked at Deal on -November 7 to join them. On March 8, 1815, they were at Nieuport, -with a detachment of two companies at Furnes; their strength being -then 4 captains, 14 subalterns, 2 staff, 21 sergeants, 9 buglers and -388 rank and file, under the command of Captain Glasse of the 1st -Battalion. But on March 24 they were re-united at Menin.[146] - -On the renewal of hostilities in 1815 the companies of the 1st and -2nd Battalions joined those Battalions on their arrival in Flanders. -The 2nd Battalion company joined at Leuze on April 18; and the two -companies of the 3rd Battalion were (with the 2nd Battalion) in Sir -Frederick Adam’s brigade at Waterloo.[147] - -I have said that the five companies of the 3rd Battalion, on their -return from the Peninsula disembarked at Plymouth, and moved into -barracks there. On September 18, 1814, exactly two months after their -arrival in England, they re-embarked for service; the commanding -officer, Major Mitchell, and three companies on board the ‘Fox,’ -and the other two companies on board the ‘Dover’ frigates. Their -destination and the nature of their service were kept a profound -secret, but they were, in fact, intended to effect a descent on -the American coast near New Orleans. They reached Madeira on the -8th October, where they remained till the 11th, and having touched -at Barbadoes early in November, anchored in Negril Bay, Jamaica, -on the 25th. Here they were joined by four line regiments, and two -West India regiments; and setting sail on the 29th, arrived off the -American coast near Mobile on December 10, and on the 11th anchored -near the Chandeleur Islands near the entrance to Lake Borgne. - -New Orleans is situated on the left bank of the Mississippi, here -about 800 or 1,000 yards across; below the town are great marshes, -covered with reeds six or seven feet high. While on the river bank -runs a strip of firm ground, varying from one to three miles across, -and mostly under sugar plantations. From this the marsh extends -six or seven miles to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, which -communicates by Lake Borgne with the sea. - -It was deemed impossible to approach New Orleans by the Mississippi, -as well because very strong works existed at its mouth, and on the -way up to the city, as because the course of the river is so tortuous -that no wind would have carried the ships up, without considerable -delay. It was therefore resolved to disembark the troops on the shore -of one of the lakes. But it was ascertained that the Americans, -already cognisant of the intended invasion, had placed gun-boats on -these lakes to prevent the landing. The previous destruction of these -was therefore necessary; and this was effected in very fine style -and in a very short time by the boats of the fleet under Captain -Lockyer. - -On the 15th the Riflemen were moved from the ships of war into brigs, -which drew less water, but in which they were so crowded as to be -unable to lie down or almost to turn. But even these were too deep -for the shoal waters of the lake, and they were transferred into long -boats, from which they were landed on the 19th on the Île au Poix (or -as our men called it Pearl Island), formed by the branches of the -Pearl river. The weather in moving from the ships to the island was -very bad; and on arrival at it, it was found to be a perfect desert. -Nothing but reeds grew on it, except a few scrubby pine-trees at one -end. To add to their discomfort, a severe frost came on at night; the -men were without shelter of any kind, and they suffered severely. And -as all their supplies had to be furnished from the fleet, want of -provisions was added to their other hardships. - -On the 22nd the Battalion (which formed part of the advance under -Colonel Thornton) embarked in boats, and about two o’clock pushed -off to land on the mainland. The place decided on for their -disembarkation was at the head of a creek called Bayou Catalan in -Lake Borgne. The distance was between thirty and forty miles, and the -men were so crowded in the boats that they could not move. They did -not reach the entrance to the creek till after dark. As a picquet of -the enemy was posted about half a mile up the creek, Captain James -Travers, with his company, were placed in small boats and pushed -forward. The picquet was stationed at some huts; near these Travers -landed, and having moved his men to both ends of the huts, prevented -the escape of the picquet, which was secured without a shot being -fired. This was admirably effected; and was a most important service. -For had this picquet escaped or raised an alarm, the landing would -have been opposed. And this would have been a serious check; for on -the morning of the 23rd, when the leading boat reached the narrow -part of the Bayou it was found impracticable to ascend higher, and -the boats being drawn up one after another the men passed over them -as a bridge. This of course was a very slow operation, and one -which, if opposed, would have been very difficult. The Battalion -disembarked about an hour after daylight, having been upwards of -sixteen hours cramped in the boats. - -As soon as the whole advance were on shore, they marched, Travers’ -company leading; and to give their force as imposing an appearance -as possible, and to scour the country, they advanced with extended -files. They moved in this order through a wood which skirted the -swamp on this side, and as soon as they had cleared it, came upon a -house, surrounded with out-buildings and huts for slaves, belonging -to a M. Villeroy. The Battalion advancing at the double, took -possession of it; and in this and some neighbouring houses took -about thirty prisoners, and a good many stand of arms, belonging, as -was supposed, to the local militia. Unhappily M. Villeroy escaped, -and probably gave information to the enemy; this, before the night -was over, entailed very disastrous consequences. The Battalion then -advanced, and turning to the right, marched for about a mile on the -road to New Orleans, and then bivouacked in a green field in quarter -distance column. - -The road ran near the river’s bank which was on the left; and an -embankment about three or four feet high was thrown up to keep -the overflow of the river from the cultivated ground, here about -three-quarters of a mile or a mile broad; beyond this was a strip of -wood, the way through which was, in fact, impracticable, the ground -under the trees being wet and swampy. The cultivated land was much -intersected with wet ditches, and divided by strong wooden palings -five feet high. - -On arriving at the bivouack Travers’ company, which had formed the -advanced guard on the march, was pushed forward about a mile to the -front, on the main road, as a picquet. - -The troops halted somewhat after mid-day; and as the men had been -without provisions since the morning before, they began as soon as -dismissed to cook. While doing so, between three and four o’clock, -firing was heard in the front from the picquet; it turned out to -be in consequence of an American officer, attended by some mounted -men, riding up to the picquet to reconnoitre. However, the Riflemen -saluted him with a few shots, one of which wounded him, and another -killed the horse of one of the party, on which they retired, getting -off the wounded officer with them. - -At nightfall, Captain Hallen’s company relieved Travers at the -advanced picquet; and the men of the rest of the Battalion, being -much fatigued by their uncomfortable night in the boats, their -tedious landing, and their march, lay down in bivouack. They had torn -down some of the palings dividing the fields, and had made good fires -which then burned brightly. While they were thus, as they fancied, -secure, a schooner dropped down the Mississippi, and guided by the -light of their fires, opened a heavy cannonade upon them with great -effect. The men of course were aroused and dispersed; but no shelter -could be found, in this dead flat, except by crouching under the -embankment by the riverside. Hallen had seen the schooner pass his -post and had sent a man off to alarm the Battalion; but the schooner -having the current of the river in her favour reached the bivouack -before the Rifleman could get there. - -While in this state of alarm from the sudden cannonade from the -schooner, heavy and continued firing was heard in the front. A body -of 5,000 Americans had attacked Hallen’s picquet, detaching 1,500 men -through the wood to turn the right of the troops. Nobly Hallen kept -them at bay; but being himself wounded, and his picquet threatened by -such overpowering odds, reinforcements advanced from the Battalion. -Meanwhile the enemy made way through the garden of a house on the -right, where a picquet of the 85th had been placed; and the night -being very dark, a hand to hand fight took place. Every deception -was practised by the enemy; and having discovered (from prisoners -probably made in the _mêlée_) the regiments opposed to them, they -would call out, ‘Come on my brave ninety-fifth (or eighty-fifth),’ -and then make those who advanced prisoners. - -But this _ruse_ was not always successful; more than once they found -that instead of making Riflemen prisoners, they had themselves -‘caught a Tartar.’ On one such occasion an officer and some men -of the Battalion made a body of the Yankees prisoners, and when -they were desired to lay down their arms, the cowardly officer who -commanded them made a stab at the 95th officer with a knife. He was -summarily disposed of; for a Rifleman instantly shot him through the -body. - -Meanwhile the fight continued at Hallen’s post. Two battalions came -up and fired volleys by word of command as at a drill. Not much to -their advantage, for the Riflemen, warned by the words, ‘Ready! -Present!’ took care to lie pretty close before the word ‘Fire!’ -which, having been pronounced and obeyed, they sprang up, and gave -them a severe return before they could reload. This continued for -some time; but at last, the picquet was obliged to give way before -superior numbers. Yet they only retired a little way to get under -cover and re-form. Eventually the Riflemen advanced again, attacked -their assailants, repulsed them, and regained the post. Hallen, as I -have said, was wounded, so was Lieutenant Forbes, who held a separate -post, and about forty men were killed or wounded. This defence by -Hallen has truly been characterised as ‘an affair of posts but rarely -equalled, and never surpassed in devoted bravery.’[148] - -‘Had the expedition terminated more favourably,’ he who makes the -foregoing remark goes on to observe, ‘it is to be presumed that the -brave commander of the company would not have gone unrewarded.’ It -may be so: this is the presumption; the fact is, that Hallen retired -from the Service in 1824 with the rank of Captain, which he had -obtained fifteen years before. Thus England rewarded acts of valour -performed by all but her superior officers. - -When the fire was first heard at Hallen’s picquet, Major Mitchell, -taking with him twenty or thirty Riflemen, had hurried to the front -to reinforce it. On the way, however, he fell in with a body of the -enemy, whom, in consequence of the darkness of the night, he could -not distinguish, and he and the men with him were made prisoners. -Altogether the loss of the Battalion on that night was 6 Sergeants -and 17 Riflemen killed; Captain Hallen, Lieutenants Daniel Forbes, -(severely), and W. S. C. Farmer (slightly), 5 Sergeants and 54 -Riflemen wounded; and Major Samuel Mitchell, 2 Sergeants, and -39 Riflemen missing. A total (exclusive of officers) of 123, or -one-fifth of their whole number. - -The loss of the Americans, who were finally driven off about -midnight, must have been very great, for the field was strewn with -their dead. - -Yet still the schooner, and a ship which had joined her, inflicted -amazing annoyance on our people. With a brutality happily unknown -among European nations, they fired into the houses to which the -wounded had been carried. One shot struck a house in which a wounded -Rifleman was lying, and knocked away his knapsack, which he was using -as a pillow, without doing him any actual injury. - -However, this savage warfare was to end. On the night of the 25th -a battery was constructed close to the river’s edge, and furnaces -erected for heating red-hot shot. At daybreak on the 26th the battery -commenced its fire on the schooner. Its crew, whose courage did -not equal their cruelty, at once took to their boats and fled; the -fourth shot set her on fire, and she soon afterwards blew up. While -the ship, warned by her fate, and esteeming discretion as the better -part of valour, had herself towed, as rapidly as possible, out of the -range of the little English battery. - -In this bivouack the Riflemen continued till the 28th. But it was -toilsome work. The picquets were continually fired at; the reliefs -waylaid; the officers going round their sentries exposed to chance -shots from a concealed marksman. How different this from the -courtesies and chivalry of their European enemies, which I have so -often had occasion to narrate! - -[Illustration: - - Operations near NEW ORLEANS - in 1814-15. - - _Compiled & Drawn by Capt^n H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brigade._ - E. Weller, _Litho._ - _London, Chatto & Windus._ -] - -Early on the 28th the army advanced towards New Orleans, the Riflemen -leading, by the high road along the river’s bank. They drove in the -enemy’s picquets, and proceeded along the road here called ‘_Le -détour des Anglais_,’ till, on turning round some houses on the left, -they suddenly found themselves in front of a strong work the enemy -had thrown up, and from which they opened a cannonade from four guns; -while their old enemy the ship, now moored a little in advance of the -work, brought a flank fire to bear on them. The Riflemen, leading and -extended, did not suffer so much;[149] but the 85th which followed -in close formation were mown down by this fire. Some houses were on -the right, which might have afforded some temporary cover; but the -enemy, by their shells, set them on fire, and the flames added to the -confusion. To escape in some measure from the effects of the fire the -regiments were deployed to the right, while the Riflemen advancing -about a hundred yards got into a ditch, which in a great degree -sheltered them. In the afternoon the regiments moved off by wings, so -as to present as small a body as possible to the enemy’s fire. The -Riflemen, however, did not move off till after dark, nor till some -of the Yankees had ventured out of their works ‘in a very triumphant -manner.’ But a few shots from the Riflemen immediately produced the -conviction among them that it was more advisable to return to the -protection of their rampart. This work was a stout parapet, in front -of which was a wet ditch or canal. Its extent was about 1,000 yards, -and its left touched the river, while its right was defended by the -wood. - -The army now took up a position about a mile and a half or two -miles from this work. The Battalion was placed in a house rather in -advance, and on the left of the line. This was exposed, not only to -the fire from the work, but also, as it was near the bank, from a -redoubt which the enemy had constructed on the opposite side of the -river. The men were placed in a sugar-house belonging to this farm, -the floor of which being sunk below the level of the natural ground -afforded some protection. Yet on one occasion at least their cooking -utensils were knocked off the fire by shot passing through this house. - -So matters continued until the 31st. It was resolved to bring up some -of the ships’ guns and to place them in battery against the enemy’s -work. Accordingly on the night of the 31st strong working parties -were employed in constructing two batteries near it; one with the -object of keeping down the flank fire from the ship; the other with -the view of breaching the centre of the rampart. The night was dark; -the men worked in silence; and before daylight the batteries were -completed, and the guns in position. - -Early in the morning of January 1, 1815, the troops were moved up, -with the object of attacking the enemy’s work. A thick fog favoured -their advance, and concealed their movements from the Americans. -About nine o’clock the fog rose, and our batteries at once began -their fire. This threw the Yankees, who were seen on parade, into -utter confusion; and had a charge on the works been made at that -moment, no doubt it would have been successful. But unhappily the -orders were that the attack was not to be made till the enemy’s -fire had been silenced, and his works breached. When, therefore, -the Americans saw that nothing took place but a cannonade, their -courage returned, and after about twenty minutes they began to return -our fire; and gradually increased to a vigorous cannonade, which -effectually overpowered our guns, and dismounted some of them. The -flank fire too from the battery on the opposite bank of the river, in -which they had placed their ship’s guns, was very galling. - -After being kept under this fire inactive till between two and three -o’clock in the afternoon, the troops were withdrawn and bivouacked -on the ground, and some occupied the houses they had held during -the last few days. At night the troops were turned out and employed -in withdrawing the guns from the batteries in which they had been -placed. This was hard work; and some of the guns had to be buried, it -being found impossible to remove them before daylight. Thus the men -had been up, and at hard work, two nights; and in the intervening day -had been for many hours under the enemy’s fire, without the chance of -fighting them. The loss of the Battalion was, 1 Rifleman killed, and -2 missing. - -Things continued in this state till the 7th, the picquets being as -before constantly harassed by the enemy. - -No other course remained but to carry the enemy’s work by an attack -_de vive force_, and it was decided that this should take place on -the 8th. Three companies of the Battalion were to precede the advance -of the right column under General Gibbs, consisting of the 4th, -21st and 44th regiments; while the other two companies were in like -manner to act with the left column. The Riflemen were to extend along -the edge of the canal or ditch in front of the enemy’s rampart, and -both parties so extended were to occupy the whole of the bank, or -as it might be called, the crest of the glacis. At four o’clock in -the morning the troops paraded; and by daylight the Riflemen were -in their place. But the 44th Regiment, which had been appointed to -carry ladders and fascines to enable the attacking force to cross -the ditch, had come without them. Their commanding officer, the Hon. -Colonel Mullens, had said loudly the night before when the regiment -was detailed for this duty in orders, that ‘his regiment was sent on -a forlorn hope’ and ‘was doomed.’ And on the regiment returning to -fetch the ladders and fascines, he prudently did not come back to -the front with them. The enemy meanwhile opened a furious fire on -the troops, specially destructive to the Riflemen who were extended -within 100 or 150 yards of the work. One regiment of the right -attack, finding itself exposed to this fire, and without the fascines -and ladders they had been led to expect, wavered, broke up, and fled -to the rear, throwing the regiment which was following in support -into confusion. Sir Edward Pakenham, who commanded, in trying to -rally this column was killed; General Gibbs, who commanded it, was -mortally wounded; and General Keane, who commanded the left attack, -was wounded. This attack succeeded better; and for a time the troops -composing it held a redoubt which the enemy had constructed in front -of the ditch, and which they had stormed. But in the end they were -obliged also to give way. Thus the Riflemen, extended in skirmishing -order along the edge of the ditch, were left unsupported, and were -obliged to retire as best they could. As their files were extended -they presented a less prominent object for the enemy’s guns, and -they eventually got away with comparatively small loss. Some of them -had got quite to the edge of the ditch, and reported that they could -have passed it, but the attacking columns which they expected never -came up; and to have entered the enemy’s work without them would, of -course, have been certain destruction. - -A gallant and successful diversion was made on the right bank of the -Mississippi by a column under Colonel Thornton; but as the Battalion -did not form part of it, it is not my province, as historian of the -Regiment only, farther to notice it. - -It was regretted by the Riflemen, that Pakenham, himself a Peninsular -soldier, did not employ troops who had seen fighting more prominently -in so arduous an operation as storming this work. The 7th and 43rd -had arrived just before; beside both these regiments the Riflemen -had fought in Spain and Portugal; the latter were especially -companions in arms, and they had hailed their advent with delight. -Yet these he held in reserve, while he advanced comparatively -unseasoned troops to the fire of the Americans. - -The Battalion retired at last, sorrowful and weary, to its bivouack. -It lost 1 Sergeant and 10 Riflemen killed; and Captains James -Travers (severely) and Nicholas Travers (slightly), Lieutenants John -Reynolds, Sir John Ribton, John Gossett, William Backhouse, and -Robert Barker (severely), 5 Sergeants and 89 Riflemen wounded.[150] - -During the night the wounded were removed, and a truce for two -days, to enable the dead to be buried and the wounded cared for, -was made between General Lambert (who succeeded to the command) and -General Jackson who commanded the American force. This truce was -effected, not without difficulty, by Major Harry Smith, Assistant -Adjutant-General, who passed and repassed frequently between the -opposing armies. - -During this truce every attempt was made by the Yankees to induce -our men to desert. The non-commissioned officers were promised -commissions, the men land, if they would enter the American service. -On one such occasion two Sergeants and a private of the 95th were -accosted by an officer of American Artillery, who with such large -promises invited them to enter the American service. The Riflemen -heard the tempter out; and then, in language perhaps rather forcible -than complimentary, assured him that they would rather be privates -in their own Corps, than officers with such ‘a set of ragamuffins’ -as they saw before them; assuring him that if he did not move off, -he should have a taste of their rifles. On that hint, he fled; but -getting into the work turned a gun on them and fired, knocking over -the private, whom however he only wounded. - -A Rifleman on sentry was exposed to the solicitations of another -of these gentry. He heard all his generous offers of money, land, -and promotion; but pretending he did not, he begged him to come a -little nearer and ‘tell him all about it.’ The Yankee elated at his -success walked up to the post, and when he was well within range, the -Rifleman levelled and shot him in the arm. Then walking forward, he -led him prisoner to the guard-room; on the way informing him what a -real soldier thought of such sneaking attempts on his fidelity.[151] - -These attempts were not always unsuccessful, and much desertion took -place; but Surtees records with natural pride, that as far as he -knew not a single instance took place among the Riflemen of the 3rd -Battalion. - -During this truce an officer of the American army was observed -plundering a wounded soldier. This excited the ire of Corporal Scott -of the 3rd Battalion, who (with the permission of his officer) took a -shot at the marauder, and tumbled him over the man he was plundering. - -The last duties having been paid to the dead, and all the wounded -that were capable of being moved having been withdrawn, a retreat -was effected on the night of the 18th. The fires were trimmed, and -the men fell in and marched in silence. The weather had latterly -broken up; heavy rains by day, and sometimes thunderstorms, were -often followed by frost at night. As it was impossible, owing to -the narrowness and shallow water of the Bayou Catalan, to embark -the troops where they had landed, a road, or an attempt at a road, -had been constructed across the marsh, from the great road to New -Orleans, along the river’s bank to the shore of Lake Borgne. This -extended some miles, and was made of reeds, which it was thought -would support the men across the morass; and where it crossed open -ditches, as it frequently did, the reeds were laid on boughs of trees -brought with great labour from the wood. This road, a bad one at the -best, was much injured by the rains, and sunk in with the tramp of -the head of the column; so that this night march was very fatiguing, -the men often sinking in to the knees, and sometimes in the dark -slipping off into the marsh, from whence they were with difficulty -rescued. - -However at last on the 19th they reached the shore of the lake about -one mile from its entrance. Here they were ordered to hut themselves; -but this was no easy task, the place being a desert, and almost the -only material the reeds which grew on the marsh. - -Here they remained till the 25th, when the Battalion embarked on -board the ‘Dover,’ which had brought out two of its companies. The -Battalion was reduced by its losses in the field to almost half its -strength on landing. On the 27th they set sail; and it was resolved -to attempt the capture of Mobile. This place, lying about 100 miles -to the eastward of New Orleans, is situated in a bay, the entrance to -which is defended by a work called Fort Boyer, which therefore had -first to be reduced. In order to effect this the 4th, 21st, and 44th -Regiments were landed, and commenced the investment of and approach -to the place. While on the 8th February the Riflemen and the rest of -the troops were disembarked on Île Dauphine at the other side of the -bay, till the reduction of Fort Boyer should enable them to move up -to Mobile. Here the men hutted themselves; for the island, though -otherwise almost a desert, is well covered with pine wood; while the -officers, or some of them, had tents. - -During the time that they were here, General Lambert inspected the -troops by regiments. On making his inspection of the 3rd Battalion, -James Travers (in Mitchell’s absence, who had been taken prisoner) -was in command. ‘Well, Travers,’ said the General, ‘I hear your -Sergeant-Major ran away on the night of the 23rd December.’ ‘Nay, -General,’ answered Travers, ‘that he did not. He fought as well -as any man could, and was towards the end of the affair severely -wounded. But,’ added he, ‘I think I know what may have given rise -to that report. A sergeant of ours was in or near one of the houses -where the wounded were taken, and the surgeon made him remain there -as Hospital Sergeant. I did all I could to get him back to the -Battalion; but I could not succeed.’ ‘Well,’ said the General, ‘since -I had done the Sergeant-Major some wrong, I must see what I can do -to make him amends.’ He did procure him an ensigncy in a West India -Regiment, to which he was gazetted soon after. - -While the Battalion was on Île Dauphine, a gallant act was performed -by Sergeant Thomas Fukes. He, with four or five Riflemen, was sent -over to the mainland to shoot bullocks. Fukes with a couple of -Riflemen went inland, leaving the other men in charge of the boat. -Here one Shiel of the American navy (who had captured a boat in bad -weather with some of the 14th Light Dragoons, when embarking at Lake -Borgne, and who in consequence fancied himself a hero) came upon them -round a jutting point, and having captured them, put them in charge -of some of his own crew into their own boat, and dispatched them to -an American ship or post. Then waiting for the sergeant, the other -two Riflemen, and the Commissary, he of course made them prisoners, -since their boat and the rest of their party had disappeared. The -Commissary was placed aft with Mr. Shiel; Sergeant Fukes and his two -men forward; and they were being rowed off. When well off the shore -the Commissary seizing Shiel by the thighs chucked him overboard, -while Sergeant Fukes at the same instant sent one of the boat’s -crew to follow him, and the Riflemen disposed of the rest. They now -recovered their rifles, and having taken security of Mr. Shiel for -his good behaviour, admitted him at his urgent importunity into the -boat, from whence they landed him, a moist and dispirited prisoner of -war, on Île Dauphine. - -The approaches to Fort Boyer being completed, Harry Smith was -sent in with a summons to surrender. The poor Yankee commandant, -sadly puzzled, asked Major Smith what he would advise him to do. -He strongly recommended him to surrender immediately, as the place -must be taken by assault. Acting on such good advice, which fell -in probably with his own sinking courage, he surrendered with his -garrison, and signed a capitulation on the 11th February. - -This important work having fallen, immediate preparations were made -for re-embarking the troops, and attacking Mobile. But on the 14th -news arrived of the preliminaries of peace between England and the -United States having been settled at Ghent on December 24. All -warlike operations of course terminated; and the troops only awaited -on Île Dauphine the ratification of the treaty by President Madison. -Intelligence of this reached them on the 5th March, and on the 15th -the officers and Riflemen who had been made prisoners re-joined the -Battalion, having been released under the terms of the treaty. Major -Mitchell had been roughly treated by General Jackson, because he -refused to furnish him with information of our strength or movements. - -On the 31st March the Battalion embarked on board the ‘Dover,’ some -few men being placed on board the ‘Norfolk’ transport. On the 4th -April they set sail, and, having called at the Havannah, arrived -at Plymouth, whence they were ordered round to Dover, where they -disembarked on the 2nd June and moved to Shorncliffe, where they -found three companies of the Battalion, the remaining two being in -Flanders, as is now to be narrated. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[131] George Simmons had been brought up to the medical profession. - -[132] ‘Napier,’ Book xxiii. chap. 3. - -[133] Nineteen men of the 1st Battalion, and 1 bugler and 12 men of -the 2nd Battalion, were returned as ‘missing.’ - -[134] He was, while the 1st Battalion were absent, temporarily -attached to the 2nd Battalion; being employed on the telegraph of the -Light Division. - -[135] ‘Twelve Years’ Military Adventure.’ - -[136] See Napier, Book xxiv. chap. 5. - -[137] Surtees, 296, 297. The context is very confused, the editor not -having been able to decipher or to arrange Surtees’ MS. - -[138] Record, 2nd Battalion. As the return in the ‘London Gazette’ -does not distinguish the regiments of the non-commissioned officers -and privates, I am unable to give the casualties of the other -Battalions. - -[139] It is evident from Sir Thomas Graham’s letters to Lord Bathurst -and Lord Wellington (‘Supplementary Despatches,’ viii. 376-7) that -he undertook this command very unwillingly and only from a sense -of duty. To Lord Wellington he says ‘I cannot look forward to it -otherwise than an irksome service, with scarce a chance of any -material success.’ - -[140] It would appear from a private letter from Lord Bathurst to -Lord Wellington, that the strength of the detachment of the 3rd -Battalion was 250 men. ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ viii. 390. This is -a clerical or typographical error for ‘of the three Battalions.’ The -depôt companies were at this time very weak, and the strength of the -whole detachment was about 250 men. - -[141] Graham’s Despatch, ‘Annual Register,’ lvi., 154. - -[142] Despatch, ‘Annual Register,’ 157. - -[143] I am informed by Mr. Wright that he was _not_ wounded on this -occasion. This is a curious illustration of Byron’s remark about -‘Gazette fame’ (‘Don Juan,’ canto viii., stanza 18 and note). The -officer of the 1st Battalion who was wounded at Merxem on February -2 was Lieutenant Church. He had been taken prisoner in one of the -fights at Arcangues on December 10, 1813 (see p. 160); but had made -his escape, had found his way across France without being discovered, -and had joined Glasse’s company in Holland. Like M’Cullock after the -Coa (p. 56) he had trusted himself to the fair sex, who had assisted -his disguise, and favoured his escape. - -[144] ‘London Gazette,’and 2nd Battalion Record. As the ‘Gazette’ -does not distinguish the regiments of the non-commissioned officers -and lower ranks, I am unable to state the losses of the detachments -of the other two Battalions. - -[145] I derive this information from Michael Mappin, a pensioner -in the Royal Hospital at Chelsea, who served in the 3rd Battalion -from April 1813 till it was disbanded, and afterwards in the 2nd -Battalion, and who was himself on this picquet. He was wounded before -Antwerp. - -[146] ‘Wellington Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 704-5-6, and 718. - -[147] I owe almost all the particulars of this expedition to the -kindness of Lieutenant Wright, on half-pay of the Regiment, who -served in it, and who survives in good health and perfect memory, -whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of making while these sheets -were passing through the press. The information and papers he -communicated to me enable me to supply many details of this campaign, -which, squeezed out between the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns, -and eclipsed by the latter, has never had its history sufficiently -written. Yet it was arduous service, albeit unsuccessful. - -[148] Leach, ‘Sketch of Field Services,’ 27. - -[149] Their loss between December 25 and 31 was 1 Rifleman killed; 1 -Sergeant and 3 Riflemen wounded; and 1 Rifleman missing. - -[150] Major James Travers, K.H., died February 5, 1841. The ball -received at New Orleans had never been extracted, and is said -eventually to have caused his death. Lieutenant Backhouse died of his -wounds. - -[151] Gleig, ‘Campaigns of the British Army at Washington and New -Orleans’ p. 186. He regrets that he has forgotten, or did not know, -the name of this soldier; a regret in which all Riflemen will join. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - -I now return to the narrative of services of the 1st Battalion, who -had marched to Dover on their return from the Peninsula in 1814. -Napoleon having landed from Elba, on the resumption of hostilities -against him, six companies of this Battalion, under the command of -Sir Andrew Barnard, embarked at Dover on the 25th April 1815 on board -the ‘Wensleydale’ transport and landed at Ostend on the 27th. - -The officers present with these six companies were: - - Colonel SIR ANDREW BARNARD. - Major and Brevet Lieut.-Col. CAMERON. - Captain LEACH, _Brevet Major_. - ” CHAS. BECKWITH, _Brevet Major_. - ” GLASSE. - ” LEE. - ” SMYTH. - ” CHAWNER. - Lieutenant LAYTON. - ” MOLLOY. - ” ARCHIBALD STEWART. - ” FREER. - ” GARDINER. - ” LISTER. - ” GEORGE SIMMONS. - ” STILWELL. - ” HAGGUP. - ” FITZMAURICE. - ” E. D. JOHNSTON. - ” ORLANDO FELIX. - 2nd Lieutenant CHURCH. - ” ALLEN STEWART. - ” WRIGHT. - Volunteer CHARLES SMITH. - Lieutenant and Adjutant KINCAID. - Paymaster MCKENZIE. - Quartermaster BAGSHAWE. - Surgeon BURKE. - Assistant-Surgeon ROBSON. - ” ” HETT.[152] - -As soon as the companies were all landed at Ostend they embarked in -large boats on the canal, and arrived at Bruges about dark. The next -morning at four o’clock they proceeded (towed by horses) to Ghent, -where they arrived at three o’clock. Here they disembarked and were -billeted until the 10th May; on which day they marched to Alost, and -thence on to Wella, where they halted during the 11th. And on the -12th marched to Brussels, where they arrived about eleven o’clock, -and went into billets. - -Either at this time or soon afterwards they were placed (with the -28th, 32nd and 79th) in Sir James Kempt’s brigade of General Picton’s -division. Sir James Kempt having commanded one of the brigades of -the Light Division during the latter part of the Peninsular war, -the Riflemen of the 1st Battalion felt themselves at home under his -orders. - -Leaving the 1st Battalion at Brussels I proceed to note that five -companies of the 2nd Battalion, consisting of 2 Field Officers, 5 -captains, 14 subalterns, 4 staff, 50 sergeants, 16 buglers, and 480 -rank and file, under the command of Colonel Wade, marched from Dover -Castle at five o’clock P.M. on March 25; and embarking at eleven -P.M. on board packets, reached Ostend on the next day, disembarked -at two P.M. and marched immediately, three companies to Saas and two -to Sluys. On the 28th the whole marched to Bruges; on the 29th three -companies marched to Piethem and two to Eeghem. The next day the five -companies marched to Courtrai, and on the 31st to Tournay. The 1st -April they marched to Leuze. Here they remained, with detachments at -Villers St. Amand, Villers Notre Dame, Ligne, Moulbaix and Grammont, -till June 12. - -Meanwhile, on April 18 the company (1 captain, 5 subalterns and 100 -men) which had been with Sir Thomas Graham in Holland joined, making -the strength of the Regiment in Belgium six companies; and on April -20 they were inspected by the Duke of Wellington. - -On April 29 Colonel Wade left the Battalion to take command of the -consolidated depôts; and on May 2 Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel -Norcott took command of the Battalion. - -On June 12 the Battalion marched to Tourpe, Ellegnies and Auberhies. -On the 16th it marched to Nivelles, and on the 17th marched to -Waterloo and bivouacked there. - -About the same time that these Battalions embarked, Major and Brevet -Lieutenant-Colonel Ross proceeded to Belgium to take command of the -two companies of the 3rd Battalion, which had been in Holland, the -Head-quarters being still in America, or on their way back. These -as well as the 2nd Battalion were placed in Sir Frederick Adam’s -brigade of Sir Henry Clinton’s division, with their old companions in -arms the 52nd and with the 71st Light Infantry. - -The 1st Battalion being, as I said, at Brussels and in billets, were -startled from their sleep on the evening of June 15, by their bugles -sounding the ‘assembly.’ The companies immediately assembled on -their alarm posts. Here two days’ rations of biscuit and meat were -served out to the men; and they marched to near the Park, where the -Battalion was formed in quarter-distance column. This was effected, -though the men were billeted all over the town, by eleven o’clock; -whereas the other regiments of the division were not formed up till -two o’clock in the morning. The Battalion being thus assembled, piled -arms; the men took off their packs, and using them as pillows, were -soon fast asleep, The officers following their example and reposing -on a doorstep, or wherever else they could, were frequently disturbed -by the ladies and others returning from the Duchess of Richmond’s -ball, which, it is well known, took place on that night. However, -the other regiments of the division having assembled, about dawn -they left Brussels by the Porte-de-Namur, and marched to Waterloo. -Here they halted among some trees on the left side of the road. The -men cooked, and after a rest resumed their march by the Charleroi -road towards Quatre Bras. The heat was intense; and one man, struck -by a coup-de-soleil, went raving mad, struck the man next him with -his rifle, and fell down dead. After passing Genappe the companies -extended as they came up, passing through fields of high standing -corn. A few round-shot now greeted them, but they proceeded till -brought up by a thick quickset hedge. The enemy fired at this, -and wounded one man. The Riflemen poked their rifles through, but -hesitated to force themselves through it on account of the sharpness -of the thorns. So strange it is that these men, who feared no fire of -the enemy, hesitated before a prickly hedge. Then it was that George -Simmons, seeing the check, went back a few paces, and rushing at -Sergeant Underwood, hit him on the knapsack and butted him through. -Both rolled on the ground on the other side, which was much lower; -but they soon sprang to their feet, and, the gap once made, the men -poured through. - -It was now about two o’clock when FitzMaurice, who was in Leach’s -absence at Brussels commanding the leading company, and who was -posted on some high ground, observed a horseman, apparently in deep -thought, coming up the road. As he drew near he recognised the Duke -of Wellington, who raising his eyes, and seeing the 95th uniform, -called out quickly, ‘Where is Barnard?’ The word was passed for him; -and when the Colonel galloped up, the Duke said, ‘Barnard, these -fellows are coming on; you must stop them by throwing yourself into -that wood.’ Barnard immediately ordered FitzMaurice to take the -company into the wood, and ‘amuse’ them, until he brought up the rest -of the Battalion. As FitzMaurice was moving off, the Duke called to -him to go round a knoll which would shelter him from the enemy’s -fire.[153] - -General Bachelu had occupied the wood of Piermont, and was pushing -forward to obtain possession of another small wood which would -have interrupted the communication between Quatre Bras and Ligny. -But the Riflemen anticipated them. ‘Here, for the first time in -this campaign, the troops of the two nations became engaged. The -skirmishers who successfully checked the further advance of the -French, and secured the wood, were the 1st Battalion of the British -95th Rifles,[154] whom the old campaigners of the French army, at -least those who had served in the Peninsula, had so frequently -found the foremost in the fight, and of whose peculiarly effective -discipline and admirable training they had had ample experience.’[155] - -Besides the occupation of this wood the Battalion kept possession of -the Namur road, which they lined.[156] Charles Beckwith’s company, -commanded by Lieutenant Layton, lined an embankment with a ditch in -front of it, and kept up a smart fire on the enemy, which was as -smartly returned. Layton himself was hit in the wrist and side. Yet -the enemy forcing the Riflemen, by increased numbers, out of the -wood, made furious endeavours to turn the left flank of the English -line, on which the Battalion was posted. They had already gained the -road, when the Riflemen at last received the glad summons to advance, -and leaping over the bank and ditch, dashed in among them, and drove -them from the road and from some houses on it which they had occupied. - -Marshal Ney was now checked at every point; the wood of Piermont on -his right, that of Bossu on his left, and the plain in the centre, -were all occupied by the Allies or cleared of the French. - -The losses of the Battalion at Quatre Bras were Lieutenant -Lister,[157] 2 sergeants and 6 rank and file killed; Captain -Smyth[158]; Lieutenants Layton, wounded in the wrist; Gardiner, -severely wounded in the leg; FitzMaurice,[159] wounded in the leg; 3 -sergeants and 48 rank and file wounded. - -At nightfall the ground won by the Riflemen was given over to Sir -Charles Alten’s division, and the Battalion retired to the rear -of the farm of Gemioncourt; where, having formed open column of -companies and piled arms, the men lay down in their ranks, the -officers on the inner flanks of their companies; ready, all of them, -to take their arms and assume order of battle on any alarm. - -Before the Battalion left the ground on which it had fought, Sir -Andrew Barnard called attention to a Rifleman lying in their front, -with both his legs shattered, adding, ‘Gentlemen, if one of you -would remain here with two or three men, and bring that poor fellow -off, it would be a glorious act indeed.’ George Simmons at once -volunteered. After the Battalion had moved off, he set up two sticks -in the direction of the wounded man and laid another at top. When -it was getting dark he sent a man forward in this alignment, and -marching upon him, and past him, soon reached the wounded man. He -told him not to make a sound, hoisted him on the back of one of the -men who remained with him, and, the poor fellow suppressing a groan -or a sound, he took him away. Luckily while he was thus engaged the -sentries of the French picquet were being visited, so that their -attention was occupied. On nearing our lines he and his suffering -burthen were challenged by the Germans of Alten’s division, and it -was not till an officer and twenty men had advanced and examined him, -that he was suffered to pass, and to deposit the wounded man in a -house at Quatre Bras. After which he rejoined his Battalion. - -Before daylight a sharp fire took place between the picquets, owing -to a patrol of cavalry having by some mistake got between the -advanced sentries. At dawn on the 17th a company of the Battalion -was sent forward to occupy the farm-yard of Gemioncourt at Quatre -Bras, and they detached a picquet of two officers and twenty men -to the front. These were placed, some in a ditch and some behind a -wall, with orders not to fire; and the French, finding their fire not -returned, by degrees ceased firing. The men now cooked; those in rear -cooking for those in front. - -The retreat of the Prussians having rendered a similar movement on -our part necessary, the troops at Quatre Bras began a retrograde -movement on the morning of the 17th. The 1st Battalion received -orders to cover the retreat, and was the last infantry that fell -back. Before the picquet retreated Sergeant Fairfoot, a brave -Peninsular man, who had been wounded in the breach at Badajos, was -struck by a musket ball, which fractured his right fore-arm. Yet with -amazing bravery, before going to the rear, he took a shot with his -rifle (rested on the shoulder of the officer of the picquet), at the -French, firing from his left shoulder and with his left arm. - -The Battalion had now fallen back, and, the French advancing, this -picquet retreated also; and came up with the Battalion at Genappe, -where it was halted in column at the entrance to the town. The Duke -and his Staff were on the rising ground near; the Duke watching -intently through his telescope the advance of the enemy. At this -moment rain began to fall heavily, and the men were ordered to -shelter themselves in the houses on each side of the village street; -but they had not been long in them when some shots which were heard -between the enemy’s advancing and our retreating cavalry, soon -produced the order to ‘fall in;’ and passing with the cavalry through -Genappe, they reformed column on some high ground at the end of -that village. While they were so posted they had the satisfaction -of witnessing that charge of the Life Guards down from that height, -which rolled up the French Lancers, and jammed them up with the -cuirassiers in the narrow street of Genappe. The retreat continued, -through incessant torrents of rain, which made the ground and the -trampled corn so difficult to move over, that the Riflemen did not -reach the position of Waterloo till a couple of hours before dark. -There they bivouacked, with the right wing of the Battalion resting -on the Charleroi road, behind La Haye Sainte, and near a small -cottage where Sir Andrew Barnard had established his quarters, and -where he dispensed the provisions he had received from Brussels to -many of his officers. - -The enemy coming up on the opposite heights opened a cannonade, but -without effect, at least on the Battalion; and at nightfall they -discontinued it. - -While the Battalion lay by their arms, the rain still fell in -torrents; there was a thunderstorm in the evening; and through the -night it rained heavily; but towards morning dwindled to a thin small -rain, and finally ceased before daybreak. - -The morning of the 18th dawned heavily; the heavy moisture of the -night rose from the heated ground in mist and haze; which, as the sun -gained power, ascended and left the ground and prospect clear, yet -kept the day cloudy. - -At daylight the men sprang to their feet, and took their arms; -cleaning them and their accoutrements, moistened and rusted by so -many hours of wet. - -This done, the Battalion took up its position. - -The road from Brussels, passing through the forest of Soignies and -the village of Waterloo, reaches the hamlet of Mont St. Jean, where -it bifurcates: the one to the right leading to Nivelles, while that -which goes straight on leads through Genappe to Charleroi. Nearly -three-quarters of a mile from this fork the Charleroi road is crossed -at right angles by a cross-country road, leading on the left to -Wavre, on the right to Braine-la-Leud. About a quarter of a mile from -this cross, and on the right-hand side of the road to Charleroi, is -the farmhouse of La Haye Sainte, with a garden or orchard running -along the road. On the opposite side of the road was a knoll with -a sandpit at its base, and behind this sandpit was a strong hedge -running parallel to the Wavre road for about 140 yards. In the -sandpit were placed two companies of the 1st Battalion under Brevet -Major Leach; another company, William Johnston’s, lined the hedge; -and the remaining three companies lined the Wavre road from its -junction with that leading to Charleroi. - -As the Battalion formed column to move up to this position, a shot -from one of the enemy’s guns struck a rear-rank man of the rear -company. He was the first man of the Battalion who fell at Waterloo. - -A party of men under George Simmons were sent to cut wood to form an -_abattis_, which the Riflemen constructed on the Charleroi road, at -the point where the hedge abutted on it. - -[Illustration: - - _Pl. I._ - - WATERLOO - 18^{TH} JUNE 1815 - From 4.30 to 6.30 o’clock, p.m. - - _E. Weller, lith., London._ - _London: Chatto & Windus._ -] - -The battle began, as is well known, with an attack on Hougoumont. -But about two o’clock D’Erlon’s corps moved upon La Haye Sainte. -They advanced in four columns. The left central column moved in a -direction parallel to the Charleroi road; as they approached the -sandpit, which was hidden from them, both by its depression below the -level of the surrounding plain, and by the height of the standing -corn, they became exposed to the fire of the Riflemen stationed in -it. This obliged them to incline to their right; but they then became -exposed to the fire of Johnston’s company lining the hedge, which not -only threw them farther to their right, but checked them. So that not -only was the interval between their columns diminished by the fire of -the Riflemen driving them to the right, but the distance between that -column and that which succeeded it was also diminished by the fire -of Johnston’s company checking their advance. Donzelot’s brigade, -however, continued to press forward, and out-flanking the advanced -companies of the Riflemen, obliged them to run in on the other three -companies of the Battalion. Still the French pressed on; for a -Belgian brigade on the left of Picton’s division had fled, leaving -a gap in our line. But Picton brought up his infantry; and pouring -in a terrific volley while the French were attempting to deploy, -led his division to the charge (in doing which he himself fell), -and completely routed them. At this moment, as they were going down -the slope, a body of cuirassiers crossed from their right, pursued -by the 2nd Life Guards. The French infantry flung themselves on the -ground, while pursued and pursuers passed over them, and Leach’s -two companies and Johnston’s company running out to and beyond their -former positions in the sandpit and at the hedge, slew many men, and -made many prisoners. But the Duke’s orders were peremptory that the -troops were not to quit their positions, and the Riflemen, having -disposed of their prisoners, returned to theirs. - -For some hours after this first attack the 1st Battalion was left -comparatively quiet. A constant and fierce cannonade was indeed kept -up, from which they suffered; but no direct attack was made upon -them till about six o’clock, when the French again advanced against -La Haye Sainte. As the ammunition of the Hanoverians who occupied it -was exhausted, they succeeded in obtaining possession of it. Having -established this post, close to the companies in the sandpit and -lining the hedge, they kept up an incessant fire from loop-holes and -from the windows of the farmhouse on these companies; who being thus -raked by a fire on their right flank, and being also pressed hard in -front by the advancing columns, were obliged to fall back and join -the remaining companies of the Battalion, who were lining the Wavre -road. Thus the enemy were able to establish on the knoll and along -the crest a line of infantry; who kneeling or lying down, showed only -their heads, but delivered a most murderous fire against the Riflemen -and the other regiments of Kempt’s division. Frequent endeavours -were made by the French officers to induce their men to leave this -shelter, and to charge the English line; and now and then a few -gallant spirits seemed inclined to try it. But as often as they did -so, the rifles of the 1st Battalion swept them off. The enemy also -brought up two guns by the garden hedge of La Haye Sainte to the back -of the Charleroi road, and opened fire along it at those lining the -Wavre road, but the Riflemen taking deliberate aim slew the gunners -before they could fire a second round. - -At this time the Hanoverian regiment, commanded by Colonel Von -Ompteda, while attempting to deploy (in obedience to the Prince of -Orange’s injudicious orders), was attacked by a body of cuirassiers, -rolled up, and cut to pieces. Though this took place in front of -the ground occupied by the Riflemen, and within range, they could -not fire, through fear of shooting the unfortunate Hanoverians as -well as the slaughtering cuirassiers. But just as these last were -being charged by an English regiment of cavalry (the 23rd Light -Dragoons), they opened upon them a well-directed fire which sent both -parties flying; and the ground so lately crowded with combatants -was entirely cleared, except of the dead and wounded Hanoverians, -and the many cuirassiers brought down by the rifles of the 95th. -Sir Andrew Barnard was wounded early in the day. The command of the -1st Battalion then devolved on Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel -Cameron; and on his being also wounded later in the day, Captain and -Brevet Major Leach commanded it. - -Leaving the 1st Battalion, for a time lining the hedge of the -Wavre cross road, and exchanging fire with the French in La Haye -Sainte, and the adjacent ridge, let us trace the actions of the 2nd -Battalion, and of the two companies of the 3rd Battalion during -the day. They were, I have already noted (with the 52nd and 71st), -in Sir Frederick Adam’s brigade. Their station at the commencement -of the action was between the village of Merbe-Braine and the road -to Nivelles, near where that road is intersected by one leading to -Braine-la-Leud. But as soon as the battle began, by the first attack -on Hougoumont, they advanced across this last road, and stood in -column of companies at quarter-distance on the plateau overlooking -the Nivelles road. Subsequently they moved more forward still, and -from the plateau drew up close to the road to Nivelles. - -About four o’clock, when an attack was made on Hougoumont, a crowd -of French skirmishers pressed up the hill in their front. The Duke -of Wellington, who was close to the brigade, ordered it to form line -four deep. This they did at once, the 2nd Battalion on the left, the -71st in the centre, and the two 3rd Battalion companies on the right. -For the 52nd in this formation into line were pushed out for want of -room, and formed in rear as a reserve. Then the Duke, pointing to -the French skirmishers, bade them ‘Drive those fellows away.’ This -they did speedily. For springing up the slope with a cheer, they -drove the French before them over the crest, and down the slope on -the other side; bringing up their right shoulders, and halting in -a hollow which extends from the ridge towards the south-east of -Hougoumont. Here they were threatened with an attack of cavalry, and -at once formed square. They were soon charged by _carabiniers_ and -_grenadiers-à-cheval_ of the Guard. In one of these Captain William -Eeles formed his company of the 3rd Battalion in line with the rear -face of the square of the 71st, and ordered his men not to fire till -he gave the word. Then allowing the _carabiniers_ to approach within -thirty or forty yards of the angle of the front on which they were -charging, he gave them such a volley as, combined with the fire of -the square, brought half of them to the ground; some dead, some -wounded; and many entangled among the dead or dying horses. - -During the intervals between these charges the 2nd Battalion suffered -much from a furious cannonade kept up on them. - -About this time Colonel Norcott, commanding the 2nd Battalion, was -wounded, and Major Miller succeeded to the command; and on his being -wounded soon afterwards, the command of the Battalion devolved on -Captain Logan. At the same time that Colonel Norcott was disabled, -Colonel Ross, commanding the companies of the 3rd Battalion, was -wounded; Major Fullerton succeeded to the command; and on his being -wounded about an hour afterwards the command of these companies -devolved on Captain Eeles.[160] - -Thus each Battalion of the Regiment had, on this day, its two senior -officers disabled by wounds. - -When the last attack was made upon Hougoumont, Adam’s brigade, with -the 2nd Battalion and the two companies of the 3rd, was withdrawn, -first to the crest, and subsequently to the reverse slope, so as to -be in some measure protected from the cannonade directed against it. - -At seven o’clock a column of the Imperial Guard advanced against this -part of the position. It was covered by a cloud of skirmishers; and -in order to check them, a company of each of the regiments of Adam’s -brigade was thrown out in skirmishing order. The enemy’s advancing -column suffered so severely from the English guns, that a body of -cuirassiers were sent forward to endeavour to silence these guns. The -gunners ran in in rear of the infantry, and the cuirassiers not only -drove in the skirmishers of the 2nd Battalion, but came upon Adam’s -brigade, then in line. The Duke was then with them, and the 52nd, the -regiment most threatened, came to the ‘Prepare to receive cavalry.’ -But the cuirassiers did not face them, and their further attempts -were checked by some English cavalry sent against them. The Riflemen -were then on the road leading along the crest of the ridge. - -[Illustration: - - _Pl. II._ - - WATERLOO - 18^{TH} JUNE 1815 - 8.30 to 9 p.m. - - _E. Weller, lith., London._ - _London: Chatto & Windus._ -] - -As the column of the Guard came forward, Sir John Colborne, in -command of the 52nd, at once wheeled up its right shoulder, so as -to throw it on the flank of the column. The Duke, who was present, -approving of this movement, immediately ordered up the 2nd Battalion -on its left; the 71st moved up to its right, and the two companies -of the 3rd Battalion formed the extreme right of the line. These -owing to the rapidity of the movement were not quite in line, but a -little retired from the alignment of the 52nd. The attacking column -of the Imperial Guard, having Maitland’s brigade of Guards in its -front, was evidently staggered by finding Adam’s brigade on its -flank. It halted, and wheeling up its left sections, began to fire. -Colborne also halted the 52nd and fired into the column, and the 2nd -Battalion coming up at that instant on the left, poured a deadly -fire into the Guard. Then Colborne checked the fire, and calling out -‘Charge! Charge!’ led his men against the column. The 2nd Battalion -joined vigorously in this charge; which, as Siborne observes, ‘was -remarkable for the order, the steadiness, the resoluteness, and the -daring by which it was characterised.’ The Imperial Guard wavered, -reeled, and then breaking up, fled in inextricable confusion, in -spite of attempts made by its officers and some brave men in its -ranks to stem its flight. But they were swept away in the torrent of -fugitives; and the brigade continuing its triumphant march across -the field, and bringing its left shoulder, the 2nd Battalion, rather -forward, halted near the Charleroi road, with the left of the 2nd -Battalion close to the orchard of La Haye Sainte. The Duke, who came -up that moment, suggested to Adam to attack some squares of the -Guard, which appeared disposed to make a stand; but Adam observed -that his men had marched far, over heavy ground encumbered with dead -and wounded, and required a short halt. To this the Duke assented; -but in a few moments--knowing by old Peninsular experience that the -French once routed never rally--he called out, ‘Better attack them; -they won’t stand.’ Nor did they. For although they opened fire when -Adam’s brigade approached them, the moment these appeared in earnest -and determined to charge, they faced about and retired by word of -command. The Duke was with the brigade as they ascended the hill to -the French position; and having seen the only standing squares of the -Guard thus disposed of, or, as he said himself, having seen ‘those -fellows off,’ he rode away. Then Adam crossed the Charleroi road, and -bringing up the 2nd Battalion, his left, he proceeded, skirting it, -to drive the enemy before him. - -While the 2nd Battalion and the two companies of the 3rd are thus -employed, let us return to the 1st Battalion, which we left on the -Wavre road, exposed to and thinned by the musketry fire from the -heights near La Haye Sainte. When the Duke saw the decisive movement -of Adam’s brigade and the failure of the last attack of his enemy, -he ordered a general advance. The first intimation the 1st Battalion -had of it was a pealing cheer, beginning on the right and rolling -along from brigade to brigade, from battalion to battalion. As the -Riflemen were taking it up, the Duke rode up behind them; the cheers -were redoubled at his appearance, but he said: ‘No cheering, my lads; -but go on and complete your victory.’ - -‘This movement,’ says a Rifleman who was with them, ‘had carried -us clear of the smoke; and to people who had been so many hours -enveloped in darkness, in the midst of destruction, and naturally -anxious about the result of the day, the scene which now met the -eye conveyed a feeling of more exquisite gratification than can be -conceived. It was a fine summer’s evening, just before sunset. The -French were flying in one confused mass. British lines were seen -in close pursuit, and in admirable order, as far as the eye could -reach to the right, while the plain on the left was filled with -Prussians.’[161] - -The 1st Battalion, after marching across the field of battle, halted -about half a mile in front of it, and bivouacked there. The 2nd -Battalion and the two companies of the 3rd bivouacked near La Belle -Alliance. - -The losses of the Regiment at Waterloo were: - - -OF THE 1ST BATTALION. - - _Killed._ - - Lieutenant Stilwell, 4 sergeants, and 16 rank and file. - - _Wounded._ - - Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Andrew Barnard. - Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, severely. - Captain and Brevet Major Charles Beckwith (Staff), severely, leg - amputated. - Captain Chawner, severely in the leg. - ” W. Johnston, severely. - Lieutenant Molloy, severely. - ” George Simmons, shot through the liver and two ribs broken. - ” Gairdner, severely. - ” E. D. Johnston, severely. - ” Felix. - ” Allen Stewart, stabbed through the arm and wounded in the - shoulder. - ” Wright, severely. - ” Church, severely. - ” William Shenley, severely. - 7 Sergeants, 1 bugler, and 116 rank and file. - - -OF THE 2ND BATTALION. - - _Killed._ - - 2 Sergeants, 1 bugler, and 31 rank and file. - - _Wounded._ - - Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott, severely. - ” ” Wilkins, severely. - Captain and Brevet Major Miller, severely. - ” M’Cullock, severely. - Lieutenant Humbley, severely. - ” Coxen, severely. - ” D. Cameron. - ” R. Cochrane. - ” Ridgeway, severely. - ” Fry. - ” Webb. - ” Lynam, severely. - ” Eyre, severely. - ” Walsh, severely. - - 6 Sergeants, 2 buglers, and 171 rank and file. And 20 rank and file, - _missing_. - - -OF THE 3RD BATTALION. - - _Killed._ - - Captain Charles Eeles, 3 rank and file. - - _Wounded._ - - Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Ross, severely. - Captain and Brevet Major Fullerton, severely. - Lieutenant Worsley, severely. - ” G. H. Shenley, severely. - 1 Sergeant, 1 bugler, and 34 rank and file. And 7 rank and file, - _missing_. - -The strength of these Battalions on the morning of June 18 was as -follows:[162] - - Offc. = Officers Pres. = Present Abs. = Absent - +--------------+-----+-----+-------+-----+-----------------------------+ - | | | | | | Sergeants | - | | | | | +-----+-----------+-----+-----+ - | |Field|Capt-| Sub- |Staff| | Sick | | | - | |Offc.|ains |alterns| |Pres.+-----+-----+Woun-|Total| - | | | | | | |Pres.| Abs.| ded | | - +--------------+-----+-----+-------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ - |1st Battalion | | | | | | | | | | - | 6 companies | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 27 | | 11 | | 38 | - |2nd Battalion | | | | | | | | | | - | 6 companies | 2 | 6 | 20 | 6 | 37 | 1 | | 3 | 41 | - |3rd Battalion | | | | | | | | | | - | 2 companies | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 11 | | | 1 | 12 | - +--------------+-----+-----+-------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ - | Total of | | | | | | | | | | - | the regiment | 4 | 11 | 32 | 14 | 75 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 91 | - +--------------+-----+-----+-------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ - +--------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------+ - | | Buglers | Rank and file | - | +------+---------+------+------+-----------+-----+------+ - | | | | | | Sick | | | - | | Pres.|Sick abs.|Total |Pres. |-----+-----+Woun-|Total | - | | | | | |Pres.|Abs. | ded | | - +--------------+------+---------+------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+ - |1st Battalion | | | | | | | | | - | 6 companies | 10 | 2 | 12 | 364 | | 185 | | 549 | - |2nd Battalion | | | | | | | | | - | 6 companies | 17 | | 17 | 567 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 585 | - |3rd Battalion | | | | | | | | | - | 2 companies | 6 | | 6 | 176 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 188 | - +--------------+------+---------+------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+ - | Total of | | | | | | | | | - | the regiment | 33 | 2 | 35 | 1107 | 12 | 190 | 13 | 1322 | - +--------------+------+---------+------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+ - -Of the wounded Lieutenant Johnston had been brought with Simmons to -the farmhouse of Mont St. Jean, a little in rear of the position of -the Battalion. Some Riflemen procured two horses, which had belonged -to French cavalry soldiers, on which they set these officers to take -them to Brussels; and as they were turning out of the gate a cannon -shot, many of which were bounding along the road, struck Johnston and -killed him on the spot. - -Of Worsley, Kincaid relates that he had at Badajos received a shot -in his ear, which came out at the back of the neck, which on his -recovery had the effect of turning his head to the right; and that -now he received exactly a similar wound in the left ear, the ball -coming out near the exit of the former, which restored his head to -its original position.[163] - -M’Cullock had been wounded in the shoulder on Massena’s retreat from -Portugal in March 1811, and this wound deprived him of the use of the -arm. At Waterloo, by a shot fired very late in the day, he lost the -other arm. He was promoted, ‘having no longer an arm to wield for his -country,’ as he told the Duke of Wellington, ‘but being anxious to -serve it,’ to a majority in the 2nd Garrison Battalion in Dec. 1815, -and died in London in 1818. - -Charles Beckwith had his left leg shattered by grape-shot shortly -before the end of the battle. It was amputated a few days afterwards. -He exchanged to half-pay in 1820; and some years subsequently, having -had his attention directed to the Waldenses, he, after frequent -visits to the Pignerolo valleys, eventually settled in that country. -Here his career was one of great usefulness. He found the people -in a state of great depression, poverty and ignorance; and by -untiring devotion to their interests, temporal as well as spiritual, -conferred on them inestimable benefits. He established schools for -primary education, and seminaries for more advanced instruction. -And he taught the people self-reliance, and led them to join in and -contribute to the good works he originated for them. After a career -of great usefulness he died (having then the rank of Major-General) -at Torre, on the 19th July, 1862, attended to the grave by the love -and lamentations of the people for whom he had done so much.[164] - -Lieutenant Allen Stewart was stabbed through the left arm by a French -officer ‘whom he finished in an instant;’[165] he was subsequently -wounded by a musket-ball which lodged in the shoulder. After long -suffering at Brussels, where he experienced, as did many other -Riflemen, very great attention and kindness from the inhabitants on -whom they were billeted, he returned to England[166] with George -Simmons, who had also long been detained at Brussels by his dangerous -wounds.[167] - - -Sir James Kempt, who succeeded to the command of the 5th Division on -Picton’s death, says in his report to the Duke of Wellington: ‘I lost -in my brigade major, who was killed, Captain [Charles] Eeles, 95th, a -most valuable officer.... I shall take the liberty of bringing under -your Grace’s notice the particular claims and merits of the officers -commanding regiments, in a separate report; but I cannot close this -one without mentioning that Colonel Sir A. Barnard and the next in -command, Colonel Cameron of the 95th, were both wounded.’[168] - -And Sir Henry Clinton, in his report to Lord Hill, says: ‘The manner -in which the several regiments ... the 2nd and 3rd Battalions 95th, -under Lieutenant-Colonels Norcott and Ross, discharged their duty, -was witnessed and admired by the whole army.’[169] - -And on the 26th June he writes thus to Lord Hill: ‘I beg leave to -add the names of officers, which from the favourable reports made of -them by the officers commanding brigades, it is my duty to request -you will lay before the commander of the forces, in the hope that his -Grace will recommend them for promotion. The names of these officers -are: ... - -‘Captain Logan, Lieutenant Humbley,[170] and Lieutenant and Adjutant -Smith, 2nd Battalion, 95th Regiment. - -‘Captain [William] Eeles and Lieutenant Hope, 3rd Battalion, 95th -Regiment.’[171] - -It appears also, by a letter from Sir Henry Torrens to the Duke of -Wellington, February 29, 1816, that the Duke had on the 12th strongly -recommended Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott, on account of his conduct -at Waterloo. For after stating that his obtaining the honour of -Commander of the Bath, in his then rank, was contrary to regulation, -he goes on to add: ‘You may be assured that I shall pay every -attention in my power to the high opinion you have expressed of him, -and to your desire that his claim should be attended to.’[172] - -On June 19, 1815, the Regiment began its march to Paris. On the 24th -the 1st Battalion moved from Bavay to Engle-fontaine, and encamped -or was cantoned in that neighbourhood, and on the 25th at Maretz. On -the 26th the 2nd Battalion moved from Nauroy and Magny, and encamped -near Beauvoir and Lanchy; and the 1st Battalion halted at Nauroy, -Magny, and Bellenglise. On the next day the 2nd Battalion crossed -the Somme at Villecourt and moved by Nesle to Roye, and the 1st -Battalion advanced, and encamped between Douilly and Villers. On the -28th the 2nd Battalion marched by Montdidier to Petit Crèvecœur: on -the next day from that place to Clermont; and the 1st Battalion from -Roye, where it had halted on the 28th, to Gournay on the road to -Pont St. Maxence. On the 30th this Battalion crossed the Oise at Pont -St. Maxence, and was pushed on as far as Fleurines on the road to -Senlis; while the 2nd Battalion and companies of the 3rd moved from -Petit Crèvecœur to Chantilly. On July 1 this Battalion relieved the -Prussians near Aubervilliers; and the 1st Battalion moved by Senlis -and Louvres, and encamped between Louvres and Vauderlan. On the -6th both Battalions were encamped near Neuilly. On July 7 the army -marched into Paris, and the 2nd Battalion had the honour of being -the first corps which entered; Lieutenant and Adjutant Thomas Smith, -riding in front of the Battalion, being the first British officer who -entered Paris on that famous day. - -The 1st Battalion was encamped at the village of Clichy until October -30, when it was cantoned in and near the village of Vaux. On December -19 it was moved into the city of Paris, and occupied barracks in the -Rue de Clichy. On the entry into Paris the 2nd Battalion was encamped -in the Champs Elysées, where it remained till October 29, when it -went into quarters at Versailles; and on December 8 marched to St. -Leu Tavernay and St. Prix and Moullinor. - -On July 10 the Head-quarters of the 3rd Battalion (five companies, -300 men) embarked at Dover, and landing on the 13th at Ostend, -moved through Bruges, Ghent, Oudenarde, Mons, Bavay, Le Catelet -and Peronne; and thence by the route before traversed by the other -Battalions through Roye, Pont St. Maxence and Louvres to Paris. On -arrival they were placed, with the 2nd Battalion, in Sir Frederick -Adam’s brigade, to which their two detached companies were already -attached, and were encamped with them in the Champs Elysées. It was -subsequently removed to another brigade and cantoned at Montmartre. - -The three Battalions being thus re-united in the neighbourhood of -Paris, the officers observed the anniversary of the formation of the -Regiment by a ‘Regimental Dinner’ at St. Germain-en-Laye, on August -25. This seems to have been the second ‘Regimental Dinner.’ - -At the end of November, a new arrangement of brigades was made, under -which the 1st Battalion, then consisting of six companies and 577 -men, was placed in Sir John Lambert’s brigade of Sir Lowry Cole’s -division. The 2nd Battalion, then consisting of 534 men, was placed -in Sir Manley Power’s brigade of Sir Charles Colville’s division. -And the 3rd Battalion (480 men) was ordered to return to England. It -quitted Paris on December 3, and halted that night at St. Denis. From -thence passing through Beaumont, Noailles and Beauvais, it arrived -at Abbeville on the 11th. It reached Montreuil-sur-Mer on the 14th, -and embarked at Calais on the 20th, landed at Dover on the 22nd, and -marched on the next day to Shorncliffe. - -On January 16, 1816, the 1st Battalion marched from Paris, and -having halted some days at Louvres, proceeded to the neighbourhood -of Cambrai, having its Head-quarters at Bourlon, with detachments -at Inchy-en-Artois, Proville, Baralle, Buissy Baralle, and -Sains-lez-Marquion. Its strength was 30 officers and 503 men of all -ranks.[173] - -On December 26, 1815 the 2nd Battalion marched from St. Leu to -Gonesse, the next day to Claye, and the day following to Crecy, -where they remained until January 23, on which day they marched -by Compiègne, Noyon, Ham, St. Quentin, Le Catelet and Cambrai, to -villages near Valenciennes, in which they were billeted on January -31, and on February 1 moved into cantonments, with Head-quarters at -Lecelle, and detachments at Rumegies and Rosult. Its strength was 29 -officers and 553 men.[174] - -By an order dated Horse Guards February 16, 1816, the 95th was -removed from the regiments of the line, and styled THE RIFLE BRIGADE. - -On July 15 the 1st Battalion was at Bapaume,[175] but soon marched -and encamped on a common at Bourlon; and on the 24th the 2nd -Battalion marched to and encamped on a common near St. Amand. - -On October 24 the 2nd Battalion marched from camp and resumed its -cantonments at Lecelle, Sameon, Rumegies, and Rosult. - -Early in 1817 this Battalion was removed from Sir Manley Power’s to -the 3rd Brigade under the command of Sir Thomas Brisbane; and marched -to join that brigade through Auberchicourt, Gavrelle, Aubigny to St. -Pol; where it was cantoned with detachments in fourteen surrounding -villages. - -On July 4 it marched from these cantonments, and encamped at Helfaut -near St. Omer, where it remained till August 31, when it marched -to Valenciennes, and encamped on the glacis of that place; but -on October 4 went into barracks at Valenciennes for half-yearly -inspection. On the 8th it moved to camp at Denain, which however -broke up on the 16th when the Battalion marched to St. Pol, where -it arrived on the 20th and resumed its quarters there and in the -neighbourhood. - -On May 31, 1818, the Battalion was again encamped at Helfaut till -August 15, when it marched to and encamped near Valenciennes. On -October 17 it marched to Neuville near Bouchain, preparatory to a -grand review by the Duke of Wellington in the presence of the Emperor -of Russia, the King of Prussia and other Sovereigns and Princes; -which took place on the 23rd. - -The Army of Occupation being now to leave France, the Battalion -marched on the 25th to Auberchicourt, and thence through Lens, -Lillers, Blendecques, Peuplingue, near Ardres, whence they marched at -two o’clock in the morning of the 30th to Calais, where they arrived -and embarked at ten o’clock, and sailing immediately arrived at Dover -in the night. On the 31st they disembarked and marched to Shorncliffe. - -The 1st Battalion also moved into camp and changed its cantonments -during the time it formed part of the Army of Occupation; but I -am not able to give its movements with equal minuteness, as the -regimental Record for that period has not been kept with the same -accuracy as that of the 2nd Battalion. It was moved into the 7th -Brigade under the command of Major-General Sir W. O’Callaghan; and I -find that on September 27, 1818, it was encamped near Cambrai.[176] -It marched to Calais, where it embarked on October 31, and sailing -on the same day arrived at Dover and marched to Shorncliffe on -November 1. - -I have now to trace the movements of the 3rd Battalion, which had -returned to Shorncliffe in December 1815. Soon afterwards it was -ordered to Dublin, where it was quartered for two years and three -months. Whilst the Battalion was in Dublin a melancholy event took -place, on August 16, 1817: the death of Lieutenant Amphlett from -hydrophobia, resulting from the bite of his dog. The details of -this sad case are very fully related by Dr. Ridgway, Surgeon of the -Battalion, in the _United Service Journal_, vol. i. part i. p. 577. -The Battalion afterwards proceeded to Birr; and at the end of 1818, -a diminution of the army having been resolved upon, this Battalion -was reduced. The junior officers of each rank, who thereby became -non-effective, were placed on half pay on December 25, 1818; but the -actual disbanding of the Battalion did not take place till towards -the end of January 1819; when some of the men were drafted into -the 1st and 2nd Battalions and the remainder were discharged. Its -strength when disbanded was 810 men.[177] - -[Illustration: - -Plate III - -RIFLE BRIGADE, TO 1833] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[152] This list (copied from Simmons’ ‘Narrative’) is not perfect. -Captain William Johnston was at Waterloo. He was probably with the -detachment which had been in Holland, and which joined on the advance -from Ostend to Brussels. Captain Glasse, who was acting as Deputy -Judge Advocate, did not join till after the battle of Waterloo. - -[153] General FitzMaurice’s letter to the ‘Times.’ - -[154] Leach’s company, under the command of FitzMaurice, who thus -‘opened the ball’ on that memorable day. - -[155] Siborne, i. 106. - -[156] Ibid. 109. - -[157] He was shot through the abdomen, and died, in a house at Quatre -Bras, next morning. - -[158] He died of his wounds. - -[159] Major-General FitzMaurice, K. H., died December 24, 1865. - -[160] ‘Supp. Desp.’ x. 751. - -[161] Kincaid, ‘Adventures in the Rifle Brigade,’ p. 353. - -[162] I have extracted the above return from the ‘Wellington -Despatches,’ xii. 487, and it is signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Waters, -Assistant Adjutant-General, but it is certainly incorrect as regards -the 1st Battalion. Two Field Officers were certainly present, -Barnard and Cameron: both were wounded, and are so returned (‘Army -List,’ August, 1815), nor is it easy to account for the number (185) -reported as ‘sick absent.’ A note to the original states that the -large number of ‘sick absent’ in this (and some other regiments) -is owing to their losses at Quatre Bras; yet the 1st Battalion had -only forty-eight men wounded there. It will be seen on comparing -this return with the lists of casualties that the 1st Battalion -lost of all ranks in killed and wounded more than three-eighths of -its numbers; the 2nd Battalion rather less than one-third; and the -3rd Battalion a little more than a fifth, and the whole Regiment -(fourteen companies) about a third. - -[163] I presume as Kincaid calls Worsley, then residing on his -estate in Nottinghamshire, as a living witness to the truth of this -statement, it may here be recorded. It has been confirmed to me by -independent testimony. - -[164] A memoir of General Beckwith has been published by M. Meille, -of which there is an English translation, London, 1873. - -[165] Simmons’ MS. Narrative. - -[166] He was placed on half-pay at the reduction of the 3rd -Battalion, and after serving in some other regiments, died in the -Norwich Military Lunatic Asylum, July 6, 1847. - -[167] I cannot mention George Simmons’ name here for the last time -without recording how much I have been indebted to his Journal in the -Peninsula from 1809 to 1814, and to his Narrative of Quatre Bras and -Waterloo, in compiling this History. After a service of nearly thirty -years in the 1st Battalion he left it in 1838, on promotion to an -unattached majority, and died March 5, 1858. - -[168] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 537. - -[169] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 545. - -[170] Colonel Logan, 63rd Regiment, died September 1, 1844. -Lieutenant-Colonel Humbley (retired) died 1857. - -[171] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 624. - -[172] Ibid. xi. 311. - -[173] Return, April 10, 1816, ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ xi. 357. - -[174] Ibid. xi. 360. - -[175] I copy this from a French return in the ‘Wellington -Supplementary Despatches,’ xi. 412-3, where it is styled _Brigade de -Carabiniers, le 1 Bataillon_. _Le 2 Bataillon_ was still at Lecelle. - -[176] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ xii. 706. - -[177] ‘Annual Register,’ lx. 168. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - -The 1st Battalion marched from Shorncliffe in three divisions on -December 24, 26 and 28, 1818, for Chichester; and after halting there -for two days proceeded to Gosport, and was quartered there, and at -Haslar barracks. - -It remained here till the autumn; when the disturbed state of the -northern parts of the kingdom requiring the presence of a military -force, the 1st Battalion embarked at three or four hours’ notice, -on board the ‘Liffey,’ frigate, and the ‘Hind,’ sloop, on September -18, 1819, and landed at Leith on the 27th; and marching from thence -on the next day arrived at Glasgow, the principal seat of the -disturbance, on the 30th and was quartered in the Infantry barracks. -Here they remained during the rest of the year. - -On its arrival in England the 2nd Battalion received orders the very -day after reaching Shorncliffe to march to Hastings; and starting on -November 2, 1818, and halting successively at Romney and Rye, arrived -there on the 4th. Its stay at Hastings however did not much exceed a -month. For marching on December 7, through Hailsham, Lewes, Shoreham, -Arundel, and Chichester, it arrived at Hilsea on December 12. On the -24th of that month it was inspected, previous to embarkation, by -Major-General Lord Howard of Effingham; and on the 26th embarked at -Portsmouth on board the ‘Fame’ and ‘Sir George Osborne’ transports; -and sailing on the 28th arrived at Cove on the 31st; and disembarking -immediately marched to Middleton. And on the day following, January -1, 1819, it marched to Fermoy, and after three days’ halt here, on -the 5th the Battalion proceeded by Mitchelstown, Cahir, Thurles and -Roscrea, and arrived at Birr barracks on the 9th; relieving there the -3rd Battalion which was being then disbanded, and from which the 2nd -Battalion received by transfer on January 11, 213 non-commissioned -officers and privates. - -From Birr the Battalion detached two companies to Roscrea, one -company to Maryborough, and smaller parties to Frankford and -Banagher. In August another company was detached to Tullamore, and -three companies under a major to Mullingar. These companies proceeded -to Athlone on February 18, 1820; and three other companies with the -Staff of the Regiment under Lieut.-Colonel Mitchell re-inforced them -at Athlone on the 24th in consequence of the disturbed state of the -country. On this account too the companies at Maryborough and Roscrea -were pushed forward to Loughrea on the 27th; and another company -from Birr followed them there on March 27. Meanwhile, three of the -companies at Athlone had marched to Tuam. - -On February 19, in this year, Field-Marshal The Duke of Wellington -was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, on the death of Sir -David Dundas. On this occasion the Officers of the Regiment presented -to him the following address: - - ‘May it please your Grace, - - ‘We, the Lieutenant-Colonels Commanding, Field-officers, Captains - and Subalterns of the two Battalions of the Rifle Brigade, - beg leave to represent to your Grace with what feelings of - pride and satisfaction we viewed your appointment to be our - Colonel-in-Chief. - - ‘Assuredly so high a distinction could not fail to make a deep - impression on the minds of any corps in His Majesty’s service; - but we cannot conceal from ourselves that, in the breast of the - majority of us, every sentiment of joy and exultation was in no - slight degree augmented when memory recalled the days of active - service under your Grace’s command, as well in that series of - brilliant campaigns which terminated in the emancipation of the - Peninsula, as during the last grand struggle, which, sealing - the destruction of the common enemy, purchased for Europe - tranquillity and for your Grace the title of its deliverer. - - ‘Whatever henceforth may be the destinies of this Corps--whether - its exertions shall be for some time confined to the humbler, - less inspiring, but not less imperative duty of protecting our - fellow-citizens against the criminal attempts of flagitious - and designing men in our native country, or whether our - better fortune shall again direct us to the more enviable and - spirit-stirring occupations of foreign war--we entreat your - Grace to believe that the lustre of your high example will - ever be present before our eyes, animating us all, each in - his degree, and within the sphere of his activity, to renewed - exertions; imparting to our humble efforts a character of a - loftier emulation, and teaching us unceasingly to aim at results - not unworthy to be associated with a name which history will - indissolubly blend with the fairest and most enduring triumphs of - a free and independent people. - - ‘We have the honour to be, - ‘Your Grace’s most obedient humble servants, - - ‘1st and 2nd Battalions Rifle Brigade. - A. NORCOTT, Col. and Lieut.-Col. Com. - D. LITTLE GILMOUR, Lieut.-Col. - J. ROSS, Major and Lieut.-Col. - S. MITCHELL, Major and Lieut.-Col. - J. LEACH, Major and Lieut.-Col. - GEO. MILLER, Major and Lieut.-Col. - W. GRAY, Capt. and Major. - MORGAN BRENT, Major.’[178] - -This address was forwarded to the Duke by Colonel Gilmour, then -commanding the 2nd Battalion, with the following letter:-- - - ‘Tuam, May 31, 1820. - - ‘My Lord Duke, - - ‘As senior Lieutenant-Colonel of the Rifle Brigade, I have the - honour of forwarding to you a letter from the officers composing - the two Battalions of it, and in doing so I beg leave to express - the high sense I entertain of the honour which has now devolved - upon me, as also to embrace this opportunity of acknowledging the - many obligations personally conferred upon me by your Grace, and - which I beg leave to assure you shall ever be held in my most - grateful recollection. - - ‘I have the honour to be - &c., &c. - D. LITTLE GILMOUR, - Lieut.-Col., 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade.’ - -During the time the 1st Battalion remained at Glasgow, they were -frequently engaged, if not in actual conflict with the insurgents, -yet in repressing acts of violence by the populace of Glasgow and -Paisley, during the political excitement, then known as ‘The Radical -War.’ Thus, among other occasions, I find that on April 2, 1820, the -people of Glasgow, Paisley and the surrounding villages having left -work and assembled for illegal and riotous objects, the Battalion was -under arms from before day-break and posted in St. George’s Square; -but the assemblage dispersed without acts of overt violence.[179] - -On the removal of the Battalion from Glasgow, it received, by -District Order dated November 12, 1820, the approbation of -Major-General Reynell, commanding the district, for its conduct ‘upon -those trying occasions when its steady, temperate deportment was so -mainly conducive to the restoration and maintenance of tranquillity -in that populous city.’[180] - -A letter from the Provost of Glasgow, dated October 28, conveyed to -Colonel Norcott the approbation of the magistrates of that city of -the conduct of the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Privates -of the Battalion, ‘during a period of great anxiety and alarm,’ for -their ‘admirable discipline and propriety of conduct under very -trying and harassing circumstances.’ - -The 1st Battalion left Glasgow in three Divisions on November -15, 16 and 17, 1820, and arrived at Belfast on the 24th and 27th -and were there quartered, furnishing detachments to Downpatrick, -Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Castle-Dawson, Ballycastle, Dungiven, -Maghera, Newtown-Glens and Ballymoney. - -About this time reference was made to the Duke of Wellington as to -the Peninsular actions the names of which were to be borne by the -Regiment, and on December 7, 1820, the Duke addressed the following -letter to the Adjutant-General: - - ‘Sir,--In returning to you the letter of Colonel Norcott, - commanding the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, which I had the - honour to receive from you some time ago, I beg leave to state, - for the Commander-in-Chief’s information, that, according to the - rule to which I have confined myself in recommending regiments - for honorary distinctions, I conceive that the Rifle Brigade - may be permitted to bear on its appointments the following - inscriptions, in commemoration of the distinguished services of - the several Battalions of that Brigade on those occasions, viz.: - Roliça and Vimiera; Busaco; Barrosa; Fuentes de Honor; Ciudad - Rodrigo; Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; - Toulouse.[181] - - ‘I have the honour to be, &c., - ‘WELLINGTON.’ - -In compliance with this recommendation an order was issued from the -Horse Guards dated January 4, 1821, directing the names of those -victories to be borne on the appointments. - -A further order dated Horse Guards, March 1, 1821, authorised -the Regiment to bear the word ‘Corunna’ on its appointments in -commemoration of its gallantry on January 16, 1809. And a third -order, dated Horse Guards, March 22, 1821, authorised the words -‘Copenhagen’ and ‘Monte Video,’ in commemoration of the distinguished -services of the Corps in the action of April 2, 1801 (its _first_ -service at Copenhagen), and of three companies of the 2nd Battalion -at Monte Video in January 1807. - -On March 7, 1821, the 1st Battalion marched from Belfast and the -several detached stations, and arrived at Armagh on the 9th, whence -it furnished detachments to Strabane, Lifford, Omagh, Monaghan, -Aughnacloy, Derg-bridge, Gortin, Dungannon, Cookstown and Clones. - -On November 13 the Battalion marched from Armagh and the neighbouring -cantonments, and arrived at Naas on the 18th, sending out detachments -to Kilcock, Baltinglass, Maryborough, Philipstown, Wicklow, Carlow, -Glencree, Laragh, Gold-mines, Aughavanagh, Drumgoff and Leitrim, and -subsequently to Athy. - -The Head-quarters, consisting only of two companies, marched from -Naas on December 20, and arrived at Kilkenny on the 22nd, where some -of the detachments soon afterwards joined them; and whence they -subsequently sent out detachments to Duncannon Fort and Callan. - - -The 2nd Battalion having had detachments from Tuam (where -Head-quarters were stationed) besides those before mentioned, at -Kilcurren, Moylagh, Mount Bellew, Cong, and Shrule, moved in two -divisions on April 9 and 10 through Athenry, Loughrea, Portumna, -Nenagh, Limerick, Bruff, Charleville and Doneraile, and arrived at -Fermoy on the 19th where they were quartered; and shortly afterwards -sent out detachments to Youghal, Dungarvan, Mitchelstown, Killorglin, -Ross-Castle, Bantry, Bere Island, Mill Street, Cloyne, Buttevant, -Kilworth, Tralee and Dingle. - -On September 15 the Head-quarters, consisting of three companies, -marched from Fermoy, through Clogheen, Clonmel, Callan, Kilkenny, -Carlow and Ballitore, and arrived at Naas on the 22nd, furnishing -detachments to some of the out-stations, which the 1st Battalion -afterwards occupied from the same head-quarter station. On November -12 the Head-quarters of the Battalion returned by the same route -to Fermoy, being relieved at Naas, by the 1st Battalion. On its -arrival at Fermoy on the 18th it sent out detachments to Kildorrery, -Castletownroche, Liscarrol, Newmarket and Mitchelstown; and -subsequently to Kanturk and Doneraile. - - -The Head-quarters of the 1st Battalion consisting of two companies -marched from Kilkenny on February 3, 1822, (having previously -detached one company to Mitchelstown) and arrived at Fermoy on the -6th, sending out a detachment to Cappoquin. Soon afterwards, some -of the detachments from Kilkenny having joined head-quarters, four -companies marched from Fermoy to Charleville and detached parties -from thence to Kilmallock, Bruree, Kilfinane and Gibbon’s Grove. - -The Head-quarters of the Battalion marched from Fermoy on February -16, and arrived at Newcastle on the next day. On this march a most -violent outrage occurred. Some non-commissioned officers’ and -soldiers’ wives preceded the Battalion on three jaunting cars. About -half-past six in the evening of Sunday, the 17th, when about a mile -and a half from Kildorrery, the cars were stopped by about a dozen -men, and some of the women, being seized and dragged off the cars, -were violated by more than one man. Others of them fled from their -assailants and ran back and met the Battalion. For this outrage -three men were tried at the ensuing Cork assizes, and being clearly -identified by the women were found guilty, and executed.[182] - -One of the victims of this outrage, the wife of a non-commissioned -officer, was with the Battalion when I served in it. She was flighty; -having lost her senses in consequence of the violence inflicted on -her, and never perfectly recovered. This assault was intended as a -direct affront to the Regiment; for the miscreants enquired whether -any officer’s wife was on the cars; whether there was any ammunition -in them; and on leaving said that they would let the Riflemen know -that they were Captain Rock’s men. - -The late hour of the march, and its being on Sunday, show that it -took place in consequence of the disturbed state of the country. - -On its arrival at Newcastle the Battalion furnished detachments to -Abbeyfeale, Athea, Drumcollogher, Ruskey, Mount Catherine, Hospital, -Ballygran, Kilmedy and Glenduff. - -The Head-quarters of the Battalion marched from Newcastle to -Rathkeale on July 23, and, the former detachments being withdrawn, -sent out parties to Ballingarry, Croome, Shanagolden, Glyn, Youghal, -Askeaton and Kildemo. - -Early in the year some of the detachments furnished by the 2nd -Battalion formed part of a moveable column under Colonel Straton, 6th -Dragoons, and two companies of the Battalion marched from Fermoy to -Cork. - -On January 24 Colonel Mitchell with a party consisting of Captain -Pemberton and fifty men of his company, a subaltern and a few men of -the 11th Foot, and a few men of the 6th Dragoons, were engaged with a -large body of the insurgents, about a thousand in number, posted on -the hills near Carrigamanus, and completely routed them, some being -killed and wounded, and twenty-two taken prisoners. - -On the next day Colonel Mitchell received information from a -magistrate of the County that the insurgents were in force on the -hill of Dasure, and would attack his party on his march from Fermoy -to Macroom. He therefore reinforced his small force with Captain -Macnamara and Lieutenant Woodford’s detachments and Captain Eaton’s -company, with his two subalterns, making his force of Riflemen three -captains, three subalterns, four sergeants and 110 rank and file. -They marched towards Dasure and found the insurgents posted on that -hill, fully a thousand strong, while an equal number occupied the -surrounding hills. As Mitchell’s small party approached, they rushed -furiously down the hill with the object of surrounding them. But -Mitchell had thrown out skirmishers in his front, and to his flanks, -and completely defeated their attempt. They fired a few shots; but -finding that their proposed charge had failed, fled panic-struck, -leaving many killed and wounded (some accounts made the number forty, -others from twenty to thirty) and about thirty were made prisoners. -This attack on the Riflemen was made with a fury and determination -not usual in combats of this kind,[183] and their steadiness and zeal -called forth the warm commendations of Colonel Mitchell. - -Two more companies moved at this time to Cork; and parties were -detached thence to Macroom, Inchigeelagh, Firmount, Derry, -Larchfield, Mount-rivers, Warren’s-court and Nettleville. - -And on January 27 the Head-quarters of the Battalion marched from -Fermoy to Bandon, leaving the heavy baggage at Cork, and sent out -detachments to Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Rosscarbery, Clonakilty and -Bantry. - -At this time a party of the Battalion proceeding in charge of cars -conveying ammunition from Macroom to Bandon was attacked by the -insurgents at Clara Mountain, near Kilmurry; but they were driven off -with the loss of some killed and wounded.[184] - -On March 12 the Head-quarters, consisting of one company and some -attached men only, marched from Bandon to Kinsale, the detachments -continuing as before with occasional reliefs and changes; and -additional parties being sent to Crowhowley, Millstreet and -Ballyvourney. - -On August 25, 1822, Sir Andrew Barnard, who had been promoted -Major-General from the command of the 1st Battalion on August 12, -1819, was appointed Colonel Commandant of a Battalion. - - -The 1st Battalion, besides the detachments already mentioned, -furnished parties to Abbeyfeale, Tarbert, Athea and Mountpleasant. - -The Battalion marched from Rathkeale and the out-stations in two -divisions on October 25 and 27, 1823, and arrived in Dublin on -November 1 and 3, and occupied Richmond barracks until December 30, -when they moved into the Royal barracks. - -Previous to their leaving Rathkeale Major-General Sir John Lambert, -who then commanded the district, issued a district order very -complimentary to the discipline and services of the Battalion during -more than a year and a half, during which it had been under his -command, and stationed in a part of the county of Limerick which had -been in a most disturbed state. - - -On July 23 the 2nd Battalion marched from Kinsale in two divisions -which arrived at Limerick on the 28th and 30th, being again broken -up in detachments to Newcastle, Glyn, Athea, Drumcolliher, Mayne and -Glenduff, and subsequently to Abbeyfeale and Rathkeale. - -The 1st Battalion marched from Dublin in three divisions on September -7, 8 and 9, 1824, and arrived at Belfast on the 16th and furnished -detachments to Downpatrick, Carrickfergus and Ballymena. - - -The Head-quarters of the 2nd Battalion marched from Limerick on May -29 by Tipperary and Cashel, and arrived at Templemore barracks on -June 1, where they remained until September 6, when they marched by -Mountrath, Monasterevan and Naas and arrived in Dublin on the 9th and -occupied Richmond barracks. Here the detachments left in the county -of Limerick shortly afterwards joined, and the Battalion was at last -re-united; and soon after the 1st Battalion, also re-united, arrived -in the same barracks, and for many months both were quartered in -Dublin. - - -By an order from the Horse Guards dated April 25, 1825, the strength -of the two Battalions was augmented from eight to 10 companies each, -and those of the 1st Battalion were divided into six Service and four -Depôt companies. This division was carried into effect on July 25; -and on the 28th 29th and 30th the six Service companies embarked at -Belfast for Nova Scotia, on board the ‘Arab,’ ‘Speke,’ and ‘Joseph -Green,’ and arrived at Halifax about September 1, and were quartered -in the South barracks. - -The Depôt companies remained at Belfast until August 24 when they -marched for Newry, arriving there on the 26th. After a brief stay -there they marched on September 17, and reached Cavan on the 20th, -where they were quartered during the remainder of the year. - - -The 2nd Battalion marched from Dublin in four divisions on July -5, 6, 7 and 8, detaching two companies to Cavan, and a party to -Maguire’s bridge. After a three months’ station at Enniskillen, these -detachments having been called in, the Battalion marched in three -divisions, on October 3, 4 and 5, and arrived at Birr on the 10th and -proceeded to Buttevant which they reached on the 16th. - -Here the division into Service and Depôt companies took place on -October 25, and on the 27th the six Service companies (leaving the -Depôt at Buttevant) marched to Cork, and were there quartered. The -Depôt on December 12 marched from Buttevant to Kinsale. - - -During the year 1826 the Service companies of the 1st Battalion -continued to occupy the South barracks at Halifax, Nova Scotia. - -The Depôt companies marched from Cavan on March 23, and arrived at -Drogheda on the 25th sending a Captain’s detachment to Dundalk, -another to Trim, and a small party to Kilcock. - -On May 4 they marched to Naas, the detachment from Dundalk having -previously rejoined; but the other detachments remained out, and a -party was also detached to Robertstown. - -On August 8 the Depôt companies marched from Naas to Dublin, and -occupied George Street barracks; but they returned to their former -quarters at Drogheda, on October 14 sending out detachments to Swords -and Garristown. - - -On January 10, 11 and 13 the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion -embarked at the Cove of Cork, on board the ‘Vibilia,’ ‘Cato,’ and -‘Sovereign,’ transports, for Malta where they arrived on February 22; -and were placed, four companies in the Lazaretto and two companies -(Head-quarters) in Fort Manuel under quarantine. On receiving -pratique they removed to Fort St. Elmo; where they were quartered, -with detachments at Fort Manuel, Fort Tigné, and a company at Gozo. - -During the general election in this year a company from the Depôt -of the 2nd Battalion under Captain Ferguson, stationed at Tralee, -were called out on June 24, in consequence of a riot and attack on -some of Lord Ventry’s tenantry. The Riflemen were ordered to fire, -and five of the rioters were killed and thirteen wounded, many of -them dangerously. At an inquest held on two of the persons killed, -a father and son named Sullivan, a verdict was returned that the -order to fire was ‘unjustifiable and unnecessary.’[185] I do not -know whether any further proceedings were taken; but the conduct of -the Riflemen was approved by the Duke of York, Commander in Chief; -and Sir Herbert Taylor, then Military Secretary, states in a letter -dated July 14, that ‘The cool and determined conduct of Captain -Ferguson, and the detachment of the Rifle Brigade under his orders -at Tralee, appears, from the reports made to His Royal Highness, to -have been deserving of his entire approbation, which he desires may -be communicated to them.’ - - -On January 27, 1827, Major-General Sir Thomas Sidney Beckwith, -K.C.B., who had so long served in the Regiment, and had so gallantly -led it in many a hard-fought field, was restored to its roll as -Colonel Commandant of the 2nd Battalion, Sir Andrew Barnard becoming -Colonel of the 1st Battalion by the death of the Honourable Sir -William Stewart, at his residence, Cumloden, Kirkcudbright, on -January 7. - - -On July 27, the Service companies of the 1st Battalion moved from the -South to the North barracks at Halifax, and furnished detachments to -Annapolis, Prince Edward’s Island, Windsor, Cape Breton, and York -redoubt. - -The Depôt companies of this Battalion marched from Drogheda on -October 9 to Dublin, and on their arrival there were quartered in -George Street barracks. - -On the departure of the Depôt from Drogheda the Mayor and Corporation -presented Major William Eeles, who commanded it, with the freedom of -their Corporation, ‘not only as an evidence of their personal regard -for him,’ but also ‘to record their high sense of the gentlemanlike -demeanour of the officers, and steady, soldier-like conduct of the -non-commissioned officers and privates.’ - -The Depôt companies marched to Kingstown on October 21, and embarked -in the ‘Amphitrite’ and ‘Maria’ transports for Devonport, where they -arrived on the 31st, and occupied Stonehouse barracks. - - -The Service companies of the 2nd Battalion remained at Malta during -this year; no change beyond the reliefs of detachments taking place -until December 21, when they removed from Cottinera district to the -lower St. Elmo barracks at Valeria, with a small party detached to -Fort Tigné. - -The record of this Battalion does not specify the movements of the -Depôt companies; but I find that they were stationed at Clare Castle -in March, and had moved before June to Cashel. - - -The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at Halifax during -the year 1828, the various detachments mentioned in p. 228 rejoining -the Head-quarters in May, June and August. - -On July 29 His Royal Highness, the Duke of Clarence (afterwards King -William IV.) on his visit to Plymouth as Lord High Admiral, reviewed -the Depôt companies of both Battalions, with the other troops in -garrison.[186] The day was very unfavourable, the rain falling in -torrents; but His Royal Highness went through the review, which -occupied some hours. Addressing the Riflemen, he traced the history -of the Regiment and its principal deeds of arms from its foundation -(as was his wont on such occasions), concluding with these words: -‘And what more can I say to you, Riflemen, than that wherever there -has been fighting you have been employed, and wherever you have been -employed you have distinguished yourselves?’ - -Immediately after this review the Depôt companies embarked on board -the ‘Amphitrite’ transport at Devonport, and on the 31st landed at -Gosport, and occupied Forton barracks. On December 21 they furnished -detachments to Tipner and Hilsea. - - -No change (except the relief of detachments) took place in the -Service companies of the 2nd Battalion, which remained at Malta; -but its Depôt companies were (with those of the 1st Battalion) -at Devonport during the spring and summer; and in September were -stationed at Portsmouth; but before the end of the year returned to -Devonport. - - -The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at Halifax until -October 1829, on the 17th and 18th of which month they embarked in -the ‘Ann,’ ‘Amelia,’ and ‘Wellington,’ transports; and sailing on the -21st, arrived at St. John’s, New Brunswick, where they disembarked -on the 29th and 31st. They immediately furnished detachments to -Fredericton and St. Andrew’s; and on November 7 the Head-quarters -with Captain Hope’s company embarked on board the ‘St. George’ -steam-boat, and moving up to Fredericton, occupied the new barracks -with the detachment of the Battalion already there. - -On March 13 the Depôt companies calling in the detachments at Tipner -and Hilsea, moved to Cambridge barracks, Portsmouth. On August 11 -they embarked on board the ‘Amphitrite’ and disembarked at Dover on -the 13th, where they occupied the Western heights barracks. - - -The 2nd Battalion remained at Malta during this year, changing its -quarters on December 18 from the St. Elmo to the Floriana barracks. - - -During the year 1830 the 1st Battalion remained at St. John’s and -Fredericton, New Brunswick; and the Depôt continued in its quarters -at Dover. - - -The only change in the quarters of the Service companies of the 2nd -Battalion this year was their removal from Floriana barracks to the -Cottinera district on December 20. - -The Depôt companies moved about April to Deal and soon afterwards to -Dover, where they were quartered with the Depôt of the 1st Battalion. - - -No change took place in the quarters of the 1st Battalion during the -year 1831; the Service companies continuing in New Brunswick, and the -Depôt at Dover. - - -The Service companies of the 2nd Battalion remained at Malta during -the whole of this year, and the Depôt continued at Dover. - - -Lieutenant-General Sir T. Sidney Beckwith, K.C.B., Colonel Commandant -of the 2nd Battalion, died January 19, 1831, at the Mahabuleshwar -hills, Bombay, of which Presidency he was Commander-in-Chief. He was -the last of the original officers of the Regiment remaining in it. - - -The Head-quarters of the 1st Battalion with three companies left -Fredericton in two divisions on August 14 and 17, 1832; and the -whole of the Service companies embarked at St. John’s in H.M.S. -‘Winchester,’ and the ‘Arachne’ and ‘Chebucto,’ brigs, on the 21st -and 22nd and disembarking at Halifax, Nova Scotia, were quartered in -the North barracks. - -The Depôt companies continued at Dover, furnishing a detachment for -a short period to Shorncliffe. - - -On February 12 the Head-quarters of the 2nd Battalion with two -companies embarked at Malta for Corfu, where they landed on the 19th, -and on the 23rd the remaining six companies embarked, landing at -Corfu, two on the 1st March and two on the 6th. - -On April 6 the Battalion moved to the Island of Vido, sending out -small parties to the Lazaretto Island, Paleo Castrizza, Fano and Paxo. - -On August 1 the Battalion returned to Corfu, calling in these -parties; but, shortly afterwards sending out a detachment to -Cephalonia. - -The Depôt of the 2nd Battalion remained at Dover. - -On April 1 in this year a change was made in the clothing of the -non-commissioned officers and private Riflemen, the coats being made -double-breasted, instead of single-breasted as heretofore; black -horn-buttons being substituted for white metal; and black lace and -chevrons being adopted instead of those before worn by sergeants. - - -No change took place in 1833 in the station of the Service companies -of the 1st Battalion, which continued to occupy the North barracks at -Halifax. - -Early in the year 1833 Captain Horatio Stewart’s Depôt company was -ordered to proceed from Dover by forced marches to Hastings. The -whole of that part of the coast was in a state of great excitement in -consequence of the proceedings of smugglers, who had not long before -had an affray with the coastguard, in which one of the latter was -killed and others wounded. On the arrival of the company at Hastings -the men, after being allowed to rest and refresh themselves for about -an hour, were ordered to fall in, and were divided into parties, -under officers and non-commissioned officers, which were directed -to patrol the beach for many miles in various directions during the -night. This unpleasant duty continued for six weeks; patrolling by -night and target practice by day. This was watched by numbers of the -people; and no doubt the practice made at the target was observed -with good effect by the smugglers and their friends; for no smuggler -was ever met with by the patrols, nor was any attempt made, while the -Riflemen continued at Hastings, to land contraband goods. The company -then rejoined the Depôt.[187] - - -The Depôt companies, calling in the detachment at Shorncliffe, -marched from Dover to Chatham on April 1, whence they furnished in -June a strong detachment under a Field officer to Gravesend, in aid -of the Civil power. And ‘their excellent conduct,’ and ‘the unceasing -attention of the officers,’ received the thanks of the Mayor in -behalf of the inhabitants. - -These companies embarked at Chatham on November 11 on board H.M. -steam-vessel ‘Salamander,’ and arriving at Jersey on the 14th, -disembarked at St. Aubin’s, from whence they proceeded to occupy -quarters in Fort Regent, at St. Helier’s. - - -The Service companies of the 2nd Battalion were moved from Corfu -to Vido on August 1, sending out detachments to Lazaretto Island -and Fano; but on December 1 returned to Corfu. The Depôt companies -continued at Dover. - - -In consequence of the breaking out of cholera in the 1st Battalion, -the Service companies were moved from Halifax on August 24, 1834, and -encamped at Sackville, whence they returned to their former quarters -in the North barracks, Halifax, September 30. In this outbreak of -cholera the Battalion lost 31 men, 6 women and 5 children. - -The Depôt remained during the whole of this year at Fort Regent, -Jersey. - - -The Head-quarters of the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion -embarked at Corfu for Cephalonia on October 8, and landed there on -the 9th. Two companies had preceded them on June 20, and two others -on September 26. From hence detachments were furnished to Calamos, to -Ithaca, to Paxo, to Lixuri, to Fort San Georgio and Sta. Euphemia. -About March the Depôt companies removed from Dover to Guernsey. - - -During the year 1835 no change of quarters took place in either -Battalion or in their Depôts. - - -The Service companies of the 1st Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova -Scotia, in the ‘Stakesley’ and ‘Katherine Stewart Forbes,’ on August -20 and 26, 1836, and arrived at Chatham and disembarked on September -15 and 29, and occupied quarters there. - -The Depôt companies had sailed from Jersey in the ‘Katherine Stewart -Forbes’ on May 24, and arrived at Gosport on the 28th, where they -disembarked, and were quartered in Fort Monckton till June 17; when -they crossed to Portsmouth, and occupied Forehouse barracks, with -detachments at Tipner and Hilsea. - -On August 1 the Depôt companies marched from Portsmouth, through -Chichester, Petworth, East Grinstead, and arrived at Chatham on the -8th to await the arrival of the Service companies; and on their -landing on September 15 and 29, they were again reunited into a -Battalion of ten companies. - - -No change took place in the quarters of the Service companies of the -2nd Battalion, except the occasional relief of the many detachments -they furnished from Cephalonia. But the Depôt companies in September -embarked at Guernsey for Dover, where they awaited the arrival of the -Service companies, and were reunited with them on their arrival in -June following. - -Early in the year 1836 Lieutenant Wilbraham,[188] then Adjutant of -the 1st Battalion, was selected to proceed to Persia, with eight -sergeants of the Rifle Brigade, in charge of two thousand stand of -rifles, intended by the Foreign Office as a present to the Shah on -his accession to the throne. Four of these sergeants, belonging -to the 1st Battalion, were sent out from England; the other four, -belonging to the 2nd Battalion, joined the expedition at Cephalonia, -where their Battalion was then stationed. - -Lieutenant Wilbraham was promoted in July 1836 to an unattached -company, and subsequently the local rank of Lieutenant-Colonel was -conferred upon him. For nearly three years he and the eight sergeants -were employed in organising and instructing the Persian troops, but -at the end of that time a rupture took place between England and -Persia, in consequence of the Shah’s advance upon Herat, and they -returned to Europe. The rifles had under one pretext or another -been withheld, as it was foreseen that they would probably be used -against ourselves, but as they were too bulky to be carried, they -were rendered useless by the removal of the locks, which were brought -away. - -Of the sergeants who were selected for this duty Sergeant Peter -Macdonald afterwards rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and -retired from the Service in 1865; and Colour-sergeant Johnson, 2nd -Battalion, subsequently became Captain in the 41st Regiment, and died -at Balaclava as Provost-Marshal of the Army. - - -The 1st Battalion marched from Chatham in two divisions on May 1 and -2, 1837, and arrived at Woolwich and Deptford on the 2nd and 3rd. -Seven companies with Head-quarters were stationed at Woolwich, and -three companies at Deptford. - -During the time the Battalion was quartered at Woolwich, -Lieutenant-Colonel William Eeles died in command of it on October 11. -He had served in the Regiment thirty-two years, having been appointed -to it in 1805; and had accompanied it through its Peninsular and -other campaigns, and had been present at Waterloo. He was succeeded -in the command of the Battalion by Lieutenant-Colonel Hope, who had -been promoted after twenty-eight years’ service in the Rifles to the -Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 21st Fusiliers; and was now brought back -to his old Corps. - - -On April 8 and 13 the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion -embarked at Cephalonia on board the ‘Parmelia’ and ‘Prince Regent,’ -transports, and landed at Dover on June 3 and 13. - -And on August 14, 15 and 16 the Battalion marched from Dover to -Portsmouth in three divisions, arriving there on the 24th, 25th and -26th, and detaching one company to Tipner Magazine. - - -The 1st Battalion embarked in steam-vessels at Woolwich early in -the morning of June 28, 1838, and attended the Coronation of Queen -Victoria. This and the 2nd Battalion lined Piccadilly from Hyde Park -Corner to the corner of St. James’ Street in extended order. - -After the procession had returned from Westminster Abbey to -Buckingham Palace the 1st Battalion marched back to Woolwich and -Deptford. - -On July 9 the Battalion again embarked in steam-vessels and was -conveyed to London, and took part in the review in Hyde Park on that -day under the command of General, the Marquis of Anglesey, and in -presence of the Queen. Marshal Soult was present at this review. - -At its conclusion the Battalion was billeted in the neighbourhood of -Hanover Square until the 11th, when it marched to the Tower of London -and was there quartered. Three or four days after their arrival there -the Battalion was inspected by the Colonel-in-Chief, Field-Marshal -the Duke of Wellington, accompanied by Marshal Soult. They proceeded -down the ranks and inspected the Battalion together. - - -On June 16, 17 and 18, the 2nd Battalion marched in three divisions -from Portsmouth to Chelsea and was there billeted. And on the 28th -attended the Coronation of Queen Victoria as above stated; and on -July 9 was present at the review in Hyde Park. - -On the next day, it moved from Chelsea to Woolwich relieving the 1st -Battalion, and like it, having Head-quarters and seven companies at -Woolwich and three companies detached at Deptford. - - -The 1st Battalion marched on February 1 and 2, 1839, by wings, from -the Tower to Paddington, and thence proceeded by Railway to Windsor, -where they were quartered in the Infantry barracks. - -On March 11 and 12 the left wing of the Battalion marched from -Windsor and arrived at Weedon on the 15th; and they were followed by -the right wing and Head-quarters which left Windsor on the 18th and -arrived at Weedon on the 22nd. - -In consequence of the disturbed state of the country, detachments -were furnished by the Battalion to aid the Civil power, to -Birmingham, Nottingham and Warwick; the two former continuing -detached (with occasional reliefs) for about a year; the latter from -July till December. During the chartist disturbances the detachment -at Birmingham was on more than one occasion called out to disperse -the mob. Rioting having more or less continued from the 4th to the -8th July, the detachment was called out on the latter evening, and -took their station in the Bull-ring. Here fighting with the police -took place, and the mob, having got the worst of it, assembled in -the Holloway road. The Riflemen were ordered to disperse them, and -were pelted with stones. Then an order to load and to make ready was -given; but fortunately before they fired, the 4th Dragoon Guards -arrived and dispersed the people, taking many prisoners. - -A few days later similar harassing services were required of them. -On July 15 a mob assembled in the evening, in the Bull-ring, and -attacked the houses of several citizens and tradesmen and set some of -them on fire. The mob would not let engines approach, and compelled -the firemen, under pain of death, to take off their horses and -retreat. At this moment a party of 200 Riflemen made their appearance -(accompanied by a magistrate), and under their escort the firemen -brought up, and worked their engines; while the 4th Dragoon Guards -charged the people and cleared the streets. - -Among the parties sent out to clear the neighbouring streets was -one consisting of a section commanded by Sergeant Robert Macdonald. -It was arduous work, for the mob assailed them with stones and every -description of missiles. The men became so exasperated under this -provocation (for some were severely hurt) that they could hardly be -restrained from retaliating by attacking their assailants with their -swords, which were fixed on their rifles. Sergeant Macdonald did what -he could to prevent mischief; but in the tumult one or two persons -were killed or died of wounds, and several were wounded. A coroner’s -inquest, however, returned a verdict of ‘justifiable homicide,’ -thereby exonerating Macdonald, who was amenable as having been in -command at this post, from all blame.[189] - -On the next day, the Riflemen were engaged in patrolling the town; -and in the evening, it having been announced that another chartist -meeting was to be held, they were brought down in force, accompanied -by a Squadron of the 4th and some artillery with guns. The mob did -not care to come into collision with them, and the riots subsided. - -On this detachment returning to Weedon, a very strong and favourable -representation was made by the mayor and magistrates of Birmingham -to the Home Secretary of its services and conduct, and of the -indefatigable zeal and humanity with which it had performed the -duties required of it. This was transmitted by the Marquis of -Normanby, then Home Secretary, to General Lord Hill, Commanding in -Chief, and by him to the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, -both adding their expression of satisfaction and approval of the -conduct of the detachment. - -The following address was also forwarded by the Mayor of Birmingham -to the Commanding Officer: - - ‘To the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Privates of Her - Majesty’s Rifle Brigade, now stationed at Weedon barracks. - - ‘We, the undersigned the Mayor and magistrates of the borough - of Birmingham, having heard with regret of your intended early - removal from this neighbourhood, cannot permit your departure to - take place without tendering to you this cordial and respectful - assurance of our esteem and gratitude. For a considerable period - during which we were indebted to you for aid and protection, we - had frequent occasions to admire the order, courage and humanity - which marked your performance of some of the most painful duties - which it falls to the lot of a British soldier to fulfil. Nor - can we forget that alike by officers and men these duties, often - dangerous and always irksome, were discharged with uniform - cheerfulness and alacrity. - - ‘As a very inadequate, though warm and grateful return, allow us - to repeat the expression of our heartfelt thanks and to offer our - best and earnest wishes for your future happiness and welfare. - - ‘Signed by the Mayor and ten magistrates. - ‘Birmingham, April 30, 1840.’ - -In November 1839, the flint-lock Baker rifle was replaced by the -percussion Brunswick rifle, a supply of which was forwarded from the -Tower to Weedon, together with swords, &c. - - -The 2nd Battalion marched in two divisions from Woolwich on October 9 -and 10, for Windsor and arrived there on the 12th and were quartered -in the Infantry barracks. - -On November 1 the Battalion was reviewed in the Home Park by Queen -Victoria. - -In consequence of the disturbed state of South Wales, and the attack -on Newport in November, two companies of the Battalion, under the -command of Major Irton,[190] were ordered to march from Windsor on -December 18 to Monmouth, where they arrived on the 28th of that month. - - -The 1st Battalion remained at Weedon till November 1840, when an -order having been received to prepare for foreign service, the -Battalion was divided into six Service companies and four Depôt -companies. - -And on November 9 and 10 the Service companies proceeded by rail-road -to London; and embarked at Deptford on board the ‘Abercrombie -Robinson’ transport for Malta, where they arrived in January -following. - -The Depôt companies continued to be quartered in Weedon barracks -during the remainder of the year. - -The trial by Special Commission of the ringleaders of the attack on -Newport having concluded, the two companies of the 2nd Battalion -which had been detached to Monmouth, marched on March 2 and rejoined -Head-quarters at Windsor on the 10th of that month. - -On May 22 a company of the Battalion marched to Esher to furnish -guards and duties at Claremont, during the Queen’s residence there; -and returned to Windsor on the 25th, and on June 1 a similar -detachment proceeded to Esher, for the same duty, rejoining -Head-quarters on the 5th. - -South Wales continuing in a disturbed state, two companies marched -from Windsor to Brecon, one to Pontypool, one to Swansea, and one -to Merthyr Tydvil on August 22, and arrived at their destinations -on September 1 and 2. And on August 24 the Head-quarters marched -to Newport, Monmouthshire, and arrived on September 1; furnishing -additional detachments to Newtown and Montgomery. - -On October 26 the detachment at Brecon was broken up, one company -marching to Abergavenny, and the other to Usk. - - -The Service companies of the 1st Battalion disembarked at Malta on -January 13, 1841, and were quartered at Fort Manuel, with detachments -at St. Salvador and another to the Zabbar gate. - -On January 28 the Head-quarters moved to Fort Ricasoli, detaching -another company to St. Salvador. But the Battalion only remained in -these quarters till February 13, when they removed to Isola barracks, -with one company at St. Francis de Paolo, and one at St. Salvador. - -On May 7 the Battalion left the Cottinera district, and moved to -lower St. Elmo barracks, with a company detached at St. James’ -Cavalier. - -The Depôt companies removed from Weedon to Chester Castle on May 5, -and were there quartered until 20th of the same month, when they -proceeded to Liverpool; and embarking for Dublin, arrived there -on the 21st. They disembarked on the following day and occupied -Beggar’s-bush barracks until the 25th when they moved into Richmond -barracks. - -On July 10 a detachment of five officers and about a hundred men were -sent to Wicklow, in aid of the Civil power, during an election. They -returned to Richmond barracks on the 23rd. - - -No alteration of quarters (except the change and relief of -detachments) took place in the 2nd Battalion until August; on the -28th, 30th and 31st of which month the Battalion left its cantonments -in Monmouthshire and in Wales, and was reunited at Bristol -preparatory to embarking for foreign service. - -On this occasion an address was presented to the Commanding Officer, -signed by the Mayor of Newport and five other magistrates, commending -the ‘peaceable, orderly and soldierlike manner in which the men had -conducted themselves.’ An address was likewise presented, signed by -five magistrates of Newtown, thanking the detachment there for its -‘efficient assistance in preserving the peace of the town,’ and for -‘protecting the property of many of its inhabitants.’ And another -signed by forty inhabitants (magistrates and tradesmen) testified to -the good conduct of the detachment stationed there. - -On September 3 the Battalion was divided into six Service and four -Depôt companies; and on the 9th and 10th (leaving the Depôt companies -at Bristol) the Service companies proceeded by Great Western railway -to Paddington, and thence to Deptford, where they embarked on board -the ‘Abercrombie Robinson’ for Bermuda. They arrived on November 5 -and disembarked at St. George’s. - - -The 1st Battalion remained in its quarters at Malta during the whole -of the year 1842, furnishing detachments to Forts Ricasoli and Tigné. - -The Depôt companies marched from Richmond barracks to the -Pigeon-house Fort, near Dublin, on January 20; where they remained -until October. On the 17th of that month the first division marched -for Drogheda through Ashbourne, and on the 19th the Head-quarters -through Balbriggan; and on arrival at Drogheda were quartered, three -companies in Millmount barracks, and one company in Fair Street -barracks. - -On May 7 an order was issued from the Horse Guards increasing the 2nd -Battalion to twelve companies, six of which were to be called the -Reserve Battalion. The Depôt companies were therefore increased to -six companies, eighty men having volunteered from the 1st Battalion -to complete them. This was effected at Dover. - -The six companies at Bermuda embarked on board the ‘Java’ transport -on July 30, and landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on August 12. - -On September 6 the Reserve Battalion arrived at Halifax. And in -October the Battalion, thus completed, sent out detachments to Prince -Edward’s Island, Cape Breton, and Annapolis. - -Lieutenant-General Sir Dugald Little Gilmour, K.C.B., who had served -in the Regiment nearly twenty years, during many of which he had -commanded the 2nd Battalion, was appointed Colonel Commandant of it -April 25, 1842. - - -The right wing of the 1st Battalion, recalling the detachments, -embarked at Malta, on board the ‘Boyne,’ transport, on March 2, 1843, -and landed at Corfu on the 6th. The left wing did not leave Malta -till April 1, when it embarked, also in the ‘Boyne,’ and arrived at -Corfu on the 7th. The Battalion furnished detachments to Santa Maura, -Vido, Paxo and Fano. - -The Depôt companies continued at Drogheda, whence a detachment of 3 -officers and about 70 men marched to Carrickmacross on April 5, in -aid of the Civil power, and rejoined on the 27th. - -A detachment consisting of one company proceeded on May 23 to -Dundalk, and occupied quarters, with the cavalry, in the barracks -there. On June 7 it marched to Carrickmacross, to aid the Civil -power, and returned to Dundalk on the 15th. Two months afterwards, -on August 15 it marched to Castle Blaney again to aid the Civil -power; but returned the following day. On September 12 it moved to -Longford, and on the same day another company marched from Drogheda -to Granard; and the Head-quarters of the Depôt followed to Longford -on the 16th, arriving there on the 21st, where they occupied the Line -and the Artillery barracks. In the meanwhile a detachment had been -sent to Trim, to aid the Civil power; and this rejoined at Longford -on October 3. - -Detachments were soon afterwards sent out to Athlone and to -Roscommon; and that at Granard was called in. - -The numerous detachments, in aid of the Civil power, and the frequent -removals of the Depôt, were caused by the Repeal agitation, which was -at its height during this year; and by the ‘Monster Meetings’ held by -O’Connell at Trim, Roscommon, and other towns. - - -No change seems to have taken place in the quarters of the 2nd -Battalion during this year, when it continued at Halifax. - - -The Service companies of the 1st Battalion continued at Corfu -during the year 1844, the only changes in them being the relief of -detachments, and the furnishing an additional one to the Lazaretto. - -The Depôt companies marched from Longford on January 8 to Athlone, -where they arrived on the following day, and were soon joined by the -detachment from Roscommon. - - -The 2nd Battalion continued at Halifax, the detachments at the -out-stations being relieved, by another regiment, and rejoining -Head-quarters in July. - - -The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at Corfu during -the year 1845; the only change in its quarters being the occasional -relief of the detachments. - -The Depôt companies marched from Athlone on April 14 and 15, and -arrived in Dublin on the 19th and 21st, and were quartered in -Beggar’s-bush barracks, furnishing a detachment for a short time -to the Pigeon-house fort. The Depôt Head-quarters removed to this -fort on June 2, leaving a small detachment only in the Beggar’s-bush -barracks. But to these barracks the Head-quarters returned on October -27. - - -The 2nd Battalion remained during the whole of this year stationary -at Halifax. - - -About the beginning of August 1846 the Service companies of the 1st -Battalion were directed to hold themselves in readiness to proceed -to Jamaica; but very shortly afterwards a letter was received from -Lord FitzRoy Somerset, Military Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, -stating that the destination of the Battalion was changed; that it -was to be held in readiness to embark for the Cape of Good Hope; -and that steamers were on their way from England to convey it to -Gibraltar. - -The Detachments at Lazaretto, Santa Maura and Fano were therefore -immediately called in; and the Battalion prepared for active service. - -Shortly before embarkation the Service companies were inspected -by Lieutenant-General Lord Seaton, then Lord High Commissioner of -the Ionian islands, who after witnessing a few battalion movements -ordered square to be formed and thus addressed them: - - ‘Rifle Brigade, or old 95th, I have known the Regiment more than - forty years and have taken part with them in battles and sieges - in the Peninsular war, and at Waterloo. My old regiment, the - 52nd, and the 43rd, formed the famous Light Division under his - Grace the Duke of Wellington, who always led them to victory. - Your Queen and country now call upon you to uphold her honour in - Southern Africa, against hordes of savages; and I feel quite sure - that the Battalion will sustain the undying fame that it gained - in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, and add more laurels to its - wreath. Riflemen, old 95th, I bid you good bye with my heartfelt - and best wishes for you all.’ - -Lord Seaton also issued a farewell order, highly commending the state -of their discipline and general good conduct, and expressing his -regret at their removal from his command, and his wishes for their -future welfare. - -The Service companies were ordered, by letter from the Horse Guards, -July 23, 1846, to embark 560 strong including musicians, and to take -out only 540 rifles and accoutrements; and the supernumerary men and -arms were to be sent to England to form part of the Depôt. - -Though the Service companies were thus reduced to 560 men, the total -strength of the Battalion was actually increased by 200 men, by a -Horse Guards order dated March 27, 1846. - -On August 21 the Service companies embarked; the Head-quarter -division under Major Egerton[191] in H.M. steamship ‘Retribution;’ -and the left wing, under Captain Horsford,[192] in the ‘Terrible;’ -and steaming away at once (through the Straits of Messina) arrived at -Gibraltar at twelve P.M. on the 27th and disembarked on the following -day, and occupied barracks. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[178] ‘Despatches and Correspondence,’ i. 126. - -[179] ‘Annual Register,’ lxii. 98. - -[180] ‘Record’ 1st Battalion. - -[181] ‘Despatches, Correspondence, and Memorandums,’ i. 154. The -Regiment had already been authorised to bear the word WATERLOO on -their appointments, in compliance with a memorandum of the Duke -of Wellington, dated Head-quarters, Paris, November 7, 1815.’ -‘Supplementary Despatches,’ Appendix, xiv. 600. - -[182] ‘Annual Register,’ lxiv. 67. - -[183] ‘Annual Register,’ lxiv. 15. - -[184] ‘Annual Register,’ lxiv. 19. - -[185] ‘Annual Register,’ lxviii. 105. - -[186] The Duke of Clarence had also reviewed the two Depôts on a -previous visit to Plymouth on December 21 preceding. - -[187] ‘Personal Narrative of Military Travel and Adventure in Turkey -and Persia,’ by Robert Macdonald, pp. 22-25. The writer, a sergeant -in the 1st Battalion, was selected with his brother Peter Macdonald -to proceed to Persia in 1836. See p. 234. - -[188] Now Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Wilbraham, K.C.B. - -[189] ‘Personal Narrative of Military Travel and Adventure,’ pp. -286-7. - -[190] Lieutenant-Colonel Irton died June 9, 1847. - -[191] Colonel Buller (now General Sir George Buller, G.C.B.) had left -Corfu for England before the order to embark arrived. - -[192] Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred H. Horsford, G.C.B. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - -On August 31, 1846, transports having arrived from England for the -conveyance of the 1st Battalion to the Cape, they re-embarked; -Head-quarters on board the ‘Equestrian’ transport, consisting of -Captains Macdonell’s, Rooper’s, and Stewart’s companies, with Staff -and band; and the left wing consisting of Captains Horsford’s, -Murray’s, and Gibson’s companies, on board the ‘Fairlie’ under -Captain Horsford. - -The latter vessel arrived first, reaching Table-bay on October 30. -Here an order was at once given to land the women and children; and -to take in supplies and camp-equipments. This being done the left -wing sailed on November 4, for Algoa bay, where they arrived on the -12th and anchored opposite the town of Port Elizabeth. - -On the day following their departure the ‘Equestrian’ arrived at -Table-bay, and having in like manner landed heavy baggage, women and -children, and taken in stores and camp-necessaries, proceeded to -Algoa bay on the 11th and arrived there about November 20. - -On the 14th the ‘Fairlie’ having drawn as near the shore as possible, -surf-boats came alongside, and were soon filled and rowed to the -shore until they took the ground. Then Fingoes carried the Riflemen -pick-a-back to the dry sand. As soon as all were landed, they marched -through the town of Port Elizabeth, and piled arms and encamped about -half-a-mile beyond it to the left of the Graham’s-town road. The -necessary supplies and equipments having been procured, not without -difficulty which Horsford’s energy and perseverance surmounted, this -wing began its march under a burning sun for Kaffirland. They reached -Graham’s-town, a distance of about 100 miles, on the 23rd. - -They halted here on the 24th and on the following day moved to -Manley flats; on the 26th to Cawood’s post; and on the 27th reached -Waterloo-bay. The next day, after receiving a field ration of rice, -salt, sugar, and green coffee (these troops being thus supplied with -that valuable but unusable berry in its natural state, as they were -afterwards in the Crimea) they marched to Newton Dale; on the 29th -to Fort Peddie; on the 30th to the Chalumna river; and on December 1 -joined the 2nd Division of the army, which was commanded by Colonel -Henry Somerset of the Cape Mounted Rifles. In this march the men -suffered severely from the sun; their faces being almost skinned as -their forage-caps had no peaks; and their shakos had been given into -store at Graham’s-town, and were never returned to them. - -The Head-quarter wing disembarked at Port Elizabeth, on November 25; -commenced their march, by the same route, on the 24th, and joined -the 2nd Division of the army, then encamped on the Buffalo river, on -December 12. - -On December 21 the Battalion marched, and on the 25th encamped near -the great Kei river, and during the rest of the month furnished -frequent patrols on both banks. One Rifleman was killed, and one -wounded by the Kaffirs on December 31 in the performance of these -duties. - -The Depôt companies embarked on January 28, 1846, at the North Wall, -Dublin, in the steamer ‘Albert’ for Liverpool, where they landed on -the following day; and proceeded by rail-road to London, and thence -to Dover, which they reached on the following day, and were quartered -in the Castle; furnishing a subaltern’s detachment to Sandgate Castle. - -On May 18 they marched to Chatham; and after a short stay there -proceeded in a steamer to Sheerness on June 1. - - -The 2nd Battalion left Halifax, in H.M.S. ‘Belleisle’ on August 1, -and arrived at Montreal on the 22nd and were there quartered during -the remainder of the year. - - -The Service companies of the 1st Battalion with the exception of -Captain Gibson’s company which was left on the other side of the -Kei river not having returned from a previous expedition, marched -on January 2, 1847, at three P.M., with the Division commanded by -Lieutenant-General Sir Peregrine Maitland, for the Kei river, and -arrived within about two miles of it at seven in the evening, and -halted for the night. The march had been a very hot one; but soon -after sunset a tremendous storm of thunder, lightning and hail came -on; this was followed by a deluging rain, which drenched the men to -the skin in a few minutes. They had no tents; no fires; not even -pipes were allowed to be lighted, nor was a word permitted to be -spoken above a whisper. For the Kaffirs were near them; and had they -known exactly where the troops were bivouacked would have attacked. -But the night was very dark, and they remained unmolested. - -On the 3rd the Riflemen in advance forded the Kei river, here about -350 yards wide, and knee deep, and waited on the other bank for -the Division. After breakfast, rifles were fired off and cleaned -from the effects of the last night’s rain, and they marched towards -Butterworth. On reaching a hill, afterwards well known to Riflemen -by the name of Mount-Misery, they halted and bivouacked for the -night. On the next morning at daylight they resumed their march, -and arrived at the Missionary Station of Butterworth at six in the -evening: a distance of nearly thirty miles. The Missionary’s house -and the church were in ruins, having been burnt down; but every wall -and corner which remained was occupied by the weary soldiers, glad -of even such insufficient shelter. For scarcely had the outlying -picquets been posted, when heavy and continuous rain came on, and -lasted throughout the night. - -On the 5th Captain Gibson’s company rejoined. The rain still -continuing the men suffered much. They were glad to gather stones -on which to lie, to keep them off the streaming ground; and even -these were sometimes washed away by the rills formed in paths and -tracks. This rain continued during the whole of the 6th and until the -afternoon of the 7th; nearly seventy hours of incessant rain. - -On the 6th five days’ ration of biscuit, which had from December 29 -been reduced to six ounces a day, was served out to the men; but -hunger takes no account of Commissariat measurement, and long before -the expiration of the five days, the Riflemen were picking gum off -the trees, and eating it to assuage their need. - -At this time Sir Peregrine Maitland being recalled, left the army; -and the command of the division again devolved on Colonel Somerset. - -Fine weather having at last come on, the men wrung out and rinsed -their wet shirts and dried them in the sun. In the evening the rifles -were inspected and the ammunition examined; for much of it had been -damaged by the wet. On the 8th at six in the morning, they marched -for Spring-Flats where they arrived at eleven. After a halt of three -hours, during which the weakly men and those who had sore feet fell -out of the ranks and were marched to the Kei under an officer of -another regiment, they resumed their march for Kreili’s Corner, and -halting at six o’clock, bivouacked for the night. - -At dawn on the 9th, intelligence having come in of a quantity of -cattle, said to be a few miles ahead, they marched towards Kreili’s -Corner; and with a halt of one hour for breakfast, and two for -dinner, continued their march till eight in the evening, when they -bivouacked. - -Next day at daylight they moved on in the hope of coming up with the -cattle; but nothing being seen of them, the cavalry pushed on at ten -o’clock; while the infantry continued their march till two in the -afternoon. At four the cavalry appeared with 12,000 cattle which they -had captured at Kreili’s Corner; and 100 men of the Battalion were -detailed as a cattle guard. Rain now began again; and the ration -consisted of fresh beef only, the biscuit being all consumed, and -that without salt to season it. Firewood too was scarce; and there -were no tents. - -On the 11th the Riflemen halted in bivouack, rain still continuing; -and on the 12th marched for Spring-Flats under a burning sun. Many -Kaffirs were on the surrounding hills; but few ventured within range. -One however was shot by one of the cattle guard, when attempting to -steal cattle. On the 13th a company of the Rifle Brigade and one of -another regiment were sent to the Kei river with the captured cattle; -but on their arrival the river was found to be unfordable, and the -current running at a rapid rate. They had therefore to return; and -on their arrival at the second hill (Mount-Misery) an order reached -them to send out a patrol in search of Captain Gibson, for whom -great fears were entertained. This officer, and Assistant-Surgeon -Howell, had accompanied the party of weakly and disabled men which -had marched from this place on the 8th. While this party were halted -on January 11 near the ford of the Kei, waiting for the fall of the -river to enable them to cross, some cattle were observed grazing on -the hills about three miles off. Captain Fraser, of the 6th Foot, who -was in command of these invalids, directed all the men who were able -to march to proceed, under Captain Gibson, to endeavour to capture -these cattle, which were beyond the bank which reached from the river -half way up the hills. - -After the party, which was accompanied by Assistant-Surgeon Howell -and by Lieutenant the Honourable W. J. G. Chetwynd of the 73rd -Regiment, had marched about an hour by a rather wide path through the -bank, they arrived at a bend in the path. Unhappily the officers, -unsuspicious of any attack, were marching ahead of their men, between -seventy and 100 yards from the leading files. When therefore they -took the bend in the road, they were entirely hidden from them. At -this moment the Kaffir Chief, Pato, observing their defenceless -position, rushed upon them with about 200 of his followers, and -before the detachment could come up, killed all three officers. - -The little detachment under a sergeant of the 6th Foot, made good -its retreat, gradually retiring, and whenever the Kaffirs attacked, -turning round and firing a volley. - -The patrol sent out to recover the remains of these officers, after -marching about three hours through thick bush, came upon their -bodies which they brought into the bivouack at Spring-Flats, where -they arrived about nine in the evening. They were interred by the -officers and men of the Battalion on the next day at a place called -Shaw’s fontein; bushes being burnt over the graves, to prevent the -Kaffirs discovering the place of their interment, and exhuming and -desecrating their remains. - -The Riflemen who had acted as this patrol marched again on the 14th -for the Kei river, it having been reported that it was fordable; -but this proved to be a mistake, at least as far as infantry was -concerned; though the cavalry had forded; not, however, without some -loss. Again, therefore the Riflemen had to return and bivouack on -Mount-Misery. And the rest of the Battalion was moved up to the same -place. - -They remained here during the next three days, suffering great -privations. For the swollen state of the river did not admit of -supplies being brought over. In consequence, too, of a soldier of -another regiment who had gone out for water having been found killed -and stripped, a stringent order was issued that no men were to go -for water, except in armed parties of thirty, under an officer, and -accompanied by two non-commissioned officers. This water duty was -exceedingly fatiguing; as the men had to go down two very steep hills -into a kloof,[193] about a mile distant, and to reascend them loaded -with water. Want and exposure too began to tell heavily on the men; -and the seeds of much subsequent disease were to be traced to this -bivouack. At last on the 18th the Riflemen marched at ten o’clock -from this hill and bivouacked near the banks of the river. It had -fallen sufficiently for the Commissariat to get over some stores; and -the famished Riflemen on reaching their bivouack found coffee, sugar, -salt, and a ration of biscuit awaiting them; and what they welcomed -almost as much, tobacco; which for many days they had not had, and -the want of which they had vainly tried to supply by smoking leaves -of the Kaffir tea-tree dried in the sun. On the 19th the cattle were -driven through the river by fifties at a time; and at two o’clock the -Battalion began to ford it. The water was still deep, and the current -running six or seven miles an hour. A stout rope was made fast to -each bank, and reeved through three waggons placed at equal distances -in the bed of the river. This made a good hand-rail for the men. But -the leading files having difficulty in stemming the current, and the -succeeding files crowding on them, a sort of animated dam was formed -which had the effect of sending the current boiling between them; and -the water, which was but little above the hips on the lower side, was -dammed up nearly to the armpits on the upper. However all got over in -safety except one man (Private James King) who, letting go the rope, -was swept off by the current with arms and accoutrements, and never -afterwards seen or heard of. The succeeding companies, not crowding -so much, got over with less difficulty. After fording the river the -Battalion marched about six miles, and then bivouacked near the -Commissariat waggons. Yet this short march took them about four hours -to accomplish: so much were they weakened by their late privations. - -On the 20th they halted to rest; and to clean arms and accoutrements. -In the afternoon there was a general parade; but it was of a motley -crew. The clothing was some of it in rags; some patched with leather; -some men had no shoes; some wore sandals made of raw hide and -fastened with thongs. And those who had seen the smart Battalion -three months before could scarcely have recognised it in the gaunt, -unshaven, and ragged warriors on this parade. - -On the 21st they marched about fourteen miles and joined the division -in the general camp. - -On the 25th the Battalion marched to King William’s-town and arrived -there on the following day. - -On the 31st two companies, Captain Horsford’s and (late) Gibson’s, -commanded by Lieutenant Hardinge,[194] crossed the Buffalo river -and marched for Fort Peddie, being ordered to join the camp of -the 6th Foot, to form a force under Lieutenant-Colonel Michel; -the Head-quarters and remaining four companies of the Battalion -continuing at King William’s-town. - -On February 4 the two detached companies marched to Tamaka; and -on the next day, crossing the Keiskamma river at the Line drift, -proceeded to Buckraal. - -On the 6th they started about four in the morning, and marched to -the Fish river bush, a few miles to the right of Fort Peddie, where -they arrived about ten and halted for breakfast. But just as the -Riflemen were lighting their fires, an order was issued that the two -companies were to skirmish through the bush; and if no enemy opposed -them to skirmish on to Trumpeter’s drift.[195] Leaving their untasted -breakfasts, they dashed into the bush and made their way through it -in extended order, until two in the afternoon, when they halted and -breakfasted. And at three, falling in again, proceeded through the -bush till they emerged from it on the Graham’s-town road about a -mile from the great Fish river; to which they advanced, and forded -it, the water reaching to the middle, just at sun-set. After this -hard day’s work they marched into the barrack built on the bank of -the river; and were hospitably received by a detachment of the 91st -which then occupied it. - -A private, who had been missing when they fell in after breakfast, -made his appearance here about eleven at night; and his arrival -unharmed was a sufficient proof that no Kaffirs were lurking in the -bush. On February 7 these two companies marched to Fort Peddie. - -On February 1 the Head-quarters consisting of four companies had -marched from the Kei river to King William’s-town, where they -encamped on the 3rd, forming part of the 2nd Division, of which -Lieutenant-Colonel George Buller, who had arrived from England, -assumed the command. But the Battalion was broken up into numerous -detachments on the frontier for the purposes of patrols and escorts. - -On the 9th one of the companies at Fort Peddie under the command -of Lieutenant Hardinge marched to Newton Dale (leaving Horsford’s -company at Fort Peddie). A few days after their arrival there an -officer of the Cape Town volunteers applied for a patrol to pursue -Kaffirs, who, eluding the vigilance of the troops on the frontier, -had driven off almost all the cattle to within a few miles of -Graham’s-town. He stated that he had tracked them to the Fish -river, where he had left his men, who were utterly unable to follow -them further. A patrol of 2 sergeants and 40 men under Lieutenant -Oxenden[196] was immediately turned out; and after a quick march of -three hours came up with the Kaffirs in the bush. They were about -seventy in number, and were broiling the flesh of one of the cattle, -which they had just killed, over their fires; some were sitting on -the ground smoking; and all had their wallets, or leathern bags, -taken off and laid on the ground; while the stolen cattle were -feeding in the dell. The Riflemen, creeping up, poured in a volley -which killed seven and wounded eleven; the rest running into the bush -escaped. The patrol, recapturing the cattle, marched back with them -to Newton Dale, where they arrived about eleven at night, bringing -with them the assegais and leathern bags of the Kaffirs. This was the -first occasion on which the Riflemen and the Kaffirs were in such -close quarters. - -This company was employed until June 18 escorting supplies to the -frontier as far as Fort Peddie. It then proceeded to Line drift, -where it had the duty of escorting supplies from that place to King -William’s-town. On September 9 it rejoined the Battalion. - -On February 10 two companies under Captain Rooper marched for the -river Temacha, where they arrived on the same day; and on March 20 -proceeded to Fort Peddie. - -On March 24 Horsford’s company removed from Fort Peddie to the Goolah -heights, where it was employed on patrol duty, until June 17 when it -rejoined Head-quarters. - -On the 25th Rooper’s company left Fort Peddie for Wesleyville -arriving there on the 29th, on April 7 proceeded to Chalumna post, -and on June 14 marched for Head-quarters at King William’s-town where -they rejoined on the following day. - -On April 5 Macdonell’s[197] company left Head-quarters at King -William’s-town for Mount Coke, arriving there on the same day; and -returned to Head-quarters on September 14. On the 6th Murray’s -company marched from Fort Peddie on escort duty, and arrived at the -Goolah heights on the Keiskamma on the 19th, whence it rejoined -Head-quarters on September 14. - -During the time these companies were employed on patrol duty, a -private belonging to a party sent out in search of cattle, having -lost his way in the bush, came near a kloof, in which he heard the -voices of Kaffirs. Lying concealed he watched their movements. Some -Kaffirs arrived with arms, which they handed to their companions, who -concealed them in a ravine. The Rifleman, still contriving to escape -observation, watched his opportunity and made his way back to the -camp, and, on his report of what he had seen, a party of Cape Mounted -Rifles were sent out to search for the concealed arms. - -An attack on the Amatola mountains having been decided on, supplies -of all kinds were collected at King William’s-town. On August 2, -during a hurricane, a fire broke out which for some time threatened -the destruction of the place and of the stores there collected. But -by the exertions of the Battalion, the fire was got under and the -greater part of the stores and ammunition saved from destruction. -On this occasion Lieutenant-General Sir George Berkeley issued a -General Order commending ‘the coolness and judgment displayed by -Lieutenant-Colonel Buller,’ and ‘the discipline and energy of the -troops, by which a great calamity was averted;’ and conveying to them -‘his best thanks for their exertions.’ - -On September 17 the detached companies having all rejoined, the -Battalion under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Buller marched from -King William’s-town towards the Amatola mountains, halting on that -night on the Deba Flats, and on the 18th near Fort White. On the 20th -the Battalion (with about 300 of the Burgher force) accompanied by -fifty mules carrying provisions for six days and ammunition, marched -to Fort Cox, situated on a high projection over the Keiskamma river, -which winds round its base; and arriving there at eight o’clock in -the evening, bivouacked for the night. - -Before daybreak on the 21st the Battalion marched; and after fording -the Keiskamma, without opposition or loss, though not without -difficulty, advanced through a dense wood to the valley of the -Amatola, and encamped at the head of the valley. During this march -no attack was made by the Kaffirs, who retreated as the Riflemen -approached; and their huts were burned by the troops, the flames -lighting up the valley on every side. - -On this evening Colonel Buller’s force was joined by another column -under Colonel Campbell. - -On the morning of the 22nd at dawn the Battalion, as well as the -other troops, marched to the Amatolas, and crossing their lofty -and precipitous ridge, forded the Wolf river, a tributary of the -Keiskamma, and ascended another ridge, where a third column under -Colonel Somerset joined them. From this point Colonel Buller detached -the Burgher force; and advanced with his Battalion to a valley on the -Goolah river, where they encamped for the night, with the other two -columns. - -On the 23rd the troops under Colonel Campbell having returned to the -rear, those under Colonel Somerset and the Riflemen under Colonel -Buller moved into the Keiskamma basin; and Colonel Somerset’s -division having soon afterwards marched to the great Kei river, the -Battalion remained in the Keiskamma basin, constantly engaged in -active pursuit of the Kaffirs who were starved out and everywhere -driven out. - -The nature of the ground Sandilli and his people occupied, a deep -valley near Wolf river, rendered it unapproachable by cavalry, but -was exactly suited to the operations of Riflemen. And by their -constant patrols, acting from camps well stored with provisions, -Sandilli was completely foiled; his cattle destroyed or scattered; -his followers driven away; and he himself hunted from place to place. -And the result of these operations[198] was that Sandilli the Gaika -chief, the principal leader of the Kaffirs, surrendered himself, with -ten of his principal men, on October 19 to Colonel Buller. After -his capture Sandilli stated that on October 12 he had been nearly -made a prisoner by a patrol of the Regiment. They lost their way in -skirmishing in the bush, and by this chance he escaped. He admitted -that he must otherwise have been taken or killed. - -This terminated that campaign, and the four companies, Head-quarters -of the Battalion, were afterwards kept unoccupied in the Keiskamma -basin, though perfectly efficient for the field. While on the Great -Kei river, where operations were still going on, their presence and -assistance would have been of great consequence. However the arrival -of Sir Harry Smith soon changed the face of affairs, and brought the -war to a termination. - -On November 14 Captain Murray’s company marched from Fort Stokes -to the Kei river and was employed in active operations against the -Kaffirs. - -On December 4 part of the Battalion under Colonel Buller left the -Amatola mountains for King William’s-town, and arrived the same day. - -And on the 25th the remainder, under command of Captain Horsford, -followed them to King William’s-town. - -From hence the Battalion was again broken up into detachments; and a -company under Lieutenant Cartwright marching from King William’s-town -on the 29th for Mount Coke, arrived there the same day and occupied -it as a post. - -On December 23 Sir Harry Smith was received at King William’s-town, -the band of the Battalion playing ‘God save the Queen,’ and ‘See the -Conquering Hero comes.’ When the cheers of the assembled concourse -subsided, Sir Harry rode up to the Battalion and complimented Colonel -Buller on having the command of such a body of men, and the Riflemen -on their advantage in having such a commander; and he noticed ‘that -bravery and endurance which they had displayed during the long and -harassing warfare through which they had struggled.’[199] - -The Depôt companies remained at Sheerness during the early part of -this year, detaching one company to Canterbury on March 26. - -On July 13 and 14 the Depôt companies, in two divisions removed from -Sheerness to Bristol; the detachment from Canterbury joining them on -the way at Maidstone; and arriving on the 15th and 16th they were -quartered at Bristol during the remainder of the year. - - -The 2nd Battalion continued at Montreal till August 1847; on the 10th -of which month the Head-quarter division marched to Lachine; and -there embarking proceeded to Toronto. The left wing under Captain -Wilkins on the 17th embarked at Lachine and proceeded to Kingston. - - -Sir D. L. Gilmour, Colonel Commandant, having died at Rome on March -22, Major-General Sir Harry Smith, Bart., G.C.B., succeeded him as -Colonel Commandant of the 2nd Battalion, April 16, 1847. - - -The 1st Battalion were stationed at King William’s-town, with one -company detached at Fort Murray and another at Fort Waterloo; and -no changes, beyond the occasional relief of these detachments, took -place during the first half of the year 1848. - -But scarcely had the war with the Kaffirs been brought to a -successful conclusion, when the Dutch Boers, not only within the -colony but beyond the Orange river and in Natal, who, during the -months of June and July had exhibited unmistakable symptoms of -disaffection, broke out into open rebellion; and being headed by one -Pretorius, a Dutch colonist of some influence and of considerable -ability, assembled in great force beyond the Orange river. - -Sir Harry Smith at once took energetic measures to attack them. A -force consisting of two companies, Captains Murray’s and Hardinge’s, -of the 1st Battalion, two of the 45th, two of the 91st and two -squadrons of the Cape Mounted Rifles, with two six-pounders, was -ordered to proceed at once to Colesberg. Colonel Buller was in -command of the whole force and Major Beckwith of the infantry. The -two companies of Riflemen were made up to a strength of eighty rank -and file each; each man carried sixty rounds of ammunition, and all -were in light marching order, carrying their great coats or blankets, -but not their knapsacks. - -On August 4 the Riflemen marched; and, though delayed by the state -of the river Buffalo, which was swollen by the rains, and which they -passed by india-rubber pontoons, arrived on the 21st at Colesberg, -within about twenty-one miles of the Orange river. - -On the next morning they continued their march and halted on the -high-ground on the left bank of the Orange river, there between 250 -and 300 yards broad, and then unfordable. - -Several attempts were made unsuccessfully to construct a raft; but, -at last, a hawser was thrown across and fastened to a tree on the -opposite bank, and then a lighter rope was passed over, by which -the india-rubber pontoon, which had been brought up by the Riflemen -from King William’s-town, was worked backwards and forwards. On the -23rd Captain Murray’s company was carried over. And on the three -following days the remainder, and the baggage were taken across; not -without difficulty, on account of the steepness of the banks leading -to the place of embarkation, and the rapidity of the current. The -embarkation was superintended by Colonel Buller; the disembarkation -by Major Beckwith. However by sunset on the 26th the whole force was -conveyed across, and encamped on the right bank of the river. - -On the 27th the troops marched at daylight, the Riflemen leading -the infantry (the Cape Corps being in advance), and after a march -of about twenty miles, encamped on the plains near Phillipolis, at -Benlois Hoek.[200] - -On the 28th, marching at daybreak, the Riflemen encountered swarms -of grey locusts which actually obscured the light of the sun. They -proceeded past Phillipolis, a village of the Griqua Kaffirs, and -after a march of about twenty miles encamped for the night. - -On the 29th they continued their march at dawn; and after proceeding -about ten miles, halted at some deserted farm-houses to breakfast. -These were situated on the slope of a hill overlooking an extensive -plain, called the Boemplaats, which extending about twelve miles was -terminated by a range of low, rocky hills, rising one above another -in height. Those on the right projected into the plain. Through these -hills the road or track wound; and on them the Boers, estimated at -about 2,500 or 3,000 in number, had taken up their position, adding -to its natural strength a kind of breastwork of piled stones. Had it -been defended by disciplined troops, under a competent leader, it -would have been if not impregnable, at least not to be forced without -most serious loss. While the Riflemen were at breakfast the tidings -reached them that they were soon to meet their enemy; and when -breakfast was over, rifles were looked to, and packets of cartridges -loosened. As soon as they fell in, Sir Harry Smith addressed them. -No one could do so, on such an occasion, with more authority and -experience; for he had fought in their ranks (or, while on the Staff, -at their side) from Monte Video to Waterloo, in the Peninsula, in -America, in Holland, in Belgium. He reminded them of the glorious -deeds there done, ending an inspiriting address by declaring that he -would drive the arch-rebel Pretorius and his followers like rats from -those hills. He was answered by such a cheer as Riflemen can give to -an old Rifleman who leads them into the fight. - -Resuming their advance about eleven o’clock they arrived at the foot -of the hills between one and two P.M. Colonel Buller then ordered -the Cape Corps to advance and to endeavour to turn the position in -front and by both its flanks. But the Boers receiving them with a -heavy fire, and some mistake having occurred in executing the order, -they retired, and cleared the front for the Riflemen, who in extended -order advanced and drove the enemy at the point of the sword from the -first, and through the second range of heights; and kept up a galling -fire on them, as they retreated to the third and highest crest. Here -they rallied their whole force, and delivered a telling fire, under -which men and officers fell fast. But nothing could stand the dash -of the Riflemen; this last position was carried; and at the end of -two hours’ hard fighting, the Boers fled after a short attempt at -resistance behind the walls of a kraal.[201] - -Then the troops were formed at quarter distance behind the guns, -which opened with grape and shrapnel, on the flying enemy; delivering -their fire; limbering up and advancing to the front; then firing -again. Thus the pursuit was continued for about eleven miles; -until from sheer inability to proceed further the troops halted at -Culverfontein for the night. - -The loss of the Riflemen in this action was severe. Colonel Buller -was severely wounded, and his horse was killed under him; Captain -Murray and 6 rank and file were killed or died of their wounds; -Captain Hardinge and 8 rank and file were wounded, and Lieutenant and -Adjutant Julius Glyn[202] had his horse killed under him. - -Murray was leading his company when he was hit in the shoulder and -his arm was shattered. Glyn, who was near him, ordered some men to -take him to the rear; but before he could dismount, another shot -struck him, which passed through the body and injured the spine. -He lived till about midnight; and was buried under a peach-tree at -Boemplaats. Sir Harry Smith in communicating his death to his father, -Major-General the Honourable Sir Henry Murray, says that ‘he proved -himself a most gallant officer; his loss deeply regretted by the men -of his company.’ - -In this letter Sir Harry Smith observes that ‘this outburst of -rebels has cost as smart an affair as I ever witnessed.’ Yet he had -witnessed many; and some of them very smart affairs. ‘Your son,’ he -continues, ‘led an attack as bold as it was successful, under a storm -of fire, in a difficult position, but fell an honour to his father -and to his country.’[203] - -The wounded were left at Boemplaats, except Colonel Buller, who was -conveyed with the troops. - -About ten o’clock at night the tents arrived and the Battalion -encamped. It had marched more than twenty-six miles; had fought a -sharp action; and followed the enemy with a most active pursuit. - -But they were not long to rest. They paraded at one o’clock on the -morning of the 30th and by two o’clock leaving blankets, tents and -all that could impede rapidity of march behind them, were again -following up the Boers. Both the companies of Riflemen were now -commanded by 2nd Lieutenants, the Hon. Henry Clifford[204] and W. W. -Knight, and they led the column as an advanced guard. - -About daylight they arrived at a place called Welman’s Pass, where -it was thought that the enemy might make a stand. Accordingly the -Riflemen were extended, and skirmished over the hills on each side, -which commanded the defile. However nothing was seen of the Boers, -who were in fact utterly disorganised and demoralised by their defeat -at Boemplaats, and who never attempted to rally. - -The Riflemen continued their march and halted for the night at a -Dutch farm-house, named Bethany. - -Pursuing their march they arrived at Bloem-fontein on September 2; -and halted there until the 4th. During this time a General Court -Martial was held to try some rebel Boers, and an English deserter -from the 45th, who had acted as a leader of the revolted Dutch, and -they were sentenced to death. On the 4th (the sentence having been -executed) the Riflemen marched at daybreak for Weinberg, a settlement -on the Vial river, and arrived there on the 7th. Here Sir Harry -Smith received the unconditional submission of the rebellious Dutch; -and fell back to Bloem-fontein on September 14. The Governor having -directed a field-work to be erected here the Riflemen worked at it, -until its completion, when it was garrisoned by the 45th and 91st -detachments; and the Riflemen marched for King William’s-town on -October 16. - -In the expedition thus concluded, the Riflemen had marched between -1,100 and 1,200 miles; had crossed several difficult rivers with -insufficient means of transit, had worn their clothing to shreds and -their shoes off their feet. General Orders highly laudatory of the -conduct of the officers and men were issued by Sir Harry Smith, both -on August 30, immediately after the fight at Boemplaats, and also -on his leaving the troops at Bloem-fontein on September 15. Colonel -Buller was appointed Companion of the Bath, and Major Beckwith -received the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. - -During the time the Battalion was near King William’s-town the men -were employed in building. ‘They built a town, they built barracks, -they built houses for their officers, some of “wattle-and-daub,” -some of bricks, and roofed with various materials. They also made -an aqueduct some three or four miles long to supply the camp with -water, and for the purpose of irrigation. When we left they had more -than half built permanent barracks of stone. That was all done by one -battalion, without neglecting any of its military duties.... We had -a daily parade, inspected arms, &c., and saw that the men were in -proper order, and then dismissed them to their working parties.’[205] - -The Service companies being reunited at King William’s town furnished -a detachment on October 18, to Fort Murray; and another, of a -company, on November 3, to Forts Grey and Glamorgan. - -The Depôt companies continued at Bristol during the whole of this -year; the only change being that a subaltern’s detachment proceeded -to Trowbridge on May 10 and rejoined the Depôt at Bristol on July 6. - - -No change took place in the quarters of the 2nd Battalion during the -year 1848, which remained with one wing, Head-quarters, at Toronto, -and the other at Kingston: the Reserve Battalion companies being -still at Quebec. - -The 1st Battalion continued in 1849 at King William’s-town, without -other change than the occasional relief of its detachments. - -The Depôt companies were during the whole year stationary at Bristol. -And on September 27 they furnished a guard of honour, consisting of -a captain, 3 subalterns, 5 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 100 rank and -file, to attend Her Majesty Queen Victoria, at the Gloucester Railway -Station, on her return from Scotland. - - -No event worth recording occurred in the 2nd Battalion, which -continued at Toronto and Kingston with its Reserve at Quebec, -until November 20; when a detachment consisting of 1 subaltern, 3 -sergeants, 2 buglers, and 80 rank and file proceeded from Toronto for -Mina bay, under the command of Captain Cooper, with the object of -quelling disturbances at the Bruce mines. - -The eventful history of this detachment cannot better be given than -in the words of a letter addressed by Captain Cooper (now Sir Astley -Paston Cooper, Bart.) to the Assistant-Adjutant-General at Kingston:-- - - ‘Sault Ste. Marie, Hudson’s bay Company’s Fort, - ‘December 16, 1849. - - ‘Sir,--I have the honour to report for the information of the - Major-General commanding, that bad weather and the lateness of - the season, combined with various accidents and delays, having - frustrated our efforts to make Mina bay, we have been obliged to - return to the Sault Ste. Marie, where we have now been obliged - to go into quarters for the winter. Our failure is however the - less to be regretted as the ring-leaders in the affair have been - captured, and all the Indians, to the best of my knowledge and - belief, have left Mina bay, and returned to their homes for the - winter. - - ‘I stated in my last communication that the captain of the - “Propeller” had engaged to be ready to start from the Sault - river on the evening of Thursday, the 4th inst.; but about - four o’clock that afternoon a gale commenced that rendered it - impossible for the boats to continue to take the freight on - board, and eventually swamped a scow that we had engaged for - the purpose. The wind did not abate sufficiently to allow us to - assume our operations till the Friday following; and we completed - the embarkation of men and stores on that day. Just however as - we were about to start, a fresh delay occurred, arising from a - dispute between the captain of the vessel and the engineer, who - being the only one left at the Sault, felt himself at liberty to - make his own terms, and who refused to go at all unless he got - 237 dollars for his trip, paid in advance. The captain refused - to give it him, and at one time it seemed very doubtful whether - we should not be obliged to return again to the Hudson’s bay - Company’s Fort. This settled, we started about seven P.M. to a - place about seven miles up the river, called Wood Dock, where we - were to take in more wood, it having been found impossible to - provide a sufficient quantity at the Sault. On arriving there we - found that the ice had collected in such quantities in the bay - that it was impossible to approach the “Propeller” to the wharf. - After making a variety of attempts to cut through the ice, carry - the boats on &c. to no purpose we were obliged to give it up for - that night. - - ‘The following morning we managed to land nearly the whole of - the troops, by pulling them round the ice to a place where the - wind and current had broken it up sufficiently to allow us to get - through. Carrying the wood from the wharf to the boats and thence - to the ship occupied about eight hours; and we did not get under - weigh again until about four P.M. - - ‘During the whole of the time we had been thus delayed, the - weather had been perfectly fair; but we had scarcely started when - a wind sprang up, which gradually increased to such a height, - that the funnel was bent, one of the stays gave way, the stove - and everything else in the cabin was overturned, and the binnacle - and compass upset and rolled about the deck. - - ‘Not being able, from the rolling of the vessel, to put back the - compass properly in its place, the helmsman was steering partly - by guesswork, and we drifted about five points out of our course. - At half-past eleven P.M. the ship struck hard on a point of - land on the American shore, called White Fish point, the bottom - happening fortunately to be sandy, and the sea right on, the - captain got the foresail on her and allowed her to drive up into - the shallow so far as she would, to obviate the heavy bumpings, - to prevent her broaching to, receiving the seas on her broadside. - The conduct of the men, when the ship struck, was most admirable, - inasmuch as the general rocky nature of the coast along the - shore of the Lake Superior was well known to everyone on board. - No one knew where we were; and White Fish point was perhaps the - only place on Lake Superior where such an accident could have - occurred without the vessel being instantaneously broken up. - Had the men not obeyed the command to stand still, but had they - rushed on deck, as the captain of the ship afterwards told me he - fully expected they would have done, at least one half of them - would have been washed overboard and drowned; as the deck was as - slippery as ice could make it, and there was no bulwark round - it other than a slight open railing, scarcely a foot high. Both - the captain and subordinate officers of the vessel afterwards - expressed their astonishment at the coolness and discipline the - soldiers displayed. We remained at White Fish point till about - half-past three P.M. Monday without any apparent possibility of - getting the ship off, occupying ourselves in the meantime with - landing the freight for the purpose of lightening the vessel, and - making what arrangement we could for passing the winter where we - were. About that hour, however, by working the vessel back with - all the steam the engine would bear, and rigging a derrick, they - got us off again; and about ten A.M. Tuesday, we again proceeded - towards Mina Bay and had arrived to within eight miles of the - place, when the wind shifted to the SW. and commenced blowing - again with such violence, that they were obliged to put about and - return to White Fish point for shelter. After remaining there - till noon, Wednesday, and the weather not at all improving, the - captain represented to me the impossibility of reaching the bay - this fall. - - ‘I then wrote to him requesting his opinion in writing; his - answer to which I enclose. We anchored in the Sault river on - Wednesday evening, and I am now getting the men settled in - quarters in the store-houses of the Hudson’s bay Company’s Fort; - and I trust that in a few days they will be made tolerably - comfortable for the winter. From the time the men left Toronto - till we returned to the Sault, they had never slept in a bed, or - taken off their clothes; yet in despite of that, and of the cold - and wet they have daily endured, we have no sickness whatever. I - am also happy to be able to inform you that the conduct of the - detachment continues to be exemplary. - - ‘I have the honour to be, - &c. &c. &c., - ‘A. P. COOPER. - ‘Capt. Commanding detachment.’ - -On December 3, the left wing of the Battalion removed from Kingston -and joined Head-quarters at Toronto. - - -In March 1850, the 1st Battalion being ordered home, were relieved -on the frontier by the 6th Foot; and on April 2, three companies -marched from King William’s-town to Fort Glamorgan, there to await -the arrival of H.M. steam-vessel ‘Hermes’ for conveyance to Table-bay. - -And on May 20 the remaining three companies, with Head-quarters, -marched from King William’s-town to Fort Glamorgan, and arrived there -on the next day. - -On the departure of the Battalion from the frontier, a very -complimentary District Order was issued by Colonel Mackinnon, -commanding at King William’s-town, thanking the officers, -non-commissioned officers and men for their excellent conduct while -under his command. - -Free discharges having been offered to such of the men as desired to -settle in South Africa, 165 non-commissioned officers and men availed -themselves of them; and being paraded on April 30, were there and -then handed their discharges by Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith. - -On May 25 the Head-quarters, with three companies, embarked at Fort -Glamorgan, in surf-boats, and were conveyed on board the ‘Hermes,’ -which started for Table-bay, at which place they disembarked on the -29th. - -On the 31st they were inspected at Cape Town by Sir Harry Smith, -previous to their embarkation for home, who took leave of his old -Corps in the following characteristic General Order: - - ‘Head-quarters, Cape Town, May 31, 1850. - - ‘The 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade will be held in readiness - to embark for England on board the ship, “Duchess of - Northumberland,” having completed a colonial tour of ten years’ - service, throughout which it has maintained the character for - discipline, bravery and interior economy which distinguished it - during the eventful period of the Peninsular War, under His Grace - the Duke of Wellington. - - ‘At the Cape of Good Hope in the Kaffir War and in a rapid, long, - and harassing march over the Orange river, for the suppression - of rebellion, the Riflemen were ever as distinguished for good - fellowship among their comrades of other regiments, as they were - formidable to their foes. Colonel Mackinnon the Commandant of - Kaffraria, thus reports of the Regiment: - - ‘“Nothing can have been more satisfactory than the conduct of the - Battalion ever since it has been in this district, and it has - been most ably commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith.” - - ‘In 1805 the Commander-in-Chief Sir H. Smith, joined this - Battalion then commanded by a Colonel Sidney Beckwith, (the uncle - of the present,) an officer of great military renown. - - ‘He has served with it during the most eventful period of its - career, and has never worn the Regimental uniform of any other - corps. The veteran and truly commendable affection, which is thus - created, leads His Excellency therefore fervently to hope for the - future welfare and honour of the Regiment. - - ‘“The true test of real excellence is not immediate success, but - durable fame;” and Sir Harry Smith trusts, with all his heart, - that this may ever be applicable to his old comrades of the Rifle - Brigade.’ - -On June 6 the Head-quarter division embarked at Cape Town in the -‘Duchess of Northumberland,’ and sailed the same day; and after -touching at St. Helena for water on the 19th, proceeded for England. - -But the other division of 8 officers and 100 men of other ranks were -still at East London; where they embarked in surf boats on June 10 -and 11, and were conveyed on board the ‘Hermes.’ They disembarked at -Falk bay on the 17th, and proceeded to Cape Town, where they were -quartered until July 11. - -On that day they embarked on board the ‘Himalaya,’[206] and sailed on -the 12th for England. - -We must now return to the movements of the Depôt companies which left -Bristol in two divisions on April 8 and 11, and arrived at Brecon on -the 9th and 11th. - -They removed in three divisions from Brecon on June 17, 18 and 19, -and proceeded to Canterbury, where they arrived on the 19th, 20th -and 21st, and were there stationed until the arrival of the Service -companies. - -The first division of these disembarked at Gravesend on Sunday, -August 11, and proceeded by railroad to Rochester, and marched into -Brompton Barracks Chatham; and on the 13th marched to Canterbury, -where they arrived the next day. - -The second division did not reach Gravesend till September 23, when -they disembarked, and marched to Canterbury, where they arrived on -the 26th. Thus the whole Battalion was reunited; but owing to the -free discharges given in Africa it was greatly below its strength; -and recruiting was actively carried on and the staff and parties at -the principal stations in England, and at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and -Newry were directed, by order from the Horse Guards, to raise 160 men -at once for the Battalion; yet up to the end of the year it had only -succeeded in obtaining 114 recruits. - -On December 30 and 31 the Battalion marched in two divisions from -Canterbury to Dover, where they were quartered; Head-quarters with -five companies in the Western heights, and five companies in the -Castle. - - -By an order from the Horse Guards dated February 6, 1850, the -Reserve Battalion of the 2nd Battalion was to be done away; and the -2nd Battalion and Reserve, of six companies each, were from April -1 to be absorbed into one Battalion of ten companies. The officers -(1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 2 Captains, 2 First Lieutenants, 2 Second -Lieutenants and an Adjutant), who thus became supernumerary, were -retained _en second_, until vacancies occurred. Pursuant to this -arrangement the six companies which formed the Reserve Battalion -left Quebec, where they had been stationed since their formation in -August 1846, and proceeded to Kingston in two divisions; the first, -consisting of three companies under Major Norcott, leaving Quebec -on May 1, and arriving at Kingston on the 3rd; the remaining three -companies leaving on the 8th, and arriving on the 11th. - -The 2nd Battalion itself left Toronto, where it had been quartered -since August 1847, in two divisions on May 22 and 24, arriving at -Kingston on the following days respectively. Thus the Battalion and -its Reserve were amalgamated; and at Kingston reunited into one -Battalion. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[193] _i.e._ A wooded ravine or valley. - -[194] Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Hardinge, retired. - -[195] _i.e._ A ford. - -[196] Colonel Charles Vernon Oxenden died April 26, 1868. - -[197] Major-General Alexander Macdonell, C.B. - -[198] ‘It was,’ says an historian of the war, ‘the useful green -jackets, the untiring Rifle Brigade, who worried Sandilli out of his -hiding-place among the mountains.’ (‘Five Years in Kaffirland,’ ii. -240, 2nd edition.) - -[199] ‘Five Years in Kaffirland,’ by Mrs. Ward, ii. 329-30. - -[200] Hoek, _i.e._ an inlet from a plain to high land, and from which -there is no outlet. - -[201] _i.e._ An enclosure, generally for cattle. - -[202] Major-General Glyn, C.B. - -[203] ‘Annual Register,’ xc. 248. - -[204] Colonel the Hon. H. H. Clifford, C.B., V.C. - -[205] Colonel Evelyn (formerly of the Rifle Brigade) in the ‘Journal -of the Royal United Service Institution,’ vol. xiv. p. 103. - -[206] Not the steam Troop-ship of that name; but a sailing Barque. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - -During the year 1851, when the 1st Battalion was stationed at the -Western heights, their Colonel-in-Chief, the Duke of Wellington, -reviewed them for the last time. Arriving from Walmer in September, -he saw the Battalion put through a field day by Colonel Buller. - -The fresh outbreak of the Kaffirs and the accounts which reached -England from the Cape having necessitated the despatch of -reinforcements to that colony, the 1st Battalion which remained at -Dover was, by letter from the Adjutant-General dated December 17, -1851, directed to be formed into Service and Depôt companies; and the -former were desired to hold themselves in readiness for immediate -service. Accordingly one Major (Horsford), 6 Captains, 6 First, and 6 -Second Lieutenants, with the usual Staff, 30 sergeants, 24 corporals, -11 buglers and 614 privates were detailed for embarkation under the -command of Colonel Buller; and were on December 29 inspected by -Major-General Brown, Adjutant-General of the Forces, on the Western -heights, who expressed his satisfaction at their appearance. - - -The 2nd Battalion remained during the whole of this year stationed at -Kingston, Upper Canada. - - -On the morning of January 2, 1852, the Service companies of the 1st -Battalion were conveyed, in three small steamers, on board H.M.S. -‘Megæra;’ which in the evening proceeded to, and anchored in the -Downs. - -Nothing could exceed the discomfort of this wretched ship. The men -were crowded; but Buller had wished his whole Battalion to go out -together; and, no doubt, eventually this saved many lives. For -the fate of the ‘Birkenhead,’ which took out detachments of other -regiments, and would probably have taken Riflemen had not all been -pushed into the ‘Megæra,’ is well known. - -The ‘Megæra’ steamed from the Downs on the morning of the 3rd and off -Beachy Head and the back of the Isle of Wight encountered a heavy -gale, which much damaged her. She caught fire twice, but it was each -time happily extinguished, and on the 5th she put into Plymouth -harbour utterly disabled. - -Here intelligence reached the Riflemen of the disastrous fight of -November 6, 1851, when Colonel Fordyce of the 74th was killed and -his regiment severely handled by the Kaffirs. And the ‘Megæra,’ -hardly refitted, was desired to put to sea immediately. Stores were -incomplete; but the only reply to all such representations was the -repetition, by telegraph, of the order ‘Put to sea.’ - -So on January 7, at ten at night, the ‘Megæra’ again started; and -arrived at Madeira on the 24th. After coaling, and taking in supplies -here, she left on the 27th and arrived at Sierra Leone on February 6. -She steamed from this at midnight on the 7th and after some severe -gales, and being on fire again more than once, this unhappy ship at -last reached Simon’s bay on the night of March 24 having taken nearly -two months to make the passage. - -After coaling here, and landing women and children and six sick men, -who were sent to Cape Town in charge of a sergeant, the ‘Megæra’ -again put to sea on the 27th and anchored in Algoa bay on the 30th. - -The Riflemen were immediately landed, by means of surf boats and the -help of Fingoes, as they had been at the same place six years before. -As soon as they were ashore they marched by companies to the hill -above Port Elizabeth where they were encamped; each company pitching -tents for that following it, so that the men were at once under -canvass as soon as they reached the ground. At the back of the camp -was a sort of ravine, through which flowed a stream, in which the men -washed everything, great-coats, clothing kits, in order to cleanse -them from the smoke and dirt of the ‘Megæra.’ On April 2 about two in -the afternoon, camp was struck, and the Battalion commenced its march -for the frontier; halting that night at the Swart Kop river. - -The next morning they resumed their march, the last three hours -being under heavy rain, and encamped. On the Coega river on the 4th -they started at half-past four in the morning, and after marching -about ten miles, halted for breakfast, and then continued their -march, the intention being to cross Sunday river; but it was so -swollen with the rains as to be impassable. On its bank they remained -encamped therefore until the 8th. On that day about noon the river -was reported to be fordable, and the Battalion having passed it, -and marched about two miles and a half encamped for the night at -Commando’s kraal. - -On the 9th, starting very early, they halted for breakfast at Addo -bush. On this day’s march they passed a well where the Battalion had -halted during a similar march in November 1846, and where the date, -then carved by them on a post, was still to be seen; and at night -encamped at Quagga Flats. - -On the next day again marching very early, they advanced a good way -over the flats, and then again continued to ascend; for the road -for the whole march had been almost a constant rise, and after the -usual halt for breakfast, and a further march, arrived at Sidbury and -encamped on a hill-side. - -On the 11th marching, as usual, about half-past four, they went -forward about eleven miles through the Assegai bush, and halted for -breakfast near a river of the same name; and marching on about seven -miles further encamped near the Karraga river, which however was hid -from the camp by a wooded declivity. - -On the next day after the usual early march of about six miles, in -which they crossed the river, after a fatiguing descent to it, and -an equally fatiguing ascent on the opposite side of a ravine, they -halted for breakfast in a spot covered with mimosa bushes, with fine -grass between them, which had rather the appearance of an artificial -lawn than of unreclaimed wilderness. Soon after starting again, they -met such crowds of people coming out from Graham’s-town to meet them, -that they fancied themselves close to it; but after a toilsome march -of six miles further, over a very rough road, they encamped in the -Drostdy barracks. - -During the two following days they halted; but on the 15th starting -from Graham’s-town about eleven, accompanied by numbers of the -inhabitants, they marched to Botha’s Hill, where they encamped for -the night. - -On the 16th marching about five, over the Ekka heights, they entered -the Fish river bush, by a newly-cut path called the ‘Queen’s road.’ -Proceeding about five miles, on emerging from the bush, and passing -over some flat country to Fort Brown, they crossed the Fish river -by a wooden bridge, and proceeding about three miles further, they -encamped about three o’clock near the Koonap, a tributary of the Fish -river. - -On the next day they marched about six miles to their breakfast halt, -on some very high ground; and after crossing the Koonap at a shallow -ford, ascended the Koonap heights; and, after a short march, reached -their camping ground at Liew fontein early and untired. - -On the 18th starting at five, they had a long march to Mildenhall, -where they breakfasted, and where three houses had recently been -destroyed by the Kaffirs. After this halt crossing the Chumie -river, and afterwards the Kat river by a shallow ford, they marched -through the town of Fort Beaufort amidst the hearty welcomes of its -inhabitants, and encamped on a plain on the other side of it. - -Here they halted for three days in very inclement weather; the -heavy rain on the 19th obliging the men to turn out at night to dig -trenches round the tents, and to bale out the water which had flooded -them. - -On arrival at Fort Beaufort the Battalion was placed in the 1st -brigade of the division under Major-General Somerset. The brigade, -which was commanded by Colonel Buller, was composed of detachments of -the 74th, Cape Corps, and Artillery, with two six-pounders and rocket -apparatus, and some Fingoe levies. - -The Battalion, having been inspected by General Somerset on April -21, marched about half-past six on the morning of the 22nd for the -Waterkloof, accompanied by eight of the Cape Corps, and a detachment -of Artillery with a six-pounder, drawn by twelve oxen. - -They halted for breakfast at Gilbert’s farm ‘Klu-klu,’ which had -been burnt by the Kaffirs. Resuming their march to Yellow-wood they -encamped for the night on the Kroome river, where plenty of long -grass afforded them excellent beds. The day’s march had been very -fatiguing; for though part of it was through a fine grassy country, -and on a hard road, yet this had in places been broken up by -mountain storms into gullies, sometimes resembling steep steps of -stairs, and sometimes the loose _débris_ of a stone quarry. - -On the 23rd they started soon after 5, and after passing some ruined -houses halted for breakfast at McMaster’s canteen, which, like the -buildings they had passed, bore evident marks of Kaffir depredation -and destruction. After a rest of about two hours, they resumed their -march towards the banks of the Koonap, and pitched their tents at a -place called Haddon’s post; but which the men called Stony camp, from -the difficulty they experienced in driving in the tent pegs; near a -thickly wooded ravine called Bushneck. - -Hardly had the camp been pitched when a storm of wind, rain and hail, -accompanied with thunder and lightning, came on, which threw tents -to the ground, and obliged men and officers to turn out with shovels -and mallets to dig trenches, and drive tent-pegs. And even after the -violence of the storm abated, rain continued at intervals during the -night. Kaffirs were seen at a distance on the hills near the camp. - -On the 24th when they were preparing to advance, the conductor -declared that the oxen could not go forward; consequently the -Battalion halted for the day; Captain Glyn’s company going out on -patrol, and bringing in a horse, which was claimed by the Fingoes. - -On the 25th they started in a fog so thick that they lost their way -in the first half-hour; and had to halt. Then resuming their march, -they literally felt their way to the banks of the Koonap, which they -crossed five times in the course of this day’s march. They halted -for breakfast at Nell’s Farm, where one end of the house only was -standing. On resuming their march, after twice crossing the Koonap, -they ascended a hill of exceeding steepness, by a road formed by the -dry and rocky course of a mountain torrent. The advanced guard shot -one Kaffir and made two women, mother and daughter, prisoners. They -burnt some Kaffir huts also, but they were empty. On getting to the -top the Riflemen were halted to get their breath. This hill forms one -of the Winterberg Mountains, the Chumie range forming the opposite -side of the Waterkloof. After a short halt they resumed their -advance; and, after marching some distance, were halted in a pretty -but irregular valley, where it was intended to camp. But it was found -that the oxen with the tents and baggage had been unable to ascend -the hill as fast as was expected; and consequently the Battalion was -ordered to countermarch (an unwelcome order, after so fatiguing a -march) and after descending again about a mile and a-half, encamped -on some stony and uneven ground. A strong guard was formed round the -camp, and the picquet were sent down the hill with the dinners of the -men at the bottom, and to form a guard while they ate it. For one -company was sent down the hill to bring up the waggons, and all were -not up till 2 o’clock in the morning. On the next day the Battalion -marched forward to a place called Bear’s farm, about 5 miles from -the Waterkloof valley. To reach this it was necessary to go down a -road almost as steep as that ascending the opposite side of the ridge -from the Bushneck valley, and equal difficulties were experienced in -getting the baggage forward. - -On April 29 Captains Somerset’s,[207] Lord Alexander Russell’s[208] -and Woodford’s companies (with some Fingoes, and Cape Corps) fell -in at 4 in the morning, and were ordered to move forward in perfect -silence. Somerset with a 6-pounder went round by a road; while the -remaining two companies advanced over most rough and broken ground -to the edge of the Waterkloof, which, in consequence of its being -perfectly dark, rendered the march extremely difficult. Daylight was -just appearing when they caught sight of some Kaffir fires. Colonel -Buller passed the word to extend, and the two companies advanced. The -Kaffir ‘Whoop’ was soon heard, and firing commenced when they were -about 200 yards from the first kraal. From this the Kaffirs fled to -the bush and the rocks, taking cover behind the rocks as the Riflemen -came on. They set fire to the huts, and still advancing and searching -every bush and hiding place, emerged on the plain beyond. Somerset’s -company with the gun now joined them on the left. They soon came in -sight of another kraal, and the gun was unlimbered and a shell thrown -into it. The Riflemen still advanced; and the Kaffirs kept up a -brisk fire from the bush, and from a hill just beyond. Here the three -companies made a halt; and eventually returned to camp, as the force -was not strong enough to attempt the hill, where the Kaffirs greatly -outnumbered them. - -In this patrol, Lieutenant Godfrey and 3 men were wounded. The place -was called Mundell’s Krantz, and was in fact the place where Colonel -Fordyce had been killed. - -The three companies reached the camp about 2 o’clock after a march of -18 miles. Kaffirs hovered on their rear during their march back; but -did not venture within range. - -On May 3 another patrol, consisting of four companies started at -half-past two A.M., as some Kaffirs were said to be in Engelbrecht’s -kloof. Of these one company joined a party of the 74th Regiment -at Post Retief; and starting thence at 3 in the afternoon marched -about 12 miles along the Koonap, which they forded seven times; -and occupied for the night a ruined farm-house which they reached -at dark. On the next morning they marched about 5, again crossing -several streams, some of them very dangerous from the slippery state -of the rocks, in falling from which one Rifleman dislocated his -knee. At 9 o’clock they fell in with the remaining companies, which -were posted on a hill in front of them; but the scouts came in with -intelligence that the Kaffirs had all left the kloof, and the patrol -returned to the camp at Bear’s farm. - -On the 5th one company proceeded with a party of the 74th as a -covering party to protect those engaged in road-making in the -Blinkwater. The scouts reported traces of cattle near Bushneck; and -on the 6th Captains Rooper’s and Woodford’s companies, accompanied by -a party of the Cape Corps and some Fingoes, started at 4 A.M. under -command of Major Horsford, and after marching round by the hills and -destroying many huts so hurriedly left by the Kaffirs that they found -them full of necklaces, and various utensils, and even one young -child left behind, they returned to camp about 2 o’clock. - -On the 8th a patrol under command of Colonel Buller, accompanied -by two guns, proceeded early to the hills at the mouth of the -Waterkloof. However the Kaffirs, though occupying it in great -strength, would not show themselves. And after firing about twenty -rounds from the guns into the kloof, the patrol returned to camp. -It seemed that the Kaffirs by watching were aware of every movement -made by the Riflemen, and so avoided an attack. But it was thought -that these frequent patrols harassed them as much as if they had been -brought to an actual engagement. - -On the 17th four companies, Lord Alexander Russell’s, Woodford’s, -Hardinge’s and Glyn’s, moved before daylight for the Waterkloof; and -arriving near the scene of the skirmish on April 29, burned several -huts and captured three horses, several shots being fired from the -kloof. No enemy then appeared. But as the patrol began to retire -they showed themselves in all directions. Several men had been left -in ambush near the burning huts; and they were soon busily engaged. -The patrol was extended, and retired by companies, each company -facing the enemy in turn, while the rest moved to the rear. As soon -as they left a position, or passed over rising ground, it was taken -possession of by the enemy who kept up a smart fire from their large -elephant pieces. Happily their aim was generally too high; but three -of the Riflemen were wounded. They were about four hours engaged; -and retired fighting over about 5 miles. Twice they halted and -endeavoured to bring the Kaffirs to close quarters; but they declined -meeting them on the plain. - -The Battalion remained at Bear’s farm without any important -occurrence until the 27th, when three companies, Rooper’s, Somerset’s -and Glyn’s, proceeded on patrol at 5 A.M. under the command of Major -Horsford, for Ingilby’s farm; and discovered numerous traces of -cattle but did not come upon any Kaffirs. - -On the 29th a patrol of 70 men with Lieutenants Elliot[209] and -Coote Buller, proceeded to Ingilby’s farm, in order to ascertain -whether the spoor[210] observed on the 27th was caused by the Kaffirs -grazing their cattle by night. They had nearly reached the place -where they were to make this examination, when a sharp fire opened -from an unseen enemy, by which four men were wounded. The fire was -immediately returned into the bush, but its effect could not be -ascertained; and the patrol returned to camp. - -On the evening of the 30th the Battalion paraded for patrol at -tattoo, it being important to ascertain whether the Kaffirs did, as -reported by the scouts, bring out their cattle to feed at night. -Strict orders were given for perfect silence, no lights were to be -struck or pipes lighted. They marched about 8 miles; and then were -ordered to be ready to fall in at three minutes’ notice. About 5 A.M. -they stood to their arms, extended, and advanced to the edge of the -bush; where they again halted and lay down till daylight. As soon as -it appeared they dashed rapidly into the bush downhill to a valley. -Two Kaffirs were seen, and both brought down by the Riflemen. They -came on smouldering fires, and many traces of Kaffirs, but saw no -more. The valley was well cultivated as a garden; and full of fruit, -with which the men filled their haversacks. Having halted there -for breakfast, they marched back to camp; where they arrived about -10 o’clock on the 31st, and were mustered as they stood, in their -accoutrements. - -On June 3, four companies, Lord Alexander Russell’s, Woodford’s, -Hardinge’s and Glyn’s, paraded at 6 in the morning and marched -towards the Waterkloof, in order to meet General Cathcart, and -to accompany him on a reconnaissance to the Waterkloof and the -Blinkwater. Having reached the place fronting the Kloof called the -Horse-shoe, they piled arms and awaited the General. The Kaffirs were -soon seen in motion in every direction, wondering probably what was -intended by this demonstration by daylight; and they lit two large -fires on the opposite side of the Kloof apparently as signals. On the -General’s arrival, accompanied by his Staff, some of the Cape Corps, -and a troop of the 12th Lancers, they proceeded with him to examine -the different parts of the Kloof to which the Riflemen had patrolled -on former occasions. As they moved along the Kaffirs accompanied -them, keeping within the edge of the Kloof. They proceeded towards -the Blinkwater, from whence the General went on to Post Retief, while -the Riflemen returned to their camp, after a most fatiguing day’s -march, in consequence of the slipperiness of the grass, and the -necessity of their keeping up with the mounted force. On the 4th it -was seen that the Kaffirs had set fire to the grass round the camp; -and watch had to be kept all night to see that it did not approach -too close. On the morning of the 5th three parties were despatched to -beat out the fire with bushes; which they did effectually owing to -the shortness of the grass. - -On the 8th two companies proceeded on a reconnaissance towards the -Waterkloof, and returned without doing anything; but one man was -killed. - -On the 11th Lord Alexander Russell’s, Woodford’s and Hardinge’s -companies started at 4 in the morning in the direction of Bushneck; -not proceeding by the usual road, but directly across country, up -and down hills, some of them extremely steep, with large projecting -rocks, which the men had to climb, and to slide down on the other -side. Part of the march also was over the burnt grass, the dust from -which was extremely annoying, and at times almost prevented their -seeing anything. They marched fully 18 miles, not even halting for -breakfast. They came on traces of Kaffirs, who as usual disappeared, -unless surrounded before daylight. - -On July 3 a patrol of Captain Somerset’s company started at 5 A.M. -and examined the valleys in the neighbourhood of the Waterkloof in -search of cattle; but the sun rose before they had found them, and -rendered their efforts unsuccessful. - -An escort marched towards the Blinkwater on July 5 to deliver the -guns to a party of the 91st and some of Lakeman’s volunteers. As they -were returning they saw some Kaffirs driving off a cow. The officer -in charge would not allow the company to go, but gave permission for -ten volunteers to attack them; who immediately doubled to cover. The -Kaffirs observing the company did not see the detached party, who -cut them off from the bush. There were three men and two women; who -seemed so destitute and starved that it was not worth while to make -them prisoners. - -At midnight on the 6th a patrol left the camp, and after marching a -considerable distance, were halted, divided into watches, and ordered -to conceal themselves. The object was to intercept cattle, supposed -to be on the move. But after lying down in concealment during a -very cold morning, at sunrise they returned to camp without having -effected their object. - -On the 7th the camp at Bear’s farm was struck, and the tents -and baggage placed in the farm-yard under the charge of Captain -Woodford’s company. The remainder paraded a little before midnight, -with coats and blankets and three days’ rations, which the men were -recommended to cook before starting. Soon after they moved off; and -marching, in a cold sleet, by the southern heights of the Waterkloof, -were joined by another division under General Cathcart.[211] They -then proceeded to the ridge separating the Waterkloof valley from -Fuller’s Hoek, and after firing shell, shot, and rockets into the -bush, bivouacked on the night of the 8th at the head of the pass, -after having been fourteen successive hours on the move. They had -seen many Kaffirs, who kept close in cover, occasionally firing on -our skirmishers. In this affair one Rifleman was killed, shot through -the brain while taking aim over a rock. The weather during the time -the Battalion was engaged on this reconnaissance was extremely -inclement, rain, sleet and snow falling almost incessantly. - -During the absence of the Battalion the Kaffirs rushed out of the -Kloof, and drove off seven oxen feeding near Bear’s farm. The company -there immediately stood to their arms; but could not leave their -position, as the Kaffirs appeared in number on the neighbouring -hills. The waggoners were despatched to secure the oxen; and the -Kaffirs at first retired. But seeing that they were only waggoners -not soldiers, they returned and made off with their prize. - -The Battalion returned about noon on the 9th and found the tents -pitched and everything made ready for them by their comrades in -charge. They were accompanied by two 12-pounders, with the men and -horses. - -On the morning of the 14th the Battalion finally left its -camping-ground at Bear’s farm, and proceeded to Mount-Misery, -marching by the edge of the Waterkloof into which shells were -occasionally dropped. The Riflemen had scarcely reached their -position, when a waggoner came running in and informed them that his -span[212] of oxen had been seized by the Kaffirs. The cattle-guard -which was in the act of mounting, set off at the double; the best -runners taking the lead, and soon came up with the cattle, which they -recovered, shooting one Kaffir. - -Here a standing camp was formed, and two redoubts were built, as a -base from whence General Cathcart operated in the final attacks on -the Kaffirs. On the morning of the 15th the outlying picket at the -head of Fuller’s Hoek had just lit their cooking fire at daybreak, -when the fuel was knocked about by a ball from the bush. Several more -shots were fired; but no mischief done. And some men of the picquet, -crawling into the bush, shot one Kaffir and took three horses. - -The Riflemen were engaged till the 23rd in assisting in building the -redoubts, and strengthening the camp; which was placed on the ridge -commanding and cutting the communication between Fuller’s Hoek and -the head of the Waterkloof. - -On the 24th the Battalion started at half-past four in the morning -accompanied by all the available force at Colonel Buller’s command, -leaving a party in charge of the forts. They marched in the direction -of Mundell’s Krantz, near which they burned a number of Kaffir huts, -and captured several horses. Several shells were fired into the Kloof -into which the Kaffirs had fled, and from which they kept up a smart -fire by which two men of the Battalion were wounded; one dangerously; -the other, the Colonel’s orderly, shot in the face and neck. Sergeant -Green had a very curious escape; the bullet passing behind his -ball-bag, and bending the brasses of his waist-belt. - -The General Order of which the following is an extract, was issued by -General Cathcart on the next day: - - ‘General Order No. 59. - - ‘Head-quarters, Fort Beaufort, July 25, 1852. - - ‘3. The Commander of the Forces has received with much - satisfaction Colonel Buller’s report of his attack on the 24th - inst. at daylight on the Kaffir kraals of the Waterkloof near - Mundell’s Krantz, which were destroyed, as well those above as - those below the krantz.[213] - - ‘In this attack, which Colonel Buller conducted with much - ability, a considerable loss of life was inflicted on the enemy, - many of their arms and some ammunition destroyed in burning the - huts, and twelve head of cattle and eight horses taken. - - ‘Colonel Buller speaks in terms of marked praise of the manner - in which Major Bedford, commanding the 60th rifles, and Major - Horsford, Rifle Brigade, led their battalions, &c.... - - (Signed) ‘A. J. CLOETE, - ‘Q. M. Gen.’ - -On their return to camp the Riflemen were warned, that, as they were -to start on an expedition across the Kei river against Kreili, they -were to take out of their knapsacks any article wanted for the road; -and the knapsacks were to be conveyed in waggons to Fort Beaufort, to -be kept in store till their return. - -At daybreak on the 25th four companies under the command of Major -Horsford started for Fort Beaufort, leaving two companies with -Head-quarters to occupy and complete the fort. - -Horsford’s column, after bivouacking one night near the Blinkwater, -reached Fort Beaufort, by a mountain road, on the 16th. The band, -which had been stationary at Beaufort, met the Battalion about a mile -from the fort; and the familiar strains of ‘Ninety-five’ greeted -and enlivened the men after their fatiguing march. They encamped on -the same spot occupied by the Battalion in the war of 1847-9. And -remained there till the 29th, when they marched, returning to and -camping near the Blinkwater, where they were joined by the remainder -of the forces for the Kei expedition. - -On the 30th they marched at half-past six, and followed the windings -of the Kei river for about twelve miles; and, after fording it, -halted for breakfast about two o’clock. Resuming their march, they -halted at Fort Armstrong where they encamped. - -On the next day having but a short march of seven miles to -accomplish, they did not start till after breakfast--and encamped -for the night in an acacia grove about a mile from Eland’s post. On -August 1, the Riflemen having to escort the waggons, did not start -till about eight; and after a march of four miles, halted at the -foot of the Winterberg mountain. The ascent of this occupied the -remainder of the day; and the road after reaching the summit being -very circuitous, it was late before they reached their camping-ground. - -Marching the next day about eight o’clock, they passed over an -undulating plain, covered with burnt grass, and after a very -fatiguing march, though not more than eight miles, encamped after -dark at the Katsberg mountain. The place was so utterly devoid of -wood, that the men were obliged to collect dry dung for the fires. - -On the 3rd they marched about ten o’clock, and after a most fatiguing -march, climbing and sliding down steep hills, reached their -camping-ground about six. During this march twenty of the draught -oxen were lost from fatigue and starvation. - -The day following, marching early they crossed a sandy plain, and -in the course of the march passed near some settlers’ houses and -encamped on a fine stream near Shiloh. - -On the 5th starting about ten, and marching eight miles over a fine -grassy plain bounded on each side by ridges of mountains, they -encamped near the Klaas Smidts river, which they crossed. And on the -next day, accomplishing a march of about twenty miles, encamped at -Umvani. On the 7th after an easy day’s march of about eight miles -which they got over at a rapid pace they encamped for the night at -Balotta. During this day the Riflemen could see from the high ground -parties of burghers, levies, and waggons making by different roads -for the general _rendezvous_ of the expedition. - -On the 8th at an early hour the ‘alarm’ and ‘assembly’ were sounded; -and in less than five minutes the Riflemen were all under arms, -standing in front of the tents, and expecting the appearance of an -enemy. It proved however only to be a trial by General Cathcart of in -how short a time he could have his force under arms. Horsford’s party -afterwards formed line, and after being inspected by the General, -were dismissed and halted that day and the next. - -On the next morning a march of about ten miles brought them to the -Kei river, which they crossed at a very shallow place, the stony bed -being in some parts exposed. They encamped at Sabella half a mile -from the White Kei. The General here manifested his extreme regard -for the Regiment, which continued till his death. Their tents were -next to those of the Staff, and the Riflemen were specially attached -to his person. The General divided his forces into two columns, one -under Colonel Michel, of the 6th Regiment; the other under Colonel -Napier. Each consisted of one regiment of infantry, mounted burghers, -and levies, Africandos, Dutch and English, native levies, Cape Corps -and Lancers. These two columns were to patrol in Kreili’s country. -The four companies of the Regiment were to hold the camp; to act as -the General’s body-guard; and to form escorts for the cavalry-patrols -and cattle. - -On the 14th an alarm was given from the outlying picquet that the -Kaffirs were taking the cattle. The Riflemen were cleaning their -belts; but before the bugler could sound the ‘assembly’ they had -slipped on their belts, seized their rifles, and were off over the -hill. It was a false alarm; a party of mounted Fingoes coming in -from Balotta had fired off their pieces near where the cattle were -grazing. On seeing the Riflemen, they turned tail and fled, and were -hotly pursued by them. It was a fine chase, till Major Horsford, -galloping forward, ascertained the real state of the case, and -brought the Riflemen back to camp. - -They continued in this camp without any material occurrence until the -20th; on which day two companies, Somerset’s and Woodford’s, started -at four o’clock in the morning, carrying two days’ rations, to cover -a patrol of cavalry. They arrived about ten at Crouch’s post, and -halted in a large wood. As the cattle captured from the Kaffirs -were brought in by the mounted parties, the Riflemen in parties of -twelve or twenty taking them over, drove them to the camp, where they -arrived about sundown. About 12,000 head of cattle were said to have -been taken on this day. - -On the 21st the tents were struck and these companies commenced their -return march, in order to cross the Kei before the rains set in. The -Riflemen on reaching the river were ordered to conceal themselves in -ambush. About two o’clock they made a rapid dash back to the site of -the camp. in the expectation that they might come upon some Kaffirs. -Some men were seen in the distance, who were immediately pursued -by some of the Cape Corps who accompanied the Riflemen, while they -took prisoners a few women who were foraging about the place where -the tents had stood. However these were afterwards released; and the -Riflemen, moving off, reached Balotta about dark. The next day the -column halted, as a division of the captured cattle was made among -the burghers and others. On the 23rd resuming their march about -nine o’clock, after ascending the high ground from which they had -observed the assembling forces on the 7th, leaving their old track -to the right, they struck into a valley; and after passing over an -undulating country encamped on the bank of the Swart Kei, having made -a march of about twenty miles. The Riflemen on this march presented -a curious appearance; many of them leading colts, calves or kids. - -The following day they did not march till two o’clock in the -afternoon, being detained by the difficulty of getting the waggons -across the river. After fording it, they ascended the steep range of -the Windvogelberg. The Kaffirs still hung on their rear, occupying -their camping grounds as soon as the Riflemen were out of range. They -marched about eight miles; the latter part of it in torrents of rain; -and encamped near the Windvogel river. On the 25th they marched at -eight o’clock; and still ascending, moved forward about seven miles -after reaching the top of the range of mountains, and encamped on the -Thorn river. During these marches great difficulty was experienced -in getting the waggons up the hills. On this night some of them did -not reach the camping-ground till eleven o’clock, and as some of the -Riflemen had to escort, and some to help forward, the oxen, these -marches were most toilsome. After a halt on the 26th devoted to -cleaning arms and accoutrements and mending clothing, they resumed -their march on the 27th, and did not reach their camping-ground on -the Klip-plaatz river till after dark. This day’s march was partly -over snow-covered ground; and the Kaffirs knowing where they would -have to halt for water, had burned the herbage, so that fodder and -wood were scarce. In consequence of these wants, they started at -half-past five on the morning of the 28th and refording the Klip, -passed through a mountain ravine, the Klipclowberg; and afterwards -marched about four miles through a bog; and after fording the Mud -river, halted for breakfast under Gaika’s kop, in order to allow the -oxen, who had had no food for two days, to graze. Resuming their -march they passed over the range; and descending a most precipitous -mountain-side about six miles in length, where the Riflemen had to -hang on to the rear of the waggons to prevent their overturning, they -encamped that night within about a mile and a half of Eland’s post. -From hence, proceeding by the route by which they had advanced, and -encamping at the same points, they reached Fort Beaufort on the 31st. - -In the meanwhile the two companies and Head-quarters had left their -standing camp at the Waterkloof on August 29, and had arrived at -Fort Beaufort on the day following, where they occupied quarters. -The four companies which formed part of the Kei expedition were -encamped near the fort. These men had not shaved since they started; -and their appearance and their patched and many-coloured garments -contrasted strangely with the neat aspect and new clothing of the two -Head-quarter companies. On the 26th Colonel Buller had been appointed -to succeed Major-General Somerset in command of the 1st Division of -the army; so that the command of the Battalion devolved on Major -Horsford. - -General Cathcart, commanding the forces, having decided on a -general operation in order to clear the Waterkloof, four columns -were appointed to move simultaneously from various points, and to -converge to a common centre. In accordance with this arrangement the -Battalion, having been re-equipped, was ready to take the field again -on September 6; but the rains having rendered the rivers unfordable, -they did not move until the 10th. On which day, starting early, they -breakfasted at Klu-klu, and halted for the night at Yellow Wood. On -the 11th they marched at five; and after halting for breakfast at -McMaster’s canteen, reached Haddon’s post in the evening. At all -these stations the houses were in ruins; the gardens devastated; and -marks of the incursions of the Kaffirs everywhere visible. - -On the morning of the 12th a strong patrol advanced into the Bushneck -to select a spot for a camp; and returned to Haddon’s post in about -an hour, having shot the only Kaffir who was seen. On the 13th -the Battalion marched at daylight to Nell’s farm in the Bushneck, -opposite the principal entrance to the Waterkloof. General Cathcart -came to look at them on the march, and highly approved the appearance -of the Battalion. One Kaffir and three women were made prisoners, and -handed over to the Fingoe levies. - -On the 14th an order was given that one company should always sleep -fully accoutred, and ready to stand to their arms at a moment’s -notice. The remainder of the Battalion were engaged in building a -fort. On the 15th the Battalion paraded two hours before daylight, -with three days’ rations, and moving up the Waterkloof reached -Mundell’s Krantz, a distance of about four miles, by daybreak. As -soon as it was light, they entered the Kloof and commenced burning -the huts and shooting the occupants. Some of the other troops were -above, pouring rockets and shell into the Kloof; and the Riflemen -picked off the Kaffirs, whom these missiles dislodged from their -cover. About sixty Kaffir women, besides children, and some rebel -Hottentots, were taken prisoners. These last were immediately hung. -The Riflemen, pushing forward through the Kloof, met the 73rd, who -had penetrated from the head. These, their companions in the former -war, on first catching sight of the Riflemen from the top of a -rock, set up a ringing cheer, which was heartily returned by the -greenjackets. The troops on the Chumie and the adjoining heights -took it up, and the whole Kloof re-echoed it. The columns had met in -the centre, having penetrated from all points. But the Kloof was not -taken yet; the various krantzes and gorges were to be searched. - -Later in the day, two companies, Somerset’s and Woodford’s, -accompanied by the Grenadier company of the 73rd, proceeded to clear -a krantz. The troops on the opposite side of the Kloof could see the -Kaffirs gathering on the top, and shouted in warning to our men. -Colonel Eyre, in command of the party, desired the men to go slowly -up, and to keep their wind till they were fired on; then to give a -cheer and rush to the top. On a ledge about half-way up screened -from below by trees, they found a village, which they immediately -burned; and the ascending flames and smoke from these burning huts -seriously incommoded them as they clambered up the remainder of the -cliff. When they got near the top firing commenced; and they dashed -to the top amidst the cheers of the troops on the opposite heights. -The Kaffirs flew before them into the adjoining bush. Lieutenant -Lindsay and four Riflemen pursued them, and had penetrated some -distance into the bush, before they realised the weakness of their -party, and the fact that they had lost their way. After wandering -about for some time, they caught the sound of the bugle, and -following its direction, they eventually rejoined the Battalion, -which bivouacked that night in a small clump of trees on the Iron -Rock. - -The 16th was occupied in searching for Kaffirs, most of the huts -having been already burnt. The Riflemen, guided by Fingoes, searched -the bush and the caves up the Kloof and back again to their bivouack -of the night before, which they did not reach till a late hour, and -in heavy rain. - -The Battalion was off before daylight on the 17th, the men shivering -with cold and wet. As they were passing along the edge of the -Kloof they were informed that Macomo was in Fuller’s Hoek; and -they immediately started to the bush over Blakeway’s farm. Troops -surrounded every part of Fuller’s Hoek which men could reach; and the -Riflemen patrolled the ridges and Kaffir tracks in every direction; -sometimes passing over ground so steep that it was difficult for -them to keep their feet. Some huts were found securely concealed, -which were immediately burnt. Though numerous traces of Macomo and -his attendants were found, he himself was not unearthed. For it was -impossible to search every foot of a kloof miles in extent, covered -with dense bush, and which abounded with places of concealment. The -Riflemen, much fatigued with this harassing work, bivouacked early in -Harris’ Kloof, and some cattle captured during the day were killed -and served out to the Riflemen by Major Horsford’s order. - -On the 18th they started early, again taking the road to the Hoek; -but heavy rain coming on, Colonel Eyre’s intention of again searching -it was defeated, the ground being soon so slippery that neither -men nor horses could stand. He therefore dismissed the column; and -the Riflemen turned homeward, passing over the Iron Rock and the -lower part of the Waterkloof. It was a long way, and it took them -six hours’ quick marching to get over it. There was a short halt; -but the men’s rations being exhausted, there was nothing to cook. -The officers emptied their saddle-bags among the men; but this was -insufficient. However Horsford sent on a Cape Corps man with an order -to get the tents up, and as the Riflemen came in sight of their old -camping-ground at Nell’s farm they found their houses all standing. - -The Battalion remained in their camp on the 19th, but on the 20th -four companies proceeded to the Waterkloof in which they encamped -at Brown’s farm at the foot of Mundell’s Krantz; one company -(Somerset’s) proceeding to the top of the krantz; and Rooper’s -company remaining at Nell’s farm, in occupation of the fort built -there. - -On the 22nd every available man started at two o’clock A.M. on a -patrol to Stuart’s Kloof, a Hottentot prisoner captured the day -before being led in front by a halter as a guide. Reaching the kloof -about sunrise, and perceiving smoke issuing from it, the Riflemen -surrounded it and skirmished through it; but finding nothing but -Hottentot women and children, returned to their camp at Brown’s farm -about two. - -Heavy and almost continuous rain prevented active operations for some -days; and the Riflemen were engaged in building a fort near their -camp, and in a very central position in the Waterkloof. - -But on the 30th, spies having reported that Macomo was in the Kroome -hills, a patrol started soon after midnight; and after fording a -river and ascending the hills, scoured the kloofs, but did not find -any Kaffirs, and returned by the Bushneck to camp about noon. - -On October 4 a patrol proceeded to the Iron Rock; two companies going -to the top of it, while the others extended at its foot. Two Kaffirs -were shot; one an amazingly powerful man, quite six feet three in -height. - -On the 10th and following days the Battalion was employed, a company -at a time, making roads through the Waterkloof, and opening up -communications between the forts lately erected. The men for this -duty starting at daybreak and working till sunset. - -On the 14th the company left at Nell’s farm captured several head of -cattle, which were almost driven into their hands by the Kaffirs, who -appeared to be ignorant that a party were there stationed. - -On the 20th all the available men started at three A.M. over -Mundell’s Krantz, but were soon enveloped in a mist so thick that -they could not see many yards on any side. They were compelled to -halt till it cleared off; when they perceived a party of the 91st and -some of Lakeman’s volunteers in a similar difficulty. They proceeded -together to Post Retief, which they reached about two; and were -ordered to draw four days’ rations, and to be ready to start again -at ten o’clock at night. Marching all night they reached, towards -sunrise on the 21st, the very steep range of the Zoorberg mountains. -The road was most difficult, and the ascent so sharp that many men -fell out. On reaching the summit the Riflemen were ordered to fall -in by comrades and to lie down to rest. Afterwards the companies -were despatched in different directions; some to skirmish through -the bush; others to extend along its edge, keeping a good look-out -for any Kaffirs who might bolt out of it. This sort of patrolling -continued during the whole of the day and until late on the 22nd; the -men having lain down in their ranks and snatched a very few hours’ -sleep. Towards that evening the companies assembled on one of the -mountain ridges; and halted for a time to refresh the men, wearied -and thirsty from having been the greater part of three days on the -move. The Battalion then marched on, and bivouacked in the night in -a position where they found plenty of wood and water. - -On the 23rd, starting about four A.M., they proceeded, at a rapid -pace and by the most direct route, to Mundell’s Krantz, descended -by the road made obliquely down the face of the krantz by Captain -Somerset’s company, and reached their home at Brown’s farm in the -afternoon. - -The Battalion continued engaged in road-making and the usual duties -of the camp till November 3; on which day Captain Somerset’s company -proceeded from Mundell’s Krantz to Fort Beaufort, where it arrived -on the following day; and on the 11th marched to Eland’s post, and -was there stationed. - -On the 5th Captain Woodford’s company marched for the Blinkwater, -where it arrived on the following day; and having built huts, and -entrenched the position, was there stationed. - -On the 12th the Battalion, with the exception of these companies, -marched to Fort Beaufort and occupied quarters. - -On November 19 two companies, Lord Alexander Russell’s and Captain -Hardinge’s, marched to the Chumie-neck and occupied that post. - -General Cathcart having determined to proceed with a force to -the North-Eastern Frontier, to demand satisfaction from, or to -punish, Moshesh, chief of the Basuto tribe, for his incursions and -depredations on the settlers near the Orange river, had intended -to take with him four companies of Riflemen; but the Kaffirs and -Hottentots having shown themselves in force near Fort Beaufort, -General Cathcart resolved to take one company only as a camp -body-guard. Rooper’s company was the first for duty; and as he had -lately been appointed to an official situation in the colony, the -command of it devolved on Lieutenant the Hon. Leicester Curzon.[214] -They were ordered rather unexpectedly late in the evening of November -17, to march at daylight on the following morning. The rest of the -troops had started about a week before under Colonel Eyre, and -General Cathcart was to overtake them at Burghersdorp, about 160 -miles from Fort Beaufort. The Riflemen therefore made forced marches, -their orders being that they must camp at night with the General. The -men’s packs were however carried for them in mule-waggons. - -Passing the Blinkwater, Fort Armstrong, Eland’s post, Whittlesea, -and Shiloh, they crossed the Brak river, and going through the rocky -defile called Klaas Smidts Poort, and over an extensive plain, -ascended the Stormberg mountains. After descending this lofty ridge -and crossing the Stormberg Spruit,[215] a tributary of the Orange -river, they arrived at Burghersdorp, where the rest of the troops -were assembled, on the 27th. - -The whole force was inspected on the next day by the -Commander-in-Chief, and divided into brigades, the Riflemen being -attached to that under Major Pinckney of the 73rd, consisting of that -regiment, the 43rd, and two guns. This was first in Colonel MacDuff’s -division; but on his being left behind at the Caledon river, was -placed under the command of Colonel Eyre. They marched at daybreak on -the 30th, and after a long and fatiguing march of 20 miles, during -which one of the Riflemen had a _coup-de-soleil_, reached their -halting-place. On December 1 after another hot march they forded the -Orange river without much difficulty; it being lower than it had -been for many years. Yet the water reached almost to the middle, and -the men were obliged to carry their pouches on their shoulders. They -pitched their tents in the plain a little beyond the river. They -proceeded the next day over a desert plain to a place called Ranakin, -and the day following forded the Caledon river at the Commissie -drift, and encamped on the other side. Here they remained until the -8th, when they marched about five A.M., and continuing their advance -during the two following days, encamped on the evening of the 10th, -after twenty miles fatiguing march, at Sanna Spruits. Marching on -the following morning through a country not quite so desert as -that passed over in the last few days, they forded the narrow but -rapid Lieuw river on the afternoon of the 12th, and encamped on the -opposite side. On the 13th they proceeded to the Wesleyan Missionary -Station of Platberg, and encamped on a fine grassy plain near it. -They were now not far from Thaba Bossiou, the stronghold of Moshesh, -situated on a lofty hill, very defensible, and considered by his -people to be impregnable. During the halt here, which continued until -the 16th, Moshesh’s two sons, and afterwards the chief himself, -visited the camp. General Cathcart named as his _ultimatum_ that -Moshesh should deliver 10,000 head of cattle within three days, -reckoning from the 16th, as a compensation for the depredations he -had committed. On the 16th the General reviewed the whole force at -six o’clock in the morning; which, after marching past, was put -through various evolutions: no doubt as a demonstration to overawe -Moshesh. - -[Illustration: - - SKETCH Shewing the Site of Operations NEAR THABA BOSIGO - Dec^r 20^{th} 1852. - - _By Edward Stanton Lieut^t R.E._ - _E. Weller, Litho_ - _London, Chatto & Windus._ -] - -On the afternoon of the 19th, the last of the three days, a herd -of cattle were brought into camp by an escort of Basuto horsemen, -under the command of one of Moshesh’s sons. On their being counted -and found to number only 3,500, this Prince was desired by General -Cathcart to inform his father that, unless the remainder were -delivered the next morning, he would come and seize them. No more -cattle appearing, Cathcart, to show that he was in earnest, ordered -Eyre, with the cavalry, two guns and a brigade of infantry, with -the Riflemen to move forward on the 19th and form a flying camp on -the Caledon river. This demonstration being unheeded, Eyre received -orders to advance at dawn, to find his way across the mountain of -Berea, and, having swept the plateau at the top, to join Cathcart, -who with some other troops proceeded round the base of the mountain -by its Southern and Western sides. About three therefore, on the -morning of the 20th, Eyre advanced, sending forward the light company -of the 73rd and the Riflemen. When they had marched about four miles -they saw a great number of Kaffirs on the mountain on their right. -This hill stands up isolated in a plain, and its sides are steep and -craggy. Eyre ordered the light company of the 73rd under Lieutenant -Gawler to mount the hill, and halted the Riflemen. Then after a brief -interval, he ordered Curzon to lead them on, to get to the top, bring -his right shoulders forward, and take the cattle. Thus the Riflemen -were in echelon on the left of the company of the 73rd. The ascent -was desperately steep, and in parts almost impracticable; but the -Riflemen pushed on. They had not advanced far when the Kaffirs gave -them a volley, which the Riflemen avoided by lying down flat on the -ground. Again they pushed on, seeking cover among the rocks which -dotted the side of the mountain. While in this cover one of them, -armed with the Lancaster rifle, brought down a Kaffir as he was -taking deliberate aim at some of the Riflemen, who were blown and -could not climb up the steep mountain-side as fast as their comrades. -Three more Kaffirs were brought down before the top was gained, -without one Rifleman being hit. On reaching the summit, a table-land -of two or three square miles, they found the 73rd company on -their right; and on their advancing together the Kaffirs bolted, a -number of them being killed by the fire of the Riflemen, as they -crossed their front at about sixty yards. But as Curzon and Gawler -found themselves separated from the main body, they moved forward -in search of it, keeping together for mutual support. For they were -surrounded by hordes of mounted Basutos, who hovered near, appearing -and disappearing, and watching for any straggling or irregularity -in their formation, which might give them a chance to charge. These -were well mounted, organised, and armed with assegais and elephant -guns. And after attempting to terrify the little band they almost -encompassed, with yells and pretended charges, they dismounted and -fought on foot. They were repulsed however, and driven off the -plateau, and Curzon and his Riflemen joined the main body in the -afternoon, to their great relief and satisfaction: a satisfaction -much enhanced when Eyre came up to them, and told them that they had -done their work well. But they had scarcely joined the rest of Eyre’s -division, when he was obliged to descend the further side of the -mountain with his whole force (abandoning 30,000 head of cattle which -he had driven into a corner whence they could not escape), in order -to assist General Cathcart, who had gravely compromised himself. -The junction with Cathcart’s force was effected about five in the -afternoon; and the weary Riflemen thought they were now to halt for -the night, for they had been fighting and without food for twelve -hours. Far from it. They were charged with great fury by about 7,000 -mounted Basutos; they had to fight retreating, and were in a critical -position till between eight and nine at night, when a round of -canister at point-blank range from two guns under Captain Stapylton -Robinson, Royal Artillery, effectually checked the Basutos who were -pressing on them, and who left the field. The Riflemen bivouacked -on the ground where they then halted; Eyre telling them that, if -attacked they must fight to the death there, as he neither could nor -would retreat further. However they were left to their repose; much -needed and well earned after being under arms about eighteen hours, -and fighting during most of them. - -In this affair the Rifle company which numbered 90, lost three -men; Privates Boffin and Case, who were killed, and Acting-Corporal -Howard who died of his wounds on the next day. Lieutenant H. G. -Lindsay behaved with great gallantry; and three Riflemen particularly -distinguished themselves: Acting-Corporal Bateman and Privates -Ricketts and W. Hayward. - -Colonel Eyre in his despatch dated ‘Camp Platberg, December 28, -1852,’ says, writing of Lieutenant Gawler and Lieutenant the Hon. L. -Curzon, ‘These two young and promising officers led their companies -in the most spirited manner up ground all but inaccessible, though -opposed and immediately fired upon by the enemy above. Covering -themselves as they advanced, they reached the summit with little -loss, and drove the enemy before them in good style.’ - -And he adds ‘I beg to return my thanks to’ (among others) ‘Lieutenant -the Hon. L. Curzon commanding a detachment of the Rifle Brigade.’ And -in the General Order issued by Sir George Cathcart on December 22, -‘The noble conduct of the company under Lieutenant the Hon. Leicester -Curzon’ is specially mentioned. - -‘Company No. 9 Letter I,’ writes General Smyth, ‘always looked upon -Berea as _the_ day of their life; and were not a little proud of the -way Sir W. Eyre wrote of them and spoke of them. For he was a man who -worked hard and exacted hard work; and soldiers had reason to exult -when they received his praise.’[216] - -In the course of the night a flag of truce arrived, bearing a letter -of submission written by Moshesh, and suing for peace. - -The object of the expedition being thus fully attained, the Riflemen -after a few days’ halt, began their downward march and reached -Head-quarters at Fort Beaufort on January 21, 1853. - -On the embarkation of the Service companies, the Depôt companies -of the 1st Battalion had been moved to Walmer, where they -arrived on January 1, 1852. During the time they were there, the -Colonel-in-Chief, the Duke of Wellington, when at his adjacent -residence, Walmer Castle, used frequently to come into the barrack -square with his grandchildren. These were his last visits; for he -died there on September 14. From that day until November 10 a party -consisting of 1 officer, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, a bugler and 36 -Riflemen, was daily furnished by the Depôt to guard his honoured -remains at Walmer Castle. At nine o’clock on the night of November -10 their great Chief was removed to London; and on that occasion -the whole Depôt escorted his body to the Railway station at Deal by -torchlight. - -The Depôt companies remained at Walmer during the rest of this year. - - -In May the 2nd Battalion left Kingston and proceeded in steam vessels -to Quebec; where they embarked on June 1 on board H.M.S. ‘Simoom;’ -and starting for England on the 3rd arrived at Portsmouth on the -26th. On disembarkation they moved by Railway to Canterbury and -occupied barracks. - -Soon after their arrival there the Battalion was inspected (on July -13) by their former Lieutenant-Colonel, Sir George Brown, then -Adjutant-General of the Forces. - -On November 17 they proceeded to London in order to be present at the -funeral of the Colonel-in-Chief, the Duke of Wellington, and were -billeted at Chelsea. On the 18th they headed the funeral procession -from the Horse Guards to St. Paul’s.[217] And the following day they -returned to their quarters at Canterbury. - - -Field Marshal His Royal Highness, Albert, Prince Consort, succeeded -the Duke of Wellington as Colonel-in-Chief on September 23. - - -No change took place in the stations of the 1st Battalion until -June 13, 1853, when Captain Glyn’s company, under the command of -Lieutenant the Hon. H. Clifford, marched from Fort Beaufort to the -Blinkwater post; relieving Captain Woodford’s company which joined -the Head-quarters on the same day. - -On June 29, Captain Rooper’s company marched from Fort Beaufort to -the Chumie-neck; relieving Captain Hardinge’s company, which left the -Chumie on the next day and joined Head-quarters. - -On October 8 the Battalion having received orders to be concentrated -previous to returning to England, Captains Rooper’s, Somerset’s, Lord -Alexander Russell’s, and Glyn’s companies came in from their several -detachments on the 10th, 11th and 12th, and joined Head-quarters at -Fort Beaufort. - -Previous to the Battalion quitting this Station the following General -Order was issued. - - ‘General Order, No. 238. - ‘Head Quarters, Graham’s-town. - ‘October 10, 1853. - - ‘1. The Rifle Brigade, having been ordered to return to England, - will march to Port Elizabeth for embarkation on board H.M. Steam - Troop-ship ‘Simoom,’ under such arrangement as will be made by - the Deputy Quarter-Master General. - - ‘2. The departure of this distinguished Corps from the command - after their valuable services which contributed so materially to - the successful termination of the recent war, calls forth the - Commander of the forces’ warmest acknowledgments. The uniform - excellent conduct and high discipline of the Corps in quarters - have been only equalled by their gallantry in the field. - - ‘3. To Colonel Buller, C.B., who relinquishes the command of the - 1st Division, and his appointment of Colonel on the Staff, in - order to proceed with his Corps, His Excellency is much indebted - for the able, zealous, and soldier-like manner in which he has - conducted the command held by him. - - ‘(Signed) A. J. CLOETE. - ‘Colonel, Deputy Quarter-Master General.’ - -Accompanied by a large assemblage of the inhabitants of Fort -Beaufort, and amidst the expression of their best wishes, the -Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford, started -on the 20th and encamped the same day at the Koonap river. On the -21st they forded the Koonap, and proceeded to Fingoe Pole. The next -day they encamped on Graham’s-town Flats within about three miles -of that place. On the 22nd they halted, it being Sunday. The day -following, passing through Graham’s-town they encamped on the Karrega -river. On the 24th, passing Sidbury they reached Quagga Flats. The -next day, as it had been raining all night, they pushed on to cross -the Sunday river. It was much swollen, the water being up to the -men’s waists, and rising fast. On the 26th, still pushing on they -encamped near the Swart Kop river. Having halted during the 27th, -they reached Salt Lake on the day following. The 29th being Sunday -they again halted, and on the 30th reached Port Elizabeth; and, -the ‘Simoom’ not having arrived, remained encamped on the heights. -Colonel Buller having resumed command, the Battalion embarked on the -10th, and sailed from Algoa bay on November 12, arriving at Table bay -on the 15th, and finally starting for England on the 16th. - - -The Depôt companies continued at Walmer till August 20, 1853, when -they removed to Dover. - - -The 2nd Battalion proceeded by railroad to Guildford on June 13, -and marched from thence to Chobham, where they encamped and formed -part of the brigade under the command of Major-General Sir De Lacy -Evans. They continued to take part in the evolutions of this camp -of instruction till July 14. On which day they marched from Chobham -to Woking; and proceeded thence by rail to Portsmouth, where they -occupied quarters in Clarence barracks. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[207] Major-General Edward Arthur Somerset, C.B. - -[208] Major General Lord Alexander Gordon Russell. - -[209] Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Gilbert Elliot, died May 25, 1865. - -[210] _i.e._ track. - -[211] Lieutenant-General the Hon. G. Cathcart had succeeded Sir Harry -Smith as Governor of the Cape. - -[212] _i.e._ team. - -[213] _i.e._ the upper rocky margin of a ravine. - -[214] Now Major-General the Hon. Leicester Smyth, C.B. - -[215] _i.e._ a rill, a rivulet. - -[216] Letter of January 17, 1875. For the account of the affair at -Berea, I am indebted to Major-General the Hon. Leicester Smyth, with -some information gathered from Captain W. R. King’s ‘Campaigning in -Kaffir-Land,’ and from the ‘Correspondence of Lieutenant-General -the Hon. Sir George Cathcart, K.C.B.,’ published (after his death) -in 1856. And a remarkable letter of Sir William Eyre which appeared -in the ‘Morning Herald’ of October 23, 1856 (to which my attention -was kindly drawn by General Smyth), commenting on some statements in -the ‘Cathcart Correspondence’ as to the action at Berea, has also -afforded me important information. - -[217] A full-page engraving of the Battalion marching along -Piccadilly is in the ‘Illustrated London News,’ vol. xxi. p. 477. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - -The Service companies of the 1st Battalion arrived in Cowes Roads -on January 7, 1854, and disembarking on the 10th at Portsmouth, -proceeded direct by South Coast and South Eastern Railways to Dover, -where they joined the Depôt companies and occupied the Western -Heights barracks. - -On March 12 and 13 the Battalion moved, by railroad, to Portsmouth in -two divisions and occupied Clarence barracks. - -Previous to this move an order was received that a hundred men should -be transferred to the 2nd Battalion, then under orders to embark -for Turkey. The men readily volunteered for this service, and many -veterans who had served through both Kaffir wars were thus added to -the 2nd Battalion, and formed a valuable nucleus of old soldiers in -that Battalion, which since Waterloo had not been engaged in the -field. The 1st Battalion being subsequently ordered to hold itself -in readiness for embarkation, received an augmentation of 1 staff -sergeant, 10 sergeants, 10 corporals, 1 bugler and 240 rank and file. -These numbers were made up by a hundred volunteers from the 60th, and -many from other regiments. Most of these were very young soldiers; -many of them not dismissed drill. - -On May 16 the Battalion was augmented to twelve companies, which were -to be distributed as follows:-- - - _Augmentation, dated May 16, 1854._ - - (Part one) - +---------------------+--------+--------+-----------+-------+-----+ - | | Field | | | | | - | |Officers|Captains|Lieutenants|Ensigns|Staff| - +---------------------+--------+--------+-----------+-------+-----+ - | 8 Service companies | 3 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 6 | - | 4 Depôt companies | | 4 | 4 | 4 | | - | +--------+--------+-----------+-------+-----+ - | | | | | | | - | | 3 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 6 | - | | | | | | | - +---------------------+--------+--------+-----------+-------+-----+ - - (Part two) - +---------------------+---------+---------+-------+---------+--------+ - | | Staff | | | | | - | |Sergeants|Sergeants|Buglers|Corporals|Privates| - +---------------------+---------+---------+-------+---------+--------+ - | 8 Service companies | 7 | 50 | 21 | 50 | 950 | - | 4 Depôt companies | | 20 | 8 | 20 | 380 | - | +---------+---------+-------+---------+--------+ - | | | | | 70 | 1330 | - | | 7 | 70 | 29 | \_____________/ | - | | | | | 1400 | - +---------------------+---------+---------+-------+------------------+ - -On June 6, 1854, an order was issued that the junior subalterns of -the regiment should in future be ranked as ‘Ensigns’ and not ‘Second -Lieutenants,’ as they had been ever since the formation of the -Regiment--a singularly inappropriate designation: for Dr. Johnson -defines as ‘Ensign’ ‘the officer of Foot who carries the flag;’ -whereas this regiment had never had any flag or colour to carry. -This, absurd anomaly continued until 1872. - -The Battalion having received orders to hold itself in readiness to -join the army under Lord Raglan in the East, was inspected on June 9 -by Major-General Simpson, who expressed his entire satisfaction with -its appearance and discipline. - -At this time the Battalion, which hitherto had been armed with the -Brunswick rifle, received the Minié. In order to supply a sufficient -number, in this emergency, those which had been issued on approval to -various regiments at home were handed over to the Riflemen. - -The Service companies of the Battalion under the command of -Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, embarked from the Dock-yard at -Portsmouth on July 13 on board the steamship ‘Orinoco,’ and steamed -out of harbour on the 14th. The strength of the Battalion on -embarkation was 20 officers, 4 staff, 54 sergeants, 21 buglers, 50 -corporals, 850 privates. Total non-commissioned officers and men 975. - -On the embarkation of the Battalion, the Depôt companies under -command of Captain and Brevet-Major Lord Alexander G. Russell, -removed from Clarence to Colewort barracks; and continued at -Portsmouth, occupying different quarters, till about August 1855, -when they moved to Winchester. - -The Battalion arrived at Malta on the 24th, and there received orders -to proceed at once to the East. The ‘Orinoco,’ having coaled, started -the next day for Constantinople; where having arrived on the 30th, -orders were received to proceed forthwith to Beicos bay, there to -await further instructions. - -On August 2 pursuant to orders then received the ‘Orinoco’ started -for Varna; but after passing through the Bosphorus she was recalled -and returned to her former anchorage. - -The cholera having broken out on board, one Rifleman dying on August -6 and another on the 9th, it was decided to land the Battalion; -on the 9th four companies, and on the 10th the remainder of the -Battalion disembarked, and encamped on a range of heights on the -Asiatic side.[218] The cholera however continued its ravages; and -the Battalion lost during its stay here 1 colour-sergeant (Brown), 1 -sergeant, 1 bugler and 24 privates. While in this camp the Riflemen -were frequently exercised in the use of the new arm, which they had -received before their departure from England. - -On August 24 the Battalion was inspected by H.R.H. the Duke of -Cambridge, who expressed his satisfaction with its state and its -fitness for immediate service. - -On September 2 the ‘Orinoco’ having two transports in tow, proceeded -out of the Bosphorus; but on rounding the point into the Black Sea, -encountered so heavy a sea, and so strong a head wind, that she was -unable to proceed. And as it became dark and the wind increased, she -put back and anchored in Buyukdere bay. The transports barely escaped -shipwreck, the tow-ropes having broken. - -On the 5th the ‘Orinoco’ again started, having now but one transport -in tow, and passing out of the Bosphorus, arrived off Varna the -following day, and anchored in the evening. During this voyage the -Battalion was in great jeopardy, the ‘Orinoco’ having been on fire -by the ignition of the patent fuel which she was carrying. As she -was conveying the ammunition of the 4th Division, the danger for -a time was very great; and the transport in tow was cast off in -order to avoid the risk of her taking fire, or being destroyed by -the explosion of the ‘Orinoco.’ At Varna the rest of the expedition -was assembled; and the 1st Battalion was placed in General Torrens’ -brigade and attached to the 4th Division, commanded by Sir George -Cathcart: a great gratification to the Riflemen, who had served under -him at the Cape. - - -The 2nd Battalion being by this time at Varna, I have now to trace -its movements. - -On February 23 it was inspected at Portsmouth by Major-General -Simpson previous to embarkation. On the next day the Head-quarters -consisting of six companies under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel -Lawrence[219] embarked on board H.M.S. ‘Vulcan.’ The total numbers -embarked were 20 officers, 6 staff, 37 sergeants, 12 buglers and 703 -rank and file. On the same day two companies proceeded to Southampton -and embarked there on board H.M.S.S. ‘Himalaya.’ The numbers were 6 -officers, 1 staff, 9 sergeants, 3 buglers and 195 rank and file.[220] - -The Head-quarters reached Malta on March 11, and immediately -disembarked and occupied quarters in the Rope-walk barracks, where -they found the two companies, from the ‘Himalaya,’ who had arrived -previously. - -On the 17th the Battalion was inspected by Major-General Ferguson. -And on the 23rd it paraded in review order for the inspection of the -French General Canrobert. - -On the 30th the Battalion embarked on board the S.S. ‘Golden Fleece,’ -with the exception of Captain Newdigate’s[221] company, which (for -want of room) proceeded in the ‘Sir George Pollock’ sailing transport. - -This expedition was commanded by their former Lieutenant-Colonel, Sir -George Brown, who, with his Staff, was on board the ‘Golden Fleece.’ - -On April 6 the Battalion arrived at Gallipoli, and disembarked on -the 8th. And each company as soon as assembled on shore, marching -eight miles to Balahar, near the Gulf of Xeros, there encamped. The -Riflemen were employed until the 21st in making roads and digging -wells. On the 18th two regiments came up from Gallipoli and formed -brigade with the Battalion, of which Colonel Lawrence took command. -From the 21st the Riflemen were employed in the construction of the -English half of the Lines, from the Gulf of Xeros to the centre of -the position. - -On May 6 the Battalion marched to Gallipoli; and after having been -inspected by Sir George Brown with General Canrobert and Prince -Napoleon, re-embarked on board the ‘Golden Fleece.’ They arrived on -the 7th at Scutari, and having disembarked on the 9th occupied part -of the new barracks until the 11th, when they pitched camp between -the Hospital and the barracks, having been obliged to turn out of the -barracks, on account of the fleas by which they were infested. - -On the 18th an order was received for the augmentation of this -Battalion (as well as the 1st) to twelve companies. - -At this time the Light Division was formed under the command of Sir -George Brown, and the Battalion was attached to it. - -On the 25th being the celebration of the Queen’s birthday, the -Division was reviewed by the Sultan and Lord Raglan Commanding the -forces. On the 29th the Battalion re-embarked on board the ‘Golden -Fleece’ and proceeded to Varna, where they arrived on the following -day; and on disembarking, the brigade encamped outside the town near -the Shumla gate, the Battalion being nearest to the town. - -On June 5 the Battalion marched to Aladyn nine miles on the road -to Shumla, where they encamped on a hill with a lake in front and -another in rear. And on the 30th marched to Devna seven miles further -inland, where they encamped on a plateau near a marsh of some extent. -On July 23 the Battalion was reinforced by a draft of 1 subaltern -(Lieutenant Churchill), 2 sergeants and 150 rank and file, who -arrived from England. On the next day, cholera having appeared in the -Division, the Battalion marched four miles further to Monastir, where -it encamped on an elevated plateau in hopes of finding healthier -quarters. But without success; as on the 27th the scourge broke out -in the Battalion, and two Riflemen died. And many others were ill. -The men, probably to divert their attention, were engaged in learning -to make fascines and gabions. - -On August 17 preparatory to moving to the Crimea, the Battalion was -inspected by Sir George Brown, who came up from Varna to see them. - -On the 26th they marched to Yuksarood, and having halted during the -next day, on the 28th proceeded to Karagola, and on the 29th marched -into Varna, and embarked on the same afternoon.[222] - -The Battalion was broken up into companies which embarked in the -following sailing transports: - -The Head-quarters under Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence with Captain -Hammond’s company in the ‘Pride of the Ocean.’ - - Capt. Elrington’s[223] company in the ‘Monarchy.’ - Capt. the Earl of Erroll’s in the ‘Echunga.’ - Capt. Inglis’ in the ‘Caliope.’ - Capt. Fyers’[224] in the ‘Marianne.’ - Capt. Newdigate’s in the ‘Harkaway.’ - Capt. Forman’s in the ‘Lord Raglan.’ - Capt. the Hon. W. J. Colville’s[225] in the ‘Talavera.’ - -Three ships started on September 7 for Battchick and three sailed on -the 9th for the _rendezvous_ at Cape Tarkan. - -On the 13th the whole fleet anchored in Kalamita bay; and on the -next day the landing commenced. Leaving their knapsacks on board, -and taking with them a light kit folded in their blankets, the 1st -Battalion landed about three in the afternoon, and bivouacked on the -beach. The men were without tents; and heavy rain fell at night. The -Battalion remained in this position (save that the tents were landed) -until the 19th the Riflemen assisting in landing stores. On the 16th -Sir George Cathcart saw the Battalion, and presented each man with -a piece of black oil-cloth, which covered the blanket, keeping it -dry and concealing its colour. These were also afterwards found very -useful in keeping the men off the damp ground, when spread under -them. Sir George, in addressing them, most kindly told them that he -had considered what he could give them; and had thought these the -most useful gift. On the 17th three companies, forming a patrol, -marched about twelve miles inland: as they had to keep up with the -cavalry they had little or no rest, the cavalry starting again almost -as soon as our men came up with them. These companies did not get -back till midnight, and the men had suffered much, their feet being -sore from the salt which had got into their boots. However they -brought back with them carts, camels, &c., taken in a village which -the Cossacks had left about two hours before they reached it. - -On the 18th the tents were struck and sent on board the fleet. - -On that night the whole Battalion, fully equipped for the march, -fell in to form a circle round some captured horses. About midnight -the men had leave to sit down, front and rear rank alternately. This -harassing duty continued till the general advance on the morning of -the 19th. - -The 2nd Battalion also landed on the 14th, and being disembarked by -eleven in the forenoon, and marching from the left of the line along -the front of the other regiments towards the right, were sent on in -advance, after being broken up into wings; the right wing consisting -of four companies under Colonel Lawrence; the left wing, also of four -companies, under Major Norcott.[226] They advanced about five miles, -the former moving to the eastward occupied the village of Kentúgan; -the left wing advancing to the northward occupied Kamishli. On this -march the right wing captured a convoy of seventy arrabas (country -carts) drawn by oxen, and laden for the most part with flour. Colonel -Lawrence appropriated two dromedaries, part of the spoil, for the use -of his wing; where they did good service as baggage animals till the -drivers contrived to elope with them in the winter. During the time -that the Riflemen occupied Kentúgan and Kamishli they made friends of -the inhabitants. ‘Their chief favourites, it seems, were the men of -the Rifle Brigade. Quartered for a day or two in one of the villages, -these soldiers made up for the want of a common tongue by acts of -kindness. They helped the women in their household work; and the -women, pleased and proud, made signs to the stately Rifles to do this -and to do that, exulting in the obedience which they were able to -win from men so grand and comely. When the interpreter came, and was -asked to construe what the women were saying so fast and so eagerly, -it appeared that they were busy with similes and metaphors, and that -the Rifles were made out to be heroes more strong than lions, more -gentle than young lambs.’[227] - -The wing at Kentúgan occupied the residence of a person of some -substance whose property they protected from the ravages of the -French, who however pillaged the village. - -During the stay of the Battalion in these villages, some amusing -alarms from Cossacks took place. They were seen hovering about in the -distance, and a night attack being expected, the companies of the -right wing manifested their vigilance by very nearly firing into one -of their own reliefs; while in the left wing a stray horse or a cow -was taken for the expected Cossacks. - -On another occasion an Aide-de-Camp from the Commander of the cavalry -having demanded immediate assistance, the four companies under -Lawrence were soon under arms, and went at the double to afford the -required aid. They were met however by a message of thanks, and an -assurance that their help was not needed. It appeared afterwards that -the vedettes had mistaken their front, and that the supposed enemy -was some of their own force. - -‘But,’ writes Sir Arthur Lawrence, to whom I am indebted for these -anecdotes, ‘we were all pretty new at soldiering at that time; and we -were kept on the _qui vive_ for some hours before we marched on the -19th by the Russians burning forage in our front.’ This Battalion, -which had not seen a foreign foe for nigh forty years, was to learn -soldiering, and to attain the prize of victory, in a severe school -before the week was out. - - -On the 19th the whole army got into order of march at daylight. -The 1st Battalion was divided between the two brigades of the 4th -Division, four companies being attached to each. As the protection -of the rear of the army was entrusted to this Division, the Riflemen -did not leave their ground till about nine A.M. They then proceeded -over the plain in the rear and on the left of the army. This march, -although not more than twelve miles, was very fatiguing, on account -of the heat and want of water. Vast numbers of men fell out; but -those of the 1st Battalion all rejoined at nightfall after the -heat of the day. During the advance the left flank was covered by -Riflemen in skirmishing order, and a line of their skirmishers -protected the rear. The Battalion reached the river Búlganak about -six in the evening and bivouacked for the night. One company, Major -Rooper’s, being detached to the left to protect that flank. On this -night Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith was attacked by cholera, and -Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford assumed command of the Battalion. - -On the same day the 2nd Battalion advanced and were present at the -cavalry affair on the Búlganak. They were moved forward in support -of the cavalry and to protect the guns, but were not engaged. The -Battalion bivouacked on the heights south of the river Búlganak. - -On the 20th the 1st Battalion, being provided with three days’ -rations, was ready to move at daylight, but did not leave its ground -till a little before eight. It then advanced, covering, as on the -day before, the left and rear of the army. On approaching the banks -of the river Alma, a large force of the enemy’s cavalry was observed -on the left flank, which he repeatedly extended with the view, -apparently, of turning the flank; but Sir George Cathcart answered -the movement by throwing out skirmishers of this Battalion, which -kept them in check during the engagement. The enemy having been -repulsed at all points in the battle of the Alma, their cavalry -also retired. The Battalion then forded the Alma and ascended the -heights on its south side, the enemy being then in full retreat. -After a short halt the Battalion was ordered to bivouack on the bank -of the river, and redescending the hill took up a position for the -night. The 4th Division having been in reserve, the Battalion was not -actually engaged; two men were however wounded. - -But the 2nd Battalion was actively engaged. They were ordered to be -ready to move by seven o’clock in the morning. I will first follow -the movements of the right wing, consisting of four companies under -Colonel Lawrence. At the hour appointed he extended two companies to -cover the advance. But no order to move arrived for some hours; and -it was not till about noon that the army was ordered to advance. The -Riflemen then began to descend from the ridge the long slope which -led to the Alma, two companies extended in skirmishing order, and -two in support. As they drew near it the village of Búrliúk which -they had not before noticed, for it was enfolded in a dip of the -ground, burst into flames. They were sharply plied with grape from -the batteries on the opposite slope, and with musketry from the -village; while the smoke from the burning houses was so blinding that -the Riflemen could hardly fire a shot. - -As they could make no effectual use of their rifles, they inclined to -their left and got some shelter from a dip in the ground. Meanwhile -the Light Division behind them had deployed into line, and were -ordered to lie down. Then Lawrence told his skirmishers to fix their -bayonets, and to take two or three houses which were near them with a -rush. On getting up to them however it was found that the enemy had -evacuated them; and the Riflemen found shelter behind the smoking -ruins. They then received the order to advance; and the Riflemen -rushed into the vineyards which line the bank of the river, and which -afforded some cover from the enemy’s fire. Meanwhile Major Norcott -with the four companies of the left wing had attacked the Russians so -vigorously that he had made the place too hot for their skirmishers, -and the right wing skirmishers and supports passed through the -vineyards, and forded the river without difficulty, though saluted -with a shower of bullets in their passage of it. The 19th Regiment -followed them. After passing the river they found some shelter under -the slope of a bank: shelter from the shot and musketry which the -enemy were pouring down from the redoubt, and the troops on the slope -which rose from the crest of the bank which sheltered them: but -not complete shelter; for the enemy had a battery on their right, -which enfiladed them. The left wing of the Battalion had passed on, -and the 19th Regiment was preparing to advance. Lawrence therefore -accompanied by his Adjutant, Lieutenant Ross, rode up the bank and -the Riflemen followed, exposed to a tremendous fire; for as soon -as they left the shelter of the bank they came under the full fire -of the Russians. However they advanced up the slope. When within a -few yards of the redoubt Colonel Lawrence’s horse was killed by a -discharge of grape, nearly rolling its rider under the breastwork -of the redoubt, under which he found shelter when he had extricated -himself; as did his Adjutant whose horse also was killed. These -Riflemen were soon mixed up with their comrades of the left wing and -with the men of the 19th Regiment, all firing indiscriminately at -an advancing column of Russians. For we must now accompany Norcott’s -wing, and see how he had got to the redoubt where he met Lawrence’s -four companies. - -Descending the slopes of the right bank of the Alma, Norcott’s -Riflemen entered the vineyards, and at once were exposed to the -fire of the Russian artillery and became engaged with their light -troops. Fyers’ company was extended on the extreme left, with Lord -Erroll’s company in support. The Riflemen inclining to the left to -avoid the burning village of Búrliúk, which as we have seen had been -fired by the Russians, forded the river and, ascending the other -bank and passing through the vineyards, halted at a wall: a low -wall which separated the cultivated ground from the slope beyond. -Here Norcott moved up and extended Erroll’s company on the right of -Fyers’; and then, or soon after, he advanced; and inclining to the -right, on observing that Codrington’s brigade had disarranged or -lost its formation and was threatened by a Russian column, he poured -such a searching fire from his line of skirmishers, that the enemy -were checked and hindered from taking full advantage of the want of -regular formation of Codrington’s brigade. Still inclining to the -right, the Riflemen approached the proper right flank of the great -redoubt, where as I have said both wings met. As these Riflemen were -rushing into the redoubt Norcott’s horse was wounded. Soon after -they had attained the redoubt a Russian column was seen descending -the hill beyond. By a most unfortunate mistake these were thought to -be French, and some officer (of what regiment is unknown) desired a -bugler to sound the ‘cease fire;’ and (it is said) afterwards the -‘retire.’ The men then began to leave the redoubt when their very -existence seemed to depend on clinging fast to its bank, or boldly -facing the enemy. In vain the officers of the various regiments -endeavoured to check the stream, by calling on the men to halt or to -return to the position they had won. They slowly and orderly moved -down the hill. The Riflemen, carried along with this rolling mass, -sought shelter under the bank from which they had first emerged on -the slope. They rallied at the sound of the regimental call, and -the companies of both wings, Lawrence’s and Norcott’s, united and -advanced again to the redoubt. The enemy then fled. And on the final -retreat of the Russians part of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to -take off their packs (or rather their coats and blankets), to leave -them there, and marched with the cavalry and guns in pursuit of the -retreating Russians; but after proceeding about a mile they were -recalled, and on their return the Battalion bivouacked on the heights -above the Alma on the ground they had won. - -The casualties in this Battalion were 2 sergeants and 9 rank and file -killed; and Captain the Earl of Errol, 1 sergeant 3 buglers and 34 -rank and file wounded. - -Lord Raglan in his despatch praises the conduct of the Regiment, and -states that the capture of the great redoubt was ‘materially aided -by the advance of four companies of the Rifle Brigade under Major -Norcott.’ - -He was also recommended for the Victoria Cross by Sir George Brown; -who adds: ‘Major Norcott’s conduct on that occasion was not only -conspicuous to the whole Division, but attracted the notice of the -enemy; for the Officer in command of the Russian Battery, who was -subsequently made prisoner, informed Lord Raglan, that he had laid -a gun specially for the “daring officer in the dark uniform on the -black horse.”’ - -On the 21st the 1st Battalion moved at daylight, and ascending the -heights halted on the ground which had been occupied by the enemy’s -right. Here they bivouacked; and were engaged on this and the -following day in burying the dead and conveying the wounded to the -field-hospitals. The cholera, which had disappeared from the time the -Battalion left the Bosphorus, reappeared directly after they landed; -and the Battalion suffered much from it about this time; having lost -1 assistant surgeon (Mr. Shorrock) 1 sergeant and 9 privates. - -The 2nd Battalion on these two days was similarly employed in the -burial of the dead and the assistance of the wounded. - -On the 23rd both Battalions, being under arms from seven o’clock, -left the heights of the Alma and advanced to the Katchka, which they -reached at sunset, and there bivouacked. The 1st Battalion formed the -rear-guard of the army. The 2nd Battalion, in front of the rest of -the army, passed through the vineyards and a village, and crossing -the river, approached the position with caution; but it was found to -be evacuated. - -On the next day both Battalions were under arms at seven o’clock, -but were kept hanging about till near twelve while a reconnaissance -was being made. The 2nd Battalion, again covering the advance of the -army, then mounted the ridge, and advancing over a level plateau, -descended to the valley of the Belbek, through vineyards and gardens; -fording the river and pushing on, they covered with their skirmishers -the crossing of the Belbek by the army. They ascended the opposite -height, and at dusk their skirmishers were drawn in and they -bivouacked on these heights, and furnished a picquet of two companies. - -On the 25th the army made a further advance; but the 1st Battalion -(with the rest of the 4th Division) remained on their ground to -protect the wounded, and to cover the supplies. The Riflemen were -ordered to conceal themselves in the bushes and to keep as quiet as -possible. And at night occupied the bivouack of the night before. -On this day Sidney Beckwith, who had been conveyed on board the -‘Orinoco,’ died; and thus the roll of the Regiment for the first time -since its formation was without the honoured name of Beckwith. - -On this day the 2nd Battalion under the command of Lawrence, its -wings being now reunited, was ordered to place itself at the disposal -of Lord Lucan, and to cover the flank of the cavalry on the advance -from the Belbek towards Mackenzie’s farm. The men were ordered to -place their shirts and boots wrapped in their great coats (for they -had not their packs) on the limbers of the guns; and starting at -half-past eight four companies preceded or were on the flank of -the cavalry, and four brought up the rear. Soon the wood became so -thick that it was with some difficulty that the connection between -the files--for they were in skirmishing order--could be kept up. As -they approached Mackenzie’s farm Lord Lucan and Lord William Paulet, -Deputy-Adjutant-General, dismounted to look at a map; and while -they were poring over it the sound of a gun startled the party. A -second soon succeeded, the cavalry hurried forward, and the Riflemen -followed, their pace quickened not only by their desire to be -‘first in the fight,’ but by a message from Lord Raglan to push on -as quickly as they could. A few minutes at the double brought them -out on the road, and on the baggage of Menchikoff’s column. They -pursued the rear-guard, but not far; and the men helped themselves to -provisions, wine and whatever they could lay hands on; some horses -amongst the rest; of which a piebald, taken out of a team, replaced -Norcott’s charger disabled at the Alma. - -Subsequently this Battalion crossed the Tchernaya by a stone bridge -and bivouacked on the height beyond. The men were much fatigued, -having been on the move from an early hour till after dark without -anything to eat. - -On the 26th the 1st Battalion moved at 5.30 A.M., and throwing out -skirmishers marched along the high road to Sebastopol for about three -miles. They then turned to the left and proceeded with great caution -through the forest to Kútor Mackenzie, where they halted for a very -considerable time to allow the baggage and supplies of the army to -precede. From Mackenzie’s farm the Battalion descended to the valley -of the Tchernaya, the whole road covered with loaded waggons and the -remains of the Russian baggage train, which had been surprised the -day before. On arriving at the banks of the Tchernaya about half-past -six they bivouacked; having been thirteen hours under arms. - -On this day the 2nd Battalion led the advance on Balaklava. The -approach was by a narrow gorge, with high bare hills on each -side. Colonel Lawrence detached his majors, Norcott to the right, -Bradford[228] to the left, while he himself with two companies kept -the centre. Thus they approached Balaklava, throwing out skirmishers. -No opposition was offered till they had advanced some distance, when -some musketry fire was opened; but this was only from a few men on -the heights who were soon driven in; and the advance continued. A -staff officer then reported to Lord Raglan that the road was clear, -and he rode forward and was just entering the gorge, when Lawrence -observed to him that he still saw some of the enemy on the hills, -and asked permission to send a company in advance. This was granted, -and Fyers’ company was taken by Norcott towards the town. On their -approaching it and the Battalion appearing on the heights, a few -harmless shots were fired from the old Genoese fort; and soon after -on their advancing nearer a white flag was hoisted. Fyers, who -mistrusted the sincerity of the Governor, directed his subaltern -to halt with one subdivision, whilst he, with the other, advanced -by a narrow road engineered between the high ground and the sea. -On Fyers’ men entering the fort, the Governor left it by another -side; and meeting Egerton and Ross surrendered, handing his sword to -the former. Then Fyers taking his company into the town, a baker, -evidently in great terror, came out of his house and, notwithstanding -the early hour of the morning, produced a roast turkey which he -offered him, and a great number of loaves. These Fyers desired him to -break in two, and to give half to each man. So that all the men of -his company had a good meal. - -The Battalion subsequently occupied Balaklava, posting sentries for -the protection of the inhabitants; and at night bivouacked among -beautiful vineyards two miles outside the town.[229] - -Some spoil was found in the fort; Lawrence became the possessor of -a fur coat, by gift from one of the Riflemen, and Ross obtained a -remount in place of his horse killed at the Alma. On the next day -this Battalion was moved about a mile nearer to Sebastopol, and -encamped for some days. - -On the 27th the 1st Battalion was under arms at half-past six; -but having to wait to allow the whole of the supplies and all the -_impedimenta_ of the army to pass over the Traktir bridge, did not -themselves move until ten o’clock. They then followed, and advanced -almost to Balaklava when they came up with the rest of the army; and -passing it ascended the hill to the right and approached Sebastopol. -They traversed the valley, and the quarries afterwards occupied by -the 3rd Division, and advanced to the high ground overlooking the -south harbour, becoming thus the most advanced battalion in front -of the place. This was a great satisfaction to the Battalion, which -had been so long protecting the rear; and the Riflemen greeted their -change of position with hearty cheers. Here they bivouacked, throwing -out one company as an outlying picquet. Shot and shell were thrown -from the town, some reaching so near the bivouack that some rifles -piled by the men were knocked down by the bursting of a shell. - -On September 28 a Russian column having issued from the place, the -Riflemen with the 4th Division advanced to meet it. The enemy however -immediately retired, with the evident intention of drawing Cathcart -in pursuit under the fire of the guns of the place; but finding -the Riflemen declined the fight he returned to his camp. This was -situated on a flattened limestone ridge extending in the direction -of the city, a ravine separating it from the Inkerman heights and -another from the ridge on which was placed the battery of the English -right attack. - -On the 28th, in consequence of the gunners of the place having got -the exact range of the position which the Battalion occupied, it -was moved about 100 yards to the rear into a situation rather more -sheltered. - -On the 29th the 2nd Battalion, leaving their bivouack near Balaklava, -advanced on Sebastopol, and took up ground on the left of the -position towards Kamiesh. And on October 1 moved its position to the -right of the Woronzow road, and shortly after to near the Windmill, -having a wing on each flank of the Light Division. - -From the time the 1st Battalion left the position of the Alma -till its arrival before Sebastopol it had lost by cholera, -Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, Sergeant-Major Tucker, 1 -colour-sergeant, 1 corporal and 7 privates.[230] Its strength on -October 1 was-- - - Field officer Captains Subalterns Staff Sergeants - 1 5 11 5 43 - - Buglers Rank and file - 19 691 - -On October 2 the Battalion being still exposed to the Russian fire, -and many shells falling into the position, again moved to the rear -and east of the stone quarries, and took up the position which it -occupied during the remainder of the siege. On the next day the 2nd -Battalion was kept on the alert all day by shot and shell thrown by -the enemy into its position. - -On the 4th the Regiment, which had hitherto since September 18 -bivouacked without shelter, received tents, which the Riflemen -brought up from Balaklava harbour. - -On the 5th the 1st Battalion furnished a party to escort Engineer -officers making a reconnaissance and marking ground for the -approaches. They started at three in the morning and returned soon -after daylight. - -On the 8th the 2nd Battalion furnished a picquet under -Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence, consisting of two companies, to cover -the working parties at the five-gun battery. These companies held -this battery for twenty-four hours under constant fire without a man -being touched. The Battalion also furnished a covering party under -Major Norcott at Gordon’s battery. - -On the 9th a similar party was furnished by the 1st Battalion to -escort the Engineers marking ground at the Greenhill battery. The -Riflemen descended the ravine about a mile, and lay down while the -Engineers marked the ground. They had scarcely retired when the -Russians were out looking at the same ground. - -On the 10th the right wing of the Battalion went down to the trenches -afterwards so memorable, to cover the working parties. They remained -on for twenty-four hours, and were relieved at daylight on the -11th by the left wing. This duty in the trenches was thenceforward -performed by wings alternately, with the other regiments of the -Division.[231] - -On the 12th Private Francis Wheatley of the 1st Battalion, being on -duty in the trenches when a live shell fell among the party, having -unsuccessfully endeavoured to knock out the fuze with the butt of his -rifle, took up the shell with great deliberation and flung it over -the parapet. It had scarcely fallen outside when it exploded. For -this act of valour he afterwards received the Victoria Cross, and the -cross of the Legion of Honour.[232] - -On October 13 a man of the 2nd Battalion, Herbert, made a most -remarkable shot. He was on outlying picquet, and observing a Russian -officer on a white horse he took a shot at him, fixing the sight of -his rifle at its extreme range. The officer fell, while the horse -moved on. The distance at which he shot him has been variously -estimated from 1300 yards[233] downwards; the man himself told me -that he thought the Russian whom he shot was about 1000 yards from -him. - -On the 14th the 1st Battalion lost its first man in the trenches; he -was killed by a fragment of a shell. - -On October 14 Fyers was with his company in the five-gun battery -when he observed a column of Russian infantry advancing. Taking a -rifle from one of the men, he put the sight at what he considered -their distance, and fired, carefully watching the effect of the shot. -When he perceived that it struck the ground a little in front of the -column, he ordered his men to fix their sights for 750 yards, and -to stand up on the parapet and ‘give it them.’ They had not been -long firing when he found that he was under fire from the rear. -Some of the Russians had moved up the ravine towards a house which -was occupied by a picquet of another regiment, under a sergeant, -which had retreated on their approach, and the Russians having taken -possession of the house were firing on Fyers’ party. He therefore -sallied with his company out of the battery and drove the Russians -back, not before they had eaten the dinners of the former occupants -of the picquet-house, and carried off their coats and blankets. Most -of these they dropped on their way back, as they probably impeded -their retreat, pressed as they were by Fyers and his party. - -In this affair Hugh Hannan, the tallest man in the Battalion, was -attacked by a Russian rifleman who turned upon him. Hannan fired; -the shot was returned, and the Russian was preparing to fire again, -but before he could find a cap, Hannan rushed upon him, and with a -tremendous blow knocked him over a low wall, and leaped after him. -They grappled; and a fierce struggle ensued in which Hannan was -getting the worst of it. For the Russian had drawn his short sword -and was almost in the act of stabbing him in the thigh, when Hannan’s -friend and comrade, Ferguson, by a sure shot brought the Russian down -dead.[234] - -In this affair two Riflemen were wounded. Fyers took a sergeant and -some men prisoners, of whom three were wounded; several others were -carried off by their companions, and many were killed. - -On the alarm Sir De Lacy Evans had moved up two regiments, and some -of the 1st Division; and the rest of the 2nd Battalion were brought -up and halted in rear of Gordon’s battery, and some guns were ordered -up; but before these troops came into action, Fyers had repulsed and -effectually disposed of the Russian attack. - -On one occasion about this time, when a party of the Regiment had -been pushed forward, four Riflemen crept up to within 500 yards -of the place and fired into the windows of the grand barracks of -Sebastopol.[235] - -On the 16th, while the left wing of the 1st Battalion was in the -trenches, the enemy opened a murderous fire about ten A.M. on -the whole length of the English trenches and continued it for -half-an-hour, apparently determined to drive them from their -position; however the Riflemen did not suffer much loss, but one -colour-sergeant, James Powell, was disabled. - -From this date the Riflemen were nightly thrown out in advance of the -intrenchments; whatever regiments found the duties, they formed a -line of double sentries, to watch and report any suspicious movements -in the place. - -On the 17th the Allies opened fire. - -On the 19th a man of the Regiment was seen to pick off eight men from -a Russian battery.[236] - -On the 25th the 1st Battalion was ordered out to repel the attack -on Balaklava. They fell in between eight and nine o’clock, and -starting at the double took up a position on the side of a hill. The -Russians had driven the Turks out of the forts in their occupation. -The Riflemen arrived just after the heavy cavalry charge. After the -light cavalry charge the 4th Division was ordered to advance, the -1st Battalion Rifle Brigade leading by wings. The right wing under -Colonel Horsford took up a position with its left resting on the -road from Sebastopol to the Traktir bridge; the 68th being deployed -in line on its right; and the left wing under Major Rooper being on -the right of the 68th in support of Captain Barker’s battery. The -enemy brought forward a field battery of six guns and opened fire on -the line. This fire became very troublesome on the right flank, and -Lieutenant Godfrey with a few men was sent to try to silence these -guns. This they did most effectually in a very short time. The task -was difficult, for the ground afforded no cover; the utmost shelter -they could get being some slight undulation in the surface. However -the Riflemen lay down on their stomachs and picked off the gunners -whenever they attempted to handle their guns; and in about twenty -minutes forced the Russian guns to retire. - -The Battalion remained in the same order and in the same position -until dark; but no further attack being made by the enemy, and it -having been resolved to abandon these forts, the Battalion returned -to its camp. - -One man was wounded, being struck in the leg by a round shot. - -On the 26th at noon the Russians came out from Sebastopol and -attacked the extreme right of the English position, which was -occupied by the 2nd Division. The enemy having advanced in a mass -of columns, our guns opening upon them within easy range caused -them such loss that they quickly retired. On this occasion the 1st -Battalion, although the most distant from the right of the position, -turned out so quickly, with Sir George Cathcart at its head, that it -was on the scene of action in a very short time, but not till the -enemy had retired. - -On this occasion a picquet, under Lieutenant W. T. Markham of the -2nd Battalion,[237] which was on duty in the five-gun battery, -joining some men of the Guards under Captain Goodlake in the -Careenage ravine, had an obstinate combat with a strong Russian -column. They kept them back for a considerable time; and eventually -the Riflemen succeeded in driving them out of the cave there, known -as the Magazine Grotto; but not without a hard fight in which 5 -Riflemen were wounded. They however inflicted considerable loss -on their opponents; and a Russian officer and many men were taken -prisoners.[238] - -On November 1 the morning state of the 1st Battalion was as follows:-- - - Field officer Captains Subalterns Staff Sergeants - 1 5 11 6 38 - - Buglers Rank and file - 18 550 - -showing a decrease of 5 sergeants, 1 bugler and 141 rank and file -since the arrival of the Battalion before the place. - -Early on the 2nd the enemy’s batteries opened a cannonade, by which -four men of the 2nd Battalion, forming part of a company which was -going to relieve in the trenches, were wounded. - -On November 4, four companies of the 2nd Battalion, the Earl of -Errol’s, Hammond’s, Fyers’ and Colville’s, under Major Bradford -(Major Norcott being sick), proceeded to the heights of Balaklava. - -On the morning of Sunday, November 5, an hour before daybreak, the -alarm was sounded through the English camp. The greater part of the -1st Battalion had just returned from the trenches, and were still -accoutred, though wet through; for it had rained the previous day, -all through the night, and even then there was dense damp fog, with -frequent showers. As they were passing the head of the ravine, a -bugle was heard sounding in camp, which these men at first fancied -to be the usual parade horn. It proved however to be the ‘assembly.’ -The remainder of the Battalion was soon under arms, and moved towards -the fight, which the rattle of musketry and the roar of guns told -them was going on, at the head of the 4th Division under Sir George -Cathcart. - -In like manner General Codrington, the first to give the alarm, -turned out the Light Division, and the 2nd Battalion assembled at -once. Three companies only were on parade, one wing having gone on -the previous day, as we have seen, to the heights of Balaklava, and -Captain Forman’s company being in the five-gun battery. Of these -three companies, one had just come in after being twenty-seven -hours in the trenches. However they at once advanced, and General -Codrington having placed his brigade on the Victoria ridge, these -Riflemen extended along the left bank of the Careenage ravine on -the extreme left of the line. Soon after they took up their position -a column of Russians, part of Soimonoff’s force, advanced up the -Careenage ravine, and after opening fire on the Riflemen, attempted -to ascend its left bank; but Captain Elrington, with two companies -of the 2nd Battalion, at once attacked them, and drove them down at -the point of the bayonet; they retreated by the bottom of the ravine, -and did not again make their appearance in that part of the fight. -In this attack a Rifleman named Hewitt, having put on a greatcoat -and cap late the property of a Russian soldier deceased, followed -the retreating Muscovites down the ravine, and picked off a number -of them. He narrowly escaped however being shot by his own comrades. -This man, as well as a brother in the same Battalion, afterwards died -in the Crimea. This repulse occurred at the very beginning of the -Russian attack. These companies under Elrington lost 5 men killed and -10 wounded in this gallant affair.[239] - -Meanwhile the 1st Battalion were advancing with Cathcart towards the -scene of the fight. As they approached the end of the English line, -manifest tokens of the battle greeted them. The rattle of musketry -in front, indeed apparently on every side; dead lying about, and -wounded carried by; and tents thrown to the ground by the fire of -the enemy’s guns. On their arriving at the heights of Inkerman, -where General Pennefather was maintaining a hard and unequal fight, -Sir George Cathcart handed over to him the 1st Battalion which he -so much esteemed, telling him that he had brought him ‘a Battalion -which could do anything.’ Pennefather riding up to Lieutenant-Colonel -Horsford, who was in command of the Battalion, and paying it a -high compliment, informed him that he was hard pressed on the left -of the centre ravine, and wished a reinforcement sent there. The -three leading companies were immediately detached for that purpose -under Major Rooper who deployed them into line below the crest of -the hill. They soon were confronted by a Russian column, part of -Dannenberg’s force. They were at a short distance, and the Riflemen -halted and opened fire. For a short time the enemy returned their -fire, then began to waver and eventually to retreat, hotly pursued -by the Riflemen, who drove them down into the Quarry ravine. Those -of them who were wounded, or who had not made good their escape into -the ravine, were in a state of extreme terror, and called upon the -Riflemen on their knees and with clasped hands raised in prayer to -spare their lives.[240] - -Soon after Rooper’s wing had been thus sent forward, the remaining -three companies under Horsford moved to the right, deployed into -line, and advanced to the Kitspur, and thence by the head of St. -Clement’s gorge they fought their way to the Barrier. On their way -they opened their files to allow stragglers and wounded to pass -through, and two companies of the Guards who were then retiring. -Finding themselves without support, and their ammunition beginning -to fail, they halted. But eventually both wings, that under Horsford -which had worked round from the right, and that under Rooper, were -posted at the Barrier. From thence Horsford with some men in extended -order skirmished along the right bank of the Quarry ravine. About -half-past twelve, Captain Somerset, who had been obliged to go to -Head-quarters on account of ill-health, with much difficulty found -his way to the front, and joined a party of the Battalion whom he -found in rear of the two-gun battery under Ensign Brett.[241] Soon -Lieutenant Morgan brought him a message from Colonel Horsford that -he wished to collect all the Battalion in front at the Barrier. -Accordingly he brought up these men and joined Horsford under the -ridge. During this terrible conflict many of the Riflemen fought -independently, or by twos and threes. Sometimes they found themselves -mixed up with men of other regiments, the mistiness of the day -and their being all in greatcoats rendering it not always easy to -distinguish their comrades. Some few Riflemen under Tryon joined the -57th Regiment in resisting an attack on the ridge. The Riflemen got -cover where they could among the scrub oak on the rocks. Some of them -running short of detonating caps took them from dead Russians, and -these, though large, exploded their rifles. These Riflemen getting -cover in the brushwood on the left of the Barrier picked off the -gunners of the Russian battery on the Shell hill. - -About this period of the fight Colour-Sergeant Higgins,[242] -collecting some thirty men of No. 2 company, formed them up on the -left of the French division, and with them drove the Russians down -the ravine. - -Later in the day, and towards the close of the fight, Horsford with -the remains of the Battalion, advanced from the Barrier, and pushed -up the Shell hill to where a Russian battery had stood. Ascending -the hill, almost hand to hand with the enemy, these Riflemen fixed -bayonets and charged, driving the Russians from the ridge, on whose -retiring masses they kept up fire. Four tumbrils with ammunition -remained in their hands; but the Russians had withdrawn the guns. - -The Battalion, or the remnant of it, remained extended on the heights -till about nine at night, when being relieved by picquets of the 2nd -Division it marched to camp. - -No. 2 company was brought out of the field in command of the -Colour-Sergeant (Higgins), who indeed had been in charge of it from -the time its Captain (Cartwright) had been killed. - -The 2nd Battalion, after Elrington’s exploit in the morning, -continued posted on the left of Codrington’s force on the Victoria -heights. They kept up fire on the Russians on the opposite height -(Mount Inkerman) whenever they came within range. Some Russian -riflemen having come into the Careenage ravine and as far as the -Magazine caves, took shelter there, and while the companies on the -hill kept up a constant fire as often as they showed themselves, to -prevent their emerging or escape, some of the Battalion descended -into the ravine and made them prisoners. Three companies only of -this Battalion were engaged, Elrington’s, Inglis’ and Newdigate’s, -mustering about 150 rifles. Forman’s company was in the five-gun -battery; and the other four companies were at Balaklava. - -The losses of the Regiment were very severe. In the 1st Battalion -Captain Cartwright, 5 sergeants and 22 rank and file were killed. -And Brevet-Major Rooper and Lieutenant Coote Buller[243] were -severely wounded, and 5 sergeants and 26 rank and file were wounded. -Colour-Sergeant Noseley,[244] who was dangerously wounded, was taken -prisoner. - -Cartwright was killed late in the day, while sitting under the -Barrier, which the men were then lining. He was shot through the eye -and also in the chest. Colonel Horsford was also wounded by a shell, -which exploded between his legs, and lifted him off the ground; but -not being disabled he did not return himself as wounded. - -This Battalion also had to lament the loss of its kind friend Sir -George Cathcart, under whom it had fought in Kaffraria, and who had -from that time manifested great attachment to it. - -In the 2nd Battalion Lieutenant Malcolm and 8 rank and file were -killed and Captain Newdigate and 27 rank and file wounded.[245] - -Of these Rooper died on the 11th on board the steamer ‘Golden -Fleece,’ on his passage to Malta. - -For some days after the battle of Inkerman the Riflemen were engaged -in burying the dead. Their other duties also were very severe. In -consequence of four companies of the 2nd Battalion having been moved -to Balaklava the 1st Battalion found duty both on the right and left -attack. Even when other regiments were in the trenches they furnished -a party a hundred yards in front; and wherever there was an alarm or -a position to be stormed the green-jackets were in request. During -this time and while the duties were so constant, the men suffered -much also from scarcity of rations. And even those issued were such -as the men could scarcely use. Until the end of December the coffee -was served out green; there were no vegetables for a considerable -time; the biscuit when the weather was wet, was mouldy; and fuel was -scarcely to be procured. Even such supplies as were in Balaklava were -but scantily brought up owing to want of transport; and the position -of the 1st Battalion being the most distant from that place, rendered -their supply more scanty and precarious. - -On November 14 occurred the memorable gale. The tents were blown -down, and the hospital marquee of the 1st Battalion being torn to -pieces the wounded had to be carried to such of the companies’ tents -as could be set up. On this occasion an instance occurred of the good -feeling which has always existed in the Regiment between the Riflemen -and their officers. Coote Buller was lying in his tent suffering from -his wound, a broken thigh, at Inkerman. The men of the company held -his tent during the gale, and thus, by preventing his exposure to the -storm, rain and hail, probably saved his life. - -The tents of the four companies of the 2nd Battalion at Balaklava, -and everything belonging to them, except what they were standing -in, were blown clean away, and were never heard of afterwards. At -the same time the four companies of this Battalion on duty in the -trenches were not relieved for forty-eight hours. And one man of this -Battalion died from exposure to the cold and to the storm. - -The Russian riflemen having established themselves in some rifle -pits in front of the left attack along some rising ground, annoyed -our working parties as well as those of the French on the opposite -side of the ravine by their fire. Lord Raglan determined to drive -them back and to take possession of the pits. These pits, caverns, -or ‘ovens’ as they were called by the men, are formed by the decay -of softer portions of the rock between the harder strata, leaving -caves in the sides of the hill. The duty of driving the Russians from -them was confided to the 1st Battalion; and on November 20 a party -consisting of Lieutenant Henry Tryon, in command, with Lieutenants -Bourchier[246] and Cuninghame,[247] 4 sergeants and 200 rank and -file, was detailed to carry it into execution. It was kept a secret -what the service was to be till the party fell in about four o’clock -in the afternoon. Then Tryon wheeled them round him and told the -men what they were wanted for. He said that he intended to drive -the Russians out, and that he was sure that they could do it. And -right well they did it. Marching down to the trenches they lay down -till dark. They then advanced stealthily, creeping along the broken -ground which led first down a slight incline, and then up towards the -enemy, who were completely surprised by the attack. Fifty men under -Tryon formed the storming column; 50 the supports under Bourchier and -100 the reserve under Cuninghame. Eventually these parties became -practically one. They quickly drove the Russian riflemen from their -cover, though supported by a heavy column of Russian infantry. The -occupants of the pits were evidently surprised. But soon the guns -bearing on the pits poured grape and canister on the Riflemen, who -had no cover, for the pits were open on the enemy’s side. In the -moment of taking possession of the pits the gallant Tryon fell shot -in the head; Bourchier, who succeeded to the command of the party, -maintained his advantage; and Cuninghame greatly distinguished -himself by the energy with which he repulsed an attempt to turn the -left flank of the advanced party, and thereby ensured the success -of the capture. Repeatedly during that long night did the Russians -attempt to retake the pits; sometimes by sending forward strong -columns, sometimes by creeping up a few at a time, and when they got -near making signals for their companions to come on. But this handful -of Riflemen, under the command of these two young officers, bravely -withstood them, and held the position until relieved next day by -another party of the Battalion. In this affair Lieutenant Tryon and 9 -men were killed, and 17 men were wounded. This gallant feat of arms, -the first of the kind during that war, and never surpassed, was thus -described in the despatch addressed by Lord Raglan to the Duke of -Newcastle: - - ‘Before Sebastopol, November 23, 1854. - - ‘My Lord Duke,--The Russian advanced posts in front of our left - attack having taken up a position which incommoded our troops in - the trenches, and occasioned not a few casualties, and at the - same time took in reverse the French troops working in their - lines, a representation of which was made to me both by our - own officers and by General Canrobert, a detachment of the 1st - Battalion Rifle Brigade, under Lieutenant Tryon, was directed on - the night of the 20th to dislodge the enemy; and this service was - performed most gallantly and effectively, but at some loss both - in killed and wounded, and at the cost of the life of Lieutenant - Tryon, who rendered himself conspicuous on the occasion: he was - considered a most promising officer, and held in the highest - estimation by all. The Russians attempted several times to - re-establish themselves on the ground before daylight on the - 21st, but they were instantly repulsed by Lieutenant Bourchier, - the senior surviving officer of the party, and it now remains - in our possession. Brigadier Sir John Campbell speaks highly of - the conduct of the detachment, and of Lieutenant Bourchier and - Lieutenant Cuninghame, and he laments the death of Lieutenant - Tryon, who so ably led them in the first instance. This little - exploit was so highly prized by General Canrobert that he - instantly published an “Ordre Général” announcing it to the - French army, and combining, with a just tribute to the gallantry - of the troops, the expression of his deep sympathy in the regret - felt for the loss of a young officer of so much distinction. - - ‘(Signed) RAGLAN.’ - -The following General Order from Lord Raglan was also issued: - - ‘General Order, November 24, 1854. - - ‘The Commander of the Forces cannot pass unnoticed the attack, on - the night of the 20th inst., of a detachment of the 1st Battalion - Rifle Brigade under Lieutenant Tryon upon the advanced posts of - the enemy, which had been pushed forward so as to enfilade the - English trenches, and to take in reverse those of the French - troops. - - ‘The advance was made in the most spirited and determined manner, - and was completely successful. And though several vigorous - attempts were afterwards made by the enemy to dislodge the - gallant band, they utterly failed, and the ground remains in our - possession. - - ‘Lieutenant Tryon, whose conduct was most conspicuous, was - unfortunately killed, and several valuable soldiers shared the - same fate. - - ‘The General-in-Chief of the French army so highly prized the - achievement that he published a General Order eulogising the - conduct of the detachment, and paying a just tribute to the - officer who led it. - - ‘(Signed) J. B. B. ESTCOURT. - ‘Adjutant-General.’ - -The following is the order referred to issued by the French. General, -a most honourable and unusual distinction:-- - - ‘_Ordre Général._ - - ‘Dans la nuit du 20 au 21, sur la demande de concours que j’avais - adressée au Commandant de l’Armée Anglaise, en lui faisant - observer que les tirailleurs Russes s’établissaient à couvert - en avant de ses lignes pour prendre à revers nos travailleurs, - cent riflemen, conduits par le capitaine Tryon, sont sortis des - tranchées Anglaises, ont tourné par la gauche les positions - occupées par l’ennemi, et les ont enlevées après, l’avoir - débusqué. Les Russes, formés en colonnes profondes, ont tenté - trois fois de les reprendre à la baïonnette, après avoir fait - pleuvoir la mitraille sur le détachment Anglais. Nos alliés ont - tenu ferme avec l’énergie que nous leur connaissons, et sont - restés maîtres de la position, où nous pouvons les apercevoir ce - matin. - - ‘J’ai voulu rendre hommage devant vous à la vigueur avec laquelle - s’est accompli ce hardi coup de main, qui a malheureusement - coûté la vie au vaillant capitaine Tryon. Nous lui donnerons les - regrets dûs à sa fin glorieuse. Elle resserrera les liens de - loyale confraternité d’armes qui nous unissent à nos alliés. - - ‘Au quartier général, devant Sébastopol le 21 Novembre, 1854. - - ‘Le Général en chef, - (Signé) CANROBERT. - - ‘Pour ampliation. - Le Général Chef d’Etat-Major général - E. de Martimprey.’[248] - -The following is the translation of the preceding General Order which -was appended to Lord Raglan’s orders on this occasion: - - ‘Camp before Sebastopol, November 21, 1854. - - ‘On the night of the 20th or 21st, on a request made by me to - Lord Raglan, Commander-in-Chief of the English army, pointing - out to him that the Russian riflemen had placed themselves under - cover in front of the lines, from whence they could enfilade our - workmen, one hundred Riflemen, under the command of Lieutenant - Tryon, left the English trenches and, turning the flank of the - enemy, charged and dispersed them. The Russians, formed in - deep columns, attempted three times during the night to retake - the place, after pouring in grape and canister on the English - detachment. With that energy belonging to our allies, they held - firmly their ground, and we can now see them where the enemy once - stood. - - ‘I wish before you all to render the homage due to so gallant - an act, which unfortunately cost the life of the brave officer - Lieutenant Tryon. We will give him all the regrets so glorious - an end deserves. It will be an additional link to the loyal - fraternity of arms which unites us to our allies. - - ‘(Signed) GENERAL CANROBERT.’ - -For their gallant conduct in this affair Lieutenant Bourchier -received the Victoria Cross, the Legion of Honour, the 5th Class -of the Medjidie, and the Turkish Medal; Cuninghame the Victoria -Cross, the 5th Class of the Medjidie, and the Turkish Medal; and -Colour-Sergeant Hicks, who had volunteered for this duty, and was -close to Tryon when he fell, obtained the French War Medal. - -The gallant captors of the pits were relieved a little before -daylight on the 21st by a party of the 1st Battalion, under the -command of Lieutenant Flower, and accompanied by Lieutenant the Hon. -G. B. Legge. The Russians kept up a very heavy fire on them all -day, by which several men were wounded. So sharp was the fire, that -it was impossible to go from one of the pits to the other without -great caution. The ground, as we have seen, was rocky and crumbling, -and most of the men who were wounded were struck about the face by -fragments of rock. The position was so exposed to the enemy’s fire -that it was difficult even to get away the wounded; and Flower and -Legge could only recover two wounded men, struck in the face and -eyes and nearly blinded, by making them crawl on all fours into a -pit where these officers had taken shelter. This party held the pits -till nightfall, when they were relieved by another detachment of the -Battalion. And for some days these pits, captured by Riflemen, were -held by Riflemen, though occasionally a few men of other regiments -may have been added to eke out the number required, which the -diminished strength of the Battalion could hardly furnish. - -The men of the 2nd Battalion were at this time called upon for very -hard work, the right wing having been on duty on the 22nd three -nights consecutively; and from the 26th the men were on duty five -nights out of six. These duties, which were almost as severe in the -1st Battalion; the exposure to the weather; the shortness of food, -rations being sometimes wanting for two or three days together; -began to tell heavily on the Riflemen. Cholera and dysentery ravaged -both Battalions. On November 27 Lieutenant Godfrey died, and the 1st -Battalion, which had left England little more than four months before -nearly a thousand strong, could only parade as fit for duty 275 men -of all ranks.[249] And this, notwithstanding that it had received -a draft from home of 154 non-commissioned officers and men. This -shows a deficiency, even to this date, of 850 men.[250] The men of -the 2nd Battalion at this time had for some days a ration of only a -quarter of a pound of salt pork and a pound of biscuit, owing to the -difficulty of getting up supplies from Balaklava. - -On the morning of December 2, about five o’clock, the Russians -made a determined attempt to retake the ‘ovens.’ They advanced in -considerable numbers. Surprising the sentries, they entered a trench -which had been formed, after Tryon’s party had taken the pits, into -the second parallel, and driving out a party of another regiment who -occupied it, took possession of it. At this moment a party of the 1st -Battalion under Captain Churchill,[251] and accompanied by Lieutenant -Blackett[252] and Ensign Brett, which formed the new guard of the -trenches, came up and found the others retiring before the Russians. -With the usual dash of the Riflemen, unabated in its energy by the -severity of the weather or the urgency of their sufferings, they -quickly attacked the Russians, drove them out, and took possession of -the trenches, which they held as the guard for the day.[253] - -The Riflemen lost in this affair one killed and two wounded; but the -Russians left seven men dead on the field, and carried off seven -wounded. - -It was on this occasion that a _mot_ is recorded of a -non-commissioned officer of the Battalion, who, being asked how they -came to be there, replied, ‘If you please, Sir, the Russians relieved -the --th, and we relieved the Russians.’ - -On December 12 a party of the 1st Battalion, under Captain Churchill -(with Ensign Brett), being on duty in the trench near the Woronzow -road, was violently attacked during the night by the enemy; but by -showing a determined front and delivering an efficient fire they were -at once driven off, and prevented from penetrating at this important -point, which was the key to the British position. - -On the 27th Colonel Horsford, who had commanded the Battalion at -the Alma and Inkerman, and since Beckwith’s fatal illness, had to -return to Balaklava, and thence home on sick leave. And on the 29th -Major Somerset, who had been on sick leave on board ship, arrived and -assumed the command. - -On the morning of December 30 the four companies of the 2nd -Battalion, which were stationed on the heights near Balaklava, were -ordered by Sir Colin Campbell to be under arms at half-past six. -They paraded accordingly under Major Bradford, and after waiting -till about eight o’clock, proceeded with a regiment of Highlanders -to cover the flank of a considerable French force which made a -reconnaissance. The Riflemen marched on, skirmishing through the -woods and ravines. They advanced to Kamara, and the French troops -pushed on to the village of Tchorgúna, which they burned. However, -the Riflemen were not actively engaged; and after being under arms -till the afternoon, returned to their camp. - -The clothing which the Riflemen brought out from England being worn -or torn by hard service, they presented a strange appearance. The -greatcoat was always worn, and the blanket, with a hole cut through -for the head, was put on under it. Over their shoulders they wore -Cathcart’s oilskins; and sand-bags, pieces of knapsacks, anything -that would bend, were wrapped round the legs by way of gaiters. Some -had loose Russian boots, which were worn over the trousers; for the -cold was intense and food and fuel scanty, and everything that could -give warmth, for comfort it could not be called, was pressed into -service. - -Great indeed were the sufferings of the men. During the whole month -of December fresh meat was only served out two or three times, and -they could not obtain vegetables of any kind. Some warm articles of -clothing were indeed supplied; such as jerseys, drawers, blankets, -socks and mitts; but these were not in sufficient quantities. The men -were seven hours out of twenty-four in the trenches. Fifteen men of -the 1st Battalion were wounded in the trenches during the month, of -whom one died. - - -On January 4, 1855, by the efforts of the men of the 1st Battalion, -assisted by two carts and six ponies from Head-quarters, put at -the disposal of the Battalion by the kindness of Lord Raglan and -his Staff, the materials of the first wooden hut were brought from -Balaklava to the front, but not without the loss of one horse, and -the break-down of one cart; the Battalion, though probably weaker in -numbers than any regiment at the front, showing a noble example, and -proving the possibility (which some had doubted) of bringing a hut -up at this season from Balaklava to the plateau on which the army was -encamped. For driving snow and inclement weather continued for some -weeks. They proceeded as opportunity admitted to get up the huts, the -2nd Battalion beginning to erect theirs on the 22nd. - -During this time of suffering and disease (for diarrhœa, dysentery -and pulmonary complaints prevailed, and thirty-four men of the 1st -Battalion died during this month) the camp of the Riflemen was -frequently visited by Lord Raglan; who on one occasion, finding a -deficiency of port wine in the hospital marquee, immediately sent -down four bottles from his own quarters.[254] - -On January 17, 1855, General Sir Andrew F. Barnard, Colonel -Commandant of the 1st Battalion, died at his residence at Chelsea -Hospital, of which he was Lieutenant-Governor. On his death Sir Harry -Smith became Colonel Commandant of the 1st, and Lieutenant-General -Sir George Brown, who had as Lieutenant-Colonel for seventeen years -commanded the 2nd Battalion, became its Colonel Commandant. - -On February 1, Colonel Norcott joined, and took command of the 1st -Battalion, to which he succeeded by Beckwith’s death; and thus the -son of one of the earliest officers of the Regiment succeeded the -nephew of another, both of whom had commanded it in many bloody -fields. - -On February 19 a party of the 2nd Battalion, under Colonel Macdonell, -formed part of a reconnaissance in force under Sir Colin Campbell. -They were under arms soon after midnight, and about four in the -morning moved down towards the plain, and marched in the direction -of Kamara and Tchorgúna. It was snowing heavily when they started, -and the storm increased as the day broke. The Riflemen preceded the -advance in skirmishing order. Orders were given not to fire if they -came on the enemy, and it was hoped that they might be surprised; but -the density of the snow-storm prevented the men seeing many feet to -their front. However, the skirmishers made three sentries prisoners, -who were probably part of the picquet at Kamara. And it seemed that -the alarm was given; for the vedettes fell back firing their carbines -into the darkness, the drums were heard beating to arms, and through -the snow their battalions were dimly seen assembling on the heights -over the Tchernaya. The snow fell more thickly than ever; the men -could scarcely hold their rifles; the position and strength of the -enemy were unknown; and Sir Colin gave the word to return. The -Riflemen arrived in camp about eleven in the forenoon, suffering much -from cold and fatigue. - -On the 24th the 1st Battalion marched down to Balaklava and exchanged -the Minié rifle for the Enfield. This was the long Enfield, for which -the short Enfield was afterwards substituted. - -On March 7 Major Macdonell took command of the four companies of the -2nd Battalion at Balaklava, Colonel Bradford having been promoted to -the command of the 3rd Battalion, which was now again raised. - -During this month the work in the trenches was, owing to the -shortness of the numbers effective, most severe and harassing to the -men. Many sank under it. But as regards provisions and comforts, -things began to mend. For these were issued not only from Government -stores, but were also provided from private sources. About the middle -of March the climate much improved, and from that time, though -the duties were still severe, the sufferings of the Riflemen much -diminished. - -On March 23 the Russians made a great attack on the whole length of -the allied line. It was particularly severe on the right attack; -Captain Forman’s company formed part of the trench guard, and was -actively engaged. This attack was led by a Greek in full dress who -rushed at the magazine, and fired his musket into it, but it was -empty; and he was immediately bayonetted in the trench. - -After this the enemy began firing shells into the camp of the 1st -Battalion, but without doing any material injury. During the month of -March three sergeants and 82 men died, of whom 1 sergeant and 10 men -died in camp; the remainder at Scutari or Kulalie. - -During this month seven men of the 2nd Battalion were wounded in the -trenches. - -On March 19 the 1st and 2nd Battalions were augmented to sixteen -companies, and were to consist of the following numbers: - - Lieutenant-Cols. Majors Captains Lieutenants Ensigns Staff - 2 2 16 26 14 7 - - Staff-Sergeants Sergeants Buglers Corporals Privates - 9 100 41 100 1,900 - -On April 9, fire was reopened and kept up till the 12th, and on the -13th volunteers were called for to man the rifle pits in front of -No. 7 battery. Lieutenant the Hon. A. Anson[255] and eighteen men of -the 1st Battalion volunteered for the duty. They occupied the pits -from daylight until dark; but suffered a heavy loss, Sergeant Devitt -and four men being killed. These pits were afterwards connected and -formed the fourth parallel. - -On April 22 a bandsman of the 2nd Battalion named Wright, who was -on duty in the trenches, going to fetch water from a well in front -of the advanced trench near the Quarries, was killed; it being -impossible to throw up any cover near the well in consequence of -the rockiness of the soil. This man being a great favourite of his -comrades, a number of them rushed out determined to drive out the -Russian riflemen, by whose fire he had fallen, from the pits which -they occupied. Three men, Bradshaw, Humpston and MacGregor, were the -first to reach them, and drove the Russians out, killing some while -a few escaped. For this gallant deed these three Riflemen received -the Victoria Cross, Bradshaw being also decorated with the French War -Medal.[256] - -About this time clothing of a new pattern was served out to both -Battalions; a tunic being substituted for the old coatee for the men, -and taking the place of the jacket and pelisse for the officers, -which they had both worn with slight variations since the formation -of the Regiment. - -The 1st Battalion received their new clothing April 1855, partly -coatees and partly the new tunic. - -In April two men of the 1st Battalion died of wounds received from -the enemy. - -The left wing of the 2nd Battalion embarked on May 3 as part of -the Expedition destined for Kertch; but the order having been -countermanded after they had arrived at the _rendezvous_, they landed -again and joined the Head-quarters before Sebastopol on May 8. - -On May 18 the Queen in person distributed the Crimean Medal on the -Horse Guards parade, when the following officers and men of the -Regiment received it from Her Majesty’s hands: - -Lieutenant-Colonels Bradford and Horsford; Majors Elrington, -Hardinge, the Earl of Errol and the Hon. G. Elliott; Captains Inglis, -Newdigate, Ross, Drummond, Nixon, C. Buller, Warren, Rowles, Lindsay, -Bourchier, Deedes. - -Second Battalion: Corporal William Muggridge (wounded), Privates -Thomas Palmer (wounded), William Careless (wounded) and T. Dulahan. - -Third Battalion: Colour-Sergeant Andrew Holdaway, Sergeant James -Johnson and Private John Titcombe. - -In May one man of the 2nd Battalion was killed; and 1 officer and 12 -men were wounded in the trenches; of whom 3 died. One man was killed -in action. - -On June 7 the 2nd Battalion was engaged in the attack and capture of -the Quarries, one of the principal outworks of the enemy, and had one -Rifleman killed and 11 wounded. On that evening a working party of -the 1st Battalion, consisting of all the men off duty, were employed -to turn the works thus captured, and to make a covered way to the -Mamelon. Several attempts were made by the enemy during the night -to retake these works; and just before daylight a fierce attack was -made. It was at first almost a hand-to-hand fight, and the Riflemen -were for a time driven out of the works, but they eventually repulsed -their assailants. These frequent attacks however seriously hindered -their work, as the men were obliged to stand to their arms as often -as the advanced sentries fell back. - -On the evening of the 17th orders were issued to the 4th Division -that it should attack the proper left face of the Redan. The 1st -Battalion furnished 100 men under the command of Captain the Hon. -James Stuart,[257] with Lieutenants Boileau and Saunders,[258] to act -as a covering party. They were to get as near the works as possible -and to pick off the Russians if they showed themselves above the -parapet while the storming party advanced. This party left the camp -at a quarter after one in the morning of the 18th, and occupied the -trench round the Quarries until daybreak. But instead of issuing -from the trench at once in extended order, they were moved down to -the left, and passing a narrow opening between two rifle-pits, began -to extend on the enemy’s side of the cover afforded by the parapet -of the trench. As soon as they appeared the enemy poured grape and -canister, and opened musketry fire on them from the parapet of the -Redan. The Riflemen were mown down like grass, but pushing on to the -right advanced followed by the crew of the ‘Leander’ carrying the -scaling ladders. Boileau, sword in hand, and shouting out ‘Come on, -Rifles!’ gallantly led on his party, and endeavoured to get them -below the line of fire from the guns. But these brave men, not being -supported, were eventually obliged to withdraw. They had got up to -an _abattis_ in front of the Redan and lay close under it until the -middle of the day. For unfortunately they did not discover in time -that the attack had failed; and there seemed no possibility of their -crossing the open ground between their then position and the trenches -in broad daylight without immense loss. Happily for them a sand-storm -swept across the ground about mid-day; and screened by that they -retired, regained the trenches, and returned to their camp. - -The remainder of the Battalion, under Colonel Norcott, left camp -about an hour after the covering party and occupied the trenches in -front of the Redan, but were not moved out against the enemy. - -The Light Division was directed to storm the right face of the Redan. -And the 2nd Battalion furnished a ladder party of 100 men under -Captain Blackett; a woolbag party of the same number under Lieutenant -Fremantle;[259] a covering party of the same number under Captain -Forman; and a working and gabion party under Colonel Macdonell. The -attack was led by Captain Forman, who was killed. But these parties -were only supported by the 34th Regiment; thus this attack likewise -failed, and the troops were recalled and returned to their respective -camps. - -In the 1st Battalion Lieutenant Boileau was wounded, and died at -Malta on August 1; one sergeant (Jerram) and 7 men were killed; -and 11 men were wounded. And in the 2nd Battalion, besides Captain -Forman, 2 sergeants and 23 rank and file were killed; and Captain -Blackett (who lost his leg), Lieutenants Knox (who lost his arm) and -Fremantle were severely wounded; and 3 sergeants and 75 rank and file -were wounded. - -At night the enemy made a general attack on the English lines; but -were repulsed without any loss in the Regiment. - -When parties were sent out to collect the dead on the 19th (a flag -of truce having come in at four P.M.) the body of Sir John Campbell, -who had led the attack of the 4th Division, was found inside the -_abattis_; and that of Private Flannery of the 1st Battalion was -found close to the ditch, and twenty yards in advance of where Sir -John lay. - -At night the cemetery was occupied and a communication carried down -to it from the caves.[260] - -On June 30 Lieutenant Woodford of the 2nd Battalion was wounded when -on duty in the trenches, and died on the same day. - -On July 3 Captain Fyers was coming off picquet in the advanced works -with about 400 men. They were retiring by a zig-zag which by some -oversight of the Engineers was directly enfiladed by a Russian gun. -As soon as the men were well in the _boyau_ a round shot was fired, -which, bounding along, knocked down 13 men, of whom 8 were killed -or died of their wounds.[261] The wounded were removed by Fyers, -Colour-Sergeant Kemp, and some soldiers of another regiment who came -to their assistance. The rest of the men turned into another zig-zag -not exposed to this fire. The ball after this destructive course -ran along the _boyau_ and stopped against the bank of the parallel, -a dead ball.[262] - -On July 3 the body of Lord Raglan, Commander-in-Chief, who died on -June 28, was conveyed on a gun-carriage to Kazatch bay, and was -embarked on board the ‘Caradoc’ and taken to England. A party of -100 men of each Battalion accompanied his remains to the place of -embarkation. - -The siege continued during the months of July and August. The duties -in the trenches were constant, and the Riflemen were engaged either -in working parties or in covering them.[263] Almost nightly attacks -were made on these parties; and they were vigorously plied with shot -and shell. - -On the evening of September 1 a party of the 2nd Battalion were -ordered to cover a sap which was in course of construction from the -fifth parallel towards the flank of the Redan. - -At 7.30 Captain Balfour,[264] with one subaltern (Lieutenant Cary), -2 sergeants and 48 rank and file, left the camp for that duty. The -Russians had erected a screen of stones about 80 yards in front of -the head of the sap, as a protection to their sentries; and their -reserves occupied a pit behind this screen and also a ravine on -their left in which there was a cave. Captain Balfour detached Cary -with one sergeant and 23 men to proceed down the ravine and turn the -Russian left; while he himself with the remainder of the party made a -rush at the screen of stones behind which the Russian riflemen were -posted. After a short but sharp encounter the Russians abandoned the -screen of stones and the pit, and retired towards the ditch of the -Redan and to a small graveyard in the Karabelnaia ravine. - -Lieutenant Cary and Sergeant Henry Wood much distinguished themselves -in this affair, and were both wounded. One Rifleman was killed and -14 were wounded. Cary died at Malta, from the effects of his wounds, -on November 9. - -On September 8, when the assault was to take place, one half of -the 1st Battalion being in the trenches under Colonel Norcott, the -remainder, consisting of about 280 men under Lieutenant-Colonel -Somerset, moved out of camp at eleven A.M. and took up a position in -reserve on the Woronzow road. - -The 2nd Battalion furnished a covering party for the assault of the -Redan consisting of 100 men, under the command of Captain Fyers, -who were to cover the advance of the ladder party, and to keep down -the fire from the parapet; a party, also of 100 men, under Captain -Balfour, occupied some broken ground and a Russian rifle-pit in -front of and to the right of our most advanced works, who were also -directed to keep down the fire from the parapet. With the same object -two parties of 50 men each under Lieutenants Baillie and Playne, were -stationed, one in the fifth parallel, and one in the Woronzow road. -The remainder of the Battalion, about 230 men under the command of -Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, took part in the general attack. - -These men had to advance 150 yards, exposed to a most terrible fire -in front and flank. This attack, most gallantly carried out, was not -entirely successful; though, as is well known, the operations of this -day led to the abandonment of the works by the Russians, and the fall -of the place. - -During the night following this attack Major Woodford (who had been -slightly wounded) and Captain Balfour, with about 150 Riflemen, -occupied the stone screen, the rifle pit, and the cave above -mentioned. Major Woodford (it is said) had obtained a promise from -Sir Colin Campbell that, if his Highlanders assaulted the Redan on -the next morning, these men should again form a covering party. -But the dawn of the 9th revealed the fact that the Russians were -abandoning the flaming town; and the services of these Riflemen, -utterly exhausted by the fighting and excitement of the assault, were -not required. - -The 2nd Battalion lost 2 officers, Captain Hammond and Lieutenant -Ryder, 4 sergeants and 19 rank and file killed. And 8 officers, Major -Woodford, Captain the Hon. B. R. Pellew, Lieutenants Eyre, Riley, -Eccles, Moore, Borough and Playne, 8 sergeants, 1 bugler and 128 -rank and file were wounded.[265] - -The following interesting account of Captain Hammond and Lieutenant -Ryder is extracted from a letter written by Staff Assistant-Surgeon -Walter Clegg, dated September 9, 1855: - - ‘With Captain Hammond’s name you will be familiar, as I - frequently mentioned to you the many acts of kindness I received - from him when he commanded the Depôt at Fort Cumberland. A braver - soldier never on that day mounted the Redan; a Christian of more - unaffected piety never entered the presence of God. - - ‘He had only been in the Crimea forty-eight hours when he was - killed. When the Rifles were forming for the assault, a young - subaltern, going into action for the first time, who had come out - with Hammond, addressed him: “Captain Hammond, how fortunate we - are! we are just in time for Sebastopol.” - - ‘Hammond’s eye was gazing where the rays of the sun made a path - of golden light over the sea, and his answer was short and - remarkable, and accompanied by the quiet smile which those who - knew him so well remember: “I am quite ready,” said he. - - ‘The next that was seen of Hammond was when his sword was - flashing at one of the embrasures of the Redan. He was indeed at - the head of his company, fighting to gain an entrance for them. - - ‘A dozen bayonets were at his heart and once he was dragged in a - prisoner. In a few minutes he was recognised again outside the - embrasure, still hacking with his sword. The next morning at six - o’clock Captain Balfour found him in the ditch beneath a dozen of - the slain, with a bayonet wound through his heart. - - ‘Hammond and Ryder were buried this afternoon in the - burial-ground of the division, rendered sacred long ago by the - sepulture of brave men. Ryder was barely eighteen years old. - - ‘Before the assault had lasted an hour he was shot in the throat - and fell, and was carried to the rear and consigned to the - surgeon. But as it happened the surgeon was engaged at the moment - that Ryder was brought in, and the young Lieutenant tied his - handkerchief round his throat, and was seen again on the ladder, - and when he was found the next day in the ditch a bayonet thrust - had transfixed his forehead.’[266] - -The English troops now took possession of the Redan and the -Karabelnaia district, and the Regiment took its share of the duty in -Sebastopol during the destruction of the dock-yard and other works. -Soon after the taking of the place a detachment of the 2nd Battalion, -consisting of 8 officers, 12 sergeants and 200 men, under the command -of Captain Fyers, proceeded to Head-quarters, where they acted as -escort or body-guard to the Commander-in-Chief. - -On October 1 Colonel Norcott having proceeded to England, the command -of the 1st Battalion devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset, who -going to England on the 24th, Lord Alexander Russell took command. -And on the 14th Colonel Hill having arrived from England, assumed -command of the 2nd Battalion. - -A great attack on the Inkerman side having been expected in -consequence of telegraphic information from England, both Battalions -were under arms at an early hour on the 16th and the following -mornings for some time. - -On the 26th Colour-Sergeant Noseley, who had been reported as killed -at the battle of Inkerman, rejoined the 1st Battalion, he having been -wounded and taken prisoner by the Russians. He was the only man of -the Battalion who was in the hands of the enemy during the campaign. - -The 1st Battalion continued to occupy the ground on which it was -encamped. And early in November pannelled huts began to be erected. - -On November 15, about two o’clock in the afternoon, a tremendous -explosion took place in the French siege train, situated at the head -of a ravine which ran down towards Careenage bay. Colour-Sergeant -Pescott of the 1st Battalion, who had gone down in charge of a -fatigue party, received injuries from a rocket, from the effects -of which he died. And Lieutenant Eccles and several men of the 2nd -Battalion were wounded, two of whom died from the injuries then -inflicted. - -On the 17th Lieutenant Borough, 2nd Battalion, died of fever. - -On the 26th no one was reported sick in the 1st Battalion; this was -the second time only that such an occurrence had taken place since -its arrival in the East. - -During the winter the Battalions were employed in road-making, in -fetching up huts, in furnishing picquets, or guards in the town. - - -On February 24, 1856, the two Battalions (with the rest of the army) -paraded on the Telegraph hill above Balaklava for the inspection of -the Commander-in-Chief, General Codrington; Marshal Pelissier was -also present. - -Though the cold was very severe and much snow fell in the early part -of this year, the Riflemen, having the protection of the huts and -sufficient rations and fuel, were in far greater comfort than during -the preceding winter. A theatre was erected with wood fetched from -Sebastopol. Other amusements beguiled the time not required for -duties, and in a foot race of the whole army on March 19, Lieutenant -Palliser of the 1st Battalion won the officers’ hurdle race, and -Lieutenant Thomas, 2nd Battalion, came in second. - -The whole English army paraded in the afternoon of April 17 for the -inspection of the Russian General Lüders. The Generals having gone -down the line the troops marched past and returned to their camps. - -On the 25th the 1st Battalion paraded for the inspection of General -Vanlinsky, who had commanded the Russian troops on Mackenzie heights -on September 25, 1854. - -On May 9 a Rifleman (Private Connolly of the 1st Battalion) died from -the effects of a wound received on April 26, by the explosion of a -Russian shell, which was carelessly dropped by a soldier of another -regiment, while they were gathering shells in Sebastopol. - -On the 24th the two Battalions were marched to Balaklava plains to -celebrate (with the rest of the troops) the Queen’s birthday. On -this occasion the medals granted by the Emperor of the French were -distributed. - -On June 4 the 1st Battalion marched to Balaklava at eight in the -morning, and embarked immediately in H.M.S. ‘Apollo,’ and went out -of harbour in tow of H.M.S. ‘Medusa;’ and after touching at Scutari, -Malta, Algiers and Gibraltar, anchored off Corunna on the 27th. Here -they were visited by Spanish Generals, soldiers, ladies (upward of -fifty of whom came on board), and apparently everyone who could get -a seat in a boat. A strange contrast to the scene forty-seven years -before, when the Battalion embarked at Corunna! - -Leaving Corunna on the 28th the Battalion landed at Portsmouth on -July 7, and proceeding at once to Aldershot by rail, encamped there. - -On June 8 the 2nd Battalion embarked at Balaklava on board the -sailing transport ‘King Philip,’ and arrived at Portsmouth on July 11 -and proceeded by rail to Aldershot. - -On the 1st Battalion leaving the Crimea the following General Order -was published by Major-General Garrett, K.H., commanding the 4th -Division: - - ‘Camp before Sebastopol, June 3, 1856. Division After-Order. - - ‘Major-General Garrett regrets that the separation of the - 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade from the 4th Division by their - embarkation to-morrow for England, calls on him to take leave of - them. - - ‘The Major-General will look back with pride and pleasure to - those eventful days when they were under his command, first as - a Brigadier and afterwards commanding the Division, for upwards - of a year and a half. During that period the willingness and - smartness which the officers and the men invariably evinced, - whether on duties in camp or in the trenches, clearly showed - that that magnificent _esprit de corps_ which descended from - their predecessors, the old 95th, still animates the young - soldiers, who were brought to supply the heavy casualties of the - late campaign; which they quickly caught up from the fine old - soldiers whose education had been formed in the rough and arduous - enterprises of two Kaffir wars. - - ‘That that noble _esprit de corps_ may never fail them is the - sincere wish of the Major-General, who hopes soon to see them - exhibiting that spirit amongst their comrades in England.’ - -On July 8 the 1st Battalion was reviewed by the Queen, when the -officers who disembarked with the Battalion, 8 sergeants, 7 buglers, -8 corporals and 9 privates, were selected to be addressed personally -by Her Majesty. And being (with others) formed up round her carriage -Her Majesty addressed them in the following words: - - ‘Officers, Non-commissioned officers, and soldiers: I wish - personally to convey to you, for the regiments assembled here - this day, my hearty welcome on their return to England in health - and full efficiency. - - ‘Say to them, I have watched anxiously over their different - trials and hardships which they have so nobly borne; that I mourn - with deep sorrow for the brave men who have fallen for their - country; and that I have felt proud of that valour, which with - their gallant allies, they have displayed in the field. I thank - God that your dangers are over whilst the glory of your deeds - remains; but I know that should your services be again required, - you will be animated by the same devotion which in the Crimea has - rendered you invincible.’ - -And on the 16th the 2nd Battalion was reviewed by Her Majesty, when -the 1st Battalion was also present. The appearance of the Riflemen, -all of whom wore the Crimean Medal, with three or four clasps, many -the Kaffir Medal, and some the Sardinian and other decorations, -specially attracted attention. - -The two Battalions were again reviewed by Her Majesty on July 30. - -By letter from the War Office, dated August 11, the strength of the -1st Battalion was reduced from 109 sergeants, 41 buglers, and 2,000 -rank and file, to 57 sergeants, 25 buglers, and 1,000 rank and file. -A similar reduction took place in the 2nd Battalion. - -On April 1, 1855, a 3rd Battalion was, a second time, added -to the Regiment. They were formed at Haslar barracks, under -Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford, by transfers from the Depôts of the 1st -and 2nd Battalions; but as he very shortly afterwards exchanged -with Colonel Hill,[267] to the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment, -Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford assumed the command and in fact made -this new Battalion. They were inspected on June 25 by Major-General -Breton, their strength then being 29 officers and 590 men. - -On August 3 they moved by rail to Aldershot. And soon after 240 -volunteers were received from the 1st Middlesex, 1st Surrey, and East -Warwick, and on October 11, 180 volunteers from the Royal Elthorne, -Militia regiments. On the 22nd the Battalion was inspected by -Major-General Knollys, when its strength had increased to 39 officers -and 947 men. During the early part of 1856, volunteers continued -to be received from several Militia regiments; and on June 9 the -Battalion proceeded to Portsmouth, where, on their inspection by -Major-General Breton, the strength of the Battalion had increased to -41 officers and 1,165 men. - -On August 3 the Battalion was divided into Service and Depôt -companies; the former returned to Aldershot, and the latter (two -companies) proceeded to Winchester. - -On September 30, in consequence of reductions, 170 men of the 1st and -2nd Battalions were transferred to the 3rd. - -But on October 8 the establishment of the Battalion was reduced to -1,000 rank and file. - - -The 1st Battalion remained at Aldershot till July 27, 1857, when they -proceeded by rail to Edinburgh, where they arrived on the 28th and -occupied quarters in the Castle; one company (Brevet-Major Oxenden’s) -being detached to Greenlaw. This detachment was relieved monthly. - -The following Brigade Order was issued by Major-General the Hon. A. -A. Spencer on the Battalion leaving Aldershot: - - ‘Major-General Spencer takes leave of Lieutenant-Colonel - Somerset, the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the - 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade on their departure for Edinburgh, - with much regret. - - ‘It is now upwards of two years since he became acquainted - and connected with the Battalion in the 4th Division before - Sebastopol, during which time he has had opportunities of - judging of their soldierlike qualities and habits of discipline. - - ‘The greatest proofs of these are the success which always - attended their separate important undertakings against the enemy, - and also their speedy recovery from the effects of hardships - they, as well as every other regiment in that army, experienced - in the winters of 1854-5. - - ‘The Major-General now bids them farewell, and trusts it may be - his good fortune to meet them again in his military career.’ - - -On August 5 a serious fire broke out in the old town of Edinburgh, -which the Battalion succeeded with great exertions in extinguishing. -Their conduct on this occasion elicited the following letter to -Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset from the Lord Provost: - - ‘Edinburgh, August 11, 1857. - - ‘Sir,--I have the honour to convey a resolution unanimously - adopted by the magistrates and town council of this city at their - meeting to-day, to express their warm and cordial thanks to the - officers and men of your regiment for the valuable and effective - aid rendered by you in extinguishing the late fire and preserving - order. - - ‘(Signed) JOHN MELVILL, Lord Provost. - - ‘Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset, C.B., Rifle Brigade.’ - -During the time the Battalion was at Edinburgh the men received the -short Enfield and resumed the armament of the sword bayonet, as of -old. - -Riots of the mill-hands being apprehended, three companies of the -Battalion were hurriedly moved by rail to Glasgow on November 11 in -aid of the Civil power; and these were reinforced by an additional -company on December 1. - -A few days afterwards the Head-quarters and remaining companies of -the Battalion followed them to Glasgow, arriving there on the 10th -and detaching two companies to Ayr. - - -The 2nd Battalion remained at Aldershot until June, on the 26th of -which month they proceeded to London. And were present at the first -distribution of the Victoria Cross by Her Majesty Queen Victoria. -On which occasion the following officers and men of the Regiment -received the cross from the hands of Her Majesty: - - Brevet-Major the Hon. H. Clifford. - Brevet-Major C. T. Bourchier. - Captain William J. Cunninghame. - Lieutenant John Knox. - Private Francis Wheatley. - Private Joseph Bradshaw. - Private Roderic MacGregor. - Private John Humpston. - -After taking part in the review which followed this ceremony, the -Battalion proceeded the same evening to Liverpool, where they -embarked the following day for Dublin. And on their arrival there -Head-quarters and five companies occupied Beggar’s-bush barracks, and -the other three companies Linen-hall barracks. - - -A letter was issued from the War Office, dated September 22, 1857, -by which a 4th Battalion was directed to be added to the Regiment. -This Battalion was therefore immediately formed at Winchester under -Lieutenant-Colonel Elrington, who was promoted from Senior Major on -September 1. - -Recruiting at once commenced, and transfers were received from the -1st and 2nd Battalions, and from some other regiments, so that by -the end of the year the Battalion had attained a strength of 28 -sergeants, 10 corporals, 15 buglers and 413 privates. - -They proceeded by rail on December 15 from Winchester to Chichester. - -[Illustration: - -Plate IV. - -RIFLE BRIGADE, 1856 TO 1860.] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[218] An engraving of this camp of the 1st Battalion will be found in -the ‘Illustrated London News,’ vol. xxv. p. 320. - -[219] Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur J. Lawrence, K.C.B. - -[220] Being a total of 33 officers, and 959 of inferior ranks. With -these numbers the ‘Medical History,’ i. 452, nearly agrees: it -enumerates 32 officers and 961 of inferior ranks. - -[221] Colonel Newdigate, Commanding Rifle Depôt. - -[222] During the months of July and August, while the Battalion was -in Bulgaria, it lost thirty men from cholera. ‘Medical and Surgical -History of the British Army,’ ii. 50. - -[223] Major-General Elrington, C.B. - -[224] Colonel Fyers, C.B. (retired). - -[225] Colonel the Hon. W. J. Colville. - -[226] Major-General Norcott, C.B. - -[227] Kinglake, vol. ii. 187. - -[228] Major-General W. H. Bradford. - -[229] Sir Arthur Lawrence’s letters, and information from Colonel -Fyers. - -[230] Record of 1st Battalion, and see p. 309. But Surgeon Bowen, in -the ‘Medical and Surgical History of the British Army,’ states the -total loss from cholera during the month to be thirteen, and that -all, with one exception, occurred on the line of march. - -[231] An engraving of ‘Riflemen in the Trenches’ is in the -‘Illustrated London News,’ vol. xxv. p. 573. - -[232] Wheatley entered my service as lodge-keeper at Bramshill Park -on his discharge, and died May 21, 1865. - -[233] ‘Letters from Head-Quarters by a Staff Officer,’ [Colonel the -Hon. S. Calthorpe], p. 101. - -[234] Hannan was one of a hundred men given by the 1st to the 2nd -Battalion, before they embarked for the Crimea. He had been noted for -his daring in the Kaffir War. He and Ferguson were fellow-countrymen, -both being from the north of Ireland. - -[235] ‘Illustrated London News,’ vol. xxv. p. 466. The newspaper -writer who records this, while doubting the accuracy of the estimate -of the number of the enemy killed on the 19th, states this fact of -the four Riflemen as ‘certain.’ - -[236] Ibid. vol. xxv. p. 487. - -[237] Captain Markham retired (from the Coldstream Guards) December -23, 1858. - -[238] Nine men of the 1st Battalion were wounded in the trenches -during the month of October, of whom two died almost immediately, and -one underwent amputation of the left thigh; and of the 2nd Battalion -four men were killed in the trenches, and an officer and twenty-five -men were wounded; of these five died. - -[239] For this distinguished service Captain Elrington was -recommended for the Victoria Cross; but Sir George Brown demurred to -forward the recommendation, on the ground that the 2nd Battalion had -not been engaged in the battle of Inkerman! The fact being that three -companies were there, and suffered the casualties hereafter noted. - -[240] Kinglake, vol. v. p. 298, quoting a letter from Lieutenant -Bramston, Rifle Brigade. - -[241] Lieutenant-Colonel John Brett, retired full-pay. - -[242] Captain William Higgins, Quartermaster, half-pay. - -[243] Major Coote Buller died April 5, 1868. - -[244] Major G. R. Noseley, Paymaster, half-pay. - -[245] ‘Malcolm was shot through the head; a finer and more gallant -young fellow never lived.... There is not an officer in the Regiment -who does not sincerely regret him.’--Ross’s Letter, November 7, 1854. - -[246] Colonel Claude T. Bourchier, V.C., Aide-de-Camp to the Queen. - -[247] Major Sir William J. M. Cuninghame, Bart., V.C., M.P., retired. - -[248] I am indebted to Marshal Canrobert for a copy of this order, -which conferred so unusual and marked a distinction on the Regiment. -In the letter which accompanied the transcript the Marshal expresses -his appreciation of ‘la magnifique conduite du détachment de la Rifle -Brigade commandé par le Capitaine Tryon.’ - -[249] 105 men were employed on other duties connected with the -service of the army. - -[250] In order to show the state to which the Battalion was reduced -by sickness and losses in the field, I may quote the Duty State of -Woodford’s company on January 19, 1855, which I owe to the kindness -of the Hon. and Rev. George B. Legge. By this it appears that the -company which left England six months before with a strength of -about 100 men, had then present and nominally fit for duty just -_one sergeant and eight men_. Of these some were in an exhausted -and hardly efficient condition. Four non-commissioned officers and -25 privates were returned as ‘in or attending hospital,’ and 6 -non-commissioned officers, 1 bugler and 42 privates were at Balaklava -or Scutari, wounded or sick. - -The ‘Medical and Surgical History’ states that during the month of -November 2 officers and 29 men of the 1st Battalion were killed in -action or in the trenches; and 3 officers and 131 men were wounded, -of whom 13 died. - -And that in the 2nd Battalion, 13 men were killed, and 1 officer and -33 men were wounded, of whom three suffered amputation. - -[251] Lieutenant-Colonel C. H. S. Churchill. - -[252] Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. Blackett, half-pay. - -[253] ‘Letters from Head-quarters by a Staff Officer,’ 191, 3rd -edition. - -[254] During this month eight men of this Battalion were wounded in -the trenches, and one man, wounded in December, died of his wounds. - -[255] Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Augustus H. A. Anson, V.C., -retired. - -[256] In the official notification of the grant of the Victoria -Cross, MacGregor is said to have performed this act of valour ‘in the -month of July;’ but I have been repeatedly assured by Bradshaw that -he, Humpston and MacGregor were together, and won their crosses on -this occasion. - -[257] Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. James Stuart, died April 11, 1870. - -[258] Captain Saunders (retired) died May 28, 1863. - -[259] Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzroy Fremantle, Coldstream Guards. - -[260] One officer and 30 men of the 2nd Battalion were killed in -action; and 4 officers and 125 men wounded during the month of June. -Of these 12 cases proved fatal. - -[261] Three privates of the 2nd Battalion are returned in the -‘Gazette’ as killed and 13 wounded on July 3. - -[262] For his conduct on this occasion Fyers recommended Sergeant -Kemp for the Victoria Cross, but he did not receive it. - -[263] Three men of the 2nd Battalion were killed, and 43 wounded -during the month of July, of these 6 terminated fatally. And 4 -men, wounded in June, died in this month. Fourteen men of the 1st -Battalion were wounded in the trenches in August, 2 of whom died. And -2 men of the 2nd Battalion were killed, and more than 80 wounded, 6 -of whom died. - -[264] Major Walter Francis Balfour, retired March 10, 1857. - -[265] Nineteen men of the 1st Battalion were wounded in action in -September, of whom 2 died. One of these (William Hardinge) was so -much injured about the head and face by the bursting of a shell (on -September 5) that he died of lock-jaw on the 11th. And 25 men of the -2nd Battalion were killed, and 7 officers and 181 men were wounded in -action, of whom 15 died of their wounds. - -[266] ‘Illustrated London News,’ xxvii. p. 394. A ‘Memoir of Captain -M. M. Hammond’ was published in 1858. - -[267] Major-General Percy Hill, C.B. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - -The Sepoy Mutiny having broken out, and troops being despatched with -all haste to quell it, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions received orders to -embark immediately for India. - -The 2nd Battalion embarked in three divisions: - -The first under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Woodford, consisting of -3 captains, 5 subalterns, 21 sergeants, 7 buglers and 322 rank and -file, proceeded by rail from Dublin to Cork on August 3, and embarked -on board the ‘Lady Jocelyn’ screw steamer. The second under Brevet -Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers, consisting of 2 captains, 2 subalterns, 9 -sergeants, 3 buglers and 146 rank and file, proceeded by railway to -Kingstown and embarked on board the ‘United Kingdom’ on August 4. - -The Head-quarters with four companies under Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, -consisting of 3 captains, 8 subalterns, 5 staff, 30 sergeants, 14 -buglers and 292 rank and file, proceeded by railway to Kingstown -on August 6, and embarking on board the ‘Sussex,’ hired transport, -started for India on the next day. - -The first of these detachments (Woodford’s) arrived at Calcutta on -November 3, and disembarked. - -On the 7th they paraded at 3.30 to cross the Ganges, which they did -in a steamer, and at 9.30 in the evening started by railroad for -Raneegunge, where they arrived at 6.30 on the following morning. - -From thence they proceeded on the 10th in carriages at three P.M. -and arrived at Doomrhee at 7.30 on the next day; whence starting at -10.30 and passing through Brohal, the Dowah pass, and Bawa, reached -Sherghotty at 8.45 A.M. on the morning of the 12th. - -After a short halt there they started again at one P.M. for Barroon. -Soon after which they crossed the river Sone, a most tedious process; -the river here being about two miles broad and reached by a long -plain of sand. The carriages had to be placed in boats; and having -got over one bend of the river, another long sandy plain had to be -traversed and then a still wider stream of water to be crossed. This -occupied a very long time; from midnight to 5.30 in the morning; but -having accomplished it they arrived at Sasseram at 8.45 A.M. on the -13th. At five o’clock they started again, and travelling through -the night, were about ten P.M. startled by an alarm that they were -about to be attacked. The ‘alarm’ was sounded; rifles and revolvers -were got into readiness, and some confusion occurred; but after a -few minutes it was ascertained that the alarm, from wheresoever -originating, was a false one. And on the 14th, about 10.20 in the -morning, they reached Annabad, where they halted till five, when -after passing Kurumnasa they reached the bank of the Ganges, and -crossing it in boats arrived at the Mint at Benares about 4.45 on the -morning of the 15th, where they halted till the 18th; this being the -first occasion on which they had taken any of their things off since -they left Raneegunge. - -On the 18th they started again at 4.15 P.M. and reached Gopeegunge -at 1.45 P.M. on the 19th, and after halting till 5.50 started again. -Here Colonel Woodford was informed that a rebel force of 300 or 400 -cavalry, 6,000 or 7,000 infantry and ten or twelve guns was encamped -on his right, about twenty miles from Gopeegunge. The march, or -rather the journey in bullock-carts, in the night was therefore -made with great caution and with every preparation to resist an -attack. But none was made, and on the 20th they reached the Ganges at -Allahabad about twelve P.M., and after great difficulty in finding -the camping-ground got into camp. On that night they again had a -false alarm. - -They halted at Allahabad till the 23rd, the intervening time being -employed in getting clothing for the men. - -Here the detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers, which had sailed -in the ‘United Kingdom,’ joined them; and the whole started by rail -at 8.30 on the 23rd and arrived at Lohunga at 12.30. Here they again -divided; Colonel Woodford’s detachment proceeding by bullock-carts -and Colonel Fyers’ by route march. Woodford’s detachment started -about five, and after delays by break-down of waggons and restive -oxen, arrived at Futtehpore at 4.45 on the 24th. Starting again at -eight they met a Sikh on the 25th bearing a message from General -Windham urging them to push on, as they would be wanted. Making all -speed therefore they reached Cawnpore at 6.45 P.M. and took up their -quarters in the Theatre for the night, being warned to go to camp at -four A.M. on the following morning. - -On that morning (the 26th) they paraded at 2.30, and shortly -afterwards marched to General Windham’s camp, which was formed near -the bridge, on the road from Cawnpore to Calpee, over the Ganges -canal. - -They reached it about seven; and no breakfast being provided, they -received a dry biscuit and a ration of rum. Hence they moved out to -attack the Gwalior contingent, which was posted in great force on -the Pandoo Nuddee river. They advanced, the three companies[268] -of Riflemen in front. On approaching the enemy’s position the -mutineers at once opened fire about 9.30. ‘The battle on the part -of the British began with the companies of the Rifle Brigade. -These admirable troops at once advanced in skirmishing order on -the right of the road. The country was a good deal encumbered with -high standing corn, topes of trees, walls, &c.’[269] Some of the -Riflemen got into ruined houses, and having got the range picked -off the enemy’s gunners. The Gwalior contingent however held their -position--a strong one, on the right bank of the Pandoo Nuddee--for -some time. But at last the men advanced with a rush, and crossing the -almost dry bed of the river drove them back. The Riflemen pursued -them for some miles. One man only (Wolfe) was killed in this day’s -fight: he was shot through the head. At a little before twelve the -fight was over, and the Riflemen returned towards their camp. After -they had retired some distance the mutineers pursued; and they were -halted and deployed. During this halt a ration of rum was served out -to the men. Resuming their march the Riflemen returned to Cawnpore, -and pitched their camp near the city across the Calpee road and close -to some brick-kilns. They arrived in this camp about four P.M. - -On the 27th there was a false alarm at six in the morning; but later -it was found that the Gwalior contingent, with a strength of about -25,000 men and forty guns, had commenced a most determined attack on -General Windham’s position, both in front and on his right flank. -The three companies of Riflemen, Nixon’s, Dillon’s and Earle’s, -were moved out about noon, and posted on the right of the road to -Calpee at its junction with the Grand Trunk road to Delhi, and were -immediately under fire. ‘The heavy fighting in front, at the point of -junction of the Calpee and Delhi roads, fell more especially upon the -Rifle Brigade, ably commanded by Colonel Walpole.’[270] - -However the enemy were too strong for them, and they were obliged to -retire. Some officers and men occupied a small tope of trees, but -they were soon out of ammunition, and Lieutenants George Curzon and -Dugdale went back across the open, exposed to the fire of two guns -which plied them with grape. However they succeeded in bringing up a -camel with a supply. A second, third and fourth time Curzon passed -the same ordeal in search of further ammunition or caps; and after -some unsuccessful ventures obtained a supply from Captain Atherley -of the 3rd Battalion, who with his company after a forced march from -Futtehpore (to be presently more particularly mentioned) had arrived -at Cawnpore. - -This retreat was covered in a most masterly manner by the three -companies under Woodford, who were extended in a line of skirmishers -over a space of nearly a mile, and for a long time held back an -enormous force of the enemy of all arms. And had it not been for the -stand made by this detachment, it was generally supposed that the two -guns of the Naval Brigade, which had been left unprotected, would -have fallen into the enemy’s hands.[271] - -It was first observed by Corporal Suddlers of the 2nd Battalion that -these guns were deserted; and they were with difficulty brought back -by some Riflemen of Captain Nixon’s company, under Lieutenant-Colonel -Woodford, who took the slings off their rifles for that purpose.[272] - -[Illustration: - - PLAN OF CAWNPORE - in 1857. - - _Compiled & Drawn by Capt^n H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brigade._ - E. Weller, _Litho._ - _London, Chatto & Windus._ -] - -I have now to trace the march of Fyers’ detachment of three -companies, Captains the Hon. B. R. Pellew’s (commanded by Lieutenant -Grey[273]), Warren’s, and the Hon. L. W. Milles’,[274] whom we saw -were together with Woodford’s detachment at Allahabad. They marched -from Lohunga at midnight on the 23rd-24th in charge of Commissariat -stores; rum, rice, sugar and ammunition on donkeys. They marched -about sixteen miles, and halted under a tope of trees till about two -the next morning; when they proceeded to Futtehpore, about sixteen -miles further, the stores in their charge being a great impediment to -their progress. They left Futtehpore again on the 26th, and marched -about seventeen miles. As the men were pitching their tents, a -messenger on a camel (the same who had met Woodford) came in with a -pencil note from General Windham, addressed to the officer commanding -the detachment, urging him to make all speed, as troops were wanted. -The few tents already pitched were immediately struck. Fyers placed -the stores he was escorting in charge of the police, and directed -the men to carry only what was absolutely necessary. After a halt of -three hours in making these arrangements, he started again, placing -the most footsore and the sick on elephants, and marched the men, -weary as they already were, about nineteen miles further, allowing -them short halts at intervals. Many of the men were so fatigued -that when a ‘halt’ was sounded, they fell asleep almost as soon as -they lay down on the ground. After a halt about midnight for one -hour, during which a ration of rum was issued, falling in again, -they marched forward till the morning, when Fyers gave them another -halt of an hour to prepare some breakfast. Having had some tea and -biscuit, they started again very weary and footsore; but now the -sound of heavy guns and the rattle of musketry quickened the men. -They pushed forward with increased vigour, and arrived at Cawnpore -when the troops were retiring. They found the force engaged there in -full retreat; a mixed multitude of soldiers and civilians, these last -carrying property of various kinds, and endeavouring to make their -way to the intrenchment. - -The distance from Futtehpore to Cawnpore is forty-eight miles and -three-quarters. It was marched in about twenty-six hours, the first -stage with all the impediment of the convoy of stores. The men were -wearing the European dress: cloth clothes and shakos. The march of -this detachment has never been exceeded in endurance and rapidity; -and Dr. Reade, who accompanied it, states that ‘all were well able -for any service when the march was over.’ It strikingly resembles in -more points than one the march of the 1st Battalion (with the Light -Division) from Calzada to Talavera in 1809. It differs from it in -this, that Fyers’ detachment came up in time to take part in the -fight of which the sounds had quickened their advance. - -For on reaching Cawnpore Windham met them, on his way from the front -to the intrenchment, whither all were retreating; and putting himself -at their head, he led them through the streets, ordering Fyers to -fix swords, and prepare to defend the intrenchment. This they did -well, gaining the high praise of General Windham, who then and long -afterwards expressed in strong terms how important the arrival and -the action of these companies had been to him. Footsore and weary -as they were on their march, their fatigue was forgotten as soon as -the sounds of fight told them that work was to be done; and they -fought in Cawnpore and in defence of the intrenchment as if they were -fresh from their camp. When they got to the intrenchment they were -refreshed with an issue of grog, biscuits and tea, after which they -were despatched on outpost duty: another parallel to the march to -Talavera. - -On this day Ensign Travers was wounded by a bullet in the shoulder, -2 sergeants and 4 men were also wounded.[275] - -The companies took up their position for the night in a ruined house. - -Captain Atherley’s company of the 3rd Battalion also arrived at -Cawnpore on the 27th. They had landed at Calcutta on the 8th, and on -the next day started by rail for Raneegunge, and thence proceeded by -bullock-cart up the country. On nearing Cawnpore a messenger met them -with instructions that Atherley was not to advance, as the force at -Cawnpore was in retreat, and he might be cut off. A second messenger -informed him that he was to push on, as every man was wanted. A -third soon followed with a repetition of the first message. All this -time for many hours, and while marching many miles, the sound of -heavy firing was heard. About six in the evening a youth (a cadet), -mounted on a pony, met them, saying that the road was clear, and that -they were to hasten on and reach the town if possible. He added that -General Windham’s force was getting the worst of it. Accordingly -Atherley pushed on as fast as possible. The firing seemed to become -heavier and more furious. As the company approached the bank of the -canal, a mounted officer, extremely agitated, rode up and said, -‘Leave all your carts, except the ammunition; fix your bayonets, -and I will show you the way.’ Atherley, with great _sang-froid_, -said, ‘We have not got any bayonets; we have swords.’ ‘Well,’ said -the other, ‘fix what you have got.’ Saying which he galloped off -and they saw him no more. Neither as they advanced did they see any -enemy; but they met some of the 2nd Battalion retiring in good order. -Captain Atherley found General Windham in or near the intrenchment, -and reported his arrival. Windham, expressing himself much pleased -at being reinforced with a hundred ‘fresh’ Riflemen (they had just -come off a fatiguing march), told him to patrol during the night, and -guard the house in which he was living. He then asked if Atherley had -had anything to eat; and being answered in the negative, he gave him -a bone with some meat on it, which he and his two subalterns devoured -in the verandah of Windham’s quarters, cutting it off with their -clasp knives. - -They patrolled all night in front of the intrenchment, and guarded -Major Bruce’s house, which General Windham occupied. But the night -passed without any attack from the Sepoys or any alarm. - -On the 28th the Riflemen were ordered, about six in the morning, to -come into an outwork of the intrenchment; where, having been supplied -with some biscuit and tea, they were ordered out to resist the enemy, -who were expected to make another attack. The Rifle companies, with -part of the 82nd Regiment and Captain Greene’s battery of Artillery, -were posted on the left of the canal looking from the intrenchments. -In moving to this position they were exposed to a heavy fire of -musketry and grape. The action itself began about noon; and after -hard fighting these troops repulsed the enemy. When they arrived -at their position it was discovered that an ammunition waggon was -missing, and Lieutenant Curzon had to go back (as on the previous -day) a considerable distance in search of it, exposed to a heavy -fire. It could not be found; but he succeeded in bringing up a camel -loaded with ammunition. In the course of the fight, Colonel Woodford, -Lieutenants Playne[276] and Nicholl, with three Riflemen, were in -a dip in the ground, in front of the enemy’s guns, and were making -good practice in picking off the gunners; when Woodford, who was in -the act of taking a shot with a rifle at a Sepoy, was shot through -the head, and, uttering an exclamation, expired. A bugler, Bourne, -carried him to a tope[277] of trees. Captain Dillon entered a house -in which there were some Sepoys, and his revolver missing fire, he -was bayonetted in the chest. - -The Riflemen took two long eighteen-pounder guns, and the men having -tackled to with ropes, drew them into the intrenchment, a distance -of more than three miles. On their arrival they were greeted with a -round of cheers for the guns, and another for the Rifles, and, amidst -great excitement, civilians and soldiers pressed forward to offer -congratulations and refreshment to the gallant captors. - -Captain Atherley’s company was ordered to patrol the native town and -to clear it of any Sepoys who might be lurking there. About four -o’clock Atherley, having heard of the death of Colonel Woodford, took -his men to the front, leaving the native town in charge of the 82nd -Regiment. General Windham ordered him to line the bank of the canal. -Three guns were brought to bear on these Riflemen, and several round -shot came amongst them, but without doing any hurt. Atherley made his -men take shelter along the bank; and selecting two whom he knew to be -excellent shots, he told them to pick off the gunners of these guns, -which were annoying the troops from the bridges over the canal; and -he desired some of their comrades to load for them, and to hand them -up rifles as fast as they could. Thus aided, these Riflemen, creeping -up near the bridges, picked off the gunners, and effectually silenced -the guns. - -As another instance of their excellence in shooting, I may add that -Atherley, in the course of this day’s fight, asked one of his men, -named Robertson, how far he estimated the distance of the brick-kilns -to be. The Rifleman replied that he did not know; but calling -Atherley’s attention to a man standing on the top of the kiln, he put -up his sight for 600 yards, fired, and the man fell. His body was -examined the next day by Atherley, and the ball was found to have hit -him in the stomach. - -General Windham thus writes in his despatch of the conduct of the -Riflemen: - - ‘On the left advance Colonel Walpole,[278] with the Rifles, - supported by Captain Greene’s battery and part of the 82nd - Regiment, achieved a complete victory, and captured two - eighteen-pounder guns. - - ‘The glory of this well-contested fight belongs entirely to the - above-mentioned companies and artillery. It was owing to the - gallantry of the men and officers, under the able leading of - Colonel Walpole and of my lamented relative Lieutenant-Colonel - Woodford, of the Rifle Brigade (who I deeply regret to say was - killed), and of Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, 82nd, and of Captain - Greene, R.A., that this hard-contested fight was won and brought - to so profitable an end. I had nothing to do with it beyond - sending them supports, and at the end of bringing some up myself. - - ‘I repeat that the credit is entirely due to the above-mentioned - officers and men.’[279] - -The loss of the Riflemen on this day was Lieutenant-Colonel Woodford -and five men killed, and Captain Dillon (severely), Lieutenant -Lawton, 1 bugler, and 18 men wounded, and 1 man missing. - -During the night of the 28th the enemy took entire possession of the -town, and on the 29th began a heavy fire against the intrenchment; -hitting the bridge of boats over the Ganges several times, damaging -the Hospital and destroying stores. The Riflemen, who had during the -night and morning occupied the principal outwork of the intrenchment, -were ordered out by Sir Colin Campbell (who had arrived from Lucknow -on the previous evening), to endeavour to take some guns which were -doing much damage. Accordingly at three P.M. two companies of the 2nd -Battalion and Atherley’s company of the 3rd, under Lieutenant-Colonel -Fyers, who had succeeded to the command on Woodford’s death, made a -sortie. Running out over some very uneven ground, they attacked some -Sepoys who were in the Residency, and were for some time exposed to -a very severe fire. However, after awhile they drove the enemy out -of these buildings; and as these were escaping by the back of the -compound, some Riflemen of Atherley’s company crept round stealthily -under the wall, and succeeded in catching the retreating rebels on -their swords as they leapt over it. They thus slew a large number. - -However, as they did not receive reinforcements, they were unable to -take the guns, and returned to the intrenchment. On this occasion -Captain the Hon. Lewis Milles was severely wounded, 1 man was killed, -1 sergeant and 6 privates were wounded, of whom 1 died on December 1, -and 1 on December 7, and 1 was missing.[280] - -The Riflemen, or some of them at least, had not had their clothes -off since they left Allahabad; had been scantily fed, often being -for twenty-four hours with only one meal, and sometimes that only -of biscuit and tea or rum; exposed to heat by day and great cold by -night, and suffering from sore feet. Yet they kept their spirits up, -and did their work on these four hard-fought days in a manner to -elicit General Windham’s marked approval repeatedly expressed to them. - -At this time the ladies and others rescued from Lucknow were crossing -the bridge of boats, an operation which occupied about thirty hours, -and Sir Colin with these and their escort encamped near the Old -Dragoon lines. - -From December 1 to 5 the Riflemen continued to occupy the outwork of -the intrenchment; the enemy keeping up an occasional fire from guns -planted about 450 yards from them. - -On the evening of the 1st Captain Warren and Lieutenants Eccles and -Grey went out with some men to recover the body of Colonel Woodford, -which they succeeded in doing, though fired at by the Sepoys; and -he was buried on the morning of the 2nd in the intrenchment, where -a tombstone was subsequently placed over his remains by his brother -officers. - -On the 5th the women and children having started, the Riflemen were -ordered to move up to Sir Colin Campbell’s camp. They started at four -P.M., and did not reach their camping-ground till after dark. Having -got their tents pitched they lay by their arms all night. - -Before I describe the events of December 6, it is necessary that I -should trace the movements of the 3rd Battalion which took part in -them. - -A detachment of that Battalion commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Julius -Glyn, consisting of Captain Alexander’s[281] company and part of -Captain Bourchier’s company, proceeded from Aldershot and embarked on -board the ‘Barham’ on July 1, and after experiencing very bad weather -on September 30 when south of the Cape, and a hurricane from October -28 to 30 (during which seven of the crew were struck by lightning), -arrived at Calcutta on November 8. They did not disembark till the -13th, and on the next day proceeded by railway to Raneegunge, where -they arrived on the 15th at six A.M. - -On the 16th they started at 3.30 A.M., part of the detachment being -carried in bullock-carts, and part marching. They arrived at Gyra -at nine in the morning of the 17th, after a march of thirty-eight -miles. Leaving it again at three P.M. they made another march of -thirty-eight miles, and reached Doomrhee at half-past ten in the -morning of the 18th. Halting there till four P.M. they arrived at -Burkutta at 6.30 the next morning, after a march of twenty-eight -miles. Starting in the afternoon at 3.30 P.M. they reached Churparun -at four in the morning of the 20th. At Churparun rifles were ordered -to be loaded; and from thence they proceeded by daily marches through -Sherghotty, Norunagabad, Sasseram, Annabad, Benares, Gopeegunge, -to Allahabad, which they reached on the 27th. On the 30th, thence -proceeding by rail, they encamped at Cheenee, the end of the railway -then in course of construction. Proceeding thenceforward by route -march, they left Cheenee on December 1, and encamped on the 2nd -about six miles from Futtehpore. Starting from that in the evening -they arrived on the evening of the 3rd at a bridge over the Pandoo -Nuddee. Here they were to encamp; and the men were set to work to -pitch their tents, which they were almost too tired to do, but which -they had just accomplished, and turned in, when the bugle sounded -for ‘orders.’ A message had been received from Sir Colin Campbell, -directing the detachment to make all speed to the front, as he was -about to engage the Gwalior contingent. - -The word was given to strike tents and to ‘fall in.’ This the men did -without a murmur, and resumed their march cheerfully, weary as they -were, when they knew that active work was before them. Marching (of -course with occasional halts) the remainder of that night and the -whole of the day and night of the 4th, they arrived at Cawnpore at -seven on the morning of the 5th. - -This was a march of about seventy-five miles, accomplished in a very -short time; and considering that this detachment consisted mostly -of young soldiers, the Battalion having only been formed two years -before; that these men had disembarked hardly three weeks, after -being cooped up on board ship during a four months’ voyage; that -they had already made long and fatiguing marches up the country; -this march, considering these circumstances of it, is perhaps hardly -paralleled in military history. - -The day of the 4th was very hot, and the men wore their cloth -European clothing. They did not however carry their packs. - -The Head-quarters of the 3rd Battalion, consisting of four companies, -under Colonel Horsford, left Aldershot on July 22 by rail-road for -Portsmouth, and embarking on board the ‘Sutlej’ sailing ship, sailed -that afternoon and arrived at Calcutta on November 8. From thence -they were forwarded to Raneegunge by rail-road, and thence proceeded -in detachments, some by bullock-train, some by horse-dâk, and some by -bearer-dâk, up the country by way of Benares and Allahabad. Thence, -as we have seen, there was rail-road communication as far as Cheenee. -I will trace from thence the progress of the Head-quarter division, -consisting of 137 men with the Staff, under Major Ross, which left -Allahabad on the 26th. - -After leaving Cheenee by bullock-train, some delay took place on -account of the badness of the road from this terminus of the railway -to the Great Trunk road, but they reached Futtehpore at eight in -the morning of the 27th. Major Ross had been directed by Brigadier -Campbell before leaving Allahabad, in case the enemy were likely to -interrupt him, not to proceed beyond Futtehpore, but, in this event, -to fall back and reinforce a party of the 88th Regiment, which was -escorting the guns of Major Smith’s battery. These, however, he had -passed in the night, and in reply to inquiries whether his escort -was required, was informed by the Officer Commanding of Windham’s -engagement the day before, and assured that there was no reason why -he should not move on. - -Accordingly he proceeded at three in the afternoon, and they had -advanced some twenty miles, when at about two in the morning a camel -messenger met them, with orders that all troops moving up were to -push on as fast as possible. This opened their eyes and quickened -their pulse, for it meant that an enemy was in front. So Major -Ross pushed on as fast as he could to the next bullock-changing -station, got fresh bullocks, and gave his men some tea. Following -the Brigadier’s instructions, he awaited the artillery and 88th, -which various native travellers assured him were only five or six -miles behind him. Then he learned his first lesson of the falsehood -of native reports. For he waited in some suspense, occupying a -gravel pit, expecting every moment the appearance of the artillery; -but he waited in vain, for they had never moved beyond Futtehpore. -He had reduced at this place his _impedimenta_ from thirty-four -waggons to twenty-three by re-packing; but of these ten were filled -with ammunition; rather an onerous charge had the enemy attacked, -for of his small party about thirty were band and buglers without -arms. While waiting here, and longing for the appearance of the -guns, a messenger arrived about noon from the front, with peremptory -orders from General Windham, superseding all others, to fall back -on Futtehpore and to hold it to the last extremity before retiring -further; and with intelligence that Windham was so hard pressed by -the fire of the enemy’s guns, that he could not meet them in the open -till reinforced from Lucknow. Of course there was no alternative. -Major Ross was obliged to march his detachment back the twenty-four -miles they had come, to the no small disgust of the officers and men, -who had been within hearing of the guns at Cawnpore (and in the night -within sight of their flashes), and yet were not to take part in the -fight. However, the soldier must obey, and they sorrowfully retraced -their steps, keeping a sharp look-out, and reached Futtehpore at -about two in the morning. They found that an attack was not unlooked -for there; for Colonel Maxwell of the 88th ordered them to move -their camp, which had been pitched about a mile and a half from the -Great Trunk road, to a position in the open plain, where there had -been a tank, now dry, the high banks of which formed an excellent -intrenchment. - -On December 1 came the joyful intelligence that they were to proceed -at once to the front. Accordingly, at three in the morning of the -2nd they advanced (with the Head-quarters of the 88th and Smith’s -battery), and marching the greater part of that day and the whole -of the night (except a two hours’ halt) arrived in camp at Cawnpore -at three o’clock next day; having done the distance in thirty-six -hours. But during the last fifteen miles of the march the officers -and men were very weary and footsore, and as they were overcome with -drowsiness from fatigue and want of sleep, the scene was somewhat -ludicrous; the men now and then lurching from side to side till -brought up by their neighbour’s shoulder, or missing that prop, -occasionally falling forward in the road. The band, however, were -wakeful enough to play for the last quarter of a mile, and the -inspiriting strains of ‘Ninety-five’ carried them cheerfully into -camp, which was pitched close to General Wheeler’s intrenchment. Once -in their tents the Riflemen were soon fast asleep. On the morning of -the 5th Colonel Horsford came up with the remainder of the Battalion, -120 men. And that afternoon the 2nd Battalion moved from their -intrenched camp and joined them. - -On the 6th tents were struck at seven in the morning, and the troops -were formed in contiguous close columns, beyond the canal, near the -Old Dragoon lines. Here they were halted till it was ascertained -that Sir Colin Campbell was engaged with the enemy at the bridge on -their left. Then about ten o’clock the two Battalions of Riflemen -were ordered to cross the canal by a bridge near their position. This -they did at the double with a ringing cheer, Captain Nixon’s company -of the 2nd Battalion leading in gallant style, and forcing back the -Sepoys. The 3rd Battalion were in quarter distance column; and the -first round shot fired at them passed between the companies, doing -no harm to them, but wounding some native camp followers who were on -the reverse flank. However, the rebels had opened fire on them while -halting in a walled enclosure near the bridge, and on their rushing -out of the gate they were exposed to a sharp fire, which brought down -only one man as they were crossing the bridge. Once over that the -3rd Battalion wheeled to the right, both Battalions deployed into -line, and fixing swords advanced, and soon extended and cleared the -woods and houses between the canal and the body of the town. As they -advanced the enemy plied them with shot and shell, without however -doing much mischief; but Colonel Horsford, who was leading his -Battalion, was wounded by a fragment of a shell. He continued however -to lead his Battalion. In about ten minutes the Riflemen had cleared -the ground in their front, and not a rebel was to be seen there. They -then moved towards their left to connect with the force which had -crossed by the other bridge, and where the enemy had some guns and -a body of infantry in open ground. As they approached the Riflemen -saw the rebels flying towards their camp, pursued by Highlanders and -other troops. So continuing their advance in skirmishing order, the -two Battalions swept the ground between the town and the Great Trunk -road, passing the brick-field, and through suburbs and trees, till -they came in view of the enemy’s camp. They then closed to their -left, in order to hold possession of the camp which the rebels had -deserted, while other troops pushed on in pursuit. - -However, later in the day, handing over the charge of the captured -camp to some other troops, three companies of the 3rd Battalion and -some of the 2nd Battalion started again, and bringing their left -shoulders forward and extending, advanced to the Subahdar’s tank, a -position in rear of the enemy’s left, and about a mile and a half in -a direct line from the intrenchments through the old cantonments. -In front of the tank the enemy had some heavy guns; some distance -on the right of the Riflemen was another gun; and two more a little -to their left. These were well protected by earthworks or walls; a -considerable body of rebels kept up a musketry fire from topes of -trees and enclosures; and the Riflemen were exposed to showers of -grape, canister and round shot. They advanced, extended, about 300 -yards on each side of the road, slightly in advance of some heavy -guns, while the 93rd were kept in reserve. The fire of these guns -soon began to tell on the enemy. This, and the approach of the long -line of extended Riflemen, soon disheartened the enemy, who began to -give way immediately on the Riflemen passing through the enclosures -to the right and broken ground to the left of the road. On reaching -the entrance of the village, called the Soldiers’ Burial Ground, the -guns of Captain Middleton’s battery were pushed through as rapidly -as possible, the Riflemen running up to support them. They got very -near the gun on their right and the two on their left, and were in -hopes of capturing them; but they were so much delayed by having to -climb over mud walls and pass through enclosures to get at them, that -the rebels succeeded in removing them by the right and left, and took -them among some houses which the Riflemen had orders not to pass.[282] - -When it was getting late the Rifle Battalions, who were still in -pursuit of the enemy, now completely routed, were ordered to halt, -and got into some houses about five o’clock. The night was extremely -cold, and the men had nothing but their usual clothing to cover them, -not even their great-coats. The 3rd Battalion suffered from hunger -too, as well as cold, being long without food. At last a lean cow was -discovered, and immediately killed and cut up; and the men, roasting -the tough morsels on the points of their swords, ate them half-raw. -The 2nd Battalion were in this respect more fortunate. For they got -hold of a good many sheep, and in fact regaled themselves so well on -them, that they named the house where they passed the night Mutton -Bungalow. - -The casualties were: in the 2nd Battalion, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal and -6 Riflemen wounded, and 1 man was killed during the night in the town -of Cawnpore, it was never known how; in the 3rd Battalion Colonel -Horsford was slightly wounded, and 11 rank and file were wounded. - -At night Captain Henry R. L. Newdigate’s company, with Major Ross, -was on picquet in a Bazaar on the Bithoor road, not far from the -Subahdar’s tank. They were suddenly startled by a noise in a large -enclosure where some of the Riflemen were posted. It turned out that -some of the rebels, mistaking their way, brought a string of camels -laden with ammunition right up to the Riflemen. The sentry challenged -rather too soon, and the mutineers fled and escaped; but they left -their camels and 20,000 rounds of ammunition in the hands of the -Riflemen. The next night the cartridges having been broken up on the -ground, a grand illumination was produced by setting fire to the heap. - -On the 7th the Riflemen continued in the houses they occupied: but -some portion of the baggage of the 2nd Battalion companies having -come up, they were rather more comfortable. The 3rd Battalion, -however, were still without food, except what the men found in native -houses, till towards evening when some rations were served out. The -men were allowed to go out to _loot_; and found much, and took many -arms and some prisoners. The night was again extremely cold; and men -and officers, not on duty, slept under a heap of chopped straw in the -hope of getting some warmth. - -On the 8th the companies of the 2nd Battalion were ordered in the -morning to come in and pitch camp, which they did about half a mile -from the town. But they had hardly done so when they were ordered -to move and to join Sir Colin Campbell’s camp, some four miles in -advance. They arrived there and pitched camp shortly before dark. - -The 3rd Battalion also left the houses they had occupied since the -action of the 6th, and joined Sir Colin Campbell’s camp. - -Before I describe the further operations of this force, I must -trace the movements of the Head-quarters of the 2nd Battalion. They -had embarked at Kingstown on August 6 in the ‘Sussex,’ hired ship, -consisting of 4 companies--17 officers and 336 of other ranks, under -Colonel Percy Hill. Sailing the next day they arrived at Point de -Galle, Ceylon, on October 29; and were transhipped to the ‘Adventure’ -troop-ship, which started on November 1. The engines of this ship -were in a very faulty condition. They were frequently stopped; and -the services of a Rifleman named Adwick were constantly called into -operation to repair them. This man had been bred an engine-maker or -some such trade, and ‘Pass the word for Adwick!’ became a well-known -signal that the engines were stopped and out of order. - -In consequence of these defects of her engines, the ‘Adventure’ did -not reach Calcutta till November 17. On disembarking the Riflemen -went into quarters; and on the 20th they proceeded by railway to -Raneegunge, where they encamped about a mile from the village and -were detained for some days, and whence they moved up in detachments -by bullock-carts to Benares. Here they were again detained. After -which they moved on to Allahabad, whence there were some miles of -railway towards Cawnpore, terminating at Cheenee. - -The Head-quarters marched, as the other detachments had, from this -point. Leaving Cheenee at two in the morning of the 11th December -they arrived at Arrapore, a distance of fourteen miles. Leaving it -next day at four in the morning, they reached Futtehpore at nine: -from this they proceeded to Kutteanpore, where they arrived at nine -in the morning of the 13th, after a march of seventeen miles and -a half. On the next day they made another march of seventeen to -Sirsour, and on the 15th arrived at Cawnpore, when they marched in -and encamped about half-past nine in the morning. The whole of the -Battalion were now reassembled; and great was the cheering with which -the detached companies welcomed the new-comers; and with which these -saluted their comrades, who had since their separation seen so much -fighting. - -On the 18th both Battalions, forming part of a force under Brigadier -Walpole, marched from camp at Cawnpore and proceeded about twelve -miles along the Calpee road to Churbiere, where they arrived at four -in the afternoon, and halted in a capital camping-ground shaded by -trees. Resuming the march next morning about half-past six, they had -in the course of the day to cross the Pandoo Nuddee, the bridge over -which was broken. The Engineers, with great want of forethought, had -here placed two boats with one connecting plank, so that the men -were obliged to cross in single file. There was ammunition in carts, -and these, of course, had to be unloaded, and the ammunition carried -over by the men, barrel by barrel. The consequence of this delay was -that the baggage did not reach the camp till five in the evening. -The march was about sixteen miles to Ukburpore, and the Riflemen -encamped near a large tank and close to some trees. Here they halted -till the 23rd. But on the 25th the 3rd Battalion under Colonel Julius -Glyn, with Captain Thynne’s company of the 2nd Battalion, and some of -the 9th Lancers, went out on an expedition against the rebels, and -attacked two armed villages about eight miles distant. At Putarah -they were fired at, but captured five principal men. They started at -four in the morning, and did not return till dark, having marched -about eighteen miles, and taken eighteen prisoners; and on the 22nd -Captain Wilmot’s company, with some of the 9th Lancers, went out on -a similar expedition, but returned to camp by ten o’clock. Among the -prisoners made on the first of these occasions were a brigadier of -the Gwalior contingent and his son, a man who had letters about him -addressed to Nana Sahib, and the Nana’s money-changer. The first -of these was said to have taken an active part in the Cawnpore -massacres. He was living in fancied security in this village some -miles off the road from Cawnpore to Calpee, and must have been not -a little disconcerted when he found his hiding-place surrounded by -Lancers and Riflemen. He and the other prisoners were executed by -order of the Commissioner who accompanied the force. - -On the 23rd, starting soon after six, the Riflemen marched eleven -miles to Derapore, having in the way forded a branch of the river -Jumna, and encamped near some jungle. The next day they made another -march of about the same distance to Secundra, where they encamped on -some excellent and well-wooded ground. - -They halted on Christmas day, but Nixon’s, Milles’ and Earle’s -companies went out at nine in the morning against the Rajah of -Secundra, who was reported to be encamped near the Jumna with 2,000 -men. The Riflemen started under the command of Colonel Fyers, but -were joined about four miles on their road by Colonel Hill, who had -gone out shooting, but who, on finding that an expedition was to -be made, changed clothes with one of the subalterns, and assumed -the command. Some cavalry accompanied them, the whole being under -Brigadier Walpole. - -However, the enemy fled at their approach, the last boat-load -crossing as the cavalry galloped up to the bank of the river; and -the Riflemen returned to camp at five o’clock. A mess tent for their -Christmas dinner was extemporised by joining two, and the men were -regaled with an extra ration. - -On the 26th, having struck tents at the usual hour, they marched -eleven miles to Ooryah, which they reached at ten A.M. And on the -next day made a march of fourteen miles to Serai Adjeet Mull, and -encamped in a grain field. - -On the 28th they made a further march of twelve miles to Buckbey -Khanpore, where they encamped among some trees. On this march -Lieutenant Buckley, with some men of the 3rd Battalion, found three -armed rebels, who loaded to fire at them. They were taken and -executed. - -About midnight they received a sudden order to march immediately; -and, falling in, started in a very cold morning for Etawah, where -they arrived about half-past eight. It was expected that they would -find a body of about 1,500 rebels with seventeen guns here; but they -had heard of the approach of the force, and had disappeared, except -a few who had shut themselves up in a fort. This was a quadrangular -work, with a kind of tower-bastion at each corner, standing on -a sand-hill on the bank of the Jumna. Two companies of the 2nd -Battalion, under the command of Colonel Hill, were ordered to take -the fort. The gate was blown open by the blank fire of a gun which -accompanied the force, and the Riflemen rushed in. It was then found -that the rebels occupied one of the tower-bastions. Grey and Fryer -with some men entered it. A long dark passage led to a small court -in the centre of the bastion, which had dwellings round it. As they -threaded their way along this passage they received a fire of slugs, -which whistled past, and they halted where a bend in the passage -afforded some cover. Colour-Sergeant Andrews and some men climbed up -on the flat roof of the dwelling; and as he was looking over into -the court, he was severely wounded in the head, and also lost three -fingers. Two other men were also severely wounded. Eventually the -bastion was blown up, and its defenders made a rush out, but were all -killed. It was then found that two or three of them were women. - -The Riflemen halted at Etawah during the two following days in a very -good camping-ground, the people of Etawah being friendly and well -disposed. The force which had escaped, and the remnant of which had -defended the fort, was part of the Nana’s army, and had come into the -district to levy tribute. - - -On January 1, 1858, the two Battalions marched from Etawah to Kurhul, -a distance of eighteen miles, which they accomplished in little more -than five hours, starting at five, and reaching their camping-ground -soon after ten. On the next day they made a march of the same -distance in the same time to Mynpooree. And though they got in by -half-past ten, the men were not encamped after their long march till -one o’clock, the Quartermaster-General having at first selected wrong -camping-ground, from which he moved them. - -On the 3rd they started before six, and reached Bewur, a distance of -fourteen miles, at ten, and passing through the town, encamped near -a shady tope of trees. - -On the 4th they started from Bewur soon after three in the morning, -and, having crossed the Kallee Nuddee by a bridge of boats about -two miles from their camp, halted for breakfast at the end of ten -miles. After a halt of an hour and a half they resumed their march, -and went on to Futtehgurh, which they reached between four and five -in the afternoon. The distance was twenty-six miles, and the day -was extremely hot; yet very few men fell out. On their arrival here -they joined the army under Sir Colin Campbell; and were pleasantly -encamped in the pleasure-grounds and gardens of a Rajah’s palace on -the banks of the Ganges. The Riflemen had marched seventy-six miles -from Etawah to Futtehgurh in four days, or in about twenty-seven -hours’ marching. - -They halted here till the 13th; but during that time a detachment of -the 3rd Battalion at Allahabad had been taken out (with some other -troops) by Colonel Campbell of the Bays against some 300 Sepoys -who were assembled in that neighbourhood, and whom they defeated, -inflicting very heavy loss. - -And on the 11th Captain Hill’s company of the 3rd Battalion went out -with some sappers on an expedition. - -On the 13th the two Battalions, forming part of a force under -Brigadier Walpole, left Futtehgurh at nine in the morning, and -crossed the Ganges by a bridge of boats, which the enemy had -fortunately left uninjured. After a very fatiguing march of nine -miles, part of it through the deep sand adjacent to the river, which -in the rainy season it overflows, they reached Allygurh on the right -bank of the Ramgunga at two in the afternoon, and found the enemy -in force on the other side. The march of the two companies on rear -guard was most fatiguing. They could not start till an hour and a -half after the Battalions had marched, as the elephants which were to -carry the tents had not arrived. Then with very slow progress they -arrived at the Ganges, which the native-carts took a long time to -cross; and the elephants obstinately refused to enter the river, or -to trust their ponderous weight to the planks connecting the boats -of the bridge. The tents had therefore to be unloaded, and passed -over in boats. However, the recreant elephants subsequently rejoined. -The rear-guard had only made their way through the deep sand when -night came upon them, and they halted at half-past six. Fortunately -they found an old door near their halting-place, which furnished a -camp-fire; for the night was exceedingly cold, and there was a high -wind. Resuming their toilsome march at half-past six on the 14th, -they reached the camp at Allygurh about noon, not having tasted food -since early in the morning before. - -At Allygurh the enemy had destroyed, a few days before the Rifle -Battalions arrived there, the bridge of boats by which the road -to Bareilly crossed the Ramgunga. Materials were therefore to be -obtained in order to throw it across again. Accordingly on the 15th -Colonel Hill was ordered to proceed down the river with a party of -the 2nd Battalion, in order to collect flat-bottomed boats for this -purpose. Captains Warren and Thynne, Lieutenant Grey, and others, -proceeded on that duty. They collected a number of boats, and brought -them up to within about two miles of Allygurh, when the enemy, who, -as I have said, occupied the opposite bank, opened fire with such -effect that a party under Grey, who were completely exposed to it, -were obliged to retire from the bank until the enemy was driven back. -This was no easy task, as the left bank which he held was high, and -the right bank a level plain. Colonel Hill had received positive -orders from the Brigadier not to cross the river, or the enemy might -have been effectually repulsed; for the river was shallow, so much -so, indeed, that the boats frequently ran aground. - -Night coming on, the boats were secured, it not being possible -to move them farther up in the dark, and the party bivouacked on -the spot. At day-break the enemy brought up some guns, and opened -fire upon them; and as the ground afforded no cover unless they -had retired from the bank and left the boats, the Riflemen formed -shelter-trenches in the sand. While making these they were exposed -to fire, but none were hit. And as the enemy did not venture within -range of their rifles, they were unable to return it. The fire was -heard in camp, and a battery of Field Artillery was sent to the -aid of the Riflemen. These guns soon silenced those of the rebels. -Colonel Hill received orders not to attempt to take the boats farther -up the river. And having passed a second night in bivouack, this -party marched back to camp. - -From this till the end of the month the two Rifle Battalions -furnished picquets at the boats (occasionally relieved by the Line -regiment which was in the brigade), some of the men occupying the -rifle-pits or shelter-trenches, and exchanging shots with the Sepoys, -who plied them with shot and shell as well as with musketry. - -On February 1, Sir Colin Campbell having renounced his intention of -crossing the Ramgunga into Rohilcund, the two Battalions returned -to Futtehgurh, leaving Allygurh at 4.30, and arriving at their -camping-ground at 7.30. Four companies of the 3rd Battalion, under -Colonel Macdonell, were at this time detached to Oonao, on the road -from Cawnpore to Lucknow, to keep open the communication. The 2nd -Battalion and remaining companies of the 3rd halted at Futtehgurh -till the 4th; on which day, marching at six, they reached Khodagunge, -a distance of thirteen miles and a half, at ten. On the day following -they reached Jellalabad, nine miles and a quarter, after crossing -the Kallee Nuddee by the iron suspension bridge of Urhow. And on the -6th marched ten miles and a half to Meeranke Serai, a painful and -tedious march; as the baggage which had started before the troops got -mixed up with them on the road; and a halt of an hour and a half had -to be made. When they proceeded, the dust was so thick that it was -impossible to see many yards in front. So that, though they started -at 4.30, they did not reach their camping-ground till nearly eleven. - -On the 7th they started at six and marched nine miles and a half to -Urroul, which they reached at nine. For the night had been extremely -cold, and the morning was cool and fine, and the men got over the -ground rapidly. - -On the 8th they proceeded to Poorah, ten miles and a half; and on the -day following to Chobeepore, thirteen miles and a half; and passing -the town encamped about two miles beyond it. On the next day they -marched to Kullianpore, nine miles. This was near Bithoor, the palace -of the Nana; which however had been destroyed before the Riflemen -visited it on this march. - -On the 11th, starting at 5.45, they marched seven miles to Cawnpore, -which they reached before nine; passing over the battle-fields of -November 26, 27 and 28, and encamping on the ground where they -had fought on the 27th. At this time the Oude force was formed, -probably in number and efficiency the most formidable army that -had ever assembled in British India. It consisted of one division -(two brigades) of Cavalry, and of three divisions (six brigades) of -Infantry, besides Artillery, etc. - -It is sufficient for my purpose to record that the two Rifle -Battalions (with a Punjaub native regiment) formed a brigade under -Colonel Horsford in the division commanded by Brigadier Walpole; the -Divisional General and the Brigadier being thus both Riflemen. - -On February 13 the 2nd Battalion received a sudden order at six in -the morning to march, with the object of intercepting or catching -the Nana, who, it was supposed, was about to cross the Ganges. -They started at 9.30, and retracing their steps made the march to -Chobeepore, sixteen miles, in one day, arriving at 2.30. One man had -a sunstroke on the road. - -On the next day they marched at three in the morning, and arriving -at Sheorajpore, halted for two hours before it was decided whether -to continue the march or to remain there. Eventually, however, they -encamped and halted there during the following day, it being reported -that the Nana or his brother had crossed the river and got away. - -On the 16th they resumed their march, and proceeding six miles -encamped at Poorah on the ground they had occupied on the 8th. - -On the day following they received a sudden order to march to Urroul. -They started at 8.30, and passing by their old camping-ground they -pitched tents about three miles beyond it, making the distance about -thirteen miles. They arrived about two after a fatiguing march, the -day being extremely hot. - -They halted here till the 21st. On the 20th the women and children -from Agra arrived, and passed through during the night; and on the -next day the Battalion returned towards Cawnpore, halting that day -at Poorah, on the next at Chobeepore; and reaching Cawnpore at nine -o’clock on the morning of the 23rd, encamped on their former ground. - -The 3rd Battalion during this expedition had remained at Cawnpore; -but on the departure of the 2nd Battalion on the 13th, they had -shifted their camp nearer to Head-quarters. They left Cawnpore -on the 21st and marched to Oonao in Oude; and on the 22nd to -Nawabgunge,[283] where they halted for some days. - -Here they were reunited to their left wing, which they had not seen -since before their embarkation in the July preceding. During their -stay here numerous escorts were furnished by this Battalion, which -was mainly employed in keeping open the road by which quantities of -ammunition and stores were daily passing towards Lucknow. On the -28th, two companies of this Battalion, with some Horse Artillery, -proceeded to a village about six miles distant, and brought in some -of the principal men; the villagers having attacked and beaten the -camel-drivers. - -The 2nd Battalion remaining at Cawnpore, Captain Fremantle’s company, -made up to 100 men with Lieutenants Baillie[284] and Scriven, was -sent as an escort with the ladies from Agra; and starting with -them at four o’clock on the morning of the 25th, he marched to -Maharajpore, ten miles, where he encamped that night; and on the next -day made a further march of thirteen miles and a half, when he handed -over his charge to an escort of the Madras Fusiliers, and encamped. -On the next day he returned to Maharajpore, and on the 28th arrived -at Cawnpore, which the Battalion had left; but Captains Thynne’s and -R. Glyn’s[285] companies had remained there to await his arrival. - -Sir Colin Campbell having decided to undertake the siege of Lucknow, -the 2nd Battalion marched at five in the morning of February 27 to -Oonao, a distance of thirteen miles, and on the following day to -Nawabgunge, where they rejoined the 3rd Battalion. - -The two Battalions marched on March 1 to Bunteerah, twelve miles, and -encamped in a broad plain. About midday they were disturbed by an -alarm that their enemy was close upon them; but it turned out to be -a false alarm, no enemy appearing. - -Here the three companies from Cawnpore came up with the Battalion. -They had marched on the same day from Cawnpore at three in the -morning to Nawabgunge, doing the twenty-three miles in one march, -without the intermediate halt at Oonao. Rain had fallen in the night, -and the morning was cool, and they reached Nawabgunge at 11.30. -On March 2 they came on to Bunteerah, where, as I have said, they -rejoined their Battalion. - -On the 3rd the two Battalions received orders to march towards -Lucknow. Four companies of the 3rd Battalion, under Major Bourchier, -formed the advance, and starting at six o’clock in the evening -reached the Dilkoosha at two o’clock the next morning, a distance of -twelve miles. - -The Head-quarters of the two Battalions marched at 10.30 P.M., -and reached their bivouack about three on the morning of the 4th. -Four companies of the 2nd Battalion, Nixon’s, Pellew’s, Earle’s, -and Fremantle’s, with two companies of the 3rd Battalion, formed -the rear-guard: a most arduous duty. For the quantity of carts, -laden with shot, shell, ammunition and provisions, was innumerable, -and extended many miles. Though this rear-guard paraded with the -Battalions it did not start until half-past three on the morning of -the 4th, nor did they reach their destination till three o’clock on -the following afternoon. This twelve miles’ march was most harassing, -and the dust was intolerable. - -During this march, while the 2nd Battalion was halted in a tope, a -curious circumstance took place. There were a number of skulls lying -about, and bodies of rebels, killed, no doubt, in a former encounter; -some were skeletons, some sun-dried and shrunk almost into mummies. -A bugler gave one of them a kick, and hearing a rattle, stooped -down and found in the body nine gold mohurs, wrapped in a rag. It -was supposed that the man had carried them, as natives often do, in -his cummerbund; and that this having perished, the coins and their -envelope had fallen on or into the remains of the body. Sir Hope -Grant, who mentions the circumstance,[286] supposes that the man -had swallowed them in some panic or alarm, rag and all; which seems -incredible. - -The Battalions bivouacked near the Alumbagh from three till six A.M., -when they were moved to near the Dilkoosha, where they encamped. But -the ground was not good, and very dusty. They were exposed, too, -to the enemy’s fire from a battery about 700 yards off, near the -Martinière. - -On the 5th the Battalions furnished outlying picquets; and four -companies of the 2nd Battalion marched back to Jellalabad (a small -fort about three miles from the Dilkoosha), in order to look after -some carts that had strayed away from the rear-guard the night -before. They received there some of the horses, and returned to camp -at three o’clock, where the 3rd Battalion had been under arms nearly -all day. - -On the 6th the two Battalions struck tents at 1.30 in the morning, -and marched an hour afterwards. They formed part of Sir James -Outram’s force, and crossed the Goomtee by a bridge of boats which -Sir Colin Campbell had ordered to be thrown across, a little below -the Dilkoosha. By some error on the part of the Engineers, it was -exposed to the fire of the guns in the Martinière, yet the enemy did -not attempt to molest their passage. On reaching the left bank they -moved along the river, which curves here, for some distance. Then -four companies of the 2nd Battalion were sent to join the force under -Brigadier Hope Grant. The two Rifle Battalions advanced extended in -skirmishing order across a plain, the line regiments following in -quarter-distance column. The appearance of this force was magnificent -in the extreme. The men had their European clothing, and the helmets -of the Bays shone, and the pennons of the 9th Lancers fluttered in -the morning sun. They made a circuit of about five miles, keeping as -near as possible to the river and the city. The Riflemen skirmished -through some dâl[287] as high as their heads, but they saw no -enemy. They then halted for breakfast and for the animals carrying -ammunition to come up. They then advanced, circling more to the left, -across a plain, till they came near the Fyzabad road. - -Here they found the enemy in some number, who came out of the woods -and villages on their left. The cavalry charged them, and in the -pursuit Major Percy Smith of the Bays was killed. The Riflemen -proceeding came upon some Sepoys, who fired at them with a gun, but -without doing any mischief. - -About half-past eleven they fell back and bivouacked in a tope, with -a pond or tank in the middle of it, on the Fyzabad road, on the -left bank of the Kookrail, a fordable tributary of the Goomtee, at -Ishmaelgunge, about half a mile in advance of the village of Chinhut. -But their baggage did not come up till long after dark. They formed -outlying picquets and a guard or escort for the guns. On the left -of their bivouack was a wood, and an occasional shot at the picquet -sentries showed that it was occupied by the enemy. - -[Illustration: - - LUCKNOW - - NOTE. _The dotted line, Arrows, &c. - refer to Sir J. Outram’s positions - & operations in March, 1858._ - - _Compiled &. Drawn by Capt^n H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brigade._ - E Weller, _Litho._ - _London, Chatto & Windus._ -] - -Captains R. Glyn’s and Dillon’s companies of the 2nd Battalion and -Captain Atherley’s company of the 3rd Battalion were on picquet. -In the course of the night Lieutenant Eyre, who was with this -picquet, while out patrolling came upon the body of Major Smith, -beheaded and mutilated. And in the morning of the 7th with a party -of ten men, accompanied by Captain Dillon, he went out, found the -body, and brought it in. They were fired at by the Sepoys, but did -not suffer any damage. During the night there were several alarms, -but without result; but about nine o’clock the enemy attacked this -picquet in great force. They were said to be about 10,000 in number. -They advanced, covered by the fire of three guns placed in a tope of -trees. The picquet at once fell in, extended, and advanced, with two -guns of the Royal Horse Artillery, and drove the enemy back into the -town, capturing one ammunition waggon. The fire was very severe, but -the casualties were only one man of the 3rd Battalion wounded. But -there were some hair-breadth escapes. Lieutenant Baillie’s sword was -struck, and a Sergeant (Kemp) of the 2nd Battalion had his trousers -torn, but without being wounded. The picquet continued to occupy the -advanced position to which they had moved until the evening, when -they were relieved about six o’clock. - -The two Rifle Battalions had been moved up about 150 yards in -front of their camp, into which the enemy pitched round shot; but -they halted there in reserve, and were not actually engaged, the -companies on picquet having repulsed the attack and disposed of their -assailants. On the morning of the 7th they pitched the tents which -had come up the night before; and they continued in this camp during -that day and the 8th. - -On the morning of the 9th the two Battalions paraded at five at -their alarm-posts. The object of the day’s work was to drive the -rebels out of the Yellow Bungalow, the key of their position, and -from its neighbourhood. From the Kookrail to the Yellow Bungalow -is a sandy plain, while the ground from the Bungalow to the Iron -bridge is occupied by suburban villages and enclosed gardens. On -the other side of the Fyzabad road the ground is wooded. The two -Battalions advanced in skirmishing order, while other troops followed -in contiguous columns, three companies of the 3rd Battalion under -Colonel Macdonell, Lindsay’s being extended, pivoting on their left, -and an equal number of the 2nd Battalion prolonging the line. Moving -forward, they forded the Kookrail river (about knee-deep), and soon -after found the enemy. The Riflemen advanced to a small village in -broken ground and well wooded, a very strong position if the enemy -had availed himself of it; but the Sepoys retired without firing a -shot. Colonel Fyers took his company to attack this village. The -Riflemen then passed through this wooded ground at the double, and -came out into the open. The skirmishers then brought their right -shoulders forward, and advanced, the enemy retiring before them -until the right of the line had moved up to the neighbourhood of the -river. They then came to the Yellow Bungalow, and the Riflemen went -at it with a rush. Lieutenant Cooper and Corporal Bradshaw, V.C., -were the first over the wall of the compound surrounding it. There -was a lane, with the Bungalow on one side, and some outhouses on -the other. Some of the 2nd Battalion passed along the lane and came -out in the open country beyond, where was a village on the right. -Captain Nixon with part of his company passed through a lane which -ran along the village, while the remainder, under G. Curzon, went -forward. The Riflemen were here exposed to a smart fire, but not of -Artillery. There was a bungalow on the right, which a company of -the 3rd Battalion under Captain Deedes occupied. Captain Fremantle, -collecting as many men of his company as were near him, kept away -to the right, clearing the houses in front of the guns, which were -following him. This was disagreeable work, as it was impossible to -tell how many of the Sepoys were in these houses; but the men backed -him up, and the houses were cleared. The guns then opened at the -gate of the Badshahbagh. Some additional guns moving to the right, -Fremantle with his company covered their advance and lined a wall. -They were here ordered to take a house in their front, which they -did with a rush, and held it for an hour and a half, exposed to a -heavy fire of musketry; till they were ordered by General Walpole to -set fire to some villages, which they did under heavy fire, and then -returned to and lined the former wall. - -The enemy now gave way; and, though they showed some cavalry (Lancers -with a green flag), on a battery being brought up and opening -fire, they moved off in confusion along the bank of the river. -Unfortunately, there was some space between the right of the line -and the river, and some enclosures, and they got away. But they were -pursued by some Horse Artillery; and Colonel Macdonell, carried away -by the ardour of the moment, charged with them. Captain Nicholl -killed one man with his revolver. - -The Battalions halted from 8.30 till two in the afternoon, when they -went under the shade of a tope; and they encamped for the night on -the ground they had so gallantly won, in the open _à cheval_ on the -Fyzabad road, with their left 200 yards from the Goomtee. - -The casualties of the 2nd Battalion were 5 men wounded. - -On the 10th the Riflemen shifted their camp to near the Yellow -Bungalow. A party under Lieutenants Grey and Dugdale, on escort to -bring up the mortars, were engaged, when 1 sergeant (Richards) and 1 -private were wounded. The two Battalions furnished outlying picquets, -some of which were not relieved for forty-eight hours. - -On the 11th the two Battalions paraded on the Fyzabad road a little -before six, in order to make a reconnaissance in force to ascertain -the possibility of crossing by a bridge to Lucknow. The Riflemen, -leading in skirmishing order, were distributed among orchards, -buildings of various kinds, and narrow streets. They skirmished -through these as well as they could, each captain acting in a measure -independently, and handling his company as he thought best. The -streets were so intricate and the continuity of the Battalions so -broken that no other system was possible. The Riflemen worked their -way through these obstructions, and reached the mosque on the Old -Cantonment road, which commands the approach to the Iron bridge. -This bridge they were ordered not to cross. But, leaving the mosque -in charge of other troops, they proceeded to fight their way to the -Iron and Stone bridges. At one place the skirmishers came to a high -wall, and dividing, passed some to the right and some to the left. -And coming to the other side, they found themselves in a perfect -labyrinth of streets, lanes and gardens. The enemy retreated before -them, hiding among the buildings and enclosures, and were driven -across the bridges. Major Bourchier’s company of the 3rd Battalion -succeeded in getting a commanding position, and killed some fifty of -the enemy. The camp of the rebel 15th Irregular Horse was surprised, -and two guns and the standard of that regiment were captured by the -Riflemen. As the 3rd Battalion were passing through the narrow street -of a village which had been set on fire, they were blocked by one of -the captured guns in their front sticking fast or being overturned, -and had some difficulty in escaping the flames. - -On approaching the Iron bridge Captain Wilmot, 2nd Battalion, found -himself with only four men of his company at the end of a street -opposed to a large force of the enemy. One of the men was shot -through both legs, and was quite helpless. Corporal Nash and Private -David Hawkes took him up and carried him to the rear; and though -Hawkes was himself severely wounded, he continued to carry him under -fire from the enemy, Captain Wilmot with his revolver keeping back -the enemy and covering their retreat.[288] Eventually the Riflemen -cleared the whole of the suburbs near the Old Cantonment road as far -as the Iron bridge. - -The casualties of the 2nd Battalion were considerable. Captain -Thynne, while in a house drinking some water, was struck by a round -shot, which shattered his arm and leg. The latter was at once -amputated, but he died about two hours after. He was buried that -evening in a tope of trees close to the camp of the Riflemen. - -His loss was much regretted by his brother-officers, by whom he was -much esteemed. ‘No one in the whole regiment,’ writes one of them, -‘was more liked or could be more regretted. He was always a cheerful -and agreeable companion, and a right good soldier besides.’ - -Lieutenant Cooper was also severely wounded in the neck; the ball -passed out of his shoulder through the lung. He died on the 19th, and -was buried at the Dilkoosha. Five privates were also wounded, of whom -two died of their wounds. - -In his despatch Major-General Sir James Outram thus reports: ‘The -enemy held the ground in great strength in front of the Rifle -skirmishers, commanded by Brevet-Major Warren, Captains Wilmot and -Thynne, and Lieutenant Grey, who all behaved most gallantly.... The -spirit and dash of the men during this critical operation was most -remarkable, and merits my highest commendation.’ He also mentions -with especial commendation Brigadier-General Walpole, Brigadier -Horsford, Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, commanding 2nd Battalion, and -Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, commanding 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade. -Major Ross, Captain Nixon, and Lieutenant Eccles were also favourably -mentioned in despatches. - -On the 12th there was an attack, or a threatened attack, on the -mortar batteries, and three companies of the 3rd Battalion were sent -down to protect them. There was still, too, some fighting about the -bridges. With this exception, the Rifle Battalions were not engaged -on this or the following day; but furnished picquets and covering -parties for guns. - -The picquet duty at this time and till the end of the operations at -Lucknow was very severe and harassing, the picquets being sometimes -on for forty-eight hours; one, indeed, was not relieved for three -days and nights. The weather too was very hot; and swarms of flies -by day and of mosquitos by night made these duties anything but -agreeable. - -On the 14th (the day Sir Colin Campbell took the Imaumbarah and the -Kaiserbagh), the two Battalions were suddenly turned out at three -in the afternoon, and marched towards the Iron bridge, in order to -prevent the Sepoys crossing it; but no enemy appearing, they returned -to their camp at half-past five. - -On the 16th some Sepoys who remained in the town attacked a picquet -of the 3rd Battalion near the Iron bridge, but were driven back. - -On the 18th the Riflemen moved their camp to near the Badshahbagh. - -On the 19th the two Battalions were ordered, the 2nd to hold the Iron -bridge, the 3rd the Stone bridge, while the force on the right bank -cleared the town of Lucknow of the remaining rebels. They took up -their position at 7.30 in the morning, and remained till 5.30 in the -afternoon, when they returned to their camp, much exhausted by the -great heat, but not having been actively engaged. - -The casualties during the operations at Lucknow were: of the 2nd -Battalion, Captain Thynne killed, and 13 men wounded; of the 3rd, 6 -men wounded.[289] - -On the 22nd the two Battalions were ordered to march on a secret -expedition; and parading at half-past ten at night, moved to the -Old Cantonment, about five miles from their camp, which was left -standing. Here they joined the cavalry which was to act with them. -Thence they proceeded in a very dark night for a considerable time, -but were at last halted, and ordered to lie down in a dusty road -ankle-deep in sand. The night was excessively cold. At five in the -morning (March 23) the men having breakfasted, they marched on till -eleven, when they were halted for three hours under the shade of -a tope; and afterwards proceeded to the village of Koorsee, about -sixteen miles from Lucknow, a strong position. But the enemy had for -the most part evacuated it, and encamped about six miles farther -on. However, the force had a brush, killed about 150 of the rebels, -and took 15 guns, 70 camels, and 2 elephants, besides some carts -loaded with ammunition, which was exploded during the night. The -active part of this affair fell principally on the cavalry, but the -Riflemen were drawn up in line, ready to support them if they had -been wanted. In his despatch on this occasion Sir Hope Grant mentions -Brigadier Horsford, commanding the infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, -commanding the 2nd Battalion, and Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, -commanding the 3rd Battalion. And on the 24th, the objects of the -expedition having been accomplished, they started for their camp at -seven, and halting as before during the hottest part of the day, -returned to their camp at seven in the evening. Though the weather -was very sultry, the men were not wearied; marching cheerfully and -singing all the return march. This elicited the marked approval of -General Grant, who was in command. - -On the 30th the two Battalions moved camp to the Old Cantonment. - -On April 5 the Camel Corps was formed by a draft of 4 officers and -100 men from each of the Battalions, and 200 Sikhs. The officers -who were attached to it were Captain Nixon, Lieutenants Scriven, -Eyre, and G. Curzon of the 2nd Battalion, and Major Ross, Captain -H. Newdigate, Lieutenants Austin, Buckley, and Jeames of the 3rd -Battalion. - -On April 9 the 3rd Battalion moved camp to the Badshahbagh, and on -the 15th, taking three days’ provisions, six companies started on an -expedition. They marched out beyond the Dilkoosha, and encamped. I -cannot ascertain whether they engaged the enemy during the time they -were in the field, but on the 24th these companies returned to the -camp at the Badshahbagh. And the Battalion soon afterwards went into -quarters at Lucknow. - -During the fighting from Cawnpore to Lucknow this young Battalion had -borne their part in action and in marching with great determination, -valour and endurance. But now that excitement had passed away, and no -amusement or interest took its place, sickness assailed these young -soldiers. Many, both men and officers, fell ill, and numbers of the -men died. They were, therefore, left for some weeks in quarters at -Lucknow, to recruit their health. - -About this time the Riflemen gave up their European clothing, and -received instead of it dust-coloured linen, with black facings. - -On April 11 the 2nd Battalion (forming part of a field force under -Sir Hope Grant) marched from Lucknow to Briesha Talow. They started -at half-past four in the morning, and though the distance was but six -miles, did not reach their camping-ground till eight, the road being -bad, and the progress of the heavy guns consequently slow. - -On the next day they continued their march to Utterah, thirteen -miles, over a sandy track and through thick jungle, and did not -encamp till noon. The day was exceedingly hot, with the thermometer -at 110°. - -On the 13th they started early, and as it was getting light, near -Baree came on a force of the enemy with three guns, occupying a -ridge at the end of a level plain. Three companies were immediately -extended and advanced across it. The rebels opened fire of matchlocks -at about 800 yards, and though it continued without intermission, no -harm was done. Colonel Hill had intended to go in without returning -this fire, but when the line of skirmishers was about 400 yards from -the enemy, a hare started up, and one of the Riflemen, unable to -resist his sporting propensities, fired at it. Nothing then remained -but to go in with a rush, and the enemy at once broke and fled. The -Riflemen pursued them till ten o’clock, when they encamped near the -scene of the combat. There was a cavalry skirmish; but the ground was -broken and unfavourable for them, and the rebels looted some of the -baggage. - -On the 14th they marched to Burassie, eight miles; on the 15th to -Mamdabad, ten; on the 16th to Bilhir, also ten, where they halted one -day; resuming their march on the 18th to Filwy, eight miles, they -proceeded on the 19th to Ramnagurh, eight miles, where there was -another halt of a day. On the 21st they moved to Massoulee, eight -miles; and on the day following to Nawabgunge, six miles, where they -halted. On the 23rd, 200 Riflemen, under the command of Colonel Fyers -(with other troops) went with Brigadier Horsford to Jungerabad, about -six miles from Nawabgunge, and took and destroyed the fort at that -place. - -Starting again on the 26th they marched thirteen miles to Chinhut; on -the 27th to the Dilkoosha; and on the 28th to the Alumbagh; having in -this expedition swept round that portion of Oude north of Lucknow. - -But no rest was given the Battalion. On the day after they marched -into Lucknow they marched out of it; now to the south, and halted -at Bunnee bridge. On the next day they proceeded seven miles to -Kantha; and after one day’s halt there, on May 2 marched ten miles -to Poorwah. Sir Hope Grant was anxious to come up with the force -under the rebel general Beni Madhoo. So starting again on the 4th the -Battalion marched seven miles to Moorawon. On the 5th they halted, -but a reconnoitring party was sent out which took five hackeries -laden with matchlocks and ammunition. On the 6th they marched seven -miles to Dirgpalgunge, and on the 7th five miles to Parthan. Here -they halted on the 8th. During this march the men had suffered much -from the heat, many having died of sunstroke. The duties, picquets, -&c., fell hard too on the officers; for three had been killed since -their arrival in India, two had been sent home wounded, and one sick; -two were on General Walpole’s Staff, two left sick at Lucknow, -and one was sick in camp; so that there were only, besides the -Lieutenant-Colonel, five captains and ten subalterns effective with -the Battalion. - -They marched on the 9th from Parthan to Nuggur, eight miles, and on -the 10th to Doondia Khera, seven miles, where they encamped in a -shady tope of mango trees. - -From this place Sir Hope Grant thought that he could by a night -march of some twenty miles, come upon the rebels under Beni Madhoo. -Accordingly, at six in the evening the Battalion received orders -to march at half-past eleven. But in the darkness of the night the -various portions of the column missed each other, and not being able -to make out the track, found themselves at daybreak near Nuggur, -where they had encamped on the 9th. Here, accordingly, they halted -and did not encamp till eight o’clock. They made a short halt there, -striking tents at two, and parading in a grove of mango trees, -marched at three in the afternoon. It was then fearfully hot, the -thermometer marking 118° in the tent. The men were struck down by -the sun every moment. ‘Shortly after we marched,’ writes General -Hill, ‘the Surgeon, Fraser, rode up to me with the report, “There -are fifteen men down; all the doolies[290] are full; what are we -to do with the next?” It was a puzzling question, but I suggested -elephants; and meanwhile sent to ask permission to make a sick depôt -at the first convenient spot, and to leave one company to protect it. -However, as the sun got lower the casualties were fewer, and we were -enabled to keep on till the enemy were in sight and a halt was made.’ - -This was after a march of five miles. The Battalion advanced in -skirmishing order; guns accompanying the skirmishers, galloping -forward and firing two or three rounds until the Riflemen came -up. Thus they went on to the bank of a large nullah, where they -had orders to halt. Sir Hope Grant went off with the cavalry; and -soon the sound of the enemy’s baggage carts was so distinct that -Colonel Hill asked permission to take on his Battalion to capture -them. But it was too late, for the daylight only sufficed for a -smart skirmish across the open. Meanwhile Colonel Fyers, with two -companies, Earle’s under Lieutenant Baillie, and R. Glyn’s, had -captured a gun. It was getting dark, the ‘retire’ had sounded, and -all had joined the main body except these two companies. The gun was -heavy; the ground bad; and the men worn out by heat and fatigue. They -made little way with their gun, and it became quite dark. Then some -horsemen appeared on the left. A question arose what they were. The -general opinion was that they were Sikhs. At last they came near, -and Colonel Fyers challenged; the reply was not satisfactory, and he -fired his revolver. The Riflemen at once poured a volley into them at -thirty yards which emptied half the saddles, and then fixed swords. -But the horsemen fled, their leaders were seen through the darkness -endeavouring to re-form them, but without success. The Riflemen, not -without difficulty in the pitchy darkness, rejoined the Battalion. - -In the course of this fight the enemy got in amongst our sick. A -smart young Sergeant (Pitt) was being carried in a dooly insensible -from sunstroke, when some of the enemy’s troopers came upon it. The -bearers fled, and this poor fellow was beheaded; the rebels carrying -off the head as a trophy. The mess baggage had also a narrow escape, -the Sergeant in charge of it (Sergeant Cann) being obliged to run for -his life. - -I have said that the men were utterly exhausted by the heat, by -their march, and by the fight. They bivouacked on the ground they -occupied. But not to sleep the sleep of the weary; for in the night -an extraordinary panic arose. Men cried out that the enemy were upon -them. Some fired their rifles; some clubbed them and struck out at -everyone near them. At last it wore itself out or was allayed; and -except some broken heads no injuries were inflicted, at least in the -Rifle Battalion. The origin of this panic remains a mystery; the most -probable solution is that either some grass-cutters’ ponies or some -cavalry horses had got loose and knocked down the piled arms, and so -caused an alarm. The loss of the Battalion on this day was three men -by sunstroke. - -On the 13th they returned to their old camping-ground at Nuggur, -where they halted two days. Here Sir Hope Grant received intelligence -of a large force of rebels being to the north of Lucknow; he -therefore retraced his steps, and the Battalion marched on the 15th -to Parthan and encamped under a tope of trees. They had not pitched -their tents more than a couple of hours when they were ordered to -turn out, the enemy having shown themselves and driven in the camels, -which were out feeding. However, the rebels disappeared. On the next -day the Battalion marched to Poorwah, seven miles; on the 17th they -halted, but on a false alarm they were turned out under arms. On the -18th they moved to Mirree, seven miles; on the 19th to Bunnee, ten -miles; thence on the 20th to the Alumbagh; and on the 21st to the -Dilkoosha, where they pitched camp on the bank of the Goomtee. On -their arrival at Lucknow they sent fifty-three men to hospital; among -them the Sergeant-Major and the Quartermaster Sergeant. - -They remained at Lucknow only three days, marching again on the 24th -to Jellalabad, and on the 25th to Bunnee. In these marches, though -the heat was very great, the Battalion did not lose a man, while the -regiment with them (53rd) suffered much. - -They halted for a week at Bunnee, a respite much needed after almost -incessant marches for two months. - -On May 11, an attack on Lucknow being apparently anticipated, a -force took the field, in order to be ready to move on any point to -repel it. Three companies of the 3rd Battalion, under Major Oxenden, -therefore moved out of Lucknow and encamped on the Chinhut road. The -heat was overpowering, and many men died every day during their stay -here, which was but short. For on the 15th they broke up camp and -returned to the Badshahbagh. - -Early in June, in consequence of repeated alarms of attacks from the -rebels, a camp was formed at Chinhut, about seven miles from Lucknow, -and four companies of the 3rd Battalion were moved to this camp. On -June 8, an attack being expected, they were under arms, but were not -engaged, no enemy appearing. - -The remainder of the Battalion, marching at about three on the -morning of the 12th from Lucknow, were joined at Chinhut by these -four companies, by the 2nd Battalion, and the other troops enumerated -p. 386, and proceeding about two miles further on, encamped at -Utterdowna. This march, for it was the hottest season of the year, -was most fatiguing. Leaving the sick at Lucknow, this Battalion had -started 702 strong. And yet about 100 men out of that number were -more or less disabled in this one march. - -On June 1 the 2nd Battalion marched again at four in the morning to -Meemteker, six miles, but on their arrival found that the enemy, whom -it was expected to find there, had disappeared. They therefore halted -in a tope. On the 2nd they proceeded five miles to Chumrowlee, a very -hot and dusty march, and encamped in the open. On the 3rd, starting -at three, they made a march of eleven miles to Poorwah, where they -halted for three days; on one of which they were paraded for the -inspection of the Rajah of Kuppurthullah, who had arrived in camp -with a force of his followers. - -Sir Hope Grant having received intelligence about this time that a -large rebel force was assembling to the north of Lucknow, he resolved -to leave the pursuit of Beni Madhoo, and the Riflemen began to -retrace their steps towards Lucknow. - -Starting again on the 7th early in the morning they marched to -Mirzee, twelve miles, and on the 8th to Bunnee, five miles. These -marches were by a different route from that by which they had marched -through these places on former occasions. On the 9th they marched -to Bunteerah in a very hot wind; on the 10th to Jellalabad; and on -the 11th to the Dilkoosha. On this occasion Brigadier Horsford had -procured for the Battalion the permission to halt in Lucknow itself, -and not merely to march through it as on some previous occasions; -which gave them the opportunity of obtaining some much-needed -supplies, which they had not had since landing in the country. -But the time even for this was short; for on the afternoon of the -12th they marched at three o’clock to Utterdowna, about two miles -beyond Chinhut. Here they were rejoined by the 3rd Battalion; and -the force now consisted of these two Battalions, and a regiment of -Punjaub rifles, part of the Bays, the 7th Hussars, and some Irregular -(Hodson’s) Horse. - -They started again, after a very short halt of the 2nd Battalion, -at about eleven at night. They took with them one day’s rations, -cooked, some rum, and all their ammunition. This march was one of the -most fatiguing ever made. The men had been without rest the night -before, and the heat of the tents by day was so intolerable that -sleep was impossible. The road was bad, cut up, and damaged; there -was no moon; and the dust was suffocating. So weary were the men that -whenever a halt occurred, by a block from a gun sticking fast or -turning over, they sank down on the road, many inches deep with dust, -and slept. Soon the water carried with the column was exhausted; no -wells were near or could be found; and the cries of the men for water -were pitiable in the extreme. Numbers of doolies accompanied the -column (the 3rd Battalion had sixty); but these were soon filled, and -the fainting soldiers were left on the road on the chance of being -picked up by the Hospital staff of other regiments, or of rejoining -when strength returned. - -At last daylight appeared, and they found that by dint of marching -all night they had arrived exactly where their chief, Sir Hope Grant, -wished them to be, close to Nawabgunge.[291] - -In this march and in the subsequent advance on the enemy’s position, -the 3rd Battalion led the column, not without some murmurs from their -fellow-Riflemen of the 2nd, who held that as so much of the previous -hard work had fallen to them, the post of honour ought to have been -theirs. Nevertheless, honour and hard work were theirs before the day -was over. - -Having marched thus in darkness and suffering some nine miles, they -turned off the road near Nawabgunge, for the enemy had seven guns in -position, and halted. - -They sat down, and water having been procured by some camels having -come up, the men were given a dram of grog each. - -Day having now fully broken, they fell in and advanced to a large -square plain broken up with nullahs and uneven ground, and surrounded -in the distance with topes of trees and villages. The cavalry and -guns crossed a small river to the left, and were followed by the 3rd -Battalion. This advanced guard was soon engaged, and forced the -bridge. On crossing the river they came upon the enemy’s position. -They were formed in a kind of crescent, two regiments bearing green -flags being drawn up in the centre. The Riflemen advanced in column, -preceded by Major Bourchier’s company extended in skirmishing order. -As they approached the enemy Colonel Glyn, who was in command of the -Battalion, directed the two rear companies to wheel to the right. -These were Major Atherley’s and one commanded by Lieutenant Cragg. -As they got near the enemy, Atherley found himself facing one of -the regiments with the green standard. He extended the companies, -and after advancing some way ordered Cragg’s company to lie down, -sheltered by some rising ground, and directed Cragg if he saw him -retiring, to pass through his files, and charge the enemy. Then -forming up his own company in line, he fixed swords and charged the -regiment in his front. These were drawn up in all the ‘pomp and -circumstance’ of regular troops. They planted their green standard, -shouted ‘Deen, deen!’ and stood their ground. The Riflemen engaged in -a hand-to-hand conflict, killing many with their swords. It is said -that 150 were thus disposed of. One Rifleman having driven his sword -fixed on his rifle through the shield of his opponent, was unable to -draw it back, and the man making a cut at his hands, he was compelled -to let it go, and it was never recovered. Some terrible drawing cuts -were inflicted. One Rifleman’s hand was cut off at a blow, the next -cut severed the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, the third -cut him across the stomach, and killed him. Meanwhile the enemy did -not yield. Cragg’s company had come up, and the Riflemen were nearly -exhausted. Five of the enemy surrounded Atherley; four of them were -shot by Percival with his revolver; the other was trampled on and -disposed of by the pony on which Atherley was mounted, which was -very vicious. Percival having fired all six barrels of his revolver -drew his sword, and resting it against his thigh, began to reload. -At that instant, looking round, he saw a native aiming a lance at -his side; he evaded it and the man was killed. This sort of thing -could not last for ever. The Riflemen, whom the excitement of the -fight had animated and borne up after their fatiguing night march, -were becoming exhausted. Yet their courage and steadiness were not -without their results, for their opponents began to break off and -retire. Then Quartermaster Harvey,[292] who had accompanied these -companies on his pony, galloped to some of Hodson’s Horse who were -near, and urged them to come and charge the regiment opposed to his -comrades. He urged in vain. In vain did their officers give the word -to advance. Not a man moved. It was well perhaps for him that they -did not understand the epithets with which Harvey assailed them. -But just then he saw some squadrons of the 7th Hussars approaching. -He galloped to them, and told their commanding officer, Sir William -Russell, who was leading, that the Riflemen could maintain the -unequal fight no longer, and must be overpowered unless help was at -hand. ‘We’ll soon clear them,’ was the answer. And in an instant the -Hussars were thundering along at the charge.[293] An instant more -they were on the green-bannered regiment, cutting them up as they -fled at their approach. - -Meanwhile, in other parts of the field and against the other body -with the green colours, the Riflemen of this Battalion waged an -unequal conflict. For they were far outnumbered, and so weary from -their night march and the fierce blaze of an Indian sun, that they -were scarce able to load, and when loaded could fire only with a -desultory aim. Many were struck down by the sun in the fight; and it -was impossible to distinguish when a man fell, whether sunstroke or -a wound brought him to the ground. - -Sir Hope Grant, who commanded in this action, says: ‘I have seen -many battles in India, and many brave fellows fighting with a -determination to conquer or die, but I never witnessed anything more -magnificent than the conduct of these Zemindarees.’[294] - -So far we have seen the part borne by the 3rd Battalion, which, as -I have said, led the column. We must return to the opening of the -battle, and to the 2nd Battalion. In front of it, as they drew near -the field, were some large guns, and the delay of getting them over -the nullah allowed the other and leading Battalion to get a quarter -or half a mile to the front. Before the 2nd Battalion had crossed, -and while they were still expecting orders to advance, an alarm was -given in the rear. A considerable force of the enemy had found their -way to the rear round the right flank, and were cutting up the camp -followers. The number of these was large, as the Bays had brought -on their camp-equipage; and there was no rear-guard, so that the -defence of all this baggage devolved on the 2nd Battalion. At this -time, too, Lieutenant Ames, who was coming up with spare ammunition, -was attacked. Colonel Hill immediately gave the word, ‘Right-about -turn,’ and extended three companies in his now front, sending one -under Lieutenant Baillie to protect his right flank, which was -threatened. The camp followers were running in in a confused mass, to -escape from their pursuers. As soon as these stragglers had passed -the line of skirmishers and cleared the front, the skirmishers -opened fire, and advancing to the nearest cover halted, awaiting the -Artillery which Colonel Hill had sent to ask from the Brigadier. -Meanwhile, the now left was enfiladed by two of the enemy’s guns, and -Captain Dillon was sent with two companies to take or to silence them. - -The skirmishers were keeping up an incessant fire, which the enemy -briskly returned, at a distance of about 400 yards, but as the -Riflemen were well covered they did not much suffer. As no Artillery -made its appearance, Colonel Hill ordered the men to make a rush on -the enemy. They did so, and the rebels retired through a village; -when the Riflemen were ordered to halt. Having waited there till the -enemy had disappeared, the Battalion moved to a tope of mango trees -not far from the river, and there awaited further orders. - -Some time after, a large body of cavalry appeared in their rear -(the proper rear of the column). These were at first taken for -Hodson’s Horse; but infantry soon appeared, and it was ascertained -that they were enemies. Two companies of Riflemen moved down into a -hollow which afforded good cover; and as the cavalry passed, gave -them a volley at about 500 yards. This the infantry returned with -a straggling fire and then turned and fled. The Battalion remained -in the tope during the day and till about six in the evening, when -they were ordered to join the rest of the column, then two or three -miles in advance. They reached their camping-ground about seven, and -pitched their tents. - -I may here note some of the incidents of this fight. As some of the -3rd Battalion were advancing on the enemy, who were receiving them -with a sharp fire, some hares were started between the opposing -ranks. More than one Rifleman aimed and fired at the hares, not at -the foe.[295] - -One man, a Ghazee,[296] being cut off from his companions, seemed -determined to make a desperate fight for it. Setting his back to a -tree, he stood, sword in hand, glaring fiercely on his pursuers, for -some officers and men had followed him into the tope. Some shots were -taken at him, which he tried to avoid by dodging round the tree, but -he was wounded and made more desperate. At last a Pioneer of the -3rd Battalion, Samuel Shaw, rushed at him and closed with him. The -Ghazee wounded him on the head with his tulwar, but Shaw, drawing his -Pioneer’s sword, sawed at him with the serrated back and despatched -him. Shaw rose from the ground covered with blood, but his opponent -was slain. Many who witnessed it declared that this combat with a -fanatic determined to sell his life to slay his foe, was the greatest -instance of cool courage they ever saw. For this act Shaw received -the Victoria Cross. - -Quartermaster Harvey, on going into a tope of trees where the -Battalion were about to encamp, came upon a man who seemed inclined -to make off. On Harvey stopping him, he fell at his feet and offered, -if his life were spared, to show him where a quantity of powder was -concealed. Accordingly, Harvey and Percival followed him, and he -brought them to a place where there was a bullock-cart laden with -seven casks of powder. This was exploded and the bullocks taken -possession of. - -The casualties of the Regiment on this day were: of the 2nd -Battalion, Lieutenant Lawton severely wounded, and 1 corporal and 2 -privates wounded; in the 3rd Battalion, 1 corporal and 11 privates -wounded, and 1 Rifleman missing. - -But far worse than the injuries done by the enemy’s fire, were the -sufferings of the men from exposure to the sun. The 3rd Battalion -lost 14 men from sunstroke; in the 2nd Battalion 1 man died of -sunstroke, and many others suffered from it, of whom 2 died on -the next day, and another on the 15th.[297] Fortunately, the -supply of water was plentiful, and the bheesties[298] assiduous in -administering it. Some of the men were raving; some lying on their -backs as if dead, while the bheesties sprinkled them with water. So -great was the exhaustion, that on Sir Hope Grant’s giving an order -that tents were to be pitched, Quartermaster Harvey went to Brigadier -Horsford to say that in the 3rd Battalion the men were so utterly -exhausted that they could not do it, and begged him to allow the men -to lie down in the shade. The Brigadier replied that the General’s -order must be obeyed, but consented to take him to Sir Hope Grant, to -make his report in person to him. Sir Hope insisted, and said ‘the -tents must and shall be pitched.’ On Harvey’s return to his Battalion -the men turned to, and set about pitching the tents; but many fell -down through sheer fatigue, and slept on the tents they were ordered -to pitch. Yet they afterwards had reason to see the wisdom of General -Grant’s determination; for the shelter of the tents perhaps saved -many lives; and as the enemy were still hovering about, and might -again attack, it was essential that the regiments should be in some -formation. - -Thus at about six in the evening the two Battalions encamped on the -field of Nawabgunge. - -Sir Hope Grant, in his despatch dated June 17, 1858, speaks most -favourably of the Rifle Battalions. - -‘Brigadier Horsford,’ he writes, ‘I am much indebted to for the very -excellent way he led on the infantry, and for the support he gives me -upon all occasions.’ - -He also mentions - -‘Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, who with his Battalion so gallantly and -successfully protected our rear: a most important service. - -‘Lieutenant-Colonel Glyn, a most excellent officer, and whose -Battalion, the 3rd, behaved so well, being actively employed during -the whole day.’ - -He also favourably notices ‘200 infantry under Major Oxenden,’ and -repeatedly mentions the ‘two companies of the Rifles under Captain -Atherley.’ - -Yet in his published work ‘The Sepoy War,’ Sir Hope Grant, or his -editor, Captain Knollys, R.A., gives all the credit of these gallant -deeds to the 60th, which was not near Nawabgunge at the time. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[268] Forty men under Ensign Travers were left to guard the canal -bridge. - -[269] ‘Defence of Cawnpore,’ by Lieutenant-Colonel Adye, C.B., p. 19. - -[270] General Windham’s Despatch, November 30, 1857. - -[271] Letter from General Payn. - -[272] Captain Curzon’s notes. - -[273] Major Grey (retired), died December 11, 1874. - -[274] The Hon. Major Milles, died June 7, 1871. - -[275] Lieutenant Pemberton, of the 60th, temporarily attached to the -Rifle companies, was also wounded. - -[276] Captain F. C. Playne died at Hamilton, Canada West, December -18, 1863. - -[277] _i.e._ a grove or clump. - -[278] Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Walpole died July 12, 1876. - -[279] General Windham’s Despatch, November 30, 1857. - -[280] Lieutenant Armstrong, who was attached to the Riflemen as -interpreter, was also wounded in this sortie, being shot through both -legs, one of which was amputated. - -[281] Lieutenant-Colonel B. F. Alexander, retired. - -[282] Colonel Ross’ letters; and General Mansfield’s Despatch, -December 10, 1857. He specially mentions Brigadier Walpole, -Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford, and Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers. - -[283] A different place from that of the same name, where the battle -subsequently took place. - -[284] Lieutenant Henry D. Baillie, died November 1858, on passage -home. - -[285] Captain Riversdale R. Glyn, died at Aden, December 11, 1859. - -[286] ‘Sepoy War,’ 245. - -[287] A kind of pea, which grows very thick and tangled. - -[288] Major Sir Henry Wilmot, Bart., received the Victoria Cross for -his gallant conduct on this occasion. He has retired from the army. -Nash and Hawkes also obtained the Cross. - -[289] I cannot conclude the mention of Lucknow without noting that -Havelock, whose name is indissolubly connected with it, was an old -Rifleman. He entered the Army in the 1st Battalion July 20, 1815, and -served in it till 1821. - -[290] Dooly, _i.e._ a litter. - -[291] Called Nawabgunge-Burrabunkee to distinguish it from other -places of the same name. - -[292] Major Harvey, Paymaster. - -[293] The officers of Hodson’s Horse joined in this charge. - -[294] ‘Sepoy War,’ 291. - -[295] An exact counterpart, or repetition rather, of what occurred at -Sabugal. See p. 82. - -[296] A champion who fights against infidels. - -[297] On the evening of the battle 24 men were buried in one grave. - -[298] Water-carriers. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - -The rains having come on, the 2nd Battalion was ordered to remain -at Nawabgunge, and proceeded to build huts for shelter on raised -platforms; but this was done but slowly, the supply of Coolies for -the work being scanty, the Government having engaged them for other -work; and before the huts were completed the Battalion was moved, as -will be presently narrated. - -The 3rd Battalion marched from Nawabgunge on the 21st at three in the -morning, and proceeded to Chinhut, where they encamped. Here they had -left their sick on the 12th, and it appeared that a fearful panic -had occurred on the next day. For some irregular cavalry and camp -followers had fled from the field while the battle was raging, and, -passing through Chinhut to Lucknow, had spread a report that we had -been cut up, and that the enemy were advancing. Some of the sick, -terrified by this intelligence, left their beds or their doolies, -and madly rushed about with scarce any clothing in the sun. This was -attended in some cases with fatal results. However, these alarmists -had better have faced the hostile fire on the field of Nawabgunge -than the face of the General at Lucknow, who, knowing their reports -to be false, ordered them to be soundly flogged. - -On this march the Battalion brought with them five of the six guns -taken at Nawabgunge; and as their carriages were old, and the road -very bad, they much retarded their progress. However, they succeeded -in pitching their tents before the sun was powerful. - -On the 22nd they marched again at three A.M., and arrived at the -Cantonments at Lucknow at nine, where they encamped. Soon after this -the rains set in, with a violent thunderstorm which flooded the tents -on July 8; and the men were employed to build huts, partly out of -the remains of ruined bungalows which had been destroyed by the -rebels, in order to shelter them during the rainy season. But no such -provision was made for the officers, who continued in tents. Here the -Battalion remained for more than three months, during which time the -men suffered much from cholera and from their recent exposure to the -weather. - -On July 22 the 2nd Battalion left Nawabgunge for Fyzabad in order -to assist Maun Singh, who was besieged by the rebels. They struck -tents and marched eight miles to Dundirah, many men falling out from -fatigue. On the next day they proceeded to Turkani, six miles, and on -the 24th, intelligence having been received that Maun Singh could not -hold out four days longer, they pushed forward to Derriabad, thirteen -miles, instead of halting at the end of eight miles, as was intended. -This was a most distressing march; the weather was very hot, the -thermometer being at 105° in the tents; and numbers of men were taken -ill on the way. They halted on the 25th, it having rained all night, -but started again at four on the 26th, and encamped at Burehke Serai. -On the next day they proceeded to Begumgunge, and on the 28th tents -were struck at four in the morning; but in consequence of the heavy -rain they did not start till half-past-six. They marched seven miles, -and encamped at Samao, on the banks of the Gogra. On the 29th they -reached Fyzabad after a march of thirteen miles, only to find that -the rebels had left it that morning, and crossed the Gogra; however, -the Horse Artillery got up to the bank in time to get a couple of -shots at the last boat-loads. The Battalion halted at Fyzabad for a -fortnight, during which time, on August 6, the camp was shifted to -platforms on account of the rain; but while this was being done a -violent storm came on, and the men were drenched before the tents -could be pitched. - -On the 9th Brigadier Horsford, with a portion of the 7th Hussars, -the Madras Fusiliers, a troop of Horse Artillery, and some native -troops, proceeded to Sultanpore; and the 2nd Battalion, being ordered -to reinforce him, started soon after three on the morning of the -16th. It was a dreadful march. Soon after starting, they lost their -way in the dark. The country being flooded from the rains, it was -some time before they could find a track; and even on this the water -was ankle-deep. Having marched about four miles, they halted for a -rest. It came on to pour, and the rest of the way the men were up to -their knees, sometimes to their middle, in water. The mud, too, on -which they walked was slippery and fetid. Under these circumstances -they did not reach their camping-ground at Butturpore, a distance -of twelve miles, till one o’clock in the afternoon. Even then their -sufferings were not at an end. The Commissariat carts were not up, -and it was three o’clock before the drenched Riflemen got their tents -pitched and broke their fast. On the 17th they marched to Perownee, -nine miles, a repetition of the discomforts of the preceding day, -save only that no rain fell. The men frequently fell into holes -that had been made for planting trees; a source of merriment to his -comrades, but of misery to the unfortunate diver himself. On arrival -at Perownee there was considerable difficulty and delay in finding a -spot dry enough to pitch a camp. At last some rocky eminences were -fixed on, which cropped up above the plain and stood up above the -flooded ground. Here the tents were pitched without order; for the -men were obliged to place them wherever the scanty ground afforded -room. - -On the next day they marched to Burtenpore, six miles, with less -discomfort, the day being fine and the road tolerably good. Here they -halted on the 19th, to allow the Commissariat hackeries, which had -fallen two marches behind, to come up. And on the 20th moved on to -Sultanpore on the Goomtee, by a very good road. They found the enemy, -with a force of about 10,000 men, occupying the opposite bank of -the river, here not more than a hundred yards broad. They therefore -halted, observing the enemy, and exchanging occasional shots with -them, until General Grant came up on the 23rd with reinforcements. -On the 25th the Madras Fusiliers began to cross the river without -opposition. This occupied some days. And on the 25th the 2nd -Battalion was paraded at three o’clock to cross; but the Madras -Fusiliers not having completed their passage, the Riflemen were -ordered into bungalows for shelter. Later in the evening, however, -Sir Hope Grant having received intelligence that the Madras Fusiliers -were hard pressed, ordered the Battalion to cross immediately. They -were accordingly turned out at eight, and about two hours after began -to cross the river, much swollen by the rains, on rafts. Of these -there were only two, formed of old rum barrels, each calculated to -convey twenty-four or thirty men. However, Colonel Hill got over as -quickly as possible with two companies, who reached the opposite -bank about midnight; and after a march of about two miles, reached -the ridge occupied by the Madras Fusiliers. But it appeared to have -been a false alarm, for there was no appearance of danger. The men, -therefore, piled arms and bivouacked; and the night passed quietly, -except that the rebels kept up a constant fire on the picquets. On -the next morning a couple of tents were got over for the companies -on the right bank, and the remainder of the Battalion crossed and -encamped on the plain. On the 27th at sunset the enemy, who were -about two miles or more distant, turned out as if for an attack; but -they did not venture within 1,200 yards. - -On the 28th the rebels, by giving a gun great elevation, and probably -half burying it, contrived to throw a few shot into the Riflemen’s -camp; doing no damage to them, however, though they killed an old -woman, and knocked over an elephant, by hitting him on the pad, but, -except rolling him over, doing him no hurt. - -On the 29th they paraded at two in the morning, and marched at three -to the cantonments, making a circuit to get well round the enemy; -but to their great disappointment the enemy had gone off during the -night. The Riflemen waited under topes till the baggage came up, when -they pitched their tents, heavy rain coming on just as they did so. - -The Battalion halted at Sultanpore for some weeks with little -change, such as, for instance, a company (under Lieutenant Sotheby) -recrossing the Goomtee to protect the heavy guns. - -On October 4 six companies of the 3rd Battalion, under Colonel Glyn, -moved into Lucknow. And on the 5th Captain Alexander’s company -marched at nine in the evening to join an expedition to Sundeelah -(about forty miles from Lucknow), commanded by Brigadier Barker. - -This party, consisting of 100 men, was in charge of Lieutenant -Andrew Green,[299] and accompanied by Ensign Richards; for Captain -Alexander had been ordered to take a detachment up the country. - -On arrival at Sundeelah on the 7th, information was received that a -large force of rebels were about four miles off at a place called -Jamo. - -At daybreak on the 8th, therefore, the column marched to Jamo. On -approaching the enemy’s position, which was a strong one, a village -on high ground and surrounded with dense jungle, fire was opened -on them from guns posted in the village and from matchlocks in the -jungle. The Riflemen were extended in skirmishing order on the right, -and entered the jungle. Lieutenant Green had warned the men not to -lose communication with their files; but in the thickness of the -jungle three men got separated, and were surrounded and wounded by -the enemy. Hearing firing, Lieutenant Green at once made for the -place, and was immediately surrounded by six rebels. He shot two -with his revolver. As he was in the act of dismounting to attack the -others, he was cut down and hacked at while on the ground. Springing -to his feet, however, he managed to knock down two more of his -assailants with the butt of his revolver, and drawing his sword, he -kept the others at bay. While he was about to fall back in search of -some of his men, he was attacked by three more of the enemy and a -second time cut down. Again getting to his feet, he contrived with -his wounded right hand to shoot another man, who was in the act of -cutting at him with his tulwar, and whose blow, descending as he -fell dead, inflicted a deep wound on Green’s head. Colour-Sergeant -Mansel,[300] meantime, had heard the firing, and was making his -way to the part of the jungle the sounds seemed to proceed from, -when he came on a Rifleman wounded and retiring, who informed him -that Lieutenant Green had come to his assistance, and was then hard -pressed by several Sepoys. Hurrying on in the direction the man had -pointed out, the Sergeant soon was attacked by a rebel, whom he -succeeded in shooting; but before he could reload his rifle he was -set upon by another man, who cut at him with his tulwar. After a -severe struggle Sergeant Mansel knocked him over by a blow with the -butt of his rifle, and soon after he came upon Green lying bathed in -blood outside the jungle, and with the help of two Riflemen carried -him fainting to the rear. - -Green received fourteen sabre cuts and one gunshot wound. Four of -these wounds were obliged to be sewn up on the ground, and as soon -as he was brought back to camp his left arm was amputated below the -elbow, and his right thumb was taken off. Faint from loss of blood -and from excessive fatigue (for the Riflemen had been under arms from -four in the morning till three in the afternoon), it was not thought -that he could rally, and for some days his life was despaired of. He -was, however, moved to Lucknow on the 21st. - -Few men, probably, have ever survived so many and such severe wounds. - -Besides Lieutenant Green, three Riflemen were (as I have said) -wounded on this day. - -It will be anticipated that Brigadier Barker speaks highly of this -gallant deed in his despatch of October 9. - -‘The party of the Rifle Brigade, under Lieutenant Green’ he says, -‘gallantly rushed up the high position in front of the village, and -captured a six-pounder gun.’ ... ‘Among the wounded (and I am sorry -to say he is dangerously so) is Lieutenant Green, Rifle Brigade.... -This officer had behaved so gallantly all through the day that I most -deeply lament this misfortune.’ Ensign Richards also was favourably -mentioned in this despatch. - -The Adjutant-General of the Army in India, also, in forwarding this -despatch to the Secretary of the Government, by the direction of the -Commander-in-Chief adds, ‘I am also to request marked attention to -the gallantry of Lieutenant Green of the Rifle Brigade, who has been -dangerously wounded.’ And the Governor-General in his General Order -publishing these despatches, states his ‘great satisfaction’ at the -conduct of Lieutenant Green.[301] - -On the 12th Captain Alexander, who had returned to Lucknow on the -previous day, proceeded to take command of his company, and arrived -at Sundeelah on the 13th. - -On the 13th this company were engaged in a daur[302] to the fort of -Mandaula, which was blown up, and three guns were taken. And on the -18th three more companies, Atherley’s, Stephens’, and H. Newdigate’s, -under command of Major Oxenden, marched from Lucknow and joined it at -Sandeelah. - -On the 21st the Brigade under Brigadier Barker proceeded to attack -the fort of Birwah, which was held by Gholab Singh and about 700 -rebels. The four companies of the 3rd Battalion, commanded by -Captains Alexander and Stephens, and Lieutenants Percival and Cragg, -and led by Major Oxenden, accompanied this force. They paraded at two -A.M., and soon after marched in the direction of Birwah, and arrived -before it about seven in the morning. Brigadier Barker had resolved -to attack the west front. A few hundred yards from the fort was a -village on a mound, which was intrenched and occupied by the enemy’s -picquets. It was surmised that, as in so many previous instances, the -rebels would not have awaited the approach of the column. But the -assailants were soon undeceived; for a puff of smoke issued from a -large circular bamboo jungle on the right, and a round shot flew over -the column. The Riflemen were then hurried to the front; and with -some native police and an eighteen-pounder and mortars, gradually -inclined to the right till they came to the village, from which they -drove in the enemy’s picquets, and it and the intrenchments were at -once abandoned. They were then halted and ordered to lie down in a -wood beyond the village. In front was an impenetrable bamboo jungle, -out of which shots came now and then to show where the fort was, but -so thick was the mass of bush and thorns that they could not see the -walls; though from the reports of the guns they did not seem to be -more than 100 yards off. - -The mortars were placed in the village, and the gunners were directed -to pitch their shells over the Riflemen, and to let them fall near a -flag-staff which was supposed to mark the centre of the fort; but the -enemy foreseeing this had moved the flag-staff to the further side, -so that the shells went over the fort altogether. The fire of the -mortars appearing thus to produce no effect, the eighteen-pounder -was brought to where the Riflemen were lying down among the trees, in -order to endeavour to make a breach in the wall. Lieutenant Percival -was sent with twenty men of the company in his charge into the -jungle, with orders to move along the ditch, to mount the breastwork -of the outer defences, and to clear it of the enemy. This was rapidly -effected. They drove the enemy before them, who abandoned the outer -works, leaving a gun in their hands, and escaping through the jungle, -retired to the fort. In this service two Riflemen were killed. - -At this time a shell fell near Major Oxenden, who was on horseback -close behind the line of skirmishers, wounding his horse; wounding -also Colour-Sergeant Mansel in two places, and knocking over one or -two more Riflemen. - -The eighteen-pounder continued to be fired point-blank through the -jungle; and a lane was speedily cleared by its fire, and the wall of -the fort was discovered about seventy yards distant. - -As the fire of the mortars appeared to produce no effect, Brigadier -Barker ordered the fort to be assaulted about half-past two in the -afternoon. Captain Alexander’s company, which had left camp fifty of -all ranks, increased by a section of another company, was to act as -the storming party; while 100 Riflemen were to keep down the fire -from the place. At the same time another regiment (the 88th) was -sent round to the opposite face of the fort, to force an entrance by -blowing open the gate; while the native police were to occupy a gate -on another side, by which it was anticipated the rebels might attempt -to escape. Some of the native police who were left with the Riflemen -were to carry the scaling ladders. Captain Goodenough, R.A. Brigade -Major (who had joined the stormers as a volunteer), and Captain -Alexander crept forward through the jungle, close up to the ditch, to -reconnoitre it. - -All being thus prepared, Alexander’s company advanced through the -jungle, the natives carrying the long bamboo ladders, till they came -to a space clear of jungle, extending thirty or forty yards from -the ditch. The enemy opened a heavy fire from the rampart, by which -several Riflemen were shot down, Corporal Rudd being killed by a -shot through the head. The native police dropped the ladders and -disappeared, and the stormers had to carry them themselves. When -they were placed in the ditch, which was here about twelve feet -deep,[303] and the Riflemen began to descend them, the rungs gave -way, and they had to let themselves down hand over hand. The ladders -were then tilted over to the other side to help the stormers to get -up the breach, which was very imperfect and almost perpendicular. It -seemed to them nearly forty feet to the top of the breach, and they -were almost up to their waists in water in the ditch. Richards was -the first man at the top of the breach, and Sergeant Maloney closely -followed him. Just before they got to the top of the breach a gun -exploded over their heads, with which the enemy had no doubt intended -to welcome them on arrival, but which was fired a few seconds too -soon. When the stormers reached the top of the wall the enemy ran -away; and the Riflemen having waited a minute or two there to allow -the remainder of the company to join them, moved forward, and found -themselves in a kind of broad street with houses on the right-hand -side, and the wall of the place on the left. At the further end, -near the entrance to a courtyard, were four or five guns with some -of the rebels near them. The Riflemen went at them as hard as they -could, and took the guns before they could be discharged; and the -enemy retreated into the courtyard, meaning probably to escape by the -other gates. But at these the 88th and the native police met them and -headed them back. Then it was that the hardest fighting took place. -The rebels, being thus caught in a trap, fought bravely for a time. -Many of the Riflemen were hit. Richards, while fighting hand to hand -with a gigantic rebel, whom he succeeded in thrusting through the -eye with his sword, was shot from a window, and received more than -one wound. One ball traversed the thigh, and passed out at the back -of the leg, just below the knee-joint. Sergeant Maloney picked him -up and carried him away bathed in blood. This youth, barely eighteen -years of age, had shown uncommon valour, both on this occasion and -at Jamo a few days before. He died of these wounds at Lucknow on -December 8. Captain Alexander was also slightly wounded at this time -in the neck by a pistol bullet and in the left shoulder by an arrow. - -The enemy broke up, however, and retreated into the different -houses; and as these were loopholed and fortified, it was difficult -to dislodge them. Some of the houses were broken open; and the -Riflemen, taking advantage of whatever cover they could find, picked -off the rebels whenever they showed themselves; which they did on -the roofs of the houses, to hurl down stones or beams of wood on the -assailants. A Rifleman had his sword, which was fixed on his rifle, -bent nearly double by the blow of a great log of wood which fell -on it. Thus the fighting went on till night. Gholab Singh, it was -reported, and some of his followers had retreated to a house in the -centre of the fort, from which a smart fire was kept up. This house -was set on fire, and about ten o’clock the greater part of it was -blown up by the Engineers. Yet Gholab Singh with twelve men escaped -by making a rush, jumping from the wall, and getting into the jungle, -though troops--not Riflemen--were left to prevent his escape. With -this exception the defenders were all killed. - -The casualties of the Riflemen were 2 officers (Alexander and -Richards) wounded; 1 corporal killed, 2 others wounded, of whom 1 -died; Colour-Sergeant Mansel dangerously wounded, arm amputated; 1 -bugler severely wounded; 1 private killed, and 24 privates wounded: -3 dangerously and 12 severely. Captain Alexander and some of the men -were wounded by barbed arrows. A long procession of doolies carrying -these (and other) wounded soon after set out from Sundeelah to -Lucknow. - -Brigadier Barker, in his despatch dated October 24, 1858, thus speaks -of the conduct of the Riflemen: - - ‘Major Oxenden, commanding Rifle Brigade, deserves the greatest - credit for the manner in which he handled his men, and disposed - them for the assault of the breach.... Captain Alexander, Rifle - Brigade, commanding the storming party, deserves the greatest - credit; and Lieutenant Cragg and Ensign Richards, who accompanied - him, displayed the greatest courage; the latter, as I have - stated, was the first at the top of the breach, but I regret to - say was shortly after dangerously wounded.... Assistant-Surgeon - Storey, Rifle Brigade [and others], deserve the greatest praise - for their attention to the wounded during the night.... The names - of the men mentioned in the margin[304] have been brought to - my notice by their commanding officers as having particularly - distinguished themselves.’ - -I have now to resume the account of the movements of the 2nd -Battalion after their halt of six weeks at Sultanpore. On the morning -of October 11 this Battalion struck tents at four in the morning, -and recrossing the Goomtee marched with a force under Sir Hope Grant -to the north-east, in the direction of Tandah. They encamped that -night at Itkowlie after a march of five miles; on the next day they -proceeded to Rajahpore, nine miles; on the 13th, starting soon after -three, they made a march of fifteen miles on a very hot day, and -encamped at Dospore, where they halted till the 18th, when they moved -to Akberpore, ten miles. After a halt of two days they resumed their -march on the 21st; they encamped that night at Simree, nine miles; -moved to Jasingpore, twelve miles, on the next day; and returned to -Sultanpore, fourteen miles, on the 23rd. - -They did not long remain here; for on the 26th they marched on an -expedition towards the fort of Amethie. Starting at four in the -morning, they encamped at Doadpore after an eleven miles’ march. -On the 27th they started at the same hour; four companies of the -Battalion formed the advanced-guard; and as the rebels were expected -to fight here, the Battalion formed up before entering the jungle. -The enemy had erected two batteries on the road. There was a river -running through, with a bridge which the batteries commanded. But -before the troops came up, the enemy had deserted this position. -The cavalry pursued them; but the country being full of jungle and -intersected with ravines, could not come up with them. At the end of -a twelve-mile march the Battalion encamped; but struck tents again at -three in the afternoon, and marched five miles further to Jugdespore. -They did not camp here till nine at night, when it was pitch dark; -and the men were much wearied with their long and fatiguing march. - -On the 28th, leaving their camp standing, they marched at four in the -morning, about six miles into the jungle to a fort called Kataree. On -arrival they found it deserted. The fort was blown up, and they took -five guns, one brass and four iron. The former had an inscription -in Persian, stating that it had belonged to Rajah Buksh Ullah Khan -Bahadoor. It had been employed in the Sikh campaign. The iron guns, -being unserviceable, were destroyed. - -It appeared from the traces on the ground that the rebels had -occupied with considerable numbers the positions they had gone over -in the late marches. Many of these were strong and commanding; and -had the enemy dared to make a stand they might have harassed our -people considerably; but their courage had failed them, and all were -found unoccupied. The Battalion returned to their camp at Jugdespore -about seven in the evening. - -On the 29th they marched to Gooreabad, nine miles. A weary march, -for the siege guns could not be got forward in consequence of the -frequent occurrence of nullahs and aqueducts for irrigating the -country. These were broken down by coolies; yet the progress was very -slow, and they did not camp at Gooreabad, till after eleven. - -On the 30th they started at four in the morning; and it was intended -to make a march of seventeen miles. But from the same difficulties -in moving the heavy guns as occurred the day before, the camp was -pitched at Itterowah, after marching nine miles, which it took six -hours to accomplish. - -On the 31st the Battalion marched to Ettyah, eight miles, and halted -there for some days. - -On November 9 they marched at four o’clock in the morning. The -country being cultivated there was great difficulty in getting the -siege guns forward, and the treasure chest broke down. Thus hindered, -it took the Battalion some thirteen hours to make a march of eighteen -miles; and they did not encamp, about a mile and a half from the fort -of Amethie, till five in the evening. Here they formed a junction -with the Commander-in-Chief’s army, which was encamped about five -miles from them, on the north-east of the fort; while General -Wetherall’s force was on the south-west. The Riflemen expected to -assault the fort on the morrow. But when that morrow came, Loll -Madhoo, the Rajah of Amethie, came into camp and capitulated, -declaring that he had no power over his people, and that he had been -compelled, in order to save his own life, to fire on the English -troops the day before. - -But though the Rajah had himself surrendered, no doubt to secure -his personal safety, the occupants of the fort evacuated it in the -night, and disappeared through the jungle. Wherefore on the 11th -the Battalion received an order to start in pursuit; and marched at -three o’clock in the afternoon through very dusty roads nine miles -to Gowriegunge, and did not reach their camping-ground till seven -o’clock in the evening. On the 12th they proceeded to Ettyah, nine -miles. - -On the 13th, starting at six in the morning, they marched twelve -miles to Pursaidepore, near Salone, where they arrived at twelve, -having on the march crossed the river Sie. At eight o’clock at -night they received a sudden order to move their camp further; -and accordingly on the 14th, at five in the morning, marched four -miles, and arriving at seven pitched their camp at Secrian, near the -entrance of the jungle, and furnished strong outlying picquets. - -On the next day, starting early in the morning, they marched fourteen -miles by a very bad road and through clouds of dust to Shunkerpore. -This was a stronghold of Beni Madhoo, and it was hoped that by -concentrating the columns on it, he might be caught. But however -there was a fresh disappointment. In the dark hours of the morning he -managed to evade the picquets, and to escape with his followers, guns -and baggage. As soon as his flight was discovered on the morning of -the 16th, the Battalion received a sudden order to march in pursuit, -and starting at seven o’clock proceeded to Roy Bareilly, where they -pitched camp about two in the afternoon. - -On the 17th they made a march of sixteen miles to Mohungunge, -starting at six and not arriving till about two, several long halts -having been made for guns to come up, the road leading through much -thick jungle. - -On the 18th they made a long and tedious march of fourteen miles -to Jugdespore, where they halted for four days. On the 20th -they received an order to go on a reconnaissance, leaving their -tents standing, and paraded for that purpose; but the order was -countermanded. - -On the 23rd they resumed their movements; and starting at six in the -morning arrived at Inhona, after a short and easy march of seven -miles, at a little after nine. - -On the 24th the left wing of the Battalion, under Major Warren, -received during the night orders to move (with part of the 7th -Hussars and some guns) to the assistance of Colonel Galwey’s column. -That officer, it appeared, had come to some fort which had no guns; -but on its occupants being called on to surrender they had refused, -and had fired on and killed an Engineer officer and some men. The -Riflemen marched at six in the morning to Koilee, twelve miles, but -on arrival there found that the garrison of the fort had during the -night crossed the Goomtee and disappeared. This wing, therefore, -after a day’s halt at Koilee, marched on the 26th to Bekta, seven -miles; and on the 27th, after a short march of six miles, rejoined -Head-quarters at Hydergurh. - -These had in the meanwhile had an encounter with the enemy. For -Brigadier Horsford had, before starting for Koilee, directed Colonel -Hill to march towards Lucknow, taking with him the other wing of the -Hussars and some Horse Artillery, and to attack a force of rebels -supposed to be about two marches in that direction; and to protect -the baggage of the entire column. - -Colonel Hill came up with the rebels on the 26th near Hydergurh. The -Riflemen were first engaged, and as the enemy were making a running -fight of it, the cavalry and Artillery galloped up through the -skirmishers, and did considerable execution. The Riflemen took a gun; -and the Hussars under Sir William Russell pursued the Sepoys and cut -them up. The Riflemen then encamped at Hydergurh; and halted there -till December 2, when they marched sixteen miles to Monshegunge, -and encamped there for the night. And starting on the following -morning at five o’clock, arrived at the Dilkoosha, Lucknow, after a -fourteen-mile march, at half-past nine. - -On December 5 the 2nd Battalion, forming part of a force under the -command of Lord Clyde, started at six in the morning from Lucknow, -and made a march of twenty miles, arriving at Newabgunge at about -three or four in the afternoon, when the men got their breakfasts. - -On the 6th they struck tents at five, and paraded at six, but did -not get off till seven, when, making a very long march of twenty-two -miles, they proceeded to Gunnespore, Byram Ghât, which they reached -about three. The men were very tired and hungry, for they had had -nothing to eat till about five, when they got their breakfast. On -the way intelligence was received that the rebels were crossing the -river. The cavalry and Horse Artillery pushed forward; and sixteen -Riflemen and an officer (Lieutenant Sotheby[305]) were mounted on the -limbers. They went as hard as they could go; but when they came to -the Ghât they found the rebels had been too quick for them, and had -crossed the river. However, the Riflemen got a few shots at them. The -7th Hussars after this chase were much astonished to hear the words, -‘The Rifles to the front;’ for they fancied the whole Battalion was -coming up, and could not understand how they had kept up with such a -pace as the Hussars and guns had been going. However, only Sotheby -and his sixteen Riflemen then answered this call. For it had been a -joke with these Hussars when they were an advanced guard with the -Riflemen (and they had been on many): on the part of the troopers, -‘that they could not get rid of these little fellows;’ on the part of -the Riflemen, that they ‘marched the horsemen down,’ and ‘could not -make them march fast enough.’ - -On the 7th some companies of the Battalion were suddenly paraded -at half-past one, and with the 7th Hussars went five miles up the -river in search of rebels; but returned unsuccessful at seven in the -evening. - -The great object was now to cross the Gogra; and as there was a -difficulty in forming a boat-bridge at Byram Ghât, Lord Clyde -determined to proceed to Fyzabad where a bridge already existed. -Accordingly on the 8th the Battalion, starting at six in the morning, -made a march of twenty miles to Derriabad, which they reached at -three in the afternoon. On the next day they marched seventeen miles -to Begumgunge, and on the 10th another long march of nineteen miles -to Fyzabad. In these long marches few Riflemen, if any, fell out, -though the marches lasted from six in the morning till two or three -in the afternoon, the hottest hours of the day. - -On the 11th the Battalion crossed the Gogra by a bridge of boats. -The river is here about 600 yards broad, having a great expanse of -sand on each side. The turn of the Battalion to cross came at four -in the afternoon, and they afterwards marched about six miles on the -other side to Newabgunge, where they encamped about six. On the 12th, -starting at six in the morning, they arrived at Jamkapoorah at noon, -and on the next day marched to Dheras, fifteen miles. On the 14th -they proceeded to Secrora, another march of fifteen miles, and on the -day following to Kurrunpore, eleven miles. Mr. Russell, the ‘Times’ -correspondent, who was accompanying the Commander-in-Chief’s column, -thus writes of the Battalion under this date: ‘The Rifle Brigade who -are with us are as hard as nails; faces tanned brown, and muscles -hardened into whipcord; and to see them step over the ground with -their officers marching beside them is a very fine sight for those -who have an eye for real first-rate soldiers. Lord Clyde is greatly -pleased with the officers because they do not ride on ponies, as many -officers of other regiments are accustomed to do.’[306] - -On the 16th, though tents were struck at five in the morning, the -Battalion did not march in consequence of rain till eleven, when they -moved to Khariat, where, after a march of ten miles, they encamped at -three. - -On the next day they marched in heavy and constant rain to Baraitch, -where camp was pitched in a very beautiful spot at eleven in the -forenoon. Here they halted for five days: the first halt they had -had since they left Lucknow, nearly a fortnight before; and very -acceptable it was to the men, though not without its discomforts. -For the night after their arrival was, as the day of their march -had been, one of incessant rain. And tents and everything men and -officers had on or possessed were saturated with wet. The morning -revealed a swamp, rather than a camp; many of the tents stood in -pools of water in which the men waded ankle-deep. A dense fog, too, -came down from the hills, and took away all hope of drying their -clothes. Whether for this reason, or on account of the increasing -cold which now began to be severely felt, the Riflemen resumed their -cloth clothing on the next day. However, the remaining days of their -halt at Baraitch were fine. - -On the 23rd they again started at six in the morning; but soon after -leaving Baraitch they were halted, and their route altered. They then -made a march of fifteen miles, in the course of which they forded the -river, and arrived at Jeta at two. - -On the 24th the order was to march as usual in the morning; but -as the men turned out rain came on, and the ‘halt’ was sounded, -luckily before the tents were struck. Their halt here gave them an -opportunity of making their arrangements for keeping Christmas on -the morrow. But these were very near being useless; for Lord Clyde -issued an order that the soldiers were to have their dinners at one, -and march at two. Great was the consternation; and fears of all the -good things they had provided being unconsumed or eaten half-raw -pervaded everyone. However, before the dreaded hour, staff officers, -who had been sent out to observe the roads, reported that they were -in too bad a state from recent rains for the troops to move. The -Commander-in-Chief, therefore, unwillingly postponed his intended -march. Serenity was restored to hearts which knew no fear save that -of losing the one good dinner long hoped for; and the day was spent -happily, the more so as it was fine. - -But after this recreation, hard work soon began again. The Battalion -marched at six in the morning of the 26th. It was very foggy, but -cleared up about eight. After marching some twelve miles, they were -halted to allow them to eat their breakfast. Here they stayed about -two hours, resuming their advance at half-past one. Two companies -of the Battalion, under Captain Fremantle, with cavalry, formed the -advanced guard. - -On their arrival near a jungle Sir William Russell, who commanded -the advance, ordered these two companies to the front, and desired -them to extend at the entrance of the jungle. They did so, and -advanced, and about four in the afternoon found the enemy in a tope -of trees, who opened upon them with two guns. The advanced companies -then, with the cavalry, Horse Artillery, and five other companies -of the Battalion, formed line and advanced. The cavalry and Horse -Artillery soon distanced the Riflemen; and while the former attacked -the flank of the enemy, the Riflemen brought their right shoulders -forward, and went on at the double. They pursued the enemy, who did -not make any stand, for five or six miles. The Battalion encamped at -Churdah about eight o’clock, the men being very weary; for they had -marched about twenty-one miles, and the latter part of it in pursuit -of the rebels had been got over at a very quick pace. The Riflemen -killed three Sepoys in this chase, and five guns were taken. - -On the 27th it was understood that the Battalion was to halt; but at -nine o’clock they received orders to march in an hour. They started, -therefore, about ten, and after a march of about six miles, came to -a thick jungle, and were ordered to assault the fort of Mejidia. The -attack was confided to the Riflemen. Brigadier Horsford’s orders to -Colonel Hill were to advance to within 400 yards of the fort: then to -open fire on the embrasures. Mortars and heavy guns were ordered to -the front, and cavalry to the flanks. This took some time. Then the -Battalion advanced to the front face; two companies skirmishing; two -supporting them; two moved to the left; the remainder in support. A -sharp fire was opened, and was returned for some time by a fire of -grape from the fort. The Riflemen continued their fire for about two -hours, picking off the gunners at the embrasures. After that time the -fire from the place slackened; and Colonel Hill, having solicited -and obtained permission to advance, the Battalion moved forward. A -difficult thorny hedge interposed, which was soon cut down by the -swords of the Riflemen, and entrance was effected into the fort, -which was found to be evacuated. The Battalion took possession of the -stores and muniments of war, powder, shot, etc., which were found -there; and encamped in the evening after a very hard day’s work. One -sergeant and 6 rank and file were wounded, of whom one died on the -next day. - -On the 28th they were engaged in destroying the fort, and securing -the stores of grain, etc., found in it. In the course of the day the -Riflemen discovered two guns hidden in the jungle within the fort. - -On the 29th the first orders were still to halt; but about eleven -they received orders to march, and did so about noon, back to -Nanparah, ten miles, but by a route different from that by which they -had come on the 26th. - -Here it was understood that they were to halt for three days. And -accordingly on the 30th many officers of the Battalion went out -shooting, the band played at five, and all things denoted a halt; -when a sudden order was issued that the Battalion was to march at -eight in the evening. They did so; half the men were carried on -elephants, five on each, and half marched, turn about, ride and tie. -The motion of the elephants was strange to the men; some were made -sick by the motion, and some tumbled off; but gradually they settled -down. The night was pitch dark, and those marching occasionally fell -into holes and water-courses, undistinguishable in the darkness. So -they moved on till four in the morning; when, it being ascertained -that if they continued their march they would reach the enemy’s -position at Bankee (whither they were bound) before daylight, a halt -was ordered. And they remained tormented by the cold and heavy dew; -for no fires were allowed, for fear of alarming the enemy whom Lord -Clyde hoped to surprise. This halt was probably continued too long. -At any rate, a march of five miles remained to be got over; and the -troops did not reach the enemy’s position till eight. The cavalry -(Carabiniers) were ordered to advance, and soon found themselves in -front of a thick jungle occupied by the enemy’s skirmishers and guns; -to whose fire they offered an easy mark, without their being able to -return it or to dislodge them. They were therefore withdrawn; and the -Riflemen were hurried to the front, and ordered to skirmish through -the jungle. Three companies were extended under the command of Major -Warren, Captain Singer and Lieutenant Lane,[307] accompanied and -directed by Colonel Hill, who dismounting accompanied the centre -company, Lieutenant Lane’s. On entering the wood they found a cart -track, along which the enemy were endeavouring to withdraw a gun. -The Riflemen pushed on at the double along this track, occasionally -getting a glimpse of the gun in their front, while the enemy’s -skirmishers were retiring rapidly before them, and turning off into -the jungle. Thus it happened that the advance of the Riflemen in the -cart track was very rapid, while that of those in the jungle on each -side of it was much slower, as they could not force their way through -the tangled wood nearly so fast. The track was about a mile in length -to the point where it reached the end of the jungle. By the time the -Riflemen got there the gun had quite distanced them. On arriving at -the end of this belt of jungle the whole of the enemy’s force was -seen on an undulating plain beyond, some few hundred paces distant. - -The Riflemen, hurrying along the track in pursuit of the retreating -gun, had arrived at the edge of the jungle completely out of breath; -and Colonel Hill, on counting them, found himself accompanied by only -twenty men, with Lieutenant Lane and a Colour-Sergeant (Piper).[308] -As it was impossible to know where the remaining skirmishers and the -supports were at the moment, it was necessary to act with caution; -and the small party were ordered to remain hidden at the edge of -the jungle, while the enemy’s movements were observed. They seemed -to be contemplating a retreat. At this time three officers rode up -from the rear; and one of them, Sir Henry Norman, brought orders -from Lord Clyde for the Riflemen to retire. Colonel Hill pointed out -to him that the jungle was merely a belt; that if Lord Clyde was -aware of this he would probably wish to push on; and that as the -jungle was cleared, cavalry could now advance and act on the plain. -The staff officers accordingly galloped off, and soon afterwards a -squadron of the 7th Hussars came up. Meanwhile Major Warren’s and -Captain Singer’s companies had made their way through the jungle, -and joined their comrades at the edge of it. Sir William Mansfield -soon came up, and by his permission Colonel Hill advanced with two -companies, Warren’s and Lane’s, in skirmishing order. While the rest -of the Battalion, which had passed through the jungle, were halted -on the bank of a small but deep nullah, or river, which intersected -the plain, successive squadrons of the 7th passed on their right -flank; and though checked for a moment by the nullah, and exposed -to the fire of a battery of six guns, which the enemy had placed on -the opposite bank of the Raptee, charged the enemy’s cavalry who -were making for the ford of the Raptee, caught them on the bank, and -engaged them in the river. The Riflemen, who were in an excellent -position to observe this charge across the plain, saw with admiration -this gallant feat of arms performed by their comrades of the 7th. -Soon after this the Riflemen retired through the jungle, and pitched -their camp about four o’clock two miles and a half from the scene of -the action. But the men did not get settled till the evening, and it -was eight o’clock before they got food. They had been under arms from -eight o’clock the night before; had marched twenty-nine miles--most -of it night marching--from Nanparah, and two and a half back to -Bankee; and had been engaged from an early hour in the day. - -In this affair the 2nd Battalion had one man wounded. - - -I have now to return to the 3rd Battalion, which we left at Lucknow, -where they were stationed from the time of the battle of Nawabgunge. -The Head-quarters left Lucknow at four o’clock on the afternoon -of November 22, four companies being still with Major Oxenden at -Sundeelah. They marched to the Alumbagh, and halted there while the -men had their tea and the officers their dinners. They started again -about nine, and proceeded to Bunnee bridge, which they crossed, and -then halted again from about 2.30 to 5.30 A.M. They then proceeded -to Nawabgunge on the Cawnpore road, which they reached about nine -and encamped. The object of this move was to intercept Beni Madhoo, -who was said to be at the head of a very large force of rebels. Here -they halted for a couple of days; and on the 26th they marched in -light order and leaving their camp standing, to Busserutgunge. Soon -after they had started, however, a note came in from Colonel Glyn, -who was in charge of a party some twenty miles distant, conveying -information of the supposed whereabouts of Beni Madhoo. This was -opened by the Quarter-master, who was in charge of the camp, who -despatched a messenger with it to Colonel Macdonell. The Battalion -returned to Nawabgunge on the morning of the 27th, not having seen -anything of Beni Madhoo or his army. On the 28th they marched to -Bunteera, thirteen miles; and on the next day to the Alumbagh, where -they encamped. But in the afternoon they received orders to start -again and march into the Cantonments at Lucknow, which they did not -reach till eight o’clock at night, when they had to put up their -tents in the dark. Their rest here was not long; for at four the next -morning they received an order to march and join the Head-quarter -division, a large force of the enemy being supposed to be near. They -moved, therefore, to Buxee-ke-talou, and halted there on December -1. On that night, the detachment under Colonel Glyn, consisting of -three companies, rejoined the Battalion, and the whole marched at -daybreak the next morning for the fort of Oomria. They kept the road -for some time, and then struck across country through thick jungle. -On approaching the fort, which on account of the density of the wood -surrounding it they could not see, they were attacked, but soon -drove their assailants back. They then halted till the baggage came -up. Later in the day, the 5th Fusiliers, supported by the Riflemen, -approached the place, but were met by heavy fire from two of its -faces, which caused some loss. As the men had had a long march and -it was late in the day, they were withdrawn; and arrangements were -made to storm the fort on the next day. Camp was therefore pitched, -but unfortunately within range of the guns of the fort. This made -it uncomfortable, and some damage was done; but it was too late to -move camp, and the men were tired. So they slept soundly, though -an occasional shot fell among the tents. In the morning the usual -discovery was made: the enemy had disappeared in the night, leaving -behind him ammunition and most of his property. This fort had -evidently been a residence of the Rajah; for many articles of women’s -furniture and belongings were found in some of the apartments: the -property, no doubt, of some of his wives. It was as well that the -Rajah and his troops had preferred discretion to valour; for the -works were very strong, one within the other, and with two deep -ditches. The loss, therefore, must have been considerable if it had -been defended with any tenacity. - -The Riflemen halted on the 4th and 5th, and were engaged in -demolishing the fort and blowing up the mud walls round some -fortified villages near it. At one of these a gun was found concealed. - -On the 6th they marched to Futtehpore, and just before their -arrival there had a skirmish with some rebels, who appeared to be a -rear-guard protecting a gun which had passed some time previously, -and the tracks of which were plainly visible. It was an eighteen-mile -march; and the skirmish at the end of it made the men weary enough. -They did not reach their camping-ground, in a field of tall dâl, till -after dark, and did not get their dinners till late at night. On the -7th they marched to Betwa, where was a strong fort which they found -unoccupied, the enemy having evacuated it in the morning. Their fires -were still burning when the Riflemen reached it in the afternoon. It -was as usual surrounded by thick jungle. They halted on the 8th and -9th to demolish this fort. - -On the 10th they marched sixteen miles to Nawabgunge on the Fyzabad -road, the battle-field of June 13. In this march they passed several -small forts and intrenchments, some of which had evidently been but -recently evacuated; and some had been strengthened and repaired at -the expense of much labour by those who had not the courage to defend -them. - -On the 11th they made a march of sixteen miles towards Derriabad, -which they passed through on the following day, and after a dusty -march of eighteen miles, halted for the night at Burehke Serai. - -On the 13th they reached Mobaruckgunge on the Gogra at one in the -afternoon, after a hot, dusty and fatiguing march of fifteen miles. -For though the nights were cold, the mid-day sun was very hot. - -On the 14th they marched to Fyzabad, and turning to the left before -they entered that town, encamped on the bank of the river near a -large mud fort. - -On the next day they crossed the Gogra by the bridge of boats, -as their comrades of the 2nd Battalion had done four days before; -both forming part of the army assembled under Lord Clyde, which was -to drive the enemy into a corner, from which it was hoped if Jung -Bahadoor, the Chief Minister of Nepaul, stood true to us, he could -not escape, and so to terminate the war. After passing the river and -marching three miles, they forded a river about three feet deep. This -and its sandy banks much retarded the baggage, which also had been -delayed by the obstinacy of the elephants, who would not venture -on the bridge, and were made to swim the river under the lead or -guidance of an old elephant. It was late, therefore, before their -baggage came up and they encamped at Wuzeergunge. - -On the 16th they made another long march to Gonda, where they -encamped near some ruined bungalows, said to have been once occupied -by the officers of a native regiment, who were murdered by their men. - -Here they remained till after the close of the year without any -incident of importance, save that two companies (Major Bourchier’s -and Captain Windham’s) went out on a daur on the 21st and returned on -the 23rd. - - -On January 3, 1859, the 2nd Battalion shifted camp to Purainee, about -a mile from Bankee. - -On the 6th they marched at seven in the morning to the bank of the -Raptee, and encamped at Sudheeria Ghât[309] about ten. - -On the 8th Lord Clyde and the greater part of the force quitted the -frontier; leaving the 2nd Battalion, the 7th Hussars, and some native -troops, under Brigadier Horsford, to watch the fords of the Raptee. - -On the 12th the Battalion shifted camp to Ballapore, on the banks of -a tributary of the Raptee; and at eleven at night three companies, -Captains R. Glyn’s, Blackett’s and Dillon’s, marched, under the -command of Major Vaughan, of the 5th Punjaub Regiment, and crossing -the Raptee, proceeded about sixteen miles, when they came on the -rebels and killed twenty-five out of about thirty. They returned to -camp on the 14th. - -On the 26th they again shifted camp close to the Raptee. - -At last, on February 8, they received authority to cross the frontier -into Nepaul, Jung Bahadoor having given consent to their entering -that territory. On the 9th, therefore, they marched at five in the -morning and crossed the Raptee. They then moved through about five -miles of very dense jungle with very large trees, and passed a mark -like a mile-stone, which denoted the boundary of Nepaul. They then -went round the spur of the mountains, and debouched on a large plain. -They went on some miles farther, when the Brigadier ordered Colonel -Hill, with a wing of the Battalion and some native troops, to recross -to the right bank of the Raptee, where, at a crossing called Sidka -Ghât, the enemy were reported to be in force, with fifteen guns in -position. - -This force was told off: two companies to proceed along the river’s -bank; two under Major Warren to press through the jungle on the left, -and to endeavour to intercept the enemy or to fall on their right -flank; and the native troops under Major Vaughan to act in a similar -manner, but on ground farther removed from the river. - -The companies near the river extended in skirmishing order, the right -file resting on the river’s bank. After advancing some distance they -found themselves in front of a hill, which they were obliged to file -round along the water’s edge. This was no easy work, for the ground -was very difficult, and interspersed with rocks and great boulders. -As they were thus proceeding, on reaching a bend of the river they -found themselves in front of the guns of the enemy, who were in a -strong position on some rising ground. These guns immediately opened -on them with grape, but did little mischief, as the fire flew over -their heads, wounding one man only. The Riflemen moved rapidly -forward, and as soon as they were clear of the rocks formed and -proceeded across the shingle, keeping up a smart fire which did much -execution. - -But the rebel gunners stood by their guns till the Riflemen were -close upon them. Then they bolted and escaped into the jungle, -giving the slip to Major Vaughan, whose force had been sent round to -intercept them. They left fourteen guns and a mortar in the hands of -Hill’s force. - -The other wing, with Brigadier Horsford, having given the attacking -party twenty minutes’ start, moved on along the plain, keeping the -Raptee on the left, till about three in the afternoon, when they -entered a dense forest. The ground became hilly and the road bad. -At half-past three they made another halt of twenty minutes, and -were just falling in when they heard guns open in the front. They -pushed forward, and soon came to a very steep hill, which they ran -down, and found themselves on the bank of the river, and saw the -skirmishers of the other wing entering the jungle on the opposite -bank. They were ordered to halt; and after their fight the other wing -recrossed the Raptee and joined them, and they then marched to camp, -which they found pitched about four miles off, and which they did -not reach till seven at night, after one of the hardest day’s work -they had ever had. For they had passed through dense and difficult -jungle; had scrambled over rough rocks, and had moved over shingly -and fatiguing ground; besides marching not less than twenty miles. A -non-commissioned officer (Sergeant Braun) was very nearly drowned in -crossing the Raptee. He fell twice, but one of the men on the right -bank rescued him. - -They remained in this camp till the 12th, when it was shifted to -the tributary of the Raptee, near a jungle which seemed to be -interminable. The rain was very heavy, and the camp-ground became a -perfect swamp. - -In his despatch reporting this action, Horsford favourably mentions -Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, Major Dillon and Lieutenant Fryer. - -On the 14th, very sudden orders were received at eleven P.M. for -three companies, Captain Fremantle’s, one under the command of -Lieutenant Sotheby, and another, to start on an expedition under -command of Major Ramsay of the Kumaon Battalion. These companies -accordingly paraded at half-past three in the morning; but owing to -a delay in the arrival of elephants did not move off till half-past -four. They crossed the Raptee five times, and as it was deep and -rapid, the men for the purpose of crossing were mounted on elephants. -They then marched forward; and at about six arrived at the edge of -the jungle and formed up. They went on at a very brisk pace till -half-past nine, when they halted for twenty minutes, sending on a -spy to bring word if he could see anything of the enemy. Starting -again, they marched through a gorge in the hill, and by the side -and bed of a mountain stream, till half-past eleven; when, it being -suspected that they had missed their way, a Goorka was despatched, -who soon returned with the intelligence that they were on a wrong -track. They therefore retraced their steps, and soon meeting the spy, -were disappointed at hearing from him that the enemy had departed. -At one o’clock they came up to the ground they had occupied, and -found the ashes of their fires still smouldering. Here the Riflemen -bivouacked, no tents having been taken with this detachment; but -their rations did not come up till four o’clock. They had marched -about sixteen miles over bad ground at a very rapid pace, and were -much wearied. - -On the 16th they returned to the camp of the Head-quarters, marching -at half-past six, and arriving at one. - -On the 17th the Battalion, starting at six in the morning, marched -back to Sudheeria Ghât, where they camped about half-past eleven. - -On the 21st the whole Battalion turned out early to take leave of -their friends and comrades of the 7th Hussars, who had received the -route for Umballa. They had been together for twelve months, and -fought together in many brilliant affairs, and undergone together -many weary days. Officers and men felt great regret at this parting; -for a feeling had grown up between them of such comradeship as is not -usual between separate corps. - -On the 26th the Battalion marched to a place about three miles on the -other side of Bankee, and encamped there; the whole march being about -eight miles. On the next day, Brigadier Horsford, under whom they had -so long served, started with his Staff for Gonda, to take command of -the troops there, and the command of those on the Raptee devolved on -Colonel Hill. - -On the 28th the Battalion marched to Nanparah, fourteen miles, the -country through which they passed being under water from daily rain. -For the next few days this rain was so heavy, accompanied often by -lightning and thunder, that though daily orders were given to march, -they were as regularly countermanded. The camping-ground became -first a swamp, then a perfect lake. At last, on March 6, they marched -at ten in the forenoon, and arrived at their old camping-ground at -Jeta at two in the afternoon. On the next day they proceeded to -Baraitch, arriving there at half-past two in the afternoon. The -rivers and nullahs, swollen by the rains, were up to a short man’s -hips. - -They remained at Baraitch till the 28th, when they shifted camp; but -the ground chosen being found to be infested with reptiles, they were -moved back on the 30th to nearly their old ground. - -On April 3 an order was received from Brigadier Horsford for two -companies, with some native troops and guns, to proceed to Bankee -to watch the ford there, and defend the line of the Raptee. Captain -Singer and Lieutenant Nicholl went on this duty. - -On the 4th two more companies were ordered to the Raptee; and at -half-past four on the morning of the 5th Major Warren’s and Captain -R. Glyn’s companies started, and after marching fourteen miles, -halted to get something to eat. After which, marching about ten -miles farther, they arrived at Bhinga Ghât on the Raptee, their -destination. On the 6th they halted there, throwing out strong -picquets. On the next day these companies moved back to a tope on -the Baraitch road; and on the 8th they started on a reconnaissance -at half-past eight, and marched about eight miles. No two villages -which they passed through told the same tale. In one the inhabitants -had seen the _budmashes_[310] in thousands; in the next they vowed -that not one had been seen for six months. The companies got back to -their camp at half-past three in the afternoon, having marched about -sixteen miles in the heat of the day. - -These companies halted during the 9th and 10th, and marched back to -Baraitch and joined Head-quarters on the 11th. - -In the meantime the remainder of the Battalion, with the exception -of Captain Fremantle’s company which was left at Baraitch, marched -at five P.M. under Colonel Hill; and after marching sixteen miles -towards Rahdee, found that the enemy, whom they expected to find -there, had fled. They therefore encamped about three A.M. And on -the next day marched back at six in the evening to Baraitch, where -they arrived the following morning at five. The men were very much -fatigued, having had two nights’ marching, and having been unable to -sleep by day on account of the heat, the thermometer standing at 102°. - -At midnight on the 8th-9th Captain Fremantle with his company, 2 -Horse Artillery guns, 80 Punjaub rifles, and 150 native police, -marched to join a force under Captain Cleveland, 98th Regiment, at -Akouna. Halting every hour for ten minutes to rest the men, this -force arrived at Akouna, and encamped in a tope at nine in the -morning. - -On the next day this detachment marched at half-past nine in the -morning, some of the men being on gun-waggons and some on elephants, -and arrived at Khagupore at half-past three. And on the following -morning marched at six to Dahnapore, where they arrived at half-past -eleven. - -On the 12th they moved to Ramwapore, about five miles distant, and -arrived there at eight in the morning. - -In the afternoon reports came in that the rebels were encamped about -three miles off, and would probably remain there during the night. -Accordingly, Fremantle marched his detachment at three P.M., leaving -his camp standing. After advancing for some time without seeing -anything of rebels, they came on a picquet of Hodson’s Horse, who -were marching westward, and who reported that rebels were close at -hand. It was then about six. They pushed on, and Captain Cleveland -directed Fremantle to take his company, the guns, and some native -horsemen round a jungle, and attack the rear of the enemy. After -marching about a mile, they turned off the road into the jungle; and -after about three quarters of a mile emerged into a kind of plain, -though surrounded with jungle on all sides. Here the native guide -said he could see a rebel vedette. Fremantle accordingly ordered -the Punjaub men to form company and advance; and they had scarcely -done so when a volley was poured into them at about forty yards. It -was now half-past six, and nearly dark. The native police, who were -leading, fled at the first fire, carrying away in their flight a -section of the Punjaub men. The remainder of these sat down on the -ground and fired at the enemy. Yet Fremantle could neither induce -them to face the hill and attack the rebels, nor yet to clear off to -the flank, and allow the guns and the Riflemen to act. At last he -succeeded in getting them off to a flank; and then the guns opening -with grape, and the Riflemen pouring in a steady fire, the flashes -from the bushes and the hill in front soon ceased. Advancing up the -hill, they found the camp of the rebels, their fires burning, and -their bedding and grass for their horses unmoved; but not a man was -there. This little affair lasted exactly half-an-hour. One Rifleman -was severely wounded. Fremantle then went round the jungle; and, -regaining the Fyzabad road, rejoined the main body under Captain -Cleveland at nine. And the Riflemen reached their camp at half-past -eleven, much fatigued by their marches and their fight. - -On the 13th they halted, and on the next day marched back to -Khagupore, and on the day following to Akouna, where they halted -during the 16th. On the 17th this company marched to take up a -position to cover the fords of the Raptee at Gunespore. Here they -remained till the 22nd; when, being relieved by Sotheby’s company, -which had started from Baraitch the day before, they marched at -2.30 in the morning of the 23rd; and encamping during that day at a -village, resumed their march at three o’clock the following morning, -and rejoined the Battalion soon after seven on the 24th. - -During this time, however, other expeditions had taken place. On the -9th one company, under Lieutenant Eccles, had marched about eighteen -miles towards Nanparah, but returned on the 11th. - -On the 20th Colonel Hill, having received Brigadier Horsford’s orders -to meet him at Nanparah, proceeded thither with three companies of -the Battalion. The object was to clear the Jugdespore jungles of a -number of rebels who had taken refuge there. - -Accordingly, these three companies started from Baraitch in the -afternoon of that day, and marched about seven miles. And on the -21st, marching early, they reached Nanparah, after a very long march, -and found the Brigadier awaiting them. On the next day they started -soon after four, and marched sixteen miles; and on the 23rd made a -further march of twelve miles to Hureeha, in the course of which they -crossed the Surjoo river, and encamped on its banks. - -On the 24th (Easter Sunday) they started soon after two in the -morning, and made a march of eighteen miles, nearly half of it -through thick jungle; and as the heat was now oppressive, the march -was very wearisome. They had now got near the enemy, who was in a -delta of the River Gogra. So that on the 25th they struck tents at -two. Soon after starting they lost their way in the jungle, so that -day broke before they were fairly started. Colonel Hill commanded the -infantry of the force employed. - -The Rifle companies marched on until they came to a ford of the -Gogra. Here they were halted till the cavalry and guns, which had -proceeded by another route, came up. On their arrival they crossed -the river, which was at the ford waist-deep, holding their pouches -up to their shoulders. They formed on the other side, and found the -rebels in a large open space in front of a thick jungle. They were -evidently surprised, and tried to make off. The Riflemen broke into -extended order, and after a very smart skirmish, drove the enemy -into a further jungle. Here Dr. Reade had a very narrow escape of -his life, being attacked with great audacity by two of the enemy’s -Sowars immediately in rear of the supports. The rebels broke into -three parties, and so gave the Riflemen some trouble, as they had to -pursue them through jungle so thick that it seemed never to have been -trodden by the foot of man. However, as the enemy had taken refuge in -it, and it seemed impossible then to dislodge them, camp was pitched -about eight o’clock, and the Riflemen rested for the night, weary and -hungry; for they had received only half-a-pound of bread and a dram -of rum till they reached their camp; and they had fought hard and -marched far. - -On the next day orders were given to clear the jungle. Accordingly -Colonel Hill with his Riflemen scoured the whole of the delta, on -which these jungles were situated, to the river’s bank. But the -rebels forded the river, and made good their escape. However, in the -fight of the previous day a number (it is said 200) of them were -killed, and some prisoners taken. - -On the 27th, having effected the object of their expedition, they -began their return, and marched eight miles. On the next day they -marched the same distance to Hureeha, having recrossed the Gogra at -a different point, where the water was deeper and the current very -strong. Some men narrowly escaped drowning, and a bugler (Horton) -saved the lives of three men. It was a difficult and dangerous ford, -and a rifle and two swords were lost. - -On the 29th they marched ten miles to Doobra; on the 30th fourteen -miles; on May 1 twelve miles; and on the next day, after a march of -sixteen miles, arrived at Nanparah. - -Here they halted during the 3rd. And on the following day one -company, accompanying the Brigadier and the cavalry, returned to -Baraitch. The remaining two companies remained at Nanparah until June -6, when they started on their return to Baraitch. - -I have now to return to the movements of Sotheby’s company, which, -as I have said, started from Baraitch on the 21st to relieve Captain -Fremantle. On that day they marched twelve miles to Bamparah, and on -the next seventeen miles to Gunespore. On the 28th they turned out at -night, the picquets having been fired upon. From the 4th to the 10th -May they patrolled about the neighbourhood. On the 4th they crossed -the Raptee, and marched eight miles; on the 5th marched nine miles -to Pepree Ghât; on the next day thirteen miles to Akouna, where they -halted one day; and returned on the 8th to Pepree Ghât; and on the -10th marched back to their camp at Gunespore. On the 27th half the -company proceeded to Bhinga, but finding no rebels there, returned -to their camp the same evening. On June 2 the force under Captain -Cleveland was broken up, and Sotheby, with the company under his -command, marched for Baraitch, where they arrived on the 3rd, and -joined Head-quarters of the Battalion. - -The Mutiny was now virtually at an end. No enemy remained in the -field, and only a few scattered fugitives skulked in the jungle, and -these not in numbers sufficient to give uneasiness to our posts, -or to necessitate keeping an army on the frontier or in the field. -The 2nd Battalion, therefore, received on June 13 an order to -march towards Lucknow, halting at Byram Ghât for Captain Singer’s -detachment of two companies, which was still watching the fords of -the Raptee. On the 15th they left Baraitch at three in the morning, -arriving at Puckerpore at half-past eight. The next day they were -detained in the morning by heavy rains, but started at half-past four -in the afternoon: the heat was intense, and it was like marching in -a vapour bath, so that the men were much knocked up. The baggage, -too, went astray, and on their arrival at their halting-place about -nine at night, there were neither tents, rations, nor grog. The men -lay down on the damp ground till two in the morning; and at three -resumed their march without refreshment, and at daylight reached -Hissampore; but no baggage appearing, they were obliged to set out in -search of it, and at half-past eight arrived at a place where they -halted, and sent for the baggage, having made a twenty-mile march. -But no sooner was their camp pitched than a violent storm came on, -blowing some of the tents clean away from the ropes, and leaving -their inmates exposed to the full violence of the weather. On the -18th they started again at two in the morning, and arrived at Byram -Ghât at seven. The river was much swollen, and there was no bridge. -Two companies embarked at half-past seven, and attempted to cross; -but the boats missed stays, and did not succeed in getting over. -And as in consequence of the wind it was only practicable to cross -in the morning or evening, they could not make a fresh attempt till -six in the evening, when these two companies got across and landed -at 6.20. The Regiment continued crossing on the 20th; and all got -across on the 21st, Captain Singer’s two companies from Bankee, which -had arrived on the previous day, bringing up the rear. On the 22nd -they marched at half-past four, and encamped beyond Ramnaghur, a -march of six miles, soon after seven. On the next day they proceeded -seven miles. On the 24th seven more, and encamped at Nawabgunge. On -the 25th they were unable to continue their march on account of the -violence of the rain; but on the next day they made a march of ten -miles in the morning, and were ordered to march again at four in -the afternoon; but rain poured down steadily, and continued all the -evening. On the 27th they marched at half-past four in the morning, -and arrived at the Yellow Bungalow at Lucknow at a quarter after -eight. Here they encamped, but were ordered to parade again at four. -It was so hot, however, that this was postponed till five, when they -moved near the Dilkoosha. It had rained every day for some time, the -country they had marched through was very wet, and the ground on -which they now encamped was a perfect swamp. - -Here they remained, furnishing a detachment of three companies to the -Imaumbarah, till early in July, when the men were placed in barracks: -a comfort few if any of them had enjoyed since they left Dublin two -years before. The officers, however, continued in tents. The men now -suffered much from their long exposure to the climate, and it is said -that in August there were 200 men in hospital. But not till their -work was over had they succumbed to fatigue, exposure, or climate. -For twenty months they had been in the field; often bivouacked in -the open; never once in quarters. They had marched 1,745 miles in -161 marches (not including often shifting their camp to distances -less than four miles), and every company-officer--save one who was -lame--had accompanied his men on foot in these marches. They were, -I believe, the only battalion which, from their landing in November -1857 to their cantonment at Lucknow in July 1859, had not at some -time been in quarters; but had kept the field from the date of their -arrival till the last day of the Mutiny. - -Their casualties in that time may now be summed up. - -Of officers, 2 had been killed in action; 4 had been severely -wounded; 2 had died of their wounds; and 2 had died of disease. A -total of 10 officers. - -Of the Riflemen in the ranks there were - - +-------------------------+-----------+---------+----------+-------+ - | | Sergeants | Buglers | Privates | Total | - | +-----------+---------+----------+-------+ - | Killed in action | | | 10 | 10 | - | Wounded severely | 6 | 1 | 24 | 31 | - | ” slightly | | | 29 | 29 | - | Died of wounds | | | 7 | 7 | - | ” disease | 11 | 3 | 118 | 132 | - | Invalided, and not | | | | | - | included in the above | 3 | | 34 | 37 | - | +-----------+---------+----------+-------+ - | Grand total | 20 | 4 | 222 | 246 | - +-------------------------+-----------+---------+----------+-------+ - -There had landed in India, either with the Battalion or by drafts -joining it, up to this period: 44 officers, 61 sergeants, 25 buglers, -and 1,147 men. So that in this campaign nearly one-fourth of the -officers, and a little more than one-fifth of other ranks, were -killed, wounded, or invalided. - - -On October 22 Lord Canning, the Governor-General, made his entry into -Lucknow; on which occasion the Battalion escorted him through the -town, parading for that purpose at three A.M., and returning to their -quarters at nine. - -On the 29th they were inspected by the Commander-in-Chief, Lord -Clyde, on which occasion there was a review and march-past. And on -that evening the Governor-General, accompanied by their old Commander -in the field, Sir Hope Grant, visited and went round their barracks. - -We left the 3rd Battalion at Gonda in December 1858. On January 9, -1859, Head-quarters, with four companies, marched to Murajgunge, -a distance of twenty-five miles; and on the 10th proceeded to the -bank of the Raptee and encamped there. On the next day the Riflemen -crossed the river on rafts, the baggage elephants and camels being -made to wade across, and arrived at Tulsipore in the afternoon. The -object of this march was to take over and escort the guns which -had been taken at the Raptee and previously. Accordingly, on their -arrival at Tulsipore they received from a company of Sikhs three guns -and some treasure. - -After a day’s halt they started from Tulsipore on the 13th, and -recrossing the Raptee arrived at Bulrampore after a fatiguing march -of eighteen miles. On the 14th they proceeded to Cughar, seventeen -miles; and on the next day rejoined the remainder of the Battalion at -Gonda. - -After one day’s halt the Battalion started on the 17th for Agra, -and passing through Secrora, recrossed the Gogra at Byram Ghât on -the 20th. They proceeded to Nawabgunge on the 21st; and on the -23rd arrived at Lucknow. They marched from there on the 25th, and -reached Bunteerah on the 27th, and Cawnpore on the 28th. Thence -they proceeded by daily marches by Chobeepore, Poorah, Urroul, -Mukrundnuggur, Chubramow, Bewar, Shekoabad, and Ferozabad to Agra, -which they reached on February 12, and were there stationed. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[299] Lieutenant-Colonel Green, Captain of a company at Chelsea -Hospital. - -[300] Sergeant William Mansel was appointed Ensign in the 12th Foot, -August 24, 1859. - -[301] ‘London Gazette’ and MS. Narratives of Colonel Green and Mr. -Mansel. - -[302] _i.e._ An expedition, literally, a run. - -[303] It was found afterwards by measurement to be nearly forty feet -wide, and thirty feet deep, with three or four feet of mud at the -bottom. - -[304] ‘ ... Rifle Brigade--Colour-Sergeant Maloney; Private -Etteridge.’ - -[305] Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Sotheby. - -[306] ‘My Diary in India,’ ii. 370. - -[307] Captain G. C. Lane, half-pay. - -[308] Mr. Piper is now Paymaster of the 63rd Regiment. - -[309] This seems to have been called also Sidhonia Ghât. - -[310] _i.e._ blackguards, scoundrels: a name applied by the soldiers -and the loyal to the rebels. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - -I have now to give some account of the Camel Corps, which, as I -have stated, was formed at Lucknow on April 5, 1858, by drafts of -100 men from the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, to which were eventually -added 200 Sikhs. I have mentioned (p. 381) the names of the officers -attached to this corps. The command of it was first proposed to -Lieutenant-Colonel Julius Glyn of the 3rd Battalion; but on his -declining it and preferring to serve with his Battalion, it was -conferred on Major Ross[311] of that Battalion. - -The men were to be mounted each on a camel, with a native driver -to guide the animal. On April 7 they made their first attempt at -camel-riding. The camel is, in fact, rather a difficult animal to -sit, and the effects of this first lesson were rather ludicrous; -the men clinging on in every possible position and appearing most -uncomfortable. On the 8th they had two hours more of this drill, and -the men began to sit much steadier; and this practice was repeated on -the next day. - -On the 10th the Camel Corps marched to the Dilkoosha at 5.30 in the -morning, and encamped there for the completion of the formation of -the Corps, and for camel-riding drill. But the ground on which they -were encamped being found to be unhealthy--eight or ten men of the -3rd Battalion company having sickened--the camp was moved on the 12th -at five in the afternoon to the front of and close to the Dilkoosha. - -The men now made good progress in riding the camels; but with arms -and accoutrements they found it harder to sit the camels, or to sling -or dispose of their rifles. On the 16th Sir Colin Campbell inspected -them, and seemed well pleased at their progress. The Camel Corps were -all this time without a surgeon; and as the men were sickening daily -from the climate, without a regular hospital or medical officer, this -was a serious evil. - -On the 27th they left the Dilkoosha at five in the morning, and -marched about five miles to Jellalabad, where they found mud huts and -plenty of mango trees to shelter them from the sun. - -While here, at about nine in the evening they experienced a dust -storm, accompanied with vivid flashes of lightning. This was followed -by a heavy fall of rain, which cleared and refreshed the atmosphere. - -On the 28th the Corps marched at four in the morning eleven miles to -Bunnee bridge. They halted on the 29th; and on the 30th struck tents -at four in the morning, and marched seventeen miles to Bussarutgunge, -and occupied some out-buildings of a mosque. On this march they -loaded, as rebels were constantly crossing the road. It was found -that the pace of the camels was a little over four miles an hour.[312] - -On May 1 they marched to Cawnpore, fifteen miles, and occupied -cantonments near Wheeler’s intrenchment. They had marched from the -Dilkoosha to Cawnpore with the 200 Riflemen only, and 250 camels. -At the latter place they found 150 camels awaiting them, which made -up the mount to 400; and steps were at once taken to raise the two -companies of Sikhs, of 100 each, to complete the Corps to its full -strength of 400 men. - -While here Major Ross received a letter from Sir Colin Campbell, -saying that the Camel Corps was a _Corps-d’élite_; and that the -officers were to be very carefully picked, as there would be a great -deal of independent command. - -On the 4th they were ordered to march at midnight to Ukburpore, with -stores for Sir Hugh Rose and mortars for the column commanded by -Colonel Maxwell, 88th Regiment. The convoy did not arrive, however, -till about two on the morning of the 5th, when they started and -marched with a long train of hackeries. After proceeding fourteen -miles they halted and pitched tents at eight in the morning. This day -was most fearfully hot, the thermometer reaching 117°. At half-past -eleven at night they struck tents, and marched at midnight. In about -an hour they reached the Rind river and began crossing; but the -convoy and train of hackeries was some two miles long, so that it -was eight o’clock in the morning before all were got over. Then they -continued their march to Ukburpore, about fourteen miles from their -last halting-place, and reached it about 11.30. This day, like the -last, was extremely hot; and as the men did not get in till near -noon, and the rear-guard not till 1.30, they felt the heat extremely. -They encamped on one side of the canal (then dry) in a white burning -plain, without a tree on it, and only some small bushes. - -On the 8th the Camel Corps was taken out at a trot, about two miles. -The men were now beginning to get accustomed to the action of the -strange beasts they bestrode, and they found sitting on them more -easy. - -Up to this time no General Order had been issued for the formation -of the Camel Corps; one unpleasant consequence of which was that -no pay, regimental or otherwise, was issued to the officers or to -the men. They complained much, too, of their native camel-drivers; -a most ruffianly and undisciplined set of men. As an instance of -their ferocity, I may mention that on the 11th one of these men shot -another with his carbine; and not content with thus wounding him, cut -him over the back of the neck with his sword. The health, too, of the -Rifle companies was unsatisfactory; sunstroke and apoplexy carried -off several men; and their loss in the week ending May 12 was ten men. - -On the 13th, striking tents at half-past three in the morning, they -moved their camp about a mile and a half, in the hope of finding a -more healthy situation for it. - -On the 15th Colonel Maxwell, to whose column the Camel Corps was at -that time attached, received a communication from Sir Hugh Rose, -who was then advancing slowly towards Calpee, which was said to be -occupied by 8,000 rebels with six guns. In consequence of this the -Camel Corps was ordered to march in the evening, but was afterwards -countermanded. However, further messages having been received from -Sir Hugh Rose, they were ordered off, and marched on the 16th about -half-past two in the morning. They were to have marched about eight -miles; but as the ammunition carts which the 88th Regiment had with -them were not able to get across a river or nullah, the Camel Corps -halted after a march of two miles and pitched tents. Captain Nixon’s -troop started again at half-past six in charge of the convoy; and -having crossed the river, halted at about five miles and a half from -the starting-place at half-past ten. Major Ross with the remainder of -the Camel Corps came in about two. The whole halted till half-past -four, when they trotted into their camping-ground, where they arrived -by six o’clock. Lieutenant Eyre, who had charge of the convoy of -ninety-five carts of ammunition, got them in with his escort about -seven. The name of this halting-place was Bhogneepore. A good deal -of firing had been heard in the direction of Calpee. They halted on -the 17th, and on the next day the Riflemen of the Camel Corps were -ordered to march at one the following morning, to take a fort about -twelve miles off, in which it was reported that there were fifty or -sixty fanatics; but the order was countermanded in the evening. - -On the 19th a good deal of firing was heard. And the Camel Corps -was ordered to cross the Jumna. They struck tents at half-past six, -but as they were preparing to move off the order was countermanded; -and they halted during the 20th. But Major Ross, with some of his -officers, crossed the Jumna and visited Sir Hugh Rose’s camp. - -The Camel Corps moved at about one on the morning of the 21st, to -join Sir Hugh Rose’s force before Calpee. They crossed the Jumna at -a ford so deep that it was up to the saddles of the camels. After -crossing they joined the 2nd Brigade of the force under Sir Hugh -Rose, and encamped about half-past seven. - -The camp was very inconvenient, especially on account of the -difficulty of getting water. For though they were not far from -the river, yet the ravines which intersected the country and the -steepness of the banks of the Jumna, made it impossible to obtain -water without going two or three miles round. After the Riflemen had -got over, 200 camels were sent back under Lieutenant Eyre, to bring -over part of the 88th Regiment. Two Riflemen died of sunstroke on -this march, for the heat was very great, the thermometer standing -at 117° in the tents. The fort of Calpee, which stands on high -ground, unapproachable from the river, and surrounded on all sides by -ravines and a plain dotted only by a few topes of trees, gave them -an occasional round-shot, just to let them realise that an enemy was -close to them. - -On the 22nd they had just sat down to breakfast, when an order came -that they were to hold themselves in readiness to turn out at a -moment’s notice. That moment soon came; the ‘assembly’ sounded, and -mounting their camels they formed up with the brigade to which they -were attached. In front of them were thousands of rebels advancing. -Soon an officer came up in great excitement, and ordered the two -Rifle companies of the Camel Corps to advance to the right. On doing -so they found the rebels driving before them the picquet, or rather -they had already driven it in, and were almost on some heavy guns -which were in position there. The rebels were steadily advancing and -within a hundred yards. Then the Riflemen jumped off their camels, -and doubling up to where the picquet was, extended as best they -could, and with a ringing cheer went at the rebels. The fire of -musketry was very heavy; and the rebels let the Riflemen get within -eighty yards of them, but then they fled. In this way the Riflemen -went on in pursuit, doubling through the ravines with which the -country is much intersected, and availing themselves of such cover -as there was; but there was very little. In this affair (called -the battle of Goolowlee) the Rifle companies had but three men -wounded, but twenty-five men were disabled by the sun, as was also -one officer, Lieutenant Eyre. For the heat was fearful; and the pace -the Riflemen went at up to the picquet, now charging, then pursuing -the rebels, was very exhausting. Yet, weary as they were, the 2nd -Battalion company of the Camel Corps had to remain on picquet. - -The help of these Riflemen on this occasion was most opportune; for -the enemy had crept up under cover of the ravines to the battery, -which was placed 500 or 600 yards beyond the right of Sir Hugh Rose’s -position; the picquet posted there had given way; and the rebels -would assuredly have had the guns, from which they were not more than -fifty yards distant, and in good cover from a ravine. - -On the 23rd, about two in the morning, ‘rouse’ sounded, and their -camels came up; but they were without orders. After waiting about two -hours a staff officer appeared, who informed them that they ought to -have been with Sir Hugh Rose long before. They mounted their camels -and the staff officer undertook to show them the way; but as he -could not wait he left them to themselves. So proceeding in the dark -as best they could, they happily fell in with Sir Hugh Rose about -daybreak. They made a long circuit to the left, and on arriving at a -well which a cavalry picquet had just deserted, the rebels opened on -them from two guns with a brisk fire of shot and shell; aiming well, -but not hitting any of them. These guns were so well concealed in a -ravine that our artillery could not touch them. They then dismounted -and covered the advance, Captain Nixon’s company forming the reserve. -They kept on advancing and returning the enemy’s fire for some time. -At length, when the rebels saw the skirmishers working round their -right flank, they fled, and the Riflemen, on arriving at Calpee, -about two miles distant, found that the Sepoys had disappeared and -that the place was empty. - -They reached Calpee about ten, and put up in a house till five in the -afternoon, when they marched to their camping-ground; a dusty place, -but with plenty of water: a luxury they had not had for some days. -The force opposed to them was the Gwalior Contingent, the same the -Riflemen had met at Cawnpore; and here, as there, they fought harder -and stood longer than any other enemy they had encountered in India. -They were commanded by Tantia Topee. - -In this action the Riflemen had one sergeant and two privates -wounded, one of them severely. - -In his despatch reporting these engagements, dated, Gwalior, June 22, -1858, Sir Hugh Rose (Lord Strathnairn) writes thus:-- - - ‘The very important service rendered on this occasion by Major - Ross, commanding Camel Corps, requires that I should make - especial mention of the ability and resolute gallantry with - which he led his brave Corps.... Lieutenant Buckley[313] of the - same Corps attracted my attention by the spirit with which his - party attacked and bayonetted rebels; for which I beg to mention - him specially.’ - -On the 24th, being the Queen’s birthday, they paraded at sunrise, -presented arms, and gave three cheers, while the English flag was -hoisted on the fort of Calpee. - -They halted during the next day; and on the 26th they marched at two -in the morning, and moving along through the ravines, reached the -ford of the Jumna by which they had crossed on the 21st, but which -was now (owing to rain on the preceding day) running with a strong -current. Four natives were drowned in crossing. On reaching the other -side they marched to Bhogneepore, which they reached about half-past -eight, having made a march of about fifteen miles; and they rejoined -Maxwell’s column. - -On the 29th they marched to Ukburpore, about sixteen miles, and -encamped in the same tope of trees they had occupied on their march -from Cawnpore to Calpee. - -On the 30th they marched to Suchendee, about fifteen miles, and -arriving at about seven o’clock pitched their camp in a cool and -pleasant place under some trees. - -On the 31st they moved at the usual hour, and reached Cawnpore about -half-past six. They occupied barracks near Wheeler’s intrenchment. - -They halted at Cawnpore for some weeks, during which time they -received orders to equip for fresh service; and Sikhs having now been -enlisted, two companies of the 80th, which had been for a short time -attached to the Camel Corps, now returned to their regiment. The -camel-drivers were also drilled by non-commissioned officers sent -from the Lahore regiments, and gradually became somewhat more like -soldiers and obedient to discipline. The Riflemen were ordered to -draw from Allahabad capes and yellow gaiters, which added somewhat to -their appearance, and very much to their comfort. - -On June 8 they were inspected by Sir Colin Campbell, who expressed -himself well pleased with their appearance, and gave them final -orders for their equipment and completion. He also complimented -them on their conduct at Calpee. They had received up to this time -80 volunteers from Sikh regiments, and 50 Sikh recruits. And 180 -Riflemen were effective. - -It was intended that they should remain at Cawnpore during the -rainy season; but the rains having been unusually late this year, -they received a telegraphic message on July 20, directing them -to be prepared to move at a moment’s notice, as they were wanted -for special service. And on the 22nd they marched at four in the -morning, and encamped about thirteen miles on the road to Allahabad. -On the next day (or rather in the night) they marched at midnight -and made a march of about twenty miles. On the 24th they reached -Futtehpore after a march of fifteen miles; and on the 25th proceeded -to Khaga, about twenty miles. It had rained, and the roads were very -slippery; one camel came down, and the long march had to be gone -over carefully. On the 26th they made a march of sixteen miles. The -rains had now set in, and their camp and their clothes were in a -perpetual state of moisture. On the next day they marched seventeen -miles; and on the 28th reached Allahabad after a march of twenty -miles, and occupied barracks. On the 29th they were inspected by the -Governor-General (Lord Canning) and Sir Colin Campbell, who expressed -themselves well satisfied with their appearance and performances: a -very satisfactory result of the pains they had taken with their drill -and with their drivers while at Cawnpore. - -On the 31st the Camel Corps began crossing the Ganges in boats, -which, with the transfer of the baggage across the river, occupied -the whole day and part of the next, for the Ganges is here about -three miles broad. In this passage two or three camels were lost. - -On August 2 they made a march of eighteen miles, which, being -performed at a jog-trot, was soon got over; yet their tents were not -pitched till eleven o’clock. On the 3rd they proceeded to Gopeegunge, -about sixteen miles. On the next day they made a long march of -twenty-four miles. And on the 5th reached Benares, after a march of -fifteen miles, and encamped on the parade-ground in front of the -cantonments. - -They remained here during the 6th. On the 7th the camels were got -across the river, a slow and difficult operation, as the boats -drifted some three miles down the stream from the strength of the -current. And on the 9th they marched at five in the morning to -the Raj Ghât, a distance of about four miles. On arrival there an -order was received from Colonel Turner, commanding the force on the -Great Trunk road, to send fifty men, with a proportionate number of -officers, to Mohuneea, which was about thirty-seven miles distant, -and to be there by twelve o’clock that night. Captain Newdigate, -Lieutenants Austin and Eyre, were selected for this duty. They -chose the best camels; and, having crossed the river, immediately -started off. They halted for two hours at Noubutpore, twenty-seven -miles south-east from Benares, having travelled at the rate of seven -miles and a-half an hour: a great pace for even a swift camel to -maintain. Remounting, they finished their march at Mohuneea, tired -and wet through. They there found Colonel Turner, who had intended -to start them off immediately for a place six miles farther, and -across country. But a tremendous shower coming on about one o’clock -in the morning (of the 9th), this intention was abandoned, or rather -postponed. Besides, the camels were so tired that they could not have -gone farther without rest. The officers and men, therefore, sought -shelter and repose in carts, or wherever they could find it, till -nine in the morning. They then started, having received some biscuit -and tea; but they soon found the road impassable for the camels. In -two miles they had six casualties, two camels having to be dug out -of the mud. They therefore dismounted, and marched forward, up to -their knees in mud and slush. After proceeding about two miles and a -quarter farther they halted, having information that the enemy, who -had intelligence of their approach, had disappeared. Some cavalry -were sent on to ascertain whether this report was correct, and on -their return in about an hour with information that it was so, the -camel detachment began to retrace their steps. And up to the middle -in water, and with a burning sun beating on their heads, they marched -back to Mohuneea. On their arrival there they had no change of -clothes, so that they spent the rest of the day and night in great -discomfort. - -But at six in the morning of the 10th the remainder of the Camel -Corps came up with their baggage. On the 11th they marched at -half-past two in the morning, and proceeded fifteen miles and a half -to Jehanabad, a large village, about fifteen miles from Sasseram. An -order was received in the afternoon for two officers and fifty men to -be left at this place, as the enemy was expected. Captain Nixon and -Lieutenant Buckley remained with this party, which rejoined the Corps -at the camp of Kurroundea on the 17th. - -On the 12th the Camel Corps started at one in the morning, and -marched twenty miles to Kurroundea, about four miles beyond Sasseram, -where they formed a standing camp, and the Engineers built sheds for -the men. The rebels were expected to cross the Great Trunk road, -and to endeavour to escape into a range of hills about four miles -from Sasseram. The camp stood close under a spur of these hills. -A picquet, consisting of an officer and thirty men, was posted -about a mile from the camp, to watch the road from the north. This -picquet was relieved every third day. Altogether this standing -camp of Kurroundea was a pleasant change for the officers and men; -after their long moving about in the plains, the sight of hills was -refreshing; and the grazing being excellent, the camels enjoyed the -change as much as their riders. - -On the 15th a detachment of the Camel Corps, consisting of -twenty-five Riflemen and fifty Sikhs, under command of Lieutenant -Eyre, marched from Kurroundea at six in the morning, _en route_ for -Shergotty. They proceeded on camels about six miles to Dearee, where -they halted for breakfast. At three in the afternoon they crossed -the river Sone in flat-bottomed boats. It is here about three miles -broad, and the crossing took about an hour and a half. On reaching -the other side they found bullock-waggons awaiting them; into which -the men being placed, four in each, with one walking beside every -waggon as a guard, they proceeded through the night, and arrived at -three in the morning of the 16th at Norungabad, about thirteen miles -from the river. - -They left it again at half-past three in the afternoon, and arrived -at Shergotty about six in the morning of the 17th, where this -detachment continued for some time. - -The Head-quarters of the Camel Corps continued at Kurroundea, -and soon after, on the 20th, an order arrived at noon for every -available man of the Camel Corps to accompany Colonel Turner. -Accordingly eighty Riflemen and some Sikhs under Major Ross started -from Kurroundea at half-past one in the afternoon, and marched about -twenty miles to Nassreegunge on the Sone, where rebels were reported -to have been sent by Oomar Singh to collect revenue. On arrival they -found that 150 rebels had been at Nassreegunge in the morning, but -had quitted it, leaving about twenty men behind in charge of the -place. These were taken quite by surprise, and sixteen were killed; -and two, who were slightly wounded, escaped. The Riflemen bivouacked -near an old indigo plantation. - -In the night a detachment of the 37th Regiment arrived; and in -the morning Colonel Turner started with twenty-five men of the -Camel Corps on four elephants, under Lieutenant Austin, some Sikh -Cavalry, and the party of the 37th. But this party of the Camel Corps -returned to Kurroundea on the 23rd, having only captured two or three -prisoners. The other portion of the Camel Corps marched back from -Nassreegunge to Kurroundea on the 21st. - -On the 25th Lieutenant Jeames, with twenty-five men of the Camel -Corps, marched on foot to Nassreegunge, as the rebels were expected -to return and destroy it. This detachment returned to camp on the -30th. - -On September 3 Lieutenant Scriven was sent with thirty men to join -Colonel Turner at Bikrumgunge, as the troops at that place had been -attacked by the rebels, whom, however, they had driven off. - -On September 5 Major Ross, with 50 of the Camel Corps, two guns, a -few Sikh Cavalry, and 40 of the 37th Regiment, started from the camp -to join Colonel Turner, who was twenty-six miles distant towards -Jugdespore.[314] Their first day’s march was about twenty miles to -Sunjowlee Khas, and on the 6th they reached Bikrumgunge early in -the morning, and effected their junction with Colonel Turner and -the party under Scriven. After halting for breakfast, they paraded -again at half-past ten, and leaving all their baggage under a guard, -proceeded to a village, Surajpore, about five miles off. This was -a large and strong place, and about 500 rebels occupied it. But, -notwithstanding the disparity of the attacking force, they abandoned -it after firing a few shots at the advanced guard of cavalry. The -Camel Corps pursued them as far as Kullanee, but could not come up -with them. And the rebels having disappeared, they returned to Bikrum -in the afternoon, where they halted during the next day. The Riflemen -had a hard day’s marching and skirmishing, sometimes up to their hips -in water. - -On the 8th, Colonel Turner having received intelligence that some -rebels were likely to cross the main road about four miles farther -towards Jugdespore, they started early to intercept them. After -about an hour and a half’s march they came in sight of a large body -of rebels posted in a village on the right. The Camel Corps, the -cavalry, and the two guns started to attack them. But owing to the -rains the roads were deep with mud; the rice fields on each side -were under water, with a thick deposit of mud beneath it, and it was -impossible for camels, or horses, or guns to move rapidly; so that -the rebels escaped before these troops could reach them. Whilst they -were engaged at this work, a party of the rebels made an attack on -Bikrum, and came up within a few hundred yards of the trenches there -thrown up for protection. However, several of them were killed or -wounded, and amongst them the leader of the attack. On receiving -intelligence of Bikrum being assailed, the force in the field fell -back, and pitched their tents there just before dark; having been out -from half-past three in the morning till six in the evening, during -great part of which time the sun was extremely overpowering. - -On the 9th they started about an hour before day on their return, and -marched back ten miles to Nokah, and encamped; and on the 10th, after -a march of sixteen miles, reached their camp at Kurroundea. - -On the 12th Captain Nixon and Lieutenant Jeames, with 20 Riflemen -and 30 Sikhs, were detached to Sunjowlee Khas, and did not rejoin -Head-quarters at Kurroundea till October 26. - -On the 23rd the Camel Corps (forming part of Colonel Turner’s force) -marched to Nassreegunge, where they halted on the 24th. On the next -day they moved to Behta, some miles farther up the Sone, and were -occupied on that day and the 26th in destroying several boats which -the rebels had concealed under boughs of trees and in the mud. On -the latter day Captain Newdigate, with thirty men of the Camel Corps, -was sent to Sukreta, where a rebel Rissaldar, Unjoor Singh, was -said to be. But he had left the evening before, and this detachment -returned to Behta. On the 27th, having intelligence that some rebels -were not far off they marched some distance to Khurona; and a spy -having come in while they were halting for breakfast, and having -reported that the enemy were close at hand, they started in pursuit, -the cavalry taking one direction and the Camel Corps another. The -former, 120 Sikhs, under Mr. Baker, found the rebels in a village, -and by making a feint of retiring, drew them out into the open; -when wheeling round, they attacked them, and succeeded in killing -about 100, all mutinied Sepoys, with small loss to themselves. Their -opponents numbered 700. The Camel Corps came up at the close of this -engagement, but the rebels had then fled so far that it was useless -to pursue them, and they encamped near Suhejne. - -They halted on the 28th to allow supplies to come up from -Bikrumgunge; and on the 29th marched to the westward and south -of Jugdespore, in order to drive the rebels from the surrounding -villages into that place; and in the afternoon came to Kooath, a -village which had been occupied just before by some 300 of the enemy; -but who, on hearing of their approach, had fled in such hot haste -that it was impossible to overtake them. They encamped at Dawuth, -where they halted on the 30th, and were occupied in collecting arms -from the villages in the neighbourhood. During the last four days -they had been exposed to heavy rains. - -On October 1 they moved on to Roopsaugor, about thirty miles north -of Sasseram, whence they moved towards Soombursa. But, as usual, -the enemy fled at the first approach of the Camel Corps, and they -returned to the camp at Roopsaugor. - -And on the 3rd proceeded on their route to two large villages, -Dinareh and Kochus, which were said to be occupied by rebels. They -reached the former on the 4th, after a most fatiguing march, the -country being under water and deep in mud; and on the 5th arrived at -Kochus. Great difficulty was experienced in obtaining information. -The populations of the villages, which in this part of the country -are scattered about at distances of scarcely half a mile, were -evidently friendly to the rebels; and all knowledge of their -whereabouts or of having seen them was persistently denied. Yet it -afterwards turned out that a body of rebels, under a chief they were -in search of, were hiding in a village within a mile of their track. -On arriving at Kochus it was ascertained that the darogah or headman -of the village had been actively collecting supplies for Oomar Singh; -and after pitching camp a visit was made to his house, which was full -of grain. This having been given to the natives, his residence was -burned. But they had no sooner marched from Kochus than Oomar Singh -and his gang, who had been hiding in the high sugar-cane fields, -entered it. - -On the 7th the Camel Corps made a long march, and returned to their -camp at Kurroundea. But their respite from work was not long; for on -the 8th they were ordered to start again, and marched at four in the -afternoon. And after halting at Nokah three or four hours during the -night, reached Bikrumgunge at seven in the morning of the 9th. And -on the next day moved towards Jugdespore; encamping that night at -Deonar, and on the 11th at Sukreta. For the next fortnight the Camel -Corps were on the move, often day and night, to harass the rebels -in the Jugdespore jungles and the Kinsey hills, and to endeavour to -prevent their escape from Jugdespore. - -Thus on the 15th Newdigate started with 13 Riflemen and 13 Sikhs at -a quarter to six for Nurainpore, about nine miles from Sukreta, with -orders to bring in two rebel Zemindars; but he found that they had -escaped. So after burning their houses, he returned to the camp at -Sukreta. - -On the 16th Brigadier Douglas entered Jugdespore, but the enemy -eluded him and escaped. However, on the 18th they were driven out -of the jungle. On the 20th Colonel Turner directed Colonel Ross to -push on with part of the Camel Corps. Taking with him Major Newdigate -and 2 other officers, and 55 Riflemen, he came on the enemy. As -they approached them another body appeared on their right flank -flying before some cavalry. The enemy were in force, upwards of 100 -cavalry and 600 infantry. The Riflemen at once dismounted from their -camels and skirmished up to the village of Sukreta, which the enemy -occupied. Here they had a hard fight; for besides the superiority -of the rebels in numbers, the village, being surrounded by bushes, -formed a strong position; and the rebels, finding they could not -get away, fought better than their usual wont.[315] This fight -lasted for nearly an hour, when the rest of the Camel Corps and of -Turner’s column came up. Among these was Lieutenant Scriven of the -2nd Battalion, who, rushing up to the assistance of his comrades, was -shot immediately. Besides his loss one Rifleman of the 2nd Battalion -was killed and two were wounded severely, of whom one afterwards -died; and of the 3rd Battalion two Riflemen were killed, and one -sergeant and three privates wounded. The Adjutant of the Camel Corps -(not a Rifleman) was also wounded. Of the enemy 70 dead, all rebel -Sepoys, were counted in the village; and two or three times that -number in the surrounding fields. The survivors fled towards the -hills, and being pursued by some Horse under Major Havelock, were -cut up and dispersed. On the next day the Camel Corps proceeded up -the Sone and prevented the rebels crossing to the right bank of that -river. They afterwards returned to their camp at Kurroundea. - -Captain Newdigate, however, was detached with thirty-two Riflemen on -camels, to join Major Havelock’s force, which consisted of about 200 -men of the Military Train, some Sikh Cavalry, and some of the 10th -Foot mounted on ponies. The Riflemen had no baggage. - -On the 21st they marched to Sydha, and after halting there two hours -proceeded to Khooath Khas, where about four in the afternoon they -came on the rebels, who fled at their approach; the Camel Corps -pursued them till after dark, the cavalry cutting up a good many, and -encamped at Sethan. At sunrise on the 22nd this detachment marched by -Suhejne to Jendonee, whence, after a short halt, they proceeded to -Dinareh. They there halted two hours, and on the 23rd reached Kochus, -and thence proceeded to Kyree, where they halted for breakfast. But -intelligence of rebels being in the vicinity being brought in they -started without it. They found the rebels in about three miles, -and on their flying lost trace of them for two or three hours, but -again came upon them near Khurgurh. They pursued them till they -fled across the Great Trunk road about nine miles to the north of -Sasseram. This was the very place where they had been ordered to -drive them across, and where they were to have been intercepted by -the Native Cavalry; but unfortunately these had been deceived by -false intelligence of the rebel movements, and were not in the right -place. The Camel Corps detachment went on to Jehanabad, their camels -being quite exhausted. Here Newdigate found Major Ross with 100 men -of the Camel Corps; and leaving the greater part of his detachment -there he proceeded to Kurroundea with the wearied camels and ten men. - -The Camel Corps were soon again in pursuit of the rebels, who, after -crossing the Great Trunk road, got into some hills above Sasseram. On -the 27th they marched, 120 Riflemen and 80 Sikhs, at half-past twelve -to Akbarpore, near Rotas, where they arrived about ten at night. On -the next day they marched to Khyrwa, where they breakfasted, and in -the afternoon proceeded to Jeelokhur, and encamped; but Captain Nixon -with about half the men went on to Nowadah. This detachment on the -next day proceeded to Jadoonathpore, where they were followed on the -30th by the remainder of the Camel Corps. This place was about fifty -miles from Sasseram, and on the Sone. Their position here was to -guard one of the passes to the hills and to prevent the rebels coming -down. - -On November 3 and 4 the Camel Corps crossed the Sone, the bed of -which is here some two miles broad and fringed with a range of high -hills on each bank. On the 6th they marched to Purtee; on the 7th -to Muktowar; on the 8th towards Kotah Ghât, when, finding rations -running short, and no supplies likely to come up, they returned to -some distance beyond their camping-ground of yesterday. On the 9th -they marched to Pandoochoona; and on the following day recrossed the -Sone to Jadoonathpore, and encamped, sending a detachment to Nowadah. -On September 13 Newdigate was sent on a patrol to Jaca, about seven -miles from the top of the pass through the hills. Incessantly moving -in pursuit of the rebels, the Camel Corps again crossed the river on -the 14th and 15th; marching on successive days to Pipra, Gao Ghât, -Hurdee, and Choopan. Leaving this on the 20th, they recrossed the -river at daylight and marched to Robertgunge, where they arrived at -half-past three in the afternoon, and leaving it again at ten at -night, reached Pannoogunge at two in the morning of the 21st and -encamped. Here patrols reported that the rebels had escaped into -Oude; they therefore turned back to their camp at Kurroundea, where -they arrived on the 30th. They were soon ordered to follow the -rebels; and starting on December 3 in five days arrived at Benares, -where they encamped and halted till the 10th. - -They then marched with orders to join Sir Hope Grant’s column at -Fyzabad. They arrived at Jounpore on the 13th, and proceeded by -Sultanpore to Fyzabad, which they reached on the 20th. Here a letter -from the Chief of the Staff awaited Colonel Ross, directing him to -join Brigadier Barker’s column, about sixty miles north of Lucknow. -They left Fyzabad, therefore, on the 21st, and marched into Lucknow -on the 24th, where they halted for Christmas Day. They marched on the -26th, and encamped about eighteen miles north of Lucknow. The object -of their movement was to watch the right bank of the Gogra, and while -Lord Clyde and Sir Hope Grant were driving the rebels into a corner -between Baraitch and the Nepaul frontier, to intercept any rebels -who might attempt to cross the Gogra. However, on all this march the -Corps was short of camels, many having died in the neighbourhood of -Sasseram, where the climate is said to be very injurious to these -animals. They were therefore ordered to Agra to procure remounts. -They proceeded by Seetapore, Futtehgurh, and Mynpooree to Agra, where -they arrived on January 23, 1859. Having obtained the camels they -required to remount the Corps, they started again on the 26th, under -Brigadier Showers, whose force consisted, besides the Camel Corps, -of two squadrons of the Carabiniers and two squadrons of Irregular -Cavalry. The object of this force was to capture Tantia Topee, who, -with Ferozeshah and a force of some 3,000 or 4,000 horsemen, was -giving trouble to the west and north-west of Agra. On the 27th the -Camel Corps encamped at Bhurtpore. On February 4 they encamped at -Loorkee in the Jeypore district. On the next day they marched at one -in the morning, and reached their camping-ground at eleven. On the -6th they started again at midnight, and arrived at Futtehpore at -half-past eleven, where they halted during the two following days. -Tantia Topee now doubled behind them to the southward, passing by -Nagpore, and with a portion of his followers gave his pursuers the -slip, and it was for some time uncertain in what direction he had -gone. - -The Camel Corps, therefore, leaving Futtehpore on the 9th, moved -southward, marching daily from twenty to thirty miles till the 15th, -when they halted for that day at Burroo. Next day they made a march -of twelve miles; and on the 17th, passing through the range of hills -which runs from north-west to south-east through Rajpootana, arrived -at Ajmeer. In all these marches they started about midnight, often -marching till one or two o’clock the next day; and seldom halting -for a day, and then only because the horses of the cavalry required -rest. From Ajmeer the Camel Corps proceeded to Nusseerabad, where -they halted for two days; and on the 21st marched still southward, -and arrived at Boondee on the 26th. - -Thence inclining to the south-east, they encamped at Barah in the -Kotah district on March 2. They then moved towards Agra to receive -some supplies forwarded from thence, and on the 13th were encamped -at Madhoopoora in the Jeypore district. Thence retracing their steps -and crossing the Chumbul river, they encamped on the 22nd at Etawah, -and on the 29th at Bilowa in the Gwalior district. This country was -full of jungle, of which the rebels well knew how to take advantage; -so that to trace them, or to dislodge them when tracked, was a most -difficult operation. The Camel Corps marched into Goonah on April -7. On the 8th Tantia Topee was captured (by Colonel Meade’s column) -about ten miles from Goonah and four from the camp of the Camel -Corps. Though he did not actually fall into their hands, there is no -doubt that his inexorable pursuit by Brigadier Showers’ force led to -his capture, and so indeed he himself stated. For though reserved and -uncommunicative to the officers, he spoke freely with the men; and -said that had it not been for the incessant chase of Showers’ force, -which had run him to earth, he would have cared little for any other -troops. He admitted that he had been so closely pressed by them that -on one occasion he hid under a bridge they were actually passing over. - -During their few days’ halt at Goonah, Colonel Ross had the -Riflemen’s clothing, which was dilapidated and of many colours from -patches, dyed. - -The Camel Corps halted for a week at Goonah, and left it on the 14th -at four o’clock in the afternoon to look for Ferozeshah, who with -some force was about fifty miles to the south. They came upon him on -the 16th near a village, and killed some of his followers; but the -rebels scattered at once and with Ferozeshah escaped into the jungle. -However, they took nine waggons laden with provisions and eleven -prisoners, whom the Sikhs of the Camel Corps immediately shot. They -then moved to Supree, where Tantia Topee had been hanged on the 15th. -On their arrival there Brigadier Showers left them, and the cavalry -which had hitherto formed part of the column also moved off, so that -the Camel Corps, under Colonel Ross, alone began their march towards -Agra. They proceeded by Kallarus and Gwalior, where they arrived on -the 30th, and reached Agra on May 5, where they went into quarters -for about four months. - -On September 15 they left Agra _en route_ for Saugor, and passing -through Muneeah and Dholpore encamped on the banks of the Chumbul on -the morning of the 17th. Colonel Ross having endeavoured to find a -ford with elephants, but without success, found it necessary to get -his Corps across in boats; a difficult operation, as from the camels’ -dislike to water it is no easy matter to get them into boats. There -were twenty-two boats, most of which held each three, and some few -four camels. The stream was wide and rapid, and the ravines which -border its banks (as they do many of the large rivers of India) had -become water-courses; for much rain had recently fallen. On the -morning of the 18th Colonel Ross took over a party with shovels and -improved the landing-place, which was knee-deep with mud. He then -passed over the two Sikh companies, to find fatigue parties and to -establish a camp. This had to be pitched about two miles from the -river’s bank, as the ravines extend nearly that distance. Before -dark he had succeeded in getting over the camels of three out of the -four troops, besides many baggage-animals. Early on the 19th the -two Rifle companies crossed; by four on that day the whole Corps, -with its baggage, was in camp. Thus, besides the men, 600 camels -were got over in two days, and the baggage, which had to be unloaded -on one bank and loaded on the other. And much time was lost by the -rapidity of the current carrying the boats down-stream. On the 22nd -they arrived at Gwalior, where they halted the next day. On the 26th -they had some difficulty in crossing the Sinde river; for though the -water was not deep the further bank was steep and slippery. On the -27th they encamped at Datia; and on the 28th arrived at Jhansi. On -leaving it on the next day they had to cross the Betwa river, about -six miles’ distance; which, though less troublesome and tedious than -the passage of the Chumbul, was not without its difficulties; and -they encamped about four miles beyond it. - -The Camel Corps arrived at Saugor on October 9. - -The object of the operations now about to be commenced was to hunt -all the jungles from the southward up towards the river Betwa, the -line of which was to be closely watched. Ferozeshah was somewhere to -the east of Saugor at the head of a body of rebels, or rather robbers -and others of the evil classes, and was keeping the district in a -state of unquiet. - -With this view seven small columns were formed, and the command -of one of them, consisting of his own Corps, an Irregular Cavalry -Regiment, and a regiment of Punjaub Infantry, was conferred on -Colonel Ross. Two companies of the Camel Corps, however, under Major -Nixon, were attached to another column. - -Both portions of the Corps marched from Saugor on the 14th, and -Colonel Ross moved to a position about fifty miles from it. The -country through which he was to operate was covered with wild -jungle, which clothed hills of moderate elevation, the valleys being -watered by clear streams. After pursuing the rebels in and through -the jungle, where, from their invariably decamping as soon as the -troops approached, and from their knowledge of the paths, it was -impossible to catch or intercept them, Colonel Ross with his party -reached Dergowah, about seventy miles to the north of Saugor, early -in December. He proceeded to Heerapore on the 3rd, and halted till -joined by Major Nixon with the other portion of the Camel Corps. -These had been attached to a column under Colonel Primrose of the -43rd Light Infantry; and on October 27 fifty men of the Camel -Corps, twenty-five Riflemen and twenty-five Sikhs, under command of -Lieutenant Ramsbottom, were engaged at the village of Mitharden, -where some rebels were killed. The Riflemen on this occasion had not -their camels, and fought dismounted. - -The seven columns employed in scouring the jungle were broken up, and -returned to their quarters; but the Camel Corps remained out still in -pursuit of rebels. - -Leaving a small detachment at Heerapore, the Camel Corps marched on -December 11 to Shahgurh, nine miles, and leaving part of the Corps -there, Colonel Ross with the remainder marched about sixteen miles -further to the banks of the Dessaun river, where he encamped. Here -he was joined by Captain Browne, the Assistant-Commissioner; and on -the 12th, accompanied by him, marched at about seven in the morning. -They had advanced some way when a shot was heard in front, and near a -village about a quarter of a mile distant. Word was also passed from -the front that rebels were in the village. Accordingly they pushed on -with all speed, and soon spied a few mounted and some dismounted men -in the jungle. After proceeding about a mile they came on a riding -camel, belonging to the Assistant-Commissioner. Then the shot heard -was explained: some rebels, headed by a noted miscreant, Dowlat -Singh, had murdered the driver of the camel and the servant of the -Commissioner riding behind him, whom he had sent forward with some -despatches. Colonel Ross requested the Assistant-Commissioner to send -forward a few mounted police, to keep on the track of the rebels, -and to hold them in check till the Camel Corps came up, as these -police could ride faster than the pace of the camels. But they soon -returned, saying that the enemy were too many for them to approach -them. If these men had done their duty the Camel Corps might have -come up with them and caught many of the rebels. As it was, they were -delayed for some time in passing two ravines, the banks of which were -thickly covered with jungle. They followed them for a considerable -distance, but could not come up with them. The Camel Corps proceeded -to Marowra, where they encamped. - -They continued engaged in this jungle warfare, or rather harassing -of the rebels, till April 1860, when, returning to Agra by the same -route by which they had moved to Saugor, they arrived there on April -30. - -During the seven or eight months the Camel Corps were engaged in -this service their duties were most harassing. They marched at -short notices in every direction, wherever and whenever they had -intelligence of an enemy; and almost always without the satisfaction -of finding or engaging one. Often detachments of forty or fifty men -were ordered to mount at a moment’s notice, and to ride thirty or -forty miles as fast as they could, only to find that the enemy they -expected to fight had fled before they approached his lair, or had -scattered into jungle where it was hopeless to pursue. - -Soon after their arrival at Agra they received information that -the Camel Corps was to be broken up. They were disbanded on June -1. The company of the 3rd Battalion joined their Head-quarters at -Agra, where the Battalion was quartered; the company of the 2nd -Battalion proceeded by bullock-cart to Subathoo, where they joined -Head-quarters of the Battalion on June 12. The men of the two Sikh -companies were allowed to volunteer into any native corps they wished -to join. - -Colonel Ross, in alluding to his unsolicited and unexpected -appointment to a Companionship of the Order of the Bath, assumes that -it was meant as a recognition not only of his personal services, -but of those of all who were in the Camel Corps; and adds this high -testimony: ‘And well do they deserve this recognition of their -services. For we had lots of hard, tedious work, and never once all -the time I was in command had I to speak a second time to either -officers or men. Each seemed to take pleasure in doing what he had to -do, and in assisting me in every way.’[316] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[311] Now Brigadier-General John Ross, C.B., commanding Brigade in -Bengal, and lately commanding a Brigade in the Malay Peninsula. - -[312] This walking pace was fast for the camel, whose walk does -not generally exceed three English miles an hour. The Heirie (or -swift camel) can travel, at a trot, eight or ten miles an hour, and -maintain this speed for many hours; but that pace is very rough and -fatiguing to the rider (‘Illustrated Natural History,’ by the Rev. -J. G. Wood, i. 706). We shall see hereafter what long and what rapid -marches were made by the Camel Corps. - -[313] Captain Buckley was killed by the accidental discharge of his -gun, when out shooting November 1868. - -[314] This (Jugdespore on the Sone) is a different place from -Jugdespore in Oude, the scene of the operations of the 2nd Battalion -in April, 1858. - -[315] This affair is also said to have taken place at Nonadee -(‘London Gazette’) or Hoadeh. - -[316] Private letter, January 6, 1861. For this account of the -actions and movements of the Camel Corps I am indebted to the -journals of Captains George Curzon and Eyre; to information from -Captain Austin, and Sergeants Carroll and Walsh; and especially to -the letters of Colonel Ross. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - -Having thus brought down the account of the services of the two -Battalions in India, and of the companies of those Battalions which -formed the Camel Corps, to the end of the Mutiny, I now resume the -account of the movements of the other Battalions, which, in order not -to interrupt the narrative of the operations in India, I had left -aside. - -The 1st Battalion moved from Glasgow to Newcastle-on-Tyne by rail on -September 24, 1858, detaching four companies to Sunderland. - -On October 9 Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Smith, Colonel-Commandant -of the Battalion, inspected it; and after the inspection and march -past in the barrack-square, took them to the open ground near the -barracks, where he put them through several rapid manœuvres. On their -returning to the barracks, forming them in square, he addressed them -as follows: - -‘Riflemen: I have had you out, and have given you some rough -handling; but I find that I cannot take either Colonel Somerset or -yourselves by surprise. I did this to see if the old stuff was still -awake, for I saw that you could go steadily when you marched past in -the square. This is the only Regiment or Battalion in which I took my -place in the ranks. Your assistance at the Cape--in fact, in three -quarters of the globe I have fought with you, and I always found you -worthy of the green jacket. There is no one here who has soldiered -so long as I have--fifty-three years. Your hardships (which I heard -of) in the Crimea; your comrades now in India; your doings in the -Peninsula, when you still wore the green jacket; and, since that, -in all quarters where fighting was to be done; your officers--your -everything, in fact--will never be forgotten.’ He then desired the -men to let him get out of the square; observing that he well knew he -never could get into it if they wished to prevent him. - -The following letter was addressed to Sir Harry Smith by the -Adjutant-General of the Forces: - - ‘Horse Guards, November 2, 1858. - - ‘Sir,--I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your - highly favourable and creditable report for the second period of - the current year upon the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade. - - ‘The General Commanding-in-Chief deems the absence of crime very - remarkable; and desires me to express his satisfaction at your - finding your old Corps so worthy of you; and further requests - that you will assure Colonel Somerset and all the officers that - they have merited His Royal Highness’ warmest commendation. - - ‘(Signed) W. F. FOSTER, D.A.G. - ‘Lieutenant-General Sir H. Smith, Bart., G.C.B., - ‘Commanding Northern District.’ - -Colonel Somerset having been appointed to the Staff, Lord Alexander -Russell became Lieutenant-Colonel, and assumed command of the -Battalion on December 17. - -During the stay of the Battalion at Newcastle, the officers and men -received the Turkish War Medal for service in the Crimea. - - -The 4th Battalion at Chichester, having between January 1 and March -31 received 161 recruits, and 102 volunteers from the Militia, had -attained a strength of 34 sergeants, 18 corporals, 15 buglers, -and 649 privates. On April 19 they proceeded from Chichester to -Shorncliffe, and were quartered in that camp. - -This Battalion was at first armed with the common or long Enfield -rifle; but in June of this year received the short Enfield and sword. - -Having received a further increase of 86 recruits, and 24 volunteers -from Militia regiments, they embarked in August for Malta, having -then a strength of 756 non-commissioned officers and privates. - -The Head-quarters, with eight companies, proceeded from Shorncliffe -to Portsmouth by rail on August 11, and embarked on board the -‘Urgent’ troop-ship, and landed at Malta on the 22nd. - -Two companies embarked at Portsmouth on board H.M.S. ‘Perseverance’ -on the 13th, and reached Malta on August 25. The remaining two -companies forming the Depôt proceeded to Winchester, and were -attached to the Depôt Battalion there. - - -On May 6, 1859, the 1st Battalion was moved by rail from Newcastle -and Sunderland to Portsmouth, where it arrived on the afternoon of -the 7th, and occupied quarters: Anglesey barracks, two companies; -Colewort barracks, two companies; Cambridge barracks, three -companies; Clarence barracks, three companies. - - -The 4th Battalion remained at Malta, moving its quarters in September -from Lower St. Elmo barracks to Fort Ricasoli. - - -On March 27, 1860, the 1st Battalion removed by rail from Portsmouth -to Aldershot, and occupied huts in the North Camp. - -On which occasion the following order was issued by Major-General the -Hon. Sir James Y. Scarlett, K.C.B.: - - ‘Portsmouth, March 26, 1860. - - ‘His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, having ordered the - 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade to be removed from this garrison - and district to Aldershot, Major-General Sir James Scarlett - cannot allow the Corps to quit his command without doing them - that justice which is due to them, in expressing his great - regret in parting with them, and offering his best thanks to - Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Alexander Russell, and the officers and - the men under his command, for the orderly and soldier-like - conduct of the Battalion during the period they have served in - this garrison (excelled by no Corps in smartness in the field - and in quarters). The conduct of both officers and men has been - such as to make their departure felt as a great loss, both in a - military and a social point of view. They carry with them the - best wishes of the Major-General wherever their duty may lead - them; and he believes his feelings towards them are shared by - both the civil and the military members of the garrison and the - district. - - ‘By order, - ‘(Signed) J. C. THACKWELL, A.A.G.’ - -Their old companion-in-arms, Sir Harry Smith, having died in London -on October 12, was succeeded as Colonel-Commandant of the Battalion -by their former Lieutenant-Colonel, Major-General Sir George Buller, -K.C.B. - - -The 2nd Battalion remained at Lucknow till January 3 in this year, -when they marched _en route_ for Delhi by the following route: - - Jan. 3 to Bunteerah 10 miles. - 4 ” Nawabgunge 12 ” - 5 ” Oonao 13 ” - 6 ” Cawnpore 12 ” - -Here they halted until the 19th, when, being relieved by the 52nd, -they marched for Subathoo, to which station their destination was -changed: - - Jan. 19 to Kullianpore 8 miles. - 20 ” Chobeepore 8 ” - 21 ” Poorah 12 ” - 22 ” Urrowl 13·3 ” - 23 ” Meeran-ke-Serai 9·5 ” - 24 ” Goorsuhagunge 13·3 ” - 25 ” Chubramow 14·5 ” - 27 ” Bewar 13·3 ” - 28 ” Sultangunge 14·6 ” - 29 ” Kurrowlee 8·3 ” - 30 ” Mullown 12 ” - 31 ” Eytah 11·1 ” - Feb. 2 ” Bhudwas 12·5 ” - 3 ” Secundra Rao 9·2 ” - 4 ” Akburabad 10·3 ” - 6 ” Allygurh 13·6 ” - 7 ” Somnagunge 14·2 ” - 8 ” Khoorja 13·4 ” - 9 ” Chorla 8 ” - 10 ” Secundrabad 10·3 ” - 11 ” Dadree 10·1 ” - 12 ” Gazeeoodeenuggur 11·4 ” - 13 ” Delhi 12·4 ” - - They halted at Delhi till the 18th, when, resuming their march, they - proceeded to Allypoor 10·6 miles. - Feb. 19 to Raie 10 ” - 20 ” Lursowlee 11·2 ” - 21 ” Sumalka 10·4 ” - 22 ” Paneeput 11·4 ” - 23 ” Gourrunda 9·6 ” - 24 ” Kurnal 11·1 ” - 26 ” Bootanah 10·6 ” - 27 ” Peeplie 8·7 ” - 28 ” Shahabad 13·3 ” - 29 ” Umballa 13 ” - -Leaving the left wing, 5 companies under Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers, -at Umballa for target practice, the Head-quarters marched on March 2 -for Subathoo, where they arrived on the 7th; and where the left wing -joined them on the 30th. The Battalion had thus made a march of more -than 440 miles, from Lucknow to Subathoo. - -Here they remained until December, when, marching in three divisions -on the 4th, 6th, and 12th, they arrived at Umballa on the 8th, -13th, and 16th respectively, and were there stationed for musketry -instruction and target practice. - - -The 3rd Battalion remained at Agra during the whole of this year. - - -The 4th Battalion remained at Malta during this year. - - -In the latter part of this year the Regiment received a cloth shako -of a new pattern, that known by the name of the ‘Albert shako’ being -discontinued. - - -The 1st Battalion left Aldershot by rail on the afternoon of April -9, 1861, for Liverpool, where they embarked for Dublin, which they -reached on the 10th, and landing on the 11th occupied Richmond -barracks. - -On the 29th they marched by route to Naas, and thence on the next day -to the Curragh camp. - -During their stay at the Curragh they marched to Dunamase near -Maryborough; where they encamped, using the ‘_tentes d’abri_’ for the -first time, and returned to the Curragh on the next day. - -On September 17 the Battalion left the Curragh, marching that day -to Naas, and on the next to Dublin, where they re-occupied Richmond -barracks. - -During the time the Battalion was in the garrison of Dublin, a -question arose as to the Castle guard, which is mounted at the -residence of the Lord Lieutenant, when furnished by the Rifle Brigade -carrying a colour. One of the colours of regiments of the line is -‘trooped’ and carried by this guard; but the Rifle Brigade having no -colours, the attempt to make the subaltern for guard carry it was of -course resisted. Sir George Brown, who then commanded in Ireland, -though he had served many years in the Regiment, wished to insist on -the colour being carried. But the officer commanding the Battalion -referred the matter to His Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief; and -in consequence the following memorandum was issued from the Horse -Guards June 10, 1861:-- - - ‘His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief has received - the commands of the Queen to notify that Her Majesty is pleased - to dispense with the use of colours when guards of honour or - guards over the Royal person are furnished by Regiments which do - not ordinarily carry colours. - - ‘By command, - ‘(Signed) J. YORKE SCARLETT, A.G.’ - -The American ship ‘San Jacinto’ having boarded the Royal Mail Packet -‘Trent’ and forcibly removed Messrs. Mason and Slidell, Commissioners -from the Southern Confederate States proceeding to London and -Paris, the Government, having resolved to demand reparation for -this outrage on the British flag, ordered a force to proceed to -Canada for the defence of that country in the event of a war. The -Battalion was therefore ordered on December 4 to hold itself in -readiness for active service, and having been inspected on the 7th -by Major-General Ridley, embarked on the 11th at the North Wall, -Dublin, in two divisions on board the ‘Windsor’ and ‘Trafalgar,’ -under the command of Lord A. G. Russell, for Liverpool. They arrived -there on the following day and were immediately transferred to the -hired steam-ship ‘Australasian.’ Their strength being - - Field-officers Captains Subalterns Staff Staff-Sergeants - 3 10 21 6 5 - - Sergeants Buglers Corporals Privates Total - 38 16 37 738 874 - -At 7 P.M. on December 13 the ‘Australasian’ started, with orders -to make the passage of the St. Lawrence, if possible; which was, -however, doubtful in consequence of the ice in the depth of winter. -They had fair weather till the 23rd, when they sighted Cape Race. -But at midnight it came on to blow a gale, with snow, or rather ice, -falling so thick that it was impossible to see a foot before them. -The ‘Australasian’ continued tacking all the 24th, and at midnight -it was found she was off the southern coast of Anticosti. The -captain now declaring that he was averse to trying to enter the St. -Lawrence in such weather, it was resolved (after consultation with -the commanding officer and the officer of the Royal Navy on board) to -make for Halifax, which, after a dangerous passage between Cape Ray -and St. Paul’s Island, they reached at midday on the 26th. - -During the voyage each man was supplied with warm clothing. - -On December 14 the lamented death of Field Marshal His Royal Highness -the Prince Consort, Colonel-in-Chief, took place at Windsor Castle. -He was succeeded by Field Marshal Lord Seaton; who, though not a -Rifleman, had as colonel of their old comrades of the Light Division, -the 52nd, and as commanding a brigade in the Peninsula and at -Waterloo, fought beside the Riflemen in many actions. - - -The 2nd Battalion returned to Subathoo, marching from Umballa on -March 11 and arriving at Subathoo on the 16th. - - -The 3rd Battalion marched from Agra on March 6 for Bareilly, where -they arrived on the 21st and occupied quarters. - - -The 4th Battalion continued at Malta, changing their quarters from -Fort Ricasoli to Fort Manoel, Valetta, on March 27. - - -By order dated Horse Guards, January 22, 1862, it was intimated that -the Queen “desiring to perpetuate the remembrance of her beloved -Husband’s connection with the Rifle Brigade, and feeling sure that -it will be gratifying to the Corps to have the name of one who, as -its Colonel-in-Chief, took such deep and constant interest in its -welfare, had been pleased to command that it should in future bear -the designation of ‘The Prince Consort’s Own Rifle Brigade.’” - - -The 1st Battalion did not disembark at Halifax, and after -remaining there a week in order to coal the ship, left it in the -‘Australasian,’ on January 1, 1862; and, after encountering another -severe gale and snowstorm in the Bay of Fundy, reached St. John’s, -New Brunswick, on the 3rd at two P.M. and immediately landed, and -occupied quarters in the permanent barracks. The heavy baggage -was left in store at St. John’s; but the Battalion proceeded in -detachments of five officers and about 100 men daily from the 6th to -the 14th. They were conveyed in sleighs: one for the officers, one -for every eight men, and two for rations, ammunition and baggage. The -men received a field ration. Previous to starting they had breakfast -and half their meat; at the midday halt a pint of tea and half the -ration of grog; the remainder of their ration on their arrival at -the halting place for the night. They were dressed in great-coats, -fur caps and mocassins, with the accoutrements outside the coat: the -pouch being in front for the convenience of sitting in the sleighs; -the cape of the great coat being turned up, and tied with a woollen -comforter outside. Over all a blanket with a hole cut for the head as -a ‘poncho.’ - - The first day’s journey was from St. John’s to Fredericton, 60 miles. - The second, Fredericton to Tilley’s Hotel, Dumfries, 29 miles. - The third, Tilley’s to Woodstock, 32 miles. - The fourth, Woodstock to Florenceville, 23 miles. - The fifth, Florenceville to Tobique, 23 miles. - The sixth, Tobique to Grand-Falls, 24 miles. - The seventh, Grand-Falls to Little-Falls, 36 miles. - The eighth, Little-Falls to Fort Ingall, 37 miles. - The ninth, Fort Ingall to Rivière-du-Loup, 42 miles. - -The men were placed at night in such rooms or shelter as the halting -places afforded, lying down on pine branches. Very great hospitality -was manifested by the scattered inhabitants. Owing to the precautions -taken no casualty occurred, save a few slight cases of frost-bite. -One being that of Captain Playne, who, as well as two other officers -who had recently joined from the Battalions in India, specially felt -the extreme cold. - -From Rivière-du-Loup, each detachment proceeded on the following -morning by the Grand Trunk railway to Montreal, where the Battalion -was assembled and occupied the College which had been given up by the -Roman Catholic Bishop for the use of the troops. - -The Head-quarters of the Battalion, consisting of 5 companies, left -Montreal by special train at 8.45 A.M. on January 31, and arrived at -Hamilton, Canada West, at 4.30 P.M. on the succeeding day, and were -received with a perfect ovation by its inhabitants. The left wing -followed, leaving Montreal on February 10 and arriving at Hamilton on -the next day. - -As there were no barracks at Hamilton the Battalion was quartered in -four different stores which had been hired for their occupation. The -overland journey from St. John’s to Hamilton was completed without -the loss of a single man. This is most creditable to the Riflemen, as -numerous agents of the United States offered them many temptations to -desert. - - -The 2nd Battalion continued at Subathoo, sending detachments of -two and three companies at a time to Umballa for musketry training -during the months of December 1861, and January and February of this -year. These having all returned the Battalion was again concentrated -at Subathoo at the end of March, and continued there during the -remainder of the year. - - -The 3rd Battalion continued at Bareilly, detaching one company to -Loohoo Ghât on March 13. - - -The 4th Battalion remained at Malta during the whole of this year. - - -The Colonel-in-Chief, Field Marshal Lord Seaton, died on April 17, -1863, and was succeeded by General the Right Hon. Sir George Brown, -who had, as Lieutenant-Colonel, commanded the 2nd Battalion for -seventeen years. - -By a General Order, dated ‘Horse Guards, September 3, 1863,’ Her -Majesty the Queen, in commemoration of the services of the Rifle -Brigade in Her Majesty’s Indian dominions, was graciously pleased to -command that the word ‘Lucknow’ should be borne on the appointments -of the Brigade. - - -The 1st Battalion remained at Hamilton during this year, its -establishment being reduced on April 1 to-- - - Field Officers Captains Subalterns Staff Sergeants Buglers - 3 12 24 5 58 25 - - Corporals Rank and File - 50 750 - - -On February 2 the 2nd Battalion marched from Subathoo, and arrived at -Delhi on the 20th. - -Three companies, under Captain F. Seymour, marched from Delhi to -Meerut on November 22, and returned to Delhi on December 4. - - -The 3rd Battalion marched from Bareilly on January 15 (the detachment -from Loohoo Ghât having previously rejoined), and formed part of the -Governor-General’s escort at Agra on the 30th, and then marched to -Umballa, where it was inspected by the Commander-in-Chief in India on -March 30; after which it proceeded to Meon Meer, arriving there on -April 16. - -In the latter part of this year some of the tribes on the -north-western frontier, between British India and Afghanistan, -manifested a disposition to be troublesome; they made incursions into -our territory, and pillaged some villages. A force under Sir Neville -Chamberlain was therefore sent up to chastise them. Unfortunately, -the difficult nature of the mountain passes, and the warlike nature -of the tribes occupying these hills, proved insuperable obstacles to -the troops originally sent forward. Reinforcements were required; -and with this object the regiments at some of the adjacent stations -were despatched to the frontier under Sir John Garvock. The 3rd -Battalion was in consequence sent up to occupy the place of one of -these regiments. Accordingly they left Meon on November 25, and -proceeded to Googerat, which they reached on December 1. On the 4th -they arrived at Jhelum, on the 18th at Rawul Pindee, and on the 19th -reached Hoti Murdan, a frontier fort situated beyond the Indus. About -the middle of December Sir John Garvock, in two engagements, had -completely defeated the offending tribes to the north, and had (as -it was supposed) terminated this frontier war. The Riflemen of the -3rd Battalion, therefore, not unnaturally concluded that their long -and rapid march had been, so far as fighting went, to no purpose, and -that they should return without having fired a shot. At any rate, -they expected to eat their Christmas dinner at Hoti Murdan in peace. -But on that very morning of the 25th, at three o’clock, they were -startled by hearing the bugle sound for ‘Orders.’ They were to march -at once for Shubkudder, another of the frontier forts, pushed up, -indeed, to the very border of our north-eastern boundary. The Mohmund -tribe had shown signs of disquiet, and had not long before made an -incursion to Shubkudder, and killed an officer of Irregular Cavalry, -who attempted with a party to cut them off before they could return -to their mountains. The Battalion started at once, and marched on -Christmas Day eighteen miles to their camping-ground at Nowshera. On -the 26th they made a double march of twenty-four miles to Peshawur, -and on the 27th reached Shubkudder, after a march of twenty-one -miles, where they encamped. The Fort of Shubkudder is situated at -the foot of a spur of the Bajour mountains, in a fork formed by the -junction of the Lundye river with the Cabool, and not very far to the -north of the Khyber Pass. - -On the 30th the Mohmund tribes were seen assembling on the low hills -which bound the plain, and advancing in considerable numbers. They -did not, however, on that occasion come down from their mountain -fastnesses; but the spies reported that an attack might be expected, -as they had sworn to engage the force at Shubkudder. - -Accordingly, on January 2, 1864, they were seen from the fort, early -in the morning, descending the mountain paths, and collecting on a -ridge about two miles off. Colonel Macdonell, who was in command of -the force, sent Colonel Ross with a company of Riflemen and one of -Ghoorkas, to occupy a village about 800 yards in front of the fort, -to endeavour to entice them down. They accepted the invitation, and -were soon seen creeping down from the hills in twos and threes; -taking cover under every bank and inequality of the ground. They -opened fire, which mostly whistled over the heads of the Riflemen, -who returned it, probably with better effect. Meanwhile their main -body came down towards our left, and planted their standards on a -mound about 1,000 yards off. Colonel Macdonell, seeing that they were -not disposed to come on, sent a small body of cavalry[317] and some -skirmishers to turn their right. Three guns were sent to the left of -the village and opened on them. They could not stand their fire; the -flags soon disappeared from the mound, and the Mohmunds retreated in -a disordered crowd. Then the remaining companies of the Battalion, -with Ross’s party and the Ghoorkas, formed a long line in extended -order, and with the guns, advanced across the plain, and followed the -retreating enemy over the ridge and to a valley beyond. There the -cavalry charged from the left right into them, and completed their -defeat. The Riflemen gave them a hot fire as they ascended the passes -into their hills. Whilst the cavalry and guns withdrew, the Battalion -retired in alternate lines of skirmishers; but the enemy were so -disorganised and disheartened that they made no attempt to disturb -their retreat. On reaching the plain, the Riflemen closed; and they -reached their camp at dusk. The Mohmunds occupied an extent of some -two miles from right to left, and are supposed to have numbered about -7,000.[318] - - -The 4th Battalion left Malta on September 17, and landed at -Gibraltar on the 21st, where they were inspected on December 18 by -Major-General Sir Robert Walpole, K.C.B., who had so long served in -the Regiment, and under whose command the Riflemen had often fought -in India. - - -The 1st Battalion moved by rail on May 31, 1864, from Hamilton to -Kingston, where they arrived on June 1 and were quartered, seven -companies in Tête-de-Pont barracks, and three companies at Fort Henry. - -During the stay of the Battalion at Kingston the men were allowed -freely to boat on Lake Ontario, restrictions which had formerly -been placed on the troops through fear of desertion being removed -by the commanding officer, in perfect confidence in the loyalty of -the Riflemen. Every company had a boat; and excursions on the lake -and boat races were common among the men. Nor was this confidence -misplaced, no desertions having, by this means, taken place. - -Previous to leaving Hamilton the following Brigade-order was -received:-- - - ‘Toronto, May 28, 1864. - - ‘Major-General Napier cannot allow the 1st Battalion of the P. - C. O. Rifle Brigade to leave his district without conveying to - Colonel Lord Alexander Russell, the Officers, Non-commissioned - Officers, and Privates, his unqualified approbation of the good - conduct of the Regiment, during the time they have been serving - under his command in Canada West. Major-General Napier has often - served with the 1st Battalion, and in bidding them farewell for - the present trusts that he may at some future period have the - Regiment once more under his command. - - ‘By order, - ‘(Signed) J. E. HALL. - ‘Major of Brigade.’ - -On September 8 and 9 the Battalion embarked at Kingston in two -divisions on board the steam-boats ‘Banshee’ and ‘Grecian,’ and -proceeded to Montreal, where they arrived on the 9th and 10th, and -occupied quarters in the Victoria barracks. Where they were inspected -on the 19th by Lieutenant-General Sir W. F. Williams, Bart., K.C.B., -Commanding British North America. - - -Colonel Julius Glyn, C.B., assumed command of the 2nd Battalion -at Delhi on January 18, Colonel Hill having been appointed to the -command of a brigade. - -The Head-quarters marched from Delhi on March 26 to Meerut, where -they arrived on the 29th. The left wing followed on April 1, and -arrived at Meerut on the 4th. - - -We left the 3rd Battalion at the Camp of Shubkudder, after the fight -of January 2. They remained there until the middle of February, when -they moved to Rawul Pindee, where they arrived on the 15th. In about -a month they left Rawul Pindee, and marching by Khairabad and Akorah, -reached Peshawur on the 20th, and there occupied quarters. - -On December 30 they moved to Nowshera, where they arrived on January -1, 1865. - - -The 4th Battalion remained at Gibraltar during the whole of the year. - -In September Whitworth rifles were issued to the men of this -Battalion, forty short Enfields being retained for the use of the -sergeants. - - -The 1st Battalion continued in quarters at Montreal, where on -March 9, 1865, a letter was received, of which the following is an -extract:-- - - ‘Horse Guards, February 15, 1865. - - ‘The resistance of the men of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade to - the great temptations held out to them to desert has elicited the - expression of His Royal Highness’s highest commendation.’[319] - -On May 2 the Battalion embarked at Montreal in the steamboat -‘Europa,’ and proceeded to Quebec; and arriving there the following -day, occupied the citadel. - -The Battalion having been inspected by Major-General the Hon. James -Lindsay, a letter was received, which contained the following -approval:-- - - ‘Horse Guards, August 11, 1865. - - ‘The Duke of Cambridge has received with much pleasure - Major-General the Honourable James Lindsay’s very favourable - account of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, which His Royal - Highness desires may be highly commended, more particularly for - the shooting.’ - - -The 2nd Battalion remained at Meerut during the whole of the year. - - -On January 1 the 3rd Battalion arrived from Peshawur at Nowshera, -and occupied quarters until December 13, when they left it for Rawul -Pindee, where, arriving on the 19th, they occupied quarters. - - -The 4th Battalion embarked at Gibraltar on board the ‘Himalaya’ -troop-ship on July 7 for Canada; and arrived at Point Levis on -the 22nd, where they were encamped, and employed in erecting -fortifications until October; on the 19th of which month they -proceeded to Montreal, and occupied quarters in the Victoria barracks. - - -In this year the Regiment lost its Colonel-in-Chief, Sir George -Brown, G.C.B., who died at Linkwood, Morayshire, on August 27. His -remains were interred in the Cathedral burial-ground at Elgin on the -31st, being borne to the grave by five old Riflemen, who had served -under him. - -He was succeeded by Field-Marshal Sir Edward Blakeney, G.C.B., who -had never served in, nor been connected with the Regiment. - - -The 1st Battalion remained in the citadel of Quebec during the whole -of the year 1866. - -On June 9 a railway-van, containing 2,000 pounds of ammunition, on -its way from Quebec to Kingston, under charge of a sergeant and a -guard of the Battalion, was discovered to be on fire on reaching -Danville Station. It had been ignited by a spark from the engine. The -van was immediately shoved down the line away from the station, and -the alarm given. The people living in the vicinity fled from their -houses, in fear of the explosion. Private Timothy O’Hea of this guard -ran down to the van, forced open the door, removed the covering from -the ammunition, discovered the source of the fire, ran for water, -and extinguished it. A braver or more daring act it is impossible -to imagine. A subscription was immediately set on foot, and a purse -handed to the brave Rifleman; and he subsequently received the -Victoria Cross for this courageous act. - -On October 14 occurred the great fire at Quebec; and the Riflemen -took a very active part in endeavouring to suppress it, to save life, -and to rescue property from the flames. One man of the Battalion, -named William Berry, distinguished himself by rescuing a child from -a house, which the engineers were about to blow up, to prevent the -extension of the fire. The train had been laid; and the fuse was -already burning, when this brave man rushed in, and brought out the -child in safety. For this gallant act Berry was recommended for the -Victoria Cross; and though he did not obtain it, he was specially -mentioned in General Orders issued at Montreal on May 7, 1867. - - -The 2nd Battalion continued at Meerut until November 2, when it moved -_viâ_ Ghazeeabad, to Agra, where it arrived on the 5th, and was -encamped during the durbar held by the Governor-General, Sir John -Lawrence; till December 1 to 5, when it proceeded in detachments, by -rail, to Fort William, Calcutta. - - -The 3rd Battalion continued at Rawul Pindee until the 1st, when -they were employed in the construction of a road from Murree to -Abbottabad. This work continued till November 5, and on the 10th they -returned to Rawul Pindee. - -The Battalion, having been ordered to be increased by 128 privates, -received volunteers from the 34th, 51st, 97th and 98th Regiments. - - -The 4th Battalion, continuing at Montreal, detached three -companies, with the band, to Ottawa on May 21, and they continued -to be quartered there during the stay of His Excellency the -Governor-General. - -On the Fenians from the United States crossing the frontier into -Canada, two companies proceeded from Montreal on June 2 to St. -John’s (Canada East), and were joined there by a company from -Chambly, and were encamped at St. John’s till the 9th; when, being -reinforced by the Head-quarters, consisting of four companies, under -Major Nixon,[320] they proceeded by rail to St. Armand, and were -about to encamp, when Lieutenant Acland,[321] who in the disguise -of a _habitant_ had gone amongst the Fenians, brought word that a -considerable party of them had crossed the Canadian boundary. A small -force, with two guns, to which Captains Norris’[322] and Moorsom’s -companies were attached, started to find them; but the Fenians -seem to have had intelligence of their approach; for although the -guns, escorted by a company of Riflemen, pushed on at a trot, they -disappeared in the wood, or crossed the boundary. On Major Nixon, -with the rest of the force, coming up, he led the skirmishers through -some thick wood and cedar-swamp, and some shots were fired. A few -Fenians, half-starved and partly armed, were taken prisoners. As it -was then near evening, Colonel Elrington ordered the force back to -St. Armand; but Moorsom’s company was sent to Freligsburgh, about 11 -miles from St. Armand. On arrival there, they found that the town -had been sacked by the Fenians, and it was with some difficulty -that the Riflemen obtained any provisions. This company returned -to St. Armand on the 10th, but was again detached on the 15th to -guard a block-house, in which the Fenian prisoners were confined, at -Phillipsburgh, on Lake Champlain. - -The whole of these companies, except one which proceeded to Chambly -for musketry instruction, returned to Montreal on June 19. - - -On January 30, 1867, the 1st Battalion received the Snider -breech-loading rifle. - -The Battalion proceeded on June 10 across the St. Lawrence to -Point Levis, leaving one company at Quebec. They encamped at Point -Levis, and were employed during the summer in the construction of -fortifications at that place. - -On October 7 Head-quarters and two companies moved by rail to Ottawa, -the remaining companies returning to Quebec. On November 20, however, -two of these companies joined the Head-quarters at Ottawa. - - -The 2nd Battalion, having embarked at Calcutta on board H.M. -Troop-ship ‘Jumna,’ proceeded to Suez. And re-embarking at Alexandria -on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Crocodile,’ disembarked at Portsmouth on -November 23, and proceeded at once by rail to Devonport, and occupied -quarters. - - -The 3rd Battalion, being still at Rawul Pindee, on May 1 a working -party of 238 privates, under a field officer, were employed, as -in the preceding year, on the road from Murree to Abbottabad, and -rejoined Head-quarters at Rawul Pindee on November 3. - - -On January 4 the 4th Battalion at Montreal received the -breech-loading short Snider, in place of the Whitworth rifle. - -On September 5 the Battalion left Montreal, and on the next day -embarked on board the Troop-ship ‘Serapis,’and started for England. -They arrived at Portsmouth on the 17th, and disembarked on the 18th, -five companies with Head-quarters proceeding to Chichester, and -three companies to Winchester, whence the Depôt companies joined -Head-quarters. The Battalion made but a short stay in the south -of England; for on December 23 the three companies at Winchester, -with one from Chichester, moved to Weedon. And on the 26th the -Head-quarters and remaining six companies followed, arriving at -Weedon on the next day. Three companies were detached to Leeds, and -one to Northampton. - - -The Head-quarters of the 1st Battalion continued at Ottawa during the -year 1868, where the companies remaining at Quebec joined on June 6. - -In consequence of the proceedings of the Fenians in the United -States, one company of the Battalion proceeded to Coburg on October -1, and was followed by two other companies on the 5th. - - -The 2nd Battalion continued at Devonport during the whole year 1868. - - -On January 10 the 3rd Battalion left Rawul Pindee, and began its -march to Moradabad and Seetapore. The left wing marched into quarters -at Moradabad on March 14, and the right wing and Head-quarters at -Seetapore on the 30th. - -On November 30 the left wing, under Captain Moore, left Moradabad, -and marched into quarters at Dinapore on December 14. - - -The 4th Battalion continued at Weedon, Leeds and Northampton, and -furnished yet another detachment of one company to Warwick on January -14. The company at Northampton, however, joining Head-quarters at -Weedon on February 7. - -On May 21 the Head-quarters and five companies proceeded to Chester, -and were quartered in the Castle; and the detachments from Leeds and -Warwick joining the company left at Weedon formed the left wing, and -were quartered there. - - -The Colonel-in-Chief, Sir Edward Blakeney, died on August 2, and the -Regiment had the honour of receiving as his successor General His -Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who was appointed -Colonel-in-Chief August 3. - - -The 1st Battalion, continuing at Ottawa, on March 1 and 15, 1869, -furnished parties of 200 men each time to dig out the mail-trains -imbedded in snow between Montreal and Ottawa, the _employés_ of the -railway being insufficient for that purpose. The men carried their -rations with them on these occasions. - -On August 5 one company, and on the 17th a second company, proceeded -by steamboat to Montreal on detachment. They were followed by the -remainder of the Battalion in two divisions on September 9 and 10. - -On October 8 His Royal Highness Prince Arthur joined the Service -companies at Montreal, having been appointed Lieutenant on August 3. - - -On the 24th five companies of the 2nd Battalion, under the command -of Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, embarked at Plymouth on board H.M.S. -‘Urgent’ for Portsmouth, and on arrival there marched to Aldershot, -_viâ_ Bishop’s Waltham and Alton. - -And on the 14th the Head-quarters embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship -‘Simoom,’ and arriving at Portsmouth, on the 16th, proceeded by rail -to Farnborough; and marching to Cove Common, there encamped until the -23rd, when they occupied huts in the North Camp at Aldershot. - -On July 14 the Battalion marched to Chobham, forming part of a flying -column, under Major-General Sir Alfred Horsford. They encamped -there that night, and on the next day marched to Bushy Park, and -encamped. Having taken part in a review at Wimbledon, they returned -to Aldershot by the same route, and reached it on the 22nd, having -taken part in a sham fight. - -On August 18 the Battalion, forming part of a flying column under -Colonel Elrington of the 4th Battalion, marched to Bramshill Park, -and encamped there; they remained there during the 19th, and on the -20th returned to Aldershot, having taken part in a sham fight on -Hartfordbridge Flats on their way. On October 1 the Glengarry cap was -taken into wear, in place of the forage cap. - - -On January 7 the right wing and Head-quarters of the 3rd Battalion -left Seetapore; and arriving at Dinapore on the 19th, marched into -quarters on the 20th, and joined the left wing, which had arrived -there from Moradabad in the previous month. - - -On May 17 two companies of the left wing of the 4th Battalion at -Weedon left that station, proceeding by rail to Bicester, and thence -marching by Oxford, Wallingford, and Reading to Aldershot, where -they arrived on the 20th. Two other companies followed on June 2, -proceeding by the same route, and (with the fifth company, which -proceeded by rail, and joined them at Reading) arrived at Aldershot -on the 5th. - -The Head-quarters and right wing of this Battalion marched from -Chester to Birkenhead on May 31; and embarked there on board the -‘Urgent’ Troop-ship for Portsmouth, where they landed on June 4, and -proceeded to Farnborough. From whence they marched to Cove Common, -where the Battalion encamped. - -The Battalion was thus reunited for the first time since its arrival -in England, its detachments having been widely separated; and for -more than a year its two wings having been stationed 120 miles from -each other. - -This Battalion, as well as the 2nd, formed part of the flying column -to Bramshill Park, mentioned above. - -On September 4 the Battalion removed from the camp at Cove Common, -and occupied quarters in the Permanent barracks at Aldershot. - - -On April 1, 1870, the establishment of the 1st Battalion, then, at -Montreal, was reduced to - - Field Officers. Captains. Lieutenants.[323] Staff. Staff-Sergeants. - 4[324] 10 14 3 9 - - Sergeants. Buglers. Corporals. Privates. - 40 21 40 460 - -On July 7 one company proceeded on detachment to Hochelaga. - -On August 30 two companies proceeded, by the steamer ‘Montreal,’ -to Quebec, and embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Tamar’ on the -following morning. And on the 31st the Head-quarters and remaining -companies, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Manningham Buller, -embarked at Montreal on board the steamboat ‘Quebec’; and arriving at -Quebec, went on board the ‘Tamar,’ which started in the evening, and -anchored a few miles down the river at nightfall. On the following -morning she proceeded on her course; but owing to heavy fogs and -bad weather on September 3, did not get clear of the Gulf of St. -Lawrence until the next day. After which the weather was favourable -during the voyage, which ended on the 16th, when the ‘Tamar’ arrived -at Portsmouth about ten A.M. Here orders were received to proceed to -Gravesend, and at three P.M. she started, arriving there at midday -on the 17th. But the Battalion did not disembark until the 19th -(Monday), when they landed, partly in the ship’s boats, and partly -in a small steamer; and proceeded at once to Woolwich, where they -occupied the Royal Marine barracks. - -On August 24 the establishment of the Battalion was increased to 760 -privates, other ranks remaining as before. - - -The 2nd Battalion remained in the North Camp, Aldershot; and on -February 1 was equipped with the valise instead of the knapsack. - -On August 4 the Battalion marched (forming part of a flying column, -under Major-General Dalrymple White) to Bramshill Park, where they -encamped. And, as in the previous year, after remaining the next day, -marched back to Aldershot on the 6th. On the intervening day the -infantry of the column were put through a very pretty field-day by -Colonel Elrington, of the 4th Battalion. - -On August 24 the establishment of this Battalion was raised from 570 -to 870 privates. - -On the 30th the Battalion left Aldershot, and proceeded by rail to -Dover, where they arrived the same afternoon, and were quartered, -Head-quarters and five companies in the South-front barracks, and the -remaining five companies (under Lieutenant-Colonel Walker) in the -Castle Hill fort. - -The following letter was communicated by Major-General Russell, -Commanding at Dover, to Colonel Glyn: - - ‘Horse Guards, August 31, 1870. - - ‘Sir,--I am directed by the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief to - inform you that the Lieutenant-General Commanding at Aldershot - has reported that the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade marched out - with great regularity and sobriety, and maintained the high - character of the Corps whilst in this command. And I am to - request that you will have the goodness to inform the officer - commanding the Regiment of His Royal Highness’ satisfaction at - receiving so favourable a report. - - ‘I have the honour, &c., &c., - ‘(Signed) J. HOPE GRANT, Q.M.G. - - ‘Major-General Russell, &c., &c., - ‘Dover.’ - -On November 12 the left wing of the 3rd Battalion, under the command -of Major Maclean, left Dinapore by rail for Allahabad, followed by -the Head-quarters and right wing, under Colonel Ross, _en route_ for -Bombay; where they arrived on the 21st, and embarked on board H.M. -Troop-ship ‘Euphrates.’ On the 30th they arrived at Aden, and two -companies disembarked at Steamer-point. On December 1 the remainder -of the Battalion disembarked; and they were stationed, two companies -at Steamer-point, two at Isthmus position, and the remainder of the -Battalion in cantonments. - - -The 4th Battalion continued to occupy quarters in the Permanent -barracks, Aldershot. - -On August 4 they formed part of the flying column, with the 2nd -Battalion, which proceeded to Bramshill Park, and returned to -Aldershot on the 6th. - -They moved from Aldershot to Shorncliffe by rail on August 31. - -In November this Battalion was again broken up, four companies -proceeding to Chatham on the 11th, for duty in that garrison. - - -The 1st Battalion continued to occupy the Marine barracks at -Woolwich; and on February 1, 1871, the number of privates was again -altered, being reduced to 560. - -On May 23 the Battalion was inspected by His Royal Highness the Duke -of Cambridge. - -On August 2 they proceeded by march-route to Wimbledon; on the next -day to Hounslow, on the 4th to Chobham, and on the 5th to Aldershot, -where they encamped on Cove Common. On each of these days they had -encamped at their halting-places. - -They remained here till September 12, when (taking part in the autumn -manœuvres of that year) they marched to Chobham ridges; on the 13th -to Chobham; and were employed in constructing field-works on the -14th. On the next day they marched to Pirbright; and after pitching -camp proceeded to the Hog’s-back and remained on outpost duty for the -night. On the 16th they marched to Chobham ridges and remained there -during the next day, Sunday; on the 18th they moved to Chobham and -were encamped there till the 21st, when they returned to Cove Common -and were encamped on their former ground. - -During this time the Battalion daily took part in sham fights, and -encamped at night, and in fact acted as in an actual campaign. - -On September 27 the Battalion marched to Farnborough and proceeded by -rail to Dover, and was quartered in the Shaft barracks. - - -The 2nd Battalion at Dover on February 1 had its establishment -increased from 870 to 920 privates. - -On September 26 the Head-quarters and three companies marched from -Dover to Shorncliffe, and on the 29th three other companies followed, -and the remaining four companies on October 2, and were there -quartered. - - -The Service companies of the 3rd Battalion, under the command -of Major Maclean, embarked at Aden on December 7, on board H.M. -Troop-ship ‘Serapis,’ and arrived at Portsmouth on the 30th. - - -The 4th Battalion continued at Shorncliffe, with four companies at -Chatham; and on July 22 furnished another detachment of a company to -Upnor Castle. - -The Head-quarters and remaining five companies moved from Shorncliffe -to Chatham on August 1; furnishing detachments to the Isle of Grain -and to Gravesend. - - -At the commencement of the year, 1872, the head-dress of the Regiment -was changed; the fur-busby with a bag being substituted for the shako. - -[Illustration: - -Plate V. - -RIFLE BRIGADE, 1871.] - -On the recovery of His Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief from -his dangerous illness in the winter of 1871-2, Sir George Buller, -Colonel-Commandant, addressed the following letter to the Comptroller -of His Royal Highness’s household: - - ‘23 Bruton Street, Berkeley Square, March 5, 1872. - - ‘Sir,--I have the honour by the desire of Lieutenant-Colonel - Manningham-Buller, and the officers of the 1st Battalion Rifle - Brigade, to request you will be pleased to lay before His Royal - Highness the Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifle - Brigade, their most respectful and sincere congratulations on the - recovery of His Royal Highness from His late dangerous illness, - and in which congratulations I beg to add that I most cordially - concur. - - ‘An unavoidable delay has occurred in the transmission of this - address of the officers of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade in - consequence of the letter on this subject having been sent to my - house in London, and not forwarded to me, by error. - - ‘I have the honour to be, - &c. &c. &c., - ‘(Signed) GEORGE BULLER. - ‘General, Colonel-Commandant 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade. - - ‘General Sir William Knollys, K.C.B. - &c. &c. &c.’ - -To which the following gracious reply was received: - - ‘Marlborough House, Pall Mall, March 9, 1872. - - ‘Sir,--I have the honour to inform you that in compliance - with your request, I have laid before the Prince of Wales, - Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifle Brigade, the congratulations - which you have been good enough to forward of Colonel - Manningham-Buller, and the officers of the 1st Battalion Rifle - Brigade, on His Royal Highness’s recovery from His late dangerous - illness, with your own cordial concurrence in them. - - ‘His Royal Highness requests you will accept for yourself and - convey to Colonel Buller and the officers under his command His - sincere thanks for their congratulations, and assures you how - gratifying it is to His Royal Highness to receive them. - - ‘I have the honour to be, - &c. &c. &c. - ‘(Signed) WILLIAM KNOLLYS, - ‘General. - - ‘General Sir George Buller, G.C.B., Colonel-Commandant - 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade.’ - -On May 1 the establishment of the 1st Battalion was further reduced -to 520 rank and file. - -On May 25 the Battalion was inspected by Field-Marshal His Royal -Highness the Duke of Cambridge. - -The Battalion remained at the Shaft barracks, Dover, during the whole -of this year. - - -The 2nd Battalion at Shorncliffe on May 1 received orders to reduce -its establishment from 49 to 47 sergeants; 21 to 19 buglers; and from -850 rank and file to 820. - -On August 16 Head-quarters and eight companies of the Battalion, -under command of Major Stephens (Colonel Glyn having been selected -to command a brigade) proceeded by rail to Aldershot, in order to -take part in the autumn manœuvres. On their arrival they encamped -on Cove Common until the 26th, when they marched to Hazeley Heath -and encamped. On the 27th they marched to Silchester, passing by -Strathfieldsaye, where they marched past the monumental statue of -their great Colonel-in-Chief, Arthur, Duke of Wellington. On the -28th they marched to Greenham Heath, where they halted next day, -and on the 30th proceeded to camp near Wilton. On the following day -they marched to camp at Rushall Park, where they remained till the -commencement of the manœuvres on September 4. - -But on August 24 the two companies of the Battalion remaining at -Shorncliffe, with the women, children and baggage, were conveyed by -train from Shorncliffe to Dover and embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship -‘Tamar,’ and arrived at Kingstown on the 29th, whence they proceeded -on the same day by rail to Birr, there to await the arrival of the -Battalion. - -On September 4 the Head-quarters marched from Rushall Park to -Stapleford, where they encamped until the 8th, during which time -they were employed on outpost duties, and daily took part in -sham-fights at Wishford, Steeple-Langford and Wiley. On the 9th -they marched to Darrington-field. On the 10th they took part in the -defence of the river Avon, and on the 12th were in the march past, -which concluded these autumn manœuvres. - -During this time the Battalion was always encamped, as mentioned in -the autumn manœuvres of the preceding year. They also furnished their -regimental transport, having received waggons and field equipment -at Woolwich, where a party of about 60 men with two officers had -proceeded, after being instructed by the Land Transport Corps. - -On September 13 the Battalion marched from Darrington-field to -Salisbury, and thence proceeded by train to Portsmouth, where they -embarked in the evening, six companies on board H.M. Troop-ship -‘Orontes’ and two on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Jumna,’ for conveyance to -Ireland. - -On the 16th they disembarked at Kingstown and proceeded by train to -Birr, detaching a company and a half to Nenagh; a company to Roscrea; -and half a company to Portumna. - -But the regimental transport marched from the camp at -Darrington-field, by Andover, Basingstoke, Guildford, and Epsom to -Woolwich, where they arrived and handed over equipment on the 25th. -On the next day they marched with the horses to Aldershot, where they -arrived on the 28th and remained till October 12, when they returned -to Woolwich, arriving on the 16th; and after giving up the horses to -the Control department were attached to the Army Service Corps at -Woolwich till the 23rd. They embarked on that day on board the ‘Lady -Eglinton,’ and joined the Battalion on the 28th. - - -The 3rd Battalion, which had arrived from India on December 30, 1871, -landed at Portsmouth on January 1, and occupied quarters in the -Clarence barracks, and was joined by the Depôt companies from Chatham. - - -On February 27, 14 officers and 599 of other ranks of the 4th -Battalion, under command of Colonel Elrington, proceeded from Chatham -to London, to take part in the thanksgiving for the recovery of His -Royal Highness, the Colonel-in-Chief. - -In June Colonel Elrington, who had formed the Battalion, and -commanded it from its formation, retired on half-pay; and Colonel -Ross, C.B., succeeded to the command. - -The Head-quarters with eight companies removed from Chatham to -Blandford by rail, and took part in the autumn manœuvres. - -The Battalion being destined for Ireland, the remaining two -companies embarked at Sheerness on August 24, on board the ‘Orontes’ -Troop-ship, and landed at Kingstown on the 28th, and proceeded to -Richmond barracks. - -At the conclusion of the autumn manœuvres the Head-quarters marched -from camp near Amesbury to Salisbury on September 14, and thence -proceeded by rail to Portsmouth and embarked on board the ‘Jumna’ -Troop-ship. They landed at Kingstown on the 16th and marched to -Dublin, where for the remainder of the year they occupied Richmond, -Ship-street, and Linen-hall barracks. - - -The 1st Battalion proceeded by rail from Dover to Aldershot on June -5, 1873, and were encamped on Rushmoor bottom until July 28, when -they occupied quarters in the Permanent barracks. - -On June 24 the Battalion proceeded by rail to Egham, and thence -marched to Windsor Park and took part in a review before Her Majesty -and the Shah of Persia. On this occasion His Royal Highness the -Colonel-in-Chief marched past in the uniform of the Regiment, at -the head of the Battalion. After the conclusion of the review they -returned by the same route to their camp at Rushmoor which they -reached about ten P.M. - - -The 2nd Battalion remained at Birr, occasionally relieving the -detachments; and in June the establishment was reduced from 820 to -700 rank and file. - -On July 31 the Battalion and the detachments proceeded by rail to -the Curragh for the autumn manœuvres, and encamped. The Battalion -returned to Birr on August 29, replacing the detachment at Portumna, -the others being discontinued. - -On September 3 the Battalion received orders to prepare for service -on the Gold Coast of Africa, in the expedition against Ashantee under -Sir Garnet Wolseley. - -Colonel Glyn having been appointed Adjutant-General of Auxiliary -Forces in Ireland, Lieutenant-Colonel Warren took command of the -Battalion. - -On November 13 they were inspected by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas -Steele, K.C.B., previous to embarkation; and on the next day they -received definite orders to hold themselves in readiness to embark on -any day after the 16th. - -Accordingly, on the 21st, the Battalion proceeded by wings, by -railway from Birr to Cork. The left wing, under the command of Major -J. Plumtre Glyn, started from Birr at three in the morning of that -day; and the right wing, under Major Stephens, at half-past three for -Cork, where they were to embark. Colonel Warren and the Staff of the -Battalion accompanied the left wing. - -The climate of the Coast of Africa necessitating the disuse of their -European clothing, the men and officers were provided with two grey -frocks, a pair of grey tweed trousers, a pair of duck trousers, two -flannel shirts, two flannel belts, a pith helmet with _puggaree_ -attached, and a pair of canvas gaiters. - -On arrival at Cork they embarked on board the Troop-ship ‘Himalaya,’ -and sailed at four in the afternoon. The officers who embarked were:-- - -_Lieutenant-Colonel_ Warren; _Majors_, Stephens and Plumtre Glyn; -_Brevet-Majors_, Nicholl and Sotheby; _Captains_, Slade, Dugdale, -Somerset, Robinson, Cary and H. Lascelles; _Lieutenants_, the -Honourable T. Scott, Stopford-Sackville,[325] Maberly,[326] Taylor, -Hopwood, the Honourable A. Grosvenor, Thompson, (_Adjutant_), -Harrington, Smyth,[325] the Honourable J. Constable-Maxwell,[325] -Prideaux-Brune, Parke and Turnor; _Sub-Lieutenants_, the Honourable -Otway Cuffe, Sherston, the Honourable E. Noel and the Honourable H. -O’C. Prittie. - -Captain Harvey (_Paymaster_), Quarter-master Stanley, Surgeon-Major -Wiles and Surgeon Macrobin. - -The ‘Himalaya’ arrived at Funchal, Madeira, on the 27th. Here they -found in garrison at Funchal one of the regiments of Caçadores which -had been brigaded with them sixty years before in the Peninsula. -After coaling, the ‘Himalaya’ started on the evening of the same day, -and reached St. Vincent on December 1, whence after coaling again, -she started on the 2nd, and arrived at Cape Coast Castle on December -9. Here nothing was ready for their reception; and it was decided -that the ‘Himalaya’ should put to sea again until the end of the -month. Accordingly, on the 13th she started on a cruise. To be thus -for three weeks longer cooped up on board ship under a tropical sun -was a sore trial to the soldiers. However everything was done that -could be done to amuse the men, and relieve the monotony of their -enforced and unexpected cruise. A newspaper was started, readings and -theatricals were extemporised, and a _quasi_ band which had been got -up (the band of the Battalion having been left at the Depôt) played -daily. At last on December 30, the ‘Himalaya’ arrived at Cape Coast -Castle, and the Battalion was allowed to disembark. - -In the meanwhile Captain Robinson had been appointed Brigade-Major -to Brigadier Sir Archibald Alison, commanding a brigade; and Captain -Cope, who had been detailed for the Depôt, started on December 4 in -the ‘Sarmatian’ (which took out the Brigadier and the 42nd Regiment), -and having arrived at Cape Coast Castle on the 17th, awaited the -arrival of the Battalion, and took over Captain Robinson’s company on -its landing. - - -On July 19 the 3rd Battalion left Portsmouth by rail-road for Exeter, -and on arrival there encamped at Duck’s Marsh, about two miles and a -half from that station, until the 21st; on which day they proceeded -by route march to Maiden Down; on the next to Merripit Hill, and on -the 23rd to Yannaton Down, Dartmoor, encamping each day at their -halting-places. They took part in the autumn manœuvres, being in the -brigade commanded by Colonel Lord Alexander G. Russell. - -On the conclusion of the manœuvres, this Battalion was present at the -review and march-past at Roborough Down on August 22, before His -Royal Highness, the Colonel-in-Chief. At its conclusion they marched -seven miles to Plymouth, whence they proceeded at ten o’clock the -same night, _viâ_ Exeter, to Winchester, and arriving there on the -morning of the 23rd, occupied barracks; detaching, on December 13, -three companies to Portsmouth, who were quartered in the Clarence -barracks. - - -The 4th Battalion continued in Dublin; but were concentrated from the -various quarters they occupied, in the Royal barracks in July. - -Having received orders to embark for India, the Depôt and Service -companies were formed, and transfers made and received to complete -its establishment for foreign service (886 non-commissioned officers -and privates). And on October 19 and 20 the Service companies -proceeded by rail to Queenstown and embarked on the 21st in the -‘Jumna.’ They started on the 22nd and arrived at Bombay on November -23. They landed on the 24th and 25th, and proceeded by rail to -Deolalee. - -From Deolalee they moved on November 28 and 30, and following day to -Umballa, and on arrival occupied quarters there. - - -On March 12, 1874, the 1st Battalion proceeded by rail-road from -Aldershot to London, in order to be present at the entry of the -Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. They lined Regent Street during the -progress of the Royal procession, and returned to their quarters at -Aldershot in the evening. - -On May 19 this Battalion was present at a review and march-past -before the Emperor of Russia. The brigade to which they were attached -was composed of three Battalions of the Regiment (the 1st, 2nd, and -3rd), and one of the 60th, and was commanded by Major-General Lord -Alexander Russell, their former Lieutenant-Colonel. - -After taking part in the summer drills of this year, during the month -of June, this Battalion proceeded to the forts on the Gosport side -of Portsmouth harbour, which they occupied from July 3 and 4 until -November 20, when they moved to Winchester, on the embarkation of the -2nd Battalion for Gibraltar, and were there quartered. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[317] Colonel Macdonell had with him at Shubkudder three troops of -the 7th Hussars and some Native Cavalry. - -[318] ‘Colonel Ross’ letters.’ While this sheet is passing through -the press, a letter has been received by the Officer Commanding the -3rd Battalion, informing him that a Medal will be granted for this -action: a tardy recognition of the services of the Battalion, more -than twelve years after the occurrence. - -[319] I may add the following extract from a letter to a former -officer of the Regiment from an officer then serving in America: ‘The -only regiment which did not lose any men by desertion was the Rifles. -Indeed, you have great reason of being proud of your Corps.’ - -[320] Colonel Elrington was in command of the whole force employed. - -[321] Lieutenant F. G. Dyke Acland, died Aug. 24, 1874. - -[322] Captain William Norris, died January 1874. - -[323] Four of the Lieutenants were on Ensign’s pay. - -[324] The Colonel-Commandant is included. - -[325] Volunteered from the 3rd Battalion, to complete the number of -officers required. - -[326] Volunteered from the 1st Battalion. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - -We left the 2nd Battalion on board the ‘Himalaya’ at Cape Coast -Castle. On January 1, 1874, ‘rouse’ sounded soon after midnight, and -the parade was at 1.20 in the morning. The left wing, consisting -of four companies (17 officers and 352 men), landed in surf boats, -the first company reaching the shore at a quarter after three, the -fourth company in about a quarter of an hour afterwards. The whole -disembarkation occupied about forty minutes, and elicited the warm -approval of the Brigadier, Sir Archibald Alison. The companies fell -in immediately on landing, and at once marched for Inquabim, seven -miles, which they reached about half-past six; the Battalion heading -the advance up the country. - -The right wing, consisting of the remaining four companies (16 -officers and 300 men) disembarked at about the same hour on the -morning of the 2nd, and started for Inquabim, which they reached -about half-past five. On this march no men fell out. On their arrival -they found an excellent encampment of bamboo huts, 65 men being in -each hut. - -The left wing had on this day preceded them to Accroful, another -march of seven miles, to which the right wing proceeded on the -3rd, starting at half-past four, and arriving at half-past six, -without a man falling out. On this day the left wing advanced to -Yancoomassie-Fanti. - -On the 4th the right wing, starting at the usual hour of half-past -four, marched to Yancoomassie-Fanti, a distance of about ten miles -and a quarter, where they arrived at eight o’clock. Not a man fell -out; but the climate began already to tell on some of the officers, -two of whom had to be carried during this day’s march. The left wing -had marched to Mansu; and it may suffice, once for all, to state that -they preceded the march of the right wing by one day. - -On the 5th the right wing started at a quarter to four, and after a -fearfully hot march of eleven miles reached Mansu at eight. The road -was hilly, the weather extremely close, and four men fell out during -the march. - -It is well known that it is supposed that horses, mules and animals -of carriage or draught will not live in the climate of this part -of Africa. This idea is perhaps exaggerated. But its existence -caused inconvenience to the mounted officers of the Regiment. Major -Stephens, who was in command of the right wing, was obliged to -content himself with a donkey, which had been brought up to Accroful -by an officer of the Staff. - -From Yancoomassie an officer with the Quarter-master-Sergeant started -somewhat before the companies, to take over the camping ground. The -sergeant started first, but soon returned with a tale that, in the -darkness of the morning and of the woods, he had seen a monstrous -beast which he took for a rhinoceros; that he had at first intended -to shoot it, but had, on the whole, considering the size and probable -fierceness of the animal, determined to retire. However, reinforced -by the officer who was to accompany him, he started again. Both were -determined; both held their revolvers ready to bring down the wild -beast which barred the way. But when they came to the corner at -which they were to find him, they stalked not a rhinoceros,--but the -Major’s charger. - -On the 6th the right wing started at twenty minutes after three, and -after a very cool and pleasant march of eleven miles, reached Sutah. - -On the 7th, having a long march before them, they started at -half-past two in bright moonlight. The road was for the first four -miles very bad, being across swamps, over which a path had been made -of small trees laid down. The cooks had been sent on about six miles -to Faisoowah to prepare breakfast, and the men were glad after this -fatiguing march to find cocoa and biscuit ready for them. Resuming -their march they found the remainder of the road good; the men -marched well, and stepped out cheerfully; and they got into their -camp at Yancoomassie-Assin at seven. The distance was about thirteen -miles. - -The right wing halted at this camp until the 19th. The left wing -also halted for some days at Barracoo, to which they had marched -on the 7th. During this time the Riflemen were engaged in clearing -the bush and in other fatigue duties in the mornings and evenings. -The desertion of the native carriers, the only means of transport, -increased, and threatened serious evil; and the Riflemen were -ordered when on sentry over them to have their rifles loaded, and, -if necessary, to shoot any carriers attempting to desert. Owing to -this halt probably, and the want of interest and activity to the men, -fever and dysentery, the scourges of the climate, began to make their -appearance. - -As it was found that the camp at Barracoo was from its situation -particularly unhealthy, the left wing marched on the 17th to Prahsu, -a distance of seven miles. - -But the right wing did not leave Yancoomassie-Assin till the 19th, -when starting at five in the morning they reached their camp at -Barracoo at half-past eight. They found it the worst camp they had -hitherto occupied; the huts very small, and the position, as has been -above stated, very unhealthy. Seventeen men of these four companies -were sent back, mostly ill with fever, and they found at Barracoo -seven men of the other wing who had been left behind sick. - -On the 20th the right wing marched to Prahsu, and the whole Battalion -was once more reunited. On their march they heard in the front what -they believed to be the report of three cannon, and much wondered -why they should be fired. On arrival they found that these were the -report of three volleys fired over the grave of Captain Huyshe of the -1st Battalion. He had died the day before of fever and dysentery. -The left wing of the Battalion was at Prahsu, and paid the last sad -honours to his remains. - -He was a man of great promise, and a most well-informed as well as -talented officer. The early part of his career had been in the 83rd -Regiment, from which he exchanged into the Rifle Brigade. He had -accompanied Sir Garnet Wolseley in the expedition to the Red River -in 1870, and had written an interesting account of it.[327] He had -entered the Staff College, and after a few months’ study there, had, -on the Ashantee Expedition being determined on, been offered the -post of Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster General of the force, which he -most gladly accepted. He had come to the Gold Coast with Sir Garnet -Wolseley in September. He had started from Cape Coast with diarrhœa, -had exposed himself a good deal to the weather in surveying and -sketching country; and dysentery and fever supervened and carried -him off. His talents, his fund of information, his sweetness of -disposition, and his gentlemanly manners had endeared him to his -brother officers, who have erected a handsome memorial to him in the -Cathedral of Winchester; but to none more than to the writer of these -lines.[328] - -Hitherto the Battalion had found at their camping, or rather halting -stations, huts built of bamboo, and thatched with plantain or palm -leaves. The men’s huts contained about seventy men; those of the -officers were, of course, smaller. In all of them were bedsteads, -constructed of bamboo, keeping the sleepers about two feet from the -ground. - -On the 21st the Battalion crossed a narrow bridge, which had been -made across the Prah, here about eighty yards wide, and marched to -Essiaman, about thirteen miles and a half. Cocoa had, however, been -prepared for them at Attobiasse, about half-way. The morning was very -dark when they started; but it was cooler, the bush much more open, -and the road good. On their arrival, they no longer found the huts -which had been prepared for them on the other side of the Prah. At -Essiaman the men were in long open sheds, covered with palm leaves, -while the officers built themselves shelters of bushes and _tentes -d’abri_, in which they could sling their field-hammocks. - -On the 22nd, starting at half-past five, the Battalion marched -to Accrofoomu, about fourteen miles, which they reached about a -quarter to eleven. Some fourteen men fell out, mostly from fatigue; -for the heat was excessive and the march long. The sheds here were -insufficient to accommodate the Battalion; so that lean-tos had to -be built and tents pitched. As at Essiaman, the officers had to -construct huts for themselves. - -On the 23rd they started at a quarter to six, and marched to Moinsey, -at the foot of the Adansi hills, a distance of about eight miles. It -was a pleasant march, for the road was good, the bush much more open, -and the air cooler. There were no huts nor sheds, and the men had to -build them. - -The next day they started at the same hour, and ascended the Adansi -range. The ascent, which is steep, occupied about half an hour. They -halted at the top, and saw the sun rise over the trees below, while -the mists hanging between the hills had the appearance of lakes. -Resuming their march, they passed through Quisah, a large village -about five miles on the way, deserted by the Ashantees. They arrived -at Foomanah at about nine. This was a considerable town, containing -the house or palace of the King of Adansi. The men and officers were -quartered in the so-called houses, built of yellow baked clay, and -rather resembling ovens with roofs over them. In some of them were -found dead bodies. - -An envoy from the King of Ashantee had here met Sir Garnet Wolseley; -and the Battalion, with the Naval Brigade, paraded at five in the -afternoon, and lined the road north of the town, by which he was to -return to Coomassie, the ranks facing inwards. - -They halted at Foomanah till the 29th. But on the 25th the Battalion -was inspected by Sir Garnet Wolseley, and on the 26th Major Nicholl’s -company formed part of a reconnaissance in force to the village of -Kiang Boassu, about four or five miles to the front, where Ashantee -tom-toms had been heard the day before. The Riflemen on this -reconnaissance were under the command of Major Stephens. They started -at a quarter to six, and returned soon after nine. The Ashantees -fired on them; they returned the compliment, killed two Ashantees, -and made two prisoners, besides burning the village. - -As usual during a halt, sickness again appeared. Captain Slade was -sent down to the coast on the 28th, seriously ill from dysentery, and -Lieutenant the Honourable Thomas Scott took command of his company. - -On the 29th the Battalion paraded at half-past five, and marched to -Ahkankuassie, a distance of about ten miles. Here the men built huts -for themselves; while the officers, or some of them, found houses in -the village. But these were filthy places, and overrun with lizards. -The Battalion furnished an outlying picquet, Major Sotheby’s company, -at Adadwassie, about a mile and a half in advance of Ahkankuassie. -Rations were served out for the following day, which the men were to -carry on the march. - -On the 30th the Battalion moved forward to Insarfu, passing through -Adadwassie, where the picquet joined them. The distance to Insarfu -was only about four miles, and the Riflemen reached it about ten -o’clock, having formed the rear-guard of the European brigade. - -It being generally expected that the Ashantees would make a stand -on the next day, and that there would be a fight, the Captains of -the Battalion were assembled at the Commanding Officer’s quarters, -to receive instructions for the operations of the morrow. It was -explained to them that they were to form the rear face of a hollow -square, in which formation the Commanding General intended to -advance. Nor was this, they were informed, to be considered less the -point of honour than the front, as the tactics of the Ashantees were -to envelop the flanks and fall upon the rear. At evening parade these -orders were explained by the Captains to the Riflemen, who listened -with interest and eagerness to the information. Rations for the -next day were issued. The men were camped under _tentes d’abri_ in -quarter-distance column in a plaintain ground; the officers, some of -them, built huts near their men; some found shelter in the houses in -the village, which, if less filthy than those at Ahkankuassie, were -only a fraction of a degree nearer cleanliness. - -On the 31st the Battalion paraded at twenty minutes after six, and -about half-an-hour afterwards marched from Insarfu. The 42nd led, -the Rifle Brigade forming the rear of the hollow square or order of -battle, which was thus disposed:-- - - +--------------------------------------------------------------+ - | 42nd extended | guns | 42nd extended | - | ---------- | I I | ---------- | - | supports | | supports | - | | | | - | Naval | | Naval | - | Brigade. | | Brigade. | - | | | (Path) | | | - | | | | | | - | | supports | | supports | | - | | | | | | - | | | | | | - | | Staff | | - | | | | - | | 23rd F. | | - | +----------+ | - | Russall’s | | Wood’s | - | Natives. | | Natives. | - | | | | | | - | | | | | | - | | supports | | supports | | - | | | | | | - | | R.B. +----------+ Reserve | | - | | | | - | | (Path | | - | | | | - | | from | | - | ---- ---- ---- | | ---- ---- ---- | - | sections | Insarfu) | in support | - ..................... | | .................... - | | - Rifle Brigade | | in skirmishing order - - -After advancing about a mile and a half, firing was heard in -front, the 42nd having engaged the Ashantees, who were posted on -ground rising from a muddy stream, which flowed through a swampy -ravine. The action commenced about eight; but it was not till more -than an hour and a half later that the Riflemen became engaged. -Then Major Nicholl’s company was sent to the right column, under -Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, and Major Sotheby’s and Captain Cope’s -companies were extended on the east and south-east of Egginassie, -fire having been opened by the enemy from the bush in that direction. -The bush was dense and thick; consisting of great cotton trees, with -a high undergrowth, and interlaced everywhere with creepers, so that -the men could not see more than fifteen or twenty yards before them, -and had often to cut a way with their swords. Sotheby’s left touched -the Bonnymen of the right column, while the connection between his -right and the road or path was kept up by Cope’s company, -who entered the bush, and threw his right back to the road. These -companies were exposed to a heavy fire; and Lieutenant Sherston, one -of Sotheby’s subalterns, was very severely wounded through the right -shoulder. Captain Cary was sent up to support a native company of the -left wing on the left of Egginassie; but on Major Stephens reporting -to Sir Garnet Wolseley that there was a gap between the left and -centre columns, which ought to be filled, Lieutenant Taylor, with -part of Cary’s company, was sent to fill it up; while Captain Cary -himself with the remainder moved towards the left flank, to support -the native troops, which were hard pressed. Captain Lascelles was -directed by Sir Garnet Wolseley to take his company to occupy some -heights to the north of Egginassie, and so to connect Wood’s natives -with the path. He passed through the bush, which had been partially -cleared round the village by the Engineer labourers, and took up this -position, extending three sections, and keeping the fourth in support -under Lieutenant the Honourable E. Noel.[329] - -[Illustration: - - ACTION OF AMOAFUL - 31^{st} Jan^y 1874. - - _Drawn by B. Major C. W. Robinson, Rifle Brigade._ - E. Weller, _Litho._ - _London, Chatto & Windus._ -] - - - _To face Plan of Battle._ - - BATTLE OF AMOAFUL. - - ABOUT 10.30 A.M. - - _DETAILED DESCRIPTION._ - - - CENTRE COLUMN. - - The 42nd carrying the enemy’s main position north of the swamp. - Rait’s artillery in action. 23rd in support. - - _Rifle Brigade._--No. 1 company in action in the clearing to the - east of the path (with the Right Column). No. 3 company leaving - Egginassie to support the 42nd. The remainder in action around - Egginassie. - - - RIGHT COLUMN. - - Naval Brigade engaged in the clearing east of the main path. - (Lieut. Knox’s rockets playing into a hollow to the north-east.) - - Wood’s Regiment in action round Egginassie. - - - LEFT COLUMN. - - Russell’s Regiment has taken the heights west of Egginassie. - - Col. M’Leod, with the Naval Brigade, is cutting his way to try - and connect with the Centre Column. - - - RIFLE BRIGADE COMPANIES. - - 1. Nicholl; 2. Sotheby; 3. Somerset; 4. Dugdale; 5. Lascelles; 6. - Cope; 7. Slade (Scott); 8. Cary. - -Soon afterwards Sir Archibald Alison, who was in the front with -the 42nd, asked for ‘a support of half a Battalion of Rifles.’ The -half-Battalion being, as we have seen, ‘otherwise engaged,’ Captain -Somerset’s company was sent forward by the road or path to him. -Starting at the double, this company advanced to the swamp about half -a mile in front, where Sir Archibald had fought his way with the -42nd. Here Somerset found Sir Archibald Alison, with the detachment -of the 23rd Fusiliers, awaiting his arrival. The company was posted -here to keep up communication with the rear, and to advance when -required. Sir Archibald crossed the marsh with the Fusiliers, and -advanced towards Amoaful. Somerset’s company remained in this -position till nearly the close of the day, keeping communication -with the Fusiliers, who were some hundred yards to their north, and -furnishing occasional escorts to staff officers passing along the -path. Somerset’s men were exposed to the fire of Ashantees, who, -creeping up to the edge of the bush, discharged their pieces at them. -By this fire Lieutenant Smyth was wounded in the thigh, and two -other Riflemen were hit. But the Riflemen soon silenced this annoying -fire; Sergeant Bills especially making good use of his rifle. - -But before Captain Somerset’s company had moved up to the front, -about twenty Riflemen had been detached from it, and attached to -Major Nicholl’s company, which, as we have seen, was on the right, -supporting the Naval Brigade and the native levies under Colonel -Wood. By noon the Ashantees had been driven from the ridge which -they occupied beyond the stream, their camp had been taken, and the -village of Amoaful carried by the 42nd Regiment. The direction of the -combat was now changed; and, as far as the front and left faces of -the square formation were concerned, it had terminated, and the fire, -which had been kept up without cessation from eight in the morning, -was now lulled. But about one it began again, and the brunt of the -fight now fell on the Riflemen; for the Ashantees, pursuing their -usual tactics, swept round and fell on the right flank and rear, -attacking the village of Egginassie on the north-east. - -About one o’clock the fire was renewed. Captain Cope’s company was -sent into the village, and lined one side; and Captain Cary, with a -portion of his company, was sent through Egginassie, and extended to -the east of it. This attack of the Ashantees was most determined; -they came up in numbers, and were shot down by the Riflemen. The din -was tremendous. Besides volleys and file-firing, and the heavy report -of the Ashantee guns, tom-toms, horns, and the yells of the Ashantees -and of the native troops, made the bush and all the surroundings -hideous. In this fire a man of Cary’s company was shot in the face by -a slug fired by an Ashantee in a tree; but two of his comrades soon -brought his assailant down, and killed him. After about an hour of -this work, during which the Ashantees kept up a fire as continuous -and heavy as it had been during any part of the fight, their fire -slackened. Then an advance was made by Major Sotheby’s and Captain H. -Lascelles’ companies, and part of Captain Cary’s. The line advanced -towards the north-east up the valley; and pivoting on the left, -bringing up the right, moved forward to the edge of a clearing, which -had been made by the right column. ‘This was admirably executed. -Skirmishing as quietly and steadily as if on parade, the men of the -Rifle Brigade searched every bush with their bullets, and in five -minutes from the commencement of the advance the Ashantees were in -full and final retreat.’[330] - -The Ashantees having been thus driven from the high ground to the -northward of Egginassie, Captains Lascelles’ and Cary’s companies -were withdrawn; and passing by their left, regained the main path, -and by it the village of Egginassie, which they at once began to -entrench and fortify; the other portion of Cary’s company, which had -been detached under Lieutenant Taylor, being called in to assist in -this work. - -But the day was not over for the Riflemen. Hardly had the firing -lulled about Egginassie, when heavy firing was heard in the rear. A -large force of Ashantees, sweeping round from the west, had attacked -Quarman, about a mile to the south, on the line of communication, -which was held by a detachment of the 2nd West India Regiment, and -a few Europeans, under Captain Burnett, of the 15th Foot. Captain -Dugdale’s company, which formed the rear-guard of the Battalion, was -at once ordered to Quarman, and on the way was somewhat exposed to -the fire of the detachment there, who did not know of his approach -to relieve them, and whose bullets whistled over the heads of the -Riflemen as they passed through some low ground on the way. The -bush had been cleared round Quarman, and Dugdale at once extended -his company, and drove the Ashantees who were attacking it back -into the bush with considerable loss. He then entered the village, -and being senior officer assumed the command. The position was very -important, for it connected the front at Egginassie and Amoaful with -Insarfu. Soon after Dugdale had entered Quarman, Captain Slade’s -company, under Lieutenant the Honourable T. Scott,[331] joined him. -The attack was soon renewed; the Ashantees now not venturing into -the clearing, but firing from the surrounding bush. This attack had -just been repulsed, when Major Sotheby with his company reached -Quarman. He had started from Egginassie, escorting a long train of -hammocks containing wounded, and also some wounded men who were able -to walk, and had passed through Quarman on his way to Insarfu, when -he heard firing in his rear. Colonel Colley, who was passing through -Quarman at this time, directed Captain Dugdale to take his company -out; who, marching about half a mile towards Egginassie, and turning -into the bush, outflanked the Ashantees, and fired several volleys -which effectually drove them off. Major Sotheby, finding that Quarman -was again attacked, turned back when near Insarfu. His bearers flung -down the wounded, and fled into the village. Colonel Colley was -also attacked as he was bringing up a convoy from Insarfu. As soon -as Dugdale knew of this attack, he detached Scott with his company -to help him. The enemy occupied the side of the path and kept up a -heavy fire, wounding two of Scott’s men. However, he kept up the -fight till after six; when, as it was getting dark, Dugdale recalled -him to Quarman, which these two companies occupied during the night. -Thus Dugdale had saved and retained this important post, connecting -the front with Insarfu, whence the supplies were to be drawn, and to -which the wounded were to be escorted.[332] - -Major Sotheby, finding that it was considered of importance that -ammunition should be conveyed to the front from Insarfu, left that -place about eight in the evening with his company, and having some -carriers with him picked up some of the baggage abandoned by the -cowardly bearers, and having parked it at Quarman, reached Egginassie -at eleven at night. Here the Head-quarters and, on Sotheby’s arrival, -six companies of the Battalion were camped. For Somerset’s company -had been about six o’clock withdrawn from the marsh to higher ground -in the rear, and had, with Nicholl’s company, rejoined the Battalion -about eight, while Cary’s, Lascelles’, and Cope’s companies, after -their fight, were employed in clearing the bush about Egginassie. -This was very hard work. The men and officers had no food but -the biscuit and sausage issued the day before, which they carried -in their pockets. But happily there was no hot sun, so that the -Riflemen were able to clear a considerable space, and to throw up a -breast-work. Three officers, Major Stephens, Lieutenants Smyth and -Sherston, and 6 Riflemen, were wounded on this day. - - * * * * * - -The main position of the Ashantees on this day was at the camp on -the ridge north of the stream, which was carried by the 42nd; and -they had other advanced positions and smaller camps on the right and -left of the path by which the troops advanced. Their design seems to -have been, while holding their main position, to turn the flanks and -attack the rear. Directly the advance was made on the main position, -the Ashantees attacked in strength against the left; failing in -this they fell on the right, and made a furious effort to get to -Egginassie and so to establish themselves in rear. Foiled at all -these points, they attempted to capture Quarman, and cut the line of -supplies. This attack was repelled by Captain Dugdale and his company. - -Though the central column forced the Ashantee camp and took the -village of Amoaful, and so had the most conspicuous share in -the events of the day, yet before the fight was over almost all -the troops were engaged more or less; the Riflemen heavily and -successfully before the close of it. - - * * * * * - -Six companies, as I have said, camped at Egginassie, Captain -Lascelles’ company being on outlying picquet; and two occupied -Quarman. - -During the night a panic took place among the native carriers, for a -native sentry on outpost duty having fired his piece about four in -the morning, the carriers were terrified. One officer was awakened -by these cowards jumping over him; another sleeping in a hammock was -overset by them. They knocked down the piled rifles, and were running -in every direction in abject and contemptible terror. At last order -was restored. - -On February 1 the six companies of the Battalion at Egginassie were -extended to line the road from that village to Insarfu (the 42nd -continuing the line from Egginassie to Amoaful) in order to allow -supplies to be brought up from Insarfu to the front. On the same day -the village of Becqua was destroyed by some of the other troops. -In this affair the Battalion was to have been employed; but orders -had been given to Colonel Warren as soon as he had assembled his -six companies at Egginassie to ascertain if there was any force of -Ashantees in the bush near the road between Quarman and Insarfu, and -if they were found, to clear the bush with his Riflemen. No enemy -were there; but in consequence of this delay, the Battalion did not -reach Amoaful till after one o’clock, at which hour the expedition to -Becqua had started. Part of the 42nd were therefore substituted for -the Riflemen. - -On their arrival at Amoaful they remained under arms in the broad -street or central place until the destruction of Becqua was -ascertained. Then they were dismissed; and, after assisting in -burying the dead Ashantees, encamped. - -On the 2nd the Battalion advanced; Lord Gifford and his scouts -preceding with some native troops, Captain Cary’s company guarded -Captain Rait’s guns, and Captain Lascelles’ company was in support. -These formed the advanced guard under Colonel M’Leod. The Battalion -followed, Captain Somerset’s company forming an escort to Sir -Archibald Alison. The other regiments brought up the rear. They -moved off between six and seven o’clock, and soon came up with the -rear of the Ashantees, on whom the native troops immediately opened -fire, but with so little effect that Colonel M’Leod halted them -and brought up Cary’s company to the front. But the enemy made no -stand, merely firing wildly and then flying. The road was strewed -with food, clothing, and weapons, evidencing the precipitate flight -of the enemy. On the march, Cary’s company still leading, the -Riflemen passed through three villages and a camp all deserted by the -Ashantees; though in some fires still burning and cooking materials -at hand showed how short a time they had been abandoned. As a flank -attack was not unlikely, Somerset’s company was extended and searched -the forest paths on each side of the road. Sir Archibald Alison, as -whose escort they had acted, signified through Captain Robinson, -his Brigade-Major, his marked approval of the way in which they had -skirmished, and of the individual intelligence of these Riflemen. - -The Battalion reached Aggemamu, a distance of eight miles, about -three in the afternoon, and halted there. - -But Cary’s and Lascelles’ companies were pushed on about two miles -and a half to the village of Adwabin, which they occupied. - -Sir Garnet Wolseley having resolved to take on his forces to -Coomassie as a flying column, determined to leave his baggage at -Aggemamu, and to make that place a temporary base, through which his -communications might be kept open with the rear. The Battalion was -therefore ordered to find a captain to take charge of this post, and -the duty fell to Captain Cope. At Aggemamu the roads to Coomassie -bifurcate; one leading to the right or east, and one the longer, but -it was reported the best road, forking to the left. This Sir Garnet -resolved to follow. - - ‘The importance of Aggemamu could scarcely be overestimated. - From it two roads led to Coomassie, by the longer of which we - were about to march, disregarding the shorter or easternmost of - the two. It was of course of vital importance that the point at - the junction of the roads should be securely held, as a base - for our flying column, and as a point of support upon which, if - necessary, to fall back.’[333] - -Lieutenants Bell and Hare, with native labourers, were engaged in the -evening of this day, under the superintendence of Captain Home, in -making a clearing round Aggemamu. - -Sir Garnet Wolseley having thus determined to push on to Coomassie -without _impedimenta_, enquired of the soldiers on this evening -whether, as it might take six days to advance to Coomassie and to -return to Aggemamu, and there were but four days’ rations in hand, -they were willing to do the six days’ work on four days’ rations. The -response was a unanimous assent. The General told them at the same -time that they might probably get a fortnight sooner to the coast by -this sacrifice than if they halted at Aggemamu for further supplies -to come up. Eventually one day’s additional ration of preserved meat, -biscuit, and tea, came up. - -On the 3rd the Battalion started at half-past five, Major Nicholl’s -company leading, and on reaching Adwabin, the advanced guard, with -which were Cary’s and Lascelles’ companies which had passed the night -there, were pushed forward. They soon felt the enemy, with whom they -became engaged about half-past eight. The first point at which he -made a decided stand was in a hollow through which flowed a stream, a -tributary of the Ordah. The overloaded guns of the Ashantees carrying -high, they chose positions, as in this case, below the attacking -force. They were in cover behind a large fallen tree from which they -kept up a heavy fire. Nicholl’s company was sent forward to reinforce -the two companies already with the advance. On the road was a gun -with an escort of part of Lascelles’ company and some natives. On the -left of the road was the remainder of Lascelles’ company and Cary’s; -further on the left was Nicholl’s company, part advanced beyond -the stream and part on its left bank. Lieutenant the Honourable T. -Scott’s company was afterwards moved up in support, and these four -companies were hotly engaged at this point, when about noon a flag -of truce came in, and the firing ceased on our side, though the -Ashantees continued their fire and actually wounded a native while -the envoy was being passed to Head-quarters. However, his mission was -fruitless, and he was very soon passed beyond the front. The fire was -then renewed, and eventually slackened after lasting for about five -hours. The advance then pushed on followed by the other troops; but -the progress was slow; for the Ashantees, finding we could beat them -fighting in the bush, now tried ambuscades, and a good many men were -thus wounded. The other troops followed the advanced guard, which -about three o’clock in the afternoon reached the bank of the river -Ordah, here about three feet deep and forty yards wide. Here they -hutted themselves; Captain Dugdales company being on picquet. - -In this affair eight Riflemen were wounded. The men carried their -great-coats, which they found an incumbrance in skirmishing in the -bush, and on the next day they were handed over to the carriers. -Colonel M’Leod, who commanded the advance, praised the manner in -which Cary’s company had fought on this day. - -Some captive Ashantees had stated that 10,000 of the enemy were -around, and every precaution was taken to protect the camp from a -sudden assault. A chain of sentries was posted at twenty yards apart -at about 100 yards from the camp. A tremendous thunderstorm came on -about six in the evening and lasted till two in the morning. The -Riflemen had indeed built huts; but as no banana, plantain, or palm -leaves were at hand to thatch them, they afforded a very insufficient -shelter against the storm. However a cask of rum was brought in about -three, and a ration of that spirit helped to revive the soldiers, -while fires were lit to dry their clothes. - -Meanwhile the Engineers and blue jackets had been busy in making a -narrow bridge over the river, which was ready for their advance in -the morning. - -Accordingly, about seven in the morning of the 4th, the force -crossed the bridge; the advance was led by some native troops; a gun -with some rockets followed, with three companies of the Battalion; -Captain Cope’s commanded in his absence at Aggemamu by Lieutenant -Stopford-Sackville, Captain Slade’s under Lieutenant the Honourable -T. Scott, and Major Sotheby’s. This advance was under the command -of Colonel M’Leod. The rest of the troops followed, the remaining -companies of the Battalion leading. Soon after passing the bridge the -native troops became actively engaged. But as the native soldiers -were firing wildly and ineffectively, Colonel M’Leod halted them, and -passed Sackville’s company through them to the front, and ordered -him to extend to the right of the road. The gun was also brought up -with Scott’s company in support on the road. As the first company was -extending two or three men were wounded. One, Brown, was badly hit in -the side, but refused for some time to go to the rear, and went on -skirmishing. The road or path rose from the river, and after running -for some distance along a ridge with ravines on each side, descended -again, and finally rose to the village of Ordahsu. The gun having -been brought up was fired up the road and into the bush on each side. -It was advanced gradually by the native bearers as ground was gained, -the Riflemen in support lying down on each side of it while it was -in action, and then with it resuming the advance. Colonel M’Leod -had asked for and obtained a reinforcement of three companies of the -Battalion, and Captain Cary’s company was extended in the bush on -the right of Sackville’s. Sotheby’s company was also sent by Colonel -M’Leod into the bush on the left of the road. - -Major Stephens with Scott’s company pushed steadily on by the road, -one section of this company supporting the gun. At last they reached -the clearing which surrounded the village of Ordahsu. ‘Then the -Rifles gave a cheer, and with a sudden rush cleared the way to the -open, and carried the village without a check.’[334] This was Scott’s -company, or part of it; and Lieutenant Harington, with the remainder, -swept round the edge of the clearing, and having thus outflanked the -Ashantees in the village, also rushed into it. The village was held -by fifty or sixty of the enemy, who fought bravely, and were most -of them killed. Major Stephens, with Scott and his portion of the -company, passed through the village and to the edge of the clearing -beyond it where the Riflemen lying down kept up a constant fire on -the enemy. Sackville also brought up his company, one section being -still with the gun, and as Scott’s party had purposely left the road -clear the gun made good practice to the front. It was afterwards -taken forward beyond the village to where Major Stephens, with Scott -and his party, were, and a heavy fire of shell and of rockets was -kept up. The Ashantees here made a most determined resistance, coming -up to the very edge of the clearing and discharging their pieces. -Sackville shot one with one of the men’s rifles. Meanwhile Major -Sotheby was steadily advancing through the bush on the left of the -road, and soon came up on the left of Scott’s company. Here Private -Taylor of Sotheby’s company observed a chief and two other Ashantees -in a tree about fifteen yards from him. He shot one man, and the -other fled into the bush. The chief tried to hide himself in the -leaves, and brought up his piece to his shoulder; but Taylor was too -quick for him, and rushing up, ran him through with his sword before -he could fire. For this act of valour Taylor received the medal for -gallant conduct in the field. - -Cary’s company had at the same time been advancing on the extreme -right, and was engaged in keeping back the Ashantees who were -pressing on to the east of the village. This company was afterwards -moved over to the left of the village, and the ground between it and -Sotheby’s on the extreme left was occupied by Captain Somerset’s -company; which, as well as Major Nicholl’s, Captain Lascelles’, and -Captain Dugdale’s, had been pushed on to Ordahsu. - -It was now after eleven, and a halt was ordered, in order (it is -said) that the baggage might be brought up to the village, and -disposition made for its defence. But the enemy, who had been -held or driven back until then, at once made a fresh and furious -attack, rushing up as before to the very edge of the bush, shouting -and yelling, and opening a very heavy fire. The Riflemen who were -standing in the village or sheltering from the sun under the trees -were at once extended, Dugdale’s company on the right, and Nicholl’s -on the left of the village. - -Sir Archibald Alison, considering that it would take too much time -to withdraw the Riflemen from the bush round the village, and that -as the enemy were making a vigorous attack it would be difficult to -do so, brought up the 42nd to the front by the road the Riflemen had -won, and were still guarding. The leading companies of the Riflemen, -on seeing the 42nd advancing, sprang up, believing that a general -advance was to be made, and were most anxious to push forward; but -they were stopped by Colonel M’Leod, who advanced with his own -regiment, the 42nd. But little more was done. The Ashantees had had -enough of it; and though the 42nd received some fire by which a few -men were wounded, the enemy made no further stand in the front. - -Scott, with his company, followed the 42nd. And Lascelles and -Sackville also advanced. And the firing about Ordahsu gradually -ceased. - -In these five hours’ fighting the Battalion had 17 men wounded. Four -officers were also hit: Major Sotheby in the face, Sackville in the -leg, Scott on the right breast, and Surgeon Wiles. Sergeant-Major -Stretch was also slightly wounded. But these officers, not wishing -to add up a great list of casualties or to parade their wounds, were -not reported as wounded, but went on with their work. One Sergeant -(Sumner) was missing. In the hard fighting between the river and -Ordahsu he had sent two men to the rear with a wounded comrade; and -probably in the gap thus formed in extended order the Ashantees had -rushed in and killed him. He was never afterwards heard of. - -Sir Archibald Alison, in a dispatch dated Ahkankuassie, February 9, -1874, thus speaks of the conduct of the Battalion at Ordahsu: ‘This -was the first day upon which (with the exception of one company) -I had the pleasure of seeing the Rifle Brigade in action under my -orders. It is needless for me to speak of the steadiness and high -discipline of the Rifle Brigade; but I must express my satisfaction -at the way in which they were handled by Lieutenant-Colonel Warren, -and under him by Major Stephens and Major Glyn. - -‘On every occasion when I had an opportunity of seeing it, I had to -remark on the excellent way in which the company officers commanded -their companies.’ - -The Riflemen were much fatigued by their five or six hours’ hard -and incessant fighting under an African sun, and hungry too; for -only a little biscuit had been served out, and few of them had had -a meat ration the day before. But Coomassie was to be reached, and -they pressed on from Ordahsu. Two rivers were forded in the way, -and at the entrance of the town the road was through a marsh, and -was covered with filthy water. At last Coomassie was entered about -half-past five. Many Ashantees were hanging about, watching the -entrance of the English force, but they offered no resistance. -Indeed, their courage did not then seem great. For the Battalion on -marching in had formed quarter-distance column. When they were to -wheel into line, of course they opened out to company-distance on the -leading company. But this simple parade manœuvre struck terror into -the surrounding Ashantees, who ran back as the rear companies retired. - -When the line was formed, Sir Garnet Wolseley rode to the front, -and three cheers were given for the Queen, which added wings to the -flight of the gazing Ashantees. It was now nearly dark, and after -the ceremony, the Riflemen were dismissed, and quarters told off -to them, with orders not to leave their quarters, and to be ready -to turn out at a moment’s warning. A meat ration was served out, -but many of the Riflemen were too tired to cook it. Captain Cary’s -company, made up to a hundred men by Riflemen of Captain Somerset’s -company, formed a guard over the King’s palace. Captain Brackenbury -was the staff officer appointed to accompany Captain Cary with orders -for this guard. ‘Some idea,’ he says, ‘of the size of the building, -and of its irregularity, may be gained from the fact that we posted -thirteen sentries in such positions that they were only just able to -protect all the inlets to the building. After having apparently been -all round the building once, we again marched round to see whether -a sentry could not be economised; and though in one place we were -enabled to remove one, we found that the whole of a long gallery, -evidently the women’s quarters, had been omitted, and we had to place -another at the entrance of this. The guard of 100 men was placed in -the great central court.’[335] - -Captain Dugdale was the prize Commissioner on behalf of the European -troops, and he and the other Commissioners worked all night in -securing what articles of value they could find in the palace, or the -carriers at their disposal enabled them to remove. Here were found, -among other curious and costly articles, the gold masks, of which the -2nd Battalion subsequently purchased and possess one. - -In the course of the night fires broke out in two or three places -in Coomassie, which were kindled by the native followers, who were -prowling about and plundering. Many of the Riflemen were turned out -to assist in putting out these fires, and were engaged from two till -four in the morning in assisting the Engineers to pull down houses -and to extinguish the flames. This was hard work on the soldiers -after their hard fight and march of the day before. One section of -each company was ordered not to take their belts off, but to be -ready to turn out instantly in case of an attack. In the course -of the night the palace guard captured an Ashantee chief, who was -endeavouring to escape with gold dust, nuggets, and jewels about him. - -On the 5th the Battalion paraded at ten o’clock in the street of -Coomassie. The wounded were sent down, escorted by Cope’s company, -under Lieutenant Sackville, and some native troops. - -On the 6th the Battalion paraded at half-past six, and marched out of -Coomassie about an hour afterwards. The palace was to be blown up, -and the town burned. As soon as the Engineers reported that all was -ready at the palace, the guard of the Rifle Brigade was marched off, -with orders to rejoin its Battalion, and orders were given for the -palace to be blown up. - -Heavy rains had now set in. The marsh at the entrance of the town was -knee deep, and the rivers, trifling streams on the march up, were -now wide torrents, five feet deep in mid-channel. The Engineers made -a bridge with a felled tree, but the men had often to wade, almost -waist deep. On arrival at Ordah about three in the afternoon, the -bridge was found to be submerged some two or three feet deep, and the -Riflemen had to wade across it. This was so slow a process that the -rear companies did not get over till six. The Battalion then camped -on the ground it had occupied on the 3rd. - -They started at a quarter-past six on the morning of the 7th, and -marched to Aggemamu. The stream before entering this village had been -bridged over by Captain Cope, and steps had been cut by him in the -steep path ascending from it. - -We left him detailed to the charge of Aggemamu on the 2nd. He had -with him 17 sick or weakly Riflemen, and 15 sick men of the other -regiments, 100 native troops, 50 or 60 labourers, under a sergeant -of Engineers, a few native police, and 5 officers. But the men were -so ill, that had he been attacked, he could barely have mustered 20 -Europeans fit to fight. As soon as the force had marched, he set -to work to make his post defensible. He pulled down the greater -part of the village, keeping only a small square of houses, which -he loop-holed; and built small redoubts and a kind of redan at -the fork of the roads, in which he placed his native soldiers. He -brought the baggage into his enclosure, and, indeed, used some of it -in building his defences. In levelling the outside of the village, -the native labourers most foolishly, and in direct violation of his -orders, set fire to some houses. The fire came raging towards the -intrenchment; but he happily succeeded in making a gap, and thus -saving the stockade and the baggage from the flames. Scouts informed -him that the Ashantees were in force all round, and that he would -most probably be attacked. After the troops had left, he heard heavy -firing in front, and his patrols brought in a prisoner, who stated -that the king would fight at Kasie. - -On the 4th he still continued his work of fortifying his post. No -news came to him from the front, but heavy firing was heard to the -north and north-west. Five prisoners were brought in. On the 5th -he went on with his work, and sent some of his blacks out into the -woods to gather plantains for food, thus utilising them as outposts; -for on the approach of an enemy they would have fled back, and given -the earliest intimation of danger. He was short of rations too, and -was obliged to keep his men on half-rations. He had another cause of -anxiety, besides being without any intelligence from the front: that -though the road was clear to the rear, no convoy of provisions came -up; and he feared the troops on their return from Coomassie might -find Aggemamu unprovisioned. He sent out a reconnaissance of 30 men, -under Lieutenant de Hoghton, 10th Foot, who went three miles along -the right-hand road, and brought in a good deal of corn. They burned -a large village, but saw no Ashantees. - -At last, in the middle of the night between the 5th and 6th, Colonel -Colley came in from the front, ‘in thunder, lightning, and in rain,’ -with intelligence of the proceedings of the last three days. This -was the first communication Cope had received from the front since -the troops left Aggemamu on the morning of the 3rd. It was a most -anxious time; but his exertions were rewarded, for ‘Sir Garnet on his -return complimented Captain Cope much on the measures he had taken -for defence; and added that they were so good that he could not have -wished him better fortune than to have been attacked.’[336] - -‘We found,’ says Colonel Brackenbury, ‘that a perfect fortress had -been constructed by Captain Cope, which would have defied the attacks -of an army. In the execution of his duty he had spared no person and -no thing; and we shall not soon forget the despairing face of one -non-combatant officer, who with tears in his eyes complained that -his baggage had been built into the fortification, and that he was -told he could not have it out.’[337] - -In the same way Mr. Henty observes, ‘I found [Aggemamu] changed -beyond recognition; the whole place, in fact, having been levelled -with the ground, except the principal group of houses, which had upon -the way up been used as Head-quarters. These had been loop-holed, and -formed an interior citadel, which could have been defended by the -garrison had the breast-work round the village been carried.’[338] - -On Colonel Colley’s information that the force was on its way back, -Captain Cope set his people to build huts for the troops. - -On the same day his company came in as escort to the wounded, and on -the 7th proceeded to Biposu, and on the 8th to Ahkankuassie. On that -day he started from Aggemamu with the Naval Brigade; and leaving them -at Amoaful, pressed on and joined his company at Ahkankuassie. This -was a march of about eighteen miles, a long one in that climate. - -On the 11th he crossed the Prah. And on the 12th reached Barracoo -with his convoy, who were thence to proceed by forced marches to -Cape Coast, while he was ordered to take his company down by the -regular marches by which they had come up to this point. Accordingly -he reached Cape Coast at about half-past eight on the morning of -the 19th, and at once embarked in surf-boats, and got on board the -‘Himalaya’ at half-past nine, where his company awaited the arrival -of the Battalion. - -They had moved from the camp at the Ordah as I have stated on the -7th, and marched to Aggemamu; whence, after a few hours’ halt, -Captain Somerset’s company was sent forward as an escort of sick to -Amoaful. But the convoy being large, and the progress slow, night -fell while they were still some miles from Amoaful. And the road -being bad, and the night very dark, great difficulty was experienced -in getting through the forest.[339] - -On the 8th the Battalion left Aggemamu, and proceeding by daily -marches, with the same halting or camping-stages as on going up the -country, reached Cape Coast Castle at six in the morning of the 22nd, -where they embarked immediately on board the ‘Himalaya.’ The whole -Battalion, with its baggage, was on board by half-past seven. The -total strength of the Battalion on embarkation (including Captain -Cope’s company, which was already on board) was 22 officers, and -408 non-commissioned officers and private Riflemen, of whom only 16 -officers and 277 of other ranks were reported as ‘fit for duty.’[340] - -The casualties of the campaign may be thus summarised: - - +-------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+ - | | | Non-comm- | - | | | issioned | - | | Officers | officers and| - | | | privates. | - +-------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+ - | Landed at Cape Coast Castle, fit for duty | 33 | 652 | - | Wounded | 3 | 30 | - | Died of wounds | | 2 | - | Admitted in hospital while on the Coast | 22 | 298 | - | Invalided to England | 3 | 47 | - | Left sick on board the ‘Victor Emmanuel’ | | 42 | - | Left sick at Gibraltar | | 48 | - | Died on passage home | | 3 | - | Landed in England | 27 | 483[341] | - +-------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+ - -Nor is this statement by any means a perfect record of what the -Battalion suffered from this deadly climate. After their return to -England, and even after their arrival at Gibraltar, many officers and -men suffered from the effects of their African campaign, and some men -died. - - * * * * * - -On the 23rd the ‘Himalaya’ sailed for England at six in the morning. - -On March 4 she arrived at St. Vincent, where she remained till the -7th. On the 16th the green clothing was taken into wear again, and on -the next day the ‘Himalaya’ arrived at Gibraltar. Here the Battalion -was welcomed by Major-General Somerset, an old Rifleman, who came -off to see them, and during their stay showed them every attention. -They left Gibraltar on the 20th. These stoppages had been made, and -the rate of speed diminished purposely, in order not to bring the men -from so hot a climate into the coldest portion of an English spring. - -However, the ‘Himalaya’ reached Spithead about half-past two in -the morning of the 26th. She came into harbour in the forenoon; -the crews of the various ships manned the yards and cheered, their -bands playing ‘Ninety-five.’ The Battalion landed at the Dock-yard -Wharf about half-past one, many officers of the 1st Battalion (then -stationed in the Gosport Forts) and some old Riflemen being assembled -to greet them. They marched thence through streets decorated with -flags, and every disposable expression of welcome, to the Governor’s -Green,’ where they were welcomed by Lieutenant-General Lord -Templetown, Commanding at Portsmouth, the Mayor, and others. Thence -they marched to the station, where a repast had been provided for -them. They left by special train for Winchester, where an ovation -awaited them. A welcome from the Mayor and Corporation at the railway -station; streets decorated with every flag, flower, and allusive -ornament that could be put into requisition; and escorts of County -Yeomanry and City Volunteers. - -On the 28th the Battalion was inspected by His Royal Highness the -Duke of Cambridge, who expressed himself much satisfied with the -appearance of the Battalion. After they had marched past and formed -square, His Royal Highness addressed some kind words to them; -congratulating them on their conduct in the field and on their -endurance on the march to and from Coomassie, adding that from what -he then saw of their appearance, he considered that they were even -now fit to go anywhere. - -On the 30th the Battalion proceeded to Windsor, where the troops -which had been employed in the Ashantee expedition were reviewed by -Her Majesty the Queen. The Prince of Wales (Colonel-in-Chief) and -His Royal Highness Prince Arthur met the Battalion at the Windsor -Station, and in a few kindly words the Colonel-in-Chief welcomed the -Battalion home. His Royal Highness marched past at the head of the -Battalion. Sir Archibald Alison also addressed the Riflemen, and -complimented them on the soldierlike qualities they had shown in the -field while under his orders. The Battalion returned to Winchester -that night at nine by rail. - -Sir Archibald Alison issued the following order on resigning command -of the Brigade. After stating that he had amply complimented the -42nd Regiment in an order on board the ‘Sarmatian’ on his return -voyage, he proceeds: ‘Before now taking leave of the other regiments -of the Brigade, he desires to express to Lieutenant-Colonel Mostyn, -commanding 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and to Lieutenant-Colonel -Warren, commanding 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, his appreciation of -the gallantly displayed by their regiments in the field, and his -perfect satisfaction with the excellent conduct which characterised -them in camp and on the line of march. No words of his could convey -more to these regiments than that, in his opinion, they fully -sustained at Amoaful and Ordahsu, and throughout the campaign, the -historical reputation with which they entered it. In resigning his -connection with the Brigade, the Brigadier-General desires to express -his warm acknowledgment of the consistent support he has received -from all ranks.’ - -An order was also received from His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal -Commanding-in-Chief, conveying Her Majesty’s approval of the conduct -of her troops engaged on the Gold Coast. - -On May 16 Sergeant Armstrong and Private Taylor received the Medal -for distinguished conduct in the field from the hands of the Queen at -Windsor; the former for having with some unarmed natives repelled an -attack, and having himself killed two Ashantees on February 2, in the -advance from Amoaful; and Taylor for his gallant conduct at Ordahsu, -which I have already mentioned. - -On May 19 the Battalion, consisting of 20 officers and 493 of other -ranks, left Winchester at half-past five in the morning, by rail -for Aldershot, and took part, with the 1st and 3rd Battalions, in a -review before the Czar of Russia. They returned to Winchester the -same evening, arriving at ten o’clock. - -On October 24 the Battalion was armed with the Martini-Henry rifle. - -They received orders to prepare for embarkation for Gibraltar, and -two companies were selected to form the Depôt. - -On November 7 Captain Dugdale’s company embarked on board Her -Majesty’s Troop-ship ‘Tamar’ for Gibraltar. And on the 16th and 17th -the remaining companies of the Battalion embarked at Portsmouth on -board Her Majesty’s Troop-ship ‘Simoom,’ and sailed for Gibraltar, -where they arrived on the 24th, and on disembarkation were encamped -at the North front until the 28th, when they moved to Buena Vista -barracks, and were there quartered. - -The total strength on disembarkation was 18 officers, 40 sergeants, -40 corporals, 17 buglers, and 585 private Riflemen. - - -The 3rd Battalion moved from Winchester and Portsmouth by rail-road -on March 13, and occupied quarters in the Permanent barracks with the -1st Battalion. They took part in the summer drills held this year in -June and July, and were encamped at Woolmer forest from the 20th to -the 29th of the latter month. During the June drills the Battalion, -with the 1st Battalion, one of the 60th, and a Militia battalion, -formed a brigade commanded by Lord Alexander Russell. - - -The 4th Battalion remained at Umballa during this year, with the -exception that, in consequence of an outbreak of fever at Umballa, -they were moved out under canvas to camp at Jundlee, and afterwards -nearer Umballa, from November 18 to December 12. - -On February 24 and 25 they had been inspected by Major-General Percy -Hill, and on August 8 by Lord Napier of Magdala, Commander-in-Chief -in India. - - -The 1st Battalion continued at Winchester during the year 1875, -moving to Aldershot for the summer manœuvres. - - -The 2nd Battalion remained at Gibraltar during the whole of the year. - - -Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon, commanding the 3rd Battalion, died -near Aldershot on March 31, 1875. He had served in the Regiment -twenty-eight years, and had accompanied the 2nd Battalion to the -Crimea and India, and I have recorded his services and gallantry -at Cawnpore and Lucknow, and with the Camel Corps, and the approval -of those in command which they elicited. He was deservedly and -universally esteemed by his brother officers, and his sudden -premature death excited sincere regret. His funeral on April 5, at -Hale Church, near Aldershot, was attended not only by the officers of -the 1st Battalion, who also sent their band from Winchester, but by -many old Riflemen. He was succeeded in the command of the Battalion -by Lieutenant-Colonel Maclean, who was promoted from Senior Major. - -This Battalion, after taking part in the summer drill and manœuvres -near Aldershot in the months of June and July, including a review -and march-past for the Sultan of Zanzibar before his Royal Highness -the Prince of Wales, left Aldershot on July 27 for Chatham, where it -occupied St. Mary’s barracks, detaching (in November) one company to -Upnor Castle. - - -The 4th Battalion left Umballa on March 3 for Delhi, where it -arrived on the 13th, and formed part of the Governor-General, Lord -Northbrook’s, camp, during the durbar held there. It returned to -Umballa on the 30th. - -On the approach of the visit of the Prince of Wales to India, the 4th -Battalion again marched from Umballa on November 26, and arrived at -Delhi on December 8, in order to take part in the manœuvres to take -place there during the Prince’s stay. While His Royal Highness the -Colonel-in-Chief was at Delhi, the Battalion furnished a personal -guard of honour of 100 men; and on his visit to Agra a similar guard -of honour accompanied him. After the review and march-past on January -12, 1876, the Prince gave a dinner to the men of both his regiments, -the 10th Hussars and the 4th Battalion, on the 16th, and dined at the -mess of the Battalion on the 13th. - - -The 1st Battalion left Winchester by rail-road on June 6, 1876, and -embarking at Portsmouth on board the ‘Simoom’ Troop-ship, started on -the same day for Dublin, where they arrived on the 9th, and occupy -the Royal barracks, having a present strength of - - Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Corporals. Privates. - 33 46 18 40 758 - - -The 2nd Battalion remain at Gibraltar, their strength being - - Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Rank and File. - 33 39 17 624[342] - - -The 3rd Battalion left Chatham by rail-road on July 26, and proceeded -to Shorncliffe camp, where they occupy quarters. Their strength on -July 28, when inspected by Colonel the Hon. F. Thesiger, commanding -that camp (who had served in the Regiment), being:-- - - Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Rank and file. - 30 45 19 528 - - -On the conclusion of the manœuvres and the departure of the Prince -of Wales from Delhi, the 4th Battalion returned on January 27 to -Umballa, where they continue to be stationed; their strength being on -the 1st October - - Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Corporals. Privates. - 34 49 17 40 801[342] - -On October 7, 1876, His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, who -had served upwards of four years in the 1st Battalion as Lieutenant -and as Captain, and had left it in April 1874, took command of that -Battalion at the Royal barracks, Dublin, as Lieutenant-Colonel. - - -On October 31 it was notified that Her Majesty had been graciously -pleased to permit the word ‘Ashantee’ to be borne on the plates of -the pouch-belts. - - -I have thus inadequately recorded the services of the Regiment, -which as the Rifle Corps, as the 95th, and as the Rifle Brigade, -has, in the seventy-five years of its existence, served in the field -in Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Germany, and -Russia; in South and Western Africa; in North and South America; and -in Asia. In these services it has been engaged in 22 General Actions, -30 Lesser Combats, 11 Sieges or Assaults of fortified places, and -in skirmishes and affairs of posts too many to enumerate. In them -it has won the commendation of all those commanders under whom it -has served. Nor have its discipline and conduct in quarters in more -peaceful times less elicited the approbation of Generals who have -commanded the stations it has occupied. And if I have not always -recorded this, it is because I have been unwilling to load my pages -with what no Rifleman can doubt, and what can scarcely interest any -other reader. - -Of the tone and _prestige_ of its officers I need not speak. One -honourable fact I must record: No officer of this Regiment has ever -been brought to a Court-Martial. - -Whatever future services it may be called to, whatever changes -regiments or the army may undergo, I am confident that as long -as the number 95 or the name Rifle Brigade exist in English -Military History, the same love of the green jacket and the same -_esprit-de-corps_ which have animated its past, and animate -its present, will still animate its future members--officers, -non-commissioned officers, and private Riflemen. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[327] The ‘Red River Expedition,’ London, 1871. - -[328] The funeral of Captain Huyshe is the subject of a water-colour -picture by M. Norie (from a drawing I believe by Colonel Colley). -I am assured by those who were present that it is a faithful -representation of the scene and of the surroundings. - -[329] This was in every case the position of all these companies of -Riflemen acting more or less independently in this fight: a section -at least being held in reserve while the greater part extended in -skirmishing order. - -[330] Henty’s ‘March to Coomassie,’ 384. - -[331] Captain Slade had been sent back sick from Foomanah. - -[332] It is impossible to record this affair at Quarman without -noticing that Captain Dugdale remains without any official -recognition of his services on this occasion; while the officer whom -he so materially assisted, or rather extricated from his dangerous -position at Quarman, received the brevet of Major, Captain Dugdale -obtained no promotion. The former had then not thirteen years -service; Dugdale had served nearly twenty years, and I have on more -than one occasion noted in this record his services during the Indian -mutiny. As promotion was dealt out with no unsparing hand for the -Ashantee campaign, this neglect seems the more remarkable. I may add -that I make these remarks on the facts which I have recorded without -any communication with Captain Dugdale, with whom, indeed, I am -scarcely acquainted. - -[333] ‘The Ashantee War,’ by Captain Brackenbury, ii. 199. - -[334] Henty’s ‘March to Coomassie,’ 401. - -[335] ‘The Ashantee War,’ ii. 236. - -[336] ‘Colburn’s United Service Magazine,’ September, 1874, p. 74. - -[337] ‘The Ashantee War,’ ii. 246. - -[338] ‘March to Coomassie,’ 417. - -[339] This difficulty is graphically described by Mr. Henty, p. 419. - -[340] I derive the particulars of the Ashantee Expedition from the -letters and journal of my son, Captain Cope; from three papers (‘The -Rifle Brigade in the Ashantee Expedition’) in ‘Colburn’s United -Service Journal,’ July-September, 1874; and from a detailed MS. -Memoir on the Battle of Amoaful, kindly communicated to me by Major -Robinson, Rifle Brigade, who has also favoured me with the plan. - -[341] Of these ten men were at once sent to Netley Hospital. - -[342] Exclusive of Depôt. - - - - -APPENDIX I. - - -COLONELS-IN-CHIEF. - -Colonel COOTE MANNINGHAM, August 25, 1800. - -General SIR DAVID DUNDAS, August 31, 1809. - -Field Marshal ARTHUR, DUKE OF WELLINGTON, K.G., G.C.B., February 19, -1820. - -Field Marshal H.R.H. ALBERT, PRINCE CONSORT, K.G., G.C.B., September -23, 1852. - -Field Marshal JOHN, LORD SEATON, G.C.B., December 15, 1861. - -General SIR GEORGE BROWN, G.C.B., April 18, 1863. - -Field Marshal SIR EDWARD BLAKENEY, G.C.B., August 28, 1865. - -Field Marshal H.R.H. ALBERT EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, K.G., G.C.B., -August 3, 1868. - - -COLONELS COMMANDANT. - -_FORBES CHAMPAGNÉ_, August 31, 1809. To 70th Foot, May 21, 1816. - -_SIR BRENT SPENCER_, G.C.B., August 31, 1809. To 40th Foot, July 2, -1818. - -Hon. SIR WILLIAM STEWART, G.C.B., August 31, 1809. Died January 7, -1827. - -_SIR G. T. WALKER_, G.C.B. (_vice_ CHAMPAGNÉ), May 21, 1816. To 34th -Foot, May 13, 1820. - -_SIR JOHN OSWALD_, K.C.B. (_vice_ SPENCER), July 2, 1818. - -_SIR EDWARD BARNES_, K.C.B. (_vice_ WALKER), May 13, 1820. To 78th -Foot, August 25, 1822. - -SIR ANDREW F. BARNARD, G.C.B. (_vice_ BARNES), August 25, 1822. Died, -January 17, 1855. - -_SIR T. S. BECKWITH_, K.C.B. (_vice_ STEWART), January 7, 1827. Died, -January 19, 1831. - -_SIR GEORGE R. BINGHAM_, K.C.B. (_vice_ BECKWITH), June 18, 1831. -Died, June 3, 1833. - -_SIR J. S. BARNES_, K.C.B. (_vice_ BINGHAM), January 7, 1833. To 20th -Foot, April 25, 1842. - -SIR D. L. GILMOUR, K.C.B. (_vice_ J. S. BARNES), April 25, 1842. -Died, March 22, 1847. - -SIR HARRY G. W. SMITH, G.C.B. (_vice_ GILMOUR), April 16, 1847. Died, -October 12, 1860. - -SIR GEORGE BROWN, G.C.B. (_vice_ BARNARD), January 18, 1855. To 32nd -Foot, April 1, 1863. - -SIR GEORGE BULLER, G.C.B. (_vice_ SMITH), October 13, 1860. - -_SIR CHARLES YORKE_, G.C.B. (_vice_ BROWN), April 1, 1863. - - ⁂ The names in italics are those of officers who had not served - in the Regiment. - - - - -APPENDIX II. - -ON THE ARMAMENT OF THE REGIMENT. - - -On the presentation of the report of Colonels Manningham and Stewart -(see p. 1), a committee of field officers was directed to assemble at -Woolwich on February 1, 1800, in order to select a rifle to be used -by the Rifle Corps. The principal gun-makers in England were invited -to attend; and rifles from America, France, Germany, Spain, and -Holland were produced and tried. This committee reported in favour of -a rifle submitted by Ezekiel Baker, a gun-maker in London, which was -adopted for the Rifle Corps, and was known as the ‘Baker rifle.’ This -arm was 2 feet 6 inches long in the barrel; seven-grooved, and rifled -one quarter turn; the balls were 20 to the pound, and the weight -of the arm was 9½ pounds. It had, of course, a flint lock. It was -sighted to 100 yards, and by a folding sight to 200 yards. This rifle -was loaded with some difficulty, and at first small wooden mallets -were supplied to the Riflemen to assist in ramming down the ball. -These were found inconvenient and an incumbrance to the soldier, and -were soon discontinued. The Rifle Corps originally carried a horn for -powder, as well as the pouch. The Baker rifle had a brass box in the -stock to contain the greased rag in which the ball was wrapped.[343] -A picker to clear the touch-hole and a brush were also carried by the -Riflemen, suspended by brass chains to the waist-belt. - -Ezekiel Baker, the inventor of this rifle, published in 1803 a book -entitled ‘Twenty-two Years’ Practice with Rifle Guns;’ a tenth -edition of which, expanded from 8 pages of the original _brochure_ -to 238, appeared in 1829. His coloured prints of Riflemen aiming -standing, kneeling, lying down on the face, and on the back, are -curious, though the costume is rather fanciful. He gives diagrams -showing that out of 34 shots at 100 yards with this rifle, 32 -penetrated a human figure painted on a 6-ft. target; and of 24 shots -at 200 yards, 22 penetrated a similar figure. Baker does not mention -whether these were fired from the shoulder, or from a fixed rest. - -To this rifle a triangular sword bayonet, 17 inches long in the -blade, was affixed by a spring. - -When the Rifle Corps was first formed, a few rifles were issued to -it of the same bore as the musket then in use, viz. 14 balls to the -pound; under the impression that there would be an advantage in the -Riflemen being able to use the ammunition of soldiers of the line; -but this arm was strongly objected to by Colonel Manningham and his -officers, and was almost immediately done away with. - -Some improvements were subsequently made in the Baker rifle; a -chamber was introduced to hold the powder, and a flat-blade sword was -substituted for that originally issued. With these and some other -trifling changes, the Baker rifle continued till about the year -1837 or 1838. In the year 1836 a Board was assembled at Woolwich to -report on various improved rifles. Of this Board Colonel Eeles, then -commanding the 1st Battalion, was a member; and Captain Walpole, -with a sergeant and twelve Riflemen of that Battalion, was sent to -Woolwich to try the rifles submitted to the Board. These men fired -daily for some weeks; and eventually the Brunswick rifle was fixed -upon for the armament of the Rifle Brigade, and was issued to it -(both Battalions being then at home) soon afterwards. This arm was -2 feet 6 inches long in the barrel, which was two-grooved, with -complete turn in the length of the barrel; the ball was spherical -and belted, and, to ensure the belt dropping into the grooves, two -notches were cut at the muzzle. The ball weighed 557 grains, being -about 12 to the pound. The rifle weighed nearly 2 pounds more than -the Baker, its weight being 11 lbs. 5½ oz. It had a detonating lock; -a straight sword, 22 inches long, was affixed to it by a spring. The -Brunswick rifle, like the Baker, had a brass box in the stock. It was -sighted, by means of a folding sight, to 300 yards; and it was found, -in the trials made at Woolwich, that it made as good practice at 300 -yards as the Baker at 200. - -This rifle continued in use for nearly twenty years; but it was found -difficult to load, the belt of the ball being after much firing -difficult to force down the grooves; and in action the necessity -of fitting the belt to the grooves hindered rapidity of loading, -notwithstanding the notches at the muzzle. - -While the 1st Battalion were at the Cape, and at the conclusion of -the war with the Kaffirs in 1846-7, Lancaster rifles were received at -King William’s-town for four or six men in each company. These were -two-grooved, like the Brunswick, and of the same bore and length. -They had a patent breech; and were sighted to 900 yards. The ball -was conical, with a flat base, and a rib on each side to fit the -grooves. It was very heavy, and the flight was found to be uncertain. -Nevertheless, these rifles were used with good effect against the -Boers at Boem Plaatz, and against the Basutos at Berea. In the -Kaffir War of 1851-2, the Riflemen armed with this Lancaster were -occasionally formed into a party during night-marches, and on the -attacks on the Waterkloof. - -On the embarkation of the Regiment for the Crimea the Riflemen were -armed with the Minié rifle, not differing from those carried by -soldiers of line regiments. And while in the Crimea they received -the long Enfield and bayonet, the same as those issued to troops -of the line. These long weapons were also issued to the 3rd and -4th Battalions on their being raised. But subsequently, and before -the embarkation of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions for India, the short -Enfield and the sword was substituted. This was the three-grooved -Enfield. But this being found an imperfect weapon, the five-grooved -short Enfield, Naval pattern, a much superior arm, was issued to the -various Battalions about the years 1861-2. - -This continued in use till the issue of five-grooved short Enfields -converted to breech-loaders on the Snider principle, which were -afterwards replaced by the Snider proper, in 1867. The 4th Battalion, -however, had received in 1864 Whitworth rifles in place of the short -Enfield, and these were retained until the issue of breech-loaders in -1867. - -The Snider was replaced by the Martini-Henry, which was issued to the -several Battalions towards the close of the year 1874. - - -The various changes in the uniform of officers and men are -sufficiently indicated by the plates in this volume, taken from the -drawings deposited in the Adjutant-General’s office, or from original -drawings or portraits in my own possession. - -The pouch-belt originally had only a whistle and chain affixed to a -lion’s head. I do not know when the Maltese cross was first adopted; -probably when the names of victories were first granted to the -Regiment. It was at first surmounted with a sitting figure of Fame; -and it appears, from Sir W. Stewart’s correspondence, that in 1821 -it was in contemplation to replace this (which he calls an Angel) by -‘an Eagle, or Britannia, or Minerva, or Amazon.’[344] An Eagle was, I -believe, adopted for a time; but the Cross was soon after surmounted -with a Royal Crown. When the present Imperial Crown was substituted -I do not know. It has been in use, however, for forty years. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[343] The powder horn and the brass box in the stock are shown in -Plate I. The Regulations for the exercise of Riflemen, issued in -1803, do not mention the mallet, which had probably been already -discontinued; but they do mention ‘the powder measure and the loose -ball:’ _i.e._ using the powder-horn in loading. - -[344] Cumloden Papers, 131. - - - - -APPENDIX III. - -ACTIONS AND CASUALTIES OF THE REGIMENT. - - -Colonel Leach, in concluding his ‘Brief Sketch of the Field Services -of the Rifle Brigade,’ observes:--‘I regret exceedingly that I am not -in possession of returns of losses sustained by my old Corps in its -numerous actions with the enemy, and by sickness. Such a document -would have, perhaps, but few (if any) parallels in the Service; -and it would be seen, moreover, that the Peninsular army had other -formidable enemies to contend with besides the sword, in the form of -pestilential fevers, ague, &c.’ - -No means, I believe, exist of giving any account of the losses of -the Regiment by climate or disease; but I will endeavour to give an -approximate return of the losses in the field, and at the same time I -shall be able to enumerate the various actions in which the Regiment -has been engaged. - - +------------------+-------------------+--------------+---------------+ - | | | Officers | Other ranks | - | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ - | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | - +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - |August 25, 1800 |Ferrol | | 1 | | | - |August 26, 1800 |Ferrol | | 3 | | 8 | - |April 2, 1801 |Copenhagen | 1 | | 2 | 6 | - |January 16, 1807 |Maldonado | | 1 | 1 | | - |January 20, 1807 |Suburbs of Monte | | | | | - | | Video | | | 5 | 25 | - |February 3, 1807 |Monte Video | 1 | 2 | 10 | 19 | - |July 2, 1807 |Passo Chico | | 1 | 3 | 22 | - |June 7, 1807 |San Pedro | | 2 | | 27 | - |July 4, 1807 |Suburbs of Buenos | | | | | - | | Ayres | | 2 | 2 | 4 | - |July 5, 1807 |Buenos Ayres | 1 | 9 | 90 | 129 | - |August 17, 1807 |Near Copenhagen | | | 1 | 2 | - |August 29, 1807 |Kioge | | A | few. | | - |August 15, 1808 |Obidos | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | - |August 17, 1808 |ROLEIA | | 3 | 17 | 30 | - |August 21, 1808 |VIMIERA | | 4 | 37 | 43 | - | +------+-------+------+--------+ - | Carried forward | 4 | 30 | 169 | 321 | - +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - - +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - | | | Officers | Other ranks | - | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ - | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | - +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - | Brought over | 4 | 30 | 169 | 321 | - |January 3, 1809 |Cacabelos | 1 | 1 | 19 | | - |January 4, 1809 |Between Villa | | | | | - | | Franca | | A | few. | | - |January 5, 1809 |Constantino | | | 1 | | - |January 10, 1809 |Near Betanzos | | | 1 | | - |January 12, 1809 |El Burgo | | | | | - |January 16, 1809 |Corunna | 1 | | 11 | | - | Returned to England | | | | 33 | - |July 31, 1809 |Near Flushing | | 1 | | 10 | - |August 9-15, 1809 |Flushing | | 2 | 11 | 21 | - |March 19, 1810 |Barba del Puerco | 1 | | 3 | 10 | - |July 4, 1810 |Bridge of Marialva | | | | | - |July 24, 1810 |The Coa | 3 | 9 | 11 | 55 | - |August 23-24, 1810|Celorico to Busaco | | | | | - |August 25, 1810 |Mala Morta | | | | | - |August 26, 1810 |Sula | | | | | - |August 27, 1810 |BUSACO | | | | | - |September 10, 1810|Alemquer to Arruda | | | | | - |September 18, 1810|Alcalá de Gazules | | | | | - |October 14, 1810 |Sobral | | 2 | Several | - |November 19, 1810 |Valle | | Slight loss. | | - |December 20, 1810 |Tarifa | | | 2 | 16 | - |December 31, 1810 |Tarifa | | | 1 | 1 | - |March 5, 1811 |BARROSA | 1 | 5 | 19 | 76 | - |March 8, 1811 |Paialvo | | | | | - |March 9, 1811 | | | | | | - |March 11, 1811 |Pombal | | 1 | | | - |March 12, 1811 |Redinha | | 2 | 4 | 9[345]| - |March 14, 1811 |Casal Nova | 2 | | | [345] | - |March 15, 1811 |Foz d’Aronce | | 2 | | [345] | - |March 18, 1811 |Ponte da Murcella | | | | | - |March 28, 1811 |Freixadas | 1 | | | [345] | - |April 3, 1811 |Sabugal | 1 | 2 | 2 | 14 | - |April 12, 1811 |San Pedro | | | 1 | | - |April 23, 1811 |Bridge of Marialva | | | | | - |May 2, 1811 |Fuentes d’Onor | | 1 | | 9 | - |May 5, 1811 |FUENTES D’ONOR | 1 | | 3 | 13 | - |May 12, 1811 |Near Espeja | | | | | - |September 27, 1811|Near Aldea de Ponte| | | | | - |January 8, 1812 |San Francisco | 1 | | 1 | 7 | - |January 19, 1812 |CIUDAD RODRIGO | 1 | 5 | 9 | 47 | - |March 19, 1812 |Before Badajos | | 1 | | | - |March 26, 1812 |La Picurina | | | | | - |April 6, 1812 |BADAJOS | 9 | 14 | 57 | 225 | - |June 17, 1812 |Rueda | | | | | - |July 17, 1812 |Castrejon | | | | | - |July 19, 1812 |On the march | | | 1 | | - |July 22, 1812 |SALAMANCA | | | 3 | 24 | - | +------+-------+------+--------+ - | Carried forward | 27 | 78 | 329 | 891 | - +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - - +------------------+-------------------+--------------+---------------+ - | | | Officers | Other ranks | - | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ - | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | - +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - | Brought over | 27 | 78 | 329 | 891 | - |July 23, 1812 |Near the Tormes | | | | | - |August 24, 1812 |San Lucar | | | | | - |August 26, 1812 |Seville | | | | | - |October 29, 1812 |Aranjuez | | 1 | 3 | 8 | - |Nov. 15-19, 1812 |Retreat to Portugal| | | 3 | 11 | - |June 12, 1813 |Near the Hormuza | | | | | - |June 18, 1813 |San Millan | | 1 | 4 | 13 | - |June 21, 1813 |VITTORIA | 1 | 6 | 11 | 61 | - |June 23, 1813 |Echarri-Aranaz | | | | | - |June 24, 1813 |On the Araquil | | | | | - |July 15, 1813 |Sta. Barbara | | | | | - |August 1, 1813 |Bridge of Yanci | | 1 | A few. | - |August 2, 1813 |Echalar | | | | | - |August 31, 1813 |ST. SEBASTIAN | | 2 | 8 | 16[345]| - | ” ” |Bridge of Vera | 1 | 4 | 18 | 53 | - |October 7, 1813 |Pass of Vera | 3 | 6 | 31 | 161 | - |November 9, 1813 |Nivelle | 1 | 10 | 11 | 76 | - |November 23, 1813 |Arcangues | | 1 | | 6 | - |December 10, 1813 |Nive | 1 | | 9 | 75 | - |December 13, 1813 |Bussassari | | | | | - |January 13, 1814 |Before Antwerp | | | 1 | 1 | - |February 1, 1814 |Donk | | | | | - |February 2, 1814 |Merxem | | 4 | 3 | 6[345]| - |February 4, 1814 |Sortie from Antwerp| | | | | - |February 24, 1814 |Villeneuve | | | | | - |February 27, 1814 |ORTHEZ | | | | | - |March 20, 1814 |TARBES | 1 | 11 | 6 | 75 | - |March 27, 1814 |Tournefeuille | | | A| few. | - |April 18, 1814 |Toulouse | | 1 | 14 | 26[345]| - |December 22, 1814 |Before New Orleans | | 3 | 23 | 59 | - |December 28, 1814 |Before New Orleans | | | 1 | 4 | - |January 1, 1815 |Before New Orleans | | | 1 | | - |January 8, 1815 |LINES OF NEW | | | | | - | | ORLEANS | 1 | 6 | 11 | 94 | - |June 16, 1815 |QUATRE BRAS | 2 | 3 | 8 | 51 | - |June 18, 1815 |WATERLOO | 3 | 31 | 57 | 339 | - |December 31, 1846 |Near the Kei river | | | 1 | | - |January 11, 1847 |Near the Kei river | 2 | | | | - |February, 1847 |Patrol on the Fish | | | | | - | | river | | | | | - |August 29, 1847 |Boem Plaatz | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | - |April 29, 1852 |Mundell’s Krantz | | 1 | | 5 | - |May 17, 1852 |Mundell’s Krantz | | | | 3 | - |May 29, 1852 |Ingilby’s farm | | | | 4 | - |July 8, 1852 |Waterkloof | | | 1 | | - |July 24, 1852 |Waterkloof | | | | 2 | - |September 14, 1852|Waterkloof | | | | | - | +------+-------+------+--------+ - | Carried forward | 44 | 172 | 559 | 2048 | - +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - - +------------------+-------------------+--------------+------+--------+ - | | | Officers | Other ranks | - | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ - | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | - +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - | Brought over | 44 | 172 | 559 | 2048 | - |December 20, 1852 |Berea | | | 3 | | - |September 20, 1854|THE ALMA | | 1 | 11 | 38 | - |October 14, 1854 |Picquet | | | | 2 | - |October 25, 1854 |BALAKLAVA | | | | 1 | - |October 26, 1854 |Careenage ravine | | | | 5 | - |October, 1854 |In the trenches | | 1 | 11 | 27 | - |November 5, 1854 |INKERMAN | 3 | 3 | 30 | 58 | - |November 20, 1854 |THE OVENS | 1 | | 9 | 17 | - |April 9, 1855 |Rifle pits | | | 5 | | - |June 18, 1855 |THE REDAN | 2 | 3 | 33 | 89 | - |July 3, 1855 |In the trenches | | | 8 | 5 | - |September 1, 1855 |In the trenches | 1 | | 1 | 15 | - |September 8, 1855 |SEBASTOPOL | 2 | 8 | 23 | 137 | - |November 15, 1855 |Explosion | | 1 | 3 |Several.| - |1854-5 |In the trenches, or| | | | | - | | not otherwise | | | | | - | | accounted for | | | 175 |143[346]| - |November 26, 1857 |Cawnpore | | | 1 | | - |November 27, 1857 |Cawnpore | | 1 | | 6 | - |November 28, 1857 |Cawnpore | 1 | 2 | 5 | 19 | - |November 29, 1857 |Cawnpore | | 1 | 3 | 5 | - |December 1, 1857 |Cawnpore | | | | | - |December 6, 1857 |Cawnpore | | 1 | 1 | 19 | - |December 25, 1857 |Putarah | | | | | - |December 29, 1857 |Etawah | | | | 3 | - |January 1858 |Near Allahabad | | | | | - |January 1858 |On the Ramgunga | | | | | - |March 6-11, 1858 |LUCKNOW | 2 | | 2 | 17 | - |March 23, 1858 |Koorsie | | | | | - |April 13, 1858 |Baree | | | | | - |May 11, 1858 |Nuggur | | | 1 | | - |May 22, 1858 |Goolowlie | | | 3 | | - |May 23, 1858 |Calpee | | | 3 | | - |June 13, 1858 |Nawabgunge | | 1 | | 15 | - |August 20, 1858 |Nassreegunge | | | | | - |August 20-29, 1858|Sultanpore | | | | | - |September 6, 1858 |Surajpore | | | | | - |September 8, 1858 |Jamo | | 1 | | 3 | - |September 13, 1858|Mandaula | | | | | - |September 21, 1858|Fort of Birwah | 1 | 1 | 3 | 27 | - |October 20, 1858 |Sukreta | 1 | | 4 | 5 | - |October 21, 1858 |Khooath Khas | | | | | - |October 23, 1858 |Khurgurh | | | | | - |November 26, 1858 |Hydergurh | | | | | - |December 3, 1858 |Fort of Oomria | | | | | - |December 6, 1858 |Futtehpore | | | | | - | +------+-------+------+--------+ - | Carried forward | 58 | 197 | 897 | 2704 | - +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - - +------------------+-------------------+--------------+---------------+ - | | | Officers | Other ranks | - | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ - | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | - +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - | Brought over | 58 | 197 | 897 | 2704 | - |December 6, 1858 |Byram Ghât | | | | | - |December 26, 1858 |Near Churdah | | | | | - |December 27, 1858 |Fort of Mejidia | | | 1 | 6 | - |December 31, 1858 |Bankee | | | | 1 | - |February 9, 1859 |Sidka Ghât | | | | 1 | - |March 16, 1859 |Near Supree | | | | | - |April 12, 1859 |Akouna | | | | 1 | - |April 25-26, 1859 |Jugdespore jungles.| | | | | - | | Not otherwise | | | | | - | | accounted for | | | | | - | | to this date[347]| | | 2 | 2 | - |October 27, 1859 |Mitharden | | | | | - |December 11, 1859 |Shahgurh | | | | | - |January 2, 1864 |Shubkudder | | | | | - |January 31, 1874 |Amoaful | | 3 | | 6 | - |February 2, 1874 |Between Amoaful | | | | | - | | and Aggemamu | | | | | - |February 3, 1874 |Near the Ordah | | | | 8 | - |February 4, 1874 |Ordahsu | | | | 19 | - | Died of wounds | | | 2 | | - | +------+-------+------+--------+ - | Total | 58 | 200 | 902 | 2748 | - +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ - - -NOTE.--In instances where no casualties are entered, it does not -necessarily follow that there were no killed or wounded; but that -I have been unable to ascertain their number. In skirmishes (and -occasionally in greater actions) aggregate returns have frequently -been made, in which it was impossible to separate the losses of the -Regiment. I have noted occasions only where the Riflemen have been -engaged or under fire. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[345] Return imperfect. - -[346] Return of wounded imperfect. 648 Riflemen died of disease in -the Crimea and in Turkey.--‘Medical and Surgical History,’ i. 449-57. - -[347] Two Officers and 132 Riflemen of other ranks of the 2nd -Battalion died of disease during the Indian Mutiny Campaign. - - - - -APPENDIX IV. - - NAMES OF OFFICERS AND OTHER RIFLEMEN WHO HAVE OBTAINED SPECIAL - MARKS OF DISTINCTION FOR SERVICES IN THE FIELD. - - - +------------------------+-----------------------------+---------------+ - | | | Action or | - | Name and Rank | Honour received | Campaign for | - | | | which granted | - +------------------------+-----------------------------+---------------+ - | ANDREWS, Sergeant J. | Legion of Honour | Crimea | - | ANSON,[348] Lieut.-Col.| Medjidie Crimea | | - | Hon. A. H. A. | | | - | ARMSTRONG, Sergeant | Medal for distinguished | Ashantee | - | | conduct in the Field | | - | ARTHUR, NATHANIEL[349] | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | BAILEY, H. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | BALVAIRD, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal and Clasp, | Peninsula | - | WILLIAM | C.B. | | - | BARNARD, Gen. Sir A. F.| Gold Medal[350] and 4 | Peninsula and | - | | Clasps, G.C.B., G.C.H., | Netherlands | - | | Maria Teresa (Austria), 4th| | - | | class St. George (Russia) | | - | BECKWITH, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal | Toulouse | - | CHARLES | C.B | Waterloo | - | BECKWITH, Lieut.-Gen. | Gold Medal and Clasp, | Peninsula | - | Sir T. S. | K.C.B., Knight Commander | | - | | of Tower and Sword | | - | | (Portugal) | | - | BEN, Corporal M. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | BLACKETT, Lieut.-Col. | Legion of Honour | Crimea | - | E. W. | | | - | BOURCHIER, Col. C. T. | =Victoria Cross=, Legion | The ‘Ovens’ | - | | of Honour, Medjidie | | - | BRADSHAW, JOSEPH | =Victoria Cross=, French | Rifle-pit, | - | | military Medal | Sebastopol | - | BRAMSTON, Capt. T. H. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | Crimea | - | BRETT, Lieut.-Col. J. | Legion of Honour | Crimea | - | BROWN, Gen. Sir GEORGE | G.C.B., Grand Cross of | Crimea | - | | Legion of Honour, 1st | | - | | class Medjidie, Sardinian | | - | | Medal | | - | BROWN, J. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | BULLER, Gen. Sir GEO. | G.C.B., Commander of | Kaffraria and | - | | Legion of Honour, | Crimea | - | | 2nd class Medjidie | | - | BURGE, Sergeant T. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | BURROWS, Sergeant J. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | CAMERON, Major-Gen. | Gold Medal and 2 Clasps, | Peninsula and | - | Sir Alexander | K.C.B., St. Anne 2nd class | Netherlands | - | | (Russia) | | - | CHERRY, J. | Sardinian Medal | Crimea | - | CLEMENTS, Corporal T. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | CLIFFORD, Col. Hon. | =Victoria Cross=, C.B., | Crimea | - | H. H. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie | | - | COLVILLE, Col. Hon. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie, | Crimea | - | W. J. | Sardinian Medal | | - | COLLINS, TIMOTHY | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | CORNELIUS, Sergt.-Major| French military Medal, | Crimea | - | | Distinguished conduct Medal| | - | COX, Major-Gen. John | K.H. | Peninsula and | - | | | Netherlands | - | COX, Major-Gen. William| K.H. | Peninsula | - | CULLUM, Sergeant | Silver Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | | in the storming of | | - | CUNINGHAME, Major Sir | =Victoria Cross=, Medjidie | The ‘Ovens’ | - | W. J. M., Bart. | | | - | DAVIES, T. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | DENSER, CHARLES | French military Medal | Crimea | - | DILLON, Col. MARTIN | C.B., C.S.I. | India, China, | - | | | and Abyssinia| - | EAGLE, W. | French military Medal, | Crimea | - | | Distinguished conduct Medal| | - | EELES, Lieut.-Col. W. | K.H. | Peninsula, | - | | | Holland, and | - | | | Waterloo | - | ELLIOT, Lieut.-Col. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | Crimea | - | Hon. GILBERT | | | - | ELRINGTON, Major- | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | - | General F. R. | Medjidie | | - | FAIR, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | FISHER, Colour-Sergt. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | D. | | | - | FITZMAURICE, Major-Gen.| K.H. | Peninsula and | - | W. | | Netherlands | - | FITZROY, Capt. C. V. | Medjidie | Crimea | - | FRASER, Surg.-Gen. J. | Legion of Honour | Crimea | - | | C.B. | India | - | FREMANTLE, Lieut.-Col. | Sardinian Medal | Crimea | - | FITZROY | | | - | FULLERTON, Col. J. | C.B., K.H. | Waterloo | - | FYERS, Col. W. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie | Crimea | - | | C.B. | India | - | GILMOUR, Major-Gen. | Gold Cross, K.C.B. | Peninsula | - | Sir D. L. | | | - | GLYN, Major-Gen. J. R. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie | Crimea | - | | C.B. | India | - | HAINES, G. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | HANNAN, HUGH | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | HARDINGE, Lieut.-Col. | Medjidie | Crimea | - | H. | | | - | HARRINGTON, Quarter- | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | Master Sergeant | | | - | HARRYWOOD, Sergeant J. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | HARVEY,[351] | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | Paymaster-Sergeant H. | | | - | HAWKES, DAVID | =Victoria Cross= | Lucknow | - | HAWKESFORD, Sergt. T. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | HAWKINS, E. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | HICKS, Colour-Sergt. J.| French military Medal | The ‘Ovens’ | - | HILL, Major-Gen. PERCY | C.B. | India | - | HIMBURY, Sergt. JOHN | Silver Medal and Clasp | St. Sebastian | - | | for gallantry at | | - | HOGGER, S. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | HOPE, Lieut.-Col. J. C.| K.H. | Peninsula and | - | | | Netherlands | - | HORSFORD, Lieut.-Gen. | G.C.B., Medjidie, | Crimea and | - | Sir A. H. | Sardinian Medal | India | - | HOUGH, CHARLES | French military Medal | Crimea | - | HOULT, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | HUMPSTON, R. | =Victoria Cross= | Rifle-pit, | - | | | Sebastopol | - | INGRAM, HENRY | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | KING, J. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | KINGSCOTE, Capt. FITZ- | Medjidie | Crimea | - | H. | | | - | KNOX, Capt. J. S. | =Victoria Cross=, Legion | Crimea | - | | of Honour | | - | LAWRENCE, Lieut.-Gen. | K.C.B., Officer Legion of | Crimea | - | Sir A. J. | Honour, 3rd class Medjidie | | - | LEGGE, Hon. G. B. | Medjidie | Crimea | - | LEIGHFIELD, J. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | LEWIS, P. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | MCCANN, P. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | MCCORMICK, M. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | MCGIBBON, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | MCGREGOR, RODERICK | =Victoria Cross= | Rifle-pit, | - | | | Sebastopol | - | MCKAY, Sergeant. | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | MCKECHIE, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | MCLEOD, Major-Gen. | C.B | Corunna | - | NORMAN | | | - | MCMAHON, B. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | MACDONELL, Major-Gen. | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | - | A. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | | - | MANNERS, Lieut.-Col. | K.H | Peninsula and | - | H. H. | | Walcheren | - | MARRIOTT, E. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | MILLER, Col. GEORGE | Gold Medal, C.B. | Peninsula and | - | | | Netherlands | - | MITCHELL, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal and Clasp, | Peninsula and | - | SAMUEL | C.B. | Netherlands | - | MOORE, Capt. J. C. | Sardinian Medal | Crimea | - | MUNRO, Colour-Sergt. | French military Medal | Crimea | - | C. F. | | | - | MURPHY, Colour-Sergt. | Legion of Honour, | Crimea | - | J. | Distinguished conduct Medal | | - | NASH, Corporal W. | =Victoria Cross= | Lucknow | - | NESBITT, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | NEWDIGATE, Col. E. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie | Crimea | - | NIXON, Lieut.-Col. | Medjidie | Crimea | - | A. J. | | | - | NORCOTT, Major-Gen. | Medal and Clasp, C.B., | Peninsula and | - | Sir AMOS G. | K.C.H., St. Anne (Russia), | Netherlands | - | | Maximilian Joseph | | - | | (Bavaria) | | - | NORCOTT, Major-Gen. | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | - | W. S. R. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | | - | NUTT, Sergeant JAMES | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | O’HARE, Major P. | Gold Medal | Peninsula | - | O’HEA T., | =Victoria Cross= | Danville | - | | | Station | - | PERCIVAL, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal and 2 Clasps, | Peninsula and | - | W. | C.B. | Netherlands | - | PROMBY, Corporal H. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | RAINES, CHARLES | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | ROSS, Major-Gen. Sir | Cross, K.C.B., St. Wladimir | Peninsula and | - | JOHN | 4th class (Russia), Wilhelm| Netherlands | - | | 4th class (Netherlands) | | - | ROSS, Colonel JOHN | Medjidie | Crimea | - | | C.B | India | - | ROSS, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | RUSSELL, Major-General | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | Crimea | - | Lord A. G. | | | - | SAUNDERS, Capt. G. R. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | Crimea | - | SCOTT, Surgeon J. | Medjidie | Crimea | - | SHAW, Corporal SAML. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | | =Victoria Cross= | Nawabgunge | - | SMALL, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | SMITH, General Sir H. | G.C.B. | India and | - | G. W. | | Kaffraria | - | SMYTH, Major-General, | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | - | Hon. L. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | | - | SOMERSET, Major-Gen. | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | - | E. A. | Medjidie | | - | STAPLES, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | STEWART, Major ARCHI- | K.H. | Peninsula and | - | BALD | | Netherlands | - | STEWART, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal and Clasp, C.B. | Peninsula | - | Hon. J. H. R. | | | - | STEWART, Major John | Gold Medal | Busaco | - | STEWART, Lieut.-Gen. | Gold Medal and 2 Clasps, | Peninsula | - | Hon. Sir W. | G.C.B. San Fernando | | - | | (Spain), Tower and Sword | | - | | (Portugal) | | - | STRUCK, H. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | STUART, Lieut.-Colonel | Medjidie, Sardinian | Crimea | - | Hon. J. | Medal | | - | TAINST, EDWARD | Sardinian Medal | Crimea | - | TAYLOR | Distinguished conduct Medal | Ashantee | - | THORPE, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | - | TILBEY, T. | Distinguished conduct | Crimea | - | | Medal | | - | TRAVERS, Major JAMES | K.H | Peninsula and | - | | | New Orleans | - | TRAVERS, Major-Gen. | Gold Medal, C.B. | Peninsula | - | Sir R. | | | - | TURNER, Corporal W. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | | | | - | WADE, Colonel H. | Gold Medal, C.B. | Peninsula | - | WALKER-MYLN, Lieut.- | Medjidie | Crimea | - | Col. H. | | | - | WALLER, Sergt.-Major | French military Medal | Crimea | - | WALPOLE, Lieut.-Gen. | K.C.B | India | - | Sir R. | | | - | WARREN, Lieut.-Col. A. | Medjidie | Crimea | - | F. | C.B | Ashantee | - | WHEATLEY, FRANCIS | =Victoria Cross=, Legion | Trenches, | - | | of Honour | Sebastopol | - | | Distinguished conduct Medal | | - | WILKINS, Lieut.-Col. G.| Gold Medal, C.B. | Peninsula and | - | | | Netherlands | - | WILMOT, Major Sir | =Victoria Cross= | Lucknow | - | HENRY, Bart. | | | - | WISEMAN, Corporal R. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | WOOD, JOSEPH | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | - | WOODFORD, Lieut.-Col. | Legion of Honour, | Crimea | - | C. J. | Sardinian Medal | | - | YORKE, Gen. Sir CHAS. | G.C.B | Peninsula and | - | | | Waterloo | - +------------------------+-----------------------------+---------------+ - - NOTE--The non-commissioned officers and men of a detachment of - the Rifle Corps engaged at Copenhagen in 1801 were presented with - a Silver Medal specially given by Lord Nelson. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[348] Colonel Anson received the =Victoria Cross= for gallantry -at Bolandshuhur, shortly after he had left the Rifle Brigade. I have -noted only in this list the honours obtained by Riflemen while in the -Regiment. - -[349] Where no rank is indicated, the name is that of a Private -Rifleman. - -[350] These medals and crosses were granted to general and field -officers (according to the recommendation of the Duke of Wellington), -‘for important actions only, and to those engaged in them in a -conspicuous manner,’ Despatches, viii. 94. I have of course not -recorded medals which were granted indiscriminately to all present in -an action or campaign. - -[351] Captain Harvey, Paymaster. - - - - -INDEX. - - - Acland, F. G. Dyke, 467 - - ‘Adventure,’ troop-ship, faulty engines of, 364 - - Africa, South, 245; - West Coast, 482 - - Aggemamu, 495, 502, 503, 504 - - Akouna, fight at, 422 - - Alba de Tormes, 118 - - Albert, Prince Consort, Colonel-in-Chief, 295; - death of, 457 - - Aldershot, Camp, 342, 344, 345, 453, 469, 470, 478, 481, 508 - - Alemtejo, sojourn of the 95th there, 48, 88 - - Alexander, Boyd Francis, 357, 399, 400; - wounded, 403 - - Alison, Sir Archibald, 480, _et seq._ - - Allix, W., killed, 107 - - Allygurh, 368 - - Alma, battle of the, 306 - - Alten, Baron Charles, 112 - - Amatolas, expedition to, 253 - - Americans attempt to induce Riflemen to desert; replies of the Riflemen - forcible rather than courteous, 190 - - American commandant, excellent advice given to, 193 - - American officer, while plundering, shot by a Rifleman, 191 - - Ames, F., 390 - - Amethie fort, 404-406 - - Amoaful, battle of, 488-493 - - Amphlett, J., 216 - - Andrews, J., 523 - - Anson, the Hon. A. H. A., 333, 523 - - Aranjuez, 120 - - Araquil, skirmish near the, 139 - - Arbuthnot, Hon Duncan, killed, 82 - - Arcangues, 157, 162 - - Armstrong, Sergeant, 507, 523 - - Army of Occupation in France, 212-215 - - Arrhunes, 153; - La Petite, carried, 154 - - Arthur, Nath., 523 - - Ashantee expedition, 480 - - Atherley, F. R., 352, 353, 354, 374, 388, 393 - - Austin, G. L., 381, 437 - - - Backhouse, William, killed, 190 - - Badajos, siege, 102; - stormed, 104; - casualties at, 107; - events after, 108-111; - plunder of, sold or burned, 112, 113 - - Bailey, H., 523 - - Baillie, H. D., 338, 384, 390 - - Balaklava captured, 311; - battle of, 316 - - Balfour, W. F., 337, 338 - - Balvaird, W., 523; - wounded, 107 - - Barba del Puerco, fight at, 51 - - Baree, fight at, 381 - - Barker, Brigadier, 399, 400 - - Barker, Robert, wounded, 190 - - Barnard, General Sir Andrew, 42, 96, 112, 523; - wounded, 69, 156, 208; - his care for the wounded, 199, 211, 225; - death, 331 - - Barrosa, battle of, 68 - - Basutoland, expedition to, 290 - - Battalion, 2nd, its formation, 10; - services in India, 427-8 - - Battalion, 3rd, its formation, 42; - disbanded, 216; - again raised, 332, 343 - - Battalion, 4th, raised, 346 - - Bayou Catalan, landing at, 182 - - Bear’s farm, camp at, 274-279 - - Beckwith, Charles, wounded, 208; - account of, 210, 211, 523 - - Beckwith, Lieut.-Colonel Sidney, 261, 305; - death of, 310 - - Beckwith, Sir Thomas Sidney, 7, 19, 21, 29, 52, 80, 228, 523; - his magnanimity, 11; - his system of command, 53; - his coolness in action, 82; - gives up command of the 1st Battalion, 92; - his character, 112; - his death, 230 - - Bedell, W. D., 104; - wounded, 97, 107 - - Beni Madhoo, pursuit of, 382, 406, 414 - - Benn, M., 523 - - Bennett, L. H., killed, 39 - - Berea, battle of, 292-294 - - Bermuda, 240 - - Bewar, crossing the, 448 - - Bikrumgunge, 439 - - Birmingham, riots at, 236 - - Birwah, fort captured, 400 - - Blackett, E. W., 523; - wounded, 336 - - Blakeney, Sir Edward, Colonel-in-Chief, 465; - death of, 469 - - Blatchington, Rifle Corps trained at, 4 - - Boemplaats, battle of, 258, 259 - - Boers, rebellion of, 257 - - Boileau, C. A. P., 335; - death of, 336 - - Borough, R., wounded, 338; - death of, 341 - - Bourchier, Claude T., 323, 324, 334, 346, 378, 524 - - Bradford, Major-General W. H., 311, 332, 334, 344 - - Bradshaw, Joseph, 333, 346, 376, 524 - - Bramston, T. H., 524 - - Brett, Lieut.-Col. John, 320, 329, 524 - - Brown, Sir George, 301, 302, 524; - colonel-commandant, 331; - Colonel-in-Chief, 460; - death of, 465 - - Brown, J., 524 - - Brussels, 197 - - Buckley, C. E., 381 - - Budgen, J. R., wounded, 152 - - Buenos Ayres, 17 - - Buildings erected by Riflemen, 261 - - Búlganak, 305, 306 - - Buller, Coote, wounded, 321, 322, 334 - - Buller, Lieut.-Gen. Sir George, 244, 252, 254, 258, 260, 261, 280, 296, - 454, 524; - wounded, 259 - - Bunbury, Ralph, killed, 24 - - Burge, T., 524 - - Búrliúk, 306 - - Burrows, J., 524 - - Busaco, battle of, 59, 61 - - Byram Ghât, 408 - - - Cacabelos, fight at, 33 - - Cadoux, D., 65; - wounded, 18; - killed, 150 - - Caledon River, 291 - - Calpee, 431; - capture of, 434 - - Camel corps formed, 380; - operations of, 429-450; - Sikhs added to, 435; - arduous duties of, 450; - broken up, 450 - - Camel drivers, 431, 435 - - Camels, drill in riding, 429-431 - - Cameron, Sir Alexander, 94, 104, 106, 110, 177-178, 524; - his address to the 1st Battalion, 127; - wounded, 138, 208 - - Cameron, D., wounded, 208 - - Campbell, Alexander, killed, 152 - - Campbell, L., killed, 138 - - Campbell, W., wounded, 69 - - Canada, dangerous voyage to, 457; - service in, 246, 465 - - Canning, Lord, 428 - - Canrobert, General, 301; - his general order about the ‘ovens,’ 325, 326 _n._ - - Cape Coast Castle, 481 - - Cape of Good Hope, 243 - - Cartwright, A. A., killed, 321 - - Cary, A., killed, 107, 108 - - Cary, G., 158 - - Cary, L. S. T. M., 337; - wounded and death, 338 - - Cary, L., 489, 498 - - Casal Nova, skirmish at, 75 - - Cathcart, Hon. Sir George, 277, 280, 282, 285, 290, 318, 319; - his regard for the Riflemen, 283, 290, 303, 319 - - Cawnpore, battles of, 349, 363 - - Chawner, E., wounded, 13, 208 - - Cherry, J., 524 - - Chinhut, 374; - camp at, 385; - panic at, 394 - - Chobham, camp at, 297 - - Christmas dinners, 366, 410 - - Chumbul, crossing the, 447 - - Church, J., taken prisoner, 160; - escapes, 178 _n._; - wounded, 178 - - Churchill, C. H. S., 329 - - Churdah, fight near, 411 - - Circular directing the formation of a Rifle Corps, 1 - - Ciudad Rodrigo, siege, 91; - casualties at, 97; - stormed, 94 - - Clements, T., 524 - - Clifford, the Hon. H., 346, 524 - - Clyde, Lord, 409, 410, 428 - - Coa, combat at the, 56 - - Coane, A., wounded, 57 - - Coane, J., wounded, 16 - - Cochrane, R., wounded, 149, 205 - - Cochrane, Thomas, 26; - wounded, 62 - - Colbert, General, picked off by a Rifleman, 34 - - Colborne, Col. (Lord Seaton), 152, 206, 243; - Colonel-in-Chief, 457; - death of, 460 - - Collins, 524 - - Colours not to be carried by Riflemen, 456 - - Colville, Hon. W. J., 524 - - Connaught, Duke of, joins as lieut., 469; - as lieut.-col., 510 - - Coomassie, 500-502 - - Cooper, Sir Astley Paston, 262 - - Cooper, L. E., 376; - killed, 378 - - Cope, A., 488, 495, 502-504 - - Copenhagen, 7, 20, 22 - - Cornelius, Sergeant-Major, 524 - - Coronation of Queen Victoria, Riflemen at, 235 - - Corunna, retreat to, 30; - battle of, 38; - casualties during retreat, 39; - revisited, 342 - - Cox, John, 524; - wounded, 97, 170 - - Cox, William, 524; - wounded, 28, 156, 170 - - Coxen, E., 104; - wounded, 208 - - Cragg, C. W., 388, 400, 403 - - Crampton, J., 92, 104; - wounded, 107 - - Craufurd, Major-General Robert, 15; - his severity, 30, 31; - his strict standing orders, 44; - his complimentary orders on Barba del Puerco, 52; - defended by Riflemen, 91; - his last address to the, 95; - his death and funeral, 97; - anecdotes of him, 98 - - Creagh, J., killed, 57, 58 - - Crimean war, 299-342 - - Croudace, C., killed, 107, 108 - - Cullum, Sergeant, 524 - - Cuninghame, Sir William, 323, 324, 346, 524 - - Curragh camp, 456 - - Curzon, George, 350, 376, 381 - - Curzon, Hon. Leicester, _see_ Smyth. - - - Davies, T., 524 - - Deedes, William, 334, 376 - - Denmark, expedition to, 19 - - Denser, Charles, 524 - - Dickenson, Captain, killed, 14 - - Diggle, T. A., 104; - killed, 107 - - Dilkoosha, 373, 385, 427, 429 - - Dillon, Martin, 374, 390, 417, 419, 524; - wounded, 354 - - Dinner, first regimental, 147; - second, 213 - - Dixon, F., wounded, 170 - - Doyle, killed, 156, 171 - - Drummond, A. M., 334 - - Dublin, 456, 477 - - Dugdale, H. G., 350, 377, 491, 492, 501 - - Duncan, John, killed, 170, 171 - - - Eagle, W., 524 - - Eaton, Charles, wounded, 156 - - Eccles, W. H., wounded, 338, 341, 356, 379 - - Echalar, capture of the hill of, 145, 146 - - Eeles, Charles, 33; - wounded, 39, 62; - killed, 209, 211 - - Eeles, William, 143, 176, 205, 212, 228, 524; - wounded, 178; - death of, 234 - - Egginassie, 489, 494 - - El Burgo, skirmish at, 37 - - Elder, Sir George, wounded, 16 - - Elliot, the Hon. G., 334, 524 - - Elrington, Major-General F. R., 318, 334, 346, 477, 525 - - Engineers, 336, 365, 374 - - Erroll, Earl of, 334; - wounded, 309 - - Etawah, 366 - - Etteridge, 404, _n._ - - Executions, military, 101 - - Explosion before Sebastopol, 340 - - Eyre, H., 375, 381, 432-438; - wounded, 338 - - Eyre, R. C., wounded, 209 - - Eyre, Sir William, 290-294 - - - Fair, Sergeant, 525 - - Farmer, W. J. G., wounded, 107, 170, 185 - - Felix, O., wounded, 208 - - Fenian raid into Canada, 467 - - Fensham, D., wounded, 156 - - Ferey, General, 51; - his death, 119; - buried by Riflemen, 119 - - Ferguson, R., 227 - - Ferozeshah, pursuit of, 447 - - Ferrol, expedition to, 3 - - Fisher, D., 525 - - Firman, E. R., killed, 336 - - Fitzgerald, R. H., wounded, 178 - - Fitzmaurice, J., 74, 96, 137, 198, 525; - wounded, 107, 199 - - FitzRoy, C. V., 525 - - Flinn, shoots a hare at Sabugal, 82; - shoots Frenchman at Fuentes d’Onor, 85 - - Flower, C. T., 327 - - Flushing, siege of, 49 - - Flying columns, 469, 470, 471 - - Foomanah, reconnaissance from, 486 - - Forbes, Daniel, wounded, 185 - - Forster, J. G., wounded, 107 - - Foz d’Aronce, skirmish at, 76 - - France, south of, 163, 164 - - Fraser, J., 525 - - Freixadas, skirmish at, 79 - - Fremantle, FitzRoy, 372, 376, 410, 419, 422, 423, 525; - wounded, 336 - - Fremantle, Mr. W. H., his opinion of the Rifle Corps, 3 - - French officers, conversations with, 86, 154 - - Fry, J., wounded, 152, 209 - - Fryer, E. J., 419 - - Fuentes d’Onor, skirmish at, 84; - battle, 84 - - Fukes, Sergeant Thomas, turns the tables on an American hero, 192, 193 - - Fullerton, J., 176, 525; - wounded, 205, 209 - - Futtehpore, skirmish at, 416 - - Fyers, Colonel W., 308, 311, 314, 315, 336, 338, 347, 348, 351, 352, - 356, 366, 376, 383, 384, 525 - - - Gairdner, J. P., wounded, 131, 208 - - Gallipoli, 301 - - Gardiner, J., 116; - wounded, 107, 161, 199 - - Gardner, T. C., 5; - wounded, 16 _n._ - - Genappe, 200 - - Germany, expedition to, 11 - - Gibbons, G., killed, 152 - - Gibraltar, service at, 463, 508 - - Gibson, J., his death, 249 - - Gilmour, Sir D. L., 525 - - Glasgow, 217; - riots at, 220, 345 - - Glyn, J. Plumtre C., 479, 500 - - Glyn, Major-General Julius, 259, 357, 365, 388, 392, 415, 429, 479, 525 - - Glyn, R. R., 374, 384, 417, 421 - - Godfrey, Arthur William, wounded, 275, 316; - death of, 328 - - Gogra, crossing the, 395, 409, 417, 424, 425, 426 - - Gold Coast, embarkation for, 479 - - Goolowlie, battle of, 433 - - Goomtee, crossing the, 374, 397 - - Gosset, John, wounded, 190 - - Grant, J. A., his death, 7 - - Grant, Sir J. Hope, 373 _et seq._, 389, 428 - - Gray, C. G., wounded, 107 - - Gray, Loftus, wounded, 170 - - Green, A., wounded, 398, 399 - - Grey, G. H., 356, 366, 377, 379 - - Guns taken by Riflemen, 137, 140, 350, 354, 384, 418 - - - Haggup, W., wounded, 82, 133, 156 - - Haines, G., 525 - - Hallen, William, gallant defence of his picquet near New Orleans, 184 - - Hamilton, William, wounded, 97, 147 - - Hammond, Maximilian, killed, 338; - account of, 339 - - Hannan, Hugh, 315, 525 - - Hardinge, H., 334; - wounded, 259 - - Hares shot in action, 82 _n._, 382, 391 - - Harrington, Quarter-Master-Sergeant, 525 - - Harrywood, J., 337, 525 - - Hart, J. B., 104; - wounded, 149 - - Harvey, H., 389, 391, 525 - - Hastings, 231 - - Hawkes, David, 525 - - Hawkesford, T., 525 - - Hawkins, E., 525 - - Hawksley, R., killed, 93 - - Herbert shoots a Russian at long range, 314 - - Hewan, Michael, wounded, 174 - - Hewitt imposes on the Russians, 319 - - Hicks, J., 327, 525 - - Higgins, William, 320, 321 - - Hill, Sir D. St. L., wounded, 28 - - Hill, John, killed, 152 - - Hill, Major-Gen. Percy, 340, 343, 366, 369, 390, 392, 411, 413, - 418 _et seq._, 423, 424, 464, 525 - - Himbury, John, 148 _n._, 525 - - Hogger, S., 525 - - Holland, expedition to, 176 - - Hope, J. C., 212, 235, 525 - - Hopwood, J., 62; - wounded, 69, 72, 138; - killed, 160 - - Hormuza, slight affair at, 131 - - Horsford, Lieut.-Gen. Sir Alfred, 244, 281, 305, 319, 320, 329, 334, - 344, 360, 370, 379, 387, 392, 417, 420, 469, 525; - wounded, 321, 361 - - Horsham, Rifle Corps first formed at, 2 - - Hough, Charles, 525 - - Hoult, Sergeant, 525 - - Hovenden, T., wounded, 69; - killed, 107 - - Howell, Assist.-Surgeon, 249 - - Huebra River, 124 - - Humbley, William, captures a French picquet, 49; - wounded, 170, 208, 212 - - Humpston, R., 333, 346, 525 - - Hussars, 7th, 389, 408, 414, 420, 462 - - Huyshe, G. L., death of, 484 - - Hydergurh, fight at, 407 - - - Île au Poix, landing at, 182 - - India, service in, 454, 455 - - Indian Mutiny, 347-425 - - Ingilby’s farm, 276 - - Inglis, J. C., 334 - - Ingram, Henry, 526 - - Inkerman, battle of, 318 - - Insarfu, 487, 492, 494 - - Ionian Islands, service in, 231, 235, 241 - - Ireland, service in, 217, 228, 239, 241, 346, 476 - - Irish insurgents routed by Riflemen, 224, 227 - - Ishmaelgunge, 374 - - - Jamo, 398 - - Jeames, E., 381 - - Jenkins, J., 65; - killed, 238 - - Jenkinson, Captain, killed, 18 - - Jones, Loftus, wounded, 156 - - Johnson, J., wounded, 28 - - Johnston, E. D., wounded, 208; - killed, 210 - - Johnston, William, 94; - wounded, 107, 208 - - Journey from St. John’s, N. B., to Rivière de Loup, 458, 459 - - Jugdespore jungles, operations in, 424, 442 - - Jumna, crossing the, 432 - - - Kaffir War, 1846-1848, 245-261; - 1851-1852, 269-294 - - Kalamita Bay, landing at, 303 - - Kamara, 330, 331 - - Kamishli, 304 - - Kataree fort, 405 - - Katchka, 309 - - Kemp, Sergeant, recommended for the Victoria Cross, 336 - - Kempt, Sir James, 112 - - Kentúgan, 304 - - Khooath Khas, 443 - - Kincaid, Sir John, 75, 94, 108; - wounded, 77 - - King, J., 526 - - Kingscote, Fitz-H., 526 - - Kioge, 21 - - Kirkman, J., wounded, 156 - - Knipe, W. H., killed, 69 - - Knox, J. S., 526; - wounded, 336, 346 - - Kokral, 374 _et seq._ - - Koorsie, expedition to, 38 - - Kurroundea, camp at, 438 - - - Lane, G. C., 412, 413 - - Lascelles, H. A., 489, 496 - - Lawrence, Sir Arthur J., 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 311, 312, 313, 526 - - Lawson, S. H., wounded, 107 - - Lawton, H., wounded, 391 - - Layton, J., 199 - - Leach, Jonathan, 90, 202, 204 - - Legge, Hon. G. B., 327, 328 _n._, 526 - - Leighfield, T., 526 - - Lewis, P., 526 - - Lindsay, Henry Gore, 294, 334 - - List of the first officers of the Regiment, 5 - - Lister, W., killed, 199 - - Llewellyn, H., wounded, 149, 152 - - Logan, J., 212 - - Lucknow, 373-379 - - Lynam, J., wounded, 209 - - - McCann, P., 526 - - McCormick, M., 526 - - M’Cullock, J. G., wounded and taken prisoner, 56 _n._; - wounded, 18, 77, 208; - account of, 210 - - M’Dermid, J., wounded, 107 - - Macdonald, Peter, 234 - - Macdonald, Robert, 232, 237 - - Macdonell, Alexander, killed, 107, 108 - - Macdonell, Major-Gen. Alexander, 338, 377, 379, 462, 526 - - McGibbon, Sergeant, 526 - - MacGregor, R., 333, 346, 526 - - M’Gregor, A., 104; - wounded, 97 - - McKay, Sergeant, 526 - - McKechie, Sergeant, 526 - - Mackenzie’s farm, 310, 311 - - MacLeod, J. M. D., wounded, 18; - killed, 57 - - M’Leod, N., 526 - - McMahon, B., 526 - - Macnamara, T., 92; - wounded, 14 - - M’Pherson, D., wounded, 107; - his death, 108 - - Madden, E. M., wounded, 152 - - Madrid, 120, 121 - - Maldonado, landing at, 13 - - Maloney, Sergeant, 404 _n._ - - Malta, 227-231, 238-241, 452, 453 - - Mandaula fort, 300 - - Manners, H. H., 104, 526; - wounded, 28, 107 - - Manningham, Coote, proposes the formation of a corps of Riflemen, 1; - is appointed colonel of the Rifle Corps, 5; - delivers and publishes lectures, 10; - account of, 40 - - Manœuvres, autumn, 473, 476, 480, 481, 508, 509 - - Mansel, W., 398, 401; - wounded, 403 - - March of the Light Division from Navalmoral to Talavera, 44, 45; - march from Futtehpore to Cawnpore, 351, 359, 360, 364; - march from Cheenee to Cawnpore, 358; - march to Nawabgunge, 387; - march to Sultanpore, 395; - march to Bankee, 412 - - Marialva, bridge of, skirmish at, 83 - - Markham, W. T., his picquet at Inkerman, 317 - - Marriott, E., 526 - - Massena, Marshal, his retreat from Portugal, 62, 71 - - Medals for Copenhagen, 8; - for Monte Video, 14 - - ‘Megæra,’ troop-ship, 269, 270 - - Mejidia, fort captured, 411 - - Merxem, fights at, 177, 178 - - Miller, G., 526; - wounded, 170, 205 - - Milles, Hon. Lewis, wounded, 356 - - Mitchell, Samuel, 526; - wounded, 57, 97; - taken prisoner, 185, 194, 224 - - Mitharden, fight at, 449 - - Mohmunds, expedition against, 461 - - Mohuneea, 437 - - Mohurs, gold, found in the corpse of a Sepoy, 373 - - Molloy, J., wounded, 208 - - Monte Video, 13 - - Moore, Sir John, commands the camp at Shorncliffe, 9; - proceeds to Sweden, 22; - in Portugal, 28; - his partiality for the Riflemen, 36 - - Moore, J. C., 526; - wounded, 338 - - Morgan, Hon. F. C., 320 - - Moshesh, 291-294 - - Mount Misery, 247, 248, 250 - - Mundell’s Krantz, fights at, 275, 280 - - Munro, C. F., 526 - - Murphy, T., 526 - - Murray, A. S., killed, 259 - - - Nana Sahib, pursuit of, 371 - - Napier, Charles, 7 - - Nash, W., 526 - - Nawabgunge, battle of, 388 - - Nelson, Lord, praises the Rifle Corps, and gives them medals, 8 - - Nepaul, operations in, 418 - - Nesbitt, Sergeant, 526 - - Netherlands, embarkation for, 195 - - New Brunswick, service at, 230 - - Newdigate, E., 334, 526; - wounded, 322 - - Newdigate, H. R. L., 381, 400, 437 - - New Orleans, expedition to, 181; - attack on the lines before, 187 - - Nicholl, C. R. H., 354, 421, 488, 496 - - Ninety-fifth, the Rifle Corps numbered, 9 - - Nive, battle of, 159 - - Nivelle, battle of, 155 - - Nixon, A., 334, 361, 376, 381, 432-450, 467, 526; - death of, 508 - - Noble, C., wounded, 16; - killed, 38 - - Noel, Hon. E., 489 - - Nonadee, 443 _n._ - - Norcott, Major-Gen. Sir Amos G., 14, 16, 17, 33, 34, 37, 67, 526; - wounded, 170, 205, 208, 212 - - Norcott, Major-Gen. W. S. R., 304, 307, 308, 309, 311, 313, 335, 338, - 340, 527 - - Noseley, G. R., taken prisoner, 321 - - Nova Scotia, service in, 226-233, 241 - - Nuggur, fight near, 383; - panic at, 384 - - Nutt, James, 527 - - - Obidos, 24 - - O’Hare, Major P., 18, 51, 71, 527; - killed, 107 - - O’Hea, I., 466, 527 - - Oomria, fort captured, 415 - - Orange river, 291 - - Ordah, fight near, 495; - crossing the, 496 - - Ordahsu, fight at, 497, 499 - - ‘Orinoco,’ steamship, 299; - on fire, 300 - - Orthez, battle of, 166, 167 - - Oude Field Force, 370 - - Outposts of Riflemen, their good understanding with their opponents, 47, - 61, 74, 75, 86, 158, 161; - sometimes interrupted, 161, 162 - - Outram, Sir James, 374 _et seq._ - - ‘Ovens’ taken, 323, 327; - maintained, 327, 328 - - Oxenden, C. V., 252, 392, 400, 403, 414 - - - Paialvo, skirmish at, 71 - - Pakenham, Hon. H. R., wounded, 24 - - Pandoo Nuddee, fight at the, 349 - - Paris, Riflemen enter, 213 - - Passo Chico, skirmish at, 16 - - Patrols in Kaffraria, 289 - - Pellew, Hon. B. R., wounded, 338 - - Perceval, James, wounded, 147 - - Percival, L., 388, 400 - - Percival, William, 109, 527; - wounded, 62 - - Piper, F., 413 - - Pitt, Sergeant, killed, 384 - - Playne, F. C., 354; - wounded, 339 - - Plunket, T., shoots General Colbert, 34 - - Pombal, skirmish at, 72 - - Ponte da Murcella, skirmish at, 78 - - Prah, crossing the, 485 - - Pratt, M., killed, 57, 58 - - ‘Prince Consort’s Own,’ Rifle Brigade designated, 458 - - Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief, 469; - address to, 474; - and answer, 475; - Guard of Honour furnished by Riflemen in India, 509 - - Promby, H., 527 - - Puente Larga, defence of, 120 - - Putarah, 365 - - Pyrenees, 143 - - - Quarman, 491, 492 - - Quatre Bras, 197, 199 - - Quebec, fire at, 466 - - - Raglan, Lord, 309, 311; - letter, 324; - general order, 325; - his kindness to the Riflemen, 333; - his funeral, 337 - - Rains, Charles, 527 - - Ramgunga, operations on, 368 - - Raptee, fight at the, 413; - operations on, 418 _et seq._ - - Redan, attack on the, 334, 335 - - Redinha, skirmish at, 73 - - Reilly, P., killed, 57, 58 - - Reserve battalion formed, 241; - disbanded, 267 - - Retreat to Portugal, 123-125 - - Return of the Rifle Corps on its formation, 2 - - Reviews by the King of the Netherlands, 180; - by the Allied Sovereigns, 215; - by the Duke of Clarence, 229; - after the coronation of Queen Victoria, 235; - by French generals, 301, 341; - by Russian generals, 341; - by the Shah of Persia, 478; - by the Prince of Wales, 480, 509; - by the Czar of Russia, 481; - by the Sultan of Zanzibar, 509. - _See_ Victoria - - Reynolds, John, wounded, 190 - - Ribton, Sir John, wounded, 170, 190 - - Richards, H. E., 398, 399; - killed, 402, 403 - - Ridgway, J. A., wounded, 152, 208 - - Rifle, Baker, 238, 515; - Brunswick, 238, 516; - Lancaster, 292, 516; - Minié, 299, 516; - Enfield, long, 332, 452, 517; - Enfield, short, 347, 452, 517; - Whitworth, 464, 467, 517; - Snider, 467, 517; - Martini-Henry, 507, 517 - - Rifle Corps, its formation, 1-4 - - Riflemen mounted on gun-limbers, 408; - on horses, 71 - - Riley, F. A., wounded, 338 - - Roleia, 25 - - Rooper, E., 305, 320; - wounded, 321; - death of, 322 - - Rose, Sir Hugh, _see_ Strathnairn - - Ross, Sir J., 527; - wounded, 205, 209, 212 - - Ross, Col. John, 307, 311, 312, 334, 359, 379, 381, 429, 450, 462, 477, - 527 - - Ross, Sergeant, 527 - - Rowles, J., 334 - - Rueda, 115 - - Russell, Lord A. G., 340, 452, 480, 481, 508, 527 - - Russian picquet _relieved_ by Riflemen, 329 - - Ryder, H. S., killed, 338; - account of, 339 - - - Sabugal, combat of, 80; - panic at, 87 - - St. Sebastian stormed, 147 - - Salamanca, battle of, 118; - retreat to, 121; - Lieut. Firman killed there, 122 - - San Francisco stormed, 92 - - San Millan, skirmish at, 133 - - San Munoz, fight at, 124 - - San Pedro, 16 _n._ - - San Pedro, in Portugal, 83 - - Sasseram, 438 - - Saugur, 448 - - Sault Ste. Marie, Riflemen shipwrecked at, 262 - - Saunders, G. R., 335, 527 - - Scanlan, C., wounded, 14 - - Scott, Henry, wounded, 156 - - Scott, J., 527 - - Scott, Hon. T. C., 491, 495, 498 - - Scriven, H. A., 381, 435; - killed, 443 - - Seaton, Lord, _see_ Colborne - - Sebastopol, 312 - - Seville, skirmish at the bridge, 120 - - Shaw, S., 391, 527 - - Shenley, G. H., wounded, 209 - - Shenley, William, wounded, 208 - - Shergotty, 438 - - Sherston, C. D., wounded, 489, 493 - - Shots, remarkable, by Riflemen, 34, 103, 314, 355 - - Shubkudder, fight at, 462 - - Sidka Ghât, fight at, 418 - - Simmons, George, 62, 89, 95, 96, 103, 108, 124, 151, 156, 164, 197, - 199, 210, 211 _n._; - wounded, 57, 170, 208 - - Simmons, Joseph, 124 - - Simpson, Sergt.-Major, obtains a commission, 77 - - Sinde, crossing the, 448 - - Singer, J., 412, 421 - - Small, Sergeant, 527 - - Smith, Sir Harry, 110, 193, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 261, 265, 266, 527; - wounded, 57; - last inspection of Riflemen, 451; - death of, 454 - - Smith, Lady, 110, 111 - - Smith, Major P. (of the Bays), killed, 374; - his body recovered by Riflemen, 375 - - Smith, Thomas, 97, 99, 100, 149, 150, 212, 213; - wounded, 57 - - Smith, Charles, 195 - - Smyth, C., wounded, 156; - killed, 199 - - Smyth, Hon. Leicester, 290, 294, 527 - - Smyth, W. J., wounded, 490, 493 - - Sobral, skirmish at, 62 - - Soita, retreat to, 91 - - Somerset, A. H. T. H., 489, 494 - - Somerset, Major-General Edward, 320, 329, 338, 340, 345, 452, 527 - - Sotheby, F. E., 408, 419, 425, 488, 492 - - Soult, Colonel, captured by Riflemen, 72 - - Soult, Marshal, 235 - - Spaniards recruited for Riflemen, 128; - their ferocity, 138 - - Standing orders of the Regiment, 6 - - Staples, Sergeant, 527 - - Stephens, A. H., 400, 486, 489, 500; - wounded, 493 - - Stewart, Archibald, 527 - - Stewart, Allen, wounded, 208, 211 _n._ - - Stewart, D., wounded, 107 - - Stewart, James, 52; - his death and character, 79 - - Stewart, Hon. J. H. K., 56, 527 - - Stewart, Major John, 527; - killed, 75 - - Stewart, the Hon. W., proposes the formation of a corps of Riflemen, 1; - account of him, 6-8 _n._, 43, 49, 515, 527; - his death, 228 - - Stilwell, J., killed, 208 - - Stokes, J. M., killed, 107 - - Stopford-Sackville, L. R., 497 - - Storey, Assist.-Surgeon, 404 - - Strathnairn, Lord, 430 _et seq._ - - Strode, Lieut., killed, 75 - - Struck, H., 527 - - Stuart, the Hon. James, 335, 527 - - Subhadar’s tank, 362 - - Suddlers, Corporal, 350 - - Sufferings of Riflemen, 322, 330, 331, 332, 362, 363, 387, 392, 396, - 426 - - Sukreta, fights at, 441, 442, 443 - - Sundeehlah, 397 - - Sunstroke, 392, 433 - - Supper, French, eaten by Riflemen, 77 - - Surtees, William, 11, 29 _n._, 30 _n._, 109, 169, 172; - wounded, 170 - - Sweden, detachment of Riflemen embark for, 22 - - Swinley, Rifle Corps encamped there, 3 - - - Tainst, Ed., 527 - - Tantia Topee, pursuit of, 445; - captured, 446; - hanged, 447 - - Tarbes, battle of, 169 - - Tarifa, 65 - - Tarsac, combat of cavalry at, 168 - - Taylor, 498, 507, 527 - - Taylor, M. B. W., 489 - - Tchernaya, 310, 311 - - Tents first provided in the Peninsula, 129 - - Thorpe, Sergeant, 528 - - Thynne, W. F., killed, 378 - - Tilbey, T., 528 - - Torres Vedras, 61 - - Toulouse, battle of, 173 - - Tournefeuille, skirmish at, 172 - - Travers, James, 92, 182, 192, 528; - wounded, 190 - - Travers, Nicholas, wounded, 150, 190 - - Travers, Sir Robert, 3, 5, 16, 23, 27, 29, 528; - wounded, 18 - - Travers, W. S., wounded, 352 - - ‘Trent’ affair, 456 - - Tryon, Henry, 320, 323, 324, 325, 326 - - Turner, Brigadier, 437 _et seq._ - - Turner, P., killed, 18 - - Turner, W., 528 - - - Uniacke, J., wounded, 84; - killed, 96; - his funeral, 97; - his character, 97 - - Uniform, change of, 231, 333, 381, 435, 455, 470, 474, 479 - - - Vandeleur, Sir H., 112 - - Varna, 300, 302 - - Vera, bridge of, defended by Riflemen, 149 - - Vera, pass of, forced, 151 - - Vickers, Gentle, wounded, 152 - - Victoria, Queen, guards furnished by Riflemen, 239, 262; - distributes Crimean medals to Riflemen, 334; - reviews them, 235, 238, 343, 346, 478, 506 - - Victoria Cross won by Riflemen, 314, 324, 327, 333, 366, 378, 391; - distributed by the Queen to eight Riflemen, 346; - recommendations for, 309 _n._, 319 _n._, 336, 466 - - Victories, names of, to be borne, 221, 509, 460, 510 - - Vimiera, battle of, 27 - - Vittoria, battle of, 135 - - - Wade, Hamlet, 10 _n._, 19, 29, 48, 66, 196, 528 - - Walcheren, expedition to, 48; - effects of the climate of, 50 - - Wales (South), disturbances in, 238, 239 - - Walker-Myln, H., 528 - - Waller, Sergt.-Major, 528 - - Walpole, Sir Robert, 355, 365, 370, 378, 528 - - Walsh, J. P., wounded, 209 - - Warren, A. F., 334, 356, 378, 407, 412, 421, 479, 494, 500, 528 - - Waterkloof, 277, 279, 286 - - Waterloo, 201 _et seq._ - - Webb, Vere, wounded, 209 - - Wellington, Duke of, first service of Riflemen under, 19, 20; - praises them, 21, 24, 27, 53, 58, 73, 77, 82, 85; - present with them in action, 61, 118, 123, 133, 136, 198, 204, 205, - 206, 207; - orders them rations, 76; - orders them into houses, 58, 83; - inspects them, 92, 113, 215, 235; - for the last time, 269; - protected by Riflemen, 74, 116; - severe order after the retreat from Portugal, 126; - escorted by Riflemen, 158, 159, 295; - appointed Colonel-in-Chief, 218; - certifies the names of their victories, 221; - his death, 295; - his body guarded by Riflemen, 295; - his funeral attended by them, 295 - - Weymouth, Rifle Corps trained there, 8 - - Wheatley, Francis, 314, 346, 528 - - Wilbraham, Richard, 234 - - Wilkins, G., 528; - wounded, 208 - - Wilmot, Sir Henry, 365, 378, 528 - - Windham, General, 349 _et seq._ - - Wiseman, R., 528 - - Wives of Riflemen outraged, 223 - - Wolseley, Sir Garnet, 479 _et seq._ - - Wood, J., 528 - - Woodford, Charles J., 347, 348, 350, 351, 528; - wounded, 338; - killed, 354, 355, 357 - - Woodford, E. S. G., killed, 336 - - Worsley, T. T., wounded, 107, 209, 210 - - Wright, William, 178, 180 _n._; - wounded, 208 - - - Yanci, bridge of, fight at, 144, 145 - - Yellow bungalow, 375, 377 - - Yorke, General Sir Charles, 528 - - - LONDON: PRINTED BY - SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE - AND PARLIAMENT STREET - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Footnote [325] is referenced three times from page 479. - Footnote [342] is referenced twice from page 510. - Footnote [345] is referenced seven times from pages 519, 520. - - Footnote [111] is referenced from inside Footnote [110]. - Footnote [127] is referenced from inside Footnote [126]. - - The Table on page 4 had many column headings, printed sideways; - this has been rendered as a two-column list in this etext. - - The Table on page 298 had many column headings, printed sideways; - this has been split into two parts with the first column duplicated. - - Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been - corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within - the text and consultation of external sources. - - Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, - and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained: for example, - rear-guard, rear guard; McCleod, Macleod, M’Leod; farm-house, - farmhouse; midday, mid-day; inspirited; sate; woful; havresack; - pannelled; hackeries. - - Pg xvii: ‘Tom Plunkett’ replaced by ‘Tom Plunket’. - Pg 22 Footnote [41]: ‘died April 31, 1835’ is an invalid date; - unable to ascertain the correct date. - Pg 44: ‘moved to Gaviaō’ replaced by ‘moved to Gavião’. - Pg 48: ‘Maravaō, after’ replaced by ‘Maravão, after’. - Pg 61: ‘rains, proceded to’ replaced by ‘rains, proceeded to’. - Pg 215: ‘through Aberchicourt’ replaced by ‘through Auberchicourt’. - Pg 261 Footnote [205]: ‘of the Roya United’ replaced by - ‘of the Royal United’. - Pg 300: ‘a time wa very’ replaced by ‘a time was very’. - Pg 429: ‘(p. 38)’ replaced by ‘(p. 381)’. - Pg 439 Footnote [314]: ‘in April, 185’ replaced by ‘in April, 1858.’. - Pg 454: ‘5 ” Oomao’ replaced by ‘5 ” Oonao’. - Pg 468: ‘Murree to Abottabad’ replaced by ‘Murree to Abbottabad’. - Pg 479 Footnote [325]: ‘officer required’ replaced by - ‘officers required’. - Pg 515 Footnote [343]:‘the using the’ replaced by ‘using the’. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Rifle Brigade (the -Prince Consort's Own) Formerly the 95, by William Henry Cope - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE *** - -***** This file should be named 60048-0.txt or 60048-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/0/4/60048/ - -Produced by MWS, John Campbell and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: The History of the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own) Formerly the 95th - -Author: William Henry Cope - -Release Date: August 3, 2019 [EBook #60048] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, John Campbell and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<div class="transnote"> -<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</strong></p> - -<p>In the original text a narrative change from one battalion to another -was indicated by some additional blank space. In this etext two blank -lines similarly indicates this transition.</p> - -<p>Footnote anchors are denoted by <span class="fnanchor">[number]</span>, and the footnotes have been -placed at the end of each chapter or section.</p> - -<p>The original text had a dot under the superscripts; this dot -has been removed in the etext.</p> - -<p>Six town names with āo ending have been changed to ão for consistency.</p> - -<p>The book title and author have been superimposed by the transcriber -on the image of the original cover; this modified image is placed in the public domain.</p> - -<p class="screenonly">A larger version of each map can be displayed by clicking on the map image.</p> - -<p>Some other minor changes to the text are noted at the <a href="#TN">end of the book.</a></p> -</div> - - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="510" alt="Original cover (with text of title and author added)" /></div> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p class="p6" /> - -<p class="pfs150">THE RIFLE BRIGADE</p> -<p class="p6" /> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p class="p6" /> - -<p class="pfs70"> -LONDON: PRINTED BY<br /> -SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE<br /> -AND PARLIAMENT STREET</p> -<p class="p6" /> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="FP" id="FP"></a> -<p class="right fs70 padr10pc">Plate I.</p> -<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="500" alt="" /> -<div class="captionx"> -RIFLE CORPS,<br /> -1800.</div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> - -<h1>THE HISTORY<br /> -<br /> -<span class="fs50">OF THE</span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="fs150 lsp2 wsp">RIFLE BRIGADE</span></h1> - - -<p class="p1 pfs60 lsp2">(<em>THE PRINCE CONSORT’S OWN</em>)</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs70">FORMERLY THE</p> - -<p class="pfs150">95th</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">BY</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs120">SIR WILLIAM H. COPE, BART.</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">LATE LIEUTENANT RIFLE BRIGADE</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/badge.jpg" width="200" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="pfs70 wsp"><em>WITH MAPS AND PLANS</em></p> - -<p class="p1 pfs90 antiqua">London</p> -<p class="pfs90 wsp">CHATTO & WINDUS, PICCADILLY</p> -<p class="pfs90">1877</p> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p class="p6" /> - -<p class="pfs80">TO</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs90">FIELD-MARSHAL</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs80 lsp wsp">HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs120 wsp">THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G.</p> - -<p class="pfs60"><em>&c. &c.</em></p> - -<p class="p1 pfs60">COLONEL-IN-CHIEF</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">THIS RECORD OF THE SERVICES OF</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs90">THE RIFLE BRIGADE</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs60">IS</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">BY HIS GRACIOUS PERMISSION</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">MOST RESPECTFULLY</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">DEDICATED</p> -<p class="p6" /> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> -<p class="p6" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk"><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">PREFACE.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">A wish had long been entertained and often expressed -by Riflemen, both by those serving in the Regiment and -by those who had formerly served in it, that a detailed -record of its services should be compiled. It was -suggested to me by many of my friends that I should -undertake this task. The will certainly was not -wanting; but the ability to carry out their wish has -not, I fear, been equal to their partial opinion, or to -my own desire to do justice to the subject.</p> - -<p>The materials for such a compilation were not -wanting. The late Colonel Leach published a very -brief sketch of the Services of the Regiment,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> and his -‘Rough Notes’<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> give many and accurate particulars of -events during the time he served in it. The Autobiography -of Quarter-Master Surtees<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> is a most -valuable record of the events in which he took part. -Surtees came as a private into the 95th from the 56th -Regiment in 1802. His good conduct raised him -through the various grades of non-commissioned -officer to Quarter-Master of the old 3rd Battalion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span> -His book I have found, on comparing it with other -records, most accurate in every particular. As the -3rd Battalion was disbanded before the order for -drawing up and preserving regimental records issued -from the Horse Guards, no formal record of its -services exists;<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> and had it not been for the facts and -dates preserved and recorded by Surtees, I should -have found it difficult, if not impossible, to have given -any detailed account of the actions of that Battalion in -the Peninsula and at New Orleans. Though tinged -with the peculiar religious opinions which Surtees -adopted, and which perhaps scarcely have place in a -military record, his work is written with a distinctness -and in a style which do him honour. And the high -character of the man which breathes through his -work has led me to place every confidence in his -statements.</p> - -<p>Very different are Sir John Kincaid’s two books.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> -These, though written in too jocular and light a strain -for regular history (‘ad jocos forte propensior quam -decet’) contain many anecdotes and facts of which I -have gladly availed myself. And I have found his -dates and statements confirmed by other and more -formal materials to which I had access.</p> - -<p>Costello’s little work<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> has also afforded me much -information; and he has recorded many circumstances -unnoticed or lightly touched upon by others.</p> - -<p>The ‘Recollections of Rifleman Harris’<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span> -also been of considerable service to me in compiling -this record, especially as preserving many particulars, -elsewhere unnoticed, of the retreat to Corunna and of -the expedition to Walcheren. His editor, however, -seems to have used the materials Harris wrote or -dictated without any attempt at arrangement; so that -it is difficult, and in some cases almost impossible, to -disentangle the narrative, or to arrange the events he -describes in chronological order.</p> - -<p>The valuable List of the Officers of the Regiment, -compiled by Mr. Stooks Smith,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> has also been of much -use to me; and I have to thank that gentleman for -some additional information, and for permission to -republish that list with continuation to the present -time, of which I hope at some future period to avail -myself.</p> - -<p>Nor can I close this list of printed works bearing -on the history of the Regiment without mentioning -the ‘Recollections of a Rifleman’s Wife,’ by Mrs. -Fitzmaurice, to which I am indebted for many facts -and anecdotes, many of them especially valuable -because they relate to the less stirring times of peace; -nor without expressing my thanks for her permission -to use the materials she has thus preserved.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When I proceed to acknowledge the personal -recollections and the journals of services in the -Regiment which have been placed at my disposal, I -scarcely know how adequately to express my obligations -to those who have aided me. Everyone who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span> -has worn the green jacket, from Generals to private -Riflemen, to whom I have applied, or who has heard -of my endeavour to preserve a record of the services -of the Regiment, has, almost without exception, most -kindly placed journals and letters in my hands, or -assisted me by personal reminiscences.</p> - -<p>The aid of my friend Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred -Horsford procured for me the transcript of many -valuable records and the elucidation of many points -which I could not otherwise have obtained. Lieutenant-General -Sir Arthur Lawrence not only communicated -to me many particulars of the services of the -2nd Battalion in the Crimea, but placed in my hands -his private letters written from thence, which afforded -me most valuable information. Major-General Hill -was so good as to draw up for me a detailed statement -of the services of the 2nd Battalion, which he commanded -during the Indian Mutiny. To Major-General -Leicester Smyth I am indebted not only for -a narrative of the battle of Berea, but also for the -perusal of a private letter written by him directly after, -and describing that engagement, and for much valuable -information. By permission of Brigadier-General Ross, -Lady Ross transmitted to me his letters to his family -both from the Crimea and from India, to the perusal -of which I cannot attach too great importance.</p> - -<p>Colonel Smith, now I believe the oldest officer of -the Regiment living,<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> has freely and kindly communicated -to me his recollections of services in the Peninsula -and elsewhere, and has patiently borne with my many -enquiries which his accurate memory has enabled him to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span> -answer. To Colonel Dillon I am indebted for much -valuable information which he kindly obtained for me. -Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander was so good as to write -out for me from his journals a detailed account of the -movements and actions of the 3rd Battalion in India, -in which he took part. Lieutenant-Colonel Sotheby -had the kindness to transcribe for me his journal -during the Indian Mutiny, and to illustrate it with -sketch-maps. Lieutenant-Colonel FitzRoy Fremantle, -Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre, Captain Percival, Captain -George Curzon, and Major Harvey placed in my -hands their valuable journals and diaries. Colonel -H. Newdigate and Captain Austin favoured me with -detailed and important particulars as to the services -of the companies of Riflemen who formed the Camel -Corps. To Lieutenant-Colonel Green I am indebted -for his own narrative and that of Mr. Mansel (drawn -up at the time) of the affair at Jamo in which he was -so desperately wounded. I have to thank Captain -Boyle for allowing me to see his continuation to the -year 1860 of Mr. Stooks Smith’s List of Officers, and -for much other information. To Captain Moorsom I -am under great obligations, not only for the three -plans (of New Orleans, of Cawnpore, and of Lucknow) -which he has contributed to this work, but for -materially aiding me in obtaining important information. -And to Surgeon-Major Reade I am indebted -for an accurate and interesting account of the march to -Cawnpore of Colonel Fyers’ detachment, to which he -was attached.</p> - -<p>Sergeant-Major Bond, of the Sligo Militia, and -formerly of the 1st Battalion, gave me a detailed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span> -account, from his journal, of the Kaffir War of 1847–9; -and Corporal Scott, late of the 1st Battalion, communicated -to me a most minute and accurate journal which -he kept in short-hand during the Kaffir War of 1851–52, -during the Crimean campaign, and during his -service in Canada. It is not too much to say that -without the valuable contributions of these two non-commissioned -officers it would have been impossible -to give any detailed account of the doings of the -1st Battalion during these wars. Sergeant Fisher, -late of the 2nd Battalion, placed in my hands an -interesting journal kept during the Indian Mutiny; -and Sergeant Carroll, of that Battalion, has communicated -many particulars respecting the Camel -Corps.</p> - -<p>To these and to other Riflemen I owe my thanks, -not only for the documents they have communicated -to me, but for the kindness with which they have -entertained, and the courtesy with which they have -replied to my many questions for further information -or details.</p> - -<p>The officers commanding the four Battalions have -given free access to, or transcripts of the several -Battalion Records. These, though drawn up in -obedience to an order issued in 1822, do not seem to -have been compiled till some years afterwards.</p> - -<p>That of the 1st Battalion appears to have been -written by, or under the eye of, Sir Amos Norcott, who -then commanded it, and by whom the transcript transmitted -to the Horse Guards is signed. For it is very -full and explicit in relating the actions in which he was -personally engaged (as, for instance, the account of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</a></span> -engagement at Buenos Ayres, which bears internal -evidence of having been drawn up by an eye-witness) -but is rather slight and meagre in the narrative of -many Peninsular and other victories.</p> - -<p>The Record of the 2nd Battalion, transmitted to -the Horse Guards, and dated March 10, 1831, is a -model of what such a document should be. It has been -compiled with great accuracy; and the movements and -engagements of the Battalion, the lists of killed and -wounded, and the distinctions won by its officers and -men, are recorded under separate heads and with -great minuteness.</p> - -<p>These Records have been continued to the present -time, for the most part with great accuracy and precision.</p> - -<p>The Records of the 3rd and 4th Battalions have -also been placed in my hands. The latter, containing, -of course, only the movements of the Battalion, calls -for no comment; that of the 3rd Battalion has been, -in the earlier parts, kept irregularly, probably in consequence -of the Battalion being broken up and constantly -in the field; and no one perusing it could form an idea -of, or trace accurately the distinguished service of that -Battalion during the Indian Mutiny.</p> - -<p>Nor is it to Riflemen alone that I am indebted for -assistance. I have to thank Major-General Sir John -Adye for permission to use the plan of Cawnpore, -published in his account of those eventful days; Major-General -Payn for an interesting letter on the same -subject; the author of the articles on Ashantee in -‘Colburn’s United Service Magazine’ for his liberal and -unsolicited authority to use them as materials for my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</a></span> -narrative; and especially Lieutenant-Colonel Home, -R.E. for his kindness in giving me tracings of the -plans of the operations at New Orleans deposited in -the Quarter-Master General’s Office, and for permission -to have copies made of the plans prepared in the topographical -department of that office for the Record of -the 52nd.</p> - -<p>I have expressed in another place the assistance I -have derived from the accurately kept journal of the -late Major George Simmons, and from his separate -memoir on Waterloo, which were placed in my hands -by his widow.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I have not attempted to trace the strategical or -tactical movements of the armies of which the Battalions -have formed part, for two reasons: my own -inability to record what has been so well described by -abler pens; and also because any attempt to have done so -would have swelled this book to an extent altogether -disproportionate to its object.</p> - -<p>For it must be borne in mind that I profess to be -the historian, not of wars, but of this particular Corps -only, and of that part it alone bore in them.</p> - -<p>So, in like manner, I have not recorded the deeds -of other regiments which may have acted with the -Riflemen, save in a very few instances where it was impossible -to separate the narrative of their movements -from that of the movements of regiments which fought -beside, or supported them. In the case of their old -and most frequent companions in arms, the 43rd and -52nd, it was unnecessary that I should record their -actions, since the histories of both these distinguished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[xv]</a></span> -Corps have been fully and well written.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> And if others -who have fought, and fought well, beside the Riflemen -are here unnoticed, and as yet without a special history, -they must believe that their gallant deeds, albeit -unrecorded here, live in the recollection and the praise -of many Riflemen.</p> - -<p>To some readers some of the facts and anecdotes I -have here recorded may appear trifling and unworthy -of mention. But it must be borne in mind that I write -for Riflemen, at the desire of Riflemen, and to preserve -the memory of the deeds of Riflemen. By them I am -sure nothing will be considered trivial, nothing out of -place in a history of the Regiment, which records the -valour, the acts, the sufferings or even preserves an -anecdote of any (of whatever rank) of the members of -that brotherhood.</p> - -<p class="right">W. H. C.</p> - -<p class="fs80"><span class="smcap">Bramshill</span>: <em>December 1876</em>.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> ‘Sketch of the Field Services of the Rifle Brigade from its Formation -to the Battle of Waterloo.’ London, 1838, pp. 32.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> ‘Rough Sketches in the Life of an Old Soldier.’ London, 1831.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> ‘Twenty-five Years in the Rifle Brigade.’ Edinburgh, 1833.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The order for keeping regimental records is dated September 1822. -The 3rd Battalion was disbanded in 1818.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> ‘Adventures in the Rifle Brigade’ and ‘Random Shots from a -Rifleman.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> ‘Adventures of a Soldier.’ London, 1852.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Edited by Henry Curling. London, 1848.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> ‘Alphabetical List of the Officers of the Rifle Brigade from 1800 to -1850.’ London, 1851.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> He joined the 1st Battalion in April 1808.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> ‘Historical Records of the 43rd Regiment.’ By Sir Richard G. A. -Levinge, Bart. 1868.</p> - -<p>‘Historical Records of the 52nd Regiment.’ Edited by Capt. W. -S. Moorsom. 1860.</p></div> -</div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[xvi]</a></span><br /> - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[xvii]</a></span></p> -<p class="p6" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk lsp2"><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</a></h2> - -<div class="fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"></td><td class="tdrb fs70">PAGE</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Formation of an Experimental Corps of Riflemen—Expedition to Ferrol—Re-formation of the Rifle - Corps—First list of officers—Account of Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. W. Stewart—Standing orders—First Expedition - to Copenhagen—Nelson’s testimony—He gives a medal to the Riflemen—The Rifle Corps numbered 95—Camp at - Shorncliffe under Sir John Moore—Formation of the 2nd Battalion—Account of Lieut.-Colonel Wade—Sidney Beckwith’s - magnanimity—Expedition to Germany—Attack on Monte Video—Attack on Buenos Ayres—Second Expedition to - Denmark—Battle of Kioge—Three companies proceed to Sweden—Arrival of Riflemen in Portugal—Affair at - Obidos—Battle of Roleia—Battle of Vimiera—Both Battalions in Spain—Meeting of the Riflemen at the - Trianon—Retreat—General Craufurd’s stern discipline—2nd Battalion embarks at Vigo—Fight at - Cacabelos—<ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'Tom Plunkett'">Tom Plunket</ins> shoots a French General—Battle of Corunna—Embarkation of 1st Battalion—Casualties—Arrival - in England—Death of Colonel Manningham</td><td class="tdrb">1</td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Formation of the 3rd Battalion—1st Battalion again proceed to Portugal—Join the Light Division—March - from Calzada to Talavera—March to the bridge of Almaraz—Scarcity of food—Winter quarters at Campo Major—2nd Battalion - embark for Holland—Humbley seizes a French picquet—Siege of Flushing—Walcheren fever—1st Battalion on the - Coa—Fight at Barba del Puerco—Craufurd’s Divisional Order—Beckwith’s system of command—Night march to - Gallegos—Fight at the Coa—Casualties—Battle of Busaco—Lines of Torres Vedras—Fight at Sobral—Simmons - takes some French prisoners—Massena’s retreat—Fight near Valle—Winter quarters—A company of the 2nd Battalion with - Ballesteros—Defence of Tarifa—Defence of Cadiz—Battle of Barrosa</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[xviii]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Massena’s retreat from Santarem—Skirmishes at Paialvo; at Pombal; at Redinha—French politeness—Skirmishes - at Casal-nova; at Foz d’Aronce; at Ponte da Murcella; at Freixadas—Lieutenant James Stewart—Combat at Sabugal—Skirmish at - the bridge of Marialva; at Fuentes d’Onor—Battle of Fuentes d’Onor—Night panic at Sabugal—March to the Alemtejo—Cantonments - on the Agueda—Retreat to Soita—Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo—Assault of San Francisco—Storming of Ciudad - Rodrigo—Casualties—Anecdotes of General Craufurd—Military Executions—Siege of Badajos—Capture of La - Picurina—Storming of Badajos—Casualties—Harry Smith’s romantic adventure</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Character of Sidney Beckwith—Riflemen reviewed by Lord Wellington—Skirmish near Rueda; at Castrejon—Manœuvring - near Salamanca—Battle of Salamanca—March to Madrid—2nd Battalion companies fight at Seville; at Puente Larga—Departure - from Madrid—Death of Lieutenant Firman—Retreat to the frontier of Portugal—Sufferings of the Riflemen—Their high state - of discipline—Spanish recruits—Campaign of 1813—Affair at the Hormuza—Skirmish at San Millan—Battle of - Vittoria—The 95th capture the first gun; and the last at the Araquil—March to intercept Clausel; to Pamplona; to the - Pyrenees—Skirmish at Santa Barbara—Night marches—Fight at the bridge of Yanci; at Echalar—First Regimental - dinner—Storming of S. Sebastian—Fight at the Bidassoa—Cadoux’s picquet at the bridge of Vera—Forcing the pass of - Vera—The Arrhunes</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Battle of Nivelle—Fight at Arcangues—Good feeling between the Riflemen and the French outposts—Battle - of the Nive—Outpost courtesies and discourtesies—Gave d’Oleron—March to Orthez—Battle of Orthez—Battle of - Tarbes—Fight at Tournefeuille—Battle of Toulouse—Suspension of arms—Embarkation for England and arrival - there—Expedition to Holland—Investment of Bergen-op-Zoom—Skirmishes before Antwerp; at Donk—Fight at Merxem—Failure - of Graham’s attempts on Antwerp—Bergen-op-Zoom—Sorties from Antwerp and alarms—The companies in this expedition occupy Belgium, - and eventually join the Battalions in the Waterloo campaign—Expedition to New Orleans—Disembarkation—James Travers captures an - American picquet—Attack on the bivouack of the Riflemen—Hallen’s picquet—Advance towards New Orleans—Attacks on the - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[xix]</a></span> - American lines—Truce to remove dead and wounded—Dishonourable conduct of the Americans during the truce—Difficult march to the - shore—Re-embarkation—Arrival at Île Dauphine—Sergeant Fukes turns the tables on a Yankee officer—Fort Boyer - surrenders—Return to England</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Embarkation for the Netherlands—Advance of the 1st Battalion to Brussels—March to Quatre Bras—Battle of - Quatre Bras—Riflemen the first English engaged; under the eye of the Duke of Wellington—Retreat through Genappe to - Waterloo—Battle of Waterloo—Casualties; and Anecdotes—Charles Beckwith—March to Paris—Army of occupation—The - 95th made ‘the Rifle Brigade’—Return to England—Death of Amphlett—The 3rd Battalion disbanded</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_195">195</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Home Service—1st Battalion sent to Glasgow to suppress riots—2nd Battalion proceeds to Ireland—The Duke - of Wellington Colonel-in-chief—Address to him on that occasion—Both Battalions in Ireland—Names of victories to be borne on - the pouch-belt—Outrage on some women of the Regiment—Engagement with Irish insurgents at Carrigamanus; and at Dasure—Embarkation - of the 1st Battalion for Nova Scotia; and of the 2nd Battalion for Malta—The Depôt engaged against rioters in Ireland—Death of - Sir William Stewart—The Depôts of both Battalions reviewed by the Duke of Clarence—Service abroad and at home—A - Depôt Company of 1st Battalion suppresses smuggling at Hastings—Return of the 1st Battalion to England—Riflemen sent to - Persia—Death of Colonel Eeles—Return of the 2nd Battalion to England—Coronation of Queen Victoria—Review in Hyde - Park—Inspection by the Colonel-in-Chief and Marshal Soult—Birmingham Riots—The 1st Battalion embarks for Malta—Guards - of Honour to Queen Victoria—Riots in South Wales—Embarkation of 2nd Battalion for Bermuda—Reserve Battalion formed—1st - Battalion ordered to the Cape—Speech of Lord Seaton</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_217">217</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Landing in South Africa—Marches to Kaffraria—Death of Captain Gibson and Assistant-Surgeon Howell—Bivouack - on Mount Misery—Fording the Kei river—Attack on the Kaffirs—Fire at King William’s-town—Expedition to the Amatola - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[xx]</a></span> - Mountains—Surrender of Sandilli—Arrival of Sir Harry Smith—War against the Boers—Crossing the Orange river—Battle - of Boemplaats—Death of Captain Murray—Submission of the Rebels—Riflemen employed in building—2nd Battalion in - Canada—Shipwreck at Sault Ste. Marie—Embarkation of the 1st Battalion—Sir Harry Smith’s General Order—Return to - England—The Reserve Battalion done away with</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Last review by the Duke of Wellington—1st Battalion again embark for Kaffraria—Disasters of the - ‘Megæra’—Landing at Algoa bay—Marches up the country—Skirmishes at Mundell’s Krantz; at Ingilby’s farm—Reconnaissance - to the Waterkloof and Blinkwater—Patrols and reconnaissances—Attack on the Waterkloof—General Cathcart’s General - Order—Escorts—Final attack on the Waterkloof—Road-making and patrols—Expedition to Moshesh’s country—Battle of - Berea—Death of the Duke of Wellington—Riflemen guard and escort his body—His funeral—Return of the 2nd Battalion to - England—The Prince Consort appointed Colonel-in-Chief—Return of the 1st Battalion—General Cathcart’s order on that - occasion—Camp at Chobham</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_269">269</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Embarkation for the East—The 2nd Battalion in Turkey and Bulgaria—Disembarkation in the Crimea—Kindness - of Sir George Cathcart—Advance to Kentúgan and Kamishli—Popularity of the Riflemen with the inhabitants—False - alarms—Advance to the Búlganak—Battle of the Alma—March to the Katchka and the Belbek—Russian baggage captured - at Mackenzie’s farm—Attack on Balaklava—Both Battalions before Sebastopol—Wheatley disposes of a live shell—Remarkable - shot by a Rifleman—Attack on Fyers’ picquet—Hugh Hannan’s single combat—Battle of Balaklava—Markham’s picquet at the - Magazine Grotto—Wing of 2nd Battalion sent to the heights of Balaklava—Battle of Inkerman—Exploit at the Ovens—General - Canrobert’s ‘<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Ordre Général</span>’—Severe duty—Sufferings and sickness—Russian attempt to retake the - Ovens—Reconnaissance on Kamara—Increased suffering and disease—Huts erected—Death of Sir Andrew Barnard—Second - reconnaissance on Kamara—A 3rd Battalion added—Attacks and volunteers—Victoria Cross won by three Riflemen—New - clothing—Wing of the 2nd Battalion embark for Kertch, but return countermanded—Queen Victoria distributes the Crimean Medal to - 24 Riflemen (officers and men)—Capture of the Quarries—Attack on the Redan—Death of Lord Raglan—Thirteen Riflemen - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxi" id="Page_xxi">[xxi]</a></span> - shot down coming off picquet—Captain Balfour’s affair in the trenches—Final attack on Sebastopol—Captain Hammond—Explosion - in French lines—The armistice—Reviews by French and Russian Generals—Embarkation for England—Corunna in 1809 and - 1856—Both Battalions at Aldershot—Reviewed by the Queen—Formation of the 3rd Battalion—The 1st Battalion proceeds to - Scotland—Fire and riots—2nd Battalion reviewed by the Queen in Hyde Park, when Her Majesty gave the Victoria Cross to eight Riflemen - (officers and others)—Afterwards proceeds to Dublin—A 4th Battalion added to the Regiment</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_298">298</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">The Sepoy Mutiny—2nd and 3rd Battalions embark for India—Woodford’s detachment arrives at Calcutta—March - up the country—Arrival of Fyers’ detachment—Woodford’s party reach Cawnpore—Fight at the Pandoo Nuddee—Battle of November - 27—Fyers’ march from Futtehpore to Cawnpore—Atherley’s company (3rd Battalion) reach Cawnpore—Battle of November 28—Death - of Colonel Woodford—The Riflemen take two guns—Fight on November 29—Woodford’s body recovered and buried—Arrival of the - 3rd Battalion at Calcutta—Marches up the country—Final battle of Cawnpore—Attack on the Subhadar’s tank—Arrival of the - 2nd Battalion Head-quarters—Marches and expeditions—Capture of the fort of Etawah—Operations on the Ramgunga—Return to - Cawnpore—Formation of the Oude field force—Expedition to intercept the Nana—Return <em>re infectâ</em>—Escorts—Advance - towards Lucknow—The Riflemen join Outram’s force—Operations on the left bank of the Goomtee—First engagement there—Attack - on a picquet of Riflemen—Capture of the Yellow Bungalow—Escort of mortars—Reconnaissance in force—The iron and stone - bridges—Wilmot’s fight near the iron bridge—Deaths of Captain Thynne and Lieutenant Cooper—Capture of Lucknow—Expedition - to Koorsie—Formation of the Camel Corps—Sickness in the 3rd Battalion—Fight at Baree—Expeditions—Pursuit of Beni - Madhoo—March to Nuggur—Sufferings from the heat—Fight at Nuggur—Night panic—Pursuit of rebels—Camp at - Chinhut—Night march to Nawabgunge—Sufferings of the Riflemen from fatigue, dust, and thirst—Battle of Nawabgunge—Sir - Hope Grant’s opinion of the enemy—Shaw’s combat with a Ghazee—Casualties from wounds and sunstroke—Sir Hope Grant’s - despatches</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_347">347</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxii" id="Page_xxii">[xxii]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Return of the 3rd Battalion to Lucknow—Distressing march of the 2nd Battalion to Sultanpore—Cross the - Gogra—A company of the 3rd Battalion proceed to Sundeelah—Green’s fight at Jamo—Capture of Birwah—Death of Ensign - Richards—Expedition to the fort of Amethie—March to Shunkerpore—Escape of Beni Madhoo—Expedition to Koilee—Fight - near Hydergurh—Pursuit of rebels—Riflemen mounted on gun-limbers—Trans-Gogra campaign—March to Baraitch—Christmas - dinner at Jeta—Skirmish near Churdah—Capture of Mejidia—Night march to Bankee—Fight at the Raptee—Renewed pursuit - of Beni Madhoo—Capture of Oomria—March to Gonda—Expedition into Nepaul—Fight at Sidka Ghât—Expeditions near - the Raptee—Fight at Akouna—Clearing the Jugdespore jungles—Patrols near the fords of the Raptee—End of the Mutiny—2nd - Battalion return to Lucknow—Marches, services, and casualties of the 2nd Battalion—Inspection by Lord Clyde—3rd Battalion moves - to Tulsipore to receive captured guns—Proceeds to Agra</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_394">394</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">The Camel Corps—Riding drill—Move to Cawnpore—Proceed to join Sir Hugh Rose—Cross the - Jumna—Battle of Goolowlee—Capture of Calpee—Return to Cawnpore—Move to Allahabad and Benares—Cross the - Ganges—Expedition to Mohaneea—Standing camp at Kurroundea—Expedition to Nassreegunge; to Bikrumgunge; to Kochus—Fight - at Sukreta—Various expeditions in pursuit of rebels—March to Fyzabad—Ordered to Lucknow—Pursuit of Tantia - Topee—Capture of Tantia Topee—Camel Corps cross the Chumbul—March to Saugor—Operations in the jungles—Fight at - Mitharden—Chase of rebels near Shahgurh—Move to Agra—Camel Corps broken up—Colonel Ross’ testimony to their zeal and - discipline</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_429">429</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Home service—1st Battalion inspected by Sir Harry Smith—His speech—4th Battalion embarks for Malta—Death - of Sir Harry Smith—Marches in India—1st Battalion in Ireland—The Rifle Brigade exempted from being required to carry a colour - on guards—The ‘Trent’ affair—Embarks for North America—Dangers of the voyage—Death of the Prince Consort—The - designation ‘The Prince Consort’s Own’ granted to the Regiment—Journey from St. John’s New Brunswick to Rivière de Loup—Service - abroad—Sir George Brown Colonel-in-Chief—Expedition against the Mohmunds—Battle of Shubkudder—Testimonies to the - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiii" id="Page_xxiii">[xxiii]</a></span> - good conduct of the 1st Battalion in Canada—4th Battalion proceeds to Canada—Death of Sir George Brown—Bravery of two - Riflemen—Fenian raid—Return of the 2nd and 4th Battalions to England—The Prince of Wales Colonel-in-Chief—Prince Arthur - joins 1st Battalion as Lieutenant—Two Battalions at Aldershot—Flying columns—Return of the 1st Battalion to England—Autumn - manœuvres—Return of the 3rd Battalion to England—Illness of H.R.H. the Colonel-in-Chief—Autumn manœuvres, 1872—Thanksgiving - for the recovery of the Prince of Wales—2nd and 4th Battalions move to Ireland—Review before the Shah—Ashantee - Expedition—2nd Battalion embarks for the Gold Coast—Autumn manœuvres of 1873—4th Battalion proceeds to India—Entry of - the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh into London</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_451">451</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Disembarkation at Cape Coast Castle—March to the Prah—Meeting with a supposed rhinoceros—African - fever—Death of Captain Huyshe—Advance beyond the Prah—First contact with the Ashantees—Battle of Amoaful—Defence - of Quarman—Advance from Amoaful—Fight near the Ordah—Crossing the river—Fight at Ordahsu—Advance to - Coomassie—Return towards the coast—Aggemamu fortified—Arrival at Cape Coast and return to England—Reception at Portsmouth - and Winchester—Reviews—2nd Battalion proceeds to Gibraltar—Death of Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon—The Colonel-in-Chief in - India—The Duke of Connaught takes command of the 1st Battalion—Conclusion</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_482">482</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#APPENDIX_I">APPENDIX I.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Succession of Colonels-in-Chief and Colonels-Commandant</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_513">513</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#APPENDIX_II">APPENDIX II.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">On the Armament of the Regiment</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_515">515</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#APPENDIX_III">APPENDIX III.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Actions and Casualties of the Regiment</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_518">518</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs120" colspan="2"><a href="#APPENDIX_IV">APPENDIX IV.</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Rewards for Distinguished Service</td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_523">523</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"><a href="#INDEX">INDEX</a></td><td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_529">529</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiv" id="Page_xxiv">[xxiv]</a></span><br /> - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxv" id="Page_xxv">[xxv]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="no-brk"><a name="LIST_OF_PLATES" id="LIST_OF_PLATES"></a>LIST OF PLATES.</h2> - -<div class="fs80 smcap"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="80%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#FP">Uniform of the Rifle Corps</a></td><td class="tdr fvnormal" colspan="2"><em>Frontispiece</em></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J056">Plan of the Coa</a></td><td class="tdr fvnormal"><em>to face page</em></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J060">Plan of Busaco</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J068">Plan of Barrosa</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J071">Uniform of the 95th</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J081">Plan of Sabugal</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J085">Plan of Fuentes d’Onor</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J105">Plan of Badajos</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J135">Plan of Vittoria</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J151">Plan of Vera</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_151">151</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J155">Plan of Nivelle</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J187">Plan of New Orleans</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J202">Plan of Waterloo, I.</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_202">202</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J206">Plan of Waterloo, II.</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J217">Uniform of the Rifle Brigade</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_217">217</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J292">Plan of Berea</a><span class="pagenum fvnormal"><a name="Page_xxvi" id="Page_xxvi">[xxvi]</a></span></td> - <td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_292">292</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J347">Uniform, 1856</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_347">347</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J350">Plan of Cawnpore</a><a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></td> - <td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_350">350</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J374">Plan of Lucknow</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_374">374</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J474">Uniform, 1872</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_474">474</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#J488">Plan of Amoaful</a></td><td class="tdc pad10pc">”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_488">488</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="blockquot fs80"> - -<p>⁂ I have not inserted plans of the Crimean actions, as accurate and detailed -plans of these battles are to be found in Mr. Kinglake’s ‘Invasion of the -Crimea,’ and in other works of the period, which are generally accessible.</p></div> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The position of the troops on this plan is that of November 27, 1857; but -the plan will explain the actions on the other days.</p></div> -</div> - - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p class="p6" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs80"><a name="Erratum" id="Erratum"></a><em>Erratum.</em></h2> - - -<p class="fs80">Page 337, line 31: the name of the sergeant who distinguished himself is -James Harrywood.</p> -<p class="p6" /> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<p class="pfs150 lsp">THE RIFLE BRIGADE.</p> -<p class="p2" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">Towards the close of the last century Colonel Coote Manningham -and Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable William -Stewart addressed a representation to the Government, pointing -out the importance of having a corps furnished with arms -of precision, and the advantage of training such a corps in -the special duties of Riflemen. It would have been interesting -to preserve the text of this document; but I regret that it -does not now exist. Every search has been made in the -records of the War Department, by the kindness of Mr. -Denham Robinson, of the War Office, but, I regret to say, -without success; and it has been suggested that it may probably -have been transferred to the Small Arms Department, -and may have perished with the records of that office in the -fire at the Tower of London in 1841.</p> - -<p>However, in consequence of the suggestions it contained, -the following Circular was issued to the commanding officers -of fourteen regiments of infantry:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot fs80"> - -<p class="center smcap">Circular.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Horse Guards</span>: <em>January 17, 1800</em>.</p> - -<p class="negin1"><em>Addressed to Officers Commanding the 2nd Battalion Royals, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, -27th, 29th, 49th, 55th, 69th, 71st, 72nd, 79th, 85th, and 92nd Regiments.</em></p> - -<p>Sir,—I have the honour to inform you that it is His Royal Highness the -Commander-in-Chief’s<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> intention to form a corps of detachments from the different -regiments of the line for the purpose of its being instructed in the use of the rifle, -and in the system of exercise adopted by soldiers so armed. It is His Royal -Highness’s pleasure that you shall select from the regiment under your command -2 sergeants, 2 corporals, and 30 private men for this duty, all of them -being such men as appear most capable of receiving the above instructions, and -most competent to the performance of the duty of Riflemen. These non-commissioned -officers and privates are not to be considered as being drafted from their -regiments, but merely as detached for the purpose above recited; they will continue -to be borne on the strength of their regiments, and will be clothed by their respective -colonels.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> - -<p>His Royal Highness desires you will recommend 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, -and 1 ensign of the regiment under your command, who volunteer to serve in -this corps of Riflemen, in order that His Royal Highness may select from the -officers recommended from the regiments which furnish their quota on this occasion -a sufficient number of officers for the Rifle Corps. These officers are to be -considered as detached on duty from their respective regiments, and will share in -all the promotion that occurs in them during their absence.</p> - -<p>Eight drummers will be required to act as bugle-horns, and I request you will -acquaint me, for the information of His Royal Highness, whether you have any -in the — Regiment qualified to act as such, or of a capacity to be easily instructed.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr4">I have, &c.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Harry Calvert.</span><br /> -<span class="padr2">A. G.</span></p> -</div> - -<p>Thus we see that the Regiment was formed as a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">corps -d’élite</i>; and as regards the officers there was a double selection, -eight of each rank of company officers being selected -from the fourteen originally recommended.</p> - -<p>The detachments so selected assembled at Horsham, in -Sussex, in March 1800, and their first parade as ‘An Experimental -Corps of Riflemen’ took place there on April 1 in -that year; Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable William -Stewart being apparently in command.</p> - -<p>The following is the Return of the state and strength of -the Corps on this its first formation:</p> - -<div class="p1 fs70"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt wd15"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl"></td><td class="tdc bl">Lieut.-<br />Colonel</td><td class="tdc bl">Captains</td><td class="tdc bl">Lieut-<br />enants</td><td class="tdc bl">Ensigns</td><td class="tdc bl">Sergeants</td><td class="tdc bl">Drummers</td><td class="tdc bl br">Rank and<br />file</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"> 1st Foot</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">21st ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">23rd ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">25th ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">27th ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">29th ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">49th ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">55th ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">67th ”</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">69th ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">71st ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">72nd ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">79th ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">85th ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">27</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">92nd ”</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">32</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz pad4">Total</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx">8</td><td class="tdrx">27</td><td class="tdrx">12</td><td class="tdrx br">443</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Wanting to complete</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Establishment</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx">8</td><td class="tdrx">28</td><td class="tdrx">13</td><td class="tdrx br">448</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<p>The Corps being now formed marched to a camp of exercise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> -at Swinley in Windsor Forest in May, and proceeded -actively with their training as Riflemen. They are mentioned -with great approbation by Mr. W. H. Fremantle in a letter, -dated July 15, 1800, to the Marquis of Buckingham, as being -‘good, and much more useful’ than some other regiments -then in that camp.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> The camp broke up at the end of July, -and at the request of Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart three -companies of the corps (Captains Travers’,<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> Hamilton’s, and -Gardner’s) were ordered to embark, under his command, with -the expedition against the north coast of Spain, under Lieutenant-General -Sir James Pulteney, Bart., and Admiral Sir -John Borlase Warren, K.B.</p> - -<p>The expedition arrived before the harbour of Ferrol on -August 25, and immediately commenced its disembarkation. -This was effected without opposition in a small bay near -Cape Prioriño; but on the troops proceeding to occupy a -ridge of hills adjoining the bay, the Rifle Corps, which covered -the advance, just as they gained the summit fell in with a -party of the enemy which they drove back. In this skirmish -Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart was dangerously wounded through -the body. On the next morning, at daybreak, the position -was attacked by a considerable body of the enemy, who were -repulsed with much loss, and the English troops remained -in complete possession of the heights. But in this action -Captains Travers and Hamilton, and Lieutenant Edmonston, -attached to the Rifle Corps, and eight rank and file were -wounded. Sir James Pulteney being, however, of opinion -that Ferrol could not be taken, or the ground he occupied be -held, re-embarked the troops.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> It was subsequently stated in -the House of Lords that at the very moment he did so the -proper officer was on his way with the keys of the place, to -surrender it. And Mr. Ford affirms that ‘had the expedition -sailed boldly up to the Ferrol, the Gallicians were only waiting -to surrender, being, as usual, absolutely without means of -defence.’ He attributes the failure to the combined indecision -of the leaders.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> - -<p>Of this, the first affair in which the Regiment was engaged, -it may be observed that it has the high honour of having -shed its first blood before its actual embodiment, and while -it consisted only of detachments experimentally assembled -for instruction. It was the only corps engaged on the day -of disembarkation, and (with the exception of one officer of -the 52nd) the only officers wounded were attached to it. -August 25, the day on which it was first engaged, was the -date of the commissions of its first officers when it was -formally embodied.</p> - -<p>The expedition then proceeded to Malta; and an order -was issued by the Commander-in-Chief for all officers and -men of the Rifle Corps, whose regiments formed part of the -expedition, to rejoin them, and for those whose regiments -were not so employed to be attached to corps serving with -the expedition.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, Captain Travers, and Lieutenant -Edmonston returned to England.</p> - -<p>The Rifle Corps was immediately re-formed, principally -from detachments of fencible regiments serving in Ireland, -and I presume also, on the return of the expedition, from the -men originally selected as Riflemen. These detachments -began to assemble at Blatchington in Sussex, near Lewes, -about the end of August, and continued to join during the -autumn. The whole of the officers who had been attached -to the experimental corps were appointed to it; their commissions -being ante-dated, as I have observed, to August 25, -the anniversary of which has been since observed as the -foundation-day of the Regiment. A second lieutenant-colonel -and two majors were appointed, and some others were added -to complete the Corps to eight companies, with a captain and -two subalterns to each. The establishment was, therefore, on -December 25, returned as follows:</p> - -<div class="fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Colonel</td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Lieut.-Colonels</td><td class="tdrx br">2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Majors</td><td class="tdrx br">2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Captains</td><td class="tdrx br">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">First Lieutenants</td><td class="tdrx br">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Second Lieutenants</td><td class="tdrx br">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Paymaster</td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Adjutant</td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Quarter-Master</td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Surgeon</td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Assistant Surgeon</td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Staff-Sergeants</td><td class="tdrx br">5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Sergeants</td><td class="tdrx br">40</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Buglers</td><td class="tdrx br">18</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Corporals</td><td class="tdrx br">40</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">Privates</td><td class="tdrx br"> 760</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p1" /> -<p>The officers on its formation were:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center fs80"> - -<em>Colonel.</em><br /> - -<span class="smcap">Coote Manningham.</span><br /><br /> - -<em>Lieutenant-Colonels.</em><br /> - -<span class="smcap">The Honourable William Stewart.</span> <span class="pad2 smcap">Alexander Houston.</span><br /><br /> - -<em>Majors.</em><br /> - -<span class="smcap">George Callander.</span> <span class="pad4 smcap">Hamlet Wade.</span><br /><br /> - -<em>Captains.</em><br /> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl">Robert Travers.</td><td class="tdl bl">Thomas Sidney Beckwith.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Cornelius Cuyler.</td><td class="tdl bl">Timothy Hamilton.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Thomas Christopher Gardner.</td><td class="tdl bl">Alexander Stewart.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Henry Shepherd.</td><td class="bl"></td></tr> -</table></div> -<br /> - -<em>Captain-Lieutenant.</em><br /> - -<span class="smcap">Alexander D. Cameron.</span><br /><br /> - -<em>First Lieutenants.</em><br /> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl">Blois Lynch.</td><td class="tdl bl">John Ross.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">J. A. Grant.</td><td class="tdl bl">Edward Bedwell Law.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">John Stuart.</td><td class="tdl bl">Henry Powell.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Peter O’Hare.</td><td class="tdl bl">William Cotter.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Thomas Stirling Edmonston.</td><td class="tdl bl">John Cameron.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Robert Duncan.</td><td class="tdl bl">—— Douglas.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Alexander Clarke.</td><td class="tdl bl">L. H. Bennet.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Niel Campbell.</td><td class="bl"></td></tr> -</table></div> -<br /> - -<em>Second Lieutenants.</em><br /> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl">Henry Goode.</td><td class="tdl bl">Patrick Turner.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">James Macdonald.</td><td class="tdl bl">Samuel Mitchel.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Thomas Brereton.</td><td class="tdl bl">George Elder.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Loftus Gray.</td><td class="tdl bl">James Pendergast.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">John Jenkins.</td><td class="tdl bl">John Burton.</td></tr> -</table></div> -<br /> - -<em>Paymaster.</em><br /> - -<span class="smcap">James Innes.</span><br /><br /> - -<em>Adjutant.</em><br /> - -<span class="smcap">J. A. Grant.</span><br /><br /> - -<em>Quarter-Master.</em><br /> - -<span class="smcap">Donald Mackay.</span><br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Regiment, as it has existed since, and as it has won -lasting renown in so many fields, as ‘a Corps of Riflemen,’ -‘the Rifle Corps,’<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> ‘the 95th,’ and ‘the Rifle Brigade,’ was -then and thus organised under Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart. -For though Manningham was the colonel, and justly shares -the honour of its formation, he seems seldom to have been -present with it; for he was equerry to George III., and often -at Court.</p> - -<p>William Stewart was the fourth son of John, seventh Earl -of Galloway, and at the early age of thirteen was appointed -Ensign in the 42nd Regiment; but subsequently served in the -22nd and 67th, and with the former had seen service at the -capture of the French West India Islands in 1793. We have -seen that it was owing to Manningham’s and his suggestions -that the Rifle Corps was formed; and after its embodiment he -also addressed a long letter to the Adjutant-General on the -discipline and internal economy of such a corps. His recommendations -(which were adopted) were: that it should first be -formed of volunteers from infantry battalions which best could -spare them, and by men from the undrafted part of the Irish -militia; and he added the (rather singular) opinion that -Irishmen were preferable for Riflemen, as ‘perhaps from being -less spoiled and more hardy than British soldiers, better calculated -for light troops.’<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></p> - -<p>He now set himself vigorously to organise and discipline -the Corps thus formed at his suggestions. The standing -orders of the Regiment, which, though issued of course in -Manningham’s name, were probably principally compiled by -Stewart, testify not only to his capability for organising and -disciplining it, but in a most remarkable way to his pre-eminence -above and beyond the military ideas of his time. -The germs, if not, indeed, the actual existence of most of the -late improvements for the training and advantage of the -soldier are found in these orders. The good-conduct medal; -the medals for acts of valour in the field; the attention given -and the methods adopted to secure accurate shooting, dividing -men into classes according to their practice at the target, -and instituting a class of Marksmen; the rules for a regimental<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -school, and for periodical examination of its scholars; -the institution of a library; the provision for lectures on -military subjects, tactics and outpost duties; the encouragement -of athletic exercises; these and many other plans, -carried out in the British army only after the middle of the -nineteenth century, are inculcated in the original standing -orders, and were adopted in the Regiment from its formation.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></p> - -<p>Sir Charles Napier, who was appointed to a lieutenancy -in the Rifle Corps, December 25, 1800, and joined it at -Blatchington, in his letters to his family, bears high testimony -to Stewart’s ability in organising the Corps; though he seems -not to have liked him, and eventually to have quarrelled -with him. ‘Stewart makes it a rule to strike at the heads. -With him the field-officers must first be steady, and then he -goes downwards: hence the privates say: “We had better -look sharp if he is so strict with the officers.”’<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> - -<p>In 1801 Colonel Stewart was selected to command the -troops (the 49th Regiment and a company of the Rifle -Corps) ordered to embark on board the fleet commanded -by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker. And on February 28 Captain -Beckwith’s<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> company, consisting of 1 captain, 2 first -lieutenants, 1 second lieutenant, 5 sergeants, 2 buglers, 1 -armourer, and 101 rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth -on board H.M.S. ‘St. George,’ bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral -Lord Nelson. On arrival in Yarmouth Roads the -right platoon of Captain Beckwith’s Riflemen was shifted to -the ‘London,’ Sir Hyde Parker’s flag-ship. But the men of -the Rifle Corps seem to have been distributed, on arrival in -the Baltic, among the ships of Nelson’s squadron, which on -April 2 attacked and reduced the Danish fleet at Copenhagen.</p> - -<p>In this action First Lieutenant and Adjutant Grant was -killed ‘whilst gallantly fighting the quarter-deck guns of -H.M.S. “Isis.”’ He was the first officer of the Regiment -killed in action. He had volunteered for this service. His -head was taken off by a cannon-ball as clean as if severed by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -a scimitar. Stewart recommended Second Lieutenant Pendergast, -who was in the expedition, for the vacancy, and he -was accordingly promoted on May 9. Two rank and file -were also killed; and 1 sergeant and 5 rank and file wounded, -of whom some subsequently died of their wounds.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p> - -<p>Lord Nelson, in his despatch, says: ‘The Honourable -Colonel Stewart did me the favour to be on board the -“Elephant;” and himself, with every officer and soldier under -his orders, shared with pleasure the toils and dangers of the -day.’</p> - -<p>It is said in the Record of the 1st Battalion that ‘an -appropriate medal was issued upon this occasion by Admiral -Lord Nelson to the non-commissioned officers and several -soldiers.’ I have not been able to find any trace of this -medal, which does not seem to have been given to the -officers. For it appears from a correspondence between -Stewart (then Lieutenant-General Sir William Stewart), Earl -St. Vincent, and Lord Sidmouth in 1821–2, that Nelson had -been desirous of obtaining a medal for the captains of his -squadron who were engaged at Copenhagen, and had recommended -Stewart for one; but that Lords St. Vincent and -Sidmouth opposed the issue of any such medal, on the -ground that it would be a very invidious distinction from -those captains who, being with Parker’s fleet, were not engaged. -Stewart advanced a request for this medal in 1821, -on the plea that, being a military man, his case was essentially -different from that of the captains. But though his -application was then supported by Earl St. Vincent, it was -refused (in very flattering terms however) by Lord Sidmouth.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p> - -<p>The Regiment marched to Weymouth in the early part -of the summer, and was encamped there. Their being -near Windsor the year before, and now at Weymouth, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -summer residence of George III., was probably due to -Manningham’s being attached to the person of that sovereign. -They returned to Blatchington barracks in the autumn.</p> - -<p>On June 25 the establishment of the Corps was again -changed, and companies were given to the field-officers, as -was then the case in line regiments. But this arrangement -was of short duration, for on March 27 following field-officers’ -companies were abolished, and effective captains were appointed -in their place.</p> - -<p>In the autumn of 1802 the Regiment marched to Chatham. -On this march, at Maidstone, some of the men broke open -the plate-chest of the officers’ mess. One of the offenders was -discovered, and being tried by court-martial, was sentenced to -receive 800 lashes, the whole of which were inflicted at one time.</p> - -<p>The Regiment appears, even at this early period, to have -been a favourite one with volunteers from the line and militia; -and Surtees mentions four men in the ranks who had been -commissioned officers; one of whom, indeed, was drawing half-pay, -and was eventually recalled to full pay as lieutenant.</p> - -<p>After a short stay at Chatham, the Regiment was moved for -the winter to Shorncliffe and forts in the vicinity.</p> - -<p>On December 25, 1802, the Rifle Corps was ordered to be -numbered as the 95th Regiment, and thus assumed the name -under which it was long known, and which its services on the -continent of Europe made famous.</p> - -<p>In May 1803, the head-quarters, with five companies, returned -to their old quarters at Blatchington, and in November -moved to Colchester, and eventually to Warley and Woodbridge -barracks; the other five companies, under Colonel -Beckwith, remaining during the summer at Shorncliffe, where, -on Colonel Stewart’s promotion to Brigadier-General and -command of a district, the head-quarters and other five companies -joined them. Here they formed part of that camp of -instruction under Sir John Moore, the marvellous results of -which have been so truly and eloquently described by Sir -William Napier;<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> and here they first met and were brigaded -with their compeers, the 43rd and 52nd, in united action with -whom, as the Light Division in the Peninsula, so many of their -laurels were won.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> - -<p>During the time the Regiment was encamped at Shorncliffe, -Colonel Manningham, carrying out the intentions of his own -standing orders, delivered a course of lectures on the duties -of Riflemen in active service, which he published.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></p> - -<p>On the breaking up of that camp, the Regiment moved -into Hythe barracks till April 1805, when it appears to -have returned to Shorncliffe.</p> - -<p>On May 6, 1805, the 2nd Battalion was formed by -the transfer of 21 sergeants, 20 corporals, 7 buglers, and 250 -privates from the original Corps (now the 1st Battalion); the -remainder of the proposed establishment being made up by -volunteers from the militia; 1 major (Gardner), 6 captains -and 3 first lieutenants being promoted from the 1st -Battalion, which also supplied the adjutant. The command -and formation of the Battalion was conferred on Wade,<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> of the -1st Battalion, who was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel; -and so vigorously did he proceed in its organisation, -that in less than three months it wanted only 7 sergeants,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -6 buglers, and 98 privates to complete its full strength. It was -formed at Canterbury, but moved to Brabourn Lees, near -Ashford, in June, where it was brigaded with the 1st Battalion.</p> - -<p>It was while the two Battalions were stationed at Brabourn -Lees that a singular instance of self-control and magnanimity -was shown by Sidney Beckwith, then commanding the 1st Battalion. -Some men, volunteers from the Irish militia, meeting -Mrs. Beckwith, with her child and nurse, on the Ashford Road, -most grossly insulted them, proceeding to such lengths (Surtees -says) as delicacy forbids to mention. The culprits were -discovered, but not punished; for Beckwith next day on -parade forming the Battalion into square, addressed them; -and, after relating the outrage, added: ‘Although I know -who the ruffians are, I will not proceed any further in the -business because it was my own wife whom they attacked; -but had it been the wife of the meanest soldier in the Regiment, -I solemnly declare I would have given the offenders -every lash to which a Court-Martial might have sentenced -them.’ It is no wonder that by such acts of generosity, as -well as by his leading them in the field, this man ‘won the -heart of every soldier in the Battalion;’ as Surtees tells us, -who served in the ranks under him.</p> - -<p>So rapidly and effectually had the 2nd Battalion been -organised, that it was in September of this year ordered on -service; the right wing being marched to Dover to embark for -the Continent, and the left wing to Winchester, to prepare to -embark for the Mediterranean. However, it was subsequently -countermanded; the right wing, from Dover, being marched -to Hailsham in October, and the left from Winchester to -Eastbourne; and both in November assembled at Bexhill, -where they were quartered till March 1806.</p> - -<p>In October 1805 the head-quarters and five companies -of the 1st Battalion, under Beckwith, marched to Deal, and -embarked at Ramsgate for Germany, in the expedition commanded -by Lord Cathcart. After a stormy passage, in which -some part of the Battalion seems to have been in great danger -from the misconduct of the master of a transport,<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> they reached -the Elbe in November, and on the 18th disembarked at Cuxhaven, -and marched at once for Dorum, a village twelve or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> -fourteen miles distant, and proceeded by Osterholz and Bremerlehe -to Bremen, the Riflemen forming the advanced -guard. On their arrival before Bremen on the 24th, the -barriers were shut, and the commandant of the Prussian -garrison refused to let the troops enter; the Senate of Bremen -also demurring to General Don’s request for a passage -through the place, on account of its neutrality. However, -Beckwith, who commanded the advanced corps, was not the -man to be daunted by such refusals. He accordingly informed -the Prussian commandant that unless his corps was -admitted he should force an entrance. This he did on the -morning of the 26th, opening the barriers by force, apparently -without any armed resistance; and the refusal of the Senate -seems to have been prompted rather by coyness than dislike, -for the authorities of the town and the inhabitants generally -received the advanced guard with expressions of friendship -and satisfaction, the Prussian garrison alone looking on these -tokens of welcome with great dissatisfaction. The Riflemen -passed on, still in advance, to Delmenhorst, a Prussian regiment -accompanying them through the city and across the -bridge over the Weser, in order to guard their magazine of -corn at Bremen for the use of their army on the Weser. From -Delmenhorst the Riflemen were detached: three companies at -Oldenburg, and two, under Major Robert Travers, at Wildeshausen, -on outpost duty. These last were soon moved back -to Delmenhorst, and shortly after reunited to the other three -companies at Oldenburg. Here they were welcomed and entertained -by the inhabitants, and by none more than by the -reigning Grand-Duke of Oldenburg, who became extremely -fond of the Regiment, officers and men. In consequence of -the battle of Austerlitz in December, and the powerful armies -set free by that event, and by Mack’s surrender of Ulm, to act -against us in the North of Europe, the outposts were withdrawn -to Delmenhorst, and eventually into Bremen; and on -their march from Oldenburg the Duke sent forward plentiful -refreshments for the Riflemen, both officers and men.</p> - -<p>They continued at Bremen till February 1806, when the -army moved towards a place of embarkation, Beckwith’s -force covering the retreat; but as great numbers of the -Germans, who formed part of the British army there, were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> -deserting, the 95th were directed to remain in the villages in -order to intercept them. However, eventually Beckwith’s -Riflemen also retreated, and embarking at Cuxhaven, arrived -and landed at Yarmouth on the 19th; thence they marched, -by Lowestoft, to Woodbridge barracks, where they rejoined -the remainder of the Battalion. During this abortive expedition -they had never, I believe, been engaged with the enemy.</p> - -<p>From Woodbridge the Battalion marched, in the spring -of 1806, to Deal, and afterwards to quarters at Ospringe and -Faversham, where they joined the 2nd Battalion, which had -moved there from Bexhill.</p> - -<p>On June 13 three companies of the 2nd Battalion (Captains -Macdonald’s, Elder’s, and Dickenson’s), under the command -of Major Gardner, marched from Faversham and -embarked at Portsmouth, as part of the force under Sir -Samuel Auchmuty, destined for service in South America. -The transports in which the troops were embarked were in -such bad condition that they were obliged to put into Rio; -and it was not until January 16, 1807, that a landing was -effected at Maldonado, near the mouth of the river La Plata. -This operation was not accomplished without opposition, in -which one bugler was killed and Lieutenant Chawner wounded. -The General moved forward and occupied the suburbs of Monte -Video, with a view to investing the place. On the morning -of the 20th the enemy made a sortie, and attacked our troops -with a force of 6,000 men. They advanced in two columns, -one of which pressed our picquet so hard, that Colonel Gore -Browne, of the 40th, who commanded the left of our line, -ordered up three companies of that regiment in support. -These companies fell in with the head of the enemy’s column -and very bravely charged it. The charge was as bravely -received, and great numbers fell on both sides. At length the -column began to give way, when it was suddenly and impetuously -attacked in flank by the Riflemen and by a light -battalion which Auchmuty had ordered up. The column then -gave way on all sides, and was pursued with great slaughter -to the town. The other column, observing the fate of their -companions, retired without coming into action. In this -sortie the Riflemen lost 5 men killed and 25 wounded.</p> - -<p>A breach having been effected, Auchmuty resolved to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -assault the place; and an hour before daybreak on the -morning of February 3 the attacking column moved forward. -It was headed by the Riflemen under Gardner; the storming -party being led by Captain Dickenson at the head of his own -company. They got near the walls before they were discovered, -when a destructive fire was opened from every gun -that could bear on the column and from the musketry of the -garrison. The enemy had piled up hides in the breach; and -unfortunately, in the darkness, its situation was not immediately -discovered, and the troops remained under a heavy -fire for a quarter of an hour. At last the breach was -discovered and pointed out by Captain Renny, of the 40th -(which formed part of the attacking column), who fell in the -assault. Our troops at once mounted it, led by Dickenson -and the Riflemen, and forced their way into the town; and -though cannon placed at the head of all the principal streets -opened a destructive fire, the place was taken and occupied.</p> - -<p>In this gallant affair Dickenson fell gloriously at the head -of his company; 10 rank and file were killed, and Lieutenants -Scanlan and Macnamara, 4 sergeants, and 15 rank and file -were wounded. The Riflemen engaged were specially -thanked in General Orders; and eleven sergeants received -silver medals under the sanction of the Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief, -for their gallantry on this occasion.</p> - -<p>The three companies under Gardner remained in La -Plata until they were joined in May by a wing of the -1st Battalion.</p> - -<p>This force, consisting of five companies (Norcott’s,<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> -O’Hare’s,<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> Jenkinson’s, Ramage’s, and Bennett’s), under the -command of Majors M’Leod and Travers, and numbering -25 sergeants and 370 rank and file, marched from Faversham -on July 23, 1806, and embarked at Gravesend on the 26th on -board the ‘Chapman,’ armed transport. Their voyage was -a slow one. They sailed on the 27th, remained at anchor in -the Downs from the 30th till August 4, arrived on the 21st -in Plymouth Sound, were disembarked on September 2, and -encamped on Buckland Down till the 13th, when they re-embarked, -Norcott’s and Bennett’s companies being placed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> -on board the ‘Alexander’ transport. They did not sail, -however, till October 6, and then only to Falmouth; the -other ship, with the head-quarters, having preceded them on -September 28.</p> - -<p>On October 24, Brigadier-General Robert Craufurd (under -whom the Regiment served subsequently so long and so -gloriously in other fields) arrived at Falmouth and took -command of the troops assembled in that harbour for (as it -was then called) ‘the remote expedition.’</p> - -<p>It sailed on November 12, and arrived in Porto Praza -Bay, in the island of St. Jago (Cape Verde) on December 14. -Here Craufurd, with the zeal for discipline which always -distinguished him, minutely inspected the troops forming the -expedition, on board the several transports. The companies -of the 95th were frequently landed for exercise during their -stay at this island. They sailed from St. Jago on January 11, -1807, and anchored in Simon’s Bay, Cape of Good Hope, on -March 14, and in Table Bay on the 20th.</p> - -<p>Here General Craufurd received instructions to proceed, -not to the coast of Chili, to which the expedition was originally -destined, but to the river La Plata to join the force under -Sir Samuel Auchmuty. The troops therefore sailed on -April 6, and arrived at St. Helena on the 21st; sailed again -on the 26th, and anchored in the river La Plata on the 27th. -They were not, however, disembarked; and on June 4 a most -violent gale drove the ships out to sea, and they did not -reach Monte Video till the 14th. Every preparation having -been completed for the service on which it was about to be -employed, the expedition, comprising the troops under -General Craufurd and those already at Monte Video under -Sir Samuel Auchmuty, sailed on June 17. General Whitelocke -had been appointed to command the whole force, most -unfortunately, as the event proved, and assumed his command -at Monte Video. On the 27th they arrived at Ensenada de -Barragon, about thirty miles to the eastward of Buenos -Ayres, where they disembarked on the morning of the 28th, -at nine o’clock.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> After some fatiguing marches through a -country much intersected by swamps and muddy rivulets, -the army reached Reduction, a village nine miles distant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -from the bridge over the Rio Chuello, on the opposite bank -of which the enemy had constructed a formidable line of -defence. The General resolved to cross the river higher up -and to turn this position. On the evening of July 2, the -light division of General Gower’s column crossed at the ford -of Passo Chico; the Chuello was about waist-deep, and the -Riflemen carried their pouches on their shoulders. They were -soon seriously engaged with the enemy. They charged rapidly, -and overthrew their opponents in a few minutes, with great -loss, taking twelve guns. In this affair Major Travers and -the officers and men of both Battalions serving with this force -greatly distinguished themselves. One sergeant and 1 -private of the 1st Battalion were killed, and 2 sergeants and -10 rank and file wounded; and 1 private of the 2nd -Battalion was killed, and Captain Elder and 10 rank and -file wounded.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p> - -<p>The left column, with the Commander of the Forces, united -with that under Major-General Gower in the suburbs of -Buenos Ayres on the afternoon of July 3, and the whole -army was placed in position. Two companies of the 1st -Battalion, under Major Norcott, were immediately detached -to occupy an advanced post, and became warmly engaged -until dark; by which time they had completely dislodged -a very superior force of the enemy from every point in their -front which they were ordered to occupy.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 4th this picquet was furiously -attacked by several hundreds of the enemy, whose continued -exertions to dislodge it proved fruitless. Major M’Leod -joined the post about the middle of the day, and distinguished -himself by his gallantry and judicious arrangements. This -affair lasted until dusk, and our loss amounted to 2 officers -(Lieutenants James Coane and Charles Noble) severely -wounded, 1 sergeant and 1 rank and file killed, and 2 -sergeants and 2 rank and file wounded. The two companies -were relieved at night by a detachment of the 36th, -and joined the army in its position.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> - -<p>Orders were received during the early part of the night -for the attack of the town at daylight on the 5th. The five -companies of the 1st Battalion formed a part of the column -of attack under Brigadier-General Craufurd and Lieutenant-Colonel -Packe, leaving one company as an advanced guard -to each division, supported by a light company. Major -Travers commanded the advance of the right column and -Major Norcott that of the left.</p> - -<p>The companies of the 2nd Battalion seem to have been -attached to Sir Samuel Auchmuty’s division, the light battalion -of which was divided into wings, each followed by a -party of the 95th. These troops were all unloaded, and were -directed not to fire until the columns had reached their final -points and formed.</p> - -<p>At the appointed signal the troops were in motion. The -right column proceeded down the line of street it was directed -to take, until it nearly reached the river; when, turning to the -left, with the view of making for the Franciscan Convent and -taking possession of it, it was assailed from the parapets and -windows of every house along the whole street in so vigorous -a manner as to render it impossible to penetrate further without -the probable loss of every officer and man. Orders were -at this moment given to retire; and General Craufurd took -post in the great Convent of St. Domingo, occupying as many -houses as his means enabled him to break into, on the flat -parapetted tops of which the troops formed. Every possible -effort was made to assail the enemy from all parts of the -Convent, but without success; for those points which the men -were enabled to reach were mostly commanded by the -neighbouring houses on one side, which the Riflemen had -not been able to force open, and from which fire they suffered -dreadfully. With the exception of the operations of the force -under Sir Samuel Auchmuty, and of the 45th Regiment, every -point of attack failed.</p> - -<p>The capture of the 88th Regiment, together with the -Light Brigade under Lieutenant-Colonels Packe and Cadogan, -and the immense loss of killed and wounded, furnished the -enemy with such powerful means of attack that at three -o’clock he had dislodged our force from every house they -occupied, and confined our operations entirely to one or two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> -points of the Convent. The loss of officers and men at this -time increased most considerably. Every effort was made to -preserve the posts; but, finding his troops deprived of all -means of succour, or prospect of success in holding out, -having ascertained the fate of the neighbouring columns, and -further resistance proving quite useless, the Brigadier surrendered -with his column at four o’clock in the afternoon, -and the officers and men were immediately marched as -prisoners to the citadel and other buildings. Major M’Leod, -of the 95th, however, on Craufurd consulting the field-officers -in the Convent, was the only one who demurred to -the necessity of surrendering. But when Craufurd offered, -if M’Leod was decidedly of opinion that they could force -their way out, to head the column with him, he declined the -responsibility.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p> - -<p>The left column moved as directed until it came in view -of the river; it had scarcely approached the Franciscan -Convent when, by an almost invisible fire, it lost nearly half -its officers and men. Finding it impossible to penetrate to -the objects of attack, Lieutenant-Colonel Packe acceded to -Lieutenant-Colonel Cadogan’s taking possession of some -houses. This was effected, and they were afterwards defended -to the last extremity by that officer and Major -Travers; but they were at length compelled to surrender, -having suffered most severely in killed and wounded, and all -chance of further resistance being deemed useless on account -of the capture of the column on their left. Nothing -could exceed the persevering gallantry and conduct of every -officer and man of the Regiment engaged on this unfortunate -day.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> - -<p>The loss of the five companies of the 1st Battalion was -Captain Jenkinson, 2 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 36 rank and -file, killed; Captain O’Hare, Lieutenants Cadoux, Macleod, -and Turner,<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> wounded severely; Majors Travers and -M’Leod, and Lieutenant M’Cullock, wounded slightly; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -8 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 73 rank and file wounded; and -2 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 39 rank and file missing.</p> - -<p>Of the three companies of the 2nd Battalion the loss was 3 -sergeants, 1 bugler, and 46 rank and file killed; and Lieutenants -Hill<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> and Scott, 6 sergeants, and 40 rank and file wounded.</p> - -<p>In consequence of the treaty which had been concluded -on the 7th, the prisoners were released on the morning of the -8th July, and joined the different posts occupied by the army.</p> - -<p>Every arrangement having been completed for the evacuation -of the country on the south side of the river La Plata, -the army was embarked by the 12th, sailed on the 13th, and -anchored at Monte Video on the 15th.</p> - -<p>On August 8 the five companies of the 1st Battalion -sailed for England, and arrived at Falmouth on November 9. -They proceeded to Dover by sea about the end of January, -1808, whence they marched to Shorncliffe barracks, and soon -after to Colchester to join the other five companies of the -Battalion, to which station they had moved after their return -from Germany.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p> - -<p>The three companies of the 2nd Battalion embarked also, -under Major Gardner, on July 12th. They landed at Portsmouth -on December 2, and joined the Battalion at Hythe on -the 18th.</p> - -<p>But we must return to the companies of both Battalions -which remained in England. In July, 1807, five companies -of the 1st Battalion, under Colonel Beckwith, and five companies -of the 2nd Battalion, under Colonel Wade, embarked -at Deal with the expedition to Denmark under Lord Cathcart. -They arrived in the Sound on August 18, and disembarked -at Veldbeck, about ten or twelve miles from Copenhagen, -on the 16th. Immediately on landing, the Riflemen of -both Battalions were sent on in advance towards Copenhagen. -And here first they served under the immediate command of -the great chief, who commanded the advance; under whose -eye they were so often to fight; whose praise they were so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -often to receive: their future Colonel, then Major-General -Sir Arthur Wellesley.</p> - -<p>To this march no opposition was offered by the enemy; -a small patrol of cavalry appeared in their front, but retired -on the approach of the Riflemen. They halted for the night -at Lingbye, rested on their arms all night, and early next -morning again advanced, and about mid-day took up a position -within a long gunshot of Copenhagen, and invested the place.</p> - -<p>About three o’clock on that day (August 17) a considerable -body of the enemy advanced from the town and attacked the -picquets on the left of the line towards the seashore. This -small force, consisting of four companies of the 2nd Battalion -and six of two line regiments, in all not more than 1,000 men -with two light field-pieces, were opposed to about 3,000 of -the enemy. But almost as soon as they came in contact the -Danes gave way and retired into the town, leaving a good -many dead and wounded. The detachment of the 2nd Battalion -lost 1 man killed, and 2 men were wounded.</p> - -<p>On the 19th the 2nd Battalion was moved further to the -right, and nearer to the town; and from this day till the 24th -a constant fire was kept up between the advanced posts and -the place; by which, however, no loss seems to have been -inflicted on the Riflemen. On the 24th they were under -arms at two o’clock in the morning, and immediately advanced, -driving in the Danish outposts; in this operation they encountered -considerable opposition, and had some skirmishing -among the gardens and suburbs. During the 25th a constant -fire both of artillery and small arms was kept up from the -place, by which a battalion of the German Legion suffered -rather severely. They were relieved on outpost duty a little -before dark by the 2nd Battalion, who did not lose a man -at this post. On the 26th a division was formed, under Sir -Arthur Wellesley, to which the two Battalions of the 95th were -attached; and they were ordered to proceed into the interior -to disperse a large body of militia and armed peasantry. -They marched about three <span class="fs70">P.M.</span>, and made their way through -the country on the left of the great road to Roeskild. They -halted that night at Cagstrup; and next morning continued -to advance towards Kioge, halting in the evening at a village -near Roeskild. The troops were now, or just previously,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -formed into two brigades, the five companies of the 1st Battalion -being attached to that under the immediate command -of Sir Arthur Wellesley, and those of the 2nd Battalion to -General Baron Linsingen’s brigade.</p> - -<p>On the 29th Sir Arthur Wellesley attacked the Danish -army, which was established in position on the north side of -the town and rivulet of Kioge. He sent round Baron Linsingen’s -brigade to cross the rivulet at Salbye and fall upon -the enemy’s left flank, while Sir Arthur himself advanced on -his front, covered by the 1st Battalion skirmishers. The -enemy gave way at once before an attack by the 92nd, and -retreated in disorder, ‘followed in the most gallant style by -the 1st Battalion of the 95th,’<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> and eventually by the whole -infantry. Major-General Oxholm, the second in command -of the Danish army, attempted to make a stand with the -rear-guard in the village of Hervolge, but was briskly attacked -by some German hussars and a company of the 2nd Battalion; -and though he took up a strong position in the -churchyard, which was considerably higher than any other -part of the village, he was, after a short resistance, compelled -to surrender with several officers and about 400 men. In -this action at Kioge the loss suffered by the 95th appears to -have been inconsiderable; no mention of casualties appears -in the 2nd Battalion Record; Sir Arthur Wellesley says that -‘a few men of the 95th fell.’<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> They must have belonged to -the 1st Battalion. The conduct and steadiness of the 1st -Battalion of the 95th, under Colonel Beckwith, are ‘mentioned -particularly’ in Sir Arthur Wellesley’s despatch.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p> - -<p>The two Battalions were engaged all the remainder of the -29th and during the 30th in scouring the woods near Kioge, -in order to complete the dispersion of the Danish force and -to prevent its reassembling. They reached Ringstæd on the -31st; and as the regular portion of the troops of the enemy -had retired into one of the islands, and the militia had entirely -disbanded itself, they halted here till after the surrender of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -Copenhagen on September 7. But during this halt detachments -were occasionally sent out to search for and disperse -any lurking parties of the enemy, and to bring in arms or -stores. One of these detachments, consisting of 100 men of -the 2nd Battalion, mounted in light German waggons, scoured -a considerable tract of country, and took possession of ten -guns of small calibre, forty rifles, and a number of muskets.</p> - -<p>The terms of the capitulation of Copenhagen extended -only to the British and Danish forces in the Island of Zealand, -and the troops were, therefore, still liable to attack from any -Danish force which might be reassembled on the mainland -or in the other islands. Strong outposts were therefore -established in the towns and villages along the Belt, and the -two Rifle Battalions were employed on this service; the 1st -Battalion occupying Callundborg, Slagelse, Corsoer, and -Skielskior; and the 2nd Battalion, Nestved, Lundbye, -Wordingborg, and Præstoe. They remained in their cantonments -till October 15, when they retired towards Copenhagen, -which they reached on the 17th. The two Battalions embarked -on board the ‘Princess Caroline,’ 74, a Danish prize, -sailed on the 21st, arrived in Yarmouth Roads in November, -and (after a stormy passage) at Dover on the 15th, landed -next day at Deal, and joined their Battalions at Hythe.<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a></p> - -<p>On April 8, 1808, three companies of the 1st Battalion -(Major Norcott’s, Captains Ross’<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> and O’Hare’s), under the -command of Major Gilmour, marched to Harwich, embarked -the next day, sailed the following day, and joined -the troops assembled in Yarmouth Roads destined for the -Baltic, under Sir John Moore, to co-operate with Sweden. -They arrived at Gottenburg on May 17, but owing to misunderstandings -with the King of Sweden they never landed; -and having remained on board their transports nearly ten -weeks, they sailed at the latter end of July, and eventually -landed in Portugal, at Peniche, at the end of August, and -formed a junction with the force under Sir Arthur Wellesley.</p> - -<p>But previously to their arrival there, two companies -from those of the Battalion remaining in England (Captains<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -Cameron’s<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> and Ramage’s), under Colonel Beckwith, embarked -at Harwich early in July. The strength of this detachment was -about 180 men;<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> these landed on August 19, a few days before -Major Gilmour’s force, which was immediately united to it.</p> - -<p>About the same time four companies of the 2nd Battalion, -under the command of Major Robert Travers, had embarked -at Dover on June 8, and formed part of the force destined for -Portugal under Sir Arthur Wellesley. The transports assembled -in Cork harbour early in July. The strength of the -detachment of the 2nd Battalion was 1 field-officer, 4 captains, -13 subalterns, 1 staff, 20 sergeants, 8 buglers, and 399 rank -and file.<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> These disembarked at Figueira, in Mondego Bay, on -August 1, 1808.</p> - -<p>These four 2nd Battalion companies were attached to -General Fane’s brigade; and, immediately after disembarkation, -pushed on, keeping their right towards the sea, several -miles over an unbroken plain of white sand. The men, who -had been many weeks on board ship, were much fatigued by -this their first day’s march, as the weather was hot, and the -sand so loose that they sank ankle-deep every step. They -encamped at night near the village of Lavaos, to which the -rest of the army moved up as soon as they disembarked. On -August 9, these companies, forming part of the advance, -marched from Lavaos about three o’clock in the morning. -Their destination was Leiria, and their orders were, if the -enemy were in strength at Leiria not to drive him out till the -10th, but to halt in the pine-woods which cover the country -between Lavaos and Leiria. And General Hill was ordered -to let 200 Riflemen and a few dragoons feel their way into -Leiria, and if they obtained possession to support them with -his whole corps.<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> However, the French had evacuated Leiria -before the Riflemen entered it, and it bore terrible marks of -their cruelty and excesses.</p> - -<p>The army marched hence towards Lisbon, the Riflemen -still forming the advance, and daily expecting to fall in -with the enemy, who were gradually retiring before them. -The first meeting took place at Obidos on the evening of -August 15, where, after a long march, a party of French<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> -cavalry and infantry were found. These were immediately -attacked by the Riflemen under Major Travers, together -with some of the 60th, and forced to retire. In the eagerness -of this first encounter the pursuit was continued too far, and -the Riflemen pushed on to a distance of three miles from -Obidos, and quite away from any support. They were then -attacked by a superior body of the enemy, who attempted to -cut them off from the main body of the detachment to which -they belonged, which now advanced to their support. Larger -bodies of the enemy appeared on both flanks, and it was with -some difficulty that General Spencer, who had gone out to -Obidos, when he heard that the Riflemen had advanced, was -able to extricate them.<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> In this sharp skirmish Lieutenant -Bunbury and 2 men were killed, and Captain Pakenham<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> -and 6 men wounded. Ralph Bunbury was the first English -officer who fell in the Peninsula. Harris says that he was -‘the first man that was hit;’ and he was much regretted by -his brother officers. It is painful to add that this first blood -was spilt, in Sir Arthur Wellesley’s opinion, unnecessarily. -‘The affair,’ he writes to Lord Castlereagh, ‘was unpleasant, -because it was quite useless; and was occasioned solely by the -imprudence of the officer and the dash and eagerness of the -men; they behaved remarkably well, and did some execution -with their rifles.’<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> And to the Duke of Richmond he says, -‘that it was foolishly brought on by the over-eagerness of the -Riflemen in the pursuit of an enemy’s picquet; the troops -behaved remarkably well, but not with great prudence.’<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a></p> - -<p>They held possession that night of an extensive knoll -near the road by which the enemy had retired, and were -under arms till morning, when they occupied the village of -Obidos till the morning of the 17th.</p> - -<p>Early on that day they advanced towards Roleia,<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> where,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -after a march of two or three hours, they found the enemy, -under General Laborde, posted in a strong position on high -ground, having Roleia and several passes into the mountains -in his rear. The four companies formed part of General -Fane’s brigade, which attacked the enemy’s position in front; -but some were detached to cover the advance of General -Ferguson’s brigade, which operated on the right of Laborde’s -posts at Roleia. As soon as the army moved, the Riflemen -of Fane’s brigade were sent into the hills on the left of the -valley, in order to keep up the communication between the -centre and the left columns, and to cover the advance of the -former; and the enemy’s outposts were rapidly driven in. He -was pressed by the attacking force in his front; Hill’s division -advanced against his left, and the Riflemen were in the hills -on his right. From this position he extricated himself by a -rapid retreat by the passes into the mountains, where he took -up a formidable position. The Riflemen were already on his -right, and no time was lost in supporting them and attacking -the different passes. These were all difficult of access, and -it is well known that they were forced with great courage -and impetuosity, especially by the 9th and 29th Regiments. -Here, however, I have only to do with the part borne by the -95th; and their conduct during the day elicited the approval -of Sir Arthur Wellesley. They were almost all young -soldiers, and few of them had ever been under fire; yet, -engaged with the French light troops during an intensely -hot day, they succeeded in driving them before them from -pass to pass, and mountain to mountain, in spite of a destructive -fire from thick heath and brushwood, which hid their -opponents from them. During this fight the Riflemen were -fearfully galled by the fire from two houses which the French -light troops occupied, and some high ground in front of the -buildings gave them a further advantage. At last the Riflemen -could stand it no longer; and one of them, jumping up -and rushing forward, exclaimed, ‘Over, boys! over, over!’ In -a moment every one of them was dashing forward, repeating -the cry, ‘Over, over!’ and fixing their sword-bayonets as -they ran up the rising ground. The voltigeurs could not -stand this, but turned and fled; and the Riflemen soon -entered and cleared out the houses. Their loss was 17 rank<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -and file killed, and Captain Creagh and Lieutenants Hill and -Cochrane, and 30 rank and file wounded. It was during this -action that an incident occurred, which I give in Leach’s own -words, who records it<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a>:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘Having driven the enemy from one of the highest -mountains, and in the act of collecting our men on its summit -to renew the attack on a second position to which they had -retired, one of my brother officers, whilst holding his canteen -to my mouth to give me some wine, well mulled by the sun, -received a musket-shot through his hand and through the -canteen, which latter it split, splashed my face thoroughly -with wine, spoiled my draught, gave me a sharp blow, which -cut my mouth, and spun me round like a top. For a few -moments I concluded that I was wounded; but the mystery -was soon explained by my seeing my friend on the ground -bleeding profusely, and the broken canteen at his side. I sent -a soldier with him to the rear; and notwithstanding that his -wound was for a length of time afterwards painful and troublesome, -we had the pleasure to see him rejoin us in a few weeks. -A more gallant soldier, sincere friend, or a more independent, -straightforward, manly fellow than Cochrane, never wore His -Majesty’s uniform. In proof of the high estimation in which he -was held by his Corps, suffice it to say, that his brother officers -erected a monument to his memory in Ireland,<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> where he died -a few years after the termination of the war in the Peninsula -and Waterloo, in both of which he was actively engaged.’</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 20th the two companies of the 1st Battalion which -had embarked at Harwich, and had landed at Maceira on the -day before, joined the army, which was then in position near -Vimiera.</p> - -<p>On the night of the 20th, a detachment of the 2nd Battalion, -with some of the 60th, in all about 200 men, were on -picquet in a large pine wood, on the road from Lourinha to -Torres Vedras. About eight in the morning of the 21st, a -cloud of light troops, followed by a strong column of the -enemy, entering the wood, vigorously attacked this picquet -and drove it in on the 97th, which was in support. As soon -as the Riflemen had cleared the front of this regiment, passing -by its right flank to the rear, the 97th poured a steady fire -on the advancing column and held it in check, while the 52nd -took it in flank and drove it back in confusion.<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> This picquet, -on being driven in, rejoined the other 2nd Battalion companies. -With this attack began the Battle of Vimiera. The Riflemen -were soon assailed by a swarm of light troops, who -covered the advance of large masses of infantry. These -pressed on up the hill on which the Riflemen were posted, -in spite of a deadly fire which they poured upon them; until, -the Riflemen running in, the 50th received them with a -destructive volley and a furious charge, which sent them, -broken, down the hill in confusion, with the loss of seven guns -and many prisoners. In this fight, three brothers of the name -of Hart, privates in the 2nd Battalion, pressed on the French -with such daring intrepidity, that Lieutenant Molloy, who -himself was never far from his opponent in action, was -obliged repeatedly to rebuke them: ‘D—n you!’ he cried, -‘keep back and get under cover. Do you think you are -fighting with your fists, that you run into the teeth of the -French!’</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile the enemy were attacked in flank on -our left by General Acland’s brigade, to which the two 1st -Battalion companies were attached.</p> - -<p>In his despatch of this victory and in General Orders Sir -Arthur Wellesley particularly notices the valour and discipline -of the 2nd Battalion of the 95th under Major Travers.<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> - -<p>In this battle the 2nd Battalion suffered severely; 3 sergeants -and 34 rank and file having been killed; and Lieutenants -Manners, Hill, James Johnson, William Cox, 3 sergeants, -and 40 rank and file wounded. As they had left -England about 400 strong, and had suffered at Obidos and -Roleia, about one-fourth of their effective strength was put -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">hors-de-combat</i> at Vimiera.</p> - -<p>No record exists of the casualties, if any, of the 1st Battalion -companies on this day.</p> - -<p>The two 1st Battalion companies, which had landed with -General Acland’s brigade, were immediately after the action -transferred to General Fane’s brigade, where they joined the -four 2nd Battalion companies.</p> - -<p>As I am the historian not of the War but of the Regiment, -I need only add that, owing to the evacuation of Portugal by -Junot’s army, and the Convention of Cintra, the portion of -the Corps in the Peninsula was not actively employed for -some months.</p> - -<p>But at the end of August, the three companies of the 1st -Battalion, which had been to Sweden with Sir John Moore, -and had been disembarked in the Mondego on the 28th, -joined their comrades in camp at Torres Vedras. There were -now, therefore, five companies of the 1st and four of the 2nd -on active service.</p> - -<p>Early in September the five 1st Battalion companies -moved across the Tagus to Villa Viciosa, where they were -quartered; and the four 2nd Battalion companies soon after -drew towards Lisbon, and encamped near it. The French -army had not yet embarked, and the best feeling existed -between our men and their late opponents; Riflemen and -French soldiers walking about the streets of Lisbon and -drinking together in the wine-shops.</p> - -<p>Sir John Moore soon after assumed the command of the -army; and moved from before Lisbon at the end of October. -The Riflemen, marching with the central division, under Moore -himself, on the 27th, by way of Abrantes, crossed the frontier -into Spain on November 12, and proceeded by Ciudad -Rodrigo to Salamanca, where they arrived about the 13th.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, five companies of the 1st Battalion still at -home, embarked, under Major Norman M’Leod, to join the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -other companies already in Portugal; and four of the remaining -companies of the 2nd Battalion embarked at Harwich, -under Colonel Wade. After a short detention at Falmouth, -they sailed for Spain, and disembarked at Corunna on -October 26.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> They were attached to the force under the command -of Sir David Baird, and the Riflemen of both Battalions -formed the advanced guard. A day or two after landing they -marched to Betanzos, and thence through Lugo, Villa Franca, -and Cacabelos, to Astorga, which they reached on November -26. Already on this march they experienced great privations, -owing to the defective arrangements of the Commissariat; -and it was not until they reached Celada, a village a few miles -in advance of Astorga, where they halted for some days, that -they were sufficiently supplied with provisions. They were -then sent forward to La Bañeza; but after a few days’ halt -they were, on account of a report that the enemy were in force -in their front, recalled to Celada. Hence, on account of the -utter rout of the Spanish armies, under Palafox and Castaños, -at Tudela, Moore ordered Baird’s force to retire again to -Corunna; and they retreated, the Riflemen now forming the -rear-guard and halting at Cacabelos, while the army moved -on to Villa Franca. But after a few days, Baird’s force was -again ordered forward; and the Riflemen, now again forming -the advanced guard, moved up through Astorga and La Bañeza -to Benevente, which they reached on December 15. They -marched again on the 17th, through Valderas, Mayorga, and -Sahagun, and reached the Convent of Trianon, about a league -from the latter place, on the 20th.</p> - -<p>The companies of Riflemen were here reunited with those -already in the Peninsula; the five companies under Major -M’Leod joining the five head-quarter companies of the 1st -Battalion under Colonel Beckwith; and the four companies -of the 2nd Battalion, under Major Travers, which had served -at Roleia and Vimiera, uniting themselves to the head-quarter -companies under Colonel Wade, which had come out with -Sir David Baird. When these men met, a few miles from -the Trianon Convent, the new comers gave a loud cheer to -the ‘heroes of Portugal,’ as they called their comrades who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -had fought at Roleia and Vimiera; which was heartily returned.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> -The worn and sunburnt appearance of the one set -of Riflemen contrasted strangely with the trim and neat look -of the other. They were soon all to be alike in the tokens -of toil, want and suffering. A new distribution of the army -taking place, consequent on the junction of Moore’s and -Baird’s forces, the 1st Battalion were attached to the reserve, -under Sir Edward Paget; and the 2nd Battalion, with a -battalion of the 43rd and one of the 52nd, formed a brigade -under Brigadier-General Robert Craufurd.</p> - -<p>I will first trace the services of this Battalion till their -separation from Moore’s army. On the evening of December -23 the Battalion was called to arms, with a view it was -believed of attacking Soult in his position on the Carrion. -In a cold and bitter night they moved forward; but had not -marched far when they were countermanded, and returned -to the quarters at Trianon. Surtees records an instance of -Craufurd’s severe and impartial discipline during this night -march. An officer of the Battalion, who was unwell, in -passing a brook, of which there were many on the road, left -his section and went round it. Craufurd, who happened to -be by, recalled him, and made him walk through and through -it several times.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> The retreat commenced on the 25th, in -terrible weather and over ground covered with snow. On -that night they fell back to Mayorga; and the next day, -though they started early, the state of the ground they had -to get over was such that they did not reach the village of -San Miguel till midnight. The day following they marched -to Castro Pipa, near Castro Gonzalo. Here there was a -bridge, the passage of which Craufurd was to guard until the -army, the stragglers and the baggage had passed over, and -then to destroy it. During this operation, while half the -brigade worked at its destruction, the other half held the -enemy at bay; for his cavalry hovered all round and frequently -attacked them, and the Riflemen had some smart skirmishing. -At last, at midnight on the 28th, the brigade passed over in -single file by planks laid over the broken arches, and fell -back to Benevente.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the next morning the 2nd Battalion left Benevente, -and after a toilsome march of thirty miles, reached La Bañeza -late at night; and on the following day moved on to their -old quarter, Celada. On the 31st they marched into Astorga, -and halted for an hour or two there while the magazine -was destroyed; observing the road from Astorga to Leon, -by which it was thought the enemy were advancing. However, -they did not appear; and the Battalion moved on -another wearisome march of twenty miles to Foncevadon. -Here Craufurd’s brigade, which had hitherto formed the rear-guard, -was detached, and proceeded by Orense to Vigo, in -order to seize the passage of the Minho should Moore’s army -find it necessary to retreat by that route. On January 1, 1809, -therefore, the Battalion marched by most difficult mountain -roads to Ponferrada. Here the men suffered great privation, -the Alcalde having given all the bread to his countrymen of -Romana’s army, which was marching with ours, and thus -left our people without provisions after their wearisome march.</p> - -<p>On the next day they marched over rugged snow-clad -mountains; and while they were toiling over them another -instance of Craufurd’s iron discipline occurred. The word -being passed to open out to allow the General to pass, a -hungry Rifleman called out that ‘he had more need to give -them bread.’ This, unhappily, reached the General’s ears, -who at once halted the brigade, ordered the offender to be -tried by drum-head Court-Martial, and flogged on the spot: -a terrible, perhaps a necessary, check to murmuring under -such privations. So, labouring in hunger and fatigue, the -Battalion toiled on to San Domingo-Flores, which they -reached at ten o’clock at night, and after a scanty ration of -black bread, lay down, wet and weary, till dawn, when another -long and difficult march brought them at night to La Rua. -These terrible marches caused many stragglers; many -perished on the inhospitable hills; many fell into the hands of -the yet more cruel enemy; and some, with the help of some -refreshment from the sparse and poor population, dragged on -wearily and rejoined the Battalion at Orense or Vigo.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> - -<p>In such want and sufferings the Battalion reached Orense -on January 7, having pushed on a detachment by forced -marches to secure the bridge over the Minho there. A halt -on the 8th enabled the men to wash their linen and take off -their clothing and accoutrements; a relief they had not had -for many days; and a supply of provisions much refreshed -the starving soldiers.</p> - -<p>On the 9th they resumed their retreat, marching that day -to Rivadavia, through roads inundated by the overflowing of -the Minho and Avia, swollen by the incessant rains and melting -snow. Three more such toilsome marches brought them -to Vigo. And when they crowned the hills at some distance -from the town, and, looking down on the bay and <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">ria</i> of Vigo, -saw the ships which were there waiting to convey them home, -the hearts of the weary, foot-sore Riflemen bounded for joy, -and the rest of the day’s march was performed with a long -unwonted cheerfulness. They immediately embarked; and -after waiting in the bay a few days to give a chance to -stragglers to come in, sailed on the 21st, and landed on -February 1 at Portsmouth, whence they marched to their old -quarters at Hythe barracks.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the 1st Battalion continued with the force -under Sir John Moore; and being in the reserve, under Sir -Edward Paget, which formed the rear-guard, besides the -almost unparalleled sufferings from hunger, fatigue and -exposure to unusually inclement winter weather, were daily -engaged with the enemy.</p> - -<p>On December 28 the reserve passed the Esla at Castro -Gonzalo and fell back on Benevente, and the bridge (as we -have seen) was destroyed. During the whole day and night -there was sharp skirmishing between the picquets of the -Battalion and the enemy, who came up with the rear-guard -for the first time on this day.</p> - -<p>On the next day the outposts were withdrawn, and the -infantry marched; but the cavalry was left in Benevente, -with outposts on the bank of the river.</p> - -<p>On January 3 the enemy again came up. The Battalion, -forming the rear-guard of the reserve, was formed in front of -the village of Cacabelos. This place, scarcely more than a -hamlet, is situated on the declivity of a high hill, sloping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -down to a deep stream, a branch or tributary of the Sil, which -is crossed by a bridge at the foot of the village street. Two -companies (Captains Norcott’s and O’Hare’s) and a small -party of the 15th Hussars were detached to cover the retreat -of the Battalion. These troops were soon warmly engaged -with a very large body of cavalry, advanced by the enemy -as a reconnoitring party; but, as this was soon after joined -by a still more formidable force, they were directed to retire -and follow the Battalion through the village, and to take post -on the other side of the river and bridge, situated at the -extremity of the street.</p> - -<p>During the execution of this movement the enemy’s -cavalry pressed forward so rapidly and in such large masses -that they compelled the 15th Hussars, who were in rear of -the two companies, to retreat at full gallop. And Sir John -Moore and his Staff also dashed past. The Riflemen, having -opened to let them pass, immediately faced about, and -forming across the whole breadth of the street of the village -which they had now entered, poured on the enemy’s cavalry -such a rapid and well-aimed fire that many saddles were -emptied and the pursuit instantly checked. But it was still -necessary to go through the village to pass the bridge, and to -gain the opposite bank of the river; and this was at length -effected, not without great exertion and fatigue, and the loss -of about 40 men, killed, wounded, or prisoners.</p> - -<p>The Reserve formed in position on a range of heights -about five hundred yards from the river, the 95th being -advanced as a support to their rear-guard, and in that position -awaited the enemy’s attack. He was not long in fording the -river to our right and left with a large body of cavalry and -about a thousand Voltigeurs, which latter had not until then -come up with the retreating army. They had been passed -over the river on the horses of the cavalry.</p> - -<p>The attack by this infantry began at about four o’clock -in the now rapidly approaching evening, on the flanks of the -Rifle picquets and on the Battalion of Riflemen formed for -their support; and the enemy moved at the same time a -large force of cavalry over the bridge on the high road to -Villa Franca. After some severe skirmishing both with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -picquets and the Battalion, these were obliged to fall back -and occupy a more defensible position; and five companies -extended behind the banks, and in the vineyards on each side -of the road, on which the British cavalry and some guns were -posted. Scarcely had this movement been effected when a -warm attack was made by the Voltigeurs and cavalry against -the Riflemen, the dragoons, and the guns. After an hour’s -hard fighting it was found impossible to withstand the superior -force of the enemy, and the advanced wing of the Battalion -was withdrawn, and joined the other five companies, with the -view of following the main body of the Reserve, which had -just before been ordered to retire.</p> - -<p>It was now nearly dark; and General Colbert, who commanded -the enemy’s cavalry, conceiving probably that the -Riflemen had retired, and that the English cavalry and guns -were unprotected, made a most rapid and furious charge upon -them with a mass of cavalry. The Riflemen again instantly -threw themselves into the vineyards, and from the banks -lining the road poured so hot and well-aimed a fire that the -attacking cavalry were instantly checked. It was at this -moment that Thomas Plunket, a private of the Battalion, -noted for his excellent shooting, crept out with some expression -that he ‘would bring that fellow down,’ and throwing -himself on his back on the snow-covered ground he caught -the sling of his rifle over his foot, fired with deliberate aim, -and shot General Colbert dead. His orderly trumpeter rode -up to assist him, but Tom Plunket had reloaded, and he also -fell before his unerring rifle.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> He had just time to jump up, -and, amidst the cheers of his comrades, by running in upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -one of the rear sections, to escape the sabres of a dozen -troopers who spurred after him in pursuit.</p> - -<p>By the fire of the Riflemen the enemy’s cavalry suffered -severely. Besides their General, some two hundred horsemen -were killed, wounded, or prisoners.</p> - -<p>Night had now fallen, and no further attack was attempted: -the Riflemen retained the position till about ten at night, in -order to give the rest of the army time to fall back. They -then retired, marching all night, a most difficult and fatiguing -march, part of it through vineyards, and arrived at Curtro -about daybreak.</p> - -<p>This most gallant action may be said to have been fought -altogether by the 1st Battalion; for no troops assisted them -except a few of the 15th Hussars, who, being hard pressed -by the enemy, rode through the two rear companies at the -first onset, and formed on the rising ground beyond the -bridge on the Villa Franca road; and ‘a few of the 52nd,’<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> -who, as night fell, appeared on that ridge to their assistance; -but Colbert’s final charge had then been checked by the -Riflemen. Mr. Moore, in his Life of his brother, says that ‘to -arrest the enemy, four hundred Riflemen, with a small detachment -of horse, were posted,’ while the Reserve crossed the -bridge; but in fact scarce half that number remained on that -side of the river. Only two companies (Norcott’s and -O’Hare’s) were there posted; and their strength would not -have been a hundred men each after the casualties of several -days’ march, in weather of unusual severity, and amidst almost -unparalleled toils.</p> - -<p>The march was resumed in a few hours; the weather was -intensely cold, the road rugged and difficult, and the snow -knee deep, and the fatigue and exhausted state of the men -were extreme; yet amidst all these sufferings the Reserve preserved -order, ‘covered the retreat, and protected, as much as -lay in their power, the stragglers.’<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a></p> - -<p>On the road from Villa Franca to Herrerias the French -patrols during the night attacked the Rifle picquets, and -wounded a few men; but the Riflemen drove them back, and the -enemy did not ascertain that the retreating army had abandoned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -the position. After a march of eighteen miles the Reserve -reached Herrerias on the morning of the 4th. A forced march of -thirty-six miles brought them on the 5th to Nogales. Thence -they started again, and towards evening of that day, when near -Constantino, the enemy came up with them. Moore was with -them, and his position was difficult. A river was to be crossed, -and a hill overlooking and close to the bridge would, if the -enemy should occupy it, give him such an advantage as would -render the passage of the Reserve very difficult. Moore posted -a battery on the top of the hill, ‘and guarded it, as usual, by the -brave Rifle Corps.’<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> They held the enemy in check while the -Reserve defiled over the narrow bridge; as soon as they were -safely over, the guns were limbered up, and trotted down the -hill; the Riflemen followed at the double, and passed the -bridge without the loss of a man. The French rushed on in -pursuit; but when they reached the bridge the Reserve were in -position, and after maintaining the post till nightfall General -Paget fell back towards Lugo.</p> - -<p>During all this retreat Moore accompanied the Reserve, -and rode beside his friend General Paget, their chief. His -cheerful demeanour sustained the spirits of the way-worn, -suffering soldiers; he praised their superior discipline on the -march, and warmly applauded their gallant conduct in action.</p> - -<p>The whole of Sir John Moore’s forces were now in position -in front of Lugo. On the 6th the French came in sight, -and collecting in considerable numbers, took up a position in -front of the rear-guard. On the next day the outposts were -attacked, and the enemy repulsed. And on the 8th another -attack was made, and with a similar result.</p> - -<p>On the 9th Sir John Moore drew up his whole force in -position, and offered battle. After waiting in line of battle -till towards evening, the General ordered the army to retire -in the night, the Reserve covering their march. They kept -up bright fires to deceive the enemy, and then, in a night of -terrific weather, and in drenching showers of rain and sleet, -they fell back towards Betanzos. Near this town the enemy -came up with them, and attacked them during their passage -over a bridge, with some loss.</p> - -<p>The sufferings of the Battalion in the next few days were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> -terrible. The men were in a state of starvation; many without -shoes, and almost all in rags. The officers were, many -of them, barefooted; and some, from hunger and fatigue, so incapable -of further exertion that they had to be carried on -mules. In this state they arrived, on the 11th, at El Burgo -(the main body of the troops having entered Corunna), their -discipline unimpaired and their courage undismayed. ‘For -twelve days,’ says Napier, ‘these hardy warriors had covered -the retreat, during which time they had traversed eighty -miles of road in two marches, passed several nights under -arms in the snow of the mountains, were seven times engaged -with the enemy, and now assembled at the outposts, having -fewer men missing, including those who had fallen in battle, -than any other division of the army: an admirable instance of -the value of good discipline.’</p> - -<p>As soon as they had passed the river at El Burgo the -bridge was blown up, and two companies of Riflemen, under -Major Norcott, were posted in the village; the remainder of -the Battalion being, with the Reserve, cantoned upon the high -road to Corunna, at a little distance.</p> - -<p>The enemy’s cavalry again came in sight on the morning -of the 12th, and, after reconnoitring, dismounted a part of their -force, and attacked the companies at El Burgo vigorously. -This skirmishing continued during the day; but their efforts -to drive the Riflemen from the post were ineffectual.</p> - -<p>On the 14th, however, this post was withdrawn, as the -enemy had forded the river on our left. The Battalion therefore -joined the Reserve in the position taken up by the army -on the heights about two miles in front of Corunna; while -the enemy was employed in concentrating his forces on a -very strong range of hills opposite and nearly parallel to the -British line, and distant from it about five hundred yards.</p> - -<p>The Battalion was advanced, in the course of the morning, -about half-a-mile in front of the Reserve, in order to occupy -several detached and commanding pieces of ground, on the -right of Lord William Bentinck’s brigade, and just opposite a -battery of guns on the left of the French position.</p> - -<p>The enemy’s troops continued to pour into his position -during the whole night. Their bands played, and shouts, -plainly heard by the Riflemen, announced their joy at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -certainty of a general action on the morrow, and the anticipated -destruction or capture of the British army.</p> - -<p>On the 16th several movements of cavalry, artillery and -infantry were observed in the French lines, and about two -o’clock in the afternoon the Riflemen could distinctly see their -first line getting under arms on the brow of the hill. The -assault was not long in coming. At three o’clock a furious -onset of three thousand skirmishers burst upon the whole line of -English picquets; which, although at first driven back, rallied -under cover of the numerous stone walls which intersected -the valley, and kept the enemy in check for a considerable -time; particularly at the village of Elvina, which was watched -by the brigade under Major-General Coote Manningham.</p> - -<p>The enemy finding his first efforts to drive in our picquets -unavailing, reinforced his first line with several battalions, and -compelled them to fall back to their respective brigades. The -action immediately became general, and the attacks particularly -severe from the Corunna road to the extreme British -right (comprising about half the English forces). It was -evidently Soult’s great object to turn the right, whilst on the -left and left centre the attack was not pushed with much -energy, and was intended only as a feint. Lord William -Bentinck’s brigade was so roughly handled about five o’clock, -and was losing so many men by the fire of the enemy’s guns -on our right (by which Sir John Moore fell at this time), that -Colonel Beckwith pushed on with the whole Battalion; and -dashing into the very midst of the enemy’s artillery, would -inevitably have captured or destroyed them in a few minutes, -had not two battalions of Voltigeurs moved out so rapidly -from the second line to their assistance, that the Riflemen -were obliged to fall back for the moment. They were checked, -not quelled; a sharp skirmish, kept up for two hours between -the Riflemen and the Voltigeurs, ended in the complete repulse -of the latter, with considerable loss, leaving seven officers and -one hundred and fifty-six men prisoners in the hands of their -opponents, whom the Battalion took on ship-board and -brought to England.</p> - -<p>By this time the enemy had been completely defeated at -all points, and retired to his position.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> - -<p>The troops embarked during the night. The 1st Battalion -of the 95th was the last corps that entered the gates of -Corunna, having acted as the rear-guard; and scarcely had it -reached its ship, when the enemy made his appearance, -with several guns, on the heights commanding the bay, from -which he fired on all the vessels within range. The fleet, -however, was soon under sail, and arrived at Spithead -on the 21st. The Battalion was landed and marched to -Hythe.</p> - -<p>I have reserved till now the details of its losses during that -memorable retreat.</p> - -<p>At Cacabelos, on January 3, 2 sergeants and 17 rank and -file were killed; and Captain Bennett, who died of his -wounds on the 11th, and Lieutenant Eeles were wounded; -and on that occasion 4 sergeants and 44 rank and file were -taken prisoners. In the skirmish on the 5th, 1 man was -killed and 1 man also on the 10th. One sergeant, 1 bugler, and -13 rank and file died of want, sickness, or fatigue during the -retreat; and 31 men, wounded or exhausted, fell into the -enemy’s hands. In the final fight before Corunna on the 16th, -Lieutenant Charles Noble, 1 sergeant, and 10 rank and file -were killed, and 8 rank and file were taken prisoners. Thus -the total loss of the Battalion in twenty days was 2 officers, -8 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 125 rank and file dead, or prisoners -in the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant Eeles, 1 sergeant, -and 33 rank and file wounded disembarked in England.</p> - -<p>But the condition of the survivors and unwounded was -deplorable. The appearance of the Battalion was squalid -and miserable. Most of the men had lost some of their appointments; -many were without shoes; and their clothing was -not only tattered and in rags, but in such a state of filth and -so infested with vermin, that on new clothing being served out -it was burnt at the back of Hythe barracks.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Among the losses of the Regiment consequent on the -retreat to Corunna, not the least conspicuous was that of -their first Colonel, Major-General Coote Manningham, who -died at Maidstone on August 26, 1809, in his forty-fourth year. -A short sketch of the life of one who may be called the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> -originator of the Regiment, may well be given in this place. -He was the second son of Charles Manningham,<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> Esq., of -Thorp, in Surrey, who was Governor of Bengal in 1758, by -the daughter of Colonel Charles Hutchinson, Governor of St. -Helena, through whom he was nearly related to two distinguished -Generals, Sir Robert Boyd and Sir Eyre Coote, who -had married her sisters. Under the former, and in his Regiment, -the 39th, his services commenced at the siege of Gibraltar. -On the breaking out of the war of 1793, Manningham, then -a Major in the 45th, was appointed to a light infantry battalion, -formed in the West India Islands, in order to join Sir -Charles Grey, on his coming out to attack the French West -India possessions. With it he took part in the reduction of -Martinique, St. Lucia, and Guadaloupe. He soon after became -Lieutenant-Colonel of the 41st, and in 1795 was appointed -Adjutant-General to the force under General Forbes -at St. Domingo. While on this service he was severely -wounded by an ambuscade of the enemy. On or soon after -his return to England he was, in 1798, appointed Aide-de-Camp -to King George III., with the rank of Colonel, and -soon after one of His Majesty’s Equerries. He was promoted -a Major-General in 1805; and after serving some time on the -home staff, he was appointed to command a brigade in the -division which went out with Sir David Baird in 1808. On -the junction of this force with that under Sir John Moore, he -had a brigade under Moore, and took part in the retreat; -and, as we have seen, held the position of Elvina in the final -action at Corunna. The fatigues and sufferings he had -undergone during this campaign, acting on a constitution -impaired by service and by wounds in the West Indies, -brought on, soon after his return to England, an illness -from which he never rallied. He is buried at Little -Bookham,<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> in Surrey, where this inscription to his memory -remains:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"> -In this vault are deposited the remains of<br /> -Major-General <span class="smcap">Coote Manningham</span>, equerry to the king<br /> -and colonel of the 95th or rifle regiment of foot;<br /> -This corps he originally raised and formed, and by his<br /> -unvaried zeal and exertion, as well as excellent discipline<br /> -and good example, brought to the highest state of<br /> -military reputation and distinction.<br /> -<br /> -He died at <em>Maidstone</em>, on the 26th day of August 1809<br /> -in the 44th year of his age.<br /> -<br /> -An early victim to the fatigues of the campaign in <em>Spain</em><br /> -operating on a constitution already enfeebled<br /> -by long service in the <em>West Indies</em><br /> -and honourable wounds received in that climate.<br /> -</div> - -<p>A monument to his memory was also erected in the North -Transept of Westminster Abbey, by his friend Lieutenant-General -Sir Thomas Hislop, in 1813; which records that ‘In -him the man and the Christian tempered the warrior;’ and -that ‘He was the model of a British soldier.’</p> - -<p>His only surviving child married Sir Edward Buller, Bart., -and more than one of her sons has served with distinction in -the Regiment, in which they may be said to bear the honourable -distinction of ‘founder’s kin.’</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Frederick, Duke of York.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> ‘Memoirs of the Court and Cabinet of George III.,’ vol. iii. 88.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Major-General Sir Robert Travers, C.B., K.C.M.G., died at Cork, December -24, 1834.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Sir James Pulteney’s Despatch, August 27.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> ‘Handbook of Spain.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> It was popularly known as ‘Manningham’s Sharpshooters.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> ‘Cumloden Papers,’ 23.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> ‘Regulations for the Rifle Corps formed at Blatchington Barracks by Colonel -Manningham:’ London, 1801. Stewart also published ‘Outlines of a Plan for -the General Reform of the British Land Forces:’ a pamphlet, of which a second -edition, enlarged, appeared in octavo. London, 1806.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> ‘Life of Sir C. J. Napier,’ i. 19.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Lieutenant-General Sir T. Sidney Beckwith, K.C.B., died January 19, 1831.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart’s Despatch, ‘Cumloden Papers,’ 41.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> ‘Cumloden Papers,’ 50, 51, 52. This service seems to have established a -friendship between Stewart and Nelson, which terminated only with the great -admiral’s life. Several letters from him, written in very affectionate terms, to -Stewart, are printed in the ‘Cumloden Papers;’ the last dated only thirteen days -before his death off Trafalgar. Stewart also mentions incidentally that his son -Horatio (who served in the Regiment) bore that name ‘by the express wish of that -great man who fell off Trafalgar.’ He must have wished him to call his first son -after him, for Horatio Stewart was not born till after Nelson’s death.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> ‘Life of Sir Charles Napier,’ i. 58, 59.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> ‘Military Lectures delivered to the officers of the 95th (Rifle) Regiment, -at Shorn-Cliff Barracks, Kent, during the Spring of 1803.’ By Coote Manningham, -Colonel of the 95th (Rifle) Regiment. Octavo, London, 1803, pp. 70. -And see <a href="#Page_7">p. 7</a>. -</p> -<p> -In the same year appeared ‘Regulations for the Exercise of Riflemen and -Light Infantry in the Field,’ octavo, pp. 70, with diagrams and two pages of -bugle sounds. What share, if any, Manningham or Stewart had in these books, -I am unable to trace. A preface (signed by the Adjutant-General) states that it -is founded on a work written by a German officer of distinction.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Hamlet Wade was one of the original members of the Regiment, having -been promoted to a majority on its formation, from captain in the 25th Foot. He -was an extraordinary, gallant, dashing Irishman (he was one of the Wades of -Clonabraney, County Meath), and anecdotes of him were still rife when I was in the -Regiment. Surtees mentions Wade’s praise and his rewards to him for his good -shooting, when he joined as a volunteer. He was an admirable shot with the -rifle himself. He and a private of the name of Smeaton used to hold a target for -each other at 150 yards; and it is said (Smith’s ‘List of Officers,’ 58) that he and -John Spurry, a private in the Regiment, held the target for each other at 200 -yards: a wonderful feat, while the Baker rifle was still in use. There used to be -a story of him at an inspection by the old Earl of Chatham, who expressed a -wish to see some practice with the rifle; and having made some remark on the -danger of the markers, Wade said: ‘There is no danger;’ and calling one of -the men (no doubt Smeaton or Spurry), bade him hold a target, and he himself -taking a rifle fired and hit it. Lord Chatham’s horror at this was extreme, on -which Wade said: ‘Oh, we all do it.’ And bidding the other to take a loaded -rifle, he ran out himself and held the target for the soldier’s fire. Probably -no other men in the Regiment but themselves could have done this. Colonel -Wade, C.B., died February 13, 1821, having retired from the army.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Surtees gives the story at length, 53-55.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Major-General Sir Amos G. R. Norcott, K.C.H., died January 8, 1838.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Major O’Hare was killed at Badajos.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> The five 1st Battalion companies had thus been <em>eleven months</em> on board ship.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> The three companies of the 2nd Battalion at Monte Video had been engaged, -on June 7, at San Pedro, when Major Gardner and Assistant-Surgeon Turner, -1 sergeant and 26 rank and file were wounded. I find no particulars of -this affair beyond the mention of it, and the casualties, in the Record of the 2nd -Battalion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> ‘Brigadier Craufurd’s Evidence on Whitelocke’s Court-martial,’ p. 335-6.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Two majors, 5 captains, 19 subalterns, 3 staff, 24 sergeants, 12 buglers, and -495 rank and file of the Rifle Corps (including the wounded) surrendered to the -enemy. ‘Return in Whitelocke’s Court-Martial,’ Appendix, p. 45.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Lieutenant Patrick Turner died of his wounds.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Major-General Sir Dudley St. Leger Hill, K.C.B., died February 21, 1851.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> ‘Annual Register,’ xlix.; ‘London Gazette,’ September 13, 1807; and -Record of the 1st Battalion. This narrative is evidently drawn up by an eye-witness: -no doubt Sir Amos Norcott, by whom the regimental Record is signed.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 4.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ vi. 10. It is strange that no mention of their -services in this expedition appears in the 1st Battalion Record. That of the 2nd -Battalion mentions only the casualties on the 17th before Copenhagen.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 4.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Surtees, 60-72. Leach, 28-38. ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. and: Supplementary -Despatches,’ vi.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Major-General Sir John Ross, K.C.B., died April 31, 1835.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Major-General Sir Alexander Cameron, K.C.B., died July 20, 1850.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 28.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Ibid. iv. 27.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Ibid. iv. 77.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 94.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> Afterwards Major-General Sir Hercules R. Pakenham, K.C.B. The Duke -of Wellington, applying for his promotion on October 15 following, mentions his -being wounded in this affair, and adds ‘that he is really one of the best officers of -Riflemen that I have seen.’ (‘Supplementary Despatches,’vi. 160.) He was his -brother-in-law. He remained in the Regiment till 1810.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 95.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ vi. 115.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Properly <em>Roliça</em>. I retain the name granted to the Regiment, and borne on -its badge.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Leach, 47.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> At Kinsale, where is this inscription in the church:</p> - -<div class="center fs80 lht"> -SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF<br /> -<span class="fs135 lsp2">LIEUTENANT THOMAS COCHRANE</span><br /> -OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE.<br /> -HE DIED <span class="smcap">IInd</span> OF JULY MDCCCXXIII., AGED XXXIV. YEARS.<br /> -AS A SOLDIER<br /> -HIS ZEAL, GALLANTRY, AND INTELLIGENCE<br /> -RENDERED HIM VALUABLE TO HIS COUNTRY;<br /> -AS A MAN<br /> -HIS PRIVATE VIRTUES, EMBRACING EVERY ENNOBLING AND ENDEARING<br /> -QUALIFICATION,<br /> -SECURED TO HIM THE ESTEEM AND LASTING ATTACHMENT OF HIS BROTHER<br /> -OFFICERS, WHO HAVE RAISED THIS MONUMENT TO HIS MEMORY.<br /> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> Leach, 50, who was on this picquet.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. III; and ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ vi. 121.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> Surtees, 74. I take the dates from Surtees, who was with this force. The -dates in the 2nd Battalion Record are here in inextricable confusion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> Harris, 160.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Surtees, 80.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> Surtees mentions that he crossed the Esla, at a ford a little way from Castro -Gonzalo, in a bullock-cart loaded with biscuit, while the brigade were occupied in -destroying the bridge. The time lost in its destruction might have been saved -had Moore or Craufurd known the river was fordable.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> I note Costello’s assertion that General Paget offered his purse to any Rifleman -who would bring down the French General, only to point out its improbability, -not to say its impossibility. No one who knew the gallant Sir Edward -Paget will believe that he bribed a soldier to slay a chivalrous and brave enemy; -of whom Napier writes, ‘his fine martial figure, his voice, his gestures, and, above -all, his great valour, had excited the admiration of the British, and a general -feeling of sorrow was predominant when the gallant soldier fell.’ It is quite -possible that, as Costello says, General Paget flung his purse (or some of its -contents) to Tom Plunket, in admiration of two such unerring shots in the midst -of a hot fight. But this is a very different matter from the previous offer of it. -It is to be observed that Costello was not at Cacabelos, but was then a recruit at -the Depôt; and no doubt the story did not lose, in the barrack-room or at the -camp-fire, where he probably had heard it.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> ‘Napier,’ Book iv. chap. v.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> ‘Life of Sir John Moore,’ ii. 210.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> ‘Life of Sir John Moore,’ ii. 201.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> His grandfather was Bishop of Chichester. See a full account of the family -in Nichols’ ‘Literary Anecdotes,’ i. 207-11.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> He had married the daughter of the Reverend George Pollen, Rector of -Little Bookham.</p></div> -</div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">The two Battalions, then stationed at Hythe, were ordered to -be completed to a strength of a thousand men each; and -active steps were taken to supply the losses occasioned by the -retreat by obtaining volunteers from the Militia. The Regiment -had already become so famous and so popular, that not -only were the deficiencies filled up in a very short time, but -more than a thousand volunteers presented themselves beyond -the numbers required.<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> It was therefore resolved by the -authorities to add a 3rd Battalion to the Regiment. Colonel -M’Leod was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of it, and -soon afterwards exchanged with Colonel Andrew Barnard, of -the 1st Royals, afterwards Sir Andrew Barnard: a name indelibly -connected with the subsequent achievements of the -Regiment. Only two or three other of the steps consequent -on the formation of an additional Battalion were given in the -Regiment, the services of those by whose valour and sufferings -the Regiment had obtained the fame which attracted these -volunteers and to whose exertions in recruiting their great -number was due, being, with the usual injustice of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -British Government to its military defenders, ignored. General -Sir David Dundas, then Commander-in-Chief, became -Colonel-in-Chief on August 31, 1809, in place of Manningham; -and the Colonelcies of the three Battalions were bestowed -on Major-Generals Forbes Champagné, Sir Brent Spencer, -and the Honourable William Stewart, thus restoring to the -roll of the Regiment the honoured name of its first Lieutenant-Colonel.</p> - -<p>I now resume the history of the services of the 1st Battalion, -which having been completed to 1,010 rank and file, -marched from Hythe, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel -Beckwith, at two o’clock in the morning of May 25, -1809, and arriving at Dover about six, soon after embarked in -three transports, the ‘Fortune,’ the ‘Malabar,’ and the ‘Laurel,’ -and sailed immediately for the Downs. Here they were -joined by a battalion of the 43rd and by the 52nd, which -were to form the Light Brigade under Major-General Robert -Craufurd, who embarked in the ‘Nymph’ frigate. Contrary -winds kept them in the Downs till June 3, when they made -sail; and arriving in the Tagus on the 28th anchored off -Lisbon. Here they remained until July 2, when about midnight -they were put into flat-bottomed boats, and towed up -the river. The men and officers were very crowded, and experienced -great inconvenience for twenty-four hours, until -they were landed at Vallada on the right bank of the river, -at or near which place they bivouacked on that night. On -landing they were definitively formed, with the 43rd and 52nd -Light Infantry Regiments, their constant companions in arms, -into the Light Brigade, whose deeds of arms in Portugal, -Spain and France, can never be forgotten while England has -an army.</p> - -<p>The Battalion marched on the 4th to Santarem, where -they halted till the 7th, to allow the baggage animals, the -ammunition, and the Commissariat to come up. On that day -they marched to Golegão, and on the 8th to Punhete and -Tancos, still on the Tagus; on the 9th they passed through -Abrantes, but, not halting there, crossed by a pontoon bridge -to the left bank of the river, and bivouacked in extensive -woods. All these marches were, in consequence of the extreme -heat of the weather, performed in the night; the Battalion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -generally falling in about midnight, and arriving at -their bivouack about eight or nine in the morning.</p> - -<p>It was about this time that Craufurd issued standing -orders to his Brigade of extreme strictness, not to say severity. -This Draconic code made him at first very unpopular; but -as time went on, its usefulness in maintaining discipline and -repressing offences became manifest. It produced a perfection -in the Brigade which the officers and the men themselves -could not but recognise; and this, added to his own -personal valour and reckless daring, eventually endeared him -to the soldiers who followed him.<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p> - -<p>At midnight on the 10th the Battalion moved to Gavião, -a march of thirteen hours, the greater part under a blazing -sun. On the 12th they reached, through a bleak and high -country, Niza. On the next day they marched through the -pass of Villa Velha, and crossing the Tagus by a bridge of -boats, bivouacked on the opposite bank. On the 14th they -advanced by mountainous and difficult roads to Sernadas, -and on the 15th reached Castello Branco. Here they halted -on the 16th and 17th to enable the 43rd and 52nd to join -them. On the 18th the Brigade thus complete marched soon -after midnight and bivouacked in the woods near Ladouira; -on the 19th they moved through a desolate country to Zebreira; -and on the 20th, crossing the Elgas, passed into Spain -and encamped near Zarza Major. On the next day, after a -long and oppressive march, they reached Moralegua, and on -the 22nd arrived at Coria, where they halted during the -23rd.</p> - -<p>On the 24th the Battalion marched to Galisteo, on the -river Alagon; on the 25th over a burning plain, with the -Sierra de Gata, topped with snow, in view, to Malpartida, a -village on the Calzones. On the next day, the 26th, crossing -the river Tietar by a flying bridge, they had a most fatiguing -march to Venta de Bazagona, and on the 27th arrived at -Navalmoral, the heat being oppressive.</p> - -<p>On the 28th they marched at daylight to the town of -Calzada, where tidings reached Craufurd that an action was -imminent between Sir Arthur Wellesley’s army, with General<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -Cuesta’s Spanish troops, and Marshal Victor’s army, then in -close proximity. He determined, therefore, if possible, to -unite his Brigade to Sir Arthur Wellesley before it should -take place; and undertook the forced march which has rendered -the name of the Light Division famous. Accordingly, -after a short rest at Calzada, he pushed on to Oropesa, two -leagues, which he reached about noon. A distant cannonade -began to be heard, which, increasing as they approached it, -acted as an incentive to speed and endurance. They marched -on under a scorching sun to Oropesa, where they halted for -four hours to cook. Here Craufurd desired the commanding -officers to pick out of the ranks such men as they considered -unable to continue a further march. Very few men of the -Battalion fell out; these were left at Oropesa in charge of a -subaltern. After this was done the bugles sounded the ‘<em>fall -in</em>,’ and the Riflemen moved onward till about ten at night; -when, passing a cattle-pond, Craufurd halted to allow the men -to drink. The parched soldiers eagerly drank the water, filthy -and nauseous though it was. As soon as they had satisfied -their thirst, the march was resumed and continued through -the night, without check, through deep, sandy roads. Early -on the morning of the 29th the Light Division marched -across the field of Talavera, giving three hearty cheers for the -victory of the day before.</p> - -<p>They had thus, in heavy marching order, under a burning -sun, and with a most insufficient supply of food, marched -upwards of fifty miles, with only two short halts, in twenty-five -hours. They thus arrived the morning after the fight at -Talavera; but though the Battalion itself was not present, a -detachment of the Regiment left in the Peninsula in 1808 -took part in the action, and was mentioned in Sir Arthur -Wellesley’s despatches as having particularly distinguished -themselves.<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a></p> - -<p>As soon as it arrived at Talavera the Battalion was immediately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -ordered to occupy some woods in advance of the -British position and to furnish the picquets, the sentinels of -which were facing the position of the French army. Here -the Battalion remained till August 3. During that time it -suffered much from want of provision, not more than one -ration of bread, and but little of other food, having been -issued.</p> - -<p>On the 3rd the British army began to fall back in consequence -of information that Soult with a large force was -moving towards the rear of the English with a view of cutting -off their communications with Portugal. Before daybreak -they marched and arrived at Oropesa, the 95th forming the -rear-guard with the cavalry. On the 4th they crossed the -Tagus by the bridge of Arzobispo. It was during this march -that Craufurd, knowing that his Division were famishing, -allowed them to kill any animals which might be in the woods -in which they halted that evening. A large herd of pigs -being discovered was instantly set upon by the hungry -soldiers, killed, cut up and eaten in an incredibly short time. -About midnight they started again, thus refreshed, and pushed -forward to secure the bridge of Almaraz, the rest of the army -moving on Truxillo. It was of vast importance to secure -this bridge, as it was feared Soult might occupy it. The -Light Division, therefore, was pushed on with great rapidity. -The Riflemen marched for fourteen hours through a hilly and -barren country, still without food, except a kind of pea parched -by the sun, and wheat found in such fields as remained ungleaned; -suffering also from want of water, the streams being -almost all dried up; and on the evening of the 5th the Battalion -bivouacked in some woods in advance of the rest of the -Division. Before dawn on the 6th they resumed their march -under a burning sun, and with the same scanty provision, and -after fifteen hours’ march, during which there were many -stragglers, faint from heat and want, they reached the bridge -of Almaraz. Two companies of the Battalion were immediately -sent on picquet at a ford a little below the bridge; -and the remainder bivouacked near, in order to support the -picquets in case of an attack. Here they remained till -August 20, the Battalion being always in advance, and bivouacking -in an olive wood near Rio Gardo, and furnishing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -picquets at the ford. Every evening at sunset they moved -out of the olive wood, and lay down with their arms on the -bank of the river, and returned to the camp at sunrise. The -remainder of the Light Division were encamped near the -village of Las Casas del Puerto.</p> - -<p>During this whole fortnight the scarcity, or rather the -absolute want, of provision continued. Scanty rations of -goat-flesh were issued during this time; and a coarse kind of -pea-flour, with bran and chopped straw, provided by the -Commissariat, which the officers and men made into a kind of -cake with water, and cooked on a camp-kettle lid or on a -stone, was the only provision. Unless when the men found -some ears of corn in a field, and by rubbing them in their -hands and grinding the grains between stones, in this way -supplemented the Commissariat allowance.</p> - -<p>On the 12th the French picquets appeared on the heights -opposite the bridge and the ford, but no shots were exchanged -between them and the two companies of Riflemen always -posted at the ford. And indeed then, as throughout the war -in the Peninsula, the best understanding existed between the -Riflemen on outpost duty and the advanced posts of the -French; the officers frequently saluting each other. And so -far did this go that the Riflemen, when ordered to advance to -drive in the French picquets, used to hold up their rifles and -tap the brass bullet-box in the stock of the Baker rifle then -in use, to show their opponents that they were in earnest, -and that their adversaries were to stand on their defence.</p> - -<p>The insufficient food and the unwholesome position of -their camp near the Bridge of Almaraz, in a damp situation, -with poisonous vapours arising from vegetable matter decaying, -and swamps half-dried under a burning sun, soon began -to tell on the men of the Battalion; and fever and dysentery -became prevalent among them.</p> - -<p>At midnight on August 20 the Light Division marched -from Almaraz and arrived at Deletosa on the following day, -where a large portion of Sir Arthur Wellesley’s force was -encamped. This and the whole British army (except the -Light Division) marched on the 21st for Truxillo. On that -evening the Battalion marched; and about midnight lay down -with their arms until daybreak, when they started again for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -Caceres, where they arrived on the 23rd. And on the three -following days they continued their march towards the Portuguese -frontier, starting in the night and proceeding during -many hours of the day. During this march the men suffered -much both from the heat of the sun in a barren, treeless -country, and the constant insufficiency of provisions. And it -was not until they reached Valencia de Alcantara on the 26th, -where they halted during the 27th, that they were able to -procure bread, and the luxury of fruit and vegetables from the -neighbouring gardens. Late on the 28th they started again, and -marching during most of the night crossed the rivulet which -here divides Spain from Portugal on the 29th, and proceeding -by Maravão, after a march of many miles encamped at Castello -de Vide, where the Battalion halted for a week. On -September 7 they marched to Portalegre, where they halted -two days, after which, resuming their march, they arrived at -Arronches on the 10th, whence one more march on the next -day brought them to Campo Major, their winter quarter, -where they remained three months. During these, sickness -and death ravaged the Battalion; fever, ague and dysentery, -the fruits of exposure, of want, and of the proverbially unhealthy -climate of Alemtejo, in which Campo Major is situated, -sent numbers into hospital; and it is said<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> that nearly three -hundred men of the 1st Battalion died during their stay there.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>I now return to the narrative of the services of the 2nd -Battalion, which we left at Hythe barracks; whence, after -a rest of five months after the fatigues of Moore’s retreat, -their losses being replaced by volunteers from the Militia, -and their clothing and accoutrements renewed, they marched, -about July 20, 1809,<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> about a thousand strong, under Colonel -Wade, to Deal, and there embarked in the ‘Superb,’ 74, -to join the expedition destined for Holland, under the Earl -of Chatham. Subsequently they were shifted into the -‘Namur,’ on the 22nd, and formed part of the brigade of -their former Lieutenant-Colonel, the Honourable William<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -Stewart, with the 2nd Battalions of their constant companions -in arms, the 43rd and 52nd. They sailed on July 30, and -arrived off Flushing on the following day. Two companies -were immediately detached to act with the force under Major-General -Baron de Rottenberg; and on that night Lieutenant -William Humbley, being in charge of an advanced picquet, -while going his rounds, was informed by a peasant that a -party of French soldiers were at that moment plundering his -house. Humbley, with great promptness, suspecting that -while intent on plunder the look-out would not be very good, -at once took with him a corporal and eight men of his -picquet; and, under the guidance of the peasant, the night -being very dark, made his way to the house, about 200 yards -from his post. They moved in perfect silence, and arrived -at the place without a ‘<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">qui vive</i>’ from the only sentry there -posted. Him a Rifleman knocked down at once with the -butt of his rifle; the others instantly surrounded the house, -and made prisoners the whole picquet, consisting of 2 sergeants, -2 corporals, and 20 privates. The officer in command -of it alone escaping, by getting out of a back window, and in -the darkness of the night getting away. The Riflemen broke -the whole of the muskets of the French picquet, and conveyed -their twenty-four prisoners into the British lines and forwarded -them to head-quarters.<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p> - -<p>The two companies to which Humbley’s picquet belonged, -on the next day repulsed a sortie made from the place; and -in this affair Humbley received a severe wound in the head -from a musket ball, and 1 sergeant and 9 rank and file were -also wounded.</p> - -<p>During the subsequent siege, a Rifleman named Jackman -got close up to the walls of Flushing, and scooping out a pit -with his sword, entrenched himself in it, and began to fire -deliberately at the French gunners. He is said to have -picked off eleven artillerymen, as they showed themselves at -the embrasures; and having done so, he sprang out of his pit, -ran across the open, and rejoined his Battalion unhurt.<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a></p> - -<p>Five companies, with the rest of Stewart’s brigade, were -not landed till the 9th, when they disembarked on the Island<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -of South Beveland. The other companies, on the Island of -Walcheren, took an active part in the siege operations until -the capitulation on the 15th. During these operations the -Battalion lost 11 rank and file killed, and Lieutenants Manners -and Clarke, and 21 rank and file wounded. But the -casualties from engines of war were trifling compared to the -devastating effects of the climate of Walcheren and South -Beveland. The officers and men were struck down by fevers; -and on the 27th Stewart writes that the increase of the -sickness in the 95th was at the rate of twenty cases daily. -On September 8 the Battalion re-embarked, and this useless, -abortive and mismanaged expedition came to an end. They -landed at Dover on the 14th, and on the 18th the Battalion -which had left Hythe barracks less than six weeks before, a -thousand stalwart and hale men, staggered into them a gaunt -and fever-stricken band of about seven hundred: many to be -carried at once to hospital, and not a few to their grave. -Thus in the space of nine months had the Battalion been -twice more than decimated by fatigue, want and pestilence.<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion having remained at Campo Major -three months marched on December 12, forming the advance -of the Light Division, to Arronches; and thence by Portalegre, -Crato, Ponte de Sor, Abrantes and Punhete, to Thomar, -which they reached on the 23rd. They continued their march -through Leiria, Pombal, Condeixa, and arrived at Coimbra -on the 29th, and halted there during the next day. Resuming -their march on the 31st, they passed through Ponte da Murcella, -to Venda and Gallizes, in which villages they were -quartered on January 1, 1810, arrived at Celorico on the 3rd, -and at Pinhel on the next day; and crossing the Coa on the -6th, occupied the villages of Villar Torpim, Regada and -Cinco Villas. In this position, with occasional shifting of -quarters with the other regiments of the Division, they continued -during the remainder of January, February and the -early part of March. The Riflemen, with a few German -hussars, were the only troops pushed across the Coa to observe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -the French outposts at St. Felices, immediately opposite -the bridge and pass of Barba del Puerco; the remainder of -the army being quartered on the left bank of the Coa.</p> - -<p>On February 27 Captain Creagh’s company was ordered -to reconnoitre the village of Barba del Puerco, which he found -occupied by a strong detachment of French cavalry; and -after a skirmish with them fell back, according to his orders, -to Escarigo, where he was joined by Captain Leach’s company, -while a third was moved in support from Villar Torpim -to Vermiosa. On the 28th Leach<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> made a fresh reconnaissance; -and finding that the enemy had left Barba del Puerco, -occupied it, sending a party to the bridge which spanned the -Agueda at the foot of the pass. It was ascertained that the -French occupied St. Felices with about 3,000 men of all -arms, under General Ferey, having a picquet of cavalry and -infantry at their side of the bridge. Thus it continued, three -companies being posted in the village, and one on picquet at -the bridge, on which were double sentries. At the same time -the whole of the Battalion was pushed up to the Agueda, the -whole line of which they (with the German hussars) occupied, -with four companies at Villa de Ciervo on the left, one -company at Almofela, and another at Escalhao on the right -of the position of Barba del Puerco.</p> - -<p>On March 19 the French General Ferey attempted to -surprise the post of Barba del Puerco. About midnight, -leaving a strong force in support, at the head of six hundred -grenadiers, chosen for this service, he approached the bridge, -as the moon, rising behind him, threw a shadow from the -high ground and made his approach invisible. The roaring -torrent of the Agueda, swollen by recent rains and melting -snow, overpowered the tread of the advancing column. Thus -he came, unperceived, on the double sentries on the bridge. -They had just time to fire their rifles, when they were both -wounded and made prisoners. Ferey at once dashed across -the bridge with his grenadiers, sweeping before him a sergeant’s -party at the bridge, and made for the pass. Here he -was met and checked by O’Hare,<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> whose company happened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -to be on picquet, who defended the face of the hill, step by -step and muzzle to muzzle, as overpowering numbers forced -him up it. Meanwhile the three companies in the village -sprung from their sleep, seized their arms, and without -waiting for regular formation, fought hand to hand with their -enemies as they met them. One company, Colonel Sidney -Beckwith, who was in command of the post, immediately sent -away to the right, thinking that the enemy might attempt to -climb the hill by a pathway there and turn his flank; with the -other two he reinforced O’Hare’s picquet; and so they -fought for half an hour, with such daring and such fury that -the French turned and fled across the bridge, leaving 2 -officers and 7 men killed, 6 prisoners and 30 muskets in the -hands of their opponents.</p> - -<p>In this affair great deeds of valour were done. Beckwith, -while lowering a piece of rock to hurl down on the advancing -Frenchmen, received a musket-ball through his shako, without -its wounding him. And James Stewart, then the Adjutant, -was engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with two of the -grenadiers, when a Rifleman named Ballard shot one, on -which the other was overpowered by, and surrendered to, -Stewart, who was specially mentioned by Sir Arthur Wellesley -in his Despatches, and recommended by Beckwith for -promotion; but it never came, and he was killed a year after -in the advance from Santarem. Lieutenant Mercer and 3 -Riflemen were killed, and 10 were wounded.</p> - -<p>In repelling this night attack the Riflemen stood against -more than double their numbers. Six hundred grenadiers -crossed the bridge, and only three companies repulsed them, -O’Hare’s picquet and two under Beckwith; the fourth company -occupying the post being detached to defend the path -on the right, which was not attempted, never having been -engaged.</p> - -<p>This fight opened the campaign of 1810. The stern -Craufurd, ever sparing of praise, issued the following divisional -order:</p> - -<div class="blockquot fs80"> - -<p class="right">Villa de Ciervo: <em>March 25, 1810</em>.</p> - -<p class="up"> D. O.</p> - -<p>Brigadier-General Craufurd has it in command from the Commander-in-Chief -to assure Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith and the officers of the 95th Regiment who -were engaged at Barba del Puerco that their conduct in this affair has augmented -the confidence he has in the troops when opposed to the enemy in any situation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> - -<p>Brigadier-General Craufurd feels peculiar satisfaction in noticing the first affair -in which any part of the Light Brigade were engaged during the present campaign. -That British troops should defeat a superior number of the enemy is nothing new; -but the action reflects honour on Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith and the Regiment, -inasmuch as it was of a sort which the riflemen of other armies would shun. In -other armies the rifle is considered ill-calculated for close action with an enemy -armed with a musket and bayonet; but the 95th Regiment has proved that the -rifle in the hands of a British soldier is a fully sufficient weapon to enable him to -defeat the French in the closest fight, in whatever manner they may be armed.</p> - -<p class="right">(Signed) <span class="smcap">V. Graham</span>, D. A. G.</p> -</div> - -<p>Sir Arthur Wellesley also repeatedly mentions this gallant -fight in his Despatches and letters. Besides the message thus -conveyed by Craufurd, he tells Admiral the Honourable G. -Berkeley that the French were ‘repulsed in fine style’ by the -95th; and in his Despatch reporting it to the Earl of Liverpool, -he adds that ‘this affair was highly creditable to Colonel -Beckwith, and displayed the gallantry and discipline of the -officers and troops under his command.’</p> - -<p>But this discipline, which thus elicited the approval of the -great commander, was not enforced by Beckwith with sternness -or severity. It is recorded how, during their halts at -Campo Major and near the Coa, during the preceding winter, -he had let his Battalion repose from the fatigues of their long -marches, and their sufferings from famine and disease; not -worrying the soldiers with drills or barrack-yard parades; but -rather encouraging amusements and sports which refreshed -and reanimated them. This it was, added to their knowledge -of his valour and experience when leading them in the field, -that made him loved by the Officers and Riflemen of his -Battalion, made them ready to ‘follow him through fire and -water when the day of trial came; for they well knew that he -was the last man on earth who would give them unnecessary -trouble, or, on the other hand, would spare either man or -officer when the good of the service demanded their utmost -exertions.’<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a></p> - -<p>About this time the 1st and 3rd Caçadores of the Portuguese -army were added to Craufurd’s Division; the latter -commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Elder, one of the original -officers of the Rifle Corps.<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> At the same time Ross’<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> troop<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -of Horse Artillery and the 14th and 16th Light Dragoons -were attached to the Light Division.</p> - -<p>Soon after the attack on Barba del Puerco the troops -(which had been reinforced with some of the 43rd and 52nd) -were withdrawn to Villa de Ciervo.</p> - -<p>Early in April, in compliance with orders from home, the -ten companies of which the Battalion on service had hitherto -consisted were reduced to eight, two captains with subalterns, -non-commissioned officers, and a few men returning to England -to form a Depôt. These eight companies were of about a -hundred men each, as the Battalion which embarked a thousand -and ten rank and file, had been reduced in about nine -months, principally by disease, to about eight hundred men -in all.</p> - -<p>Craufurd now maintained a long line of posts on the right -bank of the Agueda, from Fuentes Guinaldo on the right to -the junction of the Agueda and the Douro, near Escalhao, on -the left. In May the French began the siege of Ciudad -Rodrigo, distant a few miles from Gallegos, then the head-quarters -of the Light Division. The 1st Battalion had picquets -at Carpio, Molina das Flores, and Marialva. The -Battalion itself was every evening under arms, and took up a -position in a wood situated on some high ground behind -Gallegos, and towards Duas Casas; here they remained -during the night, returning for the day to their quarters. It -seems that Massena observed this movement, and supposed -that these troops were reinforcements to Craufurd’s Division. -He therefore ordered Junot with a considerable force to cross -the Azarva at the bridge of Marialva. This he did at daybreak -on July 4, driving in the picquet at Marialva; the -passage of his cavalry was gallantly disputed and checked by -the German hussars; but Junot advancing in force, Craufurd -resolved to fall back behind the Duas Casas. The Battalion, -with some cavalry, covered this movement, and skirmishing -with the French advanced troops, held them back until Craufurd -had established himself behind the river. Junot, probably -thinking Craufurd’s force to be much larger than it was, did -not follow up this advance; and the Battalion took up a -position at Val de la Mula, behind the River Turon, here the -boundary between Spain and Portugal, detaching two companies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -to Fort Concepcion in front of the position. On July 10 -Craufurd resolved by a night march to surprise the French -posts at Gallegos and Barquillo. Accordingly, seven companies -of the 95th with two of the 52nd got under arms late -on that night, together with the 14th Light Dragoons and -some German hussars. The Riflemen were ordered to load, -to march in silence, and not to light their pipes. The wheels -of two of Ross’ guns, which formed part of the column, were -muffled. Thus they marched through a good part of the -night, Craufurd himself accompanying them. On reaching -some high ground, the Riflemen were ordered to lie down in -some high standing corn. Here they waited for dawn; when -it appeared, the orders to fall in and to advance to the edge -of the height were given, and the French appeared in the -plain below. They consisted of about two companies of -infantry and a troop of cavalry. Craufurd ordered Colonel -Talbot to charge them with the 14th; this he did gallantly, -sabreing or making prisoners the cavalry; but the infantry -formed square, and receiving the charge, brought down Talbot -himself and several of his troopers, and then made good their -retreat. Why Craufurd did not use his guns, or let loose the -Riflemen at the French infantry, seems inexplicable. But so -it was: and after remaining on the hill inactive spectators of -the combat, they marched back to their position at Val de la -Mula. But Ciudad Rodrigo having surrendered, Craufurd -fell back on July 16 to Junça, about a mile and a half from -Almeida, in Portugal, and on the right bank of the Coa.</p> - -<p>At daybreak on the 21st the Battalion, with Ross’ battery, -advanced towards the Turon to support the cavalry who -were driven from Val de la Mula and across the Turon by an -advance of the enemy in great force. On this advance the -mines which our engineers had formed under Fort Concepcion -were fired. The two companies of Riflemen posted there, -under Captain O’Hare, proceeded to rejoin the Battalion, and -had not long left their position when the work fell with a -tremendous explosion. On the 22nd Craufurd fell back to -near Almeida, his left protected by the guns of that place, -and his right resting on the Coa.</p> - -<p>During the night of the 23rd the Division was exposed to -a violent storm of thunder, lightning and torrents of rain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -Day had just begun to dawn on the morning of the 24th, -and the troops, which had assembled at their alarm posts, -were expecting an order to retire, as all seemed quiet, when -the crack of the rifle of one of the advanced sentries announced -the approach of the enemy. Marshal Ney, with an -overwhelming force, was advancing by the road from Val de la -Mula, and attacked and drove in the outlying picquet under -Captain the Honourable Keith Stewart, which occupied that -road. In resisting this attack, and falling back on the supports, -Lieutenant M’Cullock, who was on this picquet, was -sabred, and, with several men, taken prisoner.<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a></p> - -<p>O’Hare’s company were at once ordered in support, and he -disposed them behind some walls. Here they waited till -Stewart’s picquet, slowly retreating and disputing their ground, -came in upon them, followed by a swarm of French tirailleurs. -A wing of the 43rd were about a hundred yards in the rear of -these Riflemen; and at this moment a shell from Almeida, -thrown of course at the French, burst close by, and killed -and wounded several Riflemen.</p> - -<p>O’Hare’s company was now ordered to retire. Half the -company did so; the remainder, under Lieutenant Johnston, -were still engaged with the French advanced troops, when a -troop or squadron of the enemy’s hussars, whom our men, on -account of the similarity of the uniform to that of the German -hussars, had not noticed, swept round their left flank, and -galloping between the Riflemen and their support the 43rd, -sabred and rode down many, and caused great confusion.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J056" id="J056"></a> -<a href="images/i_056fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_056fp.jpg" width="425" alt="" /></a> -<p class="center fs60"><em>Drawn by Lieut. G. Goodall, R.E.</em> -<span class="pad40pc"><em>E. Weller, lith., London.</em></span></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London: Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs120 lsp">ACTION</span><br /> -<span class="fs60">ON THE</span><br /> -<span class="fs150 lsp2">COA</span><br /> -24<sup>TH</sup> JULY 1810. -</div> -</div> - -<p>It was but for a moment: for the 43rd, recovering from -their surprise, fired a volley which emptied many saddles. -The action now became general along the whole line. The -French advance was for a time checked in the broken ground; -but Ney’s overwhelming force bore back the English towards -the rocky defile which led to the one narrow bridge over the -Coa. The ground was disputed inch by inch by the Battalion,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -the 43rd and the 52nd, while the cavalry, the guns, the -baggage, and the two Portuguese regiments attached to -Craufurd’s Division, descended the steep defile and crossed -the bridge, about a mile to the rear.</p> - -<p>Thus the unequal contest had long and arduously to be -maintained. As they fell back to the hill which overlooked -the Coa, it was perceived that some of the cavalry and artillery -had not yet got across the bridge. Craufurd unhappily -ordered a number of Riflemen, who occupied a position which -prevented the enemy from cutting off the passage to the -bridge, to evacuate it, before the 52nd, who were far on the -right of the position, had made good their retreat. Beckwith -at once saw the mistake, and ordered the Riflemen to retake -the hill and the wall. This they did in fine style; but not -without many officers and men falling. And about this time -some skirmishers of the Battalion and a wing of the 43rd, led -on by Major McCleod of that regiment, the senior officer on -the spot, not only held their ground, but, mixed together and -gallantly headed, rushed against the French advanced troops, -and checked them until the bridge was clear and the 52nd -over; then, rushing down at speed, they got across the -bridge. As soon as the regiment got over they formed along -the bank of the river, among rocks, walls, and any ground -that could afford cover. The Coa, swollen by the rain of the -preceding night, and by that which had been incessantly -pouring since noon, was not fordable, so that the only point -to be defended was the narrow bridge. Twice it was attempted -by a valiant assault of French grenadiers; twice -they were sent reeling back under our fire, almost all killed -or wounded; the few who got across falling on the other side. -Still a constant fire was kept up till about five o’clock; when -the French ceased, apparently giving up all hope of forcing -the bridge; and our men ceasing fire from exhaustion after -about twelve hours’ hard fighting.</p> - -<p>The loss of the Battalion in this engagement was very -severe. Lieutenant Donald M’Leod and 11 rank and file -were killed; Captains Creagh, Samuel Mitchell, Lieutenants -Matthew Pratt, Peter Reilly, Alexander Coane, Thomas -Smith, and Second Lieutenant George Simmons were severely, -and Lieutenant Harry Smith slightly, wounded; and 1 sergeant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -and 54 rank and file were wounded; and Lieutenant -M’Cullock wounded and prisoner, 1 sergeant and 52 rank -and file missing.</p> - -<p>Of these, Captain Creagh died the night of the fight; -Reilly died the following day at Celorico; Pratt,<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> shot in -the neck, died from the bursting of the carotid artery on -August 1, on the Mondego river, near Fordaso; and many -of the wounded men also died on their way to Lisbon.</p> - -<p>In O’Hare’s company alone, which, as we have seen, bore -the brunt of the hussar charge, Lieutenant Alexander Coane -was dangerously wounded, 11 men were killed and wounded, -and 45 prisoners. Indeed, it is said that O’Hare’s company -only mustered 11 men on parade next morning.</p> - -<p>A Rifleman, named Charity, in the cavalry charge received -a sabre cut in the head, another in the body, and a musket -shot through the arm; yet recovered and died a Chelsea pensioner -many years afterwards.</p> - -<p>In the Despatch reporting this action to the Earl of Liverpool, -Lord Wellington states: ‘I am informed that throughout -this trying day the Commanding Officers of the 43rd, 52nd, -and 95th Regiments, Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, Lieutenant-Colonel -Barclay, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hall, and all -the officers and soldiers of these excellent regiments, distinguished -themselves.’<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a></p> - -<p>As soon as night had fallen Craufurd withdrew his Division -from the Coa, and the Battalion bivouacked late on that night -in some rocky ground near Valverde, the men suffering from -the heavy rains of the preceding night and day.</p> - -<p>Late in the night of the 25th they marched from Valverde, -the rain still continuing to fall in torrents, and bivouacked -near Freixadas. Here they were met by Lord Wellington, -who came up from head-quarters at Alverca early in the -morning, on hearing of the affair at the Coa. By him the -Battalion were ordered into the village of Freixadas, where -they were housed until the 28th.</p> - -<p>On that day they arrived at Celorico, and hutted themselves -by cutting down branches of the trees in a wood.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -Here, on August 4, Craufurd’s Division was divided into two -brigades; one under Colonel Sidney Beckwith, consisting of -the right wing of the 95th, the 43rd and the 3rd Portuguese -Caçadores; the other, under Colonel Barclay of the 52nd, -consisting of his own regiment, the left wing of the 95th and -the 1st Caçadores. The Battalion remained at Celorico until -August 5, when it was ordered to the front to support cavalry; -and for about a fortnight or three weeks it was constantly on -the move, the latter part of the time in heavy and continuous -rain for three or four days. Early in September the army -began its retreat, being covered by the Battalion and the -other regiments of Craufurd’s Division as a rear-guard. On -the 20th they marched before daylight from Celorico, and -crossing the Mondego by a ford, fell back by the road from -Viseu to Coimbra. On the 23rd, the enemy’s advanced -guard pressing the cavalry of the rear-guard, Lord Wellington, -who was present, ordered Craufurd to retire by the road leading -to Busaco. This was effected during the two following days; -on both of which the French pressed the rear-guard, composed -of some companies of Riflemen and the 52nd and of some -cavalry, with cavalry and infantry skirmishers intermixed, -and some light guns; but the retreat was effected in good -order and with little loss. The Battalion on both those nights -threw forward picquets to support the cavalry.</p> - -<p>On the 25th, when about a league and a half from Busaco, -the enemy pressed the British cavalry so hard that the rear -company of the Battalion had to face about and check them; -and soon after the left wing of the Battalion was halted in -a fir-wood, behind the village of Mora Morta, and effectually -stopped them until the Light Division drew into the Sierra -of Busaco, where the rest of the army were at this time -assembled in position. This was an important and well-performed -service; for Craufurd had kept his Division too -long in an advanced position; and it was not without some -difficulty that, protected by these four companies of Riflemen, -he moved the Division into its position on the heights.</p> - -<p>The right wing of the Battalion under Beckwith was -halted in the village of Sula, at the foot of the hill of Busaco, -where they were smartly cannonaded from the opposite -heights, but without loss; and at night they were withdrawn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -from Sula, leaving a picquet in that village, and stationed -among the rocks on the face of the hill, right and left of the -road leading to Coimbra.</p> - -<p>On the 26th Massena was engaged in bringing up his -forces. Some infantry was pushed into a wood close to Sula, -and skirmishing took place between them and the picquet of -the Battalion there; and the companies attached to Barclay’s -brigade, in an adjacent village, were also attacked. This -continued all the day; and as this constant interchange of -fire was very harassing, the companies on picquet were relieved -about every two hours. At last, at nightfall this -skirmishing and fire ceased, and nothing indicated the presence -of the vast hosts but the numerous watch-fires, which -illuminated the sides of the mountains, divided only by a -narrow valley.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J060" id="J060"></a> -<a href="images/i_060fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_060fp.jpg" width="400" alt="" /></a> -<p class="fs60 right padr10pc"><em>E. Weller, Litho.</em></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London, Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="smcap fs135 lsp">BATTLE of BUSACO.</span><br /> -27<sup>TH</sup> SEP<sup>R</sup> 1810. -</div> -</div> - -<p>It is not for me to describe the position of Busaco, or the -particulars of the fight. It is enough for this record to note -that in the centre of the side of the Sierra projects a hill forming -a sort of natural bastion, and connected with the mountain -itself by a neck, depressed below the level of the projecting -hill. Among the rocks and broken ground on the sides -of this hill were disposed the Riflemen of this Battalion; -while in the hollow behind it Craufurd had concealed the -43rd and 52nd. Scarcely had day dawned on the 27th, -when the enemy made his advance. Loison’s division -climbed the road leading up the face of the projecting hill, -though galled by the fire of the Riflemen and Ross’ guns. -Yet they came on, the Riflemen, as the French pressed up -the hill, running in on their supports and forming in the -hollow between the spur and the mountain. At last the -leading section topped the hill, and then, and not till then, -Craufurd gave the signal; the bugles sounded, and eighteen -hundred men sprang as from the earth. Instantaneously they -gave a volley; the head of the column after one destructive -fire from the leading section reeled; Craufurd ordered a -charge; and soldiers, arms, knapsacks and caps rolled in a -confused mass down the precipitous hill. The French column -was wedged in the road, the leading sections were driven -back on the still advancing rear, and all turned back in utter -confusion. Then they came under the fire of the whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -Division which far overlapped their flanks; and through the -narrow street of Sula they fled, trampling the living and the -dead. The Battalion and some Caçadores were ordered to -pursue them; and General Simon, who commanded the -attacking brigade, and many others were made prisoners by -the Light Division.</p> - -<p>No further attack was made on this position; but the -enemy’s skirmishers swarmed in the valley, and kept the -Battalion employed till the afternoon, when Craufurd received -a flag of truce with General Simon’s baggage, and granted a -temporary cessation of arms. Leach mentions that, during -that time, he went down into Sula, and met officers and men -of Loison’s division, who acknowledged their loss to be very -heavy; one of them asserting that his company, which -mounted the hill 120 strong, could only muster 27 men after -their repulse.</p> - -<p>The time limited for the truce having expired, the French -seemed disposed to keep possession of the village of Sula; -but Lord Wellington, who happened to be at hand, ordered -a company of the Battalion to go down and drive them out: -which they did in a very short time, and established a picquet -there.</p> - -<p>On the 28th no movement took place; but on the morning -of the 29th, owing to an attempt on Massena’s part to -turn Lord Wellington’s position by getting round by Coimbra, -the English army broke up and fell back at a very early -hour. About nine the Battalion followed, forming, as usual, -part of the rear-guard, with some cavalry; and at night -halted in a wood some miles from Busaco. On October 3 -they reached Pombal; on the 5th Batalha; and on the succeeding -days, in incessant <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'rains, proceded to'">rains, proceeded to</ins> Alemquer, where -they arrived on the 9th. On the 10th they were pressed by -the French advanced guard, and after a little skirmishing fell -back to Arruda in a tempest of rain.</p> - -<p>Thus they reached the Lines of Torres-Vedras, of which -no description is needed here. The portion of the lines this -Battalion occupied was on the right centre of the position, -and on the fortified heights immediately behind Arruda, -having advanced posts in front of the town. In very wet -weather the Battalion were allowed to shelter themselves in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -Arruda during the day, but always returned to their bivouack -on the heights during the night.</p> - -<p>While the Battalion remained in these lines the enemy -made several reconnaissances, which occasionally brought on -affairs of picquets. On one of these occasions, on October 14, -a sharp affair took place near Sobral between the advanced -guard of the 8th <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Corps d’Armée</i> and the light troops of Sir -Brent Spencer’s division. In this skirmish a company of the -3rd Battalion, which had lately arrived from England and -had been detained on its way to Cadiz by Sir Brent Spencer, -as the Regiment was his,<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> was engaged, and Captain Percival -and Lieutenant Eeles were severely wounded, and several -men killed and wounded. These young soldiers (as George -Simmons observes) ‘behaved <em>like Riflemen</em>, and were complimented.’</p> - -<p>On the 23rd, Simmons and Hopwood, being on picquet -with Mitchell’s company near Villa Matos, observed two -French soldiers entering a house in their front in search of -provisions. Taking three men of the picquet with them, they -crawled to an avenue which screened them from a vedette -who was stationed on a rising ground to give the foragers -notice of any danger. Entering the house they seized the -men, who were armed, and one of whom snapped his musket -at his assailants, but it missed fire. The Riflemen found a -large barrel of wine in the house; and the officers sending -back one of the men for all the canteens he could find at the -picquet while the others kept a good look-out, filled sixty, -destroyed the rest of the barrel, and led off their two prisoners -to the picquet.</p> - -<p>The army remained in the lines of Torres-Vedras till -November 15. Leach’s company, which furnished the picquet -in front of Arruda on the night of the 14th, discovered at -daybreak on the next morning that the French army had -fallen back during the night; leaving dummies of straw topped -with a shako, and with a pole to look like a musket, to represent -their advanced sentries. Soon after this was known at -head-quarters the Battalion was ordered in pursuit; but did -not come up with the French rear-guard, and halted that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -night near Alemquer. On the 16th the Battalion continued -the pursuit through Villa Nova and Azambuja; and though -they never got sight of the rear-guard, they took many -stragglers prisoners. They first got sight of the French near -Cartaxo, where they found them posted on some rising ground, -having a heathy plain in their front. Craufurd, believing that -a rear-guard only was opposed to him, was on the point of -attacking; but Lord Wellington, who came up at the moment, -forbade this attack, a whole <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Corps d’Armée</i> being, in fact, -concealed behind the heights on which the small force visible -was posted. The Battalion halted that night in Cartaxo, and -before dawn on the 18th again started in pursuit, and came -up with the enemy’s rear-guard, which retired before them -across a plain to the Rio Mayor, which they crossed by a -narrow bridge at the end of a long causeway. A company -of the Regiment was pushed on as a picquet near the bridge. -The enemy were occasionally exchanging shots with some -dismounted dragoons whom the Riflemen relieved; and -Simmons, who was on the picquet, taking three men with -him, crept on the bridge; and lying down behind a dead mule, -which gave them a good rest for their rifles, they took deliberate -aim and evidently hit some of their adversaries, who -became very chary of showing themselves. As the Riflemen -had had a long march and a hard day’s work, they were -relieved at night by a company of the 52nd; and retreating -to a grove of olive-trees near at hand, for they were to remain -as a reserve, they kindled their fires and made themselves -as comfortable as a rainy night allowed. But they were not -long undisturbed. For Craufurd, fancying or hoping that the -enemy were moving off, and ever anxious to be the first in -pursuit, took two or three soldiers with him, and walked -cautiously along the causeway so far that the French sentry -challenged and fired; Craufurd ordered his escort to return -it. And this alarmed the enemy; who, fancying probably that -the English were crossing the bridge in force, opened a heavy -fire, the balls of which rattled among the olive trees where -the weary Riflemen were bivouacked, and rudely disturbed -their rest. However, at last the uproar ceased; and when -day broke on the 19th it was found that during the remainder -of the night the French had formidably increased the strength<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -of their position by placing <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">abattis</i> on the causeway and -breastworks at the end of it. They had also placed guns -on the high ground which rose behind, and which they had -also fortified with <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">abattis</i>. The position, in fact, was a very -strong one: in front the Rio Mayor, and swampy ground -crossed only by the bridge and causeway; on the left the -Tagus, with ground rising in bold and hilly eminences; and -the considerable town of Santarem about a league in the rear. -After bivouacking in a pine-wood near Valle, where, as in -the previous night, they suffered from torrents of rain, they -were ordered on the 20th to cross by a bridge near Valle to -the left of the enemy’s position and to attack his picquets. -The Battalion was employed to drive in the enemy’s advanced -party, which they effected in fine style, and with but slight -loss, though under sharp fire from the French light troops for -about two hours. The object of this reconnaissance was to -ascertain whether Massena’s whole force occupied the position -or only a rear-guard; though, as Beckwith observed in his -north-country phrase to a staff officer who asserted his certainty -that it was but the latter, ‘It was a <em>gay</em> rear-guard that -built that <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">abattis</i> in a night.’</p> - -<p>However, it being evident that the whole of Massena’s -army held this strong position, the Battalion was withdrawn -and placed in houses, cottages and sheds, near the bridge. -On it they had double sentries; close to it an outlying picquet -of three hundred men; a large inlying picquet close by; and -the rest of the Battalion, sleeping always by their arms, were -ready, in case of an alarm, to turn out at a minute’s notice.</p> - -<p>As the Battalion remained thus posted at Valle, near the -bridge to Santarem, during the winter, and there is nothing -to record of them for four months, I shall return to trace the -services of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions; observing only that -General Craufurd at this time went on leave of absence to -England, and that Sir William Erskine succeeded to the command -of the Light Division during his absence.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>We left the 2nd Battalion at Hythe on its return from -Walcheren. Its sufferings and casualties there prevented its -taking part in any operations of the war for some time. But its -losses were supplied with energy; and within a space of five<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -months after its return from Flanders, two companies (Captain -Cadoux’s and Captain Jenkins’) embarked on February 12, -1810, and formed part of the force assembled at Tarifa on -February 25, under Lieutenant-General Graham, being then -attached to Brigadier-General Dilkes’ brigade. They served -at Cadiz, and under the command of Colonel Norcott distinguished -themselves at the Battle of Barrosa, as I shall more -particularly mention when I come to detail the part taken by -the 3rd Battalion in that action. Meanwhile, to trace the -services of these companies.</p> - -<p>One of these (Captain Jenkins’) was detached to act with -Ballesteros’ Spanish force, and disembarked at Algeçiras -early in September, and marched to Ximena; whence on the -18th they advanced to Alcalá de Gazules, and after some -smart skirmishing with a French detachment from Chiclana, -retired to Ximena. It remained in the neighbourhood of -Algeçiras for two months; and after being constantly engaged -with the enemy, it retreated (with Ballesteros’ army) to -Gibraltar.<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a></p> - -<p>This company subsequently formed part of the garrison -of Tarifa.</p> - -<p>On December 20 it was engaged in Colonel Skerrett’s -attempt to resist the investment of the place, and both -companies took part in successfully repelling the assault on the -breach which was made on the 31st, when their distinguished -gallantry was very conspicuous. On the former of these -occasions they lost 2 men killed, and had 10 men wounded. -In the fight at the breach 1 man was killed and 1 wounded.</p> - -<p>After taking their share in this ‘great and splendid -exploit,’<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> this company rejoined the other at Cadiz.</p> - -<p>In July 1810, another company (Charles Beckwith’s) -embarked at Portsmouth, and, having landed at Lisbon, -marched to join the army, then on its retreat from Busaco to -Torres-Vedras. It joined at Coimbra, and was attached to -the 1st Battalion in the Light Division.</p> - -<p>This company thenceforward took part in the movements -and actions of the 1st Battalion during the remainder of this -and the first half of the following year.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> - -<p>On July 5, 1811, another company (Captain Hart’s) embarked -at Portsmouth and joined the Light Division on the -frontiers of Portugal in September. These two companies -then, as we shall see, acted with the 1st Battalion and the -Light Division, and distinguished themselves at the two great -sieges (Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos) of the next year.</p> - -<p>A further reinforcement of two companies (Captains -Duncan’s and Ferguson’s) left England in May 1812, and -landed at Lisbon at the latter end of that month. They -joined the army in July, shortly before the battle of Salamanca, -and were attached to the Light Division. At Salamanca -and during the advance to Madrid the four companies -of this Battalion were commanded by Major Wilkins; but -soon after they reached Madrid, Colonel Wade arrived from -England with the Staff of the Battalion, and took command. -And on the retreat from Madrid, the other two companies -(Cadoux and Jenkins’), which had been in Andalusia with -Skerrett, having, as we have seen, joined Lord Wellington’s -army early in November, the strength of the 2nd Battalion -in the Peninsula consisted (as did the 1st Battalion) of six -companies until the close of the war.</p> - -<p>I have thus brought down the details of the movements -of this Battalion to this period, because being enfeebled by -the results of the disastrous Walcheren campaign, they were -enabled only to join the army in the field by single, or at most -by two, companies at a time, as their numbers were recruited -and their health was restored. Its marches, its actions and its -glories will henceforward form part of the general history of -the Regiment, as will that of the 3rd Battalion, which, until -its junction with the other Battalions, I will now proceed to -particularise. But I will in as far as record or other information -enables me to do so, distinguish the feats of arms and the -losses of each Battalion.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion on its formation in 1809 was stationed -at Brabourn Lees; and the drill and discipline of this new -levy were carried on so vigorously and effectively that it was -able early in 1810 to send three companies to Cadiz. And -on July 11 in that year two more companies and the head-quarters, -under the command of Colonel Barnard, embarked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -at Portsmouth on board the ‘Mercury’ frigate, and landed at -Cadiz on the 29th. Cadiz was at this time besieged by the -army under command of Marshal Victor; who occupied all the -surrounding towns and villages except Cadiz itself and the Isla -de Leon, their advanced posts being pushed forward to near the -river Santi-Petri, except near the bridge of Zuazo, the only -communication with the mainland. Here the English picquets -were thrown forward beyond the bridge and on the road to -Seville, which forms a causeway across the marshy plain -intersected with saltpans. And so well was it defended by -our picquets, that, as Ford observes, this bridge was the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">pons -asinorum</i> of the French; for they never could get over it.</p> - -<p>Here the 3rd Battalion, and the two companies of the -2nd under Norcott, remained until February 1811, when -they embarked under the command of General Graham on -the 18th, and landed at Algeçiras on the 24th. Having -bivouacked on a height near Algeçiras, they moved the next -day to Tarifa, where they halted until the 26th. The two -companies of the 2nd Battalion were attached to the brigade -of Guards commanded by Brigadier-General Dilkes, and the -four companies of the 3rd Battalion,<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> with two companies of -the 47th, were brigaded under Colonel Barnard.<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a></p> - -<p>On March 1 they marched about twelve miles and -bivouacked on some high ground; and the following day -reached Casas Viejas, where they bivouacked on a hill, and -suffered much from the bitterly cold weather. On the 3rd, -having started before daylight, they reached about mid-day a -lagoon through which was a ford. The Spaniards, who -led the column, hesitated so long in attempting to cross, that -General Graham, out of all patience, proposed to General La -Peña to let the British troops advance. The 3rd Battalion -was the leading regiment, and at once entered the ford in -column of sections, and marched straight through it, the -water reaching about to their waist. The rest of the -English force followed; and the Spaniards, shamed into -imitation, followed their example. The troops marched forward,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -and halted that night in an olive-wood on very high -ground, near Vejer; the soldiers suffering from the extreme -cold, which was severely felt in consequence of their wetting -in crossing the lagoon, and the scarcity of wood for firing. -They halted here until the evening of the 4th, when a little -after dark they marched to the village of Conil, and on the -morning of the 5th reached the plain of Chiclana, and -halted on the eastern slope of the knoll of Barrosa. This is -a ridge running in from the sea-coast about a mile and a half, -and overlooking the plain, which is bounded on one side by -the shore, and on the other by the forest of Chiclana. In -our front was a pine-wood. About twelve o’clock General -Graham put his troops in motion, and the 3rd Battalion were -ordered down the hill and into the wood in order to take -possession of the height of Bermeja. But they had not long -moved, when Graham was informed that the enemy had -debouched from the forest, and having forced the troops left -on the height, were ascending the hill of Barrosa. The 3rd -Battalion were instantly countermarched, and ordered to get -to the plain and engage the enemy as soon as possible. On -emerging from the pine-wood they found themselves in front -of two battalions of the 8th Regiment, one of grenadiers, the -other of voltigeurs. Two companies under Barnard were left to -cover and protect the guns; while the other Riflemen of this -Battalion, inclining to the left, and extending as they came -up the hill, soon became engaged with their opponents. In -the same way Norcott, in command of the two 2nd Battalion -companies forming the rear-guard, as soon as he heard from -a sergeant of the German hussars of the appearance of the -enemy, put his column to the right about, and extending his -two companies, made his way out of the wood; and on getting -out of it and seeing the enemy advancing, he put his right to -the cliffs to cover the British regiments then filing out of the -wood, and was soon engaged with the enemy’s voltigeurs; -and the Guards and 67th having advanced, he placed his -Riflemen on the flanks of the brigade, and with them advanced -against the enemy’s line.<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a></p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J068" id="J068"></a> -<a href="images/i_068fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_068fp.jpg" width="650" alt="" /></a> -<p class="right fs60"><em>E. Weller, Litho.</em></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London, Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="lsp">BATTLE</span><br /> -<span class="fs80">of</span><br /> -<span class="fs135 lsp2">BARROSA.</span><br /> -<span class="fs80">March 5, 1811.</span> -</div></div> - -<p>About this time the grenadiers of the 8th French Regiment -advanced, with drums beating, and the 54th (French) entered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -the pine-wood to endeavour to turn our left. Notwithstanding -the fire of the 3rd Battalion on them in column, and at a -short range, the grenadiers of the 8th pushed on and drove in -our skirmishers; when the 87th, with some companies of the -Guards, charging them with the bayonet, they gave way, and in -a short time fled routed and in disorder; pursued by the -Riflemen, who were engaged with the light troops which -attempted to cover their retreat. However, as is well known, -the Spaniards giving no help, but looking on as unconcerned -spectators, Graham was unable to follow up his victory, and -the Riflemen were recalled.</p> - -<p>‘In all my fighting,’ says Surtees, ‘I never saw an action -in which the chances of death were so numerous as in this.’<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> -And so the Duke calls it ‘the hardest action that has been -fought yet.’<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a></p> - -<p>In the hour and a half during which it lasted, the two 2nd -Battalion companies lost 6 rank and file killed, and Lieutenants -Hope<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> and Thomas Cochrane (severely) and 1 sergeant, 1 -bugler, and 26 rank and file wounded; and the four 3rd -Battalion companies had Captain Knipe and 13 rank and file -killed, and Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard, Lieutenants William -Campbell (severely) and Hovenden, 3 sergeants, and 45 rank -and file wounded. Barnard was severely wounded about the -middle of the action, and was carried to the rear; and while -the wound was being dressed, another shot struck him, and -inflicted a wound more severe than the first. Surtees, who -went to the rear to bring up fresh ammunition, says that the -ground there was ploughed up by the enemy’s round shot -and musketry. The 3rd Battalion had four mounted officers -in the field: the horses of two were killed; of another wounded.</p> - -<p>In his despatch reporting this action General Graham says: -‘Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard and the officers of his Battalion -executed the duty of skirmishing in advance with the enemy -in a masterly manner.’ And he specially mentions Lieutenant-Colonel -Norcott, whom he recommends for promotion.<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a></p> - -<p>Soon after the action the British forces moved off, and -crossed to the Isla, except the 3rd Battalion, which was left<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -on the field to protect the wounded, and to give notice of any -return of the enemy. But none appeared; and after dark -Major Ross, who had succeeded to the command on Barnard’s -being wounded, moved the Battalion across the field, thickly -strewn with dead and wounded of both armies, and formed it -into square on a sand-hill on the beach, where they rested on -their arms during the remainder of the night. It was severe -service which fell to the lot of this young battalion; a march -of sixteen hours in the preceding night; three hours’ manœuvring, -and half of it hard fighting; and all this without food; -remaining under arms on the field till dark; and now only -resting on their arms.</p> - -<p>General Rousseau, who had been made prisoner, badly -wounded, died in the course of the night, and was buried on -the beach by the 3rd Battalion. In his pocket they found a -leave of absence to return to France on account of ill-health, -which his appearance clearly indicated, but of which this -brave soldier had not availed himself.</p> - -<p>Towards morning Ross moved off his weary and famished -Battalion; and passing by the beach and over the Santi-Petri -river, they returned to their former quarters in the Isla de -Leon.</p> - -<p>Here they remained till June 30, when, embarking at -Cadiz, they reached Lisbon (after an unusually slow passage) -on July 19, and marched up the country to join Lord Wellington’s -army. They arrived on August 21, and were -attached to the Light Division, then cantoned in villages -near the Agueda. At the same time the company of this -Battalion which had been attached to Sir Brent Spencer’s -division was withdrawn from it, and joined the Battalion.<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a></p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J071" id="J071"></a> -<p class="right fs70 padr10pc">Plate II.</p> -<img src="images/i_071fp.jpg" width="500" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -THE 95<sup>TH</sup></div> -</div> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> This return will show the actual numbers:</p> - -<p class="center"><em>Return of 95th, May 10, 1809.</em></p> - -<div class="fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr class="fs90"><td class="tdl bl"></td><td class="tdc bl" rowspan="2">Effective April 1,<br />previous to Militia volunt­eering</td> - <td class="tdc bl" colspan="2">Volunteers from Militia</td> - <td class="tdc bl" rowspan="2">Remain­ing in Portugal</td><td class="tdc bl" rowspan="2">Total</td> - <td class="tdc bl" rowspan="2">Left in Spain</td><td class="tdc bl br" rowspan="2">Grand total</td></tr> -<tr class="fs90"><td class="tdl bl"></td><td class="tdc bl bt">English</td><td class="tdc bl bt">Irish</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">1st Battalion</td><td class="tdcx">799</td><td class="tdcx">641</td><td class="tdcx">None</td><td class="tdcx">8</td><td class="tdcx">1448</td><td class="tdcx">88</td><td class="tdcx br">1536</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl bl">2nd Battalion</td><td class="tdcx">863</td><td class="tdcx">641</td><td class="tdcx">None</td><td class="tdcx">37</td><td class="tdcx">1541</td><td class="tdcx">38</td><td class="tdcx br">1579</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p> -Thus leaving an excess of more than eleven hundred men, after completing the -two Battalions to a thousand men each. This excess formed the 3rd Battalion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> For twenty years and upwards after the end of the war, every officer of the -Regiment was required to learn and to know these standing orders.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> 1st Battalion Record. I do not find this in the ‘Wellington Despatches’ or -in the ‘Supplementary Despatches.’ It was probably noticed in Divisional Orders. -The detachments under Colonel Bunbury are, however, mentioned with praise in -the despatch of Talavera (‘Wellington Despatches,’ iv. 537). It may have formed -part of these, for it appears by the return (<a href="#Footnote_65_65">p. 42</a>, note) that 88 men of the -1st Battalion and 38 of the 2nd Battalion had been ‘left in Spain;’ and 8 men of -the 1st Battalion and 37 of the 2nd Battalion ‘left in Portugal.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Costello, 24. He was himself in hospital and dangerously ill.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> The 2nd Battalion Record says that they embarked on the 23rd, but as -Stewart (‘Cumloden Papers,’ 56) notes that they changed to the ‘Namur’ on the -22nd, this must be an error.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> Humbley’s Letter, January 31, 1838, in Adjutant-General’s Office.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> Harris, 131.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> There died between the date of their return, and January 10, 1810, 5 sergeants -and 128 rank and file. On February 10, 1810, the Battalion had 161 sick; -on February 25, 140 sick. The strength on embarkation was 70 sergeants, 988 -rank and file.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel Leach retired from the army 1821.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> Captain O’Hare was very ill and in bed; but at the first alarm placed himself -at the head of his company, which was previously in the charge of Lieutenant -Mercer.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> Leach, 121.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> Major-General Sir George Elder, K.C.B., died December 3, 1836.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Afterwards Field-Marshal Sir Hew Dalrymple Ross, G.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> M’Cullock refused to give his parole, and was marched towards the French -frontier; and at Valladolid, being confined in a private house, his handsome -person and his wounds excited the pity, or that which is akin to pity, of a young -lady of the family. The old story: she laid plans for his escape; she procured -him a disguise; she gave him a supply of money; and he succeeded in rejoining -the Battalion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> ‘As noble a fellow and as worthy a man as I ever met with.’—George -Simmons’ MS.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vi. 293.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ viii. 218. He was Colonel-Commandant of a -Battalion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> 2nd Battalion Record.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> ‘Napier,’ Book xv. chap. v.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> The other company of this Battalion had joined the army under Lord -Wellington (‘Wellington Supplementary Despatches,’ vi. 569, 575), and was no -doubt the company with Sir Brent Spencer’s Division. See <a href="#Page_62">p. 62</a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> ‘Napier,’ vol. ii. appendix ix. 2.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> Norcott’s Report: ‘Wellington Supplementary Despatches,’ vii. 128.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> P. 127.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 400.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel John Charles Hope, K. H., died October 12, 1842.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 396.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ viii. 218; and see <a href="#Page_62">p. 62</a>.</p></div> -</div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">On the night of March 5 it was ascertained that Massena -had evacuated his position at Santarem, and had commenced a -retreat, and the Light Division were ordered immediately in -pursuit; and at three in the morning on the 6th they marched. -The 1st Battalion, being in advance, on crossing the bridge came -upon the dummy straw sentries (the old trick of the retreating -enemy), and pushing on, arrived at Santarem at midday. -This was found quite deserted; and after an hour’s halt the -Riflemen resumed their march, and that night occupied Pernes.</p> - -<p>On the 7th they followed the retreating enemy to Torres -Novas; and halted at night at Arga and La Marosa. Starting -at daybreak on the 8th, the Riflemen first caught sight -towards evening of the enemy’s rear-guard, which occupied -the village of Paialvo. The 1st Battalion were at once ordered -to dislodge them, which, with the help of a couple of -6-pounders, they did very speedily. On the 9th they advanced -early, and after five hours’ march came up with the enemy’s -rear-guard at the junction of the roads from Leiria and Lisbon -and that to Coimbra. Here a large body of cavalry was -posted, and infantry in force was halted in rear. An advanced -squadron of the 11th <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Grenadiers à Cheval</i> was charged by the -German hussars, and some prisoners taken by them and the -Royal Dragoons. About 40 prisoners, mostly stragglers, also -fell into the hands of the Riflemen.</p> - -<p>During these marches O’Hare’s company were pushed -forward, by mounting them behind the dragoons, and were -on the 9th engaged all day in skirmishing; but without -any loss.</p> - -<p>On the 10th, the enemy having shown himself in great -strength, in order to check the advance and to take up a -position, the Battalion retired about half a league, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -bivouacked in a pine-wood. On moving forward on the -11th it was found that the French had taken up a strong -position at Pombal, occupying the old castle situated on an -eminence and the town with infantry; the rest of their force -being posted on the heights behind the town. Two companies -of the 1st Battalion, O’Hare’s and another, with Elder’s Caçadores, -dashed over the bridge leading to the town, and found -the enemy in some houses near the bridge, from which they -kept up a brisk fire; which the Riflemen, entering the opposite -houses, returned for some time. Till at last Sergeant Fleming -and a few men rushed into one of the houses held by the -enemy and made several prisoners. Then the Riflemen drove -them out of the houses. Lieutenant Hopwood, as he was -entering one of them, got a bad wound in the thigh; -pushing on they carried the castle, the key of the position; -and pursuing the enemy, after some sharp fighting with their -voltigeurs, who obstinately disputed ground which from its -nature was very defensible, drove them completely out of -Pombal. But continuing their pursuit too far, some were -taken prisoners, and others escaped with difficulty. The -combat continued till dark, which fell before Lord Wellington -could bring up a sufficient body of troops to make a general -attack. After this hard day’s fighting the Battalion bivouacked -in a ploughed field, exposed to torrents of rain.</p> - -<p>In this skirmish the two companies captured a grey horse, -which carried the baggage of Colonel Soult, the nephew of -the Marshal; and the contents were sold by auction by the -captors in the bivouack; except his medals, which the men -presented to Captain O’Hare, whose company had been -actively engaged.</p> - -<p>They stood to their arms before daylight, and found that -the enemy had retired in the night. They immediately -followed; and found the enemy posted in front of the town of -Redinha; his right protected by some wooded heights; his left -resting on the river Soure beyond Redinha, and well protected -by ravines. In front was a large plain, which, when the -Riflemen emerged from the defile leading to it, they found -occupied by large bodies of troops. It was a bright Spring -day, and the sight of the one army advancing over the plain -the other in position on it, was splendid. The woods on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -right of the position were immediately attacked by the left -wing (four companies) of the 95th, under Major Stewart, -which carried them and cleared them from the enemy in -gallant style. This enabled Lord Wellington to form his line -in front of the defile. At the same time the left of the position -was attacked by the right wing of the 95th, under Major -Gilmour, while the other regiments of the Light Division supported -their attacks. The French rear-guard made gallant -attempts to check their advance; but after a stubborn resistance -they were driven through the town of Redinha and over -the bridge; the Riflemen pressing them so hard, that they and -the flying enemy passed over mixed together. Many of the -enemy were forced over the battlements of the bridge; many -threw themselves over to escape from their pursuers; and not -a few were slain in the hand-to-hand fight on the bridge. On -passing the bridge the rear-guard attempted to form on the -height beyond; but the Light Division allowed them no -respite, and they were driven towards Condeixa. The enemy’s -guns occasionally gave our skirmishers some discharges of -grape; but they pressed on till dark, when they were recalled, -and bivouacked for the night on a height; the French army -in the valley beneath, and the advanced sentries not more -than two hundred yards from each other.</p> - -<p>On this day Lieutenants Robert Beckwith and Chapman, -of the 1st Battalion, were wounded; and of the 2nd Battalion, -4 rank and file were killed, and 9 wounded.</p> - -<p>Lord Wellington, in his despatch, highly praises the conduct -of the Regiment on this day, specially naming Majors -Gilmour and Stewart; and in reference to driving the enemy’s -right out of the wood, he says: ‘I have never seen the French -infantry driven from a wood in a more gallant style;’<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> but by -some mistake in Sir William Erskine’s report, he gives the -credit of this exploit to the 52nd, while it was really performed, -‘to the admiration of the whole army,’ by four companies -of the 1st Battalion.<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a></p> - -<p>After some of the 1st Battalion skirmishers had towards -evening driven the French before them, the officer commanding -the latter held up his sword with a white handkerchief<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -tied to it; and on coming to a parley, he told the officer -commanding the Riflemen that he thought both parties needed -some rest after a hard day’s work, and proposed a truce for -the night. To this the Riflemen agreed; and asked him and -his subalterns to share their rations. They very readily -accepted the invitation; and after a scanty dinner of ration -beef, and a little rum for beverage, they separated; one party -to resume their retreat, the other their pursuit, next morning.</p> - -<p>Three months after, Lieutenant Fitz-Maurice of the 95th, -who had been present, was on picquet at Duas Casas, near the -Agueda, when he saw a French officer limping towards him, -who saluted him as an acquaintance. ‘<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Est-ce que vous ne -me reconnaissez pas?</i> I was one of your guests at Redinha. -One of your men wounded me next morning. No matter. I -come now not as a spy; but we have heard that you are short -of rations; and I come, in return for your kindness, to offer -you a share of ours.’ Fitz-Maurice was too old a soldier to -admit that they were in want of supplies; though indeed they -were; so, thanking him for his proffered kindness, which he -declined (with great inward longing and regret, no doubt), -they parted as good friends as they had been on the night of -the fight at Redinha.</p> - -<p>O’Hare’s and Balvaird’s companies being on picquet, an -alarm was created by a Rifleman, Humphrey Allen, shooting -a French sentry, in the hope of finding something in his mess-tin, -because his own company had refused to share their -provisions with him in consequence of his having skulked to -the rear, carrying wounded, during the day. A general alarm -took place, which brought Beckwith to the front.</p> - -<p>On the 13th the Regiment marched to Condeixa and were -left comparatively quiet on the roadside. For while some -manœuvring took place to turn the enemy’s position, he -evacuated it, having set the town of Condeixa on fire. As -Lord Wellington was superintending these dispositions to -turn the enemy’s flanks from a knoll close to the Regiment, -some French tirailleurs crept near unperceived and fired at -him and his Staff without success. Several Riflemen ran up -to shoot or capture them, but they fled on their approach.</p> - -<p>On the 14th at dawn the Light Division advanced against -the enemy, who was posted on ground presenting many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> -obstacles near the village of Casal-Nova. Other divisions of -the army were sent to turn the flanks, while the Light Division -attacked Ney’s centre. The ground was much intersected -with stone walls, which enabled the enemy to dispute every -foot of ground. And this Battalion was skirmishing from early -morning until night; but they drove the enemy from one post -of advantage to another in spite of many checks, and eventually -Ney’s rear-guard fell back upon the main body at -Miranda de Corvo. Early in the day a section of one of the -companies was thrown forward among the skirmishers, and -some rising ground being in front, Kincaid was ordered to -take a man with him and occupy it, and to give notice of any -movements of the enemy. He and the man who accompanied -him, John Rouse, an old Rifleman, on getting to the top, -ensconced themselves behind two large stones; but every -time Rouse put his rifle over the stone to get a shot, a shower -of French bullets rattled near them. After several attempts -he gave it up, observing, ‘There will be no moving among them -till this shower ceases.’ Kincaid observes that ‘this was the -hardest day’s fighting he had ever known.’</p> - -<p>As the French were retreating before our skirmishers, one -man was observed to remain behind, deliberately loading and -firing. Costello covered him and shot him. On coming up -with him, a French sergeant, who lay wounded beside him, said: -‘<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Hélas! vous avez tué mon pauvre frère.</i>’ The cause of his -having remained behind was evident; it was in the hope of -protecting his wounded brother. Costello, much to his credit, -as soon as the fighting was over, returned to look for the -brothers; both were dead, stripped by camp-followers, by -whom they had probably been murdered.</p> - -<p>Major John Stewart was killed in this fight, and Lieutenant -Strode received wounds of which he died. Stewart was a -most admirable officer of light troops, skilful in handling -them, experienced in outpost duty, and (after Beckwith’s -example), while strictly maintaining discipline, never harassing -the men with matters of minute detail. Strode, who was also -an excellent officer, always carried a rifle in action, and in -the accurate use of it he excelled.</p> - -<p>This day’s fighting lasted till sunset, when the picquets -of the 1st Battalion occupied the village of Illama, which had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -been set on fire by the French; and the officers and men of -the picquets saved many of the inhabitants and their children, -who were too exhausted from famine to extricate themselves, -from perishing in their burning houses. Some, however, were -only saved from one death to die, when brought out, from -want and exhaustion. Lord Wellington, in his despatch, -specially mentions the conduct of the Regiment and the names -of Colonel Beckwith and Majors Gilmour and Stewart.</p> - -<p>The Battalion on going over the field after the action -found that they had been opposed by the French 95th Regiment; -and many buttons with that number were cut off the -coats of the killed and preserved as trophies.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 15th a thick fog prevented the -army starting early in pursuit. When it cleared it was found -that the enemy had evacuated their position, and the Battalion -passed through Miranda de Corvo, which was in flames, -having been set on fire by Marshal Ney’s rear-guard, which -had occupied it the night before.</p> - -<p>The Battalion were halted beyond the village on a gentle -slope, when Lord Wellington rode up; and Beckwith took -occasion in conversation with him to mention that the Battalion -were suffering much from having outmarched their -supplies, and that some of his men from want and weakness -had been unable to keep up. The Commander-in-Chief at -once told them that they should have the first rations that -came up. The men were just setting about cooking some -provisions they had found abandoned by the French, when -they were ordered to fall in at once and advance. The truth -is that Lord Wellington on going to the front had observed -that the enemy were in a strong position behind the river -Ceira, but had committed the fatal mistake of leaving the -rear-guard under Ney in front of Foz d’Aronce on our side -of the river, here crossed only by a narrow bridge. The -Battalion at once attacked them, and after a short but hot -engagement drove them over the river. By some mistake the -bridge was destroyed before the whole of the rear-guard had -passed; and these being hotly pressed, endeavoured to cross -the river, and a large number of them were drowned in the -attempt. It was almost dark before the action commenced -and it was quite dark before it was ended. The Battalion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -occupied for the night the camping-ground thus suddenly -vacated by the French rear-guard, and at their camp-fires -resumed the cooking of their suppers which had been interrupted -by the hasty advance from Miranda de Corvo; or, -rather, they continued the cooking begun by the French, for -they found their pots on the fire, and a good supply of biscuit.</p> - -<p>In this affair Lieutenant M’Cullock was severely, and -Kincaid slightly, wounded. The general orders of the 16th -contain, besides expressions of approbation and thanks to the -army in general, the following clause: ‘The Commander of -the Forces requests the Commanding Officers of the 43rd, 52nd -and 95th Regiments, to name a sergeant of each Regiment to -be recommended for promotion to an ensigncy, as a testimony -of the particular approbation of the Commander of the Forces -of these three Regiments.’<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a></p> - -<p>In compliance with this order, Sergeant Simpson, then -acting Sergeant-Major, was recommended, and was appointed -an Ensign in the 2nd (Queen’s) Regiment of Foot.</p> - -<p>The 16th was a day of rest. The Light Division had outmarched -their supplies; the men were fatigued and weak -from hunger; and the bridge over the Ceira being destroyed -Lord Wellington gave them a day’s halt.</p> - -<p>On reaching the banks of the Ceira the Riflemen came -upon a sight of such wanton cruelty as seemed to stand out -in horrid prominence in a retreat where cruelty, rapine and -slaughter were of daily occurrence. Nearly 500 donkeys -were standing in mute agony, hamstrung by the inhuman -enemy who had fled the preceding night. That they should -prevent their falling into the hands of their pursuers was -natural; that they should choose this alternative of rendering -them useless, instead of killing them, was brutal.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 17th the Battalion crossed the -Ceira at the ford of Alça Perna; the ford was so deep that -the men with difficulty kept their legs; and having passed it -they halted on high ground covered with wood, a little short -of the Alva. The next morning the enemy was found in a -strong position on the rugged banks of the Alva, behind the -Ponte da Murcella. They had broken down the bridge. -However, the Battalion was formed up opposite the enemy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -and some 9-pounders being brought up, their fire and the -advance of the Riflemen ‘put them all in a bustle,’ to use -Lord Wellington’s characteristic language;<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> and George Simmons -says he never saw them go off in such confusion.<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> The -Battalion halted on a swampy height covered with pine-woods, -and bivouacked.</p> - -<p>On the 19th, a temporary wooden bridge having been -constructed, they crossed the Alva, and passing through -Sabriera, halted for the night in a wood of pines.</p> - -<p>On this day, amongst many other prisoners, an Aide-de-Camp -of General Loison was taken, with a very handsome -Spanish girl, dressed in a hussar uniform, who was said to -be his wife. He was a Portuguese, a traitor to his country.</p> - -<p>On the 20th, the Battalion advanced through Gallizes and -halted in a fir-wood near Venda Nova. Here they found -quantities of carts and waggons which had been abandoned -by the enemy. On the following day they continued their -advance and halted in fir-woods near Marusa. On the 22nd -the Battalion went into houses in the town of Momenta de -Serra in consequence of the inclemency of the weather. Here, -as indeed during this whole advance, they found the dead -and mutilated bodies of the people, and heard from the survivors -heartrending accounts of the cruelties perpetrated by -the retreating enemy. On the 23rd they advanced to S. -Paio and bivouacked in a wood in front of it; on the next -day they marched to and were quartered in the village of -Mello, and on the 25th bivouacked in a wood near it.</p> - -<p>During these days the Battalion was obliged to make -these short marches in order to let the supplies come up. -The men and officers suffered the greatest privation, only one -ration of bread being given out in four days, and the country -behind the retreating French being stripped of everything.</p> - -<p>On the 26th the Battalion marched to Celorico, which the -enemy had evacuated, and halted there the next day.</p> - -<p>On the 28th the right wing of the Battalion by a forced -march reached Avalans de Ribeira, and 100 men under -Captain Charles Beckwith were sent to dislodge a strong -rear-guard of the enemy from a mill in front of Freixadas.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -They found the French busily at work, grinding corn, and -soon drove them out of the mill and the village; taking -several prisoners. In this affair the Adjutant, Lieutenant -James Stewart, having dashed into the village with a few -Riflemen, was shot, from a window, through the left breast -and heart. He was acting as Brigade-Major to Colonel Beckwith, -and was universally esteemed in the Regiment. ‘It is -not too much to say,’ Leach observes, ‘that no man in any -corps ever filled the situation of adjutant better than he did, -and very few half so well. He was open-hearted, manly, -friendly and independent; a most gallant and zealous officer, -and much devoted to his own Corps. He neither cringed to, -nor worshipped any man, but did his duty manfully, and with -impartiality: two qualities inestimable in adjutants. By the -soldiers he was idolised, and very justly. When his duties -as adjutant did not interfere, he was amongst the first to -enter into any frolic and fun; and a more jovial soul never -existed.’<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a></p> - -<p>On the next morning at dawn the whole of the advanced -guard, Riflemen, cavalry, and artillery, attended his funeral; -and his body, wrapped in his cloak, and deposited in a chest, -was buried in front of Colonel Beckwith’s quarter, in the -village of Alverca.</p> - -<p>The left wing of the Battalion, with the rest of the Light -Division, had on the 28th crossed the Mondego, and occupied -the villages of Baracal and Mavashal.</p> - -<p>On the 29th the army moved forward on the front and -flanks of the strong position of Guarda, which stands perched -on a high hill, and is said to be the most elevated town in -Portugal.<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> Notwithstanding the strength of his position the -enemy did not await our onset, but moved off in the direction -of Sabugal, pursued by cavalry and artillery only. The -Light Division was not now handled by the fiery Craufurd; and -the enemy escaped with the loss of barely 200 prisoners, -which fell into the hands of the pursuing cavalry.</p> - -<p>The Battalion halted in Carapeta and other villages at the -foot of the hill on which Guarda is placed.</p> - -<p>On April 1 the Battalion marched by Adão to Pega,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -where they halted about an hour in very heavy rain; and then -proceeded to Quintas de S. Bartolomeo on the banks of the -Coa, and nearly opposite Sabugal, where the 2nd Corps of -the French army, under Regnier, were posted in great force, -having picquets on our side of the river.</p> - -<p>The Battalion furnished the picquets, which were ordered -to be extremely vigilant; not to interfere with the enemy if -he did not molest them; but if attacked, to hold their post -and never to quit it.</p> - -<p>It was a very dark and stormy night, with heavy rain. -George Simmons and Kincaid were on this picquet, and the -latter relates a curious instance of the impossibility of a man’s -walking quite straight in the dark. On going to visit one of -his sentries about midnight, he found the man absent from -his post. Being an excellent old soldier he felt assured that -he had not deserted, and after searching for him in vain he -called him by name. The man’s answer was instantly followed -by the discharge of a French sentinel’s musket; and it then -appeared that on every successive walk up and down his beat -he had verged nearer and nearer to the French lines, which -he was close to when called. The man, convinced that he -had kept on his post, was astounded and incredulous that he -had in the pitchy darkness edged away from it.</p> - -<p>On the 2nd the Battalion moved towards the right, and -nearer to the bridge in front of Sabugal, and during this -movement had some slight skirmishes with the enemy’s -advanced posts.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J081" id="J081"></a> -<a href="images/i_081fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_081fp.jpg" width="425" alt="" /></a> -<p class="center fs60"><em>Drawn by Capt<sup>n</sup> Moorsom, C.E.</em> -<span class="pad40pc"><em>E. Weller, lith., London</em></span></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London: Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs120 lsp">ACTION</span><br /> -<span class="fs60">AT</span><br /> -<span class="fs150 lsp2">SABUGAL</span><br /> -3<sup>RD</sup> APRIL 1811 -</div> -</div> - -<p>On the morning of the 3rd a thick fog hung over the -banks of the Coa. Beckwith’s Brigade of the Light Division -was drawn up in close column behind the heights on the left -bank of the river (in compliance with the disposition for the -attack<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a>), when a staff officer rode up and asked him ‘why he -did not cross?’ Beckwith was not the man to whom such a -question should have been addressed, nor one to hesitate in -giving a practical answer to it. He immediately ordered his -brigade to advance. Four companies (the right wing) of the -1st Battalion led. The banks were steep and the ford at -which they crossed deep, the water nearly up to the men’s -armpits. As soon as the Riflemen had climbed the opposite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -bank they advanced in skirmishing order. The officer in -command of the French picquet ordered his men to fire as -they retreated. Following the picquet, they soon came upon -a regiment, and continued skirmishing till the rest of the -brigade came up. Then they pushed the enemy through a -chestnut-wood and up the hill; a blinding rain came on, and -on advancing Beckwith found himself, when the shower -ceased, confronted by the whole of Regnier’s <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Corps d’Armée</i>. -Their fire and overwhelming numbers forced back the four -companies of the Battalion on the 43rd who were in support. -Regnier followed with three strong columns; but the 43rd -received them with such a fire that they fell back, and the -43rd charging them, drove them down the hill and into their -position. Here the enemy made a stand, and being reinforced, -again obliged Beckwith to retire. He got his -Riflemen behind some walls, where he not only held and -checked the enemy, but again drove the French back and -pursued them; but on reaching their original position, Beckwith -was attacked by infantry on the left, while cavalry on -the right charged the skirmishers. A third time the handful -of men were forced back by overwhelming numbers; but now -the other brigade of the Light Division, attracted by the fire, -came up; and the fog clearing off, the 3rd Division, under -Picton, which had crossed the river lower down, came up on -the enemy’s right; and the 5th Division, having crossed the -bridge, appeared debouching from the town of Sabugal; -thus reinforced, Beckwith drove the enemy at the point of the -bayonet into and through his original position, and the French -retreated in confusion. Unfortunately, Sir William Erskine -with the cavalry had lost his way in the fog, and had gone -too far to the right; so that advantage could not be taken of -the loose manner in which the enemy left the field; yet some -prisoners were made.</p> - -<p>In this action, in which, as Lord Wellington states, ‘the -operations of the day were, by unavoidable accidents, not -performed in the manner he intended they should be,’ nothing -could be more daring or more characteristic of British courage, -than the way in which Beckwith, with a handful of men (the -Riflemen, Elder’s Caçadores, and the 43rd), withstood and -thrice repulsed and pursued a whole <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Corps d’Armée</i> placed in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -a strong position. And deservedly does the great captain -go on to say that he considered ‘the action fought by Colonel -Beckwith’s brigade principally, to be one of the most glorious -the British troops were ever engaged in.’<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a></p> - -<p>Beckwith’s own coolness and gallant bearing in it are -recorded by all the narrators of the action. When obliged -by the overwhelming numbers and fury of the French to give -the order to retire, he rode among his own Riflemen; and -seeing some disposition to quicken the pace he would say: -‘Don’t run; I did not mean that; we will go steadily, and -give them a shot as we retire.’ When he had reached his -supports and could make a stand, he faced them about, and -led them forward again, and was obeyed and followed as -calmly and steadily as if he was marching them up and down -the barrack square.</p> - -<p>In this affair Lieutenant the Hon. Duncan Arbuthnot -and 1 Rifleman were killed. Beckwith was wounded in -the forehead, and had a horse shot under him; and Second -Lieutenant William Haggup and 12 rank and file were -wounded.</p> - -<p>And of the company of the 2nd Battalion present in this -action, 1 man was killed and 2 wounded.</p> - -<p>During the fight, as the Riflemen were driving the enemy’s -skirmishers through a chestnut-wood, a man of the 1st Battalion -of the name of Flinn, was aiming at a Frenchman, -when a hare started out of the fern with which the hill was -covered. Flinn, leaving the Frenchman, covered the hare, -and fired and killed his game. On the officer commanding -the company remonstrating with him, his reply was, ‘Ah! -your honour, sure we can kill a Frenchman any day; but -it isn’t always I can bag a hare for your supper.’<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a></p> - -<p>The fight was hardly over, when the fog dissolved in -torrents of rain; and Lord Wellington, riding up at the -moment, directed the Light Division, as an express recognition -of its prowess during the day, to house themselves in the town<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -of Sabugal. They arrived just in time to anticipate the 5th -Division, who yielded the much-coveted shelter, not without -much murmuring. Thus the Riflemen had a roof over their -heads; but the houses were mostly shared with the former -occupants, who were dying of hunger or of ill-usage.</p> - -<p>On the next day the Light Division moved through Quadrazaes, -Valdespina, and Alfayates, and halted for the night at -the frontier village of Forcalhos.</p> - -<p>On the 5th the Battalion marched to Albergueria (in -Spain); Massena having crossed the Agueda, and evacuated -Portugal, with the exception of a garrison in Almeida, which -was immediately blockaded.</p> - -<p>On the 8th they marched to Fuentes d’Onor, and on the -next day took up their old line of outposts on the Agueda, at -Gallegos, Espeja, and Fuentes d’Onor.</p> - -<p>On the 10th two companies of Riflemen, consisting of 150 -men, under Captain Cameron, were detached to San Pedro -near Almeida, to shoot the cattle grazing on the glacis of that -fortress. Daily until the 15th, before dawn, they marched -to near Almeida, and taking a position among rocks, and -firing at the cattle, compelled the garrison to withdraw them. -They were daily saluted with the fire of the guns of the place, -by which, on the 12th, 1 sergeant (McDonald) was killed. -At dusk they returned to San Pedro, to resume their watch -on the next morning.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd, a force consisting of two battalions of French -infantry and a squadron of cavalry, marched by Carpio to the -heights above the bridge of Marialva, on the Azarva, and -halting there, sent forward a party to attack the picquets of -the Light Division stationed at the bridge, then furnished by -the 52nd. The pass was gallantly defended; and another -company of the 52nd and some of the 1st Battalion coming -to the assistance of the picquet, the enemy were repulsed, and -retired towards Ciudad Rodrigo. Lord Wellington, in his -‘Despatches,’ mentions Lieutenant Charles Eeles as having -distinguished himself on this occasion.<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a></p> - -<p>On the 27th the Battalion marched early in the morning -from the villages of Sesmero, Barquella and Villar de Puerco, -which they occupied, to Alameda, and thence in rear of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -Gallegos, on which occasion another attack was made on the -picquets, and again the enemy were repulsed.</p> - -<p>And again, on May 1, six squadrons of French cavalry -and a column of infantry appeared on the old ground of the -heights of Carpio and Marialva; but after making a demonstration -for some hours, withdrew.</p> - -<p>On the 2nd the French army was concentrated, and -advanced with a view evidently of raising the blockade of -Almeida, or of throwing supplies into it; and as Lord Wellington -was not disposed to dispute their advance until they -approached his position at Fuentes d’Onor, the Light Division -fell back without firing a shot, and passing through the village -of Fuentes d’Onor, took post behind the village of Alameda.</p> - -<p>But though the 1st Battalion were not actually engaged -on this day, the company of the 3rd Battalion which was -attached to the 1st Division took part in resisting the furious -attack made by the enemy’s light troops on the village of -Fuentes d’Onor; Lieutenant Uniacke was severely wounded, -and 9 Riflemen were wounded.</p> - -<p>On the evening of the 4th, the Battalion were moved to -the rear of the centre of the British position. On this day -General Craufurd rejoined from England, where he had been -on leave, to the great satisfaction of his Division, which had -experienced the want of his leading on more than one occasion -during his absence.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J085" id="J085"></a> -<a href="images/i_085fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_085fp.jpg" width="425" alt="" /></a> -<p class="center fs60"><em>Drawn by Capt<sup>n</sup> Moorsom, C.E.</em> -<span class="pad40pc"><em>E. Weller, lith., London</em></span></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London: Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs120 lsp2">BATTLE</span><br /> -<span class="fs60">OF</span><br /> -<span class="fs135 lsp">FUENTES d’ONOR</span><br /> -5<sup>TH</sup> MAY 1811 -</div> -</div> - -<p>On the 5th took place the Battle of Fuentes d’Onor. In -the morning the Battalion was moved to the right and posted -in a wood of oaks, throwing out skirmishers in front. Here -they were hotly engaged for some time with the French -skirmishers, who, however, did not attempt to drive them -through the wood; till a large body of cavalry appearing on -their right, and the French skirmishers pressing them sharply -through the wood, they were compelled to retire, as the flank -of the 7th Division being turned, they were in great danger -of being cut off. Then it was that Craufurd moved them in -close column, ready to form square in an instant had the -cavalry charged them, across a plain nearly a mile in extent. -This manœuvre was executed with all the precision and -deliberateness of a field-day, while an enormous force of -hostile cavalry hovered around them, but did not dare to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> -charge, so formidable was their formation, and so steady their -movement; and while a furious cannonade assailed them. -They marched to that part of the position where the Guards -were formed in line, and they wheeling back a company, the -Battalion marched through, and halting in column acted as a -support to that part of the position. They were afterwards -placed at a right angle to the right of the British position, -with their own right resting on the river Turones; and getting -behind and among some rocks and broken ground, they were -menaced by a large force of French infantry, which endeavoured -to push in between the 1st and 7th Divisions, but -finding the position unassailable, and being vigorously attacked -by four companies of the Battalion under Major O’Hare,<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> -withdrew. Then a tremendous fire of artillery was opened -upon the Riflemen.</p> - -<p>About two o’clock, as the enemy did not seem to threaten -any further attack on this position, the Battalion were withdrawn, -and placed in reserve in rear of the centre. Here they -remained, lying down, until near dusk, when the Battalion -moved down into Fuentes d’Onor, to relieve the troops which -had been engaged there.</p> - -<p>While the Battalion were in position near the Turones, and -the French infantry which threatened them kept out of rifle -range, Flinn, whose sporting propensities at Sabugal I have -recorded, was observed to leave the ranks, and, with his comrade, -advance towards the enemy. The officer in immediate -command, fancying they were deserting, asked the sergeant -of the company what it meant. ‘Oh no, sir,’ he replied, ‘they -are only gone for some amusement.’ Accordingly, ‘on nobler -game intent’ than the hares at Sabugal, after stopping to -drink at the Turones (for the May day was hot) they crept up -to the French, and taking good aim, brought down each his -man. Then, putting their caps on their rifles to receive the -return fire, while they were well under cover, they deliberately -walked back, and fell into their places in the Battalion.<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a></p> - -<p>In this action 1 sergeant and 6 Riflemen of the 1st Battalion -were wounded; of the company of the 2nd Battalion, -2 were killed and 4 wounded; and of the company of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -3rd Battalion, attached to Sir Brent Spencer’s Division, Lieutenant -Westby and 1 private were killed, 2 were wounded, -and 1 sergeant and 1 private were missing.</p> - -<p>Shortly after the Battalion occupied the village of Fuentes -d’Onor, the French, whose picquets were at the other side of -the bridge which spans the Duas Casas, sent over a flag of -truce, with a request to be allowed to carry off their wounded. -This was of course acceded to. Three French officers crossed -the bridge, and while the wounded on both sides were -being carried off had much friendly conversation with our -officers, preceded by polite offers of ‘<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">une prise de tabac</i>.’ -They were loud in their praises of the gallantry of our troops, -and presaged hard fighting on the morrow. One of them, -alluding to the name of the place, observed to George Simmons -that of that ‘Fountain of Honour’ many of their comrades -and of ours had drank deep. The wounded having -been removed, they politely wished our officers ‘good night,’ -and returned to their side of the river.</p> - -<p>They had a captain’s picquet posted near the bridge, and -a strong column of infantry near a church, and two of their -sentries were at the foot of the bridge, while ours were stationed -on our side of it. Great vigilance was necessary, and -was exercised by our officers of the picquet, in consequence -of the proximity of the posts.</p> - -<p>A man of the Battalion of the name of Tidy, a blacksmith -by trade, having found a forge in the village, set to work to -shoe some of the officers’ horses. A French grenadier, -attracted by the light, crossed the bridge, and asked to be -allowed to light his pipe, and having done so remained talking -to our men. Craufurd, who had come down to visit the -picquet (Costello says to see after the shoeing of his horse), -caught sight of the red epaulette, and sternly asked ‘What -the man was doing there;’ and being informed that he only -came to light his pipe, ordered him to begone.<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a></p> - -<p>In the course of the night the Riflemen on picquet in the -village threw up earthworks in the gardens, and a strong -breastwork across the street. Before dawn they stood to -their arms, but when day broke they found that the French did -not renew the attack; nor did any change occur in the position<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -of the two armies until the 10th, when it was ascertained at -daybreak, by the Riflemen on picquet, that the French had -retired, leaving only a small cavalry picquet at various points -in the line of posts they had occupied. The Light Division -and cavalry pursued them; but the superiority of the enemy -in cavalry, which covered their retreat, effectually checked the -pursuit; and the Battalion bivouacked in its old quarters at -Gallegos and Espeja.</p> - -<p>On the 12th three regiments of French cavalry moved from -Ciudad Rodrigo by the heights of Carpio, and our cavalry -picquets fell back, followed by a squadron towards Espeja. -Beckwith at once turned out his brigade, and sent forward -some Riflemen as skirmishers; and the enemy retired across -the Azarva with the loss of a few horses.</p> - -<p>On the 26th, the Battalion marched to Nave d’Aver and -Aldea de Ponte, fully expecting to proceed to the Alemtejo; but -the next day they were countermanded, and resumed from the -5th Division the line of outposts in front of Espeja, Gallegos, &c.</p> - -<p>On June 3, Beckwith, having heard that the French -cavalry were collecting on the Agueda, and not knowing -where an attack might be made, moved his brigade before -dawn out of Espeja, and occupied a wood in rear of it; but -no attack being made he returned to his former post at noon.</p> - -<p>On the 5th, the Light Division broke up from the line of -posts it had occupied since the battle of Fuentes d’Onor, -and marching by Aldea de Ponte, bivouacked in a wood near -Alfayates. On the next day the Battalion crossed the Coa by -the very same ford near Sabugal by which they had advanced -to the fight of April 3, and bivouacked in a neighbouring -wood of chestnut-trees. The night was very dark, and about -midnight there occurred one of those strange panics which -excite the terror even of those who never flinched in battle. -Some bullocks straying among the piled arms knocked them -over. Those awakened by the crash of the falling rifles -raised the cry, ‘The French are upon us!’ In a moment all -was confusion; the officers trying to assemble their companies; -even Craufurd himself, it is said,<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> ordering the men to fall in -and load; and the camp followers flying to the rear. After a -time the panic died out; and on the morning of the 8th the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -Battalion marched to Memoa, and halting there to cook, proceeded -to Penamacor in the evening.</p> - -<p>On the 9th to S. Miguel d’Arch, and halted on the 10th.</p> - -<p>On the 11th, by some blunder of the Staff, they were -ordered to commence their march under a burning sun, and a -great many men fell out, necessitating frequent halts. By -some further mistake the baggage and supplies did not come -up, and the men were without provisions for forty hours. At -night they arrived at As Caldas de Cima, and bivouacked in a -wood.</p> - -<p>On the 12th the Battalion passed through Castello Branco, -and halted during the heat of the day at As Cornadas de Rodão, -and in the evening advanced to the pass of Villa Velha.</p> - -<p>On the next day, crossing the Tagus by a bridge of boats, -they marched to Niza, and bivouacked in a wood; on the 14th -marched to Alpalhão, and on the following day to Portalegre, -where they halted until the 19th, when they moved to -Arronches.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd they took up their position with the army -which Lord Wellington had concentrated, encamping on a -most arid plain near Monte Raguinga on the Caya, and -about three miles from Campo Major.</p> - -<p>Here the Battalion remained for about a month, during -which time Craufurd did not allow his Division to be idle, but -frequently took it out for drill and exercise. During the -time it remained here the Battalion suffered much from the -baneful climate of the Alemtejo; and fever, ague and -dysentery were rife amongst the officers and men. To add -to the discomfort of this camp, it was infested with snakes, -scorpions and other reptiles; yet it is strange that among -so many men occupying it, no fatal or serious accident ever -occurred from this nuisance, at least among the Riflemen.</p> - -<p>At last, on July 21, they were released from the life, to -them after active service, so monotonous and every way so -disagreeable; and on that day marching about a league and a -half only, bivouacked, and on the next day marched into -Portalegre. On the 23rd they proceeded to Castello de Vide, -where they occupied several quintas round the town. Thence -they marched northward by much the same route by which -they had moved to the Alemtejo, passing Niza on the 29th,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -and on the next day crossing the Tagus at Villa Velha, by a -pontoon bridge, and bivouacking in an olive-grove. Thence -to Castello Branco on August 1, to Lausão on the 2nd, -Bemposta on the 3rd, Mauras on the 4th, whence they moved -to the neighbouring heights on the 6th, and continued their -march towards the northern frontier of Portugal on the 7th. -On the 10th the Battalion crossed the Agueda at the ford of -Vado de Carros, and occupied the villages of Martiago with the -right wing, and Langella with the left. On the 11th they -started, with Lord Wellington, to make a reconnaissance on -Ciudad Rodrigo. On their approaching it some hundred -infantry with a few field-guns, came out of the town, but did -not venture beyond the protection of the guns of the place. -The reconnaissance having been effected, the Riflemen -returned to their cantonments.</p> - -<p>During the march from the Alemtejo the men of the -Battalion had suffered much from the heat, and many of the -marches had to be performed in the evening, or before sunrise, -or during the night. On August 21 the four companies of -the 3rd Battalion which had been at Barrosa, joined the Light -Division, and a fifth company, which, as has been mentioned, -was attached to Sir Brent Spencer’s Division at his request, -as a Colonel Commandant of the Regiment, also joined, thus -forming five companies of the Battalion, under the command -of Colonel Barnard. They were placed in Beckwith’s brigade -of the Light Division. About the same time another company -of the 2nd Battalion, which had embarked at Portsmouth on -July 5, and had landed at Lisbon on the 14th, under the -command of Captain Hart, also joined the Light Division.</p> - -<p>Sickness, no doubt contracted in the Alemtejo while -encamped on the Caya, still made great ravages among the -troops of the Light Division; three officers and many men -of the Regiment having died while it occupied these cantonments -on the Agueda.</p> - -<p>At the end of August the Regiment (or at least the 1st -Battalion) marched to Villa Rejo, on the 28th to Zamarra, -and on the 29th to Atalaya.</p> - -<p>On that evening George Simmons was sent forward with -a company, and a corporal and three men of the German -hussars, with orders, by moving through a woody country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -and by a circuitous route, to strike on the road leading from -Salamanca; and then to proceed at his discretion, in order to -ascertain, if possible, whether any convoy was on its way to -throw provisions into Ciudad Rodrigo. He reconnoitred -Tenebrun, and bivouacked for the night in a wood.</p> - -<p>The next morning he moved to Boca de Carro and S. -Spiritus, and ascertained from Don Julian Sanchez’s guerillas -that a convoy had left Salamanca for Ciudad Rodrigo, but -had been compelled to return, several parties of guerillas -having formed across the road and attacked it. The company -therefore returned to its quarters at Atalaya.</p> - -<p>On September 9, Leach with his company and one of -Portuguese Caçadores was sent over the Sierra de Gata to occupy -two villages, Las Herrias and Aldea Juella, in the heart -of the mountains, to observe some roads by which it was -thought that Marmont might attempt to move light cavalry -or infantry, and to obtain information as to the movements of -the enemy. Here they remained a fortnight, daily patrolling -and reconnoitring, but unable to ascertain anything of the -enemy’s doings.</p> - -<p>Marmont having determined to throw provisions into -Ciudad Rodrigo, assembled his whole army and crossed -the mountains from Plasencia. The Regiment, as part of the -Light Division, was posted on the heights near Horquira. The -enemy’s cavalry watched them, and entered Atalaya on -September 23. Here the Riflemen remained three days; and -on the 25th the combat at El Bodon took place between the -Hon. General Colville’s brigade and the enemy’s cavalry. At -this time the Riflemen were on the right bank of the Agueda, -occupying the line of the Vadillo, a tributary flowing through -a rocky channel into the Agueda, and falling into it about -three miles from Rodrigo. Their position was a most dangerous -one; for unless the troops on the left bank of the Agueda -could hold the French in check they would have been cut off. -Their safety was further endangered by the obstinacy of Craufurd; -who though he received orders to retire, and join the rest -of the army at or near Guinaldo, at two o’clock in the afternoon -of the 25th, marched only to Cespedosa, one league from the -Vadillo. On the next morning, however, at daybreak, they -marched; and crossing the Agueda by a ford, and taking a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -circuitous route joined the 3rd and 4th Divisions near Guinaldo -about three o’clock in the afternoon.</p> - -<p>On that night the whole army retired, leaving the Light -Division as a rear-guard. The Riflemen having made up their -fires to deceive the enemy, and to lead them to believe that -they were still in bivouack, followed about midnight. They -marched through Casillas de Flores to Forcalhos, and were -on the march during the whole of the 27th, with the exception -of a short halt. General Craufurd having remained -behind with a troop of cavalry to reconnoitre, was sharply -pressed and pursued by the enemy’s chasseurs, and came -galloping into the middle of the Riflemen with the enemy’s -troopers at his heels. But the Riflemen, throwing themselves -into rocky ground and cover, which fortunately was on each -side of the road, soon brought the French cavalry to a check; -but these dismounting and acting as infantry skirmishers, a -smart skirmish took place between some companies of the -Regiment and these dismounted men, which continued the -greater part of the day. In the evening the Regiment joined -the other Divisions at Aldea de Ponte.</p> - -<p>Again forming the rear-guard, the Regiment marched at -midnight, and about eight o’clock on the morning of the 28th -reached a position on the height near Soita in a wood of -enormous chestnut-trees, many of which were hollow from -age and of such dimensions that men might have been and -were sheltered in them. Lord Wellington was here in a very -strong position; and Marmont having effected his principal -object of re-victualling Ciudad Rodrigo, declined to give -battle, and retired.</p> - -<p>The Regiment on October 1 marched to Aldea Velha, -and resumed its cantonments on the Agueda at Castellejo de -Duas Casas, Martiago, Atalaya, Robleda, etc.</p> - -<p>The Regiment now (with the Light Division) maintained -the blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo, and there is little to record -of its movements until the commencement of the more active -operations of the siege.</p> - -<p>On November 2, however, information having been received -that a considerable body of French troops were in motion to -escort a new governor to Rodrigo (the former one, General -Renaud, having been taken prisoner near the place by Don<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -Julian Sanchez and his guerillas), the Regiment moved up -nearer to the fortress on this morning; but it having been -ascertained that the governor had succeeded in entering the -place, and that the escort was bivouacked two leagues in its -rear, the Regiment fell back to its former cantonments.</p> - -<p>On the 20th Lord Wellington inspected the Regiment -(with the rest of the Division) between El Bodon and Fuente -Guinaldo. The Regiment had marched from its cantonments -in the morning and returned to them after the inspection.</p> - -<p>About this time, or rather earlier, Colonel Beckwith went -to England on account of his health, and Barnard (commanding -the 3rd Battalion) took command of his brigade.</p> - -<p>On January 4 the troops intended to carry on the siege -of Ciudad Rodrigo were moved up near the place. In an -incessant fall of cold rain the Riflemen forded the Agueda; -the water being nearly up to their shoulders, the men were -obliged to put their pouches on the top of their knapsacks -and to hold on to one another to prevent their being swept -away by the current. The Light Division occupied Pastores, -La Encina, and El Bodon. No sufficient arrangements having -been made for their quarters, houses were with difficulty -obtained, and officers and men were huddled together -wherever they could find shelter. Next day, however, better -arrangements were made, and the companies of Riflemen -were housed separately.</p> - -<p>On the 8th the Regiment crossed the Agueda before daylight -on a bitterly cold morning at the ford of Cantarona, -near the Convent of La Caridad; the water was about knee-deep; -and passing round a hill to the north of the town near -San Francisco and out of range of the enemy’s guns, they -halted. Several French officers appeared and spoke to the -officers of the 95th with great politeness, being anxious to -ascertain, as it seemed, what this movement meant.</p> - -<p>It was not long before they learned; for at nine o’clock -that evening a party of 300 men of the Light Division, under -Colonel Colborne of the 52nd, stormed the detached fort of -San Francisco. Captain Crampton’s company of the 1st -Battalion first formed upon the crest of the glacis, followed -by Travers’s company of the 3rd Battalion, and another -company, commanded by Lieutenant Macnamara, of the 1st<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -Battalion. In a moment they were in the ditch and swarming -over the parapet. Three guns were taken, 2 captains and 48 -men made prisoners, and the rest of the garrison were killed. -In this attack Second Lieutenant Rutherford Hawksley, ‘a -most promising young man,’ was severely wounded, and died -of his wounds. The officer commanding this outwork, a -smart, talkative little Frenchman, was, when made prisoner, -brought to General Craufurd. He had been stripped by the -Portuguese and had nothing on but trousers, and was bleeding -from the nose and mouth. Craufurd having expressed regret -that he could not furnish him with clothing, Tom Crawley, -a well-known private in the 1st Battalion, stepped forward, -and saluting, said, ‘He may have my great coat, your honour.’ -Craufurd, who was much pleased, said,’You are very good, -Rifleman; let him have it.’ Almost at the same time a sergeant -was brought in, stripped naked by the Portuguese; he embraced -his captain and burst into tears. Harry Smith, then on Craufurd’s -Staff, gave him his handkerchief to cover his nakedness.<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a></p> - -<p>The capture of this work enabled the working parties -immediately to begin the first parallel. The garrison kept -up an incessant fire of shot and shell, but by daylight the -men were well covered. Early on the 9th the Light Division -were relieved by the 1st. The French from the old square -tower of the cathedral had a good view of this relief, and a -furious fire was kept up on the advancing and retiring Divisions.</p> - -<p>On the 12th the Light Division again occupied the trenches, -fording the Agueda up to their waists, and continuing in this -wet state, half-frozen, till relieved next day. Some worked -at the approaches; some kept up a fire on the works of the -place; and in the evening, under cover of a fog, thirty men -of the 1st Battalion, under Kincaid, were sent forward to dig -holes as near as possible to the crest of the glacis, in which -to shelter themselves, and to pick off the gunners. This was -not difficult for a good marksman; as, by having his rifle -ready, he was able to aim at an embrasure and fire at it the -moment he saw the flash of the gun. But the garrison threw -fire-balls among them; however, the men crouching in their -rifle-pits, lay hid until the fire-balls burned out, and then -springing up again, picked off their gunners in the embrasures.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> - -<p>At ten the next morning the Division was relieved, and -marched back to its cantonments. The fording of the Agueda, -now partly frozen, on coming to and returning from the -trenches, was very trying to the men. Not only the depth -and the cold of the river; but now large blocks of ice carried -down by the current bruised and incommoded them. In some -measure to obviate this, cavalry were ordered to form across the -ford above the infantry, and under this shelter the Riflemen -crossed, if in the cold, at least unmolested by the floating ice.</p> - -<p>On the 16th they again resumed their place in the -trenches. The enemy had now got the range so accurately -that their shells literally dropped into the trenches. So murderous -and incessant was the fire from the place, that on -their relief the next morning a new expedient was devised -to escape its effect. The relieving division came up by small -parties and the Light Division in like manner retired a few -men at a time. But strange is the confidence given by constant -exposure to danger: the Riflemen having discovered -that by crossing the river close to where they then were, and -running the gauntlet of the enemy’s fire for about a mile, -instead of going round behind the hill near San Francisco, -they would save both time and distance in getting to their -cantonments, they did so.</p> - -<p>Two breaches having been pronounced practicable on the -18th, the troops were ordered to assemble on the 19th for -the assault of the place. The storming party consisted of -a hundred men from each Regiment of the Division. The -officers of the Regiment who volunteered for this duty were -Captain Mitchell<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a> of the 2nd Battalion, and Lieutenants -William Johnston and Kincaid of the 1st Battalion. The -Regiment forded the Agueda as usual, and halted for about -an hour near the Convent of La Caridad. Thence they -moved forward, and halted again behind the Convent of San -Francisco.</p> - -<p>The order of attack was as follows:</p> - -<p>Four companies of the 1st Battalion, commanded by Major -Cameron, who were to line the crest of the glacis and keep -down the fire of the place;</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> - -<p>Portuguese, carrying hay-bags, which they were to throw -into the ditch, and ladders;</p> - -<p>The forlorn hope;</p> - -<p>The storming party, commanded by Major George Napier, -of the 52nd;</p> - -<p>The main body of the Division, commanded by Craufurd.</p> - -<p>While waiting behind the Convent for the order to advance, -Harry Smith came up to the Regiment, and said, ‘Some of -you must come and take charge of some ladders;’ George -Simmons at once stepped out and offered to go; and, having -picked out the number of men required, followed Smith to -the Engineer camp and obtained them. When he returned, -Craufurd fiercely attacked him; ‘Why did you bring these -short ladders here?’ ‘Because I was ordered by the Engineers -to do so, General.’ ‘Go back, Sir, and get others; I am -astonished at such stupidity.’ Simmons returned and procured -others; and on his way back finding a Portuguese -Captain wishing to be useful with his company, he handed over -the ladders to him with strict injunctions as to how to place -them, and rejoined his Battalion.</p> - -<p>It is pleasanter to record Craufurd’s last address to his -Division, almost his last words, as they stood waiting to -attack; words never forgotten by some who heard them.</p> - -<p>‘Soldiers,’ he said, in a voice which seemed to be peculiarly -impressive, ‘the eyes of your country are upon you. Be steady; -be cool; be firm in the assault. The town must be yours this -night. Once masters of the wall, let your first duty be to -clear the ramparts, and in doing so keep well together.’</p> - -<p>At last the signal was given, and the leading Riflemen -issued from behind the Convent of San Francisco and turned -to the left to ascend the glacis. The night was clear enough -to enable the defenders to perceive them; and no sooner -had the head of the column appeared, than a furious fire of -shot, shell and musketry lit up the ramparts in a sheet of -flame, while fire-balls enabled the enemy to direct their aim -on the advancing columns. Cameron’s Riflemen extended -along the glacis, and opened their fire. The stormers rushed -up to the ditch, and without waiting for the hay-bags or -ladders carried by the Portuguese, who were nowhere, leaped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -into the ditch, a descent of ten or twelve feet, and made for -the breach. Kincaid, by mistake, turned to a ravelin which -he fancied to be a bastion, and finding one angle of it a good -deal battered, thought it was the breach, and mounted it; but -soon perceiving his error, was about to return, when a shout -from the other side of the ditch announced that the breach -had been found. He dropped from the ravelin, and on -coming to the breach found the head of the storming party -just ascending it.</p> - -<p>But not the stormers only: the rest of the Regiment were -pouring into the ditch. George Simmons finding ladders -reared against the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">fausse-braye</i> (for the Portuguese by this -time had found their way to the ditch) mounted it with -many others, fancying it to be the breach; but discovering his -mistake, slid down the other side and mounted the breach. -As he was ascending the ladders, Uniacke of the 1st Battalion -accosted him. ‘This is the way.’ ‘Impossible,’ replied -Simmons, ‘here are the ladders.’ Uniacke left him, turned to -the left, and just as he reached the rampart an expense -magazine exploded, and blew him and many others up.<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a></p> - -<p>Then was there furious fighting at this breach; but it -was soon won. The men, true to Craufurd’s orders, cleared -the ramparts, and within an hour the place was in our hands. -Then began that furious tumult, and that loosening of all the -bands of discipline which mark the sack of a place captured by -assault. The town was set on fire, but by the exertions of -Barnard, Cameron and others it was extinguished. Barnard -and Cameron with some of their officers seized broken gun-barrels, -of which many French ones were found, and by -force and even blows compelled the men to refrain from -brutality and madness. By one o’clock in the morning -Barnard had got the Regiment together and formed them on -the ramparts, where, kindling fires, they lay down and slept -soundly after this din of arms.</p> - -<p>And many slept to wake no more. Captain Uniacke, as -I have said, was blown up on reaching the rampart; his arm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> -was torn from the socket, and he was fearfully scorched. He -was carried to Gallegos, where he died a few hours after, surrounded -by the men of his company, by whom he was -beloved.’ ‘Though young in years,’ says Costello, who -served in his company, ‘he was gallant, daring, and just to all -whom he commanded. His affability and personal courage -had rendered him the idol of the men of his company.’ -Fairfoot, who was Pay-sergeant of his company, was resolved -that he should be buried in consecrated ground; but he found -an obstacle in the prejudices of the clergy, who considered -him a heretic. However, Fairfoot (with pardonable equivocation) -assured the priests that his Captain was an Irishman, -which to the Spanish priests implied that he was a Catholic. -Their scruples gave way; ‘and I chose,’ said Fairfoot afterwards, -‘the finest tree in the church-yard of Gallegos.’ At its -foot he was laid; the whole of his company attending, under -the command of Thomas Smith, his subaltern. Lieutenants -John Cox and Hamilton, of the 1st Battalion, were also -severely wounded, 1 Rifleman was killed, 1 sergeant and 15 -rank and file wounded; in the 2nd Battalion, Captain Mitchell, -and Lieutenants Bedell and M’Gregor were wounded, the -two former severely; 8 rank and file were killed, and 22 -wounded;<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a> and 2 sergeants and 7 rank and file of the 3rd -Battalion were wounded.</p> - -<p>Besides these losses in the Regiment they had to regret -the loss of their leader in so many glorious fields, Major-General -Robert Craufurd, who, soon after starting them from the San -Francisco Convent with the inspiriting words, ‘Now, lads, for -the breach,’ was struck down mortally wounded, and died on -the 24th. He was buried with military honours at the foot -of the breach his Division had so gallantly carried, borne to -the grave by four Sergeant-Majors of his Division, and followed -by Lord Wellington, his Staff, and the officers of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -Division. Though not of the Regiment, he had led them in -so many a glorious field that he seemed to be of them. At -Buenos Ayres, in the retreat to Corunna, and now in Portugal -and Spain, he had been their Brigadier or divisional General. -At first dreaded and disliked for his strict rules of discipline -and for his unswerving punishment of all breaches of them, -he had come to be beloved by men and officers, who saw to -what a pitch of excellence that code and that enforcement of -it had brought the Division he commanded, making it the -admiration or the envy of the whole army; who recognised -that if he was exacting, he always was just; who felt that he -cared for their wants or their comfort; and who knew that he -always led them bravely, always to conquer.</p> - -<p>I am not writing a memoir of General Craufurd; yet two -anecdotes connected specially with the Regiment I may here -record.</p> - -<p>On one occasion he was riding in front of the lines when -two Riflemen rushed out of a house, pursued by a Spanish -woman calling out <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">‘Ladrone! ladrone!’</i> They had stolen -bread. Craufurd with his orderly immediately pursued them, -the guard was turned out, and they were made prisoners. -The next day they were tried by a brigade Court-Martial, -found guilty, and sentenced to a punishment of a hundred-and-fifty -lashes. One, a Corporal Miles, was of course to be -reduced to the ranks. They were brought out to a wood to -be punished. As soon as the Brigade Major had read the -proceedings, Craufurd addressed the men on their cruelty to -the Spaniards. Then, turning to the Regiment, he upbraided -them in no measured terms: ‘You think that because you -are Riflemen, and more exposed to the enemy’s fire than -other troops, you may rob the inhabitants with impunity; -but while I command you, you shall not.’ Then addressing -Corporal Miles, he said in a stern voice, ‘Strip, sir.’</p> - -<p>When Miles was tied up to a tree to receive his punishment, -he turned his head and said: ‘General Craufurd, I -hope you will forgive me.’ Craufurd answered: ‘No; your -crime is too great.’</p> - -<p>On this Corporal Miles, in a quiet and most respectful -voice and manner, addressed the General: ‘Do you remember, -sir, when you and I were taken prisoners, when under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -command of General Whitelocke at Buenos Ayres? We were -marched prisoners to a sort of pound, surrounded with a wall. -There was a well in the centre, from which I drew water in -my mess-tin, by means of canteen-straps which I collected -from the men who were prisoners like myself. You sat on -my knapsack; and I parted my last biscuit with you. You -then told me that you would never forget my kindness to -you. It is now in your power, sir. You know how short of -rations we have been for some time.’</p> - -<p>These simple words, and the soldier’s respectful manner, -affected not only Craufurd but every man in the square. -Meanwhile the Bugle-Major gave the fatal nod, and Miles -received a lash. But before a second fell, Craufurd called -out: ‘What’s that? who taught that bugler to flog? send -him to drill; he cannot flog. Stop, stop, take him down; I -remember it well; I remember it well!’ Then he paced up -and down the square, evidently much moved. In a dead -silence Miles was untied; and at last the General said to him: -‘Why does a brave soldier like you commit these crimes?’ -and calling his orderly, he mounted, and rode off without a -word more. The other man was pardoned, and Miles had -his corporal’s stripes restored in a few days.</p> - -<p>On one occasion during Moore’s retreat, Lieutenant -Thomas Smith, then a very young officer who had but lately -joined, was accompanying ammunition which was in charge of -a Quartermaster (Ross). On their arrival at Craufurd’s head-quarters, -the wily Quartermaster advised Smith to go and -report their arrival to the General. The other demurred; -saying that he was not in charge of the ammunition, but only -accompanying it. However, the Quartermaster urged him, -reminding him that he must be hungry; they had not, in fact, -tasted food for twenty-four hours; and that the General -would probably ask him to dinner. Thus counselled by his -senior and impelled by his hunger, he presented himself at -the General’s quarter and saw his Aide-de-Camp, who going -upstairs returned with an order to proceed at once a further -march of some three leagues. Smith returned to the Quartermaster -with this woful order, adding that as he was in charge -of it, he might remain with it, for that he should go on and -overtake his Battalion. The Quartermaster declared he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -should do no such thing; and after a sharp argument they -both started and joined the Battalion. In the morning as -Smith was sitting down to breakfast, an order came from -Craufurd, who had come up, that he and the Quartermaster -should attend him. On being ushered into the General’s -presence they found him warming himself before a comfortable -brazier, while breakfast stood on the table. In a voice -of great severity he asked which of the two had received his -order the night before.</p> - -<p>‘I did, sir,’ said Smith, ‘but’—</p> - -<p>‘No <em>but</em>, sir,’ interrupted Craufurd; ‘consider yourself -under arrest; and,’ adding a tremendous oath, ‘I will smash -you.’</p> - -<p>Poor Smith—for Craufurd would not hear a word more—returned -in dismay to his brother officers, whom he found at -breakfast; but hungry as he was and pressed by them to be -of good heart, food had now no charms for him.</p> - -<p>Eventually Beckwith represented to Craufurd that the -offender was but a boy just joined; and his pleadings, -coupled perhaps with the fact that they were just going to -fight, when every available officer would be wanted, induced -Craufurd, contrary to his wont, to relax his severity and -to release Smith from his arrest.</p> - -<p>Long afterwards as Craufurd was standing talking with -the officers of the Battalion, round a camp fire, he turned to -him.</p> - -<p>‘Smith,’ said he, ‘did I not once put you under arrest?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, sir, you did.’</p> - -<p>‘And do you know,’ he continued, ‘what became of the -ammunition? I found it steadily going towards the French -lines, and had but just time to put spurs to my horse and to -turn it back. So that through your default I had nearly lost -my ammunition.’<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a></p> - -<p>On the 20th the Regiment marched back to its cantonments. -Nothing could exceed the extraordinary appearance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -it presented. The men were dressed in every possible -variety of costume which they had found in the houses. -Some wore French uniforms, some breeches and jack-boots, -some cocked hats; many had pieces of salt beef, hams and -any provisions they could lay hands on stuck on their swords -fixed to their rifles. In fact so strange was their appearance -that Lord Wellington, who saw them on their march, asked -‘What regiment that could be.’</p> - -<p>One of the Riflemen, a day or two after, playing the -game of ‘nine-holes’ with what he fancied to be a cannon-ball -brought from the place, was blown to pieces. It proved to -be a live shell, which passing over some hot ashes, exploded -just as he had it between his legs.</p> - -<p>The Regiment soon after the fall of Rodrigo moved to -Ituera. And while here a military execution took place of -some deserters of the Light Division who had been found in -the place. They had been tried by a Court-Martial, of which -General Sir James Kempt was president, and were shot in the -presence of the whole Division. Two of them were Riflemen; -one was in the highland company, which was then kept up in -the 3rd Battalion, of the name of M’Guinniss, a shoemaker -by trade. He had once been a man of good character, but -had been led away by another, named Hudson, of Uniacke’s -company.</p> - -<p>To conclude this painful subject I will add here that a -month later when the Regiment was at Castello de Vide -another man of the 1st Battalion was shot for desertion. His -name was Arnal, and he was, or had been, a Corporal. When -Ciudad Rodrigo was taken he in some way escaped and -endeavoured to join the French troops at Salamanca; but in -crossing the country he fell in with some Spanish soldiers, -who made him prisoner and marched him back to the -Regiment. He had been a man of good character, and it was -hoped that this might have weighed in his favour; but discipline -had to be vindicated, and so great a crime as desertion to -the enemy could not be condoned. This man met his -death with amazing firmness; settling his accounts with the -Pay-sergeant of his company, and distributing his balance -among his comrades the night before his death. When -brought out to execution he refused to have his eyes bound,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -saying to the Provost Sergeant: ‘There is no occasion; I -shall not flinch;’ nor did he.</p> - -<p>On February 14 the Regiment marched to Portalegre, on -the 15th to Arronches, and on the 17th to Elvas.</p> - -<p>On March 17 the Regiment marched out of Elvas, the -band playing ‘St. Patrick’s Day,’ to take up their position -before Badajos, and after dusk began to break ground. A -very heavy rain came on, and the weather continued very -broken during the whole time of the siege operations. The -ground to be occupied being extensive, and the force employed -comparatively small, the men were required to be in the -trenches six hours by day, and as many in the night; and -this amount of time, with the addition of the marches to and -from their camp, and the continued inclemency of the -weather, made the period of the siege one of unusual hardship -to the men and officers of the Regiment.</p> - -<p>On the 19th the enemy made a sortie with about 1,500 -infantry and some cavalry at the moment when the relief -of the working parties in the trenches was taking place. -The weather being, as usual, dull, and a drizzling rain falling, -these troops got very close before they were perceived; and -their cavalry, being mistaken for Portuguese, made their way -through the camp of the Light Division. The men flew to -their arms, and the sortie was repulsed; but the enemy -succeeded in carrying off intrenching tools from the Engineers’ -camp, and in injuring the works of the approaches. In this -sortie Lieutenant Freer, of the 1st Battalion, was wounded.</p> - -<p>On the 22nd, the enemy having brought some field-guns -out of San Cristobal, and placed them in position enfilading -the trenches, some Riflemen were ordered out, to get as -near the Guadiana as possible, and to fire across the river, -and shoot their gunners. This they did so effectually that -the guns were soon withdrawn, many of the men working -them being killed or wounded.</p> - -<p>On the 26th Fort Picurina was attacked and carried a -little after dark; and a party of Riflemen, taken from the -working party, was ordered to carry the ladders. Lieutenant -Stokes, then of the 3rd Battalion, who was in command of this -party, was the first man in the fort; and it was owing to -these men (with others of the Light Division) that, according<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -to Napier, the capture of the place was effected. They were -provided with axes, and broke down the palisades and gates -of the fort. It being evident that the enemy, as soon as they -knew the place was in our hands, would redouble their fire, the -working parties were urged by their officers to work hard to -cover themselves. The Riflemen did so; and so effectually, -that when at daybreak the enemy opened a furious fire of -shell and grape, the men had made such good cover that -they were comparatively uninjured.</p> - -<p>On April 4 George Simmons with a party was in -an advanced sap, and observing that some large guns of -the place were doing much injury to our artillery in an -advanced battery, he selected some of the best shots and -directed them to fire steadily into the embrasures. In half-an-hour -he found that the guns were not fired so regularly as -before; and soon gabions were brought and stuffed into the -embrasures. These were withdrawn when the guns were about -to be fired. The Riflemen took note of this, and the moment -the gabions were removed fired steadily into the embrasure. -Very soon the gabions began to be replaced without the guns -having been discharged. They were thus effectually silenced. -And from daylight till dark Simmons kept up this practice -with ‘forty as prime fellows as ever pulled trigger.’ A French -officer, probably a celebrated marksman, half hidden, lying on -the grass of the parapet, set up his cocked hat some way in -front of him to deceive our people, and to draw their fire. -Some soldiers by him handed him loaded muskets to enable -him to fire more rapidly. Simmons, leaning over the top of -the trench, got a good view of this man; he selected a good -shot, and being anxious that he should see the Frenchman, -desired him to lay his rifle over his shoulder and steady his -aim. The Rifleman fired; and nothing more was seen of the -Frenchman, whom, no doubt, he killed or wounded, though -the cocked hat remained in position until dark. But Simmons, -in his anxiety, had forgotten that the priming of the old -Baker rifle was close to his ear, which was much burnt and -the whole side of his head singed.</p> - -<p>Some of the best shots in the Regiment were selected -also to occupy pits which had been dug between our approaches -and the crest of the glacis, in order to pick off the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -gunners. This was most arduous and dangerous work; for -not only were the men exposed to a deadly fire in running -out to the pits, and in returning when relieved, but sometimes -a man was wounded or killed in the pit, and the relieving -Rifleman had to pull him or help him out before he could -shelter himself, all the time exposed to a murderous fire from -the place.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J105" id="J105"></a> -<a href="images/i_105fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_105fp.jpg" width="400" alt="" /></a> -<p class="right padr10pc fs60">E. Weller, <em>Litho.</em></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London, Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs120 lsp2 smcap">Assault</span><br /> -<span class="fs80">of</span><br /> -<span class="fs150 lsp2">BADAJOS</span><br /> -6<sup>TH</sup> <span class="smcap">April</span>, 1812. -</div> -</div> - -<p>The breaches being reported practicable on the 6th, the -assault was ordered to take place on that evening. It is -needless, after Napier’s magnificent description of this combat, -to do more than specify what part the Regiment took in -it. The Light Division, under the command of Barnard, -formed at about eight o’clock in close column of companies, -left in front, about 300 yards from the ditch. They were -detailed to attack the breach in the Santa Maria bastion. -Four companies (the left wing) of the 1st Battalion, -under Major Cameron, were in front, with orders to extend -to the left on reaching the covered way, in order (as at -Ciudad Rodrigo) to keep down the fire from the ramparts. -Next came six volunteers of that Battalion, under Lieutenant -William Johnston, provided with ropes, to endeavour to pull -the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chevaux-de-frise</i>, with which it was known the garrison -had defended the breaches, out of their place. Then followed -the forlorn hope;<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> and then the storming party, consisting -of 100 men from each regiment of the Division. The -officers of the Regiment with this party were Captains -Crampton of the 1st Battalion; Hart of the 2nd; and Diggle -of the 3rd; and Lieutenants Bedell, Manners, Coxen, and -M’Gregor, of the 2nd Battalion. The rest of the Division -followed. So noiselessly did Cameron’s four companies advance, -and so accurately had he reconnoitred the ground, that -he reached the place indicated for the head of his column, -and extended along the covered way to his left, without being -perceived by the garrison. Every man as he got into his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -place, silently lay down, placing the muzzle of his rifle through -the palisades, and at the edge of the ditch. The men could -see the heads of the troops lining the rampart; for the night -was clear, though a sort of haze rising from the ground and -the dark dress of the Riflemen enabled them to get into position -unperceived. Yet a French sentry challenged twice; -and his ‘<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">qui vive</i>’ being unanswered, he fired, and drums -were heard, beating to arms. Yet Cameron reserved his fire -for about ten minutes, till the forlorn hope coming up, he -began while the heads of the troops lining the rampart could -still be seen immovable. Then began from the place that -murderous and unceasing fire of grape, shell, and musketry -which has been compared by more than one of those who -saw it, to the central fires of the earth, or even hell itself, -vomiting forth their fury. Surtees, who as Quartermaster of -the 3rd Battalion and a non-combatant (though he wished to -be in the fray and was hardly restrained) witnessed it from -the quarries, between the Picurina and the Pardeleras, says -that it was so bright and so incessant that he could plainly -see the faces of the defenders, though nearly a mile off. Yet -Johnston with his volunteers, the forlorn hope and the stormers -advanced, slid down the ladders or leaped into the ditch. -The rest of the Division followed, tore up the palisades and -ran up the glacis. There Captain Charles Gray was shot in -the mouth, and many officers and men fell. Yet all pressed -on; even the firing party in the covered way, carried away by -frenzy, seeing their comrades fall, and their aim baffled by -the smoke, leaped into the ditch, and passing, how they could, -the drain cut in it and filled with water, in which not a few -were drowned, they surged like the wave of a raging sea up -the breach. But as the wave is repelled from the rock, so -were they checked by the insuperable obstacles; the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chevaux-de-frise</i> -of sword-blades fixed in beams; the murderous fire -from behind the wall of sand-bags; the planks studded with -nails and fixed at the upper end; the shells, powder-barrels, -grenades and even cart-wheels, which were hurled down upon -them. Again and again as one wave fell or melted away -under that slaughtering shower, another took its place. -O’Hare fell in the breach, shot through the breast with two -or three musket balls. His sergeant, Fleming, who had stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -by him in many a bloody field, fell at his side. Many officers -of the Regiment and many valiant Riflemen lay dead or -wounded, or pressed down by those who were so, in that heap -which extended from the top of the breach to the counterscarp. -At last, after two hours of this murderous work, -Lord Wellington gave orders for the Light Division to draw -off. Still the intrepid Barnard, who had more than once -himself ascended the breach, was unwilling to give way; and -it was not till after renewed attempts had been made, and till -he saw all hopeless, that he gave the order for his Division to -withdraw. Even then in that deafening turmoil the order -was imperfectly heard; and many officers were keeping their -men from retiring. At last, however, almost all that lived -and could move came away, and the remnant of the Regiment -was formed a little distance from the place between midnight -and one o’clock. Here Surtees found them, having posted -off as soon as he knew (for he was near Lord Wellington -when Picton’s hurried note was brought to him) that the 3rd -Division had stormed, and was in possession of, the Castle. -He was scarcely believed; so incredible did it seem to the -assailants of these impregnable breaches, that any troops -could have entered the place. The men and the officers -were lying down, in gloomy sullenness, after their terrible conflict. -A staff officer brought word, ‘Lord Wellington desires -the Light Division to return immediately and attack the -breach.’ The men leaped up, resumed their formation, and -advanced as cheerfully and as steadily as if it had been the -first attack. Proceeding past, and often over, their fallen -comrades, they again mounted the breach; but now the defenders -having been called away, the resistance was slight, and -they soon established themselves on the ramparts. Then -Cameron formed his Regiment there; and told them that -when all danger from the enemy was over, he would let them -fall out; but that, until then, if a man left the ranks he would -have him put to death on the spot. They remained under -arms and perfectly steady till between nine and ten next -morning; when, as the whole garrison were prisoners and -being marched out, he dismissed them, and they joined in -that madness of intemperance, rapine and lust, on which it is -more agreeable to their historian to draw a veil.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> - -<p>Great were the losses of the Regiment. Twenty-three -officers and 292 non-commissioned officers and Riflemen fell, -killed and wounded in that fatal night.</p> - -<p>In the 1st Battalion (eight companies), Major O’Hare and -Lieutenant Stokes, 3 sergeants, and 24 rank and file were killed; -Captains Crampton, Balvaird, Charles Gray, and M’Dermid, -Lieutenants William Johnston, Gardiner, McPherson (who -died of his wounds), Forster, and FitzMaurice, 15 sergeants, -3 buglers, and 136 rank and file were wounded. In the -2nd Battalion (two companies), Captain Diggle, 1 sergeant -and 20 rank and file were killed; Lieutenants Bedell and -Manners, 3 sergeants, and 31 rank and file were wounded. -In the 3rd Battalion (five companies), Lieutenants Hovenden, -Cary, Allix, and Croudace, and 9 rank and file were killed; -and Lieutenants Macdonell (who died of his wounds), Worsley, -Duncan Stewart, Farmer, and volunteer Lawson,<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> 2 sergeants, -and 45 rank and file were wounded.</p> - -<p>Well may Sir William Napier sum up his glowing description -of the assault with this stirring appeal: ‘Who shall measure -out the glory of ... O’Hare, of the ninety-fifth, who -perished on the breach at the head of the stormers, and with -him nearly all the volunteers for that desperate service? Who -shall describe ... the martial fury of that desperate -soldier of the ninety-fifth who, in his resolution to win, thrust -himself beneath the chained sword-blades, and there suffered -the enemy to dash his head to pieces with the ends of their -muskets?’<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a></p> - -<p>O’Hare, a gallant soldier, beloved by his men, had a foreboding -of his death. As the stormers assembled, he observed, -in conversation to Captain Jones of the 52nd, that ‘he thought -that night would be his last.’ To George Simmons, with -whom he shook hands as the stormers were moving off, his -last words were: ‘A Lieutenant-Colonel or cold meat in a -few hours.’ He was found the next morning by Simmons on -the breach, naked. Cary was found by Surtees next day -under one of the ladders, shot through the head. He had, no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> -doubt, been wounded in ascending it, and fallen from it. He -also was stripped. He still breathed; and Surtees pressed -some of the soldiers about the place to carry him to the -camp. They were so drunk that they let him fall; but he -was past all feeling, and died soon after he was laid in his -tent. Croudace also was brought out alive, but died almost -immediately. Of the wounded officers, McPherson died a -few days after. He was a man of herculean stature, and -great bravery. ‘He had been true to man and true to his -God, and he looked his last hour in the face like a soldier -and a Christian.’<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a></p> - -<p>Macdonell died a few months after he received his wound.</p> - -<p>Some personal anecdotes of the storm may be given. -George Simmons, on going into the town, went into a -house, the Spanish owner of which told him that the French -Quartermaster-General had been billeted there. He showed -him the room he had occupied; and there he found on the -table a paper on which he had made a sketch of the two -breaches, showing the line by which our columns would probably -move to attack, and the spot where our ladders might -best be planted to avoid the fire from the place and the inundation -in the ditch. The owner of the house informed him -that the French officers had left it in great alarm, on being -informed of our attack. There were also a bottle of wine -and some glasses on the table; and, as Theodore Hook somewhere -observes, eating and drinking must go on, whatever -the vicissitudes of life, George Simmons sate down, ordered -some eggs and bacon to be fried, and drank the French -officers’ bottle of wine.</p> - -<p>Kincaid was acting Adjutant with Cameron’s four companies -who lined the glacis. When they were established -in the place, he went to post picquets in streets leading to -the ramparts. While so engaged, a Rifleman brought him a -French officer prisoner, who he said was the Governor. The -officer at once said that he was not; but that he had passed -himself off as such to ensure the soldier’s protection and -better treatment. He added that he was Colonel of a regiment -in the garrison; that his officers were all assembled in -a house near at hand, to which he would conduct Kincaid,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -and who would give themselves up as prisoners to anyone -who would ensure their safety. Taking a few men with him -to guard against surprise, Kincaid accompanied him, and -found fifteen or sixteen officers assembled, who professed -great astonishment at our being in possession of the town. -As in Simmons’ case refreshment was to be thought of; and -Kincaid and his prisoners discussed some cold meat, and -sundry bottles of wine which their chief placed upon the -table. At last Kincaid marched them off; and before parting -the French Colonel told him that he had two good horses -in the stable, of which he advised him to take possession. -This counsel was not lost on Kincaid, who thus became the -owner of a black mare, which carried him till the end of the -war. As he was making his way to the ramparts, many -French soldiers, who were skulking in out-of-the-way corners -to escape the fury of the British troops already in the town, -joined him. And marching at the head of this party, he was -very nearly fired on by a picquet of our men whom Barnard -was placing across a street, and who, seeing so many French -uniforms together, fancied it was a rallied party of the enemy. -Happily the challenge of the picquet, which owing to the -noise of his prisoners he had not heard, was repeated and -answered; and he handed over his prisoners to be marched -with others to Elvas.</p> - -<p>Surtees was occupied in a more benevolent work. Directly -the place was in our hands, he and Percival, who was in -command of the 3rd Battalion, set about finding and removing -the wounded of the Regiment. This was an arduous work; -for the wounded were numerous, and their claims for assistance -incessant. And Percival was lame, from his wound at -Sobral, and not well able to move about; yet they were -obliged to carry the wounded themselves; for of the soldiers -they called on to help them many were drunk; and even -those whose help they secured, soon went off to share in the -rapine of the town. Many are the heartrending details Surtees -relates; and many are the horrors he and all the Riflemen -who were present record of the plunder of the town. No doubt -the men were furious with the inhabitants, who had here -assisted the French, while at Rodrigo they had resisted them; -no doubt they were frenzied with the difficulty of the assault,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -and savage at the wholesale slaughter of their comrades. -These envenoming motives, added to the usual and (so to say) -admitted license in a town taken by storm, have made the sack -of Badajos one of exceptional violence. Yet all that men -could do to resist it was done. Barnard, commanding the -Division, opposed not only his commands but even his great -personal strength to the plunderers. He endeavoured to prevent -the men from entering the town; but they rushed past -him, and while striving to wrest a musket from a soldier of the -52nd, he fell and was very nearly thrown into the ditch. He -then, with others, went into the streets, and strove to check the -madness of his men; but in vain.</p> - -<p>Cameron, as I have said, got the men of the 1st Battalion -together after the assault and kept them formed on the -ramparts till between nine and ten; he then thanked them -for their conduct throughout. ‘And now, men,’ he added, -‘you may fall out and amuse yourselves; but I expect -you all to be in camp at tattoo to-night.’ It was a vain hope; -and it was two days before the absentees returned, and -discipline was restored.</p> - -<p>On the day after the assault two officers of the 1st -Battalion were talking over the events of the past night at -the door of a tent, when two ladies approached from Badajos, -and claimed their protection. They were evidently, from -their appearance and manner, of the upper class of Spanish -society. Both were handsome; and the younger, then about -fourteen, very beautiful. The elder, though still young, -addressed the Riflemen, and said that she was the wife of an -officer in the Spanish service, who was in a distant part of -Spain; that the young lady with her was her sister, who, -having just completed her education in a convent, had been -placed under her charge; that yesterday she had a comfortable -house and home; that now it was in the possession of -an infuriated and insane soldiery; that they had already suffered -violence, as their bleeding ears, from which the ear-rings -had been rudely torn, bore witness; and that to escape greater -violence and dishonour worse than death, they had fled; and -had resolved (however strange the step might seem) to throw -themselves upon the honour and the protection of the first -English officers they might meet. It need not be told that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -it was freely given, and chivalrously observed, and that they -were conveyed to a place of safety. Nor will it seem strange -to add that the acquaintance begun in so romantic a manner -ripened into a warmer feeling; and that within two years, the -younger of them, Donna Juana Maria de los Dolores de Leon, -became the wife of him who had saved her, Harry Smith, -then a Captain in the Regiment, and was long known in -English society as Lady Smith, the honoured wife of the -conqueror of Aliwal.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 356-7.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> MS. Record 1st Battalion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ vii. 82.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> Letter to Marshal Beresford: ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 372.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> MS. Journal.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> ‘Leach,’ 204-5.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> It is said to be more than 4,000 feet above the level of the sea.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ xiii. 609.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> ‘Despatches,’ vii. 445. He adds: ‘The 43rd Regiment particularly distinguished -themselves; as did part of the 95th Regiment under Major Gilmour.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> I am indebted for the particulars of this anecdote (which I had heard old -officers of the Regiment mention) to Mrs. Fitz-Maurice’s ‘Recollections of a -Rifleman’s Wife.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ vii. 515.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> This gallant repulse is mentioned by Lord Wellington: ‘Despatches,’ vii. 532.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> ‘Recollections of a Rifleman’s Wife.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> ‘Adventures of a Soldier,’ 82.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> Costello, 87.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> Costello, 93.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> Colonel Samuel Mitchell died June 3, 1833.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_109_109" id="Footnote_109_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_109"><span class="label">[109]</span></a> Just before the attack he had been twitted by a brother officer (Fitz-Maurice) -with having dressed himself in a new pelisse for such a night’s work. ‘Never -mind,’ he said, ‘I shall be the better worth taking.’ ‘Recollections of a Rifleman’s -Wife.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_110_110" id="Footnote_110_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110_110"><span class="label">[110]</span></a> The following nine non-commissioned officers of the 2nd Battalion volunteered -for the forlorn hope:</p> - - - -<div class="fs90"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl">Sergeant Bowley, wounded</td> <td class="tdl bl pad2">Sergeant Spencer</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad3">” <span class="pad1">Comerford,</span> ”</td> <td class="tdl bl pad4">” <span class="pad1">Tuite</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad3">” <span class="pad1">Derby, killed</span></td> <td class="tdl bl pad2">Corporal Larkins, wounded</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad3">” <span class="pad1">Ecke,</span> ”</td> <td class="tdl bl pad4">” <span class="pad1">Nesbitt,</span> ”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad3">” <span class="pad1">Fairfoot, - <a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> wounded</span> </td> <td class="bl"></td></tr> -</table></div> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_111_111" id="Footnote_111_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111_111"><span class="label">[111]</span></a> Afterwards Quartermaster.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_112_112" id="Footnote_112_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112_112"><span class="label">[112]</span></a> This anecdote, which I had often heard in the 1st Battalion, was related to -me with graphic distinctness by Colonel Smith. As may be imagined, his relation -differed somewhat from the story, which, passing through many mouths, I had -heard in the Battalion. It was strange to hear it from the lips of one of the -actors in it, when the other had slept more than sixty years in the breach at -Rodrigo.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_113_113" id="Footnote_113_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113_113"><span class="label">[113]</span></a> The following non-commissioned officers of the 2nd Battalion volunteered -for the forlorn hope:</p> - -<div class="fs90"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl">Sergeant Cairns</td> <td class="tdl bl pad2">Corporal Coward, wounded</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad3">” <span class="pad1">Fairfoot, wounded</span> </td> <td class="tdl bl pad4">” <span class="pad1">Derby, killed</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad3">” <span class="pad1">Kennedy,</span> ”</td> <td class="tdl bl pad4">” <span class="pad1">McCordell, wounded</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad3">” <span class="pad1">Taggart,</span> ”</td> <td class="tdl bl pad4">” <span class="pad1">Nesbitt.</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad3">” <span class="pad1">Tuite</span></td> <td class="bl"></td></tr> -</table></div> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_114_114" id="Footnote_114_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114_114"><span class="label">[114]</span></a> He was appointed to a second-lieutenancy in the Regiment May 9 following. -He left it in 1814, and died at Sligo, March 1874.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_115_115" id="Footnote_115_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115_115"><span class="label">[115]</span></a> Book xvi. chap. v. This incident is also mentioned by Kincaid. It is -to be regretted that the name of this heroic Rifleman has not been preserved.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_116_116" id="Footnote_116_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116_116"><span class="label">[116]</span></a> Kincaid, ‘Random Shots,’ p. 288.</p></div> -</div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">Soon after the capture of Badajos the command of the -Light Division was given to Baron Charles Alten, and the -two Brigades of which it consisted were commanded, one by -Barnard, and afterwards by Sir James Kempt, and the other -by General Vandeleur. On Craufurd’s death and Vandeleur’s -wound at Ciudad Rodrigo, the command of the Division had -devolved on Barnard. How well he handled it, and how -gallantly he led it at Badajos, has already been recorded.</p> - -<p>I may here note that Barnard, who had hitherto commanded -the 3rd Battalion, soon after this period was transferred -to the command of the 1st Battalion, in Beckwith’s -place, who had, as already noted, gone home on account of -his health, and did not again return to the Peninsula. He -was one of the original officers of the Regiment, and a most -excellent Rifleman. In here parting from him as a regimental -officer, I may add Kincaid’s testimony to his merits. -‘He was,’ he says, ‘one of the ablest of outpost generals. -Few officers knew so well how to make the most of a small -force. His courage, coupled with his thorough knowledge of -the soldier’s character, was of that cool, intrepid kind, that -would at any time convert a routed rabble into an orderly, -effective force. A better officer probably never led a -brigade into the field.’<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a></p> - -<p>On April 11, the Regiment broke up from the camp -before Badajos and marched to the north. Before doing so -the men were ordered to give up the articles which they had -plundered in Badajos; and to prevent their secreting any of -them, their packs were examined. Whatever was found was -collected in heaps and burned. But for two or three days<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -before, the men had been selling what they had taken; crowds -of country people thronged the camp to purchase; and it -presented almost the appearance of a fair. On the 11th, -however, the Regiment marched to Campo Major. On the -next day they proceeded to Arronches and bivouacked in a -wood. The 13th they marched to Portalegre, and on the 14th -to Niza. On the next day they crossed the Tagus at Villa -Velha, the 1st Battalion being in Monte de Senhora and -the 3rd Battalion at Sernadas. On the 16th the Regiment -marched to Castello Branco. Here they halted one day -to allow the supplies to come up and to rest the troops, and -the day following moved to As Caldas de Cima and Loisa. -Here they came very close to the rear-guard of the French; -and as they were informed by the peasants at S. Miguel -d’Arch, which they reached on the 20th, that the enemy -were in force, they moved with great caution to Penamacor -on the 21st, San Bartolomeo on the 22nd, and passing through -Sabugal on the 23rd, bivouacked near Alfayate. The British -force on the north of the Tagus being as yet small, and the -enemy falling back in force, their march had to be conducted -with great caution.</p> - -<p>On the 24th they proceeded to Ituera, where they -halted for two days, and from thence the Regiment occupied -cantonments on the Agueda; the 1st Battalion being between -Ituera and Castellejo de Azarva; and the 3rd Battalion at -La Encina. Here every exertion was made to get the Regiment -equipped for taking the field; the clothing was repaired, -and shoes provided; and everything was done that -could be done to turn the men out in good order for a summer -campaign. Nevertheless, when the Regiment was reviewed -by Lord Wellington on May 27 between Guinaldo -and El Bodon, the clothing of the Riflemen was patched -with pieces of many colours, and the dress of many of the -officers was little better. But Lord Wellington, whose soldier’s -eye measured not the spic-and-span appearance, but the -endurance and daring of the men, told them that they ‘looked -well and in good fighting order.’</p> - -<p>On June 6 the 1st Battalion moved to El Bodon, and on -the 11th the whole Regiment left their cantonments on the -Agueda, and bivouacked in a wood near Ciudad Rodrigo;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -on the 13th, moving on Salamanca, they advanced to Alba de -Yeltes; on the 14th to Sancho Bueno; and on the 15th to -Matilla. On the next day they marched to within about -five miles of Salamanca; and having crossed the Rio Valmusa, -bivouacked near some low hills extending from that -stream to the city. On the 17th they moved towards Salamanca; -but the enemy having constructed forts which commanded -the bridge over the Tormes, they were obliged to -cross by a deepish ford about a mile further up the river, -and bivouacked in a wood on the plain a little way from the -ford.</p> - -<p>On the 18th the Regiment moved from this bivouac to -Aldea Seca, about a league and a half from Salamanca; and -the enemy fell back after skirmishing with our cavalry.</p> - -<p>On the following day the Regiment was suddenly called -to arms, the enemy having appeared in force in front of the -position; but no fighting took place, and the Regiment -moved from the plain and occupied Monte Rubio.</p> - -<p>Here they remained some days. And one evening about -this time stormers were called for from the Light Division -to lead the assault on San Vincente, the strongest of the -three forts constructed by the French near Salamanca. Two -men per company, the first for duty, were selected for this -service; but after being marched down to the fort, they were -countermanded. An assault had been attempted, and had -failed on the 23rd, and on the 27th the forts surrendered. -On the fall of the forts, the enemy fell back; and the Regiment -made a forward movement, and marched to Castillonos. -On the 29th they bivouacked at Prada de Rubiales; on the -next day at Castrillo d’Aquarino; and on July 1, marching -through Alejos, they were billeted in the town of Nava del -Rey, where the beds in their billets were the first they had -occupied for a very long time. On the 2nd they moved -forward to Rueda. A pretty strong force of the enemy, of -all arms, was evacuating Rueda as the Regiment entered it. -This was in fact the rear-guard, which was to hold us in -check till his column could file over the bridge, across the -Douro, at Tordesillas. But our cavalry and Horse Artillery -coming up, the latter fired some shrapnells, which did -much execution, and the cavalry had a slight affair with them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -Our Regiment also sent out some skirmishers, who made a -few prisoners, amongst them a Sergeant-Major of hussars, -whose abject terror, even to tears, excited the surprise of -those who saw him. Yet this man must have been a good -and probably a brave soldier; for his exchange for one of -our sergeants in their hands, was asked for by a flag of truce, -on the ground that he was about to become adjutant of his -corps. He was accordingly exchanged a few days afterwards.</p> - -<p>All the march hitherto from the frontier of Portugal to -this place had been through an open country, devoid of trees, -abounding indeed with corn, and near the rivers with vines; -but with little water except in the great rivers, which were -far apart. The men had therefore suffered much, marching -under the full blaze of a Peninsular mid-summer sun. Their -occupation of the town of Rueda, and the delicious coolness -of its great wine-vaults, excavated in the sides of the hills, -were a great refreshment. Unhappily the wine these vaults -contained was as great a temptation, to which many yielded. -So had their enemies, who had preceded them; for many of -their bodies were found in the cellars: some hideously mutilated -by the Spaniards.</p> - -<p>The Regiment remained here for a fortnight; the only -movement in that time being that they were on July 3 moved -opposite to Tordesillas, on the left bank of the Douro, the -enemy being massed in large force on the opposite bank. -This movement was probably a feint, and they returned to -their cantonments at Rueda.</p> - -<p>On July 16 the Regiment marched from Rueda about nine -in the evening and halted next day near Castrejon. On the -evening of the 17th Kincaid had a picquet in front of the -Division. Soon after sunrise a smart cannonade began -behind a hill to the right of the picquet. In fact Marmont -had recrossed the Douro at Tordesillas, and was making an -attack on our position at Castrejon. While the picquet, -alert at the sound of cannon, were earnestly watching the -ground in front of them, no enemy being visible, a terrific -turmoil suddenly arose behind some rising ground on their -left. Uncertain whence this noise might proceed, Kincaid at -once placed his picquet behind a deep ditch about a hundred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -yards in his rear. He had scarcely done so when a confused -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mêlée</i> of horsemen dashed over the hill: two squadrons of our -cavalry, two guns of Horse Artillery, and a strong body of -the enemy’s cavalry, all cutting at each other; and among -the rush Lord Wellington, Lord Beresford, General Bock, and -their Staffs. These and the two guns took shelter behind our -picquet, who could not fire, for friends and foes were mixed -up in an inextricable tangle. The cavalry swept past the -front of the picquet; but finding a reserve squadron of -heavy dragoons, they returned again at a gallop, the French -now flying before those they had lately pursued.</p> - -<p>Some companies of the Regiment were thrown out as -skirmishers to support the 14th Light Dragoons. One of -these brought in a French prisoner, badly wounded, who in -conversation with Lieutenant Gardiner, who was a proficient -in French, was vehement in asserting that he would not have -been taken, had he had a better horse. On this being repeated -to his captor, he said to Gardiner: ‘Then, sir, tell him if he -had the best horse in France I would bring him prisoner if he -stood to fight me.’ The prisoner assured Gardiner that his -horse had not been unsaddled for a week; and the state of -his back, when the saddle was removed, too surely corroborated -his assertion.</p> - -<p>The army was now ordered to retire; and the country -being an open plain was very favourable for cavalry. The -British troops therefore were formed in quarter-distance -column ready to form square at any moment. The Regiment -marched in this way for upwards of ten miles, with all -the regularity and steadiness of a field-day; taking up distant -points to march on; and avoiding the villages in order not to -lose time in passing through them. For it was a race between -the two armies to gain some high land beyond the Guareña. -And the French moved on our right during the whole day; -often coming within 500 yards of our flank. Occasionally -the enemy opened a cannonade; but on the whole this -day’s march was effected without fighting. The men, oppressed -by the heat, and suffocated by the clouds of dust -which arose from the sandy plain, were tormented with thirst. -But there was no time to halt, nor water at hand to quench it. -At last, arriving at the edge of this table-land, they looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> -down into the vale of the Guareña, and the Riflemen hurried -their pace to reach the water. The French instantly unlimbered -their guns on the height above and sent some round -shot among them. But our men drank of the muddy stream -as they passed through it, and suffered little from the cannonade; -and they bivouacked on the high ground beyond -the river.</p> - -<p>During the early part of the 19th the Regiment continued -at rest on the ground of their bivouack; but in the afternoon -(with the rest of the Division) they were suddenly called to -arms, and commenced a movement to the right, in order to -defeat Marmont’s plan of interrupting our communications -with Salamanca. During this march the enemy cannonaded -sharply, and one shot knocked off the head of a Rifleman, -who had but just joined. When night put a stop to the -march and the firing, the Regiment lay by their arms, close -to the enemy’s columns. On the morning of the 20th no -enemy was to be seen; as Marmont had moved forward to -turn Lord Wellington’s right flank; and some intervening -ground hid his troops from the Riflemen; they were put in -motion and soon came in sight and in close proximity to -them. Thus they marched as they had done on the two preceding -days with all the regularity of a barrack-square drill, -parallel to the enemy, and close to him. There was a short -halt in the afternoon to refresh the men: for the heat was -sultry, and the dust suffocating. With this exception they -continued to march till a late hour in the evening.</p> - -<p>On the 21st they again started at dawn, and continued -to march as before till about two o’clock, when they halted near -the village of Villa Moresco. A little before dark they were -again in motion; and they forded the Tormes about two -miles above Salamanca. The river here was very deep, and -the men were nearly up to their shoulders. Hardly had they -got across when rain began to fall in torrents; the night -grew suddenly dark; the lightning flashed with unusual vividness, -and played on the men’s arms; and the thunder crashed -so close and so loud, that scared horses broke from their -picquet-ropes, and rushed into the ranks of the enemy. In -this turmoil the Riflemen groped their way through the -murky night, up to their knees in mud, to their bivouack in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -field not far from the Tormes; where they lay by their arms, -without any shelter from the rain which fell heavily and incessantly -during the whole night.</p> - -<p>On the 22nd occurred the Battle of Salamanca, the only -one of Wellington’s great victories in which the Regiment did -not bear a prominent part. They were under arms at daylight -and occupied a position on the extreme left of the -British position; and during the greater part of the day the -only duty they were called upon to perform was to keep -the French right in check. But about five o’clock, after Lord -Wellington had taken advantage of his enemy’s blunder and -driven him from the field, the Regiment was ordered to -advance in pursuit. They did so, and continued to press on -the rear of the retreating foe till about eleven at night, when -they halted near the village of Huerta. Had there been a -few hours more daylight, or had the Spaniards held, as Don -Carlos de España was directed to do, Alba de Tormes, -Marmont’s whole army must have fallen into our hands. -In this action the losses of the Regiment were inconsiderable; -being 2 men of the 1st Battalion wounded, and 2 missing; -and a sergeant and 4 men of the 2nd Battalion wounded.</p> - -<p>During the pursuit on this evening a partridge was -started, and ran between the line of the retreating and pursuing -forces. George Simmons caught it, and committing it -to his havresack, found it an agreeable addition to his supper -at Huerta.</p> - -<p>On the first streak of daylight on the 23rd the Regiment -was again in pursuit; and fording the Tormes, came up with -the French rear-guard of cavalry and infantry, commanded -by General Foy. The infantry immediately formed three -squares, which their cavalry covered; but these flying on the -advance of General Bock’s German cavalry, and leaving the -squares unprotected and unprepared, the Germans dashed -into two of them, and, not without terrible loss, broke them -and cut them up. The third square being at an elbow of -roads leading to high ground, retired in good order. The -Regiment was ordered to advance; but the enemy’s rear-guard -having been thus disposed of by Bock’s Germans, -their only office was to follow in pursuit; and soon after they -found the rear-guard, consisting of the three arms, posted on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> -some high ground near a village. Lord Wellington, who -then happened to be with the Regiment, gave immediate orders -for an attack; but on their advance the French broke up and -melted away before they reached them.</p> - -<p>On the 24th the Regiment moved to Flores d’Avila, passing -on the way through Penaranda. After halting during the 25th -to refresh the men, as this march had been extremely hot and -fatiguing, they proceeded on the 26th to Aldea Seca; on the -27th to Montejo Viejo; on the 28th to Pedrajo de Portellio; -and on the 29th to Olmedo. A little beyond this place was -buried the body of General Ferey, who had died at Olmedo -on this retreat, of wounds received at Salamanca. This was -the same man who had attacked the 1st Battalion at -Barba del Puerco in March 1810. He had been interred -apparently with honour, and a canopy of laurel had been -erected over his grave. But the Spaniards, as soon as the -French were gone, had dug up his body, and mutilated it, -severing his head—noble and soldierlike even in death—from -it. But his old foes of Barba del Puerco were more generous. -They re-interred his remains, replaced the canopy of laurel -which had covered his grave, and exacted a promise from the -people of the place that they would respect the remains and -the tomb of the fallen warrior.</p> - -<p>On the 30th the Regiment forded the Douro and halted on -its right bank about six miles from Valladolid until August 1. -This halt on the bank of a large river where they could bathe -and have their clothes washed, was a great boon to men and -officers; for from July 16 they had been almost daily on the -march or in action.</p> - -<p>On August 1 they proceeded to Tudela del Douro; and -passing through Aldea Major, where they recrossed the Douro, -and Matta de Qualiaz, bivouacked on the 7th on the right -bank of the Penrone.</p> - -<p>Marching at daylight on the 8th and passing through -Carbonero, they bivouacked on the Eresma not far from -Yangues. On the 9th they marched by Madrona and -bivouacked at or near a hunting place of the kings of Spain, -El Palacio del Rio Frio. On the next day they marched to -near Otiro and Madrona-Segovia, not far from the city of -the latter name.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 11th they crossed the Guadarrama mountains, by -the Puerto de Guadarrama, and by an excellent winding road -leading over the Sierra and descending the southern slope, -and bivouacked in the Park of the Escurial.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had the Riflemen taken off their knapsacks when -two wild boars made their appearance; and scared at the -number and the noise of the men, dashed in among them and -knocked over several. But in a moment they had received -stabs or cuts from a hundred swords, and in a very few minutes -their carcases were cut up and distributed.</p> - -<p>On the 12th they halted; and on the 13th Lord Wellington -made his entry into Madrid, amidst the congratulations -and acclamations of its inhabitants of all ranks. On that day -the 1st Battalion marched to Rosas; and a day or two after -to Gatafe, about eight miles from the capital. Here, in or about -Madrid, the Regiment remained for more than two months.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>I have now to resume the account of the two companies -(Cadoux’s and Jenkins’) of the 2nd Battalion, which we left -at Cadiz. These embarked there and landed with Colonel -Skerrett at Huelvas. Thence advancing to San Lucar la -Major on August 24, and having driven the French corps of -observation from that place, they took post there. On the 26th -they marched to the heights of Castileja de la Cuesta, near -Seville, where they arrived on the morning of the 27th, about -six o’clock. They advanced to the bridge of Seville under a -heavy fire of grape and musketry, the two companies of the -2nd Battalion forming the advanced guard. Captain Cadoux, -who commanded the Riflemen, with great judgment made a -flank movement to the left; and the result was that the -enemy fled through the streets of Seville, which were strewn -with their dead and wounded. The conduct of this Detachment -of the Regiment is mentioned with praise by Colonel -Skerrett in his despatch.<a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a></p> - -<p>These companies subsequently effected a junction with the -force under General Hill, near Toledo, in October; and were -engaged in repelling the attack made by a large body of -troops under Soult on Sir Lowry Cole’s Division at the -Puente Larga, near Aranjuez, on October 29. This gallant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -defence of the bridge fell entirely on the 47th Regiment and -our two companies; and their loss in it was 1 sergeant and -2 rank and file killed; and Lieutenant Budgen and 8 rank -and file wounded.</p> - -<p>After these companies joined the army under Lord Wellington, -the 2nd Battalion in the Peninsula consisted of six -companies.</p> - -<p>On October 21 the 1st Battalion marched to Rivas, and -on the 22nd to Villa Coaxa. And as a large force of the enemy -was approaching, at four o’clock on the morning of the 23rd, -the Regiment was ordered to form on its alarm post, and -marched to the city of Alcalá de Henares. On the 27th it -proceeded to Arganda; but assembling at dark, marched back -during the night to Alcalá, which it reached at daylight; -and after resting in the streets made another march; and on -the 30th again moved to near Madrid and halted near the -Segovia gate. It was now determined to evacuate Madrid -and to retreat on Salamanca, as Soult’s army was approaching -in force. On the 31st, therefore, they left the neighbourhood -of Madrid to the great regret of its inhabitants; the men -showing by gloomy sullenness, and the women by contemptuous -sneers, their opinion of our leaving them to the -tender mercies of the French. The regret was shared by -officers and men of the Regiment, to whom the sojourn in the -capital was long one of the most pleasing recollections of -their Peninsular service. They halted, on November 2, in the -park of the Escurial, and on the 3rd recrossed the Sierra de -Guadarrama and bivouacked near Villa Castin. Here General -Hill took the command of the retreating army, Lord -Wellington being engaged on the siege of Burgos. On the -4th they bivouacked near Lanza, and on the 5th marched to -near Fuente de Baños. The next day they fell back to the -heights between Flores de Avila and Penaranda. On the -7th the Regiment bivouacked about a league from Alba de -Tormes, and next day crossing the river at the bridge of Alba, -bivouacked in a wood. During this portion of the retreat -their march had been without any circumstances of note; and -the advanced guard of the French had not come up with them. -The weather however broke up, and rain set in, and continued -during the remainder of the retreat, with great violence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> - -<p>At this time the portion of the army which had retreated -from Burgos on the unsuccessful attempts to storm it, effected -a junction with the troops falling back from Madrid, and -Lord Wellington resumed the command.</p> - -<p>On November 10 the Regiment moved into the city of -Salamanca, and was quartered in the Irish College. While -they remained here, on the evening of the 13th, about eight -o’clock, George Simmons, being orderly officer, was ascending -the stairs in order to see the men’s lights out. He met -Lieutenant Firman, of the 3rd Battalion, who was on the same -duty. As the stairs were extremely slippery, and the men -had torn out portions of the balustrade for fuel, he advised -Firman not to move further until he returned with a light. -He fetched one, and as he was ascending the stairs, he was -horrified at hearing a slip, and a crash below. Firman had -fallen a great depth, and Simmons found him with his skull -frightfully fractured and several ribs broken. He was immediately -removed to his billet, where, after continuing insensible -for two days, he died.</p> - -<p>On the 14th the Regiment left Salamanca, and crossing -the Tormes, took post on the heights near the Arapiles, and -occupied the ground of the great victory of July 22. It was -thought indeed that a second battle would be fought on the -same spot; but the enemy’s forces being greatly superior to -ours, Lord Wellington resolved to continue the retreat. And -on the 15th, about three o’clock, the Regiment resumed its -march and bivouacked that night in a wood about four miles -from Salamanca. The weather still was dreadful; the rain -had made the roads ankle-deep with mud; and streams, -which in better weather might have been stepped over, had -swollen to torrents which the men had to pass through knee-deep. -They were also without provisions; and ravenous with -hunger, they searched for something to eat. They found -some bullocks, dead or half dead, which had fallen on the -road, unable to drag the carts any further. These were immediately -cut up with their swords and eaten half-toasted at -the camp fires. For the soldiers were famished, and the wet -wood kindled too slowly for them to wait. Some, too, groped -about the wood on their hands and knees, searching for the -acorns which had fallen from the oaks and cork trees, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -devoured them voraciously; and though bitter and unpalatable, -they stayed the pangs of hunger. Nor were these wants -confined to the men; few of the officers had even a biscuit; -and Costello relates how he saw Lord Charles Spencer, then a -Second-Lieutenant in the Regiment, standing on some branches -to keep him out of the wet, and earnestly watching a few -acorns which he was trying to roast in the embers. As the -only means of keeping themselves dry, the men cut down the -branches of the trees and lay on them. And as the Regiment -formed part of the rear-guard on this retreat, it was of course -among the first under arms in the morning and the last at -night, often not reaching the bivouack till some hours after -the other regiments were in theirs.</p> - -<p>On this and the preceding day, the French appeared in -force on their right flank, threatening the communication of -the army with Ciudad Rodrigo.</p> - -<p>On the 16th the retreat was resumed in the same weather -and under the same privations. Many of the men lost their -shoes in the sticky slime of the roads, and had to march barefoot. -The French cavalry hovered close behind the Regiment, -but did not attack; and after dark the Riflemen bivouacked, -again glad that in a wood they had at least acorns -to assuage their hunger.</p> - -<p>On the 17th they fell in before dawn. The rain still fell -in torrents. Early in the day the French cavalry pressed -the rear-guard, and the 1st Battalion took possession of some -high and broken ground on each side of the road, and one or -two companies were thrown out as skirmishers to check -their advance. But as the enemy continued to press on, and -were very numerous, the skirmishers were called in. When -running in on the Battalion they passed Lord Wellington; he -called out to them: ‘Be cool, my lads; don’t be in a hurry.’ -But the French were close upon them; and they, as well as -the Commander-in-Chief, were obliged to retire.</p> - -<p>While this was happening the Riflemen were surprised to -hear the sharp crack of rifles in their rear. The occasion of -this was that some of the French dragoons crept, under -shelter of a wood, near the baggage and made a dash across -the road at it, took some, and made prisoner Lieutenant -Cameron, who was on the baggage-guard. But as the head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -of the Division appeared almost immediately, they let him go. -Riflemen were immediately sent into the wood on each side -of the road, and a few shots from them soon drove off the -dragoons. This was the same party which afterwards made -a similar dash at Sir Edward Paget as he was riding alone -in an interval between the 5th and 7th Divisions, and took -him prisoner.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon the Regiment reached the edge of the -table-land, whence the ground fell with a long open slope to -the Huebra. As soon as they began to descend it, the -enemy, who had assembled a large force of infantry and -artillery under cover of the wood, opened a severe fire of -cannon and musketry, while their cavalry hovered on the -flank, watching for an opportunity of dashing at them, if any -confusion had occurred. Nevertheless the Light Division -went down that hill with all the deliberation and all the -steadiness of a field-day. They forded the Huebra, which -was rapid and breast-high, near San Munoz, under this fire; -followed down the slope by the French skirmishers, whom -one company of the 1st Battalion, extended, kept in check; -and these were the last men who passed the Huebra on that -day. On reaching the other side the Division formed column -of battalions, and showed such a front that the enemy evinced -no disposition to venture further. The loss of the Regiment -was considerable, and would no doubt have been larger, but -the ground was so soft from the continued rain that many of -the shells buried themselves in the mud and were harmless.</p> - -<p>This day’s march was even more harassing than the preceding -ones. The constant marching in slushy mud, and -continuance in wet shoes, had made the men’s feet very sore; -and they often struck them against the stumps of small trees, -which had been felled, but, being covered with mud, were -not seen. This added much to their sufferings: many men -fell out from sheer inability to march, and were made prisoners; -and some died.</p> - -<p>When the Regiment had passed over, it was discovered that -Lieutenant Joseph Simmons, who was sick, was absent; and -he was seen sitting on the ground on the other side of the -Huebra, too weak to walk or to mount the mule which was -beside him. His brother George at once dashed into the ford;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> -lifted him on the mule, and led him over, under the fire of shot -and shell which still continued from the height.</p> - -<p>In a forest near the steep bank of the Huebra the Regiment -bivouacked that night; the picquets being only divided -by the river from those of the enemy. The rain and the -discomforts of the preceding nights still continued. But at -last the commissaries brought in a few half-starved bullocks, -and the Riflemen looked forward to a meal, albeit a scanty -one. The animals were very soon slaughtered and divided; -fires were lighted, and, with much persuasion, even the damp -wood began to burn. Then men and officers gathered round -their fires, and endeavoured to toast the meat on the points of -their swords; but, just then, the wind rose; the gusts shook -the heavy drops from the loaded leaves, and most of the fires -were extinguished; and they were obliged to resort to the now -familiar food of acorns.</p> - -<p>The other divisions were to have marched in the night, -and the Regiment being part of the rear-guard could not -move till they were on the road. But such was the state of -the roads and such the fatigue of the men, that these troops -had made scarce any way when the Riflemen stood to their -arms at dawn. A thick haze hung over the river and the -high ground beyond; and they were momentarily expecting -an attack which they must have resisted at all hazards to -enable the army to make good its retreat. But none took -place; and it was not till they had retired some distance, and -found no foe in pursuit, that they ascertained that the French, -overcome by the fatigue and want which they had borne, had -fallen back from the Huebra to Salamanca.</p> - -<p>However, though they had no material enemy to contend -with, their fatiguing march through slimy roads, and their -want of food continued; only the weather improved. The -rain ceased; and the sun, which they had not seen for many -days, shone out. After a long march they bivouacked on the -side of a hill near Santi Spiritus.</p> - -<p>During this retreat the casualties of the Regiment were: -in the 1st Battalion, 1 sergeant and 1 private killed, and 5 -rank and file wounded; in the 2nd Battalion, 1 private killed, -and 5 wounded, 1 bugler and 8 rank and file missing; in the -3rd Battalion, 1 private wounded and 9 missing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 19th they marched to near Ciudad Rodrigo, and -bivouacked on the banks of the Agueda. And this put a -period to their sufferings. For bags of biscuit and other -provisions were brought out to them. Yet such was the -ravenous hunger of the starved soldiers, that sentries with -swords fixed had to be posted over the provisions during their -distribution.</p> - -<p>Great was the relief officers and men experienced by rest, -and by being able to change their clothes, which they had -not done since they left Salamanca, a week before. So swollen -were the feet, and so hard the boots from constant moisture, -that some officers and men had to cut them from their feet.</p> - -<p>On the 25th the 1st Battalion moved to Villa de Puerco, -and on the next day to Alameda, while the 3rd Battalion -were cantoned at Espeja. These villages on the Agueda, so -often occupied by them, had come to be looked upon as a -home by the Riflemen (at least by those of the 1st Battalion); -and in these cantonments they continued during the winter.</p> - -<p>Thus closed the campaign of 1812, in which the Regiment -had taken part in the storm of two fortresses; in one general -action; in three combats, and in many skirmishes and affairs -of outposts.</p> - -<p>A good deal of sickness, the unfailing consequence of -exposure, want and fatigue, prevailed among the Riflemen on -their going into winter quarters. And the Record of the 1st -Battalion makes special mention of ‘the indefatigable exertions -of Surgeon Burke’ during this time. Many of the men, -and some of the officers, suffered from a numbness in the limbs -and extremities, which was said to result from the change -from exposure to comfort, and from want to plenty.</p> - -<p>Soon after their entering their cantonments a circular -was issued by Lord Wellington to Officers Commanding -Divisions and Brigades<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> commenting in very strong terms on -the bad conduct of the men, and the neglect of duty of the -officers, during the late retreat. This caused great dissatisfaction -and regret in the Regiment, for it was felt to be -undeserved. That many irregularities took place, and much -duty was neglected in some divisions and corps, may be as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -freely admitted, as that armies become disorganised in retreats. -But in the Light Division Craufurd’s strict orders were still -observed. ‘Being dead he yet spoke:’ and in the Regiment, -Manningham and Stewart’s standing orders so strictly defining -the duties of company officers were still observed; and Beckwith’s -and Barnard’s admirable system prevailed; and among -them no such irregularities took place. The circular also -stated that the army had ‘suffered no privations which but -trifling attention on the part of the officers could not have -prevented,’ and had ‘not suffered any hardships but those -resulting from the inclemencies of the weather.’ Yet anyone -who reads the last few pages, compiled from Journals of -Riflemen who were present, may think the sufferings of the -troops are under-estimated by their great Leader. Still less -did the sweeping accusations of want of discipline and neglect -of duty seem deserved. Both Leach and Kincaid state that -not a man of the Regiment (nor, as they believe, of the -Division) was left behind, except those too badly wounded -at San Munoz, or too utterly exhausted and moribund from -hunger or fatigue, to be brought over the Huebra. Had the -great Commander, like Moore, exempted from censure those -who deserved praise, he would not have wounded the feelings -and the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">esprit de corps</i> of men who had so bravely fought -and suffered, and were yet to fight and suffer, under his eye -and at his side.</p> - -<p>While on the subject of discipline I may perhaps mention -an incident which occurred while the Regiment was in these -cantonments, as well because it shows the confidence of the -officer in the right judgment of the men, as because it evinces -the opinion of the soldier concerning deserved punishment.</p> - -<p>A man of the 1st Battalion, a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">vaurien</i>, had robbed his -comrades and deserted. He was intercepted and brought -back by some guerillas; and having been tried by a regimental -Court-Martial was sentenced to receive 150 lashes. -As soon as the Adjutant had read the proceedings of the -court, Colonel Cameron, who then commanded the Battalion, -observing on the infrequency of corporal punishment in it -(Costello says that not more than six men were punished in -the six years they were in the Peninsula), said that he would -forgive the culprit if the Battalion would be answerable for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -his good behaviour. After a pause, during which not a man -spoke or made a sign, Cameron ordered him to strip, and he -received twenty-five lashes. Before the next bugler began, -Cameron again addressed the men: ‘If,’ said he, ‘this man’s -company will speak for him, he shall be no further punished.’ -Still not a word was said, nor a man moved; and twenty-five -more lashes were inflicted. A third bugler was about to -begin, when Cameron again spoke, and said that if one man -of the Battalion would come forward in his behalf he would -forgive him. No one answered, and the bugler laid on three -or four strokes, when a man called out: ‘Forgive him, sir;’ -and, being ordered, stepped out of the ranks. ‘Is it you, -Robinson?’ said Cameron; ‘I thought as much; a man no -better than himself. But I will keep my word. Take him -down.’ When the prisoner had been released, Cameron spoke -again: ‘Your bravery in the field, men,’ he said, ‘is known -to me and to the army. Your moral worth I know now. I am -glad that not a man of the Battalion would come forward for -that prisoner, except one; and what he is you know as well -as I do.’</p> - -<p>At Alameda the officers of the 1st Battalion, for the first -time for some years, resumed their Battalion mess. A large -barn formed the mess-room, in which they constructed two -fire-places and chimneys; and dishes, plates, platters, and -cups, which had been used by the different company messes -in the field, brought into common stock, formed a sufficient -if not a very magnificent service.</p> - -<p>About this time a number of Spaniards joined the Regiment -as recruits. An order had been issued in the May -preceding<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a> to enlist 100 Spaniards in each Battalion, and -Surtees had been sent into the country about to endeavour to -obtain these recruits. But unsuccessfully; for though many -gave their names, and promised to come in and be attested, -yet none appeared. But now it seems they were obtained. -They told Costello that they were compelled by their government -to serve, and that they preferred enlisting with us. -They were divided among the different companies, furnishing -about ten or twelve to each company. They made excellent -Riflemen, and were distinguished for their bravery,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> -degenerating often into ferocity, prompted by revenge for the -injuries they and their families had suffered from the French. -Some of them were made corporals; and all these men, -according to the terms of their enlistment, were discharged -when the Regiment passed the Spanish frontier in 1813.</p> - -<p>Great exertions were made to equip the Regiment for the -ensuing campaign. The clothing was got up from Abrantes; -not before needed; for the Regiment had become, during the -campaign and after the retreat, ‘a thing of shreds and patches.’</p> - -<p>For the first time, too, in this war tents were provided for -the Regiment, three per company for non-commissioned -officers and privates, and one for the officers of the company. -In the last campaign indeed a sort of ‘<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">tente d’abri</i>’ had been -extemporised by making the men sew loops on the corners -of their blankets. Two blankets being looped together, and -the ends fixed to stands of arms, four men could creep -under them. But with this disadvantage, that as two blankets -were used for the covering, the four men had only two -blankets to wrap themselves in. Yet they were ordered to -pitch these new company tents always behind rising ground -and out of sight of the enemy.</p> - -<p>The Light Division was divided into two brigades. The -1st and 3rd Battalions of the 95th, consisting respectively of -six and five companies, with the 43rd and some Portuguese, -formed the 1st brigade under the command of Major-General -Kempt.</p> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion, consisting of six companies, were with -the 52nd, and some Portuguese regiments in the 2nd brigade, -commanded by Major-General Vandeleur.</p> - -<p>On May 21 the Regiment broke up from its cantonments, -and marching to Molina des Flores and fording the Agueda -near the mill, encamped that night near San Felices el Chico. -Marching at daylight next morning, they passed S. Espiritus -and Martin del Rey, and encamped near it on the banks of -the Yeltes. On the 23rd, after a long march, they encamped -on the left bank of the Huebra at San Munoz, which they -repassed by the very ford where they had their hard fight -with the French six months before. But the face of nature and -their own feelings were indeed different. The slushy swamps -were now green meadows; the then sullen, swollen river now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -glistened under a bright sun; the constant, chilling rain was -replaced by warm spring sunshine. And they, then fatigued -and faint, now rested and restored; then famishing with want, -now amply supplied; then depressed by the pursuit of an -enemy, now gallantly going to seek that enemy, and exulting -at the prospect of driving him before them. Here they -halted during the 24th; and on the 25th, passing through Aldea -Quella de Penida and Castro, and crossing the Matillo, encamped -near Robleza. On the next morning they marched -to the banks of the Valmusa, where about mid-day they -halted and cooked. And then resuming their march, arrived -in the evening at the ford of El Canto on the Tormes, about -two leagues below Salamanca, where they encamped that -night and remained during the following day. On the 28th -they moved, and having forded the Tormes, passed through -Monte Rubio, and after a march of twenty-four miles encamped -at Aldea Nueva de Figueira, where they remained -until June 2. On that day marching early they arrived at -Villa Buena, where they cooked and rested; and in the afternoon -proceeded to Toro; where finding that the enemy had -blown up the principal arch of the bridge, they encamped in -some fields on the left bank. Marshal Jourdan now abandoned -the line of the Douro, and fell back on Palencia. And in -order to follow the line of retreat of the enemy, the Regiment -on June 3 crossing the Douro by the bridge of Toro, which -had been hastily made passable by planks laid across the -broken arch, advanced to Terra Buena, where they encamped. -On the next day they moved by Casa Sola and La -Mota de Toro, and after a march of about eighteen miles -encamped at night on some high ground overhanging the -Convent of Espinaz.</p> - -<p>On the 5th, passing through Castromonte, where they -halted an hour, they encamped at Muderra; and on the next -day they marched through Villa Alba to Ampudia, their -camping place. On the 7th, marching early, they reached -the city of Palencia, and passing through it amidst the acclamations -and rejoicing of its inhabitants, encamped close -under the walls on the banks of the river Carrion. On the -8th, advancing through Valdepero and Mongen, they encamped -at Tamara. The weather now broke up, and from having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -been hot and fine, now became chilly with much rain. The -next day they moved to La Peña de Campos, and encamped -near the Rio Cieza. On the 10th they crossed the river by a -stone bridge, and passing by the villages of La Peña and -Francoen, and across the canal of Castile, encamped near -Lantadilla on the right bank of the Pisuerga. During the -last few marches the weather had been unfavourable, and the -supply of food scanty. The country was devoid of wood, -and fuel was with difficulty procured for cooking. The -peasantry, too, seemed poor, and their dwellings inferior to -those in other parts of Spain. Yet the villagers everywhere -welcomed our men with shouts of joy, and the women danced -before them, in their national manner doubtless, but it seemed -absurd and ridiculous to our people. Yet this amused the -tired soldiers, whose heavy load and rapidity of march were -lightened by the antics of the rejoicing peasantry.</p> - -<p>On the 11th they crossed the Pisuerga by a stone bridge, -and passing by Pallacio encamped near Villa Sandino on the -river Brullo.</p> - -<p>Since leaving Toro in pursuit of the enemy they had -never seen a French soldier; but on the 12th, after marching -a few miles, and when near the village of Isar, they came -upon a rear-guard, composed of a pretty large body of cavalry -drawn up on some high ground, and a division of infantry -formed in squares. On the cavalry attached to the Light -Division advancing, the enemy’s cavalry at once withdrew. -The Regiment was drawn up on some high ground over the -river Hormaza, and when the squares of the infantry were -cannonaded by our guns, though without much effect, they -retired towards Burgos. But when passing under the height -our men were on, they halted and gave them a volley. This -they could do, being in square, and the 95th so much above -them. Yet their fire was ineffectual by reason of distance. -They moved across the plain, and as soon as they were clear -of their guns, these opened a smart cannonade, without, however, -doing any harm. The Regiment then continued its -route, and encamped at Hornilla de Camino, near the river. -On the 13th, as the Regiment was starting early on the -march, a tremendous explosion, which seemed to shake the -ground on which they stood, and which the soldiers fancied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -was an earthquake, was heard. This was, as they subsequently -found, caused by the enemy blowing up the castle of -Burgos, on their evacuating that place. Continuing their -march through Villa Nueva, Organda and Villa Rejo, they -encamped that night at Tovar.</p> - -<p>On the next day, passing through Guermathes, Quintanaleia -sobre la Sierra, to Quintanajuar and Poza, they encamped in -a wood near these two villages.</p> - -<p>On the 15th, after a long and wearisome march through -Villa Alta, Pesados and El Almune, and over a most uninteresting -country, they came to the edge of the heights overlooking -the vale of the Ebro. And the sight of that noble -river, fringed with verdant meadows and fruitful orchards, -and dotted with farms and country-houses, inspirited them. -For from the day they had left the neighbourhood of Salamanca -till now, their route had lain through an unwooded, -arid country, sometimes indeed bearing great crops of corn, -but always uninteresting. Wood for firing could scarcely be -found; provisions ran short, and when they were issued, -consisted only of tough ration beef and hard biscuit. But -now they were descending into a fruitful valley, teeming with -everything which could supply their wants. The spirits of -the men were elated, and coming to the village of Puente -Arenas, they crossed its long stone bridge, the band of the -1st Battalion playing ‘The Downfall of Paris,’ and encamped -close to the village.</p> - -<p>At dawn of the 16th they started again, and winding -along the left bank of the river for about a league, and then -ascending the heights which shut it in, marched through a -mountainous country, the rugged hills clothed with wood to -their summits, and passing the villages of Encinillas and -Bisquesas, and crossing the river Nela, encamped a little -beyond Medina de Pomar, on the Trueba river.</p> - -<p>On the 17th their march was through mountain tracks -impassable for artillery. They were in fact striking across -the country to the great road from Burgos to Vittoria, in -order to intercept the enemy who were proceeding by that -road; and after a fatiguing march encamped in a woody -height near the river Loza. Picquets were thrown out, as the -enemy was supposed to be not far distant, and the Regiment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -was placed in thick wood, where there was hardly room to -pitch the tents.</p> - -<p>On the 18th they moved very early. A troop of German -hussars led, and then came the 1st Battalion, one company -being in advance. After marching about two leagues they -arrived at the point where the road by which they were -moving struck into the great road, which by a steep descent -between high banks, enters the village of San Millan. Here -they came upon a strong rear-guard of the enemy who were -coming down the hill towards San Millan. The German -cavalry first attacked a force of cavalry which was with the -rear-guard, and which made a stand; but they soon routed -them, and brought in many prisoners. Then Barnard extending -the 1st Battalion came down upon the infantry, -through the wooded height which overhung the road, and -with a sharp and destructive fire put them into confusion. -The 3rd Battalion also became actively engaged; and the -enemy being broken, retired rapidly, through San Millan and -up the hill beyond it, closely pursued by our people. When -the Riflemen were beginning the attack Lord Wellington rode -up, and directed their movements. As he had another -division ready to intercept the French, at Espejo, some distance -in advance towards Vittoria, he desired Quartermaster -Surtees to go and fetch a peasant who was supposed to be -with the 1st Battalion, to guide him to Espejo. But the -guide not liking the fire, was nowhere to be found; and on -Surtees reporting this to him, Lord Wellington galloped off -towards Espejo, without a guide. The Riflemen continued -the pursuit of the enemy; who on getting on the height -above San Millan, again showed front, and formed up some -battalions. But the inexorable Riflemen again pressed them -so hard, that they fled through Villa Nueva and Villa Naña; -and the country being admirably suited for Riflemen, they -inflicted on them great loss.</p> - -<p>During this fight an officer of the 3rd Battalion was -chased round and round a tree by a French hussar, who cut -at him repeatedly, and would undoubtedly have cut him down -had he not spied the rifle of a man who had been killed; -and as it was fortunately loaded, he shot his antagonist. -1 sergeant and 2 privates of the 1st Battalion were killed;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -Lieutenant Haggup was desperately, and it was thought -mortally wounded, being shot through the belly; yet he recovered; -and 10 privates of the 1st and 2 of the 3rd Battalion -were wounded.</p> - -<p>While the 1st and 3rd Battalions were pursuing the -enemy, the second brigade of the Light Division came up to -San Millan; and as the rear brigade of the French rear-guard, -following their companions, arrived there at the same time, -they were attacked by the 2nd Battalion, and handled much -as their first brigade had been by the 1st and 3rd. They broke -and fled at once, abandoning their baggage, and took to the -mountains, where they were pursued and many of them taken -by the Spaniards. The 2nd Battalion had 1 sergeant killed -and 1 private wounded, in this affair. This was the first time -the Regiment had been actually engaged in this campaign.</p> - -<p>The 1st and 3rd Battalions having returned from their -pursuit, the Regiment encamped on the Jumillo, between San -Millan and Villa Nueva.</p> - -<p>On the 19th they proceeded by the same road by which -their opponents on the preceding day had fled; and halted at -the village of Salinas. The day was hot; the march ascending -the hill fatiguing; and the clear sparkling rills at -Salinas were eagerly resorted to. Every man dipped his mess-tin; -every man, when he had tasted it, made a wry face. -The water was salt. The earth all around is strongly impregnated -with saline matter. And one of the men observed: ‘We -must be near the sea now; for we have got to the salt water.’</p> - -<p>Continuing their march they encamped that night, after -crossing the river Bayas by a moveable bridge, at Pobes, on -the bank of that river.</p> - -<p>On the 20th the Regiment did not move, but continued -in the same encampment.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J135" id="J135"></a> -<a href="images/i_135fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_135fp.jpg" width="550" alt="" /></a> -<p class="right fs60"><em>E. Weller, lith., London.</em></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London: Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs120 lsp">BATTLE</span><br /> -<span class="fs70">OF</span><br /> -<span class="fs150 lsp2">VITTORIA</span><br /> -21<sup>ST</sup> JUNE 1813 -</div> -</div> - -<p>General Alten directed the baggage taken from the -French at San Millan to be sold by auction, and the proceeds -to be divided among the soldiers. Not only horses, mules -and carts, and the usual baggage of an army were thus disposed -of, but a variety of female attire was also found and -sold; several Spanish ladies, the wives or <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chères amies</i> of -French officers, having been among the prisoners taken. The -proceeds of this sale were divided only among the men of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -second brigade, who were in fact the actual captors; very -much to the discontent of the soldiers of the 1st and 3rd -Battalions, who maintained that, if it had not been for their -attack and discomfiture of the first French brigade, this -booty would never have been taken.</p> - -<p>On the 21st the Regiment fell in at daylight and advanced, -the 1st Battalion leading, over some high ground; and having -arrived early near the river Zadorra, which flowing from near -Vittoria turns at nearly a right angle towards Miranda, were -ordered to pile arms. The river was thus in their front, flowing -from their left to their right, and then again turning round -their right flank. While they were thus resting with piled -arms, Lord Wellington rode up, and advancing to the very -bank of the river, observed the enemy’s position. This was -not unnoticed by the French, who detached a cloud of -voltigeurs, who, rushing across a bridge at the village of -Villodas, seized a woody height on the side of the river our -men occupied, and opened a fire on the Staff. The 3rd -Battalion and two companies of the 1st Battalion which stood -next to them, were immediately ordered to stand to their arms, -and drive them back. This they did in a very short time; -and thus they, and not General Hill’s division, as has been -generally said, began that memorable battle.<a name="FNanchor_121_121" id="FNanchor_121_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_121_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> They drove -the French out of the woody height, through the village and -over the bridge; but not having orders to cross, they extended -along the river’s bank, as did the voltigeurs on their side, -and many men fell; for the river was not broad, and a desultory -fire was kept up. And as soon as the French were clear -of the village a cannonade was opened from a battery on -some high ground beyond the Zadorra, by which many men -were killed. For the ground was rocky, and our men were -dispersed among the rocks, and the fragments splintered off -by the cannon-balls wounded them almost as much as the -balls themselves. One shot took some Riflemen, who were -lining a garden-wall, in flank and swept off several men at -once.</p> - -<p>Their task having been accomplished by clearing the -village, some of the officers and half a company of the 3rd -Battalion took post at the church of Villodas, and observed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -the course of the battle. General Hill’s force had now -possession of the range of hills on the enemy’s left; while the -smoke and booming of cannon on the right of their position -showed that Sir Thomas Graham had commenced his attack -on that flank. At this moment, about twelve o’clock, a -peasant gave information that one of the bridges over the -Zadorra was undefended, and the 1st and 3rd Battalions, -moving to their left along the bank of the river, crossed by -it (the bridge of Tres Puentes) at the point where the Zadorra -bends with a right angle, and ascending the high ground -halted just under the brow of the hill. While they were -there the 3rd Division were seen advancing to the bridge -of Mendoza next on the left to that by which the Riflemen -had crossed; and the French observing them sent down some -cavalry and light troops to oppose them, while a battery of -French guns opened fire upon them. At this moment Barnard, -with great promptitude, led his Battalion to the left, -between the French cavalry and the river, and took the light -troops and artillerymen in flank with such a severe fire, that -he drove them off and enabled the 3rd Division to cross the -river without opposition or loss. But the English gunners, -who from the opposite bank were replying to the fire of the -French battery, not distinguishing the dark dress of our men, -who were in close contest with the enemy’s skirmishers, continued -to pound them, and several men thus fell by the fire of -our own guns. Nor was it till the head of Picton’s Division -came over the bridge and joined the Riflemen that they -ceased their fire.</p> - -<p>The Light Division covered by the skirmishers of the 1st -and 3rd Battalions, and the 3rd Division covered by two companies -of the 1st Battalion, now advanced and pushed up the -conical hill in front of Arinez, the centre of the enemy’s -position. In this advance Lord Wellington rode close behind -the two 1st Battalion companies, which were heading the -3rd Division,<a name="FNanchor_122_122" id="FNanchor_122_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_122_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a> calling out to the men ‘That’s right, my lads; -keep up a good fire.’ The Battalion soon cleared the hill, -and were going down the other side, when they were stopped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> -by a wall at the entrance of the village of Arinez, behind -which the enemy had posted some battalions of infantry, who -on our men coming over the hill opened a sudden blaze of -fire, which checked them. But only for a moment; for -running forward they occupied one side of the wall while the -enemy held the other. And in the few minutes they were there -two officers and thirty men of the Battalion fell. Then some -of the 3rd Division, having deployed into line, gave the French -a volley, which dislodged them; and the Riflemen clearing -the wall, rushed into and through the village, and took three -guns, the first which were captured that day. The first of -these was taken by Lieutenant Fitz-Maurice and two privates -of the 1st Battalion. Observing that the French artillery, -a battery of six guns, was retreating, and believing that he -could intercept it, Fitz-Maurice started with his company; -but they being in heavy marching order, were not able to keep -up with him. Five guns had passed before he reached the -road; he caught the leading horses of the sixth, and stopped -them. The driver drew a pistol and fired at him, but the -bullet passed through his cap. He called on the two men -who were with him to fire, and one of the horses fell, which -completely checked the gun. Then the rest of the company -came up, cut the traces, and made the three drivers and -four gunners prisoners. However, just beyond Arinez the -enemy rallied a strong battalion, who advancing on the Riflemen -forced them to retreat about a hundred yards, and to -give up possession of the captured guns. But as our men had -cut the traces with their swords, taken away the horses, and -killed many of the gunners, when they saw the head of the -3rd Division advancing, they went forward again; and thus -reinforced, drove the enemy finally from the village, and -recaptured and retained possession of the guns.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the 2nd Battalion with the 2nd brigade -of the Light Division were hotly engaged at the village of -Margarita, to the left of Arinez; but that village being -carried and the enemy being driven off, they also advanced -on the left of the other two Battalions.</p> - -<p>The whole Regiment then continued to advance in the -direction of Vittoria. On their right a large body of the -enemy, which had been driven by General Hill from the high<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -ground on that flank, were marching in a parallel direction. -They were at first supposed to be Spaniards; and on its being -ascertained that they were French, it was a question with the -commanding officer of one of the Rifle Battalions whether he -should not attack them. But his orders were to make the -best of his way to his front; and he did not like to depart -from them. Moreover the intervening ground was bad, and -it might not have been easy to close with them. So hurrying -on and outstripping our people, they joined their main -army in retreat.</p> - -<p>As the Riflemen advanced they came to a village where -there was a French battery which cannonaded them severely. -They formed lines of Battalions and lay down in some ploughed -fields, still exposed in some degree to the enemy’s fire. In -about half-an-hour they moved on; and with little check -passed through the city of Vittoria and proceeded about three -miles beyond it, the enemy having abandoned all their -positions and flying before them. Here they bivouacked, -having been on foot since three o’clock in the morning, and -having fought almost all that time, over about twenty miles -of ground.</p> - -<p>Surtees being the only quartermaster up with the Regiment, -was sent back to look for its baggage. He repassed -Vittoria, and after a long search amongst the carriages of -all descriptions which blocked up the road, at last found it. -But it was impossible to get it forward, or to extricate it from -that wonderful tangle of every kind of vehicle and impediment -which blocked the road to and through Vittoria. -Wherefore, directing those in charge of it where to find the -Regiment next morning, he returned through Vittoria and -joined the bivouack. For the tents had not come up. And -men and officers slept by the camp fires, having supped on -provisions obtained from the well-filled stores of the flying foe.</p> - -<p>On this day 1 sergeant and 3 rank and file of the 1st -Battalion were killed; and Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, -Lieutenants Cox, Hopwood, and Gairdner were severely, and -Lister slightly, wounded; 1 sergeant and 36 privates were -also wounded: of the 2nd Battalion, Captain Jenkins and 8 -men were wounded: of the 3rd Lieutenant Campbell and 7 -privates were killed, and 16 wounded.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> - -<p>One of the first who fell was Lieutenant Leckie Campbell, -who was shot through the forehead at the affair in the early -morning at Villodas. Colonel Cameron was so severely -wounded in the thigh that he was obliged to proceed to -England.</p> - -<p>A man of the name of Hudson of the 1st Battalion (one -of the deserters found in Ciudad Rodrigo, who had been -pardoned) received a shot in the mouth, which knocked out -several teeth, and passed out at the back of the ear; yet from -this wound he recovered. I have mentioned the Spanish -recruits who joined the Regiment. One of them, by name -Blanco, in this battle was distinguished not only for his -bravery, but for his cruelty; stabbing and cutting the wounded -French whenever he came upon them. This so exasperated -an old Rifleman that he felled him with the butt-end of his -rifle. The other men could scarce withhold Blanco from -stabbing him on the spot.</p> - -<p>On the 22nd, about mid-day, the Regiment moved in -pursuit of the French, but did not come up with them; and -they bivouacked that night near Salvatierra.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd the Regiment again started in pursuit at -daylight, and arriving at the river Borunda, found the enemy -posted on it. The wooden bridge over it had been set on -fire. But some shrapnell shells fired by Ross’ guns soon -made them move off. The Regiment then forded the river, -and pressed the rear-guard so hard that they could not destroy -the bridges they passed. They now set every village on fire, -with a view of delaying our pursuit; the passage through the -flaming villages and falling houses not being easy, and the -country round them being generally enclosed. But this did -not much delay the Riflemen. At Echarri-Aranaz they had a -skirmish with the enemy’s voltigeurs; but they soon moved -off. They came up with them again at the village of La -Cuenca; here they drew up, but our Horse Artillery having -opened upon them, they resumed their retreat through Huarte. -The Regiment encamped at La Cuenca.</p> - -<p>On the 24th at daylight they marched, the 3rd Battalion -leading; and after proceeding eight or ten miles found the -French rear-guard in a strong position on the side of a mountain -behind the river Araquil. The banks were rocky and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -rugged, and the stream swollen by recent rains. A narrow -bridge, therefore, afforded the sole passage. The 1st and 3rd -Battalions of the Regiment were the only infantry up at the -time. The two Battalions were halted; and the men were -ordered to put their knapsacks behind the troopers of the -German Legion (who accompanied them) in order that they -might move more rapidly. Then the 3rd Battalion were -ordered by General Alten to mount a hill to the left of the -road in order to fire down upon the right of the French, while -the 1st Battalion lined the banks of the river and opened a -smart fire. Under this attack the enemy gave way; and our -people crossing the bridge, pursued them in a kind of desultory -skirmish for about two miles. But they retired slowly, -and fighting hard, to enable the troops behind them to make -good their retreat. The road by which they were moving -soon struck the great road, the ‘Camino real,’ leading from -Madrid to Pamplona. The enemy detached one battalion -to the right, which moved down a valley and was soon out of -sight. It was ascertained afterwards that they fancied that -this valley had an outlet to the road further on, where they -might take up a position to receive our people. At the end -of about two miles, where there was a narrow pass between -two overhanging rocks, the enemy halted, and soon advanced -upon our two Battalions. A sharp attack now again took -place; and the battalion which had left the road emerged from -a wood among our skirmishers. It was roughly handled, and -suffered severely before it regained the road. It seems that, -finding no way out of the valley they had entered, they returned -to help their companions.</p> - -<p>At this moment two of Ross’ guns came up, and opened -on them; and a general fight of all three arms (the Riflemen, -the German hussars, and Ross’ guns) took place, which drove -the French from their position, through the pass and on to the -open country beyond. Here the road is carried on an -embankment with very steep sides. And when they had -proceeded about two miles, the fire of Ross’ guns killed -two and wounded one of the horses of the French gun, an -8-pounder.<a name="FNanchor_123_123" id="FNanchor_123_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_123_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a> They were so hard pressed that they had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> -time to disentangle the horses, and they flung the gun, with -the horses, over the embankment, here about fifteen feet deep. -Thus the Riflemen, who had taken the first gun at Vittoria, -took the last and only gun which the French carried off -from that field. ‘The French entered Pamplona, therefore, -with one howitzer only.’<a name="FNanchor_124_124" id="FNanchor_124_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_124_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> The Riflemen (some of them -mounted behind the troopers of the Royal Dragoons)<a name="FNanchor_125_125" id="FNanchor_125_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_125_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a> continued -to pursue them till they were under the walls of that -fortress; and they occupied that night the villages of Aldava, -Santa Barafra, and Berrioplano.</p> - -<p>On the 25th, at an early hour, the Regiment advanced towards -Pamplona, and arriving about a mile and-a-half from -it, they moved to the left, just out of range of the guns of the -place, and proceeding by a mountain road to Villaba, encamped -near that village.</p> - -<p>On the 26th Lord Wellington intending to intercept -General Clausel, who having learnt the rout of the main -French army at Vittoria, was endeavouring to make good a -retreat into France by the east of Spain, the Regiment (with -some other divisions of the army) moved to Noain and past -the aqueduct of Pamplona, and encamped near Muro, at the -junction of the roads from Tudela and Zaragoza.</p> - -<p>Next day they started early, and near Barasoain halted -to cook and refresh. Then passing through Tafalla, where -they crossed the Zadacos river by a stone bridge, and where -the inhabitants received them with acclamations of joy, they -encamped in an olive-grove near Olite.</p> - -<p>On the 28th passing through the town of Olite and striking -out of the Zaragoza road they took that to San Martin. And -after crossing a barren plain, halted to cook in a pine-wood -near Murillo del Fruto. They had then marched about four -leagues; but their labours were not nearly over. For starting -again they skirted the river and got to Gallepienza, where -they crossed it by a stone bridge; and proceeding by a mountain -track, where darkness overtook them, they encamped in a -ploughed field, near Caseda, about midnight in tremendous rain. -The whole march had been about twenty-four miles; and they -had been pushed on in the hope of intercepting Clausel; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -it was here reported that the Alcalde of Tudela had given -Clausel notice of the movements of the column, and that he -had effected his retreat by another road.</p> - -<p>Therefore the Regiment halted on the 29th; and on the -30th beginning its return to Pamplona, crossed the Aragon -at Caseda and marched to Sanguessa, near which they encamped, -and halted during July 1.</p> - -<p>On the 2nd they resumed their march towards Pamplona; -passing Narden and Andoain, and encamped near Monreal.</p> - -<p>On the 3rd the Regiment returned by Noain to Villaba, -and moving past it, encamped at the village of Berissa near -Pamplona. On the next day it furnished working parties to -throw up works to shelter our picquets from the fire of the -place, or from a sortie of the garrison.</p> - -<p>On the 5th the Regiment commenced its march into the -Pyrenees; and proceeding up a narrow valley to Ostiz, -encamped near a rivulet.</p> - -<p>And on the 6th, penetrating into the mountains, they -marched by Olague to Lanz, which is situated at the foot of -the Pyrenean range.</p> - -<p>At daybreak on the 7th the Regiment began to climb -the mountains and halted on a mountain side near Gustella -and Lagassa, where they were about to encamp for the night. -But in three hours they got a fresh route and were ordered -to move into San Esteban.</p> - -<p>Here they halted in very pleasant quarters until the 14th. -During this time Major-General Skerrett was appointed to the -command of the second brigade of the Light Division, in which -was the 2nd Battalion, in succession to General Vandeleur, -who was transferred to the command of a cavalry brigade.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of the 14th the Regiment marched from -San Esteban, and encamped on the heights above Sumbilla.</p> - -<p>On the 15th at daylight they marched down the Bidassoa, -by a road which sometimes skirted its bank, and sometimes -rose upon the mountain side over it. On getting near the -bridge of Lezaca the enemy’s advanced post was discovered -near it, on the heights of Sta. Barbara. And the 1st Battalion -was ordered to dislodge them. They climbed the mountain -slowly; for it was very steep, and they were obliged to husband -their strength for the fight which might take place at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> -the top. The French gave them some shots; but when they -arrived on the crest, they quickly drove them down the other -side. And as they stood on the top the Riflemen had a view -of the enemy’s position; and of the Bidassoa, which here -makes a sharp bend to the left, and flows thence through a rocky -channel to the sea. Below them was the town of Vera and -the road which, leading into France through Vera, is called La -Puerta de Vera. To defend this pass the French had thrown -up strong works. And here also the Riflemen looked, far to the -left, upon the sea; and a simultaneous cheer burst forth at -the sight of that ocean which seemed to connect them with -their native land, and which, for some years, most of them -had not seen.</p> - -<p>The 43rd drove the enemy out of the town of Vera; but -they still kept a picquet in some outhouses near it, and our -picquets were posted in Vera. The Regiment encamped on -the heights they had gained.</p> - -<p>It remained in this position, furnishing the picquets, and -keeping up the communication between the army under Sir -Thomas Graham, which was besieging St. Sebastian, and that -under Sir Rowland Hill, which was investing and covering -Pamplona.</p> - -<p>On July 25 Marshal Soult, who had assumed command -of the French army, attacked the positions of Roncesvalles and -Maya, with a view to raising the siege of Pamplona or throwing -provisions into it; and after several hardly-contested -fights had obliged Hill to fall back. It therefore became -necessary for the Light Division also to retire, though -the enemy in front made no sign of advancing. Accordingly -on the 26th the Regiment marched from their encampment, -and crossing the Bidassoa, and passing through Lezaca -and Jansi, encamped for the night on high ground near -Sumbilla.</p> - -<p>They did not move from this till nightfall on the 27th, -when they resumed their retrograde movement; and marching -all night did not reach Zubieta (a march of only two leagues -and-a-half) till after daylight. For the route was by mountain -tracks and in the dark, and was accomplished with difficulty -and fatigue. So dark and dangerous was the way, that at a -stream on the road, which dashed down from the mountain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -side, a Corporal of the Regiment placed himself in mid-stream, -and taking each passer by the hand guided him to the other -side. On arrival at Zubieta, about a league to the right of -San Esteban, their late quarter, they encamped for the day; -and starting again at nine in the evening arrived at Salin -next morning. This night march, though not so harassing -as the last, for the road was less difficult, was yet not free -from danger. For Lieutenant William Eeles, the Adjutant -of the 3rd Battalion, having had his cap knocked off by the -bough of a tree, in endeavouring to catch it as it fell, pulled -his horse off the road, and both rolled down a precipitous -declivity. Fortunately it was not very deep; and horse and -man were recovered unhurt. At Salin they encamped for -the day. And on the 30th proceeded by a long march, by -day, to Lecumberri, and were moved into a wood <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">à cheval</i> on -the great road from Pamplona to Bayonne, and about equidistant -from the former and Tolosa. They were again to -keep up the communication between Hill’s corps and that -before St. Sebastian; and also to bar the way to any of the -enemy’s troops which might move by that road. During the -last few days they had heard heavy firing in the direction of -Pamplona, but were without intelligence of the result of the -fight. But late on the 31st, their anxiety was relieved by the -arrival of a staff officer, who informed them of the complete -defeat and repulse of the French in the battles of the Pyrenees; -and who also conveyed orders that they were to advance -over the ground by which they had retired. Wherefore, -falling in on the evening of that day, they marched to -Larissa and encamped there.</p> - -<p>On the 1st August they marched early, and passing by -Esema, Zubieta and Irurlia, heard that they were to push forward -to intercept the retreat of the French. They proceeded by -a mountainous and rough road, under a burning sun, and about -three o’clock reached some high ground on the left bank of the -Bidassoa. It was a long march and the heat was oppressive. -They had marched about thirty miles, when, about three -o’clock, they arrived on the heights overhanging the river near -the bridge of Jansi. Then the knowledge that they were near -the enemy revived the spirits of the wearied Riflemen; and -declaring that they ‘would knock the dust out of their hairy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> -knapsacks,’ the 1st Battalion descended the hill on the left, -while the 3rd Battalion held a wood above. Then the disordered -column of the enemy was seen approaching on the -opposite bank, faint and weary; and the 1st Battalion, concealed -among the brushwood at the foot of the hill, received -them with a raking fire. Many, pointing to the wounded who -were borne with them, by their gestures implored quarter, and -the generous Riflemen withheld their fire, and called to one -another to spare them. Yet many, as they passed, fired at -our men, but without much effect; for they were so effectually -concealed in the brushwood, that the flash of their rifles was -the only guide for the aim of the enemy. Thus pursued by -the 4th Division, they had to pass this fiery ordeal. Some -throwing off their knapsacks, and casting away their arms, -strove to climb a hill on their right; but it was inaccessible; and -on the hill-side the fire of our men picked them off. Then -they pushed some light troops across the river, who became -engaged with the 3rd Battalion; but they were soon driven -down, and across the bridge. In the evening two of our companies -got possession of the bridge, and then the rear of the -column had to pass in front of their fire. At last they got a -battalion into line behind a stone wall beyond the river; this -somewhat checked our fire, and the remainder of the flying -enemy passed with less loss. Yet arms, knapsacks, baggage -and wounded were abandoned.</p> - -<p>In this affair the Regiment lost but few men. Captain -William Percival of the 3rd Battalion was wounded, being at -the very close of the day shot through the right wrist. The -left hand had been before contracted by a wound in that -wrist; and he was also lame from a wound in the hip.</p> - -<p>This day’s march was most fatiguing, being made under a -hot sun, and with frequent want of water. The whole distance -was about eight leagues; and considering that it was made -in the heat of an August sun, and that at the end of the march -the men had four or five hours’ hard fighting, it may hold its -place with the famous march from Calzada to Talavera. -Napier gives a frightful picture of the sufferings of the men. -It was said that 200 men of one regiment of the second -brigade of the Light Division fell out. But the Riflemen -had a resolution to excel; and many held on till they died.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -Yet when the roll of the 3rd Battalion was called just before -the fight began, only <em>nine</em> men were absent.</p> - -<p>On the 2nd, the 1st and 3rd Battalions moved after the -French by the road to the pass of Vera; the 2nd Battalion -by Jansi and Lezaca; and the Regiment took up the line of -picquets it had held a week before without firing a shot. On -the march they met Lord Wellington, who, in recognition of -their long march and hard fight of the day before, honoured -them with an approving nod and smile, which much pleased -the soldiers.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon, it being observed that the enemy held -the mountain of Echalar, which standing on the right of our -position was in fact in our line of posts, it was resolved to -dislodge them. And the 1st and 3rd Battalions supported -by the 43rd were ordered to take the position. The 1st Battalion -extended to the right, and the 3rd advanced up the -face of the hill. A thick fog came on, and though the French -kept up a pretty brisk fire they did the Riflemen no harm. -For their aim being probably rendered uncertain by the mist, -they fired over their heads, and any of their shot which took -effect, fell on the 43rd, who were much lower on the hill-side. -The 3rd Battalion, advancing up the hill in the fog, -found themselves against a rock the top of which was thronged -with Frenchmen, who gave them a biting fire. As the Riflemen -were unable to climb the precipitous face of the rock, -the Frenchmen called upon them with gibes, in the Spanish -language, to come on. The Riflemen retreated for an instant -to the rocks around, among which finding cover, they kept up -a telling fire on the occupants of the rock. And one of the -Spanish recruits before mentioned, enraged at the insults of -the French, replied to their sneers in most bitter words, which -he accompanied with constant shots. But he was soon killed. -Now gathering courage they made an advance against the 1st -Battalion; but the Riflemen with a shout of defiance repelled -them, and they turned and fled; and descending their side -of the mountain retreated to their own position.</p> - -<p>The men, while the Regiment remained in the neighbourhood, -called this mountain ‘Barnard’s Hill;’ in memory of the -valour with which Sir Andrew, who commanded on the occasion, -had carried it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> - -<p>An officer of the 1st Battalion had a strange escape in -this fight. When the enemy advanced on that Battalion, they -made a rush at him, which in trying to avoid, he fell into a -bush. They seized his sword, which was not drawn, to drag -him out; but it broke away from the belt, and he escaped.</p> - -<p>A Portuguese regiment took up the ground the Riflemen -had gained; and they encamped near Vera and the Bidassoa.</p> - -<p>On the 3rd another division having relieved them, the -Regiment returned to their old encampment on the heights -of Sta. Barbara, where they remained for about two months.</p> - -<p>On August 25, the three Battalions being together, it -was resolved to commemorate the anniversary of the formation -of the Regiment. A trench was dug round a parallelogram -of greensward, which served for the table, while the -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">convives</i> sat on the opposite bank, with their legs in the trench. -Many patriotic toasts and many healths were drunk. And -the cheering that followed them must have astonished their -French neighbours. Indeed they are said to have remained -under arms part of the night, expecting an immediate attack. -This was, I believe, the first ‘Regimental Dinner.’</p> - -<p>On the 31st the storming of St. Sebastian took place. -Fifty men under a subaltern of each Battalion of the Regiment -were allowed to volunteer for this duty. Lieutenant -James Perceval of the 1st Battalion claimed this duty by -right of seniority, but William Hamilton, a Second Lieutenant, -obtained Sir Andrew Barnard’s permission to accompany the -stormers also. Lieutenant Eaton commanded the stormers -of the 2nd Battalion. I regret that I am unable to ascertain -who led those of the 3rd.</p> - -<p>About noon, they moved forward from the trenches, and -after five hours’ desperate fighting—for the breaches were -found to have fallen in such large fragments as to be almost -impregnable, and the resistance of the enemy was most -gallant—they entered and took possession of the place. -Perceval was severely wounded at the foot of the breach; and -Hamilton was also desperately wounded in two places; one -ball entered the eye, passed down through the mouth, and -was cut out at the shoulder-blade. Both recovered; but -Hamilton was never again able to join the Regiment, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> -was placed on full-pay of it (as First Lieutenant) some time -afterwards. Of the 1st Battalion, besides these officers, -2 Riflemen were killed, and 2 sergeants and 4 Riflemen were -wounded; of the 2nd Battalion, 3 Riflemen were killed, and -6 wounded; and of the 3rd Battalion, 2 Riflemen were killed -and 2 wounded.<a name="FNanchor_126_126" id="FNanchor_126_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_126_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a></p> - -<p>But on that same day the Battalions from which these -volunteers had been detached had also hard fighting. They -had, as usual, been under arms before daybreak; but after -dawn the mountains were covered with a thick mist, and as -nothing appeared they broke up, and had just returned to -their encampment, when the bugles sounded the ‘assembly;’ -and a breeze having carried off the mist, the hills on the -French side of the river were seen covered with troops. -These soon began to descend, and forded the Bidassoa a -little below Vera. Some columns also approached Vera in -order to cross by that bridge; but the 2nd Battalion were -posted here, having two companies at the bridge and in a -loop-holed house near it, and the other four in the town. They -resisted and defeated the attempt to cross at that point. -Meanwhile the 1st and 3rd Battalions, seeing the enemy -advancing, thought the attack would be on them. For the -French crossed in force, preceded by numbers of skirmishers -under cover of the fire of some mountain guns. This fell short -at first; and instead of reaching our people some shells fell -among their own skirmishers, and caused no little confusion; -while the Riflemen, who were looking down upon them, burst -forth into a loud and derisive cheer, as each shell fell among -them. But when they came across, and our people were to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> -receive them, they turned to their right, and proceeded towards -St. Sebastian to attack some Spanish troops on the left of the -position the Riflemen occupied, leaving some troops about -Vera to keep them in check.</p> - -<p>Thus matters remained till the afternoon; the 1st and 3rd -Battalions suffering, but a little, from the fire of the enemy’s -mountain guns. About three o’clock three companies of the -1st Battalion with part of the 43rd, crossed by the bridge of -Lezaca, and proceeded along the heights above the river, in -a direction parallel to the French; they were afterwards -followed by the remainder of Kempt’s brigade, and moved -from hill to hill, in the evening occupying a height above -Lezaca where they remained for the night. But a picquet -was left on the heights of Sta. Barbara, with orders, as soon -as it was relieved by a Spanish regiment, to follow the Battalion -across the Bidassoa. But this was no easy matter. -For a tremendous storm of wind, thunder and lightning came -on; and it was extremely difficult for the picquet to thread -their way by mountain paths along the hill-side.</p> - -<p>The rain also fell in torrents. And as is always the case -in these mountains every rill rapidly became a torrent, and -the Bidassoa rose and ere long became unfordable. That -portion of the enemy to the left of the British position had, -on being defeated, recrossed the river. But General Clausel’s -force, which was nearer to Vera, was unable to do so. Clausel -himself, indeed, with two brigades, did repass the river early -in the evening, leaving General Vandermaesen with the other -divisions on the left bank. Then the Bidassoa rose rapidly, -and night set in. Some of his troops attempted to ford the -angry river, but were swept away and drowned. Then the -only chance was to force the bridge of Vera. Here Cadoux’s -company and part of Hart’s company of the 2nd Battalion were -posted under command of the former, in a loop-holed house -about thirty yards from the bridge, having double sentries -posted on the bridge itself. Thomas Smith, the Adjutant of -the 2nd Battalion, having reported to General Skerrett that the -bridge was held by this detachment, Skerrett sent his Brigade-Major, -who was sleeping in the same room with him, to Cadoux, -desiring him to evacuate it, probably in consequence of Vandermaesen’s -overwhelming numbers. This Cadoux refused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -to do; saying that he could hold the bridge-house. Meanwhile, -about two o’clock in the morning, the French, silently -drawing near the bridge, made a rush. The two sentries on -the bridge snapped their rifles to give the alarm; but the -priming was wet from the heavy rain, and they were at once -shot down or bayoneted. Cadoux, by his fire from the -bridge-house, kept the head of the advancing column in check. -At this fatal moment General Skerrett sent a fresh order to -Cadoux, and in such terms as he could not disobey, to leave -the bridge-house and join his Battalion. He of course complied; -but with the memorable words that ‘but few of his -party would reach the camp.’ Even so it was. They at once -became exposed not only to the fire of the troops on the -bridge, but to a cannonade from the guns of the French -reserve on a height near Vera. Cadoux was killed; 2 sergeants -and 14 rank and file were killed; and Captain Hart, -Lieutenants Llewellyn and R. Cochrane, 9 sergeants and 34 -rank and file were wounded. So that every officer present -was either killed or wounded besides 11 sergeants and 48 rank -and file, out of a total strength of about 100 men. And it is -to be noted that until the party left the bridge-house Cadoux -had not lost a man, except the double sentries on the bridge.<a name="FNanchor_128_128" id="FNanchor_128_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_128_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> -The opposition being thus withdrawn the French crossed the -bridge, and returned to their position. Whereas had Skerrett -not only left Cadoux at the bridge-house, but supported him -with the remainder of the Battalion, or with the 52nd, who -were close at hand, not a man of Vandermaesen’s division could -have recrossed the Bidassoa. One company of the 3rd Battalion -indeed and some Portuguese troops came up about daylight, -but it was then too late, and the passage had been effected.<a name="FNanchor_129_129" id="FNanchor_129_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_129_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a></p> - -<p>For this neglect and for the sacrifice of Cadoux and his -gallant band General Skerrett has been greatly and deservedly -blamed; in which censure Sir William Napier (though apparently -not fully aware of Skerrett’s fault) concurs.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J151" id="J151"></a> -<a href="images/i_151fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_151fp.jpg" width="550" alt="" /></a> -<p class="center fs60"><em>Drawn by Capt<sup>n</sup> H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brig<sup>e</sup></em> -<span class="pad40pc"><em>E. Weller, lith., London.</em></span></p> -<div class="center up fs60 pad3"><em>London: Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs120 lsp">ACTION</span><br /> -<span class="fs80 lsp">NEAR</span><br /> -<span class="fs150 lsp2">VERA</span><br /> -7<sup>TH</sup> OCTOBER 1813 -</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> - -<p>Besides the great loss of Cadoux’s party at the bridge-house, -Lieutenant Nicholas Travers, who commanded the -company of the 3rd Battalion which came up at dawn, was also -wounded; and 2 men of it were killed and 10 wounded.</p> - -<p>But if the Riflemen suffered, the loss they inflicted on -their assailants was enormous. The bridge next morning was -strewn with their bodies; and the river full of them; while -many wounded had been removed. General Vandermaesen, -who commanded the force, was killed.</p> - -<p>In the course of the following day the Regiment returned -to their former encampment, and took up the line of picquets -they had previously furnished. Here they remained in quiet -until October 6, on which evening Barnard arrived from head-quarters -with the welcome intelligence that they were to force -the pass of Vera on the ensuing morning. Early in the -night a thunderstorm set in; but it rolled away in the course -of the night, and the morning was fine when the Regiment -fell in. Leaving the tents standing to deceive the enemy as -to the object of the movement, the three Battalions, with the -other regiments of the Division, formed at the foot of the -heights behind the town of Vera. A little to the right was -an isolated hill, standing out in front of the great Pyrenean -chain on the north of the valley of the Bidassoa, to which -the soldiers had given the name of ‘the Boar’s back.’ This -was to be occupied as a preliminary measure. And Colonel -Ross, extending the 3rd Battalion, began to ascend it. Without -firing a shot, though exposed to the fire of the enemy -who crowned the crest, the Riflemen climbed to a pine-wood -more than half-way up the mountain side; whence, after they -had rested for a few minutes, they issued again. At this -time the French crowded behind the crest; and it was thought -by their brother Riflemen in the plain below, who could see the -ground beyond, that the enemy would charge down the slope. -But it was not so; for pursuing their way with all the steadiness -of a field-day, Ross and his gallant Battalion gained the -ridge. Then its defenders turned and fled; and then the -Riflemen plied their rifles, which they had not before discharged, -and poured a fire into them as they hurriedly descended -the reverse slope. This exploit and the manner in -which it was executed excited the admiration not only of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> -their own comrades still standing in the plain below, but of -the whole 4th Division, which had been moved up as a -support to the Light Division.</p> - -<p>This being accomplished, the other two Battalions moved -forward. The 1st, with General Kempt’s brigade, advanced -into the pass, and though at first sight their task seemed a -difficult one, yet the steadiness and gallantry of the men -carried all before them; and with little loss they stood on -the top of the pass. Some descended the other side. For -George Simmons and Cox with about sixty Riflemen, following -the retreating enemy down the pass, took some -prisoners, among whom were a commissary and two bandsmen. -These the soldiers ordered to play some French tunes; -but from the alarm and the pace at which they had retreated, -their music was neither very coherent nor melodious.</p> - -<p>But the 2nd Battalion had a more difficult task to perform. -The second brigade was on that day under the command -of Colonel Colborne<a name="FNanchor_130_130" id="FNanchor_130_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_130_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a> of the 52nd (Skerrett being absent -from the field on account of ill-health), and to them was allotted -the duty of carrying a high hill on the left called La Bayonette, -which bristled with the enemy’s entrenchments. The -Riflemen ascended the lower slopes of the hill, and coming -out of a wood which there girded it, advanced with a quick -fire to a redoubt. The French who filled it, waiting until the -Battalion was within a few yards, then opened a murderous -fire, which checked the Riflemen and obliged them for a -moment to retire. But the 52nd at that moment coming up -in support, they again advanced, and together they cleared -the redoubt of its defenders and drove them before them to -a second line of works. Here they did not experience any -serious resistance. But at the crest the enemy had constructed -a formidable work, from which they not only poured -forth a blaze of fire, but rolled great pieces of rock on the -climbing soldiers. While these were endeavouring to storm -the work, the 1st Battalion, with the first brigade, gained the -top of the pass on their right; and the enemy’s left flank -being thus turned, and his retreat threatened, he abandoned -the entrenchment and retired down the reverse slope of -the mountain.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> - -<p>As the French were retiring a curious circumstance took -place. Colonel Colborne, accompanied by a small escort of -Riflemen of the 2nd Battalion, came suddenly on a battery -of mountain guns and some three hundred men, who were -retreating from the right flank of the French position. He -called to them peremptorily to lay down their arms, which -they did, thinking he had a large force at hand.</p> - -<p>The loss of the 2nd Battalion was very severe, amounting -to nearly one-third of its strength. They fell principally at -the Star redoubt, which they first attacked. Captain Gibbons, -Lieutenants Alexander Campbell and John Hill, 4 sergeants, -and 23 rank and file were killed; Captain Hart, Lieutenants -Budgen, Ridgeway, Fry and Madden, 6 sergeants, and 128 rank -and file were wounded; and 1 Rifleman was returned ‘missing.’ -The 1st Battalion had 10 Riflemen wounded; and the 3rd -Battalion 4 killed and Lieutenant Vickers and 17 wounded.</p> - -<p>The Regiment, now encamped on the ridge, looked over -the steppes of the Pyrenees and the vast plain at their feet. -St. Jean-de-Luz seemed also beneath them, and Bayonne -could be seen in the distance; while the Bay of Biscay -bounded their view to the left, and a richly-tilled and well-wooded -country stretched away far to their right.</p> - -<p>Towards evening the 3rd Battalion went down into the -plain below on outpost duty, relieving Longa’s Spanish troops.</p> - -<p>The whole range of mountains was now in our occupation, -except one: the extreme projection on the right called La -Montagne d’Arrhune. This the French retained till the 8th; -the Spaniards not having succeeded in dislodging them. On -that day the second brigade of the Light Division having been -sent to assist in carrying it, the enemy evacuated it, and it -was thenceforth occupied by a picquet of three companies of -the Light Division.</p> - -<p>Beyond it was an outlier separated by a valley, and -called ‘La Petite Arrhune,’ though itself a mountain of -very considerable elevation. This the French occupied; and -their advanced sentries were posted at the foot of the slope, -and ours on the opposite slope of the valley, not more than -200 yards apart.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_117_117" id="Footnote_117_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117_117"><span class="label">[117]</span></a> ‘Adventures,’ 143.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_118_118" id="Footnote_118_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118_118"><span class="label">[118]</span></a> ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ Appendix xiv. 108-9.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_119_119" id="Footnote_119_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119_119"><span class="label">[119]</span></a> See it in ‘Wellington Despatches,’ ix. 582, Nov. 28, 1812. Leach and -Kincaid both mention this regret and dissatisfaction.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_120_120" id="Footnote_120_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120_120"><span class="label">[120]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ xi. 153.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_121_121" id="Footnote_121_121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_121_121"><span class="label">[121]</span></a> Surtees, 203, 4. Costello, 153.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_122_122" id="Footnote_122_122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_122_122"><span class="label">[122]</span></a> See his private letter to Sir Thomas Picton, ‘Despatches,’ x. 529. He says, -‘The Riflemen of the Light Division were the first to ascend the hill, and I went -up immediately after them.’ He mentions that these were the 95th.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_123_123" id="Footnote_123_123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_123_123"><span class="label">[123]</span></a> Letter from Field-Marshal Sir Hew D. Ross, G.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_124_124" id="Footnote_124_124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_124_124"><span class="label">[124]</span></a> ‘Wellington Despatches,’ x. 456.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_125_125" id="Footnote_125_125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_125_125"><span class="label">[125]</span></a> Letter from Sir Hew D. Ross.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_126_126" id="Footnote_126_126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_126_126"><span class="label">[126]</span></a> ‘London Gazette.’ Either, however, this list is incomplete, or the Record -of the 2nd Battalion erroneous: for that Record gives the names of Sergeant-Major -Adams, Corporal Port and 14 privates who volunteered on the forlorn -hope. Of these Corporal Port and 5 Riflemen were killed and 6 wounded: -12 disabled out of 16. Nevertheless, even this list is not perfect. For Mr. Kenneth -Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth is in possession of a medal with clasp granted -to Sergeant John Himbury of the 2nd Battalion for gallant conduct on the forlorn -hope at St. Sebastian. This medal was presented to him by the General commanding -his brigade. It bears on the <em>obverse</em> ‘<span class="fs70">ST. SEBASTIAN, 31 DE AGOSTO DE -1813</span>;’ on the <em>reverse</em>, a bugle, the cords attached to a crown, ‘95’ in the centre, -‘<span class="fs70">RIFLE CORPS</span>’ on a ribbon above.<a name="FNanchor_127_127" id="FNanchor_127_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_127_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> And the clasp is inscribed <span class="smcap">‘forlorn hope’ -J. H. sergeant</span>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_127_127" id="Footnote_127_127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_127_127"><span class="label">[127]</span></a> This was the old badge of the Regiment before the Maltese cross was adopted.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_128_128" id="Footnote_128_128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_128_128"><span class="label">[128]</span></a> The particulars of this affair of the bridge of Vera have been related to me -by Colonel Thomas Smith.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_129_129" id="Footnote_129_129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_129_129"><span class="label">[129]</span></a> Lord Wellington, in his despatch (‘Despatches,’ xi. 69) states that the passage -of the bridge ‘was made under the fire of a great part of Major-General Skerrett’s -brigade.’ This mistake has been pointed out by Napier (Book xxii. -chap. 3); the truth is, only the two 2nd Battalion companies resisted it.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_130_130" id="Footnote_130_130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_130_130"><span class="label">[130]</span></a> Afterwards Lord Seaton; and Colonel-in-Chief.</p></div> -</div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">The Regiment remained now encamped for more than a -month on the slope of l’Arrhune. Extremely inclement -weather set in; rain, wind, and sometimes snow. Occasionally -tents were blown away, or falling on their sleeping occupants -buried them under the wet canvass. The men on picquet -also suffered severely. But notwithstanding the altitude and -exposure of their camp and the severity of the weather, the -health of the Regiment was uncommonly good; not one -man, in the 1st Battalion at least, being sick. But this -immunity from illness did not extend to all the officers; for -Colonel Ross was obliged to leave the camp and the command -of the 3rd Battalion, and to take up his residence in the -village of Renteria.</p> - -<p>During this time the French were busily employed in -fortifying and throwing up entrenchments on La Petite -Arrhune. The officers with these working parties frequently -interchanged civilities with our officers, saying: ‘You will not -be able to remain on these bleak mountains. You will have -to retire into Spain.’ To which the reply was: ‘We will do -so, if we are ordered.’ At last La Petite Arrhune exhibited -a truly formidable appearance. Stone walls were built with -loop-holes to fire through; the ground was escarped where -it appeared accessible; and redoubts were built at intervals.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J155" id="J155"></a> -<a href="images/i_155fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_155fp.jpg" width="400" alt="" /></a> -<p class="right padr10pc fs60"><em>E. Weller, lith., London.</em></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London: Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs120 lsp">BATTLE</span><br /> -<span class="fs70">OF THE</span><br /> -<span class="fs135 lsp">NIVELLE</span><br /> -10<sup>TH</sup> NOV.<sup>R</sup> 1813 -</div> -</div> - -<p>Pamplona surrendered at the end of October; and Lord -Wellington being thus relieved from any enemy in his rear, -immediate measures were adopted to advance into France. -Heavy rains and the consequent impracticability of the roads -postponed this movement, which was resolved upon in the -first days of November, until the night of the 9th. On that -day the commanding officers of the three Battalions had been -taken up to the top of l’Arrhune, and from that commanding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -position the task laid out for each of the Battalions, and the -ground over which they were to move, had been pointed out -to them. After nightfall on that evening the Regiment -moved to its ground, and about midnight took up its position, -crouching behind the rocks within half-musket shot of the -enemy’s picquet. All this was done in profound silence. No -horse, nor even a dog, was allowed to go with the Regiment, -lest their neighing or their barking should reveal the movement.</p> - -<p>The signal for attack was a gun on the left. A little -before daylight the Riflemen assumed their arms, and watched -with anxiety the first tinge of sunlight on the peaks of the -mountains. At last that streak appeared, the gun pealed -forth among the hills, and the Riflemen sprang up from their -lair. The enemy, though surprised (for their picquet was -found seated round the fire), were not unprepared; but flew -to arms and to man their works. The 1st and 3rd Battalions -crossed the valley separating the two Arrhunes, and ascended -and forced the steep sides of La Petite Arrhune. The 2nd -Battalion, with the mountain guns, was stationed near the -hermitage at the top of the greater Arrhune; but when the -other two Battalions had advanced, they also moved forward -and took their part in the fray. The French fought here -with great determination, and clung to the works they had -constructed with resolute tenacity. The officers were observed -by the Riflemen to stand on the walls, and urge their men by -their gesture and example to remain. One young man in -particular excited their admiration by prodigies of valour; -and refusing to the last to retire, fell forward pierced by a -bullet. Later in the morning, when La Petite Arrhune had -been carried and cleared of its defenders, General Alten -led his Division across and attacked the enemy’s entrenchments -on the opposite range. These were carried with less -difficulty than those they had fought for in the morning. But -towards the close of the day the 1st Battalion charged the -right flank of the French, near a redoubt called the Signal -redoubt; and the enemy being taken in flank at the same -time by other troops, turned and fled, closely pursued by the -Riflemen.</p> - -<p>At this moment Barnard, who led them, fell from his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> -horse, wounded through the right breast by a musket-ball. -George Simmons, who was close to him, was at once at his -side, and placed his head on his breast. It was evident that -the lung was penetrated; for blood and air issued from the -wound, and blood came from the mouth also. His first -words were: ‘Do you think I’m dying? Did you ever see a -man so wounded recover?’ Simmons assured him that -though his wound was dangerous, yet that there were many -instances of recovery from such wounds; and that his pulse -indicated no appearance of sinking.<a name="FNanchor_131_131" id="FNanchor_131_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_131_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a> ‘Then,’ said the gallant -chief, ‘you give me hopes. If any man can recover, I know -that I shall.’ While he lay here, as at Barrosa, the enemy -seeing they had brought down an officer of rank plied their fire -on him and those who surrounded him. He was at once -carried by four soldiers into a farm-house, whence three days -after he was borne by his band of the 1st Battalion through -the pass to the town of Vera, where he slowly recovered.</p> - -<p>The loss of the Regiment in this action, known as the Battle -of the Nivelle, was very severe. Of the 1st Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel -Barnard, Captain Charles Smyth, Lieutenants -Haggup and Fensham were severely wounded; 2 sergeants, -1 bugler, and 3 Riflemen were killed; and 42 wounded.</p> - -<p>Of the 2nd Battalion, Captain William Cox was slightly, -and Lieutenants Charles Eaton, Henry Scott, and Doyle -were severely wounded. Doyle died of his wounds. Five -Riflemen were killed; 3 sergeants and 23 Riflemen wounded; -and 3 missing.</p> - -<p>Of the 3rd Battalion, there were Lieutenants Kirkman -slightly, Loftus Jones severely, and 8 Riflemen wounded.</p> - -<p>The Regiment bivouacked that night on the ground it -had taken in front of Sarre. It rained hard all the following -day, and for some days subsequently, and the troops suffered -severely from the state of their camp. On the 15th the -Regiment moved to Arbonne, where the men were quartered -in houses, and on the 17th proceeded to Arcangues. Here -the 1st Battalion occupied the château and some houses near -it; while the 3rd Battalion were placed in some houses near -the church, about a quarter of a mile to the rear. The -village of Arcangues is built on high ground, from which three -tongues or spurs run out like a trident. The enemy’s picquets<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> -were at the village of Bassussari, about 400 yards from -our picquets posted on these tongues of land; and in fact the -sentries of the opposing armies were so close that the reliefs -passed each other. There were some houses in this line of -posts in the possession of the enemy which it was important -to take from them, and so to connect our picquets on the -tongues by a line of sentries extending across the valleys -between them.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, on November 23 the Light Division was -ordered to attack the houses. This task was given to the -43rd. They at once attacked and carried these houses; but -unfortunately the officer commanding the company engaged -went beyond, and attacked a fortified house which the French -occupied in strength on their reinforcing their post there, and -the 43rd became seriously engaged. The 1st Battalion were -then ordered to move forward and cover this officer’s retreat. -But he was made prisoner with many of his men, and his -Lieutenant was killed. The 1st Battalion then held the -houses which it was the object of this movement to secure.</p> - -<p>While this was happening on the left projection, there -were some houses also on the right in the possession of the -enemy, which it was essential to take in order to secure access -to a causeway, which ran along a marsh, and to some high -ground near the Nive, occupied by another Division of the -army; and on which stood a château, called, from the owner -of it, ‘Garrat’s House.’</p> - -<p>This task was also assigned to a company of the 43rd, -supported by some other companies of that regiment, and -by the 3rd Battalion. The houses were at once taken; but -an order immediately arrived to evacuate them, and the -43rd retired. But ere long a counter-order was issued -that they were to be held; when a company of the 3rd Battalion -took possession of them. They had not, however, been -long in them when a third order was given that they were -to retire. Scarcely had they begun to obey it when they -were charged by some cavalry, supported by a column of -infantry. The officer in command of the company, anxious -perhaps to fulfil the last orders, and not unnecessarily to -engage himself with a superior force, ordered his company -to run to the rear. He thus brought them off safely, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -the exception of one man wounded; but rather to the offence -of his brother Riflemen, who felt that he might have resisted, -and punished the cavalry, and then have slowly withdrawn -before a superior force of infantry.</p> - -<p>One man of this company I have said was wounded. He -was shot in the head; and came to the surgeon who was with -the other 3rd Battalion companies in reserve, to have his -wound dressed. As the surgeon was sponging it with water -from a mess-tin held by the hospital orderly, a ball struck the -tin, knocking it out of the hands of the orderly; but without -injuring any of the party. There were also wounded of the -1st Battalion, Lieutenant Stilwell, 1 sergeant and 3 Riflemen, -and of the 3rd Battalion, 1 sergeant and 1 other man.</p> - -<p>The houses so often taken and evacuated were retaken -next day by another company of the 3rd Battalion, who held -them in spite of all attempts of the enemy to dispossess them. -In taking them a young officer, George Cary, then a Second -Lieutenant, advanced with his men on the enemy, who withdrew -for some distance without much resistance; but on -reaching a hedge some way in front of the principal house, -they called to him to come no further, or they would fire. -Cary, having placed his men under cover, called out to them -(for he spoke excellent French) that they might begin their -fire when they liked; but that he must have the house. They -made no more resistance; but walking off planted their -sentries within about forty yards of it.</p> - -<p>This is but one of many instances of the good and -chivalrous feeling that existed between the Riflemen and the -French troops on outpost duty. On another occasion soon -after, some French officers made signs of peace to those of our -3rd Battalion on picquet. These being courteously returned, -the French officers advanced, and informed our officers that -some of the inhabitants who had fled from their homes within -our lines were desirous to return to them; and requested our -officers to pass them through our outposts unmolested. This -was of course readily agreed to, and promptly executed; and -the officers on both sides parted with mutual expressions of -esteem. ‘But the most remarkable instance’—(though it occurred -a little later than the period of which I am writing, I -will give it here, in the words of Sir William Napier)—‘happened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -on the occasion of Lord Wellington’s being desirous of -getting to the top of a hill occupied by the enemy near Bayonne. -He ordered the Riflemen who escorted him to drive the -French away, and seeing the former stealing up, as he thought -too close, called out to commence firing. With a loud voice -one of those old soldiers replied “No firing!” and then holding -up the butt of his rifle towards the French, tapped it in a peculiar -way. At the well-understood signal, which meant “We -must have the hill for a short time,” the French, who though -they could not maintain would not have relinquished the post -without a fight if they had been fired upon, quietly retired. -And this signal would never have been made, if the post had -been one capable of a permanent defence. So well,’ concludes -the historian, ‘do veterans understand war and its proprieties.’<a name="FNanchor_132_132" id="FNanchor_132_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_132_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a></p> - -<p>The well-known signal was holding up the butt, and tapping -the brass tool-box which was in the stock of the Baker, as -it was also in that of the Brunswick rifle. It signified ‘We are -in earnest;’ and was used by the Riflemen when they approached -the French outposts to drive in picquets or with other -hostile intent. Without this signal made they were unmolested.</p> - -<p>On December 9 the Light Division was ordered to advance -with a view to the troops under General Hill passing -the Nive. The 1st and 3rd Battalions drove in the enemy’s -outposts, the latter advancing along a ridge in their front. -The 2nd Battalion was also actively engaged. A heavy fire -was kept up by the French, to which the Regiment was more -or less exposed all day. In the evening the Regiment fell -back to the cantonments at and near Arcangues which -they had before occupied. On the morning of the 10th no -immediate fighting was anticipated; so little indeed that the -Light Division had orders to fall back to Arbonne about four -miles to the rear, and part of the second brigade had already -marched; but General Kempt, not being satisfied with the -look of things in his front, delayed his movement. The -morning dawned with a thick drizzling rain; and the troops, -having been as usual under arms at daylight, had turned in, -when a sudden order was received to fall in and support the -picquets, for the enemy were advancing. The position of -Arcangues has been already described: the church, the -château, the adjacent houses, the three tongues of hilly land;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -and there was a table-land, a sort of open common, at the top. -The left tongue was occupied by picquets of the 52nd; the -centre by those of the 43rd; the right by those of the 1st -Battalion; and that near Garrat’s House by those of the 3rd -Battalion. As soon as these Battalions turned out, they -found the picquets vigorously attacked. The numbers of the -assailants were overwhelming, and they had to retire. But -though this had to be effected at the double—for there was -much ground to get over to reach the plateau in front of -Arcangues—and though they moved over bad ground, yet -the moment they reached the flat ground at top, these -apparently flying skirmishers resumed their formation, and -presented a steady and impenetrable front to the advancing -enemy. But some of the 1st Battalion retiring from the right-hand -tongue were unable to head the enemy, who moving -by the ravine, arrived at the plain before them. Some men<a name="FNanchor_133_133" id="FNanchor_133_133"></a><a href="#Footnote_133_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a> -and one officer, Second Lieutenant James Church, were then -made prisoners.</p> - -<p>Two companies of the 3rd Battalion were pushed forward -to cover the retreat of the picquets; and having done so, they -retired gradually as the enemy advanced. This Battalion -then lined a coppice at the foot of the high ground on which -the church is situated and connecting the church with the -château, whence the 1st Battalion, having loop-holed it and -strengthened it with <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">abattis</i> and a kind of rude rampart, -kept up a galling fire upon the enemy. This <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">tiraillade</i> continued -till dark.</p> - -<p>In this affair Lieutenant Hopwood of the 1st Battalion, -Sergeant Brotherton and Private Patrick Mahon were killed -by one ball, which passed through the heads of all three as -they were standing one behind the other. They fell near a -hedge which the Battalion had defended as they fell gradually -back from one defensible point to another. During the day -several French soldiers came through the hedge and approached -their bodies; but as our men supposed that it was -with the intention to plunder them, they shot every man who -passed the hedge. For they were unable from the violence -of the fire to go out themselves to remove their bodies. At<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> -last towards evening a French officer approached through the -hedge waving a white handkerchief; and when our firing -ceased, he brought out some of his men with spades, who -buried Hopwood and the sergeant in one grave.</p> - -<p>On this day the losses of the Regiment were: 1st Battalion: -4 Riflemen killed; 2 Sergeants, 1 Bugler and 21 Riflemen -wounded; 2nd Battalion: 4 Riflemen killed, 3 Sergeants, -1 Bugler and 24 Riflemen wounded; 3rd Battalion: 1 -Rifleman killed, 1 Bugler and 22 Riflemen wounded.</p> - -<p>On that night the 1st Battalion continued of course in its -occupation of the château d’Arcangues, while the 3rd Battalion -bivouacked on the ridge extending from it to the -church.</p> - -<p>On the 11th the Regiment was not engaged. And on -that day some French officers, continuing the good feeling -which I have mentioned, and doubtless anxious to show their -confidence, brought out some chairs and a table from a house -occupied by their picquet; and having carried them into the -middle of the adjoining field, within 100 yards of our -sentries, placed some wine and glasses on the table, and -sitting down saluted the officers of our picquet; bowing and -holding up their glasses, as if drinking to their healths.</p> - -<p>Yet this security of the outposts was sometimes broken -through. For on this night a Sergeant of the 3rd Battalion -surprised the French picquet. Taking a few men with him -he stole past the sentries and got up to the picquet house -undiscovered; and seizing their arms, which he found piled -outside, broke them. And while the picquet, utterly surprised, -were turning out, he and his companions ran back to -their lines. I do not know the name of this daring soldier. -He lost an arm at the battle of Toulouse, and was consequently -discharged.</p> - -<p>On the other hand: some of the 1st Battalion were, in one -of the affairs of outposts about this time, ordered to drive in -the French picquets in front of them. Lieutenant Gardiner, -who commanded the party, observed that he would not -shoot the French sentries. So, calling to them to begone, he -told them that he was going to attack the post. I have -already noted that he spoke French fluently. They retired; -but had hardly done so, when the French officer ordered his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> -picquet to fire on Gardiner, who was making his men fall in -for the attack. The discharge was ineffectual; and the Riflemen -were glad to hear afterwards that the officer in charge of -the French picquet was not a real soldier, but one of the -national guard.</p> - -<p>On the 12th the enemy made a show of strengthening his -position; constructing a six-gun battery on the height in -front of Arcangues, which however his gunners never could -have served; as the Riflemen would have shot them before -they could have fired a second round. While therefore our -people were strengthening the château of Arcangues by <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">abattis</i> -and throwing up a breastwork, the older heads declared that -it was all a sham. And so indeed it proved. For though -some fighting was anticipated on the 12th, and though in the -afternoon the 1st and 3rd Battalions fell in with the supposed -intention of driving the enemy’s outposts further back from -the ridge in front of Arcangues, yet nothing was done. And -in the night between the 12th and 13th, the sentries of the -picquets having reported that the enemy’s fires were burning -more brightly than usual, the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">ruse</i> was suspected. And an -officer with a patrol, having crept up to their lines, found them -almost abandoned. The truth is that Soult had withdrawn -his force in front of the Riflemen, to attack General Hill’s -force on their right.</p> - -<p>In the morning the Riflemen moved forward to the ridge -of Bassussari, and had some little firing with the rear-guard, -which had not yet cleared off; but one of the known signals -being made (an officer holding up his cap on the top of his -sword), the firing ceased; and the Riflemen were suffered -without any opposition to advance their outposts to the -ground they had occupied before the attack on them on the -9th.</p> - -<p>On this night an untoward event occurred, which gave the -officers of the Regiment some annoyance. After dark, a -French officer accompanied by two men, approached our -position; when the Corporal in charge of the advanced post of -the picquet at the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">abattis</i> took up his rifle and shot the -French officer, whom the two soldiers carried into their -picquet. It was feared that this would endanger the good -understanding of the French outposts with the Riflemen.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> -For it was not known whether they came on a friendly visit, -as they sometimes did; or whether it was a patrol sent -forward to ascertain if we had withdrawn the picquets pushed -forward in the afternoon. If the latter (and the presence of -the two soldiers makes it probable that it was), of course -those composing the patrol, risked the chances of war. However, -no retaliation was attempted, and the outposts continued -as friendly as before.</p> - -<p>Here the Regiment remained without any other matter of -moment worth recording for some weeks, during which they -were hospitably entertained by the owners of the château of -Arcangues, an aged lady and her grandson.</p> - -<p>On January 3, 1814, they were moved to the right; and -crossing the Nive advanced a league or two, in order to -support some operations of the army on the Adour. These -being effected they fell back to the Nive; and were cantoned -in the villages of Ustaritz and Aurantz; the 3rd Battalion -occupying the latter.</p> - -<p>The weather now became very severe; rain, sleet and -snow fell; and the roads were knee-deep for foot-passengers, -and up to a horse’s girths.</p> - -<p>On January 24 the 1st Battalion was transferred to the -second brigade of the Light Division, and the 2nd Battalion -was placed in the first brigade. This was in consequence of -Barnard, commanding the 1st Battalion, being given the -command of the second brigade.</p> - -<p>On February 16 the Regiment moved from its cantonments, -and may be said to have commenced the campaign of -1814. Crossing the Nive at Ustaritz, they moved to within a -league and a half of La Bastide de Clarence and encamped -on a wild heathy plain. Next day they marched to La -Bastide itself, and encamped on a hill beyond it.</p> - -<p>On the 18th they were moved into houses in consequence -of the weather; which beginning with rain, changed through -sleet into snow.</p> - -<p>On the 19th the 1st Battalion marched for St. Jean-de-Luz -to get their new clothing, for they were almost in rags; -and the means of transport were not forthcoming, nor the -roads easy for its conveyance. Therefore the Regiment went -down to St. Jean-de-Luz, one Battalion at a time, to obtain it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -Having received it on the 23rd the Battalion started on the -24th to rejoin the army, and passing though Ustaritz, La -Bastide and Garris, arrived at St. Palais on the 28th. Here -they were very much disappointed to find that the regiment -which occupied it had orders to move to the front, leaving the -1st Battalion at St. Palais till a fresh regiment relieved them. -For they had heard firing on the 27th, and now the tidings of -the hard fight at Orthez had reached them. Here they -remained some days, in a state of great anxiety and excitement, -until, as they were trying to persuade some detachments -which came up that they were a relieving battalion, an order -reached them to move forward. And marching as rapidly as -possible, they reached Sauveterre on the 7th March, Orthez -on the 8th, and rejoined the other two Battalions at Barcelonne -on the 11th.</p> - -<p>But while the 1st Battalion was absent for re-equipment -in clothing, the two other Battalions had moved from La -Bastide to Esturi on February 21st, and to St. Palais on the -22nd, and on the 23rd they encamped near La Chere and -Charite. And it was found that the enemy had blown up a -bridge over the Bidouze. It was necessary therefore on the 24th -to cross two branches of that river by fords. The first, the Gave -de Mauleon, they passed at Nabes; and then moving forward -to Gave d’Oleron, they found some French cavalry drawn up -on the opposite bank to dispute the passage. A small -cottage was on the bank; and George Simmons,<a name="FNanchor_134_134" id="FNanchor_134_134"></a><a href="#Footnote_134_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a> taking a few -Riflemen into it, kept up a smart fire from the windows to -cover the passage of the two Battalions through the ford. -As it was very deep, they were halted, and made to take off -their pouches and strap them on the top of their knapsacks, -and then plunge in, Captains Miller and Duncan of the 2nd -Battalion leading the way. The water was above the men’s -waists, and they were obliged to link themselves together to -avoid being swept away; while some of the men clung to the -stirrup-leathers and tails of the horses of the mounted officers. -On arrival at the opposite bank they found that the enemy -had endeavoured to obstruct their mounting it, by drawing -harrows with the point upwards to the slope. The cavalry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> -however did not molest them. One man indeed galloped -towards the bank, but he was instantly shot down by one of -the 2nd Battalion men in the cottage. Under their fire, and -that of a couple of guns, brought up to the left bank, they -gave way and retired. This ford was near Villeneuve; and -having passed through that village the Riflemen halted till the -rest of the Division had crossed and formed up. While here -George Simmons, being wet to the shoulders and very cold, -entered a respectable house, and sitting down by the fire, asked -the people to get him some wine and something to eat. Some -ran to execute his orders, while the rest watched him with -terror and aversion. A little child being present, he took -it up on his knee and fondled it, and (as the people refused to -be paid for the refreshment he had asked for) he put some -money into its hand. On his setting it down a general feeling -of relief seemed to pervade the bystanders, who then told -him that Soult and his emissaries had informed the peasantry -that the English were barbarians, who would carry off and -murder their children.</p> - -<p>On their march after crossing the Gave d’Oleron, they -came in sight of a body of the enemy’s infantry moving parallel -to them, and apparently making the utmost haste to -escape from them. It was at first proposed to fall on them; -but some wiser man having observed that their supports were -probably not far off, they were allowed to depart in peace. -The two Battalions bivouacked on a bleak exposed common -not far from Orion.</p> - -<p>The next day they passed through Orion; and on arrival -there learned that it had been occupied as Soult’s head-quarters -the night before. The wisdom of not attacking the -retreating column the day before was now apparent; for the -French being in force at Orion, would have moved out to -their succour; and possibly might have overpowered, and -certainly would have harassed, the soldiers weary with a long -march and the passage of two fords.</p> - -<p>Pursuing their march they arrived near Orthez and soon -heard a loud explosion, which proved to be the destruction by -the enemy of the stone bridge over the Gave de Pau. The -two Battalions advanced to some high ground looking over -the town of Orthez. Some troops of the enemy were observed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> -filing through the town; and some guns being brought up -opened on them, which induced them to quicken their pace, -and their officers were seen riding up and down and urging -them on. They also brought forward some guns which returned -the cannonade without, however, doing much harm. -The Riflemen bivouacked on this height.</p> - -<p>On the 26th Lord Wellington after reconnoitring the -enemy’s position ordered them about twelve o’clock to fall in. -And they were soon after directed to move to the right, -and cross a ford a little above the destroyed bridge. This -promised to be a most deadly business as the French infantry -were massed, with heavy guns, directly in front of the ford. -However the Riflemen marched off, the 3rd Battalion leading. -On the way a staff officer overtook them, and ordered them -to conceal themselves as much as possible behind any irregularities -of the ground. This they did and crept on; and just -as they got to open ground leading down to the ford, and -expected the artillery to open upon them, they were suddenly -countermanded, countermarched, and moved far to the left. -The truth is that this was a double feint. First, to make the -enemy believe that our people were going to attempt the -ford; and then, lest they should have suspected that any -open demonstration to do so was a feint, to make them fancy, -by our stealth and getting under cover, that it was hoped to -conceal the movement from them. By occupying the enemy’s -attention with this skilful manœuvre, three divisions of the -army were enabled to cross the river by a pontoon bridge -at a point near Salles, below Orthez. By this bridge the Riflemen -were also to pass; and marching all day they bivouacked -near the village of Salles and close to the pontoon -bridge at night.</p> - -<p>On the 27th they early crossed the Gave de Pau; and -moved by the great road which leads from Peyrehorade -towards the town of Orthez; and when within about two -miles of it, turning to the left, they ascended the ridge which -runs parallel with the river and in front of which the French -were posted in a very strong position. Whether it was that -the Light Division was weak, two of its regiments being absent, -or that they were not needed, the two Battalions were not -actively engaged. Lord Wellington was in front of them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> -during the afternoon, and ordered that advance of the 52nd -which, as is well known, broke through Soult’s centre and -decided the fate of the day.</p> - -<p>Then the enemy fled, and then the Riflemen were ordered -in pursuit, but did not come up with the retreating columns. -Their march continued for about two leagues, in the course of -which they passed the river Lys de Béarn and bivouacked near -the village of Bonne Garde. They were entirely without covering -and suffered much; for it froze hard. The Commanding -Officer of the 3rd Battalion (whether Ross or Balvaird, I am -not sure) did indeed contrive to get into a hut; but there -being no bed unoccupied, he lay down in a kneading-trough -or flour-bin, and appeared in the morning more like a miller -than a Rifleman.</p> - -<p>On the 28th the two Battalions started early, and after -crossing the Lys de France, arrived at Duerse, where they -halted for the night.</p> - -<p>On March 1, they passed the Adour, and after a long -march entered Mont-de-Marsan, which the enemy evacuated -just before they reached it. Here they were quartered in good -houses, and had comfortable beds: a change very refreshing to -them after their long marches, often in very bad weather, and -after their exposed bivouacks.</p> - -<p>On the next day the 2nd Battalion marched to Bertam, -and the 3rd Battalion to St. Maurice; the march was through -the pine forests and by the sandy roads of the Landes; and -being made in a snow storm was very painful to the soldiers.</p> - -<p>On the next day the 3rd Battalion moved on to St. Sever, -where Lord Wellington had fixed his head-quarters. Here -they continued till the 8th, furnishing the guards and duties -of head-quarters. On the 4th the 2nd Battalion had marched -to Bascom, where they remained till the 9th, when both -Battalions re-united near Aire, whither the 3rd Battalion had -marched, crossing the Adour on the 8th and moving to -Grenade; and next day to Barcelonne opposite Aire on the -right bank of that river.</p> - -<p>On the 10th both Battalions marched at daylight to some -poor cottages near Arblade, and on the 11th entered Tarsac, -where they halted for the night. The 1st Battalion now -rejoined the Light Division, and the Regiment was re-united.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 14th, as Soult assembled a considerable force and -threatened General Hill’s corps, the Regiment was moved -back through Tarsac and formed on the high road near a -wood, where they remained the whole day expecting to be -engaged; but the enemy retiring after making a demonstration -only, they marched back to Tarsac and re-occupied their -quarters there.</p> - -<p>The enemy had left a rear-guard of cavalry, and as they -remained during the next two days, it was determined on the -16th to attack them. The 15th Hussars were with the Riflemen -at Tarsac; and accordingly on that morning this regiment -moved out to attack the French cavalry. This consisted -of the 13th French Hussars, and they sent one squadron in -advance, the rest of the regiment being formed in support. The -English cavalry adopted the same formation, and a squadron -under Captain Hancox, supported by the 2nd Battalion, -advanced to meet their opponents. The French were rapidly -charged and upset; many of them sabred; and about twenty-five -made prisoners, among whom was the French Captain. -He was badly wounded, and died of his wounds in his -father’s house, to which he was taken. For he was a native -of the place, which it was said he had not visited for many -years. The rest of the French cavalry rapidly retired and -escaped.</p> - -<p>On the 18th the Regiment advanced by the road by -which the French had retreated, and crossing the Adour by a -bridge at Arros (or La Rose) proceeded to St. Germain; -whence, after a short halt, to Plaisance, where they remained -for the night, three companies of the 1st Battalion being -pushed across the river.</p> - -<p>On the next day the Regiment marched to Obregon, where -they halted for some hours; and in the evening halted at Aget.</p> - -<p>The French were now falling back on Tarbes, and on -this day the Riflemen heard much firing on their right, which -was caused by the attack of Picton’s light troops on the retreating -enemy near Vic en Bigorre.</p> - -<p>On the 20th the Regiment marched early, and moving -along the ridge on which they had last night encamped, -arrived at Rabastens. Here learning that the enemy had -taken up a position near Tarbes, they moved to the right, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -the road leading from Auch to Tarbes. On approaching -this town the French were found posted in a formidable -position on a hill, or rather a succession of heights intersected -with ditches and hedges, which gave it almost the form of -entrenchments. It being at first supposed that no considerable -force was engaged, for on marching along the road only -a small party were observed, a company of the 2nd Battalion -was sent to dislodge them. But when it was ascertained that -the position was occupied by a considerable part of General -Harispe’s division, the whole Regiment advanced to the attack. -The 3rd Battalion were on the right, the 2nd in the centre, -and the 1st Battalion on the left. The front of the enemy -was covered by clouds of light troops, whom it was not easy -to dislodge, for they had the protection of hedges and banks; -and the Riflemen had to force their way in skirmishing -through some covert of considerable growth. Then they -emerged at the foot of the hill, and the enemy’s ranks rose -‘tier above tier’ as one eye-witness describes it, on the side -of the mountain. But the Riflemen rushed forward; and -though their opponents fought desperately, and their fire was -delivered from one rank above another like the guns on the -decks of a three-decker, yet the Riflemen drove them from -the hill, over it and into the plain below. ‘The French,’ -Napier relates, ‘charged with great hardiness, and being -encountered by men not accustomed to yield, they fought -muzzle to muzzle; and it was difficult to judge at first who -would win.’ It was not long to decide; for within an hour -this hill was taken; its face cleared of all but the dead or -dying, and the French in disordered flight over the plain -beyond. Napier supposes that the French mistook the Riflemen, -on account of their green dress, for Portuguese, and therefore -fought with more perseverance than was usual against -English troops. Yet one would suppose that the veterans of -the Peninsula had too often fought with the green-jackets to -be ignorant of their nationality or their endurance in fight. -Be that as it may, all agree that this was an unusually -hard-fought field. Surtees says ‘the firing was the hottest I -had ever seen, except perhaps Barossa.’ And Costello -observes ‘I never remember to have been so warmly engaged -as on this occasion, except at Badajos.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> - -<p>The odds too were very great. I am not able to say how -many French crowded that hill-side; but sixteen companies -of Riflemen only drove them from it. For though the other -regiments of the Division were in reserve, and would doubtless -have supported the Riflemen, had they been repulsed; yet -not a shot was fired on that hill except from a 95th rifle. -Lord Wellington in his despatch notes the loss of the enemy -as being considerable; that of the Regiment was 11 officers -and 80 men.</p> - -<p>Of the 1st Battalion, Captain Loftus Gray and Lieutenant -John Cox were severely, and George Simmons slightly, -wounded; 2 Riflemen were killed, and 5 sergeants and 21 -Riflemen wounded. Of the 2nd Battalion, Captain Duncan -was killed, Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott, Captain Miller, and -Lieutenant Dixon were severely, and Lieutenant Humbley -slightly, wounded; 1 sergeant and 2 Riflemen were killed; -and 14 wounded. And of the 3rd Battalion, Captain William -Cox and Lieutenant Farmer were severely, and Lieutenant Sir -John Ribton and Quartermaster Surtees slightly, wounded. -1 Rifleman was killed, and 3 sergeants and 32 Riflemen were -wounded.</p> - -<p>Colonel Norcott was conspicuous, riding about on a tall -black mare: he was early in the day wounded in the shoulder. -George Simmons late in the day was wounded in the knee. -When he was down the French continuing to fire at him, his -servant, Henry Short, a brave Rifleman, ran up and deliberately -placing himself in the line of fire, said ‘You shall not -hit him again except through my body.’</p> - -<p>Amongst this carnage some curious, some almost ludicrous, -circumstances occurred. A captain of the Regiment was -struck by a ball on a flask or drinking-horn which he carried -at his side. The force of the ball knocked him down and for -the moment stunned him. The men thinking he was killed, -or desperately wounded, were carrying him to the rear, when -he revived and called out ‘Stop, let me feel;’ when finding -he was unhurt except by the blow, he leaped out of their arms, -and again headed his company. His return was heralded -by shouts of laughter, so ludicrous was the whole episode, -though the fight was at the thickest, and the men falling fast.</p> - -<p>When the Riflemen were occupying their camp on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> -Pyrenees, an owl had taken up its quarters with them, and -always pitched on the tent of Lieutenant Doyle, who was -killed at the Nivelle. Its accustomed haunt being gone, it -transferred its perch to Captain Duncan’s tent. The joke ran, -in the rough mirth of the camp, that he must be next on the -roster; a joke of which he neither liked the point, nor saw -the wit. Yet so it was that he fell in this day of Tarbes.</p> - -<p>This fight was a strictly regimental one; for (as I have -said) the Rifle Battalions only were engaged. It excited the -admiration of their companions in arms. One of them, an -eye-witness, thus speaks of this action: ‘Our Rifles were -immediately sent to dislodge the French from the hills on -our left, and our battalion was ordered to support them. -Nothing could exceed the manner in which the ninety-fifth set -about this business. Certainly I never saw such skirmishers -as the ninety-fifth, now the Rifle Brigade. They could do -the work much better and with infinitely less loss than any -other of our best light troops. They possessed an individual -boldness, a mutual understanding, and a quickness of eye in -taking advantage of the ground, which, taken altogether, I -never saw equalled. They were in fact as much superior to -the French Voltigeurs as the latter were to our skirmishers in -general. As our regiment was often employed in supporting -them, I think I am fairly qualified to speak of their merits.’<a name="FNanchor_135_135" id="FNanchor_135_135"></a><a href="#Footnote_135_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a></p> - -<p>The enemy having been driven from the hill retreated -across the plain, which was covered with the pursued and the -pursuers. As they were crossing it, the Riflemen came upon -a considerable body of the French who were retreating from -the town of Tarbes, whence they had been driven by the -3rd Division; and it was proposed that the Riflemen, quickening -their pace, should fall upon their flank and intercept them. -But the French were too quick for them. For perceiving their -intention, they inclined to the right and got away.</p> - -<p>The enemy having crossed the plain took up a strong -position on some heights at the extremity of it; but while -Lord Wellington was making dispositions to attack them, -darkness came on; and the Riflemen bivouacked that night -on the plain. The French cannonaded the bivouack from the -height, but the fire was almost harmless; and as the troops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> -did not move from the ground on which they had bivouacked, -it gradually ceased. And in the night the enemy abandoned -the position and continued their retreat; pursued in the -morning by the Riflemen, who halted that night at Lannemazen. -The next day they proceeded, still in pursuit, to -Castelnau. And starting early in the morning of the 24th, -halted that night at L’Isle-en-Dodon. And on the next day -(moving on Toulouse) reached Mont Ferrand. On the 27th -they advanced to the village of Tournefeuille, a little beyond -which the enemy still held some ground, occupying some -hedges and enclosures, in front of a bridge about half a mile -from the village. The 3rd Battalion and a Portuguese regiment -were ordered to dislodge them. And the Riflemen -extending to the left while the Portuguese moved on the -road, the French gradually fell back towards the bridge -and crossed it, taking the road to Toulouse; and the Riflemen -did not pursue. The loss was trifling. But a most -curious circumstance occurred during this skirmish. A -Rifleman of the name of Powell was shot in the mouth, the -ball knocking several of his teeth out. One of these struck a -Portuguese and wounded him in the arm. The surgeon of -the 43rd who happened to be at hand, dressing the wound of -the Portuguese, found in it not a bullet but a tooth. On this -the cry went among the Riflemen that ‘The French were -firing bones and not bullets.’</p> - -<p>On enquiry being made and the relative positions of the -Portuguese soldier and Powell being ascertained, no doubt -remained that his tooth had caused the wound. Powell was -afterwards killed by a cannon-ball near New Orleans. I -relate this extraordinary circumstance on the authority of -Surtees, who was near Powell at the time he was wounded, -and who minutely examined into the circumstances at the -time. I ought to add that I have invariably found Surtees’ -statements corroborated in every particular by the relations -or journals of others; and as he was a man of strong religious -impressions his veracity cannot I think be questioned.</p> - -<p>On the 29th the Regiment moved forward to near -Toulouse, and occupied some villages and châteaux in the -neighbourhood. On the 31st the engineers attempted to -throw a bridge over the Garonne above its junction with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> -Ariège above the town, and the Regiment was assembled to -pass it; but the number of pontoons being insufficient, and it -not being possible to construct a bridge on trestles, they -returned to their cantonments. But it would seem that the -3rd Battalion did cross (ferried over probably)<a name="FNanchor_136_136" id="FNanchor_136_136"></a><a href="#Footnote_136_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a> and were left -as a picquet in one of the villages on the bank.<a name="FNanchor_137_137" id="FNanchor_137_137"></a><a href="#Footnote_137_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a></p> - -<p>On April 2 all had recrossed the Garonne, and again -occupied cantonments, on this occasion the houses occupied -being lower down the river than those in which they were -formerly cantoned; the 3rd Battalion were quartered in -a wine-store, amongst the casks of which the men slept. -During the time they occupied it no depredation whatever -was committed, nor was any man of the Battalion found to -be drunk. On the 6th the Regiment moved down the river -towards Grenade, and encamped near the village of Seilh. -A bridge of pontoons had been thrown across the Garonne -here, and some divisions had crossed; but the river having -risen, and fallen trees having been floated down the river, the -pontoons broke away from the right bank, and were swung -round with the stream, being still fast to the left bank. -Though exertions were made to re-establish it, it was not -practicable till the 9th. And early in the morning of the -10th the Regiment with the other troops of the Light Division -crossed it, and moved up into position in front of Toulouse. -The roads were excellent, and they quickly attained the -position they were to occupy. Their right, the 3rd Battalion, -was to touch Picton’s left, and the left was to communicate -with the Spanish force under General Freyre. In front of the -Riflemen the enemy occupied some houses, and they had -constructed a battery near the bridge over the canal of Languedoc; -and at the end of the bridge stood a Convent which -they had loop-holed and fortified in a very effective manner. -The Riflemen commenced by driving the enemy from the -houses, and keeping up their attention during the day. But -some of the 3rd Battalion (and of Picton’s division on their -right) pushed on too far, and getting under the fire of the -defenders of the Convent, they suffered severely. To cover<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> -themselves they had to leap into an open sewer; and detestable -as was this position, they had to remain in it for some -time, so severe was the fire of their opponents. But on the -left of the Riflemen a different scene was taking place. The -Spaniards had claimed, as a place of honour, to lead the attack -on the Calvinet. Their rout and their flight under the fire -of its defenders are well known. The Riflemen, and the -other regiments of the Light Division, were mainly occupied -during the day in covering the retreat of the Spaniards, who -re-formed more than once and advanced to the attack; but -always to be repulsed by the French fire, and to fly from it. -As often as the English troops interposed, the French retired; -as often as they left the fight to the Spaniards, the French -pursued them.</p> - -<p>When the left of the Division was thus occupied in shielding -the flying Spaniards the French rushed out again with -loud cries, in front of the 3rd Battalion, and only with hard -fighting were again driven in. So the battle raged till about -four o’clock, when Beresford having carried the heights on -the left of the Riflemen, the French withdrew within the -place, and the battle ended.</p> - -<p>Captain Michael Hewan of the 2nd Battalion was severely -wounded. 14 Riflemen of that Battalion were killed; and 3 -Sergeants and 23 Riflemen wounded.<a name="FNanchor_138_138" id="FNanchor_138_138"></a><a href="#Footnote_138_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a></p> - -<p>The Regiment bivouacked on the ground they had occupied, -being saluted from time to time by shot or shell from -the place.</p> - -<p>On the 11th the Regiment remained perfectly quiet, and -on the 12th entered Toulouse, Marshal Soult having in the -previous night retreated from the place in the direction of -Carcassonne. On the same day Colonel Cooke and Colonel -St. Simon, as English and French commissioners, arrived with -intelligence of the abdication of Napoleon. This was at once -communicated to Marshal Soult; but as he refused to acknowledge -the authority of those making the communication, the -Regiment with other troops was started in pursuit, and -marched on the 16th towards Villefranche. On the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> -day’s march, as they were halted on the roadside, loud huzzas -were heard in front, and a carriage approached containing -Count Gazan, the bearer of intelligence that Soult recognised -the abdication of the Emperor, and acceded to a suspension of -arms. The Regiment, therefore, at once returned to Toulouse -and occupied their former quarters.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of April the Regiment moved out of -Toulouse, and descending the Garonne were quartered in -Castel Sarazin and the neighbouring villages, the 1st Battalion -occupying Castel Sarazin, and the 3rd Grisolles. The -2nd appear to have been at Castelnau d’Estrettefons.</p> - -<p>Here they remained until the 1st June, when they forded -the Garonne and halted at Grenade. On the next day they -reached Cadours near Cologne, at which the 2nd Battalion -halted. On the 5th they marched to Leitoure; and passing -next day through Condom and Nerac halted at Castel Jaloux. -On the 11th they reached Bazas and on the 12th arrived at -Langon. The next day they proceeded to Barsac. On the -14th they halted at Castres, and the next day entered Bourdeaux. -They were not however quartered there, but merely -passed through it, and marched on to Blanquefort. On the -road the Riflemen were reviewed by Lord Wellington, and -the men and officers as they passed saluted with loud cheers -the chief who had for six years led them to victory.</p> - -<p>They remained at Blanquefort till the 13th July, when the -1st and 2nd Battalions embarked at Paulliac on board H.M. -ship ‘Ville de Paris’ and disembarked at Portsmouth on the -22nd.</p> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion embarked on the 8th July on board -H.M. ship ‘Dublin,’ and sailing on the 9th arrived at Plymouth -on the 18th, and disembarking there occupied the -barracks.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>I have been unwilling to interrupt the narrative of events -in which the Regiment was engaged in the North of Spain -and the South of France; but I have now to turn to operations -in Holland in which detachments of the three Battalions -were engaged.</p> - -<p>An expedition to that country having been decided on,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> -under the command of General Sir Thomas Graham<a name="FNanchor_139_139" id="FNanchor_139_139"></a><a href="#Footnote_139_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a> (afterwards -Lord Lynedoch), some companies of the Regiment, -from the depôts of each Battalion at Shorncliffe, were selected -to form part of it.</p> - -<p>Of the 1st Battalion, Captain Glasse’s company; of the -2nd, Captain M’Cullock’s; and of the 3rd, two companies, -Captains Fullerton’s and William Eeles’, formed the detachment -to accompany this expedition.<a name="FNanchor_140_140" id="FNanchor_140_140"></a><a href="#Footnote_140_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a></p> - -<p>They marched from Shorncliffe on November 28; but in -consequence of the continuance of easterly winds, did not -embark from Deal until December 9. In this embarkation -the Deal boat which was conveying Captain Glasse’s company -on board H.M. ship ‘Grampus’ was swamped; but the men, -after being in considerable danger, were all saved. Yet their -dangers were not over; for on that or the next night the -‘Grampus,’ in which the Rifle companies were embarked, -came into collision with the ‘Monarch.’ These dangers being -overcome, the Riflemen disembarked at St. Martin’s dyck in -the Island of Tholen on December 17; and made a night -march to Wosmaer. On the next day they proceeded to -Halteren, and thence to near Bergen-op-Zoom, near which -they halted. At this time Bergen was partially invested, and -the Riflemen were moved up on the 23rd close to the walls. -But on the 24th they made a night march to Steenberghen; -and on the next day proceeded to Oudenbosch. Here they -halted some days; and on the 29th an attack was anticipated, -but none took place.</p> - -<p>Early in January 1814 a combined movement was -arranged between Sir Thomas Graham and General Bülow, -who commanded the Prussian force with which Graham’s was -to co-operate, by which the French were to be dislodged from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -Hoogstraten, and a reconnaissance was to be made on Antwerp. -Accordingly the Riflemen moved to Roosendael on -January 9, and thence to Calmthout, where they arrived at -daybreak on the 11th. The combined movement of the -English and Prussians was to have taken place on the 12th; -and on that day the enemy threatened an attack; but learning -from their patrols that the Prussians were also approaching, -they fell back, and being reinforced from the garrison, took -up a position in front of Antwerp, their left resting on the -village of Merxem, their right on Bergerhout. The Riflemen -on the enemy retiring had advanced in pursuit to Capellen.</p> - -<p>On the 13th they advanced towards Antwerp, and soon -came up with the enemy’s rear, as they were retiring into the -place. There was a smart skirmish; and the enemy were -driven into Antwerp. The Riflemen distinguished themselves -in this affair; and Sir Thomas Graham in his despatch -particularly mentions ‘the rapid but orderly advance of the -detachment of the 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Corps under -Captain Fullerton’s command,’ with great praise.<a name="FNanchor_141_141" id="FNanchor_141_141"></a><a href="#Footnote_141_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a></p> - -<p>In this affair one Rifleman of the 3rd Battalion was killed, -and one wounded.</p> - -<p>On the 14th they fell back to Calmthout, and on the 15th -marched to Eckeren, where they remained for some days. -The Riflemen had suffered much from the extreme cold; and -on January 26 it reached its maximum, the thermometer -marking 13° of frost.</p> - -<p>During the month of January the army under Sir Thomas -Graham, which originally amounted to hardly 6,000 men, was -increased by reinforcements of about 3,000 men. And at this -time Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron of the -1st Battalion arrived in Holland and took command of the -detachments from the three Battalions.</p> - -<p>As the French had 12,000 men in Antwerp under Carnot’s -command, no regular siege could be attempted with this force -and with the means at Graham’s disposal; it was resolved -therefore to attempt to set fire to the enemy’s ships at Antwerp. -With this object the troops were moved forward. And -the Riflemen returned on January 30 from Eckeren to Calmthout; -on the 31st marched to Braeschaet; and on February 1<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> -advanced to Donk. On that evening the picquets had some -fighting with those of the enemy. On the 2nd the enemy -advanced to Merxem, which had been strengthened with -field works, and the Riflemen had some hard fighting in and -about that village, and at Schooten. Merxem was carried in -gallant style; and Graham specially notes the conduct of ‘the -detachments of the three Battalions of the Rifle Corps,’ under -Colonel Cameron’s command, ‘for the distinguished manner -in which they attacked the left and centre of the village, forcing -the enemy from every stronghold.’<a name="FNanchor_142_142" id="FNanchor_142_142"></a><a href="#Footnote_142_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a></p> - -<p>On this day Lieutenant Wright of the 1st Battalion was -returned as wounded;<a name="FNanchor_143_143" id="FNanchor_143_143"></a><a href="#Footnote_143_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a> as were Captain William Eeles, -Lieutenants Ferguson and Fitzgerald of the 3rd Battalion. -One bugler and 2 Riflemen of the 2nd Battalion were killed, -and 6 wounded.<a name="FNanchor_144_144" id="FNanchor_144_144"></a><a href="#Footnote_144_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a></p> - -<p>The attempt to burn the ships in the Scheldt and in the -docks was unsuccessful; for our mortars numbering only seventeen, -two-thirds of which were Dutch or French ones found on -the ramparts of Willemstadt (where part of the force had disembarked), -were unserviceable, and unable to throw shells -a sufficient distance. The enemy too nightly flooded the -decks with water, which the intense frost converted into a -thick coating of ice, which, at that range, helped to resist the -shells thrown by the imperfect mortars. And the enemy -were able at once to extinguish any fire among the shipping -which might take place.</p> - -<p>On the 3rd the Riflemen occupied the château of -Merxem, where they remained until the 6th, when the partial -investment of Antwerp and the attempt on the ships having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> -been found a failure, they moved to Braeschaet. On the -next day they were again moved forward to Donk to repel a -sortie of the garrison, which having effected they returned to -Braeschaet; and on the 9th fell back to Klein Zundert, and -on the 15th to Loënhout.</p> - -<p>About this time the Prussians, having received orders to -proceed to the south, separated from the British force; and -Graham’s position on the frontier of Holland was far from -secure. He fell back, as we have seen, from Antwerp, and -occupied ground between that place and Breda. He eventually -resolved to attempt the capture of Bergen-op-Zoom. -The Riflemen moved on February 28 to West Wesel. In the -storm of Bergen and its failure they had no part; for on -March 8 (the day on which the attempt was made) they marched -in the evening towards Antwerp, it being understood that their -destination was to attack Fort Lillo. They marched all -night, and towards morning were countermanded and halted; -and some hours afterwards heard of the failure at Bergen-op-Zoom. -However a picquet of the 3rd Battalion was left near -Bergen; and on the failure of the attack on it, they were -ordered late in the night of the 8th to retire, and to make the -best of their way to their companies. This they effected; but -with barely sufficient time to call in their advanced sentries.<a name="FNanchor_145_145" id="FNanchor_145_145"></a><a href="#Footnote_145_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a></p> - -<p>On the 9th the Riflemen halted at Stabroek, and on the -11th moved to Capellen.</p> - -<p>Another sortie was made by the enemy from Antwerp on -March 26, and the Riflemen were under arms expecting an -attack; but none took place on them, the enemy having retired. -Such alarms and affairs occasionally occurred; for on the -30th the Riflemen pursued a foraging party of the enemy, but -unsuccessfully, for they made good their return into Antwerp -before the Riflemen could intercept them. But all really -active operations of this expedition terminated with the -failure at Bergen-op-Zoom. Some further operations were -contemplated; but as Graham was on the point of executing -them, news reached the Riflemen on April 4 of the entrance -of the Allies into Paris on March 31.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> - -<p>However by the Treaty of Paris the Kingdom of the -Netherlands was to be established; and pending the details -of that measure being arranged by the Congress of Vienna, -an Anglo-Hanoverian force was to remain in the country. -The Rifle detachments formed part of it.</p> - -<p>Early in April a detachment of one company was sent to -occupy Fort Batz, and on April 15 the Riflemen moved from -Capellen to Braeschaet and Schooten; on the 29th they -marched to Contich, and on the 30th to Mechlin, where they -remained about a fortnight. On May 14 they arrived at -Brussels; where on the 30th they were reviewed by the -Prince Sovereign of the Netherlands, as he was then styled, -afterwards the King of the Netherlands.</p> - -<p>On Sir Thomas Graham, then Lord Lynedoch, returning -to England, the Anglo-Hanoverian force was placed under the -command of General the Prince of Orange. The Riflemen -remained at Brussels until August 29, when they moved to -Ypres, and on the 31st arrived at Courtrai. On September 5, -they marched to Menin; but returned to Ypres on October 12. -Remaining there till November 22, they moved on that day -to Dixmude, and to Furnes on December 9. About this time -the Rifle detachments received some reinforcements. Captain -Logan, Lieutenant Robert Cochrane and 45 men of the 2nd -Battalion embarked at Deal on November 7 to join them. -On March 8, 1815, they were at Nieuport, with a detachment -of two companies at Furnes; their strength being then 4 captains, -14 subalterns, 2 staff, 21 sergeants, 9 buglers and 388 -rank and file, under the command of Captain Glasse of -the 1st Battalion. But on March 24 they were re-united at -Menin.<a name="FNanchor_146_146" id="FNanchor_146_146"></a><a href="#Footnote_146_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a></p> - -<p>On the renewal of hostilities in 1815 the companies of the -1st and 2nd Battalions joined those Battalions on their arrival -in Flanders. The 2nd Battalion company joined at Leuze on -April 18; and the two companies of the 3rd Battalion were -(with the 2nd Battalion) in Sir Frederick Adam’s brigade at -Waterloo.<a name="FNanchor_147_147" id="FNanchor_147_147"></a><a href="#Footnote_147_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> - -<p>I have said that the five companies of the 3rd Battalion, on -their return from the Peninsula disembarked at Plymouth, and -moved into barracks there. On September 18, 1814, exactly -two months after their arrival in England, they re-embarked -for service; the commanding officer, Major Mitchell, and -three companies on board the ‘Fox,’ and the other two companies -on board the ‘Dover’ frigates. Their destination and -the nature of their service were kept a profound secret, but -they were, in fact, intended to effect a descent on the American -coast near New Orleans. They reached Madeira on the -8th October, where they remained till the 11th, and having -touched at Barbadoes early in November, anchored in Negril -Bay, Jamaica, on the 25th. Here they were joined by four -line regiments, and two West India regiments; and setting -sail on the 29th, arrived off the American coast near Mobile -on December 10, and on the 11th anchored near the Chandeleur -Islands near the entrance to Lake Borgne.</p> - -<p>New Orleans is situated on the left bank of the Mississippi, -here about 800 or 1,000 yards across; below the town are -great marshes, covered with reeds six or seven feet high. -While on the river bank runs a strip of firm ground, varying -from one to three miles across, and mostly under sugar plantations. -From this the marsh extends six or seven miles to -the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, which communicates by -Lake Borgne with the sea.</p> - -<p>It was deemed impossible to approach New Orleans by -the Mississippi, as well because very strong works existed at -its mouth, and on the way up to the city, as because the -course of the river is so tortuous that no wind would have -carried the ships up, without considerable delay. It was -therefore resolved to disembark the troops on the shore of one of -the lakes. But it was ascertained that the Americans, already -cognisant of the intended invasion, had placed gun-boats on -these lakes to prevent the landing. The previous destruction -of these was therefore necessary; and this was effected in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -very fine style and in a very short time by the boats of the -fleet under Captain Lockyer.</p> - -<p>On the 15th the Riflemen were moved from the ships of -war into brigs, which drew less water, but in which they -were so crowded as to be unable to lie down or almost to -turn. But even these were too deep for the shoal waters of -the lake, and they were transferred into long boats, from which -they were landed on the 19th on the Île au Poix (or as -our men called it Pearl Island), formed by the branches of -the Pearl river. The weather in moving from the ships to -the island was very bad; and on arrival at it, it was found to -be a perfect desert. Nothing but reeds grew on it, except a -few scrubby pine-trees at one end. To add to their discomfort, -a severe frost came on at night; the men were -without shelter of any kind, and they suffered severely. And -as all their supplies had to be furnished from the fleet, want -of provisions was added to their other hardships.</p> - -<p>On the 22nd the Battalion (which formed part of the advance -under Colonel Thornton) embarked in boats, and -about two o’clock pushed off to land on the mainland. The -place decided on for their disembarkation was at the head of -a creek called Bayou Catalan in Lake Borgne. The distance -was between thirty and forty miles, and the men were -so crowded in the boats that they could not move. They -did not reach the entrance to the creek till after dark. As a -picquet of the enemy was posted about half a mile up the -creek, Captain James Travers, with his company, were placed -in small boats and pushed forward. The picquet was stationed -at some huts; near these Travers landed, and having -moved his men to both ends of the huts, prevented the escape -of the picquet, which was secured without a shot being fired. -This was admirably effected; and was a most important service. -For had this picquet escaped or raised an alarm, the -landing would have been opposed. And this would have -been a serious check; for on the morning of the 23rd, when -the leading boat reached the narrow part of the Bayou it -was found impracticable to ascend higher, and the boats being -drawn up one after another the men passed over them as a -bridge. This of course was a very slow operation, and one -which, if opposed, would have been very difficult. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> -Battalion disembarked about an hour after daylight, having -been upwards of sixteen hours cramped in the boats.</p> - -<p>As soon as the whole advance were on shore, they -marched, Travers’ company leading; and to give their force -as imposing an appearance as possible, and to scour the -country, they advanced with extended files. They moved in -this order through a wood which skirted the swamp on this -side, and as soon as they had cleared it, came upon a house, -surrounded with out-buildings and huts for slaves, belonging -to a M. Villeroy. The Battalion advancing at the double, -took possession of it; and in this and some neighbouring -houses took about thirty prisoners, and a good many stand -of arms, belonging, as was supposed, to the local militia. -Unhappily M. Villeroy escaped, and probably gave information -to the enemy; this, before the night was over, entailed -very disastrous consequences. The Battalion then advanced, -and turning to the right, marched for about a mile on the -road to New Orleans, and then bivouacked in a green field in -quarter distance column.</p> - -<p>The road ran near the river’s bank which was on the -left; and an embankment about three or four feet high was -thrown up to keep the overflow of the river from the cultivated -ground, here about three-quarters of a mile or a mile broad; -beyond this was a strip of wood, the way through which was, -in fact, impracticable, the ground under the trees being wet -and swampy. The cultivated land was much intersected with -wet ditches, and divided by strong wooden palings five feet -high.</p> - -<p>On arriving at the bivouack Travers’ company, which -had formed the advanced guard on the march, was pushed -forward about a mile to the front, on the main road, as a -picquet.</p> - -<p>The troops halted somewhat after mid-day; and as the -men had been without provisions since the morning before, -they began as soon as dismissed to cook. While doing so, -between three and four o’clock, firing was heard in the front -from the picquet; it turned out to be in consequence of an -American officer, attended by some mounted men, riding up -to the picquet to reconnoitre. However, the Riflemen saluted -him with a few shots, one of which wounded him, and another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -killed the horse of one of the party, on which they retired, -getting off the wounded officer with them.</p> - -<p>At nightfall, Captain Hallen’s company relieved Travers -at the advanced picquet; and the men of the rest of the Battalion, -being much fatigued by their uncomfortable night in -the boats, their tedious landing, and their march, lay down in -bivouack. They had torn down some of the palings dividing -the fields, and had made good fires which then burned -brightly. While they were thus, as they fancied, secure, a -schooner dropped down the Mississippi, and guided by the -light of their fires, opened a heavy cannonade upon them -with great effect. The men of course were aroused and -dispersed; but no shelter could be found, in this dead flat, -except by crouching under the embankment by the riverside. -Hallen had seen the schooner pass his post and had -sent a man off to alarm the Battalion; but the schooner having -the current of the river in her favour reached the bivouack -before the Rifleman could get there.</p> - -<p>While in this state of alarm from the sudden cannonade -from the schooner, heavy and continued firing was heard in -the front. A body of 5,000 Americans had attacked Hallen’s -picquet, detaching 1,500 men through the wood to turn the -right of the troops. Nobly Hallen kept them at bay; but -being himself wounded, and his picquet threatened by such -overpowering odds, reinforcements advanced from the Battalion. -Meanwhile the enemy made way through the garden -of a house on the right, where a picquet of the 85th had been -placed; and the night being very dark, a hand to hand fight -took place. Every deception was practised by the enemy; -and having discovered (from prisoners probably made in the -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mêlée</i>) the regiments opposed to them, they would call out, -‘Come on my brave ninety-fifth (or eighty-fifth),’ and then -make those who advanced prisoners.</p> - -<p>But this <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">ruse</i> was not always successful; more than once -they found that instead of making Riflemen prisoners, they -had themselves ‘caught a Tartar.’ On one such occasion an -officer and some men of the Battalion made a body of the -Yankees prisoners, and when they were desired to lay down -their arms, the cowardly officer who commanded them made -a stab at the 95th officer with a knife. He was summarily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> -disposed of; for a Rifleman instantly shot him through the -body.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the fight continued at Hallen’s post. Two -battalions came up and fired volleys by word of command -as at a drill. Not much to their advantage, for the Riflemen, -warned by the words, ‘Ready! Present!’ took care to lie -pretty close before the word ‘Fire!’ which, having been pronounced -and obeyed, they sprang up, and gave them a severe -return before they could reload. This continued for some -time; but at last, the picquet was obliged to give way before -superior numbers. Yet they only retired a little way to get -under cover and re-form. Eventually the Riflemen advanced -again, attacked their assailants, repulsed them, and regained -the post. Hallen, as I have said, was wounded, so was Lieutenant -Forbes, who held a separate post, and about forty -men were killed or wounded. This defence by Hallen has -truly been characterised as ‘an affair of posts but rarely -equalled, and never surpassed in devoted bravery.’<a name="FNanchor_148_148" id="FNanchor_148_148"></a><a href="#Footnote_148_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a></p> - -<p>‘Had the expedition terminated more favourably,’ he who -makes the foregoing remark goes on to observe, ‘it is to be -presumed that the brave commander of the company would not -have gone unrewarded.’ It may be so: this is the presumption; -the fact is, that Hallen retired from the Service in 1824 -with the rank of Captain, which he had obtained fifteen years -before. Thus England rewarded acts of valour performed by -all but her superior officers.</p> - -<p>When the fire was first heard at Hallen’s picquet, Major -Mitchell, taking with him twenty or thirty Riflemen, had -hurried to the front to reinforce it. On the way, however, he -fell in with a body of the enemy, whom, in consequence of the -darkness of the night, he could not distinguish, and he and -the men with him were made prisoners. Altogether the loss -of the Battalion on that night was 6 Sergeants and 17 Riflemen -killed; Captain Hallen, Lieutenants Daniel Forbes, -(severely), and W. S. C. Farmer (slightly), 5 Sergeants and -54 Riflemen wounded; and Major Samuel Mitchell, 2 -Sergeants, and 39 Riflemen missing. A total (exclusive of -officers) of 123, or one-fifth of their whole number.</p> - -<p>The loss of the Americans, who were finally driven off<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> -about midnight, must have been very great, for the field was -strewn with their dead.</p> - -<p>Yet still the schooner, and a ship which had joined her, -inflicted amazing annoyance on our people. With a brutality -happily unknown among European nations, they fired into -the houses to which the wounded had been carried. One shot -struck a house in which a wounded Rifleman was lying, and -knocked away his knapsack, which he was using as a pillow, -without doing him any actual injury.</p> - -<p>However, this savage warfare was to end. On the night -of the 25th a battery was constructed close to the river’s -edge, and furnaces erected for heating red-hot shot. At -daybreak on the 26th the battery commenced its fire on the -schooner. Its crew, whose courage did not equal their cruelty, -at once took to their boats and fled; the fourth shot set her on -fire, and she soon afterwards blew up. While the ship, warned -by her fate, and esteeming discretion as the better part of -valour, had herself towed, as rapidly as possible, out of the -range of the little English battery.</p> - -<p>In this bivouack the Riflemen continued till the 28th. But -it was toilsome work. The picquets were continually fired -at; the reliefs waylaid; the officers going round their sentries -exposed to chance shots from a concealed marksman. How -different this from the courtesies and chivalry of their European -enemies, which I have so often had occasion to narrate!</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J187" id="J187"></a> -<a href="images/i_187fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_187fp.jpg" width="650" alt="" /></a> -<p class="center fs60"><em>Compiled & Drawn by Capt<sup>n</sup> H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brigade.</em> -<span class="pad30pc">E. Weller, <em>Litho.</em></span></p> -<div class="center fs60"><em>London, Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs120 lsp">Operations near</span><br /> -<span class="fs150 lsp">NEW ORLEANS</span><br /> -in 1814–15. -</div> -</div> - -<p>Early on the 28th the army advanced towards New -Orleans, the Riflemen leading, by the high road along the -river’s bank. They drove in the enemy’s picquets, and proceeded -along the road here called ‘<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Le détour des Anglais</i>,’ -till, on turning round some houses on the left, they suddenly -found themselves in front of a strong work the enemy had -thrown up, and from which they opened a cannonade from -four guns; while their old enemy the ship, now moored a -little in advance of the work, brought a flank fire to bear on -them. The Riflemen, leading and extended, did not suffer -so much;<a name="FNanchor_149_149" id="FNanchor_149_149"></a><a href="#Footnote_149_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a> but the 85th which followed in close formation -were mown down by this fire. Some houses were on the -right, which might have afforded some temporary cover; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> -the enemy, by their shells, set them on fire, and the flames -added to the confusion. To escape in some measure from -the effects of the fire the regiments were deployed to the -right, while the Riflemen advancing about a hundred yards -got into a ditch, which in a great degree sheltered them. In -the afternoon the regiments moved off by wings, so as to -present as small a body as possible to the enemy’s fire. The -Riflemen, however, did not move off till after dark, nor till -some of the Yankees had ventured out of their works ‘in a -very triumphant manner.’ But a few shots from the Riflemen -immediately produced the conviction among them that it -was more advisable to return to the protection of their rampart. -This work was a stout parapet, in front of which was a -wet ditch or canal. Its extent was about 1,000 yards, and its -left touched the river, while its right was defended by the -wood.</p> - -<p>The army now took up a position about a mile and a half -or two miles from this work. The Battalion was placed in a -house rather in advance, and on the left of the line. This -was exposed, not only to the fire from the work, but also, as -it was near the bank, from a redoubt which the enemy had -constructed on the opposite side of the river. The men were -placed in a sugar-house belonging to this farm, the floor of -which being sunk below the level of the natural ground -afforded some protection. Yet on one occasion at least their -cooking utensils were knocked off the fire by shot passing -through this house.</p> - -<p>So matters continued until the 31st. It was resolved to -bring up some of the ships’ guns and to place them in battery -against the enemy’s work. Accordingly on the night of the -31st strong working parties were employed in constructing -two batteries near it; one with the object of keeping down -the flank fire from the ship; the other with the view of breaching -the centre of the rampart. The night was dark; the men -worked in silence; and before daylight the batteries were -completed, and the guns in position.</p> - -<p>Early in the morning of January 1, 1815, the troops -were moved up, with the object of attacking the enemy’s -work. A thick fog favoured their advance, and concealed -their movements from the Americans. About nine o’clock<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> -the fog rose, and our batteries at once began their fire. This -threw the Yankees, who were seen on parade, into utter confusion; -and had a charge on the works been made at that -moment, no doubt it would have been successful. But unhappily -the orders were that the attack was not to be made -till the enemy’s fire had been silenced, and his works -breached. When, therefore, the Americans saw that nothing -took place but a cannonade, their courage returned, and after -about twenty minutes they began to return our fire; and -gradually increased to a vigorous cannonade, which effectually -overpowered our guns, and dismounted some of them. The -flank fire too from the battery on the opposite bank of the -river, in which they had placed their ship’s guns, was very -galling.</p> - -<p>After being kept under this fire inactive till between two -and three o’clock in the afternoon, the troops were withdrawn -and bivouacked on the ground, and some occupied the houses -they had held during the last few days. At night the troops -were turned out and employed in withdrawing the guns from -the batteries in which they had been placed. This was hard -work; and some of the guns had to be buried, it being found -impossible to remove them before daylight. Thus the men -had been up, and at hard work, two nights; and in the intervening -day had been for many hours under the enemy’s fire, -without the chance of fighting them. The loss of the Battalion -was, 1 Rifleman killed, and 2 missing.</p> - -<p>Things continued in this state till the 7th, the picquets -being as before constantly harassed by the enemy.</p> - -<p>No other course remained but to carry the enemy’s work -by an attack <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">de vive force</i>, and it was decided that this should -take place on the 8th. Three companies of the Battalion -were to precede the advance of the right column under -General Gibbs, consisting of the 4th, 21st and 44th regiments; -while the other two companies were in like manner to act -with the left column. The Riflemen were to extend along -the edge of the canal or ditch in front of the enemy’s rampart, -and both parties so extended were to occupy the whole -of the bank, or as it might be called, the crest of the glacis. -At four o’clock in the morning the troops paraded; and by -daylight the Riflemen were in their place. But the 44th<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> -Regiment, which had been appointed to carry ladders and -fascines to enable the attacking force to cross the ditch, had -come without them. Their commanding officer, the Hon. -Colonel Mullens, had said loudly the night before when the -regiment was detailed for this duty in orders, that ‘his regiment -was sent on a forlorn hope’ and ‘was doomed.’ And on -the regiment returning to fetch the ladders and fascines, he -prudently did not come back to the front with them. The -enemy meanwhile opened a furious fire on the troops, -specially destructive to the Riflemen who were extended -within 100 or 150 yards of the work. One regiment of the -right attack, finding itself exposed to this fire, and without -the fascines and ladders they had been led to expect, wavered, -broke up, and fled to the rear, throwing the regiment which -was following in support into confusion. Sir Edward Pakenham, -who commanded, in trying to rally this column was -killed; General Gibbs, who commanded it, was mortally -wounded; and General Keane, who commanded the left -attack, was wounded. This attack succeeded better; and for -a time the troops composing it held a redoubt which the -enemy had constructed in front of the ditch, and which they -had stormed. But in the end they were obliged also to give -way. Thus the Riflemen, extended in skirmishing order -along the edge of the ditch, were left unsupported, and were -obliged to retire as best they could. As their files were extended -they presented a less prominent object for the enemy’s -guns, and they eventually got away with comparatively small -loss. Some of them had got quite to the edge of the ditch, -and reported that they could have passed it, but the attacking -columns which they expected never came up; and to -have entered the enemy’s work without them would, of course, -have been certain destruction.</p> - -<p>A gallant and successful diversion was made on the right -bank of the Mississippi by a column under Colonel Thornton; -but as the Battalion did not form part of it, it is not my -province, as historian of the Regiment only, farther to notice it.</p> - -<p>It was regretted by the Riflemen, that Pakenham, himself -a Peninsular soldier, did not employ troops who had seen fighting -more prominently in so arduous an operation as storming -this work. The 7th and 43rd had arrived just before; beside<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> -both these regiments the Riflemen had fought in Spain and -Portugal; the latter were especially companions in arms, and -they had hailed their advent with delight. Yet these he -held in reserve, while he advanced comparatively unseasoned -troops to the fire of the Americans.</p> - -<p>The Battalion retired at last, sorrowful and weary, to its -bivouack. It lost 1 Sergeant and 10 Riflemen killed; and -Captains James Travers (severely) and Nicholas Travers -(slightly), Lieutenants John Reynolds, Sir John Ribton, -John Gossett, William Backhouse, and Robert Barker -(severely), 5 Sergeants and 89 Riflemen wounded.<a name="FNanchor_150_150" id="FNanchor_150_150"></a><a href="#Footnote_150_150" class="fnanchor">[150]</a></p> - -<p>During the night the wounded were removed, and a truce -for two days, to enable the dead to be buried and the wounded -cared for, was made between General Lambert (who succeeded -to the command) and General Jackson who commanded -the American force. This truce was effected, not without -difficulty, by Major Harry Smith, Assistant Adjutant-General, -who passed and repassed frequently between the opposing -armies.</p> - -<p>During this truce every attempt was made by the Yankees -to induce our men to desert. The non-commissioned officers -were promised commissions, the men land, if they would enter -the American service. On one such occasion two Sergeants -and a private of the 95th were accosted by an officer of -American Artillery, who with such large promises invited -them to enter the American service. The Riflemen heard -the tempter out; and then, in language perhaps rather forcible -than complimentary, assured him that they would rather be -privates in their own Corps, than officers with such ‘a set of -ragamuffins’ as they saw before them; assuring him that if -he did not move off, he should have a taste of their rifles. -On that hint, he fled; but getting into the work turned a gun -on them and fired, knocking over the private, whom however -he only wounded.</p> - -<p>A Rifleman on sentry was exposed to the solicitations of -another of these gentry. He heard all his generous offers of -money, land, and promotion; but pretending he did not, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> -begged him to come a little nearer and ‘tell him all about it.’ -The Yankee elated at his success walked up to the post, and -when he was well within range, the Rifleman levelled and shot -him in the arm. Then walking forward, he led him prisoner -to the guard-room; on the way informing him what a real -soldier thought of such sneaking attempts on his fidelity.<a name="FNanchor_151_151" id="FNanchor_151_151"></a><a href="#Footnote_151_151" class="fnanchor">[151]</a></p> - -<p>These attempts were not always unsuccessful, and much -desertion took place; but Surtees records with natural pride, -that as far as he knew not a single instance took place among -the Riflemen of the 3rd Battalion.</p> - -<p>During this truce an officer of the American army was -observed plundering a wounded soldier. This excited the -ire of Corporal Scott of the 3rd Battalion, who (with the permission -of his officer) took a shot at the marauder, and -tumbled him over the man he was plundering.</p> - -<p>The last duties having been paid to the dead, and all the -wounded that were capable of being moved having been -withdrawn, a retreat was effected on the night of the 18th. -The fires were trimmed, and the men fell in and marched in -silence. The weather had latterly broken up; heavy rains by -day, and sometimes thunderstorms, were often followed by -frost at night. As it was impossible, owing to the narrowness -and shallow water of the Bayou Catalan, to embark the troops -where they had landed, a road, or an attempt at a road, had -been constructed across the marsh, from the great road to -New Orleans, along the river’s bank to the shore of Lake -Borgne. This extended some miles, and was made of reeds, -which it was thought would support the men across the -morass; and where it crossed open ditches, as it frequently -did, the reeds were laid on boughs of trees brought with great -labour from the wood. This road, a bad one at the best, was -much injured by the rains, and sunk in with the tramp of the -head of the column; so that this night march was very -fatiguing, the men often sinking in to the knees, and sometimes -in the dark slipping off into the marsh, from whence -they were with difficulty rescued.</p> - -<p>However at last on the 19th they reached the shore of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> -the lake about one mile from its entrance. Here they were -ordered to hut themselves; but this was no easy task, the -place being a desert, and almost the only material the reeds -which grew on the marsh.</p> - -<p>Here they remained till the 25th, when the Battalion embarked -on board the ‘Dover,’ which had brought out two of -its companies. The Battalion was reduced by its losses in -the field to almost half its strength on landing. On the 27th -they set sail; and it was resolved to attempt the capture of -Mobile. This place, lying about 100 miles to the eastward -of New Orleans, is situated in a bay, the entrance to which -is defended by a work called Fort Boyer, which therefore -had first to be reduced. In order to effect this the 4th, 21st, -and 44th Regiments were landed, and commenced the investment -of and approach to the place. While on the 8th February -the Riflemen and the rest of the troops were disembarked -on Île Dauphine at the other side of the bay, till the reduction -of Fort Boyer should enable them to move up to Mobile. -Here the men hutted themselves; for the island, though -otherwise almost a desert, is well covered with pine wood; -while the officers, or some of them, had tents.</p> - -<p>During the time that they were here, General Lambert -inspected the troops by regiments. On making his inspection -of the 3rd Battalion, James Travers (in Mitchell’s absence, who -had been taken prisoner) was in command. ‘Well, Travers,’ -said the General, ‘I hear your Sergeant-Major ran away on -the night of the 23rd December.’ ‘Nay, General,’ answered -Travers, ‘that he did not. He fought as well as any man -could, and was towards the end of the affair severely wounded. -But,’ added he, ‘I think I know what may have given rise to that -report. A sergeant of ours was in or near one of the houses -where the wounded were taken, and the surgeon made him -remain there as Hospital Sergeant. I did all I could to get -him back to the Battalion; but I could not succeed.’ ‘Well,’ -said the General, ‘since I had done the Sergeant-Major some -wrong, I must see what I can do to make him amends.’ He -did procure him an ensigncy in a West India Regiment, -to which he was gazetted soon after.</p> - -<p>While the Battalion was on Île Dauphine, a gallant act -was performed by Sergeant Thomas Fukes. He, with four<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -or five Riflemen, was sent over to the mainland to shoot -bullocks. Fukes with a couple of Riflemen went inland, -leaving the other men in charge of the boat. Here one Shiel -of the American navy (who had captured a boat in bad -weather with some of the 14th Light Dragoons, when embarking -at Lake Borgne, and who in consequence fancied -himself a hero) came upon them round a jutting point, and -having captured them, put them in charge of some of his own -crew into their own boat, and dispatched them to an American -ship or post. Then waiting for the sergeant, the other -two Riflemen, and the Commissary, he of course made them -prisoners, since their boat and the rest of their party had -disappeared. The Commissary was placed aft with Mr. Shiel; -Sergeant Fukes and his two men forward; and they were -being rowed off. When well off the shore the Commissary -seizing Shiel by the thighs chucked him overboard, while -Sergeant Fukes at the same instant sent one of the boat’s -crew to follow him, and the Riflemen disposed of the rest. -They now recovered their rifles, and having taken security -of Mr. Shiel for his good behaviour, admitted him at his -urgent importunity into the boat, from whence they landed -him, a moist and dispirited prisoner of war, on Île Dauphine.</p> - -<p>The approaches to Fort Boyer being completed, Harry -Smith was sent in with a summons to surrender. The poor -Yankee commandant, sadly puzzled, asked Major Smith -what he would advise him to do. He strongly recommended -him to surrender immediately, as the place must be taken by -assault. Acting on such good advice, which fell in probably -with his own sinking courage, he surrendered with his garrison, -and signed a capitulation on the 11th February.</p> - -<p>This important work having fallen, immediate preparations -were made for re-embarking the troops, and attacking Mobile. -But on the 14th news arrived of the preliminaries of peace -between England and the United States having been settled at -Ghent on December 24. All warlike operations of course -terminated; and the troops only awaited on Île Dauphine -the ratification of the treaty by President Madison. Intelligence -of this reached them on the 5th March, and on the 15th -the officers and Riflemen who had been made prisoners re-joined -the Battalion, having been released under the terms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> -of the treaty. Major Mitchell had been roughly treated -by General Jackson, because he refused to furnish him with -information of our strength or movements.</p> - -<p>On the 31st March the Battalion embarked on board the -‘Dover,’ some few men being placed on board the ‘Norfolk’ -transport. On the 4th April they set sail, and, having called -at the Havannah, arrived at Plymouth, whence they were -ordered round to Dover, where they disembarked on the 2nd -June and moved to Shorncliffe, where they found three companies -of the Battalion, the remaining two being in Flanders, -as is now to be narrated.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_131_131" id="Footnote_131_131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_131_131"><span class="label">[131]</span></a> George Simmons had been brought up to the medical profession.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_132_132" id="Footnote_132_132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_132_132"><span class="label">[132]</span></a> ‘Napier,’ Book xxiii. chap. 3.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_133_133" id="Footnote_133_133"></a><a href="#FNanchor_133_133"><span class="label">[133]</span></a> Nineteen men of the 1st Battalion, and 1 bugler and 12 men of the 2nd Battalion, -were returned as ‘missing.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_134_134" id="Footnote_134_134"></a><a href="#FNanchor_134_134"><span class="label">[134]</span></a> He was, while the 1st Battalion were absent, temporarily attached to the -2nd Battalion; being employed on the telegraph of the Light Division.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_135_135" id="Footnote_135_135"></a><a href="#FNanchor_135_135"><span class="label">[135]</span></a> ‘Twelve Years’ Military Adventure.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_136_136" id="Footnote_136_136"></a><a href="#FNanchor_136_136"><span class="label">[136]</span></a> See Napier, Book xxiv. chap. 5.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_137_137" id="Footnote_137_137"></a><a href="#FNanchor_137_137"><span class="label">[137]</span></a> Surtees, 296, 297. The context is very confused, the editor not having -been able to decipher or to arrange Surtees’ MS.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_138_138" id="Footnote_138_138"></a><a href="#FNanchor_138_138"><span class="label">[138]</span></a> Record, 2nd Battalion. As the return in the ‘London Gazette’ does not -distinguish the regiments of the non-commissioned officers and privates, I am unable -to give the casualties of the other Battalions.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_139_139" id="Footnote_139_139"></a><a href="#FNanchor_139_139"><span class="label">[139]</span></a> It is evident from Sir Thomas Graham’s letters to Lord Bathurst and Lord -Wellington (‘Supplementary Despatches,’ viii. 376-7) that he undertook this -command very unwillingly and only from a sense of duty. To Lord Wellington -he says ‘I cannot look forward to it otherwise than an irksome service, with -scarce a chance of any material success.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_140_140" id="Footnote_140_140"></a><a href="#FNanchor_140_140"><span class="label">[140]</span></a> It would appear from a private letter from Lord Bathurst to Lord Wellington, -that the strength of the detachment of the 3rd Battalion was 250 men. ‘Supplementary -Despatches,’ viii. 390. This is a clerical or typographical error for -‘of the three Battalions.’ The depôt companies were at this time very weak, and -the strength of the whole detachment was about 250 men.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_141_141" id="Footnote_141_141"></a><a href="#FNanchor_141_141"><span class="label">[141]</span></a> Graham’s Despatch, ‘Annual Register,’ lvi., 154.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_142_142" id="Footnote_142_142"></a><a href="#FNanchor_142_142"><span class="label">[142]</span></a> Despatch, ‘Annual Register,’ 157.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_143_143" id="Footnote_143_143"></a><a href="#FNanchor_143_143"><span class="label">[143]</span></a> I am informed by Mr. Wright that he was <em>not</em> wounded on this occasion. -This is a curious illustration of Byron’s remark about ‘Gazette fame’ (‘Don Juan,’ -canto viii., stanza 18 and note). The officer of the 1st Battalion who was wounded -at Merxem on February 2 was Lieutenant Church. He had been taken prisoner -in one of the fights at Arcangues on December 10, 1813 (see <a href="#Page_160">p. 160</a>); but had -made his escape, had found his way across France without being discovered, -and had joined Glasse’s company in Holland. Like M’Cullock after the Coa -(<a href="#Page_56">p. 56</a>) he had trusted himself to the fair sex, who had assisted his disguise, and -favoured his escape.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_144_144" id="Footnote_144_144"></a><a href="#FNanchor_144_144"><span class="label">[144]</span></a> ‘London Gazette,’and 2nd Battalion Record. As the ‘Gazette’ does not -distinguish the regiments of the non-commissioned officers and lower ranks, I am -unable to state the losses of the detachments of the other two Battalions.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_145_145" id="Footnote_145_145"></a><a href="#FNanchor_145_145"><span class="label">[145]</span></a> I derive this information from Michael Mappin, a pensioner in the Royal -Hospital at Chelsea, who served in the 3rd Battalion from April 1813 till it -was disbanded, and afterwards in the 2nd Battalion, and who was himself on this -picquet. He was wounded before Antwerp.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_146_146" id="Footnote_146_146"></a><a href="#FNanchor_146_146"><span class="label">[146]</span></a> ‘Wellington Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 704-5-6, and 718.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_147_147" id="Footnote_147_147"></a><a href="#FNanchor_147_147"><span class="label">[147]</span></a> I owe almost all the particulars of this expedition to the kindness of Lieutenant -Wright, on half-pay of the Regiment, who served in it, and who survives -in good health and perfect memory, whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of -making while these sheets were passing through the press. The information and -papers he communicated to me enable me to supply many details of this campaign, -which, squeezed out between the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns, and eclipsed -by the latter, has never had its history sufficiently written. Yet it was arduous -service, albeit unsuccessful.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_148_148" id="Footnote_148_148"></a><a href="#FNanchor_148_148"><span class="label">[148]</span></a> Leach, ‘Sketch of Field Services,’ 27.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_149_149" id="Footnote_149_149"></a><a href="#FNanchor_149_149"><span class="label">[149]</span></a> Their loss between December 25 and 31 was 1 Rifleman killed; 1 Sergeant -and 3 Riflemen wounded; and 1 Rifleman missing.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_150_150" id="Footnote_150_150"></a><a href="#FNanchor_150_150"><span class="label">[150]</span></a> Major James Travers, K.H., died February 5, 1841. The ball received at -New Orleans had never been extracted, and is said eventually to have caused his -death. Lieutenant Backhouse died of his wounds.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_151_151" id="Footnote_151_151"></a><a href="#FNanchor_151_151"><span class="label">[151]</span></a> Gleig, ‘Campaigns of the British Army at Washington and New Orleans’ -p. 186. He regrets that he has forgotten, or did not know, the name of this -soldier; a regret in which all Riflemen will join.</p></div> -</div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">I now return to the narrative of services of the 1st Battalion, -who had marched to Dover on their return from the Peninsula -in 1814. Napoleon having landed from Elba, on the -resumption of hostilities against him, six companies of this -Battalion, under the command of Sir Andrew Barnard, -embarked at Dover on the 25th April 1815 on board the -‘Wensleydale’ transport and landed at Ostend on the 27th.</p> - -<p>The officers present with these six companies were:</p> - -<div class="fs80 pad4"> -Colonel <span class="smcap">Sir Andrew Barnard</span>.<br /> -Major and Brevet Lieut.-Col. <span class="smcap">Cameron</span>.<br /> -Captain <span class="smcap">Leach</span>, <em>Brevet Major</em>.<br /> -<span class="pad1h">” <span class="pad1 smcap">Chas. Beckwith</span>, <em>Brevet Major</em>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad1h">” <span class="pad1 smcap">Glasse</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad1h">” <span class="pad1 smcap">Lee</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad1h">” <span class="pad1 smcap">Smyth</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad1h">” <span class="pad1 smcap">Chawner</span>.</span><br /> -Lieutenant <span class="smcap">Layton</span>.<br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Molloy</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Archibald Stewart</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Freer</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Gardiner</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Lister</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">George Simmons</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Stilwell</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Haggup</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">FitzMaurice</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">E. D. Johnston</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Orlando Felix</span>.</span><br /> -2nd Lieutenant <span class="smcap">Church</span>.<br /> -<span class="pad4">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Allen Stewart</span>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad4">” <span class="pad2 smcap">Wright</span>.</span><br /> -Volunteer <span class="smcap">Charles Smith</span>.<br /> -Lieutenant and Adjutant <span class="smcap">Kincaid</span>.<br /> -Paymaster <span class="smcap">McKenzie</span>.<br /> -Quartermaster <span class="smcap">Bagshawe</span>.<br /> -Surgeon <span class="smcap">Burke</span>.<br /> -Assistant-Surgeon <span class="smcap">Robson</span>.<br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2 smcap">Hett</span>.<a name="FNanchor_152_152" id="FNanchor_152_152"></a><a href="#Footnote_152_152" class="fnanchor">[152]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p>As soon as the companies were all landed at Ostend they -embarked in large boats on the canal, and arrived at Bruges -about dark. The next morning at four o’clock they proceeded -(towed by horses) to Ghent, where they arrived at -three o’clock. Here they disembarked and were billeted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> -until the 10th May; on which day they marched to Alost, and -thence on to Wella, where they halted during the 11th. And -on the 12th marched to Brussels, where they arrived about -eleven o’clock, and went into billets.</p> - -<p>Either at this time or soon afterwards they were placed -(with the 28th, 32nd and 79th) in Sir James Kempt’s brigade -of General Picton’s division. Sir James Kempt having commanded -one of the brigades of the Light Division during the -latter part of the Peninsular war, the Riflemen of the 1st -Battalion felt themselves at home under his orders.</p> - -<p>Leaving the 1st Battalion at Brussels I proceed to note -that five companies of the 2nd Battalion, consisting of 2 Field -Officers, 5 captains, 14 subalterns, 4 staff, 50 sergeants, 16 -buglers, and 480 rank and file, under the command of Colonel -Wade, marched from Dover Castle at five o’clock <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> on -March 25; and embarking at eleven <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> on board packets, -reached Ostend on the next day, disembarked at two <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> -and marched immediately, three companies to Saas and two -to Sluys. On the 28th the whole marched to Bruges; on -the 29th three companies marched to Piethem and two to -Eeghem. The next day the five companies marched to -Courtrai, and on the 31st to Tournay. The 1st April they -marched to Leuze. Here they remained, with detachments -at Villers St. Amand, Villers Notre Dame, Ligne, Moulbaix -and Grammont, till June 12.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, on April 18 the company (1 captain, 5 subalterns -and 100 men) which had been with Sir Thomas -Graham in Holland joined, making the strength of the -Regiment in Belgium six companies; and on April 20 they -were inspected by the Duke of Wellington.</p> - -<p>On April 29 Colonel Wade left the Battalion to take command -of the consolidated depôts; and on May 2 Major and Brevet -Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott took command of the Battalion.</p> - -<p>On June 12 the Battalion marched to Tourpe, Ellegnies -and Auberhies. On the 16th it marched to Nivelles, and on -the 17th marched to Waterloo and bivouacked there.</p> - -<p>About the same time that these Battalions embarked, -Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Ross proceeded to Belgium -to take command of the two companies of the 3rd -Battalion, which had been in Holland, the Head-quarters being -still in America, or on their way back. These as well as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> -2nd Battalion were placed in Sir Frederick Adam’s brigade of -Sir Henry Clinton’s division, with their old companions in -arms the 52nd and with the 71st Light Infantry.</p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion being, as I said, at Brussels and in -billets, were startled from their sleep on the evening of -June 15, by their bugles sounding the ‘assembly.’ The -companies immediately assembled on their alarm posts. -Here two days’ rations of biscuit and meat were served out to -the men; and they marched to near the Park, where the -Battalion was formed in quarter-distance column. This was -effected, though the men were billeted all over the town, by -eleven o’clock; whereas the other regiments of the division -were not formed up till two o’clock in the morning. The -Battalion being thus assembled, piled arms; the men took -off their packs, and using them as pillows, were soon fast -asleep, The officers following their example and reposing on -a doorstep, or wherever else they could, were frequently -disturbed by the ladies and others returning from the -Duchess of Richmond’s ball, which, it is well known, took -place on that night. However, the other regiments of the -division having assembled, about dawn they left Brussels by -the Porte-de-Namur, and marched to Waterloo. Here they -halted among some trees on the left side of the road. The -men cooked, and after a rest resumed their march by the -Charleroi road towards Quatre Bras. The heat was intense; -and one man, struck by a coup-de-soleil, went raving mad, -struck the man next him with his rifle, and fell down dead. -After passing Genappe the companies extended as they came -up, passing through fields of high standing corn. A few round-shot -now greeted them, but they proceeded till brought up -by a thick quickset hedge. The enemy fired at this, and -wounded one man. The Riflemen poked their rifles through, -but hesitated to force themselves through it on account of the -sharpness of the thorns. So strange it is that these men, -who feared no fire of the enemy, hesitated before a prickly -hedge. Then it was that George Simmons, seeing the check, -went back a few paces, and rushing at Sergeant Underwood, -hit him on the knapsack and butted him through. Both -rolled on the ground on the other side, which was much -lower; but they soon sprang to their feet, and, the gap once -made, the men poured through.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was now about two o’clock when FitzMaurice, who was -in Leach’s absence at Brussels commanding the leading -company, and who was posted on some high ground, observed -a horseman, apparently in deep thought, coming up the road. -As he drew near he recognised the Duke of Wellington, who -raising his eyes, and seeing the 95th uniform, called out -quickly, ‘Where is Barnard?’ The word was passed for -him; and when the Colonel galloped up, the Duke said, -‘Barnard, these fellows are coming on; you must stop them -by throwing yourself into that wood.’ Barnard immediately -ordered FitzMaurice to take the company into the wood, -and ‘amuse’ them, until he brought up the rest of the Battalion. -As FitzMaurice was moving off, the Duke called to -him to go round a knoll which would shelter him from the -enemy’s fire.<a name="FNanchor_153_153" id="FNanchor_153_153"></a><a href="#Footnote_153_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a></p> - -<p>General Bachelu had occupied the wood of Piermont, and -was pushing forward to obtain possession of another small -wood which would have interrupted the communication -between Quatre Bras and Ligny. But the Riflemen anticipated -them. ‘Here, for the first time in this campaign, the -troops of the two nations became engaged. The skirmishers -who successfully checked the further advance of the French, -and secured the wood, were the 1st Battalion of the British -95th Rifles,<a name="FNanchor_154_154" id="FNanchor_154_154"></a><a href="#Footnote_154_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a> whom the old campaigners of the French army, -at least those who had served in the Peninsula, had so -frequently found the foremost in the fight, and of whose -peculiarly effective discipline and admirable training they had -had ample experience.’<a name="FNanchor_155_155" id="FNanchor_155_155"></a><a href="#Footnote_155_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a></p> - -<p>Besides the occupation of this wood the Battalion kept -possession of the Namur road, which they lined.<a name="FNanchor_156_156" id="FNanchor_156_156"></a><a href="#Footnote_156_156" class="fnanchor">[156]</a> Charles -Beckwith’s company, commanded by Lieutenant Layton, lined -an embankment with a ditch in front of it, and kept up a smart -fire on the enemy, which was as smartly returned. Layton -himself was hit in the wrist and side. Yet the enemy forcing -the Riflemen, by increased numbers, out of the wood, made -furious endeavours to turn the left flank of the English line, -on which the Battalion was posted. They had already<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> -gained the road, when the Riflemen at last received the glad -summons to advance, and leaping over the bank and ditch, -dashed in among them, and drove them from the road and -from some houses on it which they had occupied.</p> - -<p>Marshal Ney was now checked at every point; the wood -of Piermont on his right, that of Bossu on his left, and the -plain in the centre, were all occupied by the Allies or cleared -of the French.</p> - -<p>The losses of the Battalion at Quatre Bras were Lieutenant -Lister,<a name="FNanchor_157_157" id="FNanchor_157_157"></a><a href="#Footnote_157_157" class="fnanchor">[157]</a> 2 sergeants and 6 rank and file killed; Captain -Smyth<a name="FNanchor_158_158" id="FNanchor_158_158"></a><a href="#Footnote_158_158" class="fnanchor">[158]</a>; Lieutenants Layton, wounded in the wrist; Gardiner, -severely wounded in the leg; FitzMaurice,<a name="FNanchor_159_159" id="FNanchor_159_159"></a><a href="#Footnote_159_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a> wounded in the -leg; 3 sergeants and 48 rank and file wounded.</p> - -<p>At nightfall the ground won by the Riflemen was given -over to Sir Charles Alten’s division, and the Battalion retired -to the rear of the farm of Gemioncourt; where, having formed -open column of companies and piled arms, the men lay down -in their ranks, the officers on the inner flanks of their companies; -ready, all of them, to take their arms and assume order of -battle on any alarm.</p> - -<p>Before the Battalion left the ground on which it had -fought, Sir Andrew Barnard called attention to a Rifleman -lying in their front, with both his legs shattered, adding, -‘Gentlemen, if one of you would remain here with two or -three men, and bring that poor fellow off, it would be a -glorious act indeed.’ George Simmons at once volunteered. -After the Battalion had moved off, he set up two sticks in the -direction of the wounded man and laid another at top. When -it was getting dark he sent a man forward in this alignment, -and marching upon him, and past him, soon reached the -wounded man. He told him not to make a sound, hoisted -him on the back of one of the men who remained with him, -and, the poor fellow suppressing a groan or a sound, he took -him away. Luckily while he was thus engaged the sentries -of the French picquet were being visited, so that their attention -was occupied. On nearing our lines he and his suffering -burthen were challenged by the Germans of Alten’s division,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> -and it was not till an officer and twenty men had advanced and -examined him, that he was suffered to pass, and to deposit -the wounded man in a house at Quatre Bras. After which -he rejoined his Battalion.</p> - -<p>Before daylight a sharp fire took place between the -picquets, owing to a patrol of cavalry having by some mistake -got between the advanced sentries. At dawn on the 17th a -company of the Battalion was sent forward to occupy the -farm-yard of Gemioncourt at Quatre Bras, and they detached -a picquet of two officers and twenty men to the front. These -were placed, some in a ditch and some behind a wall, with -orders not to fire; and the French, finding their fire not -returned, by degrees ceased firing. The men now cooked; -those in rear cooking for those in front.</p> - -<p>The retreat of the Prussians having rendered a similar -movement on our part necessary, the troops at Quatre Bras -began a retrograde movement on the morning of the 17th. -The 1st Battalion received orders to cover the retreat, and -was the last infantry that fell back. Before the picquet -retreated Sergeant Fairfoot, a brave Peninsular man, who had -been wounded in the breach at Badajos, was struck by a musket -ball, which fractured his right fore-arm. Yet with amazing -bravery, before going to the rear, he took a shot with his rifle -(rested on the shoulder of the officer of the picquet), at the -French, firing from his left shoulder and with his left arm.</p> - -<p>The Battalion had now fallen back, and, the French -advancing, this picquet retreated also; and came up with the -Battalion at Genappe, where it was halted in column at the -entrance to the town. The Duke and his Staff were on the -rising ground near; the Duke watching intently through his -telescope the advance of the enemy. At this moment rain -began to fall heavily, and the men were ordered to shelter -themselves in the houses on each side of the village street; -but they had not been long in them when some shots which -were heard between the enemy’s advancing and our retreating -cavalry, soon produced the order to ‘fall in;’ and passing with -the cavalry through Genappe, they reformed column on some -high ground at the end of that village. While they were so -posted they had the satisfaction of witnessing that charge of -the Life Guards down from that height, which rolled up the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> -French Lancers, and jammed them up with the cuirassiers -in the narrow street of Genappe. The retreat continued, -through incessant torrents of rain, which made the ground -and the trampled corn so difficult to move over, that the Riflemen -did not reach the position of Waterloo till a couple of hours -before dark. There they bivouacked, with the right wing of -the Battalion resting on the Charleroi road, behind La Haye -Sainte, and near a small cottage where Sir Andrew Barnard -had established his quarters, and where he dispensed the provisions -he had received from Brussels to many of his officers.</p> - -<p>The enemy coming up on the opposite heights opened a -cannonade, but without effect, at least on the Battalion; and -at nightfall they discontinued it.</p> - -<p>While the Battalion lay by their arms, the rain still fell -in torrents; there was a thunderstorm in the evening; and -through the night it rained heavily; but towards morning -dwindled to a thin small rain, and finally ceased before daybreak.</p> - -<p>The morning of the 18th dawned heavily; the heavy -moisture of the night rose from the heated ground in mist -and haze; which, as the sun gained power, ascended and left -the ground and prospect clear, yet kept the day cloudy.</p> - -<p>At daylight the men sprang to their feet, and took their -arms; cleaning them and their accoutrements, moistened and -rusted by so many hours of wet.</p> - -<p>This done, the Battalion took up its position.</p> - -<p>The road from Brussels, passing through the forest of -Soignies and the village of Waterloo, reaches the hamlet of -Mont St. Jean, where it bifurcates: the one to the right leading -to Nivelles, while that which goes straight on leads through -Genappe to Charleroi. Nearly three-quarters of a mile from -this fork the Charleroi road is crossed at right angles by a -cross-country road, leading on the left to Wavre, on the right -to Braine-la-Leud. About a quarter of a mile from this cross, -and on the right-hand side of the road to Charleroi, is the -farmhouse of La Haye Sainte, with a garden or orchard -running along the road. On the opposite side of the road was -a knoll with a sandpit at its base, and behind this sandpit -was a strong hedge running parallel to the Wavre road for -about 140 yards. In the sandpit were placed two companies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> -of the 1st Battalion under Brevet Major Leach; another -company, William Johnston’s, lined the hedge; and the remaining -three companies lined the Wavre road from its junction -with that leading to Charleroi.</p> - -<p>As the Battalion formed column to move up to this -position, a shot from one of the enemy’s guns struck a rear-rank -man of the rear company. He was the first man of the -Battalion who fell at Waterloo.</p> - -<p>A party of men under George Simmons were sent to cut -wood to form an <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">abattis</i>, which the Riflemen constructed on -the Charleroi road, at the point where the hedge abutted -on it.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J202" id="J202"></a> -<p class="right padr5pc fs60"><em>Pl. I.</em></p> -<a href="images/i_202fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_202fp.jpg" width="475" alt="" /></a> -<p class="right padr5pc fs60"><em>E. Weller, lith., London.</em></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London: Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs150 lsp">WATERLOO</span><br /> -18<sup>TH</sup> JUNE 1815<br /> -<span class="fs80">From 4.30 to 6.30 o’clock, p.m.</span> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The battle began, as is well known, with an attack on -Hougoumont. But about two o’clock D’Erlon’s corps moved -upon La Haye Sainte. They advanced in four columns. The -left central column moved in a direction parallel to the -Charleroi road; as they approached the sandpit, which was -hidden from them, both by its depression below the level of -the surrounding plain, and by the height of the standing corn, -they became exposed to the fire of the Riflemen stationed in -it. This obliged them to incline to their right; but they -then became exposed to the fire of Johnston’s company lining -the hedge, which not only threw them farther to their right, -but checked them. So that not only was the interval between -their columns diminished by the fire of the Riflemen driving -them to the right, but the distance between that column and -that which succeeded it was also diminished by the fire of -Johnston’s company checking their advance. Donzelot’s -brigade, however, continued to press forward, and out-flanking -the advanced companies of the Riflemen, obliged them to -run in on the other three companies of the Battalion. Still -the French pressed on; for a Belgian brigade on the left of -Picton’s division had fled, leaving a gap in our line. But -Picton brought up his infantry; and pouring in a terrific volley -while the French were attempting to deploy, led his division -to the charge (in doing which he himself fell), and completely -routed them. At this moment, as they were going down the -slope, a body of cuirassiers crossed from their right, pursued -by the 2nd Life Guards. The French infantry flung themselves -on the ground, while pursued and pursuers passed over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -them, and Leach’s two companies and Johnston’s company -running out to and beyond their former positions in the sandpit -and at the hedge, slew many men, and made many -prisoners. But the Duke’s orders were peremptory that the -troops were not to quit their positions, and the Riflemen, -having disposed of their prisoners, returned to theirs.</p> - -<p>For some hours after this first attack the 1st Battalion was -left comparatively quiet. A constant and fierce cannonade -was indeed kept up, from which they suffered; but no direct -attack was made upon them till about six o’clock, when the -French again advanced against La Haye Sainte. As the ammunition -of the Hanoverians who occupied it was exhausted, -they succeeded in obtaining possession of it. Having -established this post, close to the companies in the sandpit -and lining the hedge, they kept up an incessant fire from -loop-holes and from the windows of the farmhouse on these -companies; who being thus raked by a fire on their right -flank, and being also pressed hard in front by the advancing -columns, were obliged to fall back and join the remaining -companies of the Battalion, who were lining the Wavre road. -Thus the enemy were able to establish on the knoll and along -the crest a line of infantry; who kneeling or lying down, -showed only their heads, but delivered a most murderous fire -against the Riflemen and the other regiments of Kempt’s -division. Frequent endeavours were made by the French -officers to induce their men to leave this shelter, and to -charge the English line; and now and then a few gallant -spirits seemed inclined to try it. But as often as they did so, -the rifles of the 1st Battalion swept them off. The enemy -also brought up two guns by the garden hedge of La Haye -Sainte to the back of the Charleroi road, and opened fire -along it at those lining the Wavre road, but the Riflemen -taking deliberate aim slew the gunners before they could fire -a second round.</p> - -<p>At this time the Hanoverian regiment, commanded by -Colonel Von Ompteda, while attempting to deploy (in obedience -to the Prince of Orange’s injudicious orders), was attacked by -a body of cuirassiers, rolled up, and cut to pieces. Though -this took place in front of the ground occupied by the Riflemen, -and within range, they could not fire, through fear of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -shooting the unfortunate Hanoverians as well as the slaughtering -cuirassiers. But just as these last were being charged by -an English regiment of cavalry (the 23rd Light Dragoons), -they opened upon them a well-directed fire which sent both -parties flying; and the ground so lately crowded with combatants -was entirely cleared, except of the dead and wounded -Hanoverians, and the many cuirassiers brought down by the -rifles of the 95th. Sir Andrew Barnard was wounded early -in the day. The command of the 1st Battalion then devolved -on Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron; -and on his being also wounded later in the day, Captain and -Brevet Major Leach commanded it.</p> - -<p>Leaving the 1st Battalion, for a time lining the hedge of -the Wavre cross road, and exchanging fire with the French -in La Haye Sainte, and the adjacent ridge, let us trace -the actions of the 2nd Battalion, and of the two companies -of the 3rd Battalion during the day. They were, I -have already noted (with the 52nd and 71st), in Sir Frederick -Adam’s brigade. Their station at the commencement of the -action was between the village of Merbe-Braine and the road -to Nivelles, near where that road is intersected by one leading -to Braine-la-Leud. But as soon as the battle began, by the -first attack on Hougoumont, they advanced across this last -road, and stood in column of companies at quarter-distance -on the plateau overlooking the Nivelles road. Subsequently -they moved more forward still, and from the plateau drew up -close to the road to Nivelles.</p> - -<p>About four o’clock, when an attack was made on Hougoumont, -a crowd of French skirmishers pressed up the hill in -their front. The Duke of Wellington, who was close to the -brigade, ordered it to form line four deep. This they did at -once, the 2nd Battalion on the left, the 71st in the centre, -and the two 3rd Battalion companies on the right. For the -52nd in this formation into line were pushed out for want -of room, and formed in rear as a reserve. Then the Duke, -pointing to the French skirmishers, bade them ‘Drive those -fellows away.’ This they did speedily. For springing up -the slope with a cheer, they drove the French before them -over the crest, and down the slope on the other side; bringing -up their right shoulders, and halting in a hollow which extends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> -from the ridge towards the south-east of Hougoumont. Here -they were threatened with an attack of cavalry, and at once -formed square. They were soon charged by <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">carabiniers</i> and -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">grenadiers-à-cheval</i> of the Guard. In one of these Captain -William Eeles formed his company of the 3rd Battalion in -line with the rear face of the square of the 71st, and ordered -his men not to fire till he gave the word. Then allowing the -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">carabiniers</i> to approach within thirty or forty yards of the -angle of the front on which they were charging, he gave -them such a volley as, combined with the fire of the square, -brought half of them to the ground; some dead, some -wounded; and many entangled among the dead or dying -horses.</p> - -<p>During the intervals between these charges the 2nd Battalion -suffered much from a furious cannonade kept up on -them.</p> - -<p>About this time Colonel Norcott, commanding the 2nd -Battalion, was wounded, and Major Miller succeeded to the -command; and on his being wounded soon afterwards, the -command of the Battalion devolved on Captain Logan. At -the same time that Colonel Norcott was disabled, Colonel -Ross, commanding the companies of the 3rd Battalion, was -wounded; Major Fullerton succeeded to the command; and -on his being wounded about an hour afterwards the command -of these companies devolved on Captain Eeles.<a name="FNanchor_160_160" id="FNanchor_160_160"></a><a href="#Footnote_160_160" class="fnanchor">[160]</a></p> - -<p>Thus each Battalion of the Regiment had, on this day, its -two senior officers disabled by wounds.</p> - -<p>When the last attack was made upon Hougoumont, Adam’s -brigade, with the 2nd Battalion and the two companies of -the 3rd, was withdrawn, first to the crest, and subsequently to -the reverse slope, so as to be in some measure protected from -the cannonade directed against it.</p> - -<p>At seven o’clock a column of the Imperial Guard advanced -against this part of the position. It was covered by a cloud -of skirmishers; and in order to check them, a company of -each of the regiments of Adam’s brigade was thrown out in -skirmishing order. The enemy’s advancing column suffered so -severely from the English guns, that a body of cuirassiers were -sent forward to endeavour to silence these guns. The gunners<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> -ran in in rear of the infantry, and the cuirassiers not only -drove in the skirmishers of the 2nd Battalion, but came upon -Adam’s brigade, then in line. The Duke was then with -them, and the 52nd, the regiment most threatened, came to the -‘Prepare to receive cavalry.’ But the cuirassiers did not face -them, and their further attempts were checked by some -English cavalry sent against them. The Riflemen were then -on the road leading along the crest of the ridge.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J206" id="J206"></a> -<p class="right padr10pc fs60"><em>Pl. II.</em></p> -<a href="images/i_206fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_206fp.jpg" width="425" alt="" /></a> -<p class="right padr10pc fs60"><em>E. Weller, lith., London.</em></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London: Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs150 lsp">WATERLOO</span><br /> -18<sup>TH</sup> JUNE 1815<br /> -<span class="fs80">8.30 to 9 p.m.</span> -</div> -</div> - -<p>As the column of the Guard came forward, Sir John -Colborne, in command of the 52nd, at once wheeled up its -right shoulder, so as to throw it on the flank of the column. -The Duke, who was present, approving of this movement, -immediately ordered up the 2nd Battalion on its left; the -71st moved up to its right, and the two companies of the 3rd -Battalion formed the extreme right of the line. These owing -to the rapidity of the movement were not quite in line, but a -little retired from the alignment of the 52nd. The attacking -column of the Imperial Guard, having Maitland’s brigade of -Guards in its front, was evidently staggered by finding Adam’s -brigade on its flank. It halted, and wheeling up its left -sections, began to fire. Colborne also halted the 52nd and -fired into the column, and the 2nd Battalion coming up at -that instant on the left, poured a deadly fire into the Guard. -Then Colborne checked the fire, and calling out ‘Charge! -Charge!’ led his men against the column. The 2nd Battalion -joined vigorously in this charge; which, as Siborne -observes, ‘was remarkable for the order, the steadiness, the -resoluteness, and the daring by which it was characterised.’ -The Imperial Guard wavered, reeled, and then breaking up, -fled in inextricable confusion, in spite of attempts made by -its officers and some brave men in its ranks to stem its -flight. But they were swept away in the torrent of fugitives; -and the brigade continuing its triumphant march across the -field, and bringing its left shoulder, the 2nd Battalion, rather -forward, halted near the Charleroi road, with the left of the -2nd Battalion close to the orchard of La Haye Sainte. The -Duke, who came up that moment, suggested to Adam to attack -some squares of the Guard, which appeared disposed to make -a stand; but Adam observed that his men had marched far, -over heavy ground encumbered with dead and wounded, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> -required a short halt. To this the Duke assented; but in -a few moments—knowing by old Peninsular experience that -the French once routed never rally—he called out, ‘Better -attack them; they won’t stand.’ Nor did they. For although -they opened fire when Adam’s brigade approached them, the -moment these appeared in earnest and determined to charge, -they faced about and retired by word of command. The -Duke was with the brigade as they ascended the hill to the -French position; and having seen the only standing squares -of the Guard thus disposed of, or, as he said himself, having -seen ‘those fellows off,’ he rode away. Then Adam crossed -the Charleroi road, and bringing up the 2nd Battalion, his -left, he proceeded, skirting it, to drive the enemy before him.</p> - -<p>While the 2nd Battalion and the two companies of the -3rd are thus employed, let us return to the 1st Battalion, -which we left on the Wavre road, exposed to and thinned by -the musketry fire from the heights near La Haye Sainte. -When the Duke saw the decisive movement of Adam’s -brigade and the failure of the last attack of his enemy, he -ordered a general advance. The first intimation the 1st Battalion -had of it was a pealing cheer, beginning on the right -and rolling along from brigade to brigade, from battalion to -battalion. As the Riflemen were taking it up, the Duke rode -up behind them; the cheers were redoubled at his appearance, -but he said: ‘No cheering, my lads; but go on and complete -your victory.’</p> - -<p>‘This movement,’ says a Rifleman who was with them, -‘had carried us clear of the smoke; and to people who had -been so many hours enveloped in darkness, in the midst of -destruction, and naturally anxious about the result of the day, -the scene which now met the eye conveyed a feeling of more -exquisite gratification than can be conceived. It was a fine -summer’s evening, just before sunset. The French were -flying in one confused mass. British lines were seen in close -pursuit, and in admirable order, as far as the eye could reach -to the right, while the plain on the left was filled with -Prussians.’<a name="FNanchor_161_161" id="FNanchor_161_161"></a><a href="#Footnote_161_161" class="fnanchor">[161]</a></p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion, after marching across the field of battle, -halted about half a mile in front of it, and bivouacked there.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> -The 2nd Battalion and the two companies of the 3rd bivouacked -near La Belle Alliance.</p> - -<p>The losses of the Regiment at Waterloo were:</p> - - -<div class="p1 fs80 pad2"> -<p class="center smcap">Of the 1st Battalion.</p> - -<p class="p1 center"><em>Killed.</em></p> - -<p class="p1">Lieutenant Stilwell, 4 sergeants, and 16 rank and file.</p> - -<p class="p1 center"><em>Wounded.</em></p> - -<p class="p1 noindent"> -Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Andrew Barnard.<br /> -Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, severely.<br /> -Captain and Brevet Major Charles Beckwith (Staff), severely, leg amputated.<br /> -Captain Chawner, severely in the leg.<br /> -<span class="pad2">” W. Johnston, severely.</span><br /> -Lieutenant Molloy, severely.<br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">George Simmons, shot through the liver and two ribs broken.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Gairdner, severely.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">E. D. Johnston, severely.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Felix.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Allen Stewart, stabbed through the arm and wounded in the shoulder.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Wright, severely.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Church, severely.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">William Shenley, severely.</span><br /> -7 Sergeants, 1 bugler, and 116 rank and file.<br /> -</p> - - -<p class="p1 center smcap">Of the 2nd Battalion.</p> - -<p class="p1 center"><em>Killed.</em></p> - -<p class="p1">2 Sergeants, 1 bugler, and 31 rank and file.</p> - -<p class="p1 center"><em>Wounded.</em></p> - -<p class="p1 noindent"> -Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott, severely.<br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">”<span class="pad1">Wilkins, severely.</span></span><br /> -Captain and Brevet Major Miller, severely.<br /> -<span class="pad2">” M’Cullock, severely.</span><br /> -Lieutenant Humbley, severely.<br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Coxen, severely.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">D. Cameron.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">R. Cochrane.</span><br /> - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Ridgeway, severely.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Fry.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Webb.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Lynam, severely.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Eyre, severely.</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">Walsh, severely.</span><br /> -6 Sergeants, 2 buglers, and 171 rank and file. And 20 rank and file, <em>missing</em>.<br /> -</p> - - -<p class="p1 center smcap">Of the 3rd Battalion.</p> - -<p class="p1 center"><em>Killed.</em></p> - -<p class="p1">Captain Charles Eeles, 3 rank and file.</p> - -<p class="p1 center"><em>Wounded.</em></p> - -<p class="p1 noindent"> -Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Ross, severely.<br /> -Captain and Brevet Major Fullerton, severely.<br /> -Lieutenant Worsley, severely.<br /> -<span class="pad2">”</span> <span class="pad2">G. H. Shenley, severely.</span><br /> -1 Sergeant, 1 bugler, and 34 rank and file. And 7 rank and file, <em>missing</em>.<br /> -</p> -</div> - - -<p class="p1" /> -<p>The strength of these Battalions on the morning of -June 18 was as follows:<a name="FNanchor_162_162" id="FNanchor_162_162"></a><a href="#Footnote_162_162" class="fnanchor">[162]</a></p> - -<div class="p2 center fs70"> -<span class="transnotex">Offc. = Officers Pres. = Present Abs. = Absent</span> -</div> - -<div class="fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz" rowspan="3"></td><td class="tdcx" rowspan="3">Field Offc.</td><td class="tdcx" rowspan="3">Capt­ains</td><td class="tdcx" rowspan="3">Sub­alterns</td><td class="tdcx br" rowspan="3">Staff</td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="5">Sergeants</td></tr> - <tr><td class="tdcx bt" rowspan="2">Pres.</td><td class="tdcx bt" colspan="2">Sick</td><td class="tdcx bt" rowspan="2">Woun­ded</td><td class="tdcx bt br" rowspan="2">Total</td></tr> - <tr><td class="tdcx bt">Pres.</td><td class="tdcx bt">Abs.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"> 1st Battalion 6 companies</td><td class="tdcx">1</td><td class="tdcx">3</td><td class="tdcx">7</td><td class="tdcx br">6</td><td class="tdcx">27</td><td class="tdcx"></td><td class="tdcx">11</td><td class="tdcx"></td><td class="tdcx br">38</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">2nd Battalion 6 companies</td><td class="tdcx">2</td><td class="tdcx">6</td><td class="tdcx">20</td><td class="tdcx br ">6</td><td class="tdcx">37</td><td class="tdcx">1</td><td class="tdcx"></td><td class="tdcx">3</td><td class="tdcx br">41</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"> 3rd Battalion 2 companies</td><td class="tdcx">1</td><td class="tdcx">2</td><td class="tdcx">5</td><td class="tdcx br">2</td><td class="tdcx">11</td><td class="tdcx"></td><td class="tdcx"></td><td class="tdcx">1</td><td class="tdcx br">12</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz pad3">Total of the regiment</td><td class="tdcx">4</td><td class="tdcx">11</td><td class="tdcx">32</td><td class="tdcx br">14</td><td class="tdcx">75</td><td class="tdcx">1</td><td class="tdcx">11</td><td class="tdcx">4</td><td class="tdcx br">91</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bt br"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz" rowspan="3"></td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="3">Buglers</td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="5">Rank and file</td></tr> - <tr><td class="tdcx bt" rowspan="2">Pres.</td><td class="tdcx bt" rowspan="2">Sick abs.</td><td class="tdcx bt br" rowspan="2">Total</td><td class="tdcx bt" rowspan="2">Pres.</td><td class="tdcx bt" colspan="2">Sick</td><td class="tdcx bt" rowspan="2">Woun­ded</td><td class="tdcx bt br" rowspan="2">Total</td></tr> - <tr><td class="tdcx bt">Pres.</td><td class="tdcx bt">Abs.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"> 1st Battalion 6 companies</td><td class="tdcx">10</td><td class="tdcx">2</td><td class="tdcx br">12</td><td class="tdcx">364</td><td class="tdcx"></td><td class="tdcx">185</td><td class="tdcx"></td><td class="tdcx br">549</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">2nd Battalion 6 companies</td><td class="tdcx">17</td><td class="tdcx"></td><td class="tdcx br">17</td><td class="tdcx">567</td><td class="tdcx">10</td><td class="tdcx">3</td><td class="tdcx">5</td><td class="tdcx br">585</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"> 3rd Battalion 2 companies</td><td class="tdcx">6</td><td class="tdcx"></td><td class="tdcx br">6</td><td class="tdcx">176</td><td class="tdcx">2</td><td class="tdcx">2</td><td class="tdcx">8</td><td class="tdcx br">188</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz pad3">Total of the regiment</td><td class="tdcx">33</td><td class="tdcx">2</td><td class="tdcx br">35</td><td class="tdcx">1107</td><td class="tdcx">12</td><td class="tdcx">190</td><td class="tdcx">13</td><td class="tdcx br">1322</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p1" /> -<p>Of the wounded Lieutenant Johnston had been brought -with Simmons to the farmhouse of Mont St. Jean, a little in -rear of the position of the Battalion. Some Riflemen procured -two horses, which had belonged to French cavalry soldiers, -on which they set these officers to take them to -Brussels; and as they were turning out of the gate a cannon -shot, many of which were bounding along the road, struck -Johnston and killed him on the spot.</p> - -<p>Of Worsley, Kincaid relates that he had at Badajos received -a shot in his ear, which came out at the back of the neck, -which on his recovery had the effect of turning his head to -the right; and that now he received exactly a similar wound -in the left ear, the ball coming out near the exit of the -former, which restored his head to its original position.<a name="FNanchor_163_163" id="FNanchor_163_163"></a><a href="#Footnote_163_163" class="fnanchor">[163]</a></p> - -<p>M’Cullock had been wounded in the shoulder on Massena’s -retreat from Portugal in March 1811, and this wound deprived -him of the use of the arm. At Waterloo, by a shot fired very -late in the day, he lost the other arm. He was promoted, -‘having no longer an arm to wield for his country,’ as he told -the Duke of Wellington, ‘but being anxious to serve it,’ to a -majority in the 2nd Garrison Battalion in Dec. 1815, and -died in London in 1818.</p> - -<p>Charles Beckwith had his left leg shattered by grape-shot -shortly before the end of the battle. It was amputated a few -days afterwards. He exchanged to half-pay in 1820; and -some years subsequently, having had his attention directed -to the Waldenses, he, after frequent visits to the Pignerolo -valleys, eventually settled in that country. Here his career -was one of great usefulness. He found the people in a state<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> -of great depression, poverty and ignorance; and by untiring -devotion to their interests, temporal as well as spiritual, conferred -on them inestimable benefits. He established schools -for primary education, and seminaries for more advanced -instruction. And he taught the people self-reliance, and led -them to join in and contribute to the good works he originated -for them. After a career of great usefulness he died (having -then the rank of Major-General) at Torre, on the 19th July, -1862, attended to the grave by the love and lamentations of -the people for whom he had done so much.<a name="FNanchor_164_164" id="FNanchor_164_164"></a><a href="#Footnote_164_164" class="fnanchor">[164]</a></p> - -<p>Lieutenant Allen Stewart was stabbed through the left -arm by a French officer ‘whom he finished in an instant;’<a name="FNanchor_165_165" id="FNanchor_165_165"></a><a href="#Footnote_165_165" class="fnanchor">[165]</a> -he was subsequently wounded by a musket-ball which -lodged in the shoulder. After long suffering at Brussels, -where he experienced, as did many other Riflemen, very great -attention and kindness from the inhabitants on whom they -were billeted, he returned to England<a name="FNanchor_166_166" id="FNanchor_166_166"></a><a href="#Footnote_166_166" class="fnanchor">[166]</a> with George Simmons, -who had also long been detained at Brussels by his dangerous -wounds.<a name="FNanchor_167_167" id="FNanchor_167_167"></a><a href="#Footnote_167_167" class="fnanchor">[167]</a></p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>Sir James Kempt, who succeeded to the command of the -5th Division on Picton’s death, says in his report to the Duke -of Wellington: ‘I lost in my brigade major, who was killed, -Captain [Charles] Eeles, 95th, a most valuable officer.... I -shall take the liberty of bringing under your Grace’s notice the -particular claims and merits of the officers commanding regiments, -in a separate report; but I cannot close this one without -mentioning that Colonel Sir A. Barnard and the next in -command, Colonel Cameron of the 95th, were both wounded.’<a name="FNanchor_168_168" id="FNanchor_168_168"></a><a href="#Footnote_168_168" class="fnanchor">[168]</a></p> - -<p>And Sir Henry Clinton, in his report to Lord Hill, says:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> -‘The manner in which the several regiments ... the -2nd and 3rd Battalions 95th, under Lieutenant-Colonels -Norcott and Ross, discharged their duty, was witnessed and -admired by the whole army.’<a name="FNanchor_169_169" id="FNanchor_169_169"></a><a href="#Footnote_169_169" class="fnanchor">[169]</a></p> - -<p>And on the 26th June he writes thus to Lord Hill: ‘I -beg leave to add the names of officers, which from the -favourable reports made of them by the officers commanding -brigades, it is my duty to request you will lay before the -commander of the forces, in the hope that his Grace will -recommend them for promotion. The names of these -officers are: ...</p> - -<p>‘Captain Logan, Lieutenant Humbley,<a name="FNanchor_170_170" id="FNanchor_170_170"></a><a href="#Footnote_170_170" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> and Lieutenant -and Adjutant Smith, 2nd Battalion, 95th Regiment.</p> - -<p>‘Captain [William] Eeles and Lieutenant Hope, 3rd Battalion, -95th Regiment.’<a name="FNanchor_171_171" id="FNanchor_171_171"></a><a href="#Footnote_171_171" class="fnanchor">[171]</a></p> - -<p>It appears also, by a letter from Sir Henry Torrens to the -Duke of Wellington, February 29, 1816, that the Duke had on -the 12th strongly recommended Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott, -on account of his conduct at Waterloo. For after stating that -his obtaining the honour of Commander of the Bath, in his -then rank, was contrary to regulation, he goes on to add: -‘You may be assured that I shall pay every attention in my -power to the high opinion you have expressed of him, and to -your desire that his claim should be attended to.’<a name="FNanchor_172_172" id="FNanchor_172_172"></a><a href="#Footnote_172_172" class="fnanchor">[172]</a></p> - -<p>On June 19, 1815, the Regiment began its march to Paris. -On the 24th the 1st Battalion moved from Bavay to Engle-fontaine, -and encamped or was cantoned in that neighbourhood, -and on the 25th at Maretz. On the 26th the 2nd Battalion -moved from Nauroy and Magny, and encamped near Beauvoir -and Lanchy; and the 1st Battalion halted at Nauroy, -Magny, and Bellenglise. On the next day the 2nd Battalion -crossed the Somme at Villecourt and moved by Nesle to Roye, -and the 1st Battalion advanced, and encamped between -Douilly and Villers. On the 28th the 2nd Battalion marched -by Montdidier to Petit Crèvecœur: on the next day from -that place to Clermont; and the 1st Battalion from Roye,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> -where it had halted on the 28th, to Gournay on the road to -Pont St. Maxence. On the 30th this Battalion crossed the -Oise at Pont St. Maxence, and was pushed on as far as -Fleurines on the road to Senlis; while the 2nd Battalion -and companies of the 3rd moved from Petit Crèvecœur to -Chantilly. On July 1 this Battalion relieved the Prussians -near Aubervilliers; and the 1st Battalion moved by Senlis -and Louvres, and encamped between Louvres and Vauderlan. -On the 6th both Battalions were encamped near Neuilly. -On July 7 the army marched into Paris, and the 2nd Battalion -had the honour of being the first corps which entered; -Lieutenant and Adjutant Thomas Smith, riding in front of the -Battalion, being the first British officer who entered Paris on -that famous day.</p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion was encamped at the village of Clichy -until October 30, when it was cantoned in and near the -village of Vaux. On December 19 it was moved into -the city of Paris, and occupied barracks in the Rue de Clichy. -On the entry into Paris the 2nd Battalion was encamped in -the Champs Elysées, where it remained till October 29, -when it went into quarters at Versailles; and on December 8 -marched to St. Leu Tavernay and St. Prix and Moullinor.</p> - -<p>On July 10 the Head-quarters of the 3rd Battalion (five -companies, 300 men) embarked at Dover, and landing on the -13th at Ostend, moved through Bruges, Ghent, Oudenarde, -Mons, Bavay, Le Catelet and Peronne; and thence by the route -before traversed by the other Battalions through Roye, Pont St. -Maxence and Louvres to Paris. On arrival they were placed, -with the 2nd Battalion, in Sir Frederick Adam’s brigade, to -which their two detached companies were already attached, -and were encamped with them in the Champs Elysées. It -was subsequently removed to another brigade and cantoned -at Montmartre.</p> - -<p>The three Battalions being thus re-united in the neighbourhood -of Paris, the officers observed the anniversary of the -formation of the Regiment by a ‘Regimental Dinner’ at St. -Germain-en-Laye, on August 25. This seems to have been -the second ‘Regimental Dinner.’</p> - -<p>At the end of November, a new arrangement of brigades -was made, under which the 1st Battalion, then consisting of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> -six companies and 577 men, was placed in Sir John Lambert’s -brigade of Sir Lowry Cole’s division. The 2nd Battalion, -then consisting of 534 men, was placed in Sir Manley -Power’s brigade of Sir Charles Colville’s division. And the -3rd Battalion (480 men) was ordered to return to England. -It quitted Paris on December 3, and halted that night -at St. Denis. From thence passing through Beaumont, -Noailles and Beauvais, it arrived at Abbeville on the 11th. -It reached Montreuil-sur-Mer on the 14th, and embarked at -Calais on the 20th, landed at Dover on the 22nd, and -marched on the next day to Shorncliffe.</p> - -<p>On January 16, 1816, the 1st Battalion marched from -Paris, and having halted some days at Louvres, proceeded to -the neighbourhood of Cambrai, having its Head-quarters at -Bourlon, with detachments at Inchy-en-Artois, Proville, -Baralle, Buissy Baralle, and Sains-lez-Marquion. Its strength -was 30 officers and 503 men of all ranks.<a name="FNanchor_173_173" id="FNanchor_173_173"></a><a href="#Footnote_173_173" class="fnanchor">[173]</a></p> - -<p>On December 26, 1815 the 2nd Battalion marched -from St. Leu to Gonesse, the next day to Claye, and the -day following to Crecy, where they remained until January -23, on which day they marched by Compiègne, Noyon, -Ham, St. Quentin, Le Catelet and Cambrai, to villages near -Valenciennes, in which they were billeted on January 31, -and on February 1 moved into cantonments, with Head-quarters -at Lecelle, and detachments at Rumegies and -Rosult. Its strength was 29 officers and 553 men.<a name="FNanchor_174_174" id="FNanchor_174_174"></a><a href="#Footnote_174_174" class="fnanchor">[174]</a></p> - -<p>By an order dated Horse Guards February 16, 1816, -the 95th was removed from the regiments of the line, and -styled <span class="smcap">the Rifle Brigade</span>.</p> - -<p>On July 15 the 1st Battalion was at Bapaume,<a name="FNanchor_175_175" id="FNanchor_175_175"></a><a href="#Footnote_175_175" class="fnanchor">[175]</a> but soon -marched and encamped on a common at Bourlon; and on -the 24th the 2nd Battalion marched to and encamped on a -common near St. Amand.</p> - -<p>On October 24 the 2nd Battalion marched from camp -and resumed its cantonments at Lecelle, Sameon, Rumegies, -and Rosult.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> - -<p>Early in 1817 this Battalion was removed from Sir -Manley Power’s to the 3rd Brigade under the command of -Sir Thomas Brisbane; and marched to join that brigade -<ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'through Aberchicourt'">through Auberchicourt</ins>, Gavrelle, Aubigny to St. Pol; where it -was cantoned with detachments in fourteen surrounding -villages.</p> - -<p>On July 4 it marched from these cantonments, and encamped -at Helfaut near St. Omer, where it remained till -August 31, when it marched to Valenciennes, and encamped -on the glacis of that place; but on October 4 went into -barracks at Valenciennes for half-yearly inspection. On the -8th it moved to camp at Denain, which however broke up -on the 16th when the Battalion marched to St. Pol, where -it arrived on the 20th and resumed its quarters there and in -the neighbourhood.</p> - -<p>On May 31, 1818, the Battalion was again encamped at -Helfaut till August 15, when it marched to and encamped -near Valenciennes. On October 17 it marched to Neuville -near Bouchain, preparatory to a grand review by the Duke -of Wellington in the presence of the Emperor of Russia, the -King of Prussia and other Sovereigns and Princes; which -took place on the 23rd.</p> - -<p>The Army of Occupation being now to leave France, the -Battalion marched on the 25th to Auberchicourt, and thence -through Lens, Lillers, Blendecques, Peuplingue, near Ardres, -whence they marched at two o’clock in the morning of the -30th to Calais, where they arrived and embarked at ten -o’clock, and sailing immediately arrived at Dover in the night. -On the 31st they disembarked and marched to Shorncliffe.</p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion also moved into camp and changed its -cantonments during the time it formed part of the Army of -Occupation; but I am not able to give its movements with -equal minuteness, as the regimental Record for that period -has not been kept with the same accuracy as that of the 2nd -Battalion. It was moved into the 7th Brigade under the -command of Major-General Sir W. O’Callaghan; and I find -that on September 27, 1818, it was encamped near Cambrai.<a name="FNanchor_176_176" id="FNanchor_176_176"></a><a href="#Footnote_176_176" class="fnanchor">[176]</a> -It marched to Calais, where it embarked on October 31,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> -and sailing on the same day arrived at Dover and marched -to Shorncliffe on November 1.</p> - -<p>I have now to trace the movements of the 3rd Battalion, -which had returned to Shorncliffe in December 1815. Soon -afterwards it was ordered to Dublin, where it was quartered -for two years and three months. Whilst the Battalion was in -Dublin a melancholy event took place, on August 16, 1817: -the death of Lieutenant Amphlett from hydrophobia, resulting -from the bite of his dog. The details of this sad case are -very fully related by Dr. Ridgway, Surgeon of the Battalion, -in the <cite>United Service Journal</cite>, vol. i. part i. p. 577. The -Battalion afterwards proceeded to Birr; and at the end of -1818, a diminution of the army having been resolved upon, this -Battalion was reduced. The junior officers of each rank, who -thereby became non-effective, were placed on half pay on -December 25, 1818; but the actual disbanding of the Battalion -did not take place till towards the end of January 1819; -when some of the men were drafted into the 1st and 2nd -Battalions and the remainder were discharged. Its strength -when disbanded was 810 men.<a name="FNanchor_177_177" id="FNanchor_177_177"></a><a href="#Footnote_177_177" class="fnanchor">[177]</a></p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J217" id="J217"></a> -<p class="right fs70 padr10pc">Plate III</p> -<img src="images/i_217fp.jpg" width="470" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -RIFLE BRIGADE,<br /> -TO 1833 -</div> -</div> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_152_152" id="Footnote_152_152"></a><a href="#FNanchor_152_152"><span class="label">[152]</span></a> This list (copied from Simmons’ ‘Narrative’) is not perfect. Captain -William Johnston was at Waterloo. He was probably with the detachment -which had been in Holland, and which joined on the advance from Ostend to -Brussels. Captain Glasse, who was acting as Deputy Judge Advocate, did not -join till after the battle of Waterloo.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_153_153" id="Footnote_153_153"></a><a href="#FNanchor_153_153"><span class="label">[153]</span></a> General FitzMaurice’s letter to the ‘Times.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_154_154" id="Footnote_154_154"></a><a href="#FNanchor_154_154"><span class="label">[154]</span></a> Leach’s company, under the command of FitzMaurice, who thus ‘opened -the ball’ on that memorable day.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_155_155" id="Footnote_155_155"></a><a href="#FNanchor_155_155"><span class="label">[155]</span></a> Siborne, i. 106.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_156_156" id="Footnote_156_156"></a><a href="#FNanchor_156_156"><span class="label">[156]</span></a> Ibid. 109.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_157_157" id="Footnote_157_157"></a><a href="#FNanchor_157_157"><span class="label">[157]</span></a> He was shot through the abdomen, and died, in a house at Quatre Bras, -next morning.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_158_158" id="Footnote_158_158"></a><a href="#FNanchor_158_158"><span class="label">[158]</span></a> He died of his wounds.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_159_159" id="Footnote_159_159"></a><a href="#FNanchor_159_159"><span class="label">[159]</span></a> Major-General FitzMaurice, K. H., died December 24, 1865.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_160_160" id="Footnote_160_160"></a><a href="#FNanchor_160_160"><span class="label">[160]</span></a> ‘Supp. Desp.’ x. 751.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_161_161" id="Footnote_161_161"></a><a href="#FNanchor_161_161"><span class="label">[161]</span></a> Kincaid, ‘Adventures in the Rifle Brigade,’ p. 353.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_162_162" id="Footnote_162_162"></a><a href="#FNanchor_162_162"><span class="label">[162]</span></a> I have extracted the above return from the ‘Wellington Despatches,’ xii. -487, and it is signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Waters, Assistant Adjutant-General, -but it is certainly incorrect as regards the 1st Battalion. Two Field Officers were -certainly present, Barnard and Cameron: both were wounded, and are so returned -(‘Army List,’ August, 1815), nor is it easy to account for the number (185) reported -as ‘sick absent.’ A note to the original states that the large number of -‘sick absent’ in this (and some other regiments) is owing to their losses at -Quatre Bras; yet the 1st Battalion had only forty-eight men wounded there. It will -be seen on comparing this return with the lists of casualties that the 1st Battalion -lost of all ranks in killed and wounded more than three-eighths of its numbers; the -2nd Battalion rather less than one-third; and the 3rd Battalion a little more than -a fifth, and the whole Regiment (fourteen companies) about a third.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_163_163" id="Footnote_163_163"></a><a href="#FNanchor_163_163"><span class="label">[163]</span></a> I presume as Kincaid calls Worsley, then residing on his estate in Nottinghamshire, -as a living witness to the truth of this statement, it may here be recorded. -It has been confirmed to me by independent testimony.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_164_164" id="Footnote_164_164"></a><a href="#FNanchor_164_164"><span class="label">[164]</span></a> A memoir of General Beckwith has been published by M. Meille, of which -there is an English translation, London, 1873.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_165_165" id="Footnote_165_165"></a><a href="#FNanchor_165_165"><span class="label">[165]</span></a> Simmons’ MS. Narrative.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_166_166" id="Footnote_166_166"></a><a href="#FNanchor_166_166"><span class="label">[166]</span></a> He was placed on half-pay at the reduction of the 3rd Battalion, and after -serving in some other regiments, died in the Norwich Military Lunatic Asylum, -July 6, 1847.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_167_167" id="Footnote_167_167"></a><a href="#FNanchor_167_167"><span class="label">[167]</span></a> I cannot mention George Simmons’ name here for the last time without recording -how much I have been indebted to his Journal in the Peninsula from -1809 to 1814, and to his Narrative of Quatre Bras and Waterloo, in compiling -this History. After a service of nearly thirty years in the 1st Battalion he left it -in 1838, on promotion to an unattached majority, and died March 5, 1858.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_168_168" id="Footnote_168_168"></a><a href="#FNanchor_168_168"><span class="label">[168]</span></a> ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 537.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_169_169" id="Footnote_169_169"></a><a href="#FNanchor_169_169"><span class="label">[169]</span></a> ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 545.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_170_170" id="Footnote_170_170"></a><a href="#FNanchor_170_170"><span class="label">[170]</span></a> Colonel Logan, 63rd Regiment, died September 1, 1844. Lieutenant-Colonel -Humbley (retired) died 1857.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_171_171" id="Footnote_171_171"></a><a href="#FNanchor_171_171"><span class="label">[171]</span></a> ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 624.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_172_172" id="Footnote_172_172"></a><a href="#FNanchor_172_172"><span class="label">[172]</span></a> Ibid. xi. 311.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_173_173" id="Footnote_173_173"></a><a href="#FNanchor_173_173"><span class="label">[173]</span></a> Return, April 10, 1816, ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ xi. 357.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_174_174" id="Footnote_174_174"></a><a href="#FNanchor_174_174"><span class="label">[174]</span></a> Ibid. xi. 360.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_175_175" id="Footnote_175_175"></a><a href="#FNanchor_175_175"><span class="label">[175]</span></a> I copy this from a French return in the ‘Wellington Supplementary Despatches,’ -xi. 412-3, where it is styled <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Brigade de Carabiniers, le 1 Bataillon</i>. <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Le -2 Bataillon</i> was still at Lecelle.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_176_176" id="Footnote_176_176"></a><a href="#FNanchor_176_176"><span class="label">[176]</span></a> ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ xii. 706.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_177_177" id="Footnote_177_177"></a><a href="#FNanchor_177_177"><span class="label">[177]</span></a> ‘Annual Register,’ lx. 168.</p></div> -</div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">The 1st Battalion marched from Shorncliffe in three divisions -on December 24, 26 and 28, 1818, for Chichester; and after -halting there for two days proceeded to Gosport, and was -quartered there, and at Haslar barracks.</p> - -<p>It remained here till the autumn; when the disturbed -state of the northern parts of the kingdom requiring the -presence of a military force, the 1st Battalion embarked at -three or four hours’ notice, on board the ‘Liffey,’ frigate, and -the ‘Hind,’ sloop, on September 18, 1819, and landed at Leith -on the 27th; and marching from thence on the next day arrived -at Glasgow, the principal seat of the disturbance, on the 30th -and was quartered in the Infantry barracks. Here they -remained during the rest of the year.</p> - -<p>On its arrival in England the 2nd Battalion received -orders the very day after reaching Shorncliffe to march to -Hastings; and starting on November 2, 1818, and halting -successively at Romney and Rye, arrived there on the 4th. -Its stay at Hastings however did not much exceed a month. -For marching on December 7, through Hailsham, Lewes, -Shoreham, Arundel, and Chichester, it arrived at Hilsea -on December 12. On the 24th of that month it was inspected, -previous to embarkation, by Major-General Lord -Howard of Effingham; and on the 26th embarked at Portsmouth -on board the ‘Fame’ and ‘Sir George Osborne’ -transports; and sailing on the 28th arrived at Cove on the -31st; and disembarking immediately marched to Middleton. -And on the day following, January 1, 1819, it marched to -Fermoy, and after three days’ halt here, on the 5th the Battalion -proceeded by Mitchelstown, Cahir, Thurles and Roscrea, -and arrived at Birr barracks on the 9th; relieving there the -3rd Battalion which was being then disbanded, and from which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> -the 2nd Battalion received by transfer on January 11, 213 -non-commissioned officers and privates.</p> - -<p>From Birr the Battalion detached two companies to -Roscrea, one company to Maryborough, and smaller parties to -Frankford and Banagher. In August another company was -detached to Tullamore, and three companies under a major -to Mullingar. These companies proceeded to Athlone on -February 18, 1820; and three other companies with the Staff -of the Regiment under Lieut.-Colonel Mitchell re-inforced -them at Athlone on the 24th in consequence of the disturbed -state of the country. On this account too the companies -at Maryborough and Roscrea were pushed forward to Loughrea -on the 27th; and another company from Birr followed them -there on March 27. Meanwhile, three of the companies at -Athlone had marched to Tuam.</p> - -<p>On February 19, in this year, Field-Marshal The Duke of -Wellington was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, -on the death of Sir David Dundas. On this occasion -the Officers of the Regiment presented to him the following -address:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘May it please your Grace,</p> - -<p> ‘We, the Lieutenant-Colonels Commanding, Field-officers, -Captains and Subalterns of the two Battalions of the -Rifle Brigade, beg leave to represent to your Grace with what -feelings of pride and satisfaction we viewed your appointment -to be our Colonel-in-Chief.</p> - -<p>‘Assuredly so high a distinction could not fail to make a -deep impression on the minds of any corps in His Majesty’s -service; but we cannot conceal from ourselves that, in the -breast of the majority of us, every sentiment of joy and -exultation was in no slight degree augmented when memory -recalled the days of active service under your Grace’s command, -as well in that series of brilliant campaigns which -terminated in the emancipation of the Peninsula, as during -the last grand struggle, which, sealing the destruction of the -common enemy, purchased for Europe tranquillity and for -your Grace the title of its deliverer.</p> - -<p>‘Whatever henceforth may be the destinies of this Corps—whether -its exertions shall be for some time confined to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> -humbler, less inspiring, but not less imperative duty of protecting -our fellow-citizens against the criminal attempts of -flagitious and designing men in our native country, or whether -our better fortune shall again direct us to the more enviable -and spirit-stirring occupations of foreign war—we entreat -your Grace to believe that the lustre of your high example -will ever be present before our eyes, animating us all, each in -his degree, and within the sphere of his activity, to renewed -exertions; imparting to our humble efforts a character of a -loftier emulation, and teaching us unceasingly to aim at -results not unworthy to be associated with a name which -history will indissolubly blend with the fairest and most -enduring triumphs of a free and independent people.</p> - -<p>‘We have the honour to be,<br /> -<span class="pad3">‘Your Grace’s most obedient humble servants,</span></p> - -<p class="pad4">‘1st and 2nd Battalions Rifle Brigade.<br /> -<span class="smcap pad3">A. Norcott</span>, Col. and Lieut.-Col. Com.<br /> -<span class="smcap pad3">D. Little Gilmour</span>, Lieut.-Col.<br /> -<span class="smcap pad3">J. Ross</span>, Major and Lieut.-Col.<br /> -<span class="smcap pad3">S. Mitchell</span>, Major and Lieut.-Col.<br /> -<span class="smcap pad3">J. Leach</span>, Major and Lieut.-Col.<br /> -<span class="smcap pad3">Geo. Miller</span>, Major and Lieut.-Col.<br /> -<span class="smcap pad3">W. Gray</span>, Capt. and Major.<br /> -<span class="smcap pad3">Morgan Brent</span>, Major.’<a name="FNanchor_178_178" id="FNanchor_178_178"></a><a href="#Footnote_178_178" class="fnanchor">[178]</a><br /> -</p></div> - -<p>This address was forwarded to the Duke by Colonel -Gilmour, then commanding the 2nd Battalion, with the -following letter:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Tuam, May 31, 1820.</p> - -<p>‘My Lord Duke,</p> - -<p> ‘As senior Lieutenant-Colonel of the Rifle Brigade, I -have the honour of forwarding to you a letter from the officers -composing the two Battalions of it, and in doing so I beg -leave to express the high sense I entertain of the honour -which has now devolved upon me, as also to embrace this -opportunity of acknowledging the many obligations personally -conferred upon me by your Grace, and which I beg leave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> -to assure you shall ever be held in my most grateful recollection.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr4">‘I have the honour to be</span><br /> -<span class="padr6">&c., &c.</span><br /> -<span class="padr2 smcap">D. Little Gilmour,</span><br /> -<span class="fs70">Lieut.-Col., 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade.’</span><br /> -</p></div> - -<p>During the time the 1st Battalion remained at Glasgow, -they were frequently engaged, if not in actual conflict with -the insurgents, yet in repressing acts of violence by the -populace of Glasgow and Paisley, during the political excitement, -then known as ‘The Radical War.’ Thus, among other -occasions, I find that on April 2, 1820, the people of Glasgow, -Paisley and the surrounding villages having left work and -assembled for illegal and riotous objects, the Battalion was -under arms from before day-break and posted in St. George’s -Square; but the assemblage dispersed without acts of overt -violence.<a name="FNanchor_179_179" id="FNanchor_179_179"></a><a href="#Footnote_179_179" class="fnanchor">[179]</a></p> - -<p>On the removal of the Battalion from Glasgow, it received, -by District Order dated November 12, 1820, the approbation -of Major-General Reynell, commanding the district, for -its conduct ‘upon those trying occasions when its steady, -temperate deportment was so mainly conducive to the restoration -and maintenance of tranquillity in that populous -city.’<a name="FNanchor_180_180" id="FNanchor_180_180"></a><a href="#Footnote_180_180" class="fnanchor">[180]</a></p> - -<p>A letter from the Provost of Glasgow, dated October 28, -conveyed to Colonel Norcott the approbation of the magistrates -of that city of the conduct of the Officers, Non-commissioned -Officers and Privates of the Battalion, ‘during a period -of great anxiety and alarm,’ for their ‘admirable discipline -and propriety of conduct under very trying and harassing -circumstances.’</p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion left Glasgow in three Divisions on -November 15, 16 and 17, 1820, and arrived at Belfast on -the 24th and 27th and were there quartered, furnishing -detachments to Downpatrick, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Castle-Dawson, -Ballycastle, Dungiven, Maghera, Newtown-Glens -and Ballymoney.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> - -<p>About this time reference was made to the Duke of -Wellington as to the Peninsular actions the names of which -were to be borne by the Regiment, and on December 7, 1820, -the Duke addressed the following letter to the Adjutant-General:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘Sir,—In returning to you the letter of Colonel Norcott, -commanding the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, which I had the -honour to receive from you some time ago, I beg leave to -state, for the Commander-in-Chief’s information, that, according -to the rule to which I have confined myself in recommending -regiments for honorary distinctions, I conceive -that the Rifle Brigade may be permitted to bear on its appointments -the following inscriptions, in commemoration of -the distinguished services of the several Battalions of that -Brigade on those occasions, viz.: Roliça and Vimiera; -Busaco; Barrosa; Fuentes de Honor; Ciudad Rodrigo; -Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; -Toulouse.<a name="FNanchor_181_181" id="FNanchor_181_181"></a><a href="#Footnote_181_181" class="fnanchor">[181]</a></p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr2">‘I have the honour to be, &c.,</span><br /> -‘<span class="smcap">Wellington</span>.’<br /> -</p></div> - -<p>In compliance with this recommendation an order was -issued from the Horse Guards dated January 4, 1821, -directing the names of those victories to be borne on the -appointments.</p> - -<p>A further order dated Horse Guards, March 1, 1821, -authorised the Regiment to bear the word ‘Corunna’ on its appointments -in commemoration of its gallantry on January 16, -1809. And a third order, dated Horse Guards, March 22, -1821, authorised the words ‘Copenhagen’ and ‘Monte Video,’ -in commemoration of the distinguished services of the Corps -in the action of April 2, 1801 (its <em>first</em> service at Copenhagen), -and of three companies of the 2nd Battalion at Monte Video -in January 1807.</p> - -<p>On March 7, 1821, the 1st Battalion marched from Belfast<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> -and the several detached stations, and arrived at Armagh on -the 9th, whence it furnished detachments to Strabane, Lifford, -Omagh, Monaghan, Aughnacloy, Derg-bridge, Gortin, Dungannon, -Cookstown and Clones.</p> - -<p>On November 13 the Battalion marched from Armagh -and the neighbouring cantonments, and arrived at Naas on -the 18th, sending out detachments to Kilcock, Baltinglass, -Maryborough, Philipstown, Wicklow, Carlow, Glencree, -Laragh, Gold-mines, Aughavanagh, Drumgoff and Leitrim, -and subsequently to Athy.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters, consisting only of two companies, -marched from Naas on December 20, and arrived at Kilkenny -on the 22nd, where some of the detachments soon -afterwards joined them; and whence they subsequently sent -out detachments to Duncannon Fort and Callan.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion having had detachments from -Tuam (where Head-quarters were stationed) besides those -before mentioned, at Kilcurren, Moylagh, Mount Bellew, -Cong, and Shrule, moved in two divisions on April 9 and 10 -through Athenry, Loughrea, Portumna, Nenagh, Limerick, -Bruff, Charleville and Doneraile, and arrived at Fermoy on -the 19th where they were quartered; and shortly afterwards -sent out detachments to Youghal, Dungarvan, Mitchelstown, -Killorglin, Ross-Castle, Bantry, Bere Island, Mill Street, -Cloyne, Buttevant, Kilworth, Tralee and Dingle.</p> - -<p>On September 15 the Head-quarters, consisting of three -companies, marched from Fermoy, through Clogheen, Clonmel, -Callan, Kilkenny, Carlow and Ballitore, and arrived at -Naas on the 22nd, furnishing detachments to some of the -out-stations, which the 1st Battalion afterwards occupied -from the same head-quarter station. On November 12 -the Head-quarters of the Battalion returned by the same -route to Fermoy, being relieved at Naas, by the 1st Battalion. -On its arrival at Fermoy on the 18th it sent out detachments -to Kildorrery, Castletownroche, Liscarrol, Newmarket and -Mitchelstown; and subsequently to Kanturk and Doneraile.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the 1st Battalion consisting of two -companies marched from Kilkenny on February 3, 1822,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> -(having previously detached one company to Mitchelstown) -and arrived at Fermoy on the 6th, sending out a detachment -to Cappoquin. Soon afterwards, some of the detachments -from Kilkenny having joined head-quarters, four companies -marched from Fermoy to Charleville and detached parties -from thence to Kilmallock, Bruree, Kilfinane and Gibbon’s -Grove.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the Battalion marched from Fermoy -on February 16, and arrived at Newcastle on the next day. -On this march a most violent outrage occurred. Some -non-commissioned officers’ and soldiers’ wives preceded the -Battalion on three jaunting cars. About half-past six in -the evening of Sunday, the 17th, when about a mile and a half -from Kildorrery, the cars were stopped by about a dozen men, -and some of the women, being seized and dragged off the -cars, were violated by more than one man. Others of them -fled from their assailants and ran back and met the Battalion. -For this outrage three men were tried at the ensuing Cork -assizes, and being clearly identified by the women were found -guilty, and executed.<a name="FNanchor_182_182" id="FNanchor_182_182"></a><a href="#Footnote_182_182" class="fnanchor">[182]</a></p> - -<p>One of the victims of this outrage, the wife of a non-commissioned -officer, was with the Battalion when I served -in it. She was flighty; having lost her senses in consequence -of the violence inflicted on her, and never perfectly recovered. -This assault was intended as a direct affront to the Regiment; -for the miscreants enquired whether any officer’s wife was on -the cars; whether there was any ammunition in them; and -on leaving said that they would let the Riflemen know that -they were Captain Rock’s men.</p> - -<p>The late hour of the march, and its being on Sunday, -show that it took place in consequence of the disturbed state -of the country.</p> - -<p>On its arrival at Newcastle the Battalion furnished detachments -to Abbeyfeale, Athea, Drumcollogher, Ruskey, Mount -Catherine, Hospital, Ballygran, Kilmedy and Glenduff.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the Battalion marched from Newcastle -to Rathkeale on July 23, and, the former detachments -being withdrawn, sent out parties to Ballingarry, Croome, -Shanagolden, Glyn, Youghal, Askeaton and Kildemo.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> - -<p>Early in the year some of the detachments furnished by -the 2nd Battalion formed part of a moveable column under -Colonel Straton, 6th Dragoons, and two companies of the -Battalion marched from Fermoy to Cork.</p> - -<p>On January 24 Colonel Mitchell with a party consisting -of Captain Pemberton and fifty men of his company, a -subaltern and a few men of the 11th Foot, and a few men of -the 6th Dragoons, were engaged with a large body of the -insurgents, about a thousand in number, posted on the hills -near Carrigamanus, and completely routed them, some being -killed and wounded, and twenty-two taken prisoners.</p> - -<p>On the next day Colonel Mitchell received information -from a magistrate of the County that the insurgents were in -force on the hill of Dasure, and would attack his party on his -march from Fermoy to Macroom. He therefore reinforced -his small force with Captain Macnamara and Lieutenant -Woodford’s detachments and Captain Eaton’s company, with -his two subalterns, making his force of Riflemen three captains, -three subalterns, four sergeants and 110 rank and file. -They marched towards Dasure and found the insurgents -posted on that hill, fully a thousand strong, while an equal -number occupied the surrounding hills. As Mitchell’s small -party approached, they rushed furiously down the hill with -the object of surrounding them. But Mitchell had thrown -out skirmishers in his front, and to his flanks, and completely -defeated their attempt. They fired a few shots; but finding -that their proposed charge had failed, fled panic-struck, leaving -many killed and wounded (some accounts made the -number forty, others from twenty to thirty) and about thirty -were made prisoners. This attack on the Riflemen was made -with a fury and determination not usual in combats of this -kind,<a name="FNanchor_183_183" id="FNanchor_183_183"></a><a href="#Footnote_183_183" class="fnanchor">[183]</a> and their steadiness and zeal called forth the warm commendations -of Colonel Mitchell.</p> - -<p>Two more companies moved at this time to Cork; and -parties were detached thence to Macroom, Inchigeelagh, Firmount, -Derry, Larchfield, Mount-rivers, Warren’s-court and -Nettleville.</p> - -<p>And on January 27 the Head-quarters of the Battalion -marched from Fermoy to Bandon, leaving the heavy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> -baggage at Cork, and sent out detachments to Dunmanway, -Skibbereen, Rosscarbery, Clonakilty and Bantry.</p> - -<p>At this time a party of the Battalion proceeding in charge -of cars conveying ammunition from Macroom to Bandon was -attacked by the insurgents at Clara Mountain, near Kilmurry; -but they were driven off with the loss of some killed and -wounded.<a name="FNanchor_184_184" id="FNanchor_184_184"></a><a href="#Footnote_184_184" class="fnanchor">[184]</a></p> - -<p>On March 12 the Head-quarters, consisting of one -company and some attached men only, marched from Bandon -to Kinsale, the detachments continuing as before with occasional -reliefs and changes; and additional parties being -sent to Crowhowley, Millstreet and Ballyvourney.</p> - -<p>On August 25, 1822, Sir Andrew Barnard, who had been -promoted Major-General from the command of the 1st -Battalion on August 12, 1819, was appointed Colonel Commandant -of a Battalion.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion, besides the detachments already mentioned, -furnished parties to Abbeyfeale, Tarbert, Athea and -Mountpleasant.</p> - -<p>The Battalion marched from Rathkeale and the out-stations -in two divisions on October 25 and 27, 1823, and -arrived in Dublin on November 1 and 3, and occupied Richmond -barracks until December 30, when they moved into -the Royal barracks.</p> - -<p>Previous to their leaving Rathkeale Major-General Sir -John Lambert, who then commanded the district, issued -a district order very complimentary to the discipline and -services of the Battalion during more than a year and a half, -during which it had been under his command, and stationed -in a part of the county of Limerick which had been in a -most disturbed state.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On July 23 the 2nd Battalion marched from Kinsale -in two divisions which arrived at Limerick on the 28th -and 30th, being again broken up in detachments to Newcastle, -Glyn, Athea, Drumcolliher, Mayne and Glenduff, and -subsequently to Abbeyfeale and Rathkeale.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion marched from Dublin in three divisions -on September 7, 8 and 9, 1824, and arrived at Belfast on -the 16th and furnished detachments to Downpatrick, Carrickfergus -and Ballymena.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the 2nd Battalion marched from -Limerick on May 29 by Tipperary and Cashel, and arrived -at Templemore barracks on June 1, where they remained -until September 6, when they marched by Mountrath, -Monasterevan and Naas and arrived in Dublin on the 9th -and occupied Richmond barracks. Here the detachments -left in the county of Limerick shortly afterwards -joined, and the Battalion was at last re-united; and soon -after the 1st Battalion, also re-united, arrived in the same -barracks, and for many months both were quartered in -Dublin.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>By an order from the Horse Guards dated April 25, 1825, -the strength of the two Battalions was augmented from eight -to 10 companies each, and those of the 1st Battalion were -divided into six Service and four Depôt companies. This -division was carried into effect on July 25; and on the -28th 29th and 30th the six Service companies embarked at -Belfast for Nova Scotia, on board the ‘Arab,’ ‘Speke,’ and -‘Joseph Green,’ and arrived at Halifax about September 1, -and were quartered in the South barracks.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies remained at Belfast until August 24 -when they marched for Newry, arriving there on the 26th. -After a brief stay there they marched on September 17, and -reached Cavan on the 20th, where they were quartered during -the remainder of the year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion marched from Dublin in four divisions -on July 5, 6, 7 and 8, detaching two companies to -Cavan, and a party to Maguire’s bridge. After a three -months’ station at Enniskillen, these detachments having -been called in, the Battalion marched in three divisions, on -October 3, 4 and 5, and arrived at Birr on the 10th and -proceeded to Buttevant which they reached on the 16th.</p> - -<p>Here the division into Service and Depôt companies took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> -place on October 25, and on the 27th the six Service companies -(leaving the Depôt at Buttevant) marched to Cork, -and were there quartered. The Depôt on December 12 -marched from Buttevant to Kinsale.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>During the year 1826 the Service companies of the 1st -Battalion continued to occupy the South barracks at Halifax, -Nova Scotia.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies marched from Cavan on March 23, -and arrived at Drogheda on the 25th sending a Captain’s -detachment to Dundalk, another to Trim, and a small party -to Kilcock.</p> - -<p>On May 4 they marched to Naas, the detachment -from Dundalk having previously rejoined; but the other -detachments remained out, and a party was also detached to -Robertstown.</p> - -<p>On August 8 the Depôt companies marched from Naas -to Dublin, and occupied George Street barracks; but they -returned to their former quarters at Drogheda, on October 14 -sending out detachments to Swords and Garristown.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 10, 11 and 13 the Service companies of the -2nd Battalion embarked at the Cove of Cork, on board the -‘Vibilia,’ ‘Cato,’ and ‘Sovereign,’ transports, for Malta where -they arrived on February 22; and were placed, four companies -in the Lazaretto and two companies (Head-quarters) in -Fort Manuel under quarantine. On receiving pratique they -removed to Fort St. Elmo; where they were quartered, with -detachments at Fort Manuel, Fort Tigné, and a company at -Gozo.</p> - -<p>During the general election in this year a company from -the Depôt of the 2nd Battalion under Captain Ferguson, -stationed at Tralee, were called out on June 24, in consequence -of a riot and attack on some of Lord Ventry’s -tenantry. The Riflemen were ordered to fire, and five of the -rioters were killed and thirteen wounded, many of them dangerously. -At an inquest held on two of the persons killed, a -father and son named Sullivan, a verdict was returned that -the order to fire was ‘unjustifiable and unnecessary.’<a name="FNanchor_185_185" id="FNanchor_185_185"></a><a href="#Footnote_185_185" class="fnanchor">[185]</a> I do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> -not know whether any further proceedings were taken; but -the conduct of the Riflemen was approved by the Duke of -York, Commander in Chief; and Sir Herbert Taylor, then -Military Secretary, states in a letter dated July 14, that ‘The -cool and determined conduct of Captain Ferguson, and the -detachment of the Rifle Brigade under his orders at Tralee, -appears, from the reports made to His Royal Highness, to -have been deserving of his entire approbation, which he -desires may be communicated to them.’</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 27, 1827, Major-General Sir Thomas Sidney -Beckwith, K.C.B., who had so long served in the Regiment, -and had so gallantly led it in many a hard-fought field, was -restored to its roll as Colonel Commandant of the 2nd -Battalion, Sir Andrew Barnard becoming Colonel of the 1st -Battalion by the death of the Honourable Sir William Stewart, -at his residence, Cumloden, Kirkcudbright, on January 7.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On July 27, the Service companies of the 1st Battalion -moved from the South to the North barracks at Halifax, -and furnished detachments to Annapolis, Prince Edward’s -Island, Windsor, Cape Breton, and York redoubt.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies of this Battalion marched from -Drogheda on October 9 to Dublin, and on their arrival there -were quartered in George Street barracks.</p> - -<p>On the departure of the Depôt from Drogheda the Mayor -and Corporation presented Major William Eeles, who commanded -it, with the freedom of their Corporation, ‘not only -as an evidence of their personal regard for him,’ but also -‘to record their high sense of the gentlemanlike demeanour -of the officers, and steady, soldier-like conduct of the non-commissioned -officers and privates.’</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies marched to Kingstown on October -21, and embarked in the ‘Amphitrite’ and ‘Maria’ transports -for Devonport, where they arrived on the 31st, and occupied -Stonehouse barracks.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 2nd Battalion remained -at Malta during this year; no change beyond the reliefs of -detachments taking place until December 21, when they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> -removed from Cottinera district to the lower St. Elmo -barracks at Valeria, with a small party detached to Fort Tigné.</p> - -<p>The record of this Battalion does not specify the movements -of the Depôt companies; but I find that they were -stationed at Clare Castle in March, and had moved before -June to Cashel.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at -Halifax during the year 1828, the various detachments -mentioned in <a href="#Page_228">p. 228</a> rejoining the Head-quarters in May, -June and August.</p> - -<p>On July 29 His Royal Highness, the Duke of Clarence -(afterwards King William IV.) on his visit to Plymouth -as Lord High Admiral, reviewed the Depôt companies of -both Battalions, with the other troops in garrison.<a name="FNanchor_186_186" id="FNanchor_186_186"></a><a href="#Footnote_186_186" class="fnanchor">[186]</a> The day -was very unfavourable, the rain falling in torrents; but His -Royal Highness went through the review, which occupied -some hours. Addressing the Riflemen, he traced the history -of the Regiment and its principal deeds of arms from its -foundation (as was his wont on such occasions), concluding -with these words: ‘And what more can I say to you, Riflemen, -than that wherever there has been fighting you have -been employed, and wherever you have been employed you -have distinguished yourselves?’</p> - -<p>Immediately after this review the Depôt companies -embarked on board the ‘Amphitrite’ transport at Devonport, -and on the 31st landed at Gosport, and occupied Forton -barracks. On December 21 they furnished detachments to -Tipner and Hilsea.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>No change (except the relief of detachments) took place in -the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion, which remained -at Malta; but its Depôt companies were (with those of the -1st Battalion) at Devonport during the spring and summer; -and in September were stationed at Portsmouth; but before -the end of the year returned to Devonport.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> -Halifax until October 1829, on the 17th and 18th of which -month they embarked in the ‘Ann,’ ‘Amelia,’ and ‘Wellington,’ -transports; and sailing on the 21st, arrived at St. John’s, -New Brunswick, where they disembarked on the 29th and -31st. They immediately furnished detachments to Fredericton -and St. Andrew’s; and on November 7 the Head-quarters -with Captain Hope’s company embarked on board -the ‘St. George’ steam-boat, and moving up to Fredericton, -occupied the new barracks with the detachment of the Battalion -already there.</p> - -<p>On March 13 the Depôt companies calling in the detachments -at Tipner and Hilsea, moved to Cambridge barracks, -Portsmouth. On August 11 they embarked on board the -‘Amphitrite’ and disembarked at Dover on the 13th, where -they occupied the Western heights barracks.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remained at Malta during this year, -changing its quarters on December 18 from the St. Elmo -to the Floriana barracks.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>During the year 1830 the 1st Battalion remained at St. -John’s and Fredericton, New Brunswick; and the Depôt -continued in its quarters at Dover.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The only change in the quarters of the Service companies -of the 2nd Battalion this year was their removal from Floriana -barracks to the Cottinera district on December 20.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies moved about April to Deal and -soon afterwards to Dover, where they were quartered with -the Depôt of the 1st Battalion.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>No change took place in the quarters of the 1st Battalion -during the year 1831; the Service companies continuing in -New Brunswick, and the Depôt at Dover.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 2nd Battalion remained at -Malta during the whole of this year, and the Depôt continued -at Dover.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>Lieutenant-General Sir T. Sidney Beckwith, K.C.B., -Colonel Commandant of the 2nd Battalion, died January 19, -1831, at the Mahabuleshwar hills, Bombay, of which Presidency<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> -he was Commander-in-Chief. He was the last of the -original officers of the Regiment remaining in it.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the 1st Battalion with three companies -left Fredericton in two divisions on August 14 and 17, -1832; and the whole of the Service companies embarked at -St. John’s in H.M.S. ‘Winchester,’ and the ‘Arachne’ and -‘Chebucto,’ brigs, on the 21st and 22nd and disembarking at -Halifax, Nova Scotia, were quartered in the North barracks.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies continued at Dover, furnishing a -detachment for a short period to Shorncliffe.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On February 12 the Head-quarters of the 2nd Battalion -with two companies embarked at Malta for Corfu, -where they landed on the 19th, and on the 23rd the remaining -six companies embarked, landing at Corfu, two on the -1st March and two on the 6th.</p> - -<p>On April 6 the Battalion moved to the Island of -Vido, sending out small parties to the Lazaretto Island, Paleo -Castrizza, Fano and Paxo.</p> - -<p>On August 1 the Battalion returned to Corfu, calling in -these parties; but, shortly afterwards sending out a detachment -to Cephalonia.</p> - -<p>The Depôt of the 2nd Battalion remained at Dover.</p> - -<p>On April 1 in this year a change was made in the -clothing of the non-commissioned officers and private Riflemen, -the coats being made double-breasted, instead of single-breasted -as heretofore; black horn-buttons being substituted -for white metal; and black lace and chevrons being adopted -instead of those before worn by sergeants.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>No change took place in 1833 in the station of the Service -companies of the 1st Battalion, which continued to occupy -the North barracks at Halifax.</p> - -<p>Early in the year 1833 Captain Horatio Stewart’s Depôt -company was ordered to proceed from Dover by forced -marches to Hastings. The whole of that part of the coast -was in a state of great excitement in consequence of the proceedings -of smugglers, who had not long before had an affray -with the coastguard, in which one of the latter was killed and -others wounded. On the arrival of the company at Hastings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> -the men, after being allowed to rest and refresh themselves -for about an hour, were ordered to fall in, and were divided -into parties, under officers and non-commissioned officers, -which were directed to patrol the beach for many miles in -various directions during the night. This unpleasant duty -continued for six weeks; patrolling by night and target -practice by day. This was watched by numbers of the -people; and no doubt the practice made at the target was -observed with good effect by the smugglers and their friends; -for no smuggler was ever met with by the patrols, nor was any -attempt made, while the Riflemen continued at Hastings, to -land contraband goods. The company then rejoined the Depôt.<a name="FNanchor_187_187" id="FNanchor_187_187"></a><a href="#Footnote_187_187" class="fnanchor">[187]</a></p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Depôt companies, calling in the detachment at Shorncliffe, -marched from Dover to Chatham on April 1, whence -they furnished in June a strong detachment under a Field -officer to Gravesend, in aid of the Civil power. And ‘their -excellent conduct,’ and ‘the unceasing attention of the officers,’ -received the thanks of the Mayor in behalf of the inhabitants.</p> - -<p>These companies embarked at Chatham on November 11 -on board H.M. steam-vessel ‘Salamander,’ and arriving at -Jersey on the 14th, disembarked at St. Aubin’s, from whence -they proceeded to occupy quarters in Fort Regent, at St. -Helier’s.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 2nd Battalion were moved -from Corfu to Vido on August 1, sending out detachments -to Lazaretto Island and Fano; but on December 1 -returned to Corfu. The Depôt companies continued at Dover.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>In consequence of the breaking out of cholera in the 1st -Battalion, the Service companies were moved from Halifax -on August 24, 1834, and encamped at Sackville, whence they -returned to their former quarters in the North barracks, Halifax, -September 30. In this outbreak of cholera the Battalion -lost 31 men, 6 women and 5 children.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Depôt remained during the whole of this year at -Fort Regent, Jersey.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the Service companies of the 2nd -Battalion embarked at Corfu for Cephalonia on October -8, and landed there on the 9th. Two companies had preceded -them on June 20, and two others on September -26. From hence detachments were furnished to Calamos, -to Ithaca, to Paxo, to Lixuri, to Fort San Georgio and -Sta. Euphemia. About March the Depôt companies removed -from Dover to Guernsey.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>During the year 1835 no change of quarters took place in -either Battalion or in their Depôts.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 1st Battalion sailed from -Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the ‘Stakesley’ and ‘Katherine -Stewart Forbes,’ on August 20 and 26, 1836, and arrived at -Chatham and disembarked on September 15 and 29, and -occupied quarters there.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies had sailed from Jersey in the -‘Katherine Stewart Forbes’ on May 24, and arrived at Gosport -on the 28th, where they disembarked, and were quartered in -Fort Monckton till June 17; when they crossed to Portsmouth, -and occupied Forehouse barracks, with detachments -at Tipner and Hilsea.</p> - -<p>On August 1 the Depôt companies marched from Portsmouth, -through Chichester, Petworth, East Grinstead, and -arrived at Chatham on the 8th to await the arrival of the -Service companies; and on their landing on September 15 -and 29, they were again reunited into a Battalion of ten companies.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>No change took place in the quarters of the Service -companies of the 2nd Battalion, except the occasional relief of -the many detachments they furnished from Cephalonia. But -the Depôt companies in September embarked at Guernsey -for Dover, where they awaited the arrival of the Service companies, -and were reunited with them on their arrival in June -following.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> - -<p>Early in the year 1836 Lieutenant Wilbraham,<a name="FNanchor_188_188" id="FNanchor_188_188"></a><a href="#Footnote_188_188" class="fnanchor">[188]</a> then -Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, was selected to proceed to -Persia, with eight sergeants of the Rifle Brigade, in charge of -two thousand stand of rifles, intended by the Foreign Office -as a present to the Shah on his accession to the throne. Four -of these sergeants, belonging to the 1st Battalion, were sent -out from England; the other four, belonging to the 2nd Battalion, -joined the expedition at Cephalonia, where their -Battalion was then stationed.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Wilbraham was promoted in July 1836 to an -unattached company, and subsequently the local rank of -Lieutenant-Colonel was conferred upon him. For nearly -three years he and the eight sergeants were employed in -organising and instructing the Persian troops, but at the end -of that time a rupture took place between England and Persia, -in consequence of the Shah’s advance upon Herat, and they -returned to Europe. The rifles had under one pretext or -another been withheld, as it was foreseen that they would -probably be used against ourselves, but as they were too -bulky to be carried, they were rendered useless by the -removal of the locks, which were brought away.</p> - -<p>Of the sergeants who were selected for this duty Sergeant -Peter Macdonald afterwards rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, -and retired from the Service in 1865; and Colour-sergeant -Johnson, 2nd Battalion, subsequently became Captain -in the 41st Regiment, and died at Balaclava as Provost-Marshal -of the Army.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion marched from Chatham in two -divisions on May 1 and 2, 1837, and arrived at Woolwich and -Deptford on the 2nd and 3rd. Seven companies with Head-quarters -were stationed at Woolwich, and three companies at -Deptford.</p> - -<p>During the time the Battalion was quartered at Woolwich, -Lieutenant-Colonel William Eeles died in command of -it on October 11. He had served in the Regiment thirty-two -years, having been appointed to it in 1805; and -had accompanied it through its Peninsular and other campaigns, -and had been present at Waterloo. He was succeeded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> -in the command of the Battalion by Lieutenant-Colonel -Hope, who had been promoted after twenty-eight years’ -service in the Rifles to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 21st -Fusiliers; and was now brought back to his old Corps.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On April 8 and 13 the Service companies of the 2nd -Battalion embarked at Cephalonia on board the ‘Parmelia’ -and ‘Prince Regent,’ transports, and landed at Dover on -June 3 and 13.</p> - -<p>And on August 14, 15 and 16 the Battalion marched -from Dover to Portsmouth in three divisions, arriving there -on the 24th, 25th and 26th, and detaching one company to -Tipner Magazine.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion embarked in steam-vessels at Woolwich -early in the morning of June 28, 1838, and attended the Coronation -of Queen Victoria. This and the 2nd Battalion lined -Piccadilly from Hyde Park Corner to the corner of St. James’ -Street in extended order.</p> - -<p>After the procession had returned from Westminster -Abbey to Buckingham Palace the 1st Battalion marched back -to Woolwich and Deptford.</p> - -<p>On July 9 the Battalion again embarked in steam-vessels -and was conveyed to London, and took part in the -review in Hyde Park on that day under the command of -General, the Marquis of Anglesey, and in presence of the -Queen. Marshal Soult was present at this review.</p> - -<p>At its conclusion the Battalion was billeted in the neighbourhood -of Hanover Square until the 11th, when it marched -to the Tower of London and was there quartered. Three or -four days after their arrival there the Battalion was inspected -by the Colonel-in-Chief, Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington, -accompanied by Marshal Soult. They proceeded down -the ranks and inspected the Battalion together.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On June 16, 17 and 18, the 2nd Battalion marched in -three divisions from Portsmouth to Chelsea and was there -billeted. And on the 28th attended the Coronation of Queen -Victoria as above stated; and on July 9 was present at the -review in Hyde Park.</p> - -<p>On the next day, it moved from Chelsea to Woolwich<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> -relieving the 1st Battalion, and like it, having Head-quarters -and seven companies at Woolwich and three companies -detached at Deptford.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion marched on February 1 and 2, 1839, by -wings, from the Tower to Paddington, and thence proceeded -by Railway to Windsor, where they were quartered in -the Infantry barracks.</p> - -<p>On March 11 and 12 the left wing of the Battalion -marched from Windsor and arrived at Weedon on the 15th; -and they were followed by the right wing and Head-quarters -which left Windsor on the 18th and arrived at -Weedon on the 22nd.</p> - -<p>In consequence of the disturbed state of the country, -detachments were furnished by the Battalion to aid the Civil -power, to Birmingham, Nottingham and Warwick; the two -former continuing detached (with occasional reliefs) for about -a year; the latter from July till December. During the -chartist disturbances the detachment at Birmingham was on -more than one occasion called out to disperse the mob. Rioting -having more or less continued from the 4th to the 8th -July, the detachment was called out on the latter evening, and -took their station in the Bull-ring. Here fighting with the -police took place, and the mob, having got the worst of it, -assembled in the Holloway road. The Riflemen were ordered -to disperse them, and were pelted with stones. Then an -order to load and to make ready was given; but fortunately -before they fired, the 4th Dragoon Guards arrived and dispersed -the people, taking many prisoners.</p> - -<p>A few days later similar harassing services were required -of them. On July 15 a mob assembled in the evening, in the -Bull-ring, and attacked the houses of several citizens and tradesmen -and set some of them on fire. The mob would not let -engines approach, and compelled the firemen, under pain of -death, to take off their horses and retreat. At this moment a -party of 200 Riflemen made their appearance (accompanied -by a magistrate), and under their escort the firemen brought -up, and worked their engines; while the 4th Dragoon Guards -charged the people and cleared the streets.</p> - -<p>Among the parties sent out to clear the neighbouring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> -streets was one consisting of a section commanded by Sergeant -Robert Macdonald. It was arduous work, for the mob -assailed them with stones and every description of missiles. -The men became so exasperated under this provocation (for -some were severely hurt) that they could hardly be restrained -from retaliating by attacking their assailants with their -swords, which were fixed on their rifles. Sergeant Macdonald -did what he could to prevent mischief; but in the tumult one -or two persons were killed or died of wounds, and several -were wounded. A coroner’s inquest, however, returned a -verdict of ‘justifiable homicide,’ thereby exonerating Macdonald, -who was amenable as having been in command at -this post, from all blame.<a name="FNanchor_189_189" id="FNanchor_189_189"></a><a href="#Footnote_189_189" class="fnanchor">[189]</a></p> - -<p>On the next day, the Riflemen were engaged in patrolling -the town; and in the evening, it having been announced that -another chartist meeting was to be held, they were brought -down in force, accompanied by a Squadron of the 4th and -some artillery with guns. The mob did not care to come into -collision with them, and the riots subsided.</p> - -<p>On this detachment returning to Weedon, a very strong -and favourable representation was made by the mayor and -magistrates of Birmingham to the Home Secretary of its -services and conduct, and of the indefatigable zeal and -humanity with which it had performed the duties required of -it. This was transmitted by the Marquis of Normanby, then -Home Secretary, to General Lord Hill, Commanding in Chief, -and by him to the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, -both adding their expression of satisfaction and approval of the -conduct of the detachment.</p> - -<p>The following address was also forwarded by the Mayor -of Birmingham to the Commanding Officer:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘To the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Privates -of Her Majesty’s Rifle Brigade, now stationed at Weedon -barracks.</p> - -<p>‘We, the undersigned the Mayor and magistrates of the -borough of Birmingham, having heard with regret of your -intended early removal from this neighbourhood, cannot -permit your departure to take place without tendering to you -this cordial and respectful assurance of our esteem and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> -gratitude. For a considerable period during which we were -indebted to you for aid and protection, we had frequent -occasions to admire the order, courage and humanity which -marked your performance of some of the most painful duties -which it falls to the lot of a British soldier to fulfil. Nor can -we forget that alike by officers and men these duties, often -dangerous and always irksome, were discharged with uniform -cheerfulness and alacrity.</p> - -<p>‘As a very inadequate, though warm and grateful return, -allow us to repeat the expression of our heartfelt thanks and -to offer our best and earnest wishes for your future happiness -and welfare.</p> - -<p class="right">‘Signed by the Mayor and ten magistrates.</p> -<p class="fs70">‘Birmingham, April 30, 1840.’<br /> -</p></div> - -<p>In November 1839, the flint-lock Baker rifle was replaced -by the percussion Brunswick rifle, a supply of which was forwarded -from the Tower to Weedon, together with swords, &c.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion marched in two divisions from Woolwich -on October 9 and 10, for Windsor and arrived there -on the 12th and were quartered in the Infantry barracks.</p> - -<p>On November 1 the Battalion was reviewed in the Home -Park by Queen Victoria.</p> - -<p>In consequence of the disturbed state of South Wales, -and the attack on Newport in November, two companies -of the Battalion, under the command of Major Irton,<a name="FNanchor_190_190" id="FNanchor_190_190"></a><a href="#Footnote_190_190" class="fnanchor">[190]</a> were -ordered to march from Windsor on December 18 to Monmouth, -where they arrived on the 28th of that month.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion remained at Weedon till November -1840, when an order having been received to prepare for -foreign service, the Battalion was divided into six Service -companies and four Depôt companies.</p> - -<p>And on November 9 and 10 the Service companies proceeded -by rail-road to London; and embarked at Deptford -on board the ‘Abercrombie Robinson’ transport for Malta, -where they arrived in January following.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies continued to be quartered in -Weedon barracks during the remainder of the year.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> - -<p>The trial by Special Commission of the ringleaders of the -attack on Newport having concluded, the two companies of -the 2nd Battalion which had been detached to Monmouth, -marched on March 2 and rejoined Head-quarters at Windsor -on the 10th of that month.</p> - -<p>On May 22 a company of the Battalion marched to -Esher to furnish guards and duties at Claremont, during the -Queen’s residence there; and returned to Windsor on the -25th, and on June 1 a similar detachment proceeded to -Esher, for the same duty, rejoining Head-quarters on the 5th.</p> - -<p>South Wales continuing in a disturbed state, two companies -marched from Windsor to Brecon, one to Pontypool, -one to Swansea, and one to Merthyr Tydvil on August 22, -and arrived at their destinations on September 1 and 2. -And on August 24 the Head-quarters marched to Newport, -Monmouthshire, and arrived on September 1; furnishing -additional detachments to Newtown and Montgomery.</p> - -<p>On October 26 the detachment at Brecon was broken -up, one company marching to Abergavenny, and the other -to Usk.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 1st Battalion disembarked -at Malta on January 13, 1841, and were quartered at Fort -Manuel, with detachments at St. Salvador and another to -the Zabbar gate.</p> - -<p>On January 28 the Head-quarters moved to Fort Ricasoli, -detaching another company to St. Salvador. But the Battalion -only remained in these quarters till February 13, -when they removed to Isola barracks, with one company at -St. Francis de Paolo, and one at St. Salvador.</p> - -<p>On May 7 the Battalion left the Cottinera district, and -moved to lower St. Elmo barracks, with a company detached -at St. James’ Cavalier.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies removed from Weedon to Chester -Castle on May 5, and were there quartered until 20th of the -same month, when they proceeded to Liverpool; and embarking -for Dublin, arrived there on the 21st. They disembarked -on the following day and occupied Beggar’s-bush -barracks until the 25th when they moved into Richmond -barracks.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> - -<p>On July 10 a detachment of five officers and about a -hundred men were sent to Wicklow, in aid of the Civil power, -during an election. They returned to Richmond barracks on -the 23rd.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>No alteration of quarters (except the change and relief of -detachments) took place in the 2nd Battalion until August; -on the 28th, 30th and 31st of which month the Battalion left -its cantonments in Monmouthshire and in Wales, and was -reunited at Bristol preparatory to embarking for foreign -service.</p> - -<p>On this occasion an address was presented to the Commanding -Officer, signed by the Mayor of Newport and five -other magistrates, commending the ‘peaceable, orderly and -soldierlike manner in which the men had conducted themselves.’ -An address was likewise presented, signed by five -magistrates of Newtown, thanking the detachment there for -its ‘efficient assistance in preserving the peace of the town,’ -and for ‘protecting the property of many of its inhabitants.’ -And another signed by forty inhabitants (magistrates and -tradesmen) testified to the good conduct of the detachment -stationed there.</p> - -<p>On September 3 the Battalion was divided into six -Service and four Depôt companies; and on the 9th and 10th -(leaving the Depôt companies at Bristol) the Service companies -proceeded by Great Western railway to Paddington, -and thence to Deptford, where they embarked on board the -‘Abercrombie Robinson’ for Bermuda. They arrived on -November 5 and disembarked at St. George’s.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion remained in its quarters at Malta -during the whole of the year 1842, furnishing detachments to -Forts Ricasoli and Tigné.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies marched from Richmond barracks -to the Pigeon-house Fort, near Dublin, on January 20; where -they remained until October. On the 17th of that month -the first division marched for Drogheda through Ashbourne, -and on the 19th the Head-quarters through Balbriggan; -and on arrival at Drogheda were quartered, three companies -in Millmount barracks, and one company in Fair Street -barracks.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> - -<p>On May 7 an order was issued from the Horse Guards -increasing the 2nd Battalion to twelve companies, six of -which were to be called the Reserve Battalion. The Depôt -companies were therefore increased to six companies, eighty -men having volunteered from the 1st Battalion to complete -them. This was effected at Dover.</p> - -<p>The six companies at Bermuda embarked on board the -‘Java’ transport on July 30, and landed at Halifax, Nova -Scotia, on August 12.</p> - -<p>On September 6 the Reserve Battalion arrived at Halifax. -And in October the Battalion, thus completed, sent out -detachments to Prince Edward’s Island, Cape Breton, and -Annapolis.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant-General Sir Dugald Little Gilmour, K.C.B., -who had served in the Regiment nearly twenty years, during -many of which he had commanded the 2nd Battalion, was -appointed Colonel Commandant of it April 25, 1842.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The right wing of the 1st Battalion, recalling the detachments, -embarked at Malta, on board the ‘Boyne,’ transport, -on March 2, 1843, and landed at Corfu on the 6th. The -left wing did not leave Malta till April 1, when it embarked, -also in the ‘Boyne,’ and arrived at Corfu on the 7th. -The Battalion furnished detachments to Santa Maura, Vido, -Paxo and Fano.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies continued at Drogheda, whence a -detachment of 3 officers and about 70 men marched to -Carrickmacross on April 5, in aid of the Civil power, and -rejoined on the 27th.</p> - -<p>A detachment consisting of one company proceeded on -May 23 to Dundalk, and occupied quarters, with the cavalry, -in the barracks there. On June 7 it marched to Carrickmacross, -to aid the Civil power, and returned to Dundalk -on the 15th. Two months afterwards, on August 15 it -marched to Castle Blaney again to aid the Civil power; but -returned the following day. On September 12 it moved to -Longford, and on the same day another company marched -from Drogheda to Granard; and the Head-quarters of the -Depôt followed to Longford on the 16th, arriving there on -the 21st, where they occupied the Line and the Artillery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> -barracks. In the meanwhile a detachment had been sent to -Trim, to aid the Civil power; and this rejoined at Longford -on October 3.</p> - -<p>Detachments were soon afterwards sent out to Athlone -and to Roscommon; and that at Granard was called in.</p> - -<p>The numerous detachments, in aid of the Civil power, and -the frequent removals of the Depôt, were caused by the -Repeal agitation, which was at its height during this year; -and by the ‘Monster Meetings’ held by O’Connell at Trim, -Roscommon, and other towns.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>No change seems to have taken place in the quarters of the -2nd Battalion during this year, when it continued at Halifax.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 1st Battalion continued at -Corfu during the year 1844, the only changes in them being -the relief of detachments, and the furnishing an additional -one to the Lazaretto.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies marched from Longford on January 8 -to Athlone, where they arrived on the following day, and -were soon joined by the detachment from Roscommon.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion continued at Halifax, the detachments -at the out-stations being relieved, by another regiment, and -rejoining Head-quarters in July.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at -Corfu during the year 1845; the only change in its quarters -being the occasional relief of the detachments.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies marched from Athlone on April 14 -and 15, and arrived in Dublin on the 19th and 21st, and -were quartered in Beggar’s-bush barracks, furnishing a detachment -for a short time to the Pigeon-house fort. The -Depôt Head-quarters removed to this fort on June 2, leaving -a small detachment only in the Beggar’s-bush barracks. But -to these barracks the Head-quarters returned on October 27.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remained during the whole of this year -stationary at Halifax.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>About the beginning of August 1846 the Service companies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> -of the 1st Battalion were directed to hold themselves -in readiness to proceed to Jamaica; but very shortly afterwards -a letter was received from Lord FitzRoy Somerset, Military -Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, stating that the destination -of the Battalion was changed; that it was to be held in -readiness to embark for the Cape of Good Hope; and that -steamers were on their way from England to convey it to -Gibraltar.</p> - -<p>The Detachments at Lazaretto, Santa Maura and Fano -were therefore immediately called in; and the Battalion prepared -for active service.</p> - -<p>Shortly before embarkation the Service companies were -inspected by Lieutenant-General Lord Seaton, then Lord -High Commissioner of the Ionian islands, who after witnessing -a few battalion movements ordered square to be formed -and thus addressed them:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘Rifle Brigade, or old 95th, I have known the Regiment -more than forty years and have taken part with them in -battles and sieges in the Peninsular war, and at Waterloo. -My old regiment, the 52nd, and the 43rd, formed the famous -Light Division under his Grace the Duke of Wellington, who -always led them to victory. Your Queen and country now -call upon you to uphold her honour in Southern Africa, -against hordes of savages; and I feel quite sure that the -Battalion will sustain the undying fame that it gained in the -Peninsula and at Waterloo, and add more laurels to its wreath. -Riflemen, old 95th, I bid you good bye with my heartfelt and -best wishes for you all.’</p></div> - -<p>Lord Seaton also issued a farewell order, highly commending -the state of their discipline and general good conduct, -and expressing his regret at their removal from his command, -and his wishes for their future welfare.</p> - -<p>The Service companies were ordered, by letter from the -Horse Guards, July 23, 1846, to embark 560 strong including -musicians, and to take out only 540 rifles and accoutrements; -and the supernumerary men and arms were to be sent to -England to form part of the Depôt.</p> - -<p>Though the Service companies were thus reduced to 560 -men, the total strength of the Battalion was actually increased -by 200 men, by a Horse Guards order dated March 27, 1846.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> - -<p>On August 21 the Service companies embarked; the -Head-quarter division under Major Egerton<a name="FNanchor_191_191" id="FNanchor_191_191"></a><a href="#Footnote_191_191" class="fnanchor">[191]</a> in H.M. steamship -‘Retribution;’ and the left wing, under Captain -Horsford,<a name="FNanchor_192_192" id="FNanchor_192_192"></a><a href="#Footnote_192_192" class="fnanchor">[192]</a> in the ‘Terrible;’ and steaming away at once -(through the Straits of Messina) arrived at Gibraltar at twelve -<span class="fs70">P.M.</span> on the 27th and disembarked on the following day, and -occupied barracks.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_178_178" id="Footnote_178_178"></a><a href="#FNanchor_178_178"><span class="label">[178]</span></a> ‘Despatches and Correspondence,’ i. 126.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_179_179" id="Footnote_179_179"></a><a href="#FNanchor_179_179"><span class="label">[179]</span></a> ‘Annual Register,’ lxii. 98.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_180_180" id="Footnote_180_180"></a><a href="#FNanchor_180_180"><span class="label">[180]</span></a> ‘Record’ 1st Battalion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_181_181" id="Footnote_181_181"></a><a href="#FNanchor_181_181"><span class="label">[181]</span></a> ‘Despatches, Correspondence, and Memorandums,’ i. 154. The Regiment -had already been authorised to bear the word <span class="smcap">Waterloo</span> on their appointments, -in compliance with a memorandum of the Duke of Wellington, dated Head-quarters, -Paris, November 7, 1815.’ ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ Appendix, -xiv. 600.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_182_182" id="Footnote_182_182"></a><a href="#FNanchor_182_182"><span class="label">[182]</span></a> ‘Annual Register,’ lxiv. 67.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_183_183" id="Footnote_183_183"></a><a href="#FNanchor_183_183"><span class="label">[183]</span></a> ‘Annual Register,’ lxiv. 15.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_184_184" id="Footnote_184_184"></a><a href="#FNanchor_184_184"><span class="label">[184]</span></a> ‘Annual Register,’ lxiv. 19.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_185_185" id="Footnote_185_185"></a><a href="#FNanchor_185_185"><span class="label">[185]</span></a> ‘Annual Register,’ lxviii. 105.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_186_186" id="Footnote_186_186"></a><a href="#FNanchor_186_186"><span class="label">[186]</span></a> The Duke of Clarence had also reviewed the two Depôts on a previous visit -to Plymouth on December 21 preceding.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_187_187" id="Footnote_187_187"></a><a href="#FNanchor_187_187"><span class="label">[187]</span></a> ‘Personal Narrative of Military Travel and Adventure in Turkey and Persia,’ -by Robert Macdonald, pp. 22-25. The writer, a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, -was selected with his brother Peter Macdonald to proceed to Persia in 1836. See -<a href="#Page_234">p. 234</a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_188_188" id="Footnote_188_188"></a><a href="#FNanchor_188_188"><span class="label">[188]</span></a> Now Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Wilbraham, K.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_189_189" id="Footnote_189_189"></a><a href="#FNanchor_189_189"><span class="label">[189]</span></a> ‘Personal Narrative of Military Travel and Adventure,’ pp. 286-7.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_190_190" id="Footnote_190_190"></a><a href="#FNanchor_190_190"><span class="label">[190]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel Irton died June 9, 1847.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_191_191" id="Footnote_191_191"></a><a href="#FNanchor_191_191"><span class="label">[191]</span></a> Colonel Buller (now General Sir George Buller, G.C.B.) had left Corfu for -England before the order to embark arrived.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_192_192" id="Footnote_192_192"></a><a href="#FNanchor_192_192"><span class="label">[192]</span></a> Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred H. Horsford, G.C.B.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">On August 31, 1846, transports having arrived from England -for the conveyance of the 1st Battalion to the Cape, they -re-embarked; Head-quarters on board the ‘Equestrian’ -transport, consisting of Captains Macdonell’s, Rooper’s, and -Stewart’s companies, with Staff and band; and the left wing -consisting of Captains Horsford’s, Murray’s, and Gibson’s -companies, on board the ‘Fairlie’ under Captain Horsford.</p> - -<p>The latter vessel arrived first, reaching Table-bay on -October 30. Here an order was at once given to land the -women and children; and to take in supplies and camp-equipments. -This being done the left wing sailed on November 4, -for Algoa bay, where they arrived on the 12th and anchored -opposite the town of Port Elizabeth.</p> - -<p>On the day following their departure the ‘Equestrian’ -arrived at Table-bay, and having in like manner landed -heavy baggage, women and children, and taken in stores and -camp-necessaries, proceeded to Algoa bay on the 11th and -arrived there about November 20.</p> - -<p>On the 14th the ‘Fairlie’ having drawn as near the shore -as possible, surf-boats came alongside, and were soon filled -and rowed to the shore until they took the ground. Then -Fingoes carried the Riflemen pick-a-back to the dry sand. -As soon as all were landed, they marched through the town -of Port Elizabeth, and piled arms and encamped about half-a-mile -beyond it to the left of the Graham’s-town road. The -necessary supplies and equipments having been procured, not -without difficulty which Horsford’s energy and perseverance -surmounted, this wing began its march under a burning sun -for Kaffirland. They reached Graham’s-town, a distance of -about 100 miles, on the 23rd.</p> - -<p>They halted here on the 24th and on the following day -moved to Manley flats; on the 26th to Cawood’s post; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> -on the 27th reached Waterloo-bay. The next day, after -receiving a field ration of rice, salt, sugar, and green coffee -(these troops being thus supplied with that valuable but -unusable berry in its natural state, as they were afterwards -in the Crimea) they marched to Newton Dale; on the 29th -to Fort Peddie; on the 30th to the Chalumna river; and on -December 1 joined the 2nd Division of the army, which was -commanded by Colonel Henry Somerset of the Cape Mounted -Rifles. In this march the men suffered severely from the sun; -their faces being almost skinned as their forage-caps had -no peaks; and their shakos had been given into store at -Graham’s-town, and were never returned to them.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarter wing disembarked at Port Elizabeth, -on November 25; commenced their march, by the same -route, on the 24th, and joined the 2nd Division of the army, -then encamped on the Buffalo river, on December 12.</p> - -<p>On December 21 the Battalion marched, and on the -25th encamped near the great Kei river, and during the rest -of the month furnished frequent patrols on both banks. One -Rifleman was killed, and one wounded by the Kaffirs on December -31 in the performance of these duties.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies embarked on January 28, 1846, -at the North Wall, Dublin, in the steamer ‘Albert’ for -Liverpool, where they landed on the following day; and -proceeded by rail-road to London, and thence to Dover, -which they reached on the following day, and were quartered -in the Castle; furnishing a subaltern’s detachment to Sandgate -Castle.</p> - -<p>On May 18 they marched to Chatham; and after a -short stay there proceeded in a steamer to Sheerness on -June 1.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion left Halifax, in H.M.S. ‘Belleisle’ on -August 1, and arrived at Montreal on the 22nd and were -there quartered during the remainder of the year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 1st Battalion with the exception -of Captain Gibson’s company which was left on the -other side of the Kei river not having returned from a -previous expedition, marched on January 2, 1847, at three <span class="fs70">P.M.</span>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> -with the Division commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir -Peregrine Maitland, for the Kei river, and arrived within -about two miles of it at seven in the evening, and halted for the -night. The march had been a very hot one; but soon after -sunset a tremendous storm of thunder, lightning and hail -came on; this was followed by a deluging rain, which -drenched the men to the skin in a few minutes. They had -no tents; no fires; not even pipes were allowed to be lighted, -nor was a word permitted to be spoken above a whisper. For -the Kaffirs were near them; and had they known exactly -where the troops were bivouacked would have attacked. But -the night was very dark, and they remained unmolested.</p> - -<p>On the 3rd the Riflemen in advance forded the Kei river, -here about 350 yards wide, and knee deep, and waited on the -other bank for the Division. After breakfast, rifles were fired -off and cleaned from the effects of the last night’s rain, and -they marched towards Butterworth. On reaching a hill, -afterwards well known to Riflemen by the name of Mount-Misery, -they halted and bivouacked for the night. On the -next morning at daylight they resumed their march, and -arrived at the Missionary Station of Butterworth at six in the -evening: a distance of nearly thirty miles. The Missionary’s -house and the church were in ruins, having been burnt down; -but every wall and corner which remained was occupied by -the weary soldiers, glad of even such insufficient shelter. For -scarcely had the outlying picquets been posted, when heavy -and continuous rain came on, and lasted throughout the night.</p> - -<p>On the 5th Captain Gibson’s company rejoined. The -rain still continuing the men suffered much. They were glad -to gather stones on which to lie, to keep them off the streaming -ground; and even these were sometimes washed away -by the rills formed in paths and tracks. This rain continued -during the whole of the 6th and until the afternoon of the -7th; nearly seventy hours of incessant rain.</p> - -<p>On the 6th five days’ ration of biscuit, which had from -December 29 been reduced to six ounces a day, was served -out to the men; but hunger takes no account of Commissariat -measurement, and long before the expiration of the five days, -the Riflemen were picking gum off the trees, and eating it -to assuage their need.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> - -<p>At this time Sir Peregrine Maitland being recalled, left -the army; and the command of the division again devolved -on Colonel Somerset.</p> - -<p>Fine weather having at last come on, the men wrung out -and rinsed their wet shirts and dried them in the sun. In -the evening the rifles were inspected and the ammunition -examined; for much of it had been damaged by the wet. -On the 8th at six in the morning, they marched for Spring-Flats -where they arrived at eleven. After a halt of three hours, -during which the weakly men and those who had sore feet -fell out of the ranks and were marched to the Kei under an -officer of another regiment, they resumed their march for -Kreili’s Corner, and halting at six o’clock, bivouacked for the -night.</p> - -<p>At dawn on the 9th, intelligence having come in of a -quantity of cattle, said to be a few miles ahead, they marched -towards Kreili’s Corner; and with a halt of one hour for -breakfast, and two for dinner, continued their march till eight -in the evening, when they bivouacked.</p> - -<p>Next day at daylight they moved on in the hope of -coming up with the cattle; but nothing being seen of them, -the cavalry pushed on at ten o’clock; while the infantry -continued their march till two in the afternoon. At four the -cavalry appeared with 12,000 cattle which they had captured -at Kreili’s Corner; and 100 men of the Battalion were detailed -as a cattle guard. Rain now began again; and the ration -consisted of fresh beef only, the biscuit being all consumed, -and that without salt to season it. Firewood too was scarce; -and there were no tents.</p> - -<p>On the 11th the Riflemen halted in bivouack, rain still -continuing; and on the 12th marched for Spring-Flats under -a burning sun. Many Kaffirs were on the surrounding hills; -but few ventured within range. One however was shot by -one of the cattle guard, when attempting to steal cattle. On -the 13th a company of the Rifle Brigade and one of another -regiment were sent to the Kei river with the captured cattle; -but on their arrival the river was found to be unfordable, and -the current running at a rapid rate. They had therefore to -return; and on their arrival at the second hill (Mount-Misery) -an order reached them to send out a patrol in search of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> -Captain Gibson, for whom great fears were entertained. This -officer, and Assistant-Surgeon Howell, had accompanied the -party of weakly and disabled men which had marched from -this place on the 8th. While this party were halted on -January 11 near the ford of the Kei, waiting for the fall of -the river to enable them to cross, some cattle were observed -grazing on the hills about three miles off. Captain Fraser, of -the 6th Foot, who was in command of these invalids, directed -all the men who were able to march to proceed, under Captain -Gibson, to endeavour to capture these cattle, which were -beyond the bank which reached from the river half way up -the hills.</p> - -<p>After the party, which was accompanied by Assistant-Surgeon -Howell and by Lieutenant the Honourable W. J. G. -Chetwynd of the 73rd Regiment, had marched about an hour -by a rather wide path through the bank, they arrived at a -bend in the path. Unhappily the officers, unsuspicious of -any attack, were marching ahead of their men, between -seventy and 100 yards from the leading files. When therefore -they took the bend in the road, they were entirely -hidden from them. At this moment the Kaffir Chief, Pato, -observing their defenceless position, rushed upon them with -about 200 of his followers, and before the detachment could -come up, killed all three officers.</p> - -<p>The little detachment under a sergeant of the 6th Foot, -made good its retreat, gradually retiring, and whenever the -Kaffirs attacked, turning round and firing a volley.</p> - -<p>The patrol sent out to recover the remains of these -officers, after marching about three hours through thick bush, -came upon their bodies which they brought into the bivouack -at Spring-Flats, where they arrived about nine in the evening. -They were interred by the officers and men of the Battalion -on the next day at a place called Shaw’s fontein; bushes -being burnt over the graves, to prevent the Kaffirs discovering -the place of their interment, and exhuming and desecrating -their remains.</p> - -<p>The Riflemen who had acted as this patrol marched -again on the 14th for the Kei river, it having been reported -that it was fordable; but this proved to be a mistake, at least -as far as infantry was concerned; though the cavalry had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> -forded; not, however, without some loss. Again, therefore -the Riflemen had to return and bivouack on Mount-Misery. -And the rest of the Battalion was moved up to the same place.</p> - -<p>They remained here during the next three days, suffering -great privations. For the swollen state of the river did not -admit of supplies being brought over. In consequence, too, -of a soldier of another regiment who had gone out for water -having been found killed and stripped, a stringent order was -issued that no men were to go for water, except in armed -parties of thirty, under an officer, and accompanied by two -non-commissioned officers. This water duty was exceedingly -fatiguing; as the men had to go down two very steep hills -into a kloof,<a name="FNanchor_193_193" id="FNanchor_193_193"></a><a href="#Footnote_193_193" class="fnanchor">[193]</a> about a mile distant, and to reascend them -loaded with water. Want and exposure too began to tell -heavily on the men; and the seeds of much subsequent -disease were to be traced to this bivouack. At last on the -18th the Riflemen marched at ten o’clock from this hill and -bivouacked near the banks of the river. It had fallen sufficiently -for the Commissariat to get over some stores; and -the famished Riflemen on reaching their bivouack found -coffee, sugar, salt, and a ration of biscuit awaiting them; -and what they welcomed almost as much, tobacco; which -for many days they had not had, and the want of which they -had vainly tried to supply by smoking leaves of the Kaffir -tea-tree dried in the sun. On the 19th the cattle were driven -through the river by fifties at a time; and at two o’clock the -Battalion began to ford it. The water was still deep, and the -current running six or seven miles an hour. A stout rope -was made fast to each bank, and reeved through three waggons -placed at equal distances in the bed of the river. This made -a good hand-rail for the men. But the leading files having -difficulty in stemming the current, and the succeeding files -crowding on them, a sort of animated dam was formed which -had the effect of sending the current boiling between them; -and the water, which was but little above the hips on the -lower side, was dammed up nearly to the armpits on the upper. -However all got over in safety except one man (Private -James King) who, letting go the rope, was swept off by the -current with arms and accoutrements, and never afterwards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> -seen or heard of. The succeeding companies, not crowding so -much, got over with less difficulty. After fording the river -the Battalion marched about six miles, and then bivouacked -near the Commissariat waggons. Yet this short march took -them about four hours to accomplish: so much were they -weakened by their late privations.</p> - -<p>On the 20th they halted to rest; and to clean arms and -accoutrements. In the afternoon there was a general parade; -but it was of a motley crew. The clothing was some of it in -rags; some patched with leather; some men had no shoes; -some wore sandals made of raw hide and fastened with thongs. -And those who had seen the smart Battalion three months -before could scarcely have recognised it in the gaunt, unshaven, -and ragged warriors on this parade.</p> - -<p>On the 21st they marched about fourteen miles and joined -the division in the general camp.</p> - -<p>On the 25th the Battalion marched to King William’s-town -and arrived there on the following day.</p> - -<p>On the 31st two companies, Captain Horsford’s and (late) -Gibson’s, commanded by Lieutenant Hardinge,<a name="FNanchor_194_194" id="FNanchor_194_194"></a><a href="#Footnote_194_194" class="fnanchor">[194]</a> crossed the -Buffalo river and marched for Fort Peddie, being ordered to -join the camp of the 6th Foot, to form a force under Lieutenant-Colonel -Michel; the Head-quarters and remaining four companies -of the Battalion continuing at King William’s-town.</p> - -<p>On February 4 the two detached companies marched -to Tamaka; and on the next day, crossing the Keiskamma -river at the Line drift, proceeded to Buckraal.</p> - -<p>On the 6th they started about four in the morning, and -marched to the Fish river bush, a few miles to the right of -Fort Peddie, where they arrived about ten and halted for -breakfast. But just as the Riflemen were lighting their fires, -an order was issued that the two companies were to skirmish -through the bush; and if no enemy opposed them to -skirmish on to Trumpeter’s drift.<a name="FNanchor_195_195" id="FNanchor_195_195"></a><a href="#Footnote_195_195" class="fnanchor">[195]</a> Leaving their untasted -breakfasts, they dashed into the bush and made their way -through it in extended order, until two in the afternoon, when -they halted and breakfasted. And at three, falling in again, -proceeded through the bush till they emerged from it on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> -Graham’s-town road about a mile from the great Fish river; -to which they advanced, and forded it, the water reaching to -the middle, just at sun-set. After this hard day’s work they -marched into the barrack built on the bank of the river; -and were hospitably received by a detachment of the 91st -which then occupied it.</p> - -<p>A private, who had been missing when they fell in after -breakfast, made his appearance here about eleven at night; -and his arrival unharmed was a sufficient proof that no Kaffirs -were lurking in the bush. On February 7 these two companies -marched to Fort Peddie.</p> - -<p>On February 1 the Head-quarters consisting of four companies -had marched from the Kei river to King William’s-town, -where they encamped on the 3rd, forming part of the -2nd Division, of which Lieutenant-Colonel George Buller, -who had arrived from England, assumed the command. But -the Battalion was broken up into numerous detachments on -the frontier for the purposes of patrols and escorts.</p> - -<p>On the 9th one of the companies at Fort Peddie under -the command of Lieutenant Hardinge marched to Newton -Dale (leaving Horsford’s company at Fort Peddie). A few -days after their arrival there an officer of the Cape Town -volunteers applied for a patrol to pursue Kaffirs, who, eluding -the vigilance of the troops on the frontier, had driven off -almost all the cattle to within a few miles of Graham’s-town. -He stated that he had tracked them to the Fish river, where -he had left his men, who were utterly unable to follow them -further. A patrol of 2 sergeants and 40 men under Lieutenant -Oxenden<a name="FNanchor_196_196" id="FNanchor_196_196"></a><a href="#Footnote_196_196" class="fnanchor">[196]</a> was immediately turned out; and after a quick -march of three hours came up with the Kaffirs in the bush. -They were about seventy in number, and were broiling the -flesh of one of the cattle, which they had just killed, over -their fires; some were sitting on the ground smoking; and -all had their wallets, or leathern bags, taken off and laid on -the ground; while the stolen cattle were feeding in the dell. -The Riflemen, creeping up, poured in a volley which killed seven -and wounded eleven; the rest running into the bush escaped. -The patrol, recapturing the cattle, marched back with them to -Newton Dale, where they arrived about eleven at night, bringing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> -with them the assegais and leathern bags of the Kaffirs. -This was the first occasion on which the Riflemen and the -Kaffirs were in such close quarters.</p> - -<p>This company was employed until June 18 escorting -supplies to the frontier as far as Fort Peddie. It then proceeded -to Line drift, where it had the duty of escorting -supplies from that place to King William’s-town. On September -9 it rejoined the Battalion.</p> - -<p>On February 10 two companies under Captain Rooper -marched for the river Temacha, where they arrived on the -same day; and on March 20 proceeded to Fort Peddie.</p> - -<p>On March 24 Horsford’s company removed from Fort -Peddie to the Goolah heights, where it was employed on -patrol duty, until June 17 when it rejoined Head-quarters.</p> - -<p>On the 25th Rooper’s company left Fort Peddie for -Wesleyville arriving there on the 29th, on April 7 proceeded to -Chalumna post, and on June 14 marched for Head-quarters at -King William’s-town where they rejoined on the following day.</p> - -<p>On April 5 Macdonell’s<a name="FNanchor_197_197" id="FNanchor_197_197"></a><a href="#Footnote_197_197" class="fnanchor">[197]</a> company left Head-quarters -at King William’s-town for Mount Coke, arriving there on the -same day; and returned to Head-quarters on September 14. -On the 6th Murray’s company marched from Fort Peddie -on escort duty, and arrived at the Goolah heights on the -Keiskamma on the 19th, whence it rejoined Head-quarters -on September 14.</p> - -<p>During the time these companies were employed on patrol -duty, a private belonging to a party sent out in search of -cattle, having lost his way in the bush, came near a kloof, in -which he heard the voices of Kaffirs. Lying concealed he -watched their movements. Some Kaffirs arrived with arms, -which they handed to their companions, who concealed them -in a ravine. The Rifleman, still contriving to escape observation, -watched his opportunity and made his way back to the -camp, and, on his report of what he had seen, a party of Cape -Mounted Rifles were sent out to search for the concealed arms.</p> - -<p>An attack on the Amatola mountains having been decided -on, supplies of all kinds were collected at King William’s-town. -On August 2, during a hurricane, a fire broke -out which for some time threatened the destruction of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> -place and of the stores there collected. But by the exertions -of the Battalion, the fire was got under and the greater part -of the stores and ammunition saved from destruction. On -this occasion Lieutenant-General Sir George Berkeley issued -a General Order commending ‘the coolness and judgment -displayed by Lieutenant-Colonel Buller,’ and ‘the discipline -and energy of the troops, by which a great calamity was -averted;’ and conveying to them ‘his best thanks for their -exertions.’</p> - -<p>On September 17 the detached companies having all -rejoined, the Battalion under command of Lieutenant-Colonel -Buller marched from King William’s-town towards the -Amatola mountains, halting on that night on the Deba Flats, -and on the 18th near Fort White. On the 20th the Battalion -(with about 300 of the Burgher force) accompanied by fifty -mules carrying provisions for six days and ammunition, -marched to Fort Cox, situated on a high projection over the -Keiskamma river, which winds round its base; and arriving -there at eight o’clock in the evening, bivouacked for the night.</p> - -<p>Before daybreak on the 21st the Battalion marched; and -after fording the Keiskamma, without opposition or loss, -though not without difficulty, advanced through a dense wood -to the valley of the Amatola, and encamped at the head of -the valley. During this march no attack was made by the -Kaffirs, who retreated as the Riflemen approached; and their -huts were burned by the troops, the flames lighting up the -valley on every side.</p> - -<p>On this evening Colonel Buller’s force was joined by -another column under Colonel Campbell.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 22nd at dawn the Battalion, as -well as the other troops, marched to the Amatolas, and crossing -their lofty and precipitous ridge, forded the Wolf river, a -tributary of the Keiskamma, and ascended another ridge, -where a third column under Colonel Somerset joined them. -From this point Colonel Buller detached the Burgher force; -and advanced with his Battalion to a valley on the Goolah -river, where they encamped for the night, with the other two -columns.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd the troops under Colonel Campbell having -returned to the rear, those under Colonel Somerset and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> -Riflemen under Colonel Buller moved into the Keiskamma -basin; and Colonel Somerset’s division having soon afterwards -marched to the great Kei river, the Battalion remained -in the Keiskamma basin, constantly engaged in active pursuit -of the Kaffirs who were starved out and everywhere driven -out.</p> - -<p>The nature of the ground Sandilli and his people occupied, -a deep valley near Wolf river, rendered it unapproachable by -cavalry, but was exactly suited to the operations of Riflemen. -And by their constant patrols, acting from camps well stored -with provisions, Sandilli was completely foiled; his cattle -destroyed or scattered; his followers driven away; and he -himself hunted from place to place. And the result of these -operations<a name="FNanchor_198_198" id="FNanchor_198_198"></a><a href="#Footnote_198_198" class="fnanchor">[198]</a> was that Sandilli the Gaika chief, the principal -leader of the Kaffirs, surrendered himself, with ten of his -principal men, on October 19 to Colonel Buller. After his -capture Sandilli stated that on October 12 he had been -nearly made a prisoner by a patrol of the Regiment. -They lost their way in skirmishing in the bush, and by this -chance he escaped. He admitted that he must otherwise have -been taken or killed.</p> - -<p>This terminated that campaign, and the four companies, -Head-quarters of the Battalion, were afterwards kept unoccupied -in the Keiskamma basin, though perfectly efficient -for the field. While on the Great Kei river, where operations -were still going on, their presence and assistance would have -been of great consequence. However the arrival of Sir Harry -Smith soon changed the face of affairs, and brought the war -to a termination.</p> - -<p>On November 14 Captain Murray’s company marched -from Fort Stokes to the Kei river and was employed in active -operations against the Kaffirs.</p> - -<p>On December 4 part of the Battalion under Colonel Buller -left the Amatola mountains for King William’s-town, and -arrived the same day.</p> - -<p>And on the 25th the remainder, under command of Captain -Horsford, followed them to King William’s-town.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p> - -<p>From hence the Battalion was again broken up into -detachments; and a company under Lieutenant Cartwright -marching from King William’s-town on the 29th for Mount -Coke, arrived there the same day and occupied it as a post.</p> - -<p>On December 23 Sir Harry Smith was received at King -William’s-town, the band of the Battalion playing ‘God -save the Queen,’ and ‘See the Conquering Hero comes.’ -When the cheers of the assembled concourse subsided, Sir -Harry rode up to the Battalion and complimented Colonel -Buller on having the command of such a body of men, and -the Riflemen on their advantage in having such a commander; -and he noticed ‘that bravery and endurance which they had -displayed during the long and harassing warfare through -which they had struggled.’<a name="FNanchor_199_199" id="FNanchor_199_199"></a><a href="#Footnote_199_199" class="fnanchor">[199]</a></p> - -<p>The Depôt companies remained at Sheerness during the -early part of this year, detaching one company to Canterbury -on March 26.</p> - -<p>On July 13 and 14 the Depôt companies, in two divisions -removed from Sheerness to Bristol; the detachment -from Canterbury joining them on the way at Maidstone; and -arriving on the 15th and 16th they were quartered at Bristol -during the remainder of the year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion continued at Montreal till August -1847; on the 10th of which month the Head-quarter division -marched to Lachine; and there embarking proceeded to -Toronto. The left wing under Captain Wilkins on the 17th -embarked at Lachine and proceeded to Kingston.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>Sir D. L. Gilmour, Colonel Commandant, having died at -Rome on March 22, Major-General Sir Harry Smith, Bart., -G.C.B., succeeded him as Colonel Commandant of the 2nd -Battalion, April 16, 1847.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion were stationed at King William’s-town, -with one company detached at Fort Murray and another at -Fort Waterloo; and no changes, beyond the occasional relief -of these detachments, took place during the first half of the -year 1848.</p> - -<p>But scarcely had the war with the Kaffirs been brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> -to a successful conclusion, when the Dutch Boers, not only -within the colony but beyond the Orange river and in Natal, -who, during the months of June and July had exhibited -unmistakable symptoms of disaffection, broke out into open -rebellion; and being headed by one Pretorius, a Dutch -colonist of some influence and of considerable ability, assembled -in great force beyond the Orange river.</p> - -<p>Sir Harry Smith at once took energetic measures to -attack them. A force consisting of two companies, Captains -Murray’s and Hardinge’s, of the 1st Battalion, two of the -45th, two of the 91st and two squadrons of the Cape Mounted -Rifles, with two six-pounders, was ordered to proceed at once -to Colesberg. Colonel Buller was in command of the -whole force and Major Beckwith of the infantry. The two -companies of Riflemen were made up to a strength of eighty -rank and file each; each man carried sixty rounds of ammunition, -and all were in light marching order, carrying their -great coats or blankets, but not their knapsacks.</p> - -<p>On August 4 the Riflemen marched; and, though delayed -by the state of the river Buffalo, which was swollen by -the rains, and which they passed by india-rubber pontoons, -arrived on the 21st at Colesberg, within about twenty-one -miles of the Orange river.</p> - -<p>On the next morning they continued their march and -halted on the high-ground on the left bank of the Orange river, -there between 250 and 300 yards broad, and then unfordable.</p> - -<p>Several attempts were made unsuccessfully to construct a -raft; but, at last, a hawser was thrown across and fastened to -a tree on the opposite bank, and then a lighter rope was -passed over, by which the india-rubber pontoon, which had -been brought up by the Riflemen from King William’s-town, -was worked backwards and forwards. On the 23rd Captain -Murray’s company was carried over. And on the three -following days the remainder, and the baggage were taken -across; not without difficulty, on account of the steepness of -the banks leading to the place of embarkation, and the -rapidity of the current. The embarkation was superintended -by Colonel Buller; the disembarkation by Major -Beckwith. However by sunset on the 26th the whole force was -conveyed across, and encamped on the right bank of the river.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 27th the troops marched at daylight, the Riflemen -leading the infantry (the Cape Corps being in advance), and -after a march of about twenty miles, encamped on the plains -near Phillipolis, at Benlois Hoek.<a name="FNanchor_200_200" id="FNanchor_200_200"></a><a href="#Footnote_200_200" class="fnanchor">[200]</a></p> - -<p>On the 28th, marching at daybreak, the Riflemen encountered -swarms of grey locusts which actually obscured the -light of the sun. They proceeded past Phillipolis, a village -of the Griqua Kaffirs, and after a march of about twenty -miles encamped for the night.</p> - -<p>On the 29th they continued their march at dawn; and -after proceeding about ten miles, halted at some deserted -farm-houses to breakfast. These were situated on the slope -of a hill overlooking an extensive plain, called the Boemplaats, -which extending about twelve miles was terminated by a -range of low, rocky hills, rising one above another in height. -Those on the right projected into the plain. Through these -hills the road or track wound; and on them the Boers, estimated -at about 2,500 or 3,000 in number, had taken up their -position, adding to its natural strength a kind of breastwork -of piled stones. Had it been defended by disciplined troops, -under a competent leader, it would have been if not impregnable, -at least not to be forced without most serious loss. -While the Riflemen were at breakfast the tidings reached -them that they were soon to meet their enemy; and when -breakfast was over, rifles were looked to, and packets of -cartridges loosened. As soon as they fell in, Sir Harry -Smith addressed them. No one could do so, on such an -occasion, with more authority and experience; for he had -fought in their ranks (or, while on the Staff, at their side) from -Monte Video to Waterloo, in the Peninsula, in America, in -Holland, in Belgium. He reminded them of the glorious deeds -there done, ending an inspiriting address by declaring that -he would drive the arch-rebel Pretorius and his followers -like rats from those hills. He was answered by such a cheer -as Riflemen can give to an old Rifleman who leads them into -the fight.</p> - -<p>Resuming their advance about eleven o’clock they arrived -at the foot of the hills between one and two <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> Colonel -Buller then ordered the Cape Corps to advance and to endeavour<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> -to turn the position in front and by both its flanks. But -the Boers receiving them with a heavy fire, and some mistake -having occurred in executing the order, they retired, and -cleared the front for the Riflemen, who in extended order -advanced and drove the enemy at the point of the sword from -the first, and through the second range of heights; and kept -up a galling fire on them, as they retreated to the third and -highest crest. Here they rallied their whole force, and -delivered a telling fire, under which men and officers fell fast. -But nothing could stand the dash of the Riflemen; this last -position was carried; and at the end of two hours’ hard -fighting, the Boers fled after a short attempt at resistance -behind the walls of a kraal.<a name="FNanchor_201_201" id="FNanchor_201_201"></a><a href="#Footnote_201_201" class="fnanchor">[201]</a></p> - -<p>Then the troops were formed at quarter distance behind -the guns, which opened with grape and shrapnel, on the flying -enemy; delivering their fire; limbering up and advancing -to the front; then firing again. Thus the pursuit was continued -for about eleven miles; until from sheer inability to proceed -further the troops halted at Culverfontein for the night.</p> - -<p>The loss of the Riflemen in this action was severe. -Colonel Buller was severely wounded, and his horse was -killed under him; Captain Murray and 6 rank and file -were killed or died of their wounds; Captain Hardinge and 8 -rank and file were wounded, and Lieutenant and Adjutant -Julius Glyn<a name="FNanchor_202_202" id="FNanchor_202_202"></a><a href="#Footnote_202_202" class="fnanchor">[202]</a> had his horse killed under him.</p> - -<p>Murray was leading his company when he was hit in the -shoulder and his arm was shattered. Glyn, who was near -him, ordered some men to take him to the rear; but before -he could dismount, another shot struck him, which passed -through the body and injured the spine. He lived till about -midnight; and was buried under a peach-tree at Boemplaats. -Sir Harry Smith in communicating his death to his father, -Major-General the Honourable Sir Henry Murray, says that -‘he proved himself a most gallant officer; his loss deeply -regretted by the men of his company.’</p> - -<p>In this letter Sir Harry Smith observes that ‘this outburst -of rebels has cost as smart an affair as I ever witnessed.’ -Yet he had witnessed many; and some of them very smart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> -affairs. ‘Your son,’ he continues, ‘led an attack as bold as it -was successful, under a storm of fire, in a difficult position, -but fell an honour to his father and to his country.’<a name="FNanchor_203_203" id="FNanchor_203_203"></a><a href="#Footnote_203_203" class="fnanchor">[203]</a></p> - -<p>The wounded were left at Boemplaats, except Colonel -Buller, who was conveyed with the troops.</p> - -<p>About ten o’clock at night the tents arrived and the -Battalion encamped. It had marched more than twenty-six -miles; had fought a sharp action; and followed the enemy -with a most active pursuit.</p> - -<p>But they were not long to rest. They paraded at one -o’clock on the morning of the 30th and by two o’clock leaving -blankets, tents and all that could impede rapidity of march -behind them, were again following up the Boers. Both the -companies of Riflemen were now commanded by 2nd -Lieutenants, the Hon. Henry Clifford<a name="FNanchor_204_204" id="FNanchor_204_204"></a><a href="#Footnote_204_204" class="fnanchor">[204]</a> and W. W. Knight, -and they led the column as an advanced guard.</p> - -<p>About daylight they arrived at a place called Welman’s -Pass, where it was thought that the enemy might make a -stand. Accordingly the Riflemen were extended, and -skirmished over the hills on each side, which commanded -the defile. However nothing was seen of the Boers, who -were in fact utterly disorganised and demoralised by their -defeat at Boemplaats, and who never attempted to rally.</p> - -<p>The Riflemen continued their march and halted for the -night at a Dutch farm-house, named Bethany.</p> - -<p>Pursuing their march they arrived at Bloem-fontein on -September 2; and halted there until the 4th. During this -time a General Court Martial was held to try some rebel -Boers, and an English deserter from the 45th, who had acted -as a leader of the revolted Dutch, and they were sentenced -to death. On the 4th (the sentence having been executed) -the Riflemen marched at daybreak for Weinberg, a settlement -on the Vial river, and arrived there on the 7th. Here Sir -Harry Smith received the unconditional submission of the -rebellious Dutch; and fell back to Bloem-fontein on September -14. The Governor having directed a field-work to -be erected here the Riflemen worked at it, until its completion, -when it was garrisoned by the 45th and 91st detachments;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> -and the Riflemen marched for King William’s-town on -October 16.</p> - -<p>In the expedition thus concluded, the Riflemen had -marched between 1,100 and 1,200 miles; had crossed several -difficult rivers with insufficient means of transit, had worn -their clothing to shreds and their shoes off their feet. -General Orders highly laudatory of the conduct of the -officers and men were issued by Sir Harry Smith, both on -August 30, immediately after the fight at Boemplaats, and -also on his leaving the troops at Bloem-fontein on September -15. Colonel Buller was appointed Companion of -the Bath, and Major Beckwith received the brevet rank of -Lieutenant-Colonel.</p> - -<p>During the time the Battalion was near King William’s-town -the men were employed in building. ‘They built a town, -they built barracks, they built houses for their officers, some -of “wattle-and-daub,” some of bricks, and roofed with various -materials. They also made an aqueduct some three or four -miles long to supply the camp with water, and for the purpose -of irrigation. When we left they had more than half built -permanent barracks of stone. That was all done by one -battalion, without neglecting any of its military duties.... -We had a daily parade, inspected arms, &c., and saw -that the men were in proper order, and then dismissed them -to their working parties.’<a name="FNanchor_205_205" id="FNanchor_205_205"></a><a href="#Footnote_205_205" class="fnanchor">[205]</a></p> - -<p>The Service companies being reunited at King William’s -town furnished a detachment on October 18, to Fort Murray; -and another, of a company, on November 3, to Forts Grey -and Glamorgan.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies continued at Bristol during the whole -of this year; the only change being that a subaltern’s detachment -proceeded to Trowbridge on May 10 and rejoined the -Depôt at Bristol on July 6.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>No change took place in the quarters of the 2nd Battalion -during the year 1848, which remained with one wing, Head-quarters, -at Toronto, and the other at Kingston: the Reserve -Battalion companies being still at Quebec.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion continued in 1849 at King William’s-town, -without other change than the occasional relief of its -detachments.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies were during the whole year -stationary at Bristol. And on September 27 they furnished -a guard of honour, consisting of a captain, 3 subalterns, 5 -sergeants, 2 buglers, and 100 rank and file, to attend Her -Majesty Queen Victoria, at the Gloucester Railway Station, -on her return from Scotland.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>No event worth recording occurred in the 2nd Battalion, -which continued at Toronto and Kingston with its Reserve -at Quebec, until November 20; when a detachment consisting -of 1 subaltern, 3 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 80 rank and file -proceeded from Toronto for Mina bay, under the command of -Captain Cooper, with the object of quelling disturbances at -the Bruce mines.</p> - -<p>The eventful history of this detachment cannot better be -given than in the words of a letter addressed by Captain -Cooper (now Sir Astley Paston Cooper, Bart.) to the Assistant-Adjutant-General -at Kingston:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70"> -‘Sault Ste. Marie, Hudson’s bay Company’s Fort,<br /> -<span class="padr4">‘December 16, 1849.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>‘Sir,—I have the honour to report for the information of the -Major-General commanding, that bad weather and the lateness -of the season, combined with various accidents and -delays, having frustrated our efforts to make Mina bay, we -have been obliged to return to the Sault Ste. Marie, where we -have now been obliged to go into quarters for the winter. Our -failure is however the less to be regretted as the ring-leaders -in the affair have been captured, and all the Indians, to the -best of my knowledge and belief, have left Mina bay, and -returned to their homes for the winter.</p> - -<p>‘I stated in my last communication that the captain of the -“Propeller” had engaged to be ready to start from the Sault -river on the evening of Thursday, the 4th inst.; but about -four o’clock that afternoon a gale commenced that rendered it -impossible for the boats to continue to take the freight on -board, and eventually swamped a scow that we had engaged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> -for the purpose. The wind did not abate sufficiently to allow -us to assume our operations till the Friday following; and we -completed the embarkation of men and stores on that day. -Just however as we were about to start, a fresh delay occurred, -arising from a dispute between the captain of the vessel and -the engineer, who being the only one left at the Sault, felt -himself at liberty to make his own terms, and who refused to -go at all unless he got 237 dollars for his trip, paid in -advance. The captain refused to give it him, and at one time -it seemed very doubtful whether we should not be obliged to -return again to the Hudson’s bay Company’s Fort. This -settled, we started about seven <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> to a place about seven -miles up the river, called Wood Dock, where we were to take -in more wood, it having been found impossible to provide a -sufficient quantity at the Sault. On arriving there we found -that the ice had collected in such quantities in the bay that it -was impossible to approach the “Propeller” to the wharf. -After making a variety of attempts to cut through the ice, -carry the boats on &c. to no purpose we were obliged to give -it up for that night.</p> - -<p>‘The following morning we managed to land nearly the -whole of the troops, by pulling them round the ice to a place -where the wind and current had broken it up sufficiently to -allow us to get through. Carrying the wood from the wharf -to the boats and thence to the ship occupied about eight -hours; and we did not get under weigh again until about -four <span class="fs70">P.M.</span></p> - -<p>‘During the whole of the time we had been thus delayed, -the weather had been perfectly fair; but we had scarcely -started when a wind sprang up, which gradually increased to -such a height, that the funnel was bent, one of the stays gave -way, the stove and everything else in the cabin was overturned, -and the binnacle and compass upset and rolled about -the deck.</p> - -<p>‘Not being able, from the rolling of the vessel, to put back -the compass properly in its place, the helmsman was steering -partly by guesswork, and we drifted about five points out of -our course. At half-past eleven <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> the ship struck hard on -a point of land on the American shore, called White Fish -point, the bottom happening fortunately to be sandy, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> -sea right on, the captain got the foresail on her and allowed -her to drive up into the shallow so far as she would, to -obviate the heavy bumpings, to prevent her broaching to, -receiving the seas on her broadside. The conduct of the -men, when the ship struck, was most admirable, inasmuch as -the general rocky nature of the coast along the shore of the -Lake Superior was well known to everyone on board. No -one knew where we were; and White Fish point was perhaps -the only place on Lake Superior where such an accident -could have occurred without the vessel being instantaneously -broken up. Had the men not obeyed the command to stand -still, but had they rushed on deck, as the captain of the ship -afterwards told me he fully expected they would have done, -at least one half of them would have been washed overboard -and drowned; as the deck was as slippery as ice could make -it, and there was no bulwark round it other than a slight open -railing, scarcely a foot high. Both the captain and subordinate -officers of the vessel afterwards expressed their astonishment -at the coolness and discipline the soldiers displayed. -We remained at White Fish point till about half-past three -<span class="fs70">P.M.</span> Monday without any apparent possibility of getting the -ship off, occupying ourselves in the meantime with landing -the freight for the purpose of lightening the vessel, and -making what arrangement we could for passing the winter -where we were. About that hour, however, by working the -vessel back with all the steam the engine would bear, and -rigging a derrick, they got us off again; and about ten <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> -Tuesday, we again proceeded towards Mina Bay and had -arrived to within eight miles of the place, when the wind -shifted to the SW. and commenced blowing again with such -violence, that they were obliged to put about and return to -White Fish point for shelter. After remaining there till -noon, Wednesday, and the weather not at all improving, the -captain represented to me the impossibility of reaching the -bay this fall.</p> - -<p>‘I then wrote to him requesting his opinion in writing; his -answer to which I enclose. We anchored in the Sault river -on Wednesday evening, and I am now getting the men -settled in quarters in the store-houses of the Hudson’s bay -Company’s Fort; and I trust that in a few days they will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> -made tolerably comfortable for the winter. From the time -the men left Toronto till we returned to the Sault, they had -never slept in a bed, or taken off their clothes; yet in despite -of that, and of the cold and wet they have daily endured, we -have no sickness whatever. I am also happy to be able to -inform you that the conduct of the detachment continues to -be exemplary.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr4">‘I have the honour to be,</span><br /> -<span class="padr6">&c. &c. &c.,</span><br /> -<span class="padr2 smcap">‘A. P. Cooper.</span><br /> -<span class="fs70">‘Capt. Commanding detachment.’</span><br /> -</p></div> - -<p>On December 3, the left wing of the Battalion removed -from Kingston and joined Head-quarters at Toronto.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>In March 1850, the 1st Battalion being ordered home, -were relieved on the frontier by the 6th Foot; and on -April 2, three companies marched from King William’s-town -to Fort Glamorgan, there to await the arrival of -H.M. steam-vessel ‘Hermes’ for conveyance to Table-bay.</p> - -<p>And on May 20 the remaining three companies, with -Head-quarters, marched from King William’s-town to Fort -Glamorgan, and arrived there on the next day.</p> - -<p>On the departure of the Battalion from the frontier, a very -complimentary District Order was issued by Colonel Mackinnon, -commanding at King William’s-town, thanking the -officers, non-commissioned officers and men for their excellent -conduct while under his command.</p> - -<p>Free discharges having been offered to such of the men as -desired to settle in South Africa, 165 non-commissioned -officers and men availed themselves of them; and being -paraded on April 30, were there and then handed their discharges -by Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith.</p> - -<p>On May 25 the Head-quarters, with three companies, embarked -at Fort Glamorgan, in surf-boats, and were conveyed -on board the ‘Hermes,’ which started for Table-bay, at which -place they disembarked on the 29th.</p> - -<p>On the 31st they were inspected at Cape Town by Sir -Harry Smith, previous to their embarkation for home, who -took leave of his old Corps in the following characteristic -General Order:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Head-quarters, Cape Town, May 31, 1850.<br /></p> - -<p>‘The 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade will be held in readiness -to embark for England on board the ship, “Duchess of Northumberland,” -having completed a colonial tour of ten years’ -service, throughout which it has maintained the character for -discipline, bravery and interior economy which distinguished -it during the eventful period of the Peninsular War, under -His Grace the Duke of Wellington.</p> - -<p>‘At the Cape of Good Hope in the Kaffir War and in a -rapid, long, and harassing march over the Orange river, for -the suppression of rebellion, the Riflemen were ever as distinguished -for good fellowship among their comrades of other -regiments, as they were formidable to their foes. Colonel -Mackinnon the Commandant of Kaffraria, thus reports of the -Regiment:</p> - -<p>‘“Nothing can have been more satisfactory than the -conduct of the Battalion ever since it has been in this district, -and it has been most ably commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel -Beckwith.”</p> - -<p>‘In 1805 the Commander-in-Chief Sir H. Smith, joined -this Battalion then commanded by a Colonel Sidney Beckwith, -(the uncle of the present,) an officer of great military renown.</p> - -<p>‘He has served with it during the most eventful period of -its career, and has never worn the Regimental uniform of any -other corps. The veteran and truly commendable affection, -which is thus created, leads His Excellency therefore fervently -to hope for the future welfare and honour of the Regiment.</p> - -<p>‘“The true test of real excellence is not immediate success, -but durable fame;” and Sir Harry Smith trusts, with all his -heart, that this may ever be applicable to his old comrades of -the Rifle Brigade.’</p></div> - -<p>On June 6 the Head-quarter division embarked at -Cape Town in the ‘Duchess of Northumberland,’ and sailed -the same day; and after touching at St. Helena for water -on the 19th, proceeded for England.</p> - -<p>But the other division of 8 officers and 100 men of -other ranks were still at East London; where they embarked -in surf boats on June 10 and 11, and were conveyed -on board the ‘Hermes.’ They disembarked at Falk bay on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> -the 17th, and proceeded to Cape Town, where they were -quartered until July 11.</p> - -<p>On that day they embarked on board the ‘Himalaya,’<a name="FNanchor_206_206" id="FNanchor_206_206"></a><a href="#Footnote_206_206" class="fnanchor">[206]</a> -and sailed on the 12th for England.</p> - -<p>We must now return to the movements of the Depôt -companies which left Bristol in two divisions on April 8 and 11, -and arrived at Brecon on the 9th and 11th.</p> - -<p>They removed in three divisions from Brecon on June 17, 18 -and 19, and proceeded to Canterbury, where they arrived on -the 19th, 20th and 21st, and were there stationed until the -arrival of the Service companies.</p> - -<p>The first division of these disembarked at Gravesend on -Sunday, August 11, and proceeded by railroad to Rochester, -and marched into Brompton Barracks Chatham; and on -the 13th marched to Canterbury, where they arrived the next -day.</p> - -<p>The second division did not reach Gravesend till September -23, when they disembarked, and marched to Canterbury, -where they arrived on the 26th. Thus the whole Battalion -was reunited; but owing to the free discharges given -in Africa it was greatly below its strength; and recruiting -was actively carried on and the staff and parties at the principal -stations in England, and at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and -Newry were directed, by order from the Horse Guards, to -raise 160 men at once for the Battalion; yet up to the end -of the year it had only succeeded in obtaining 114 recruits.</p> - -<p>On December 30 and 31 the Battalion marched in two divisions -from Canterbury to Dover, where they were quartered; -Head-quarters with five companies in the Western heights, and -five companies in the Castle.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>By an order from the Horse Guards dated February 6, 1850, -the Reserve Battalion of the 2nd Battalion was to be done -away; and the 2nd Battalion and Reserve, of six companies -each, were from April 1 to be absorbed into one Battalion -of ten companies. The officers (1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 2 -Captains, 2 First Lieutenants, 2 Second Lieutenants and an -Adjutant), who thus became supernumerary, were retained -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en second</i>, until vacancies occurred. Pursuant to this arrangement<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> -the six companies which formed the Reserve Battalion -left Quebec, where they had been stationed since their formation -in August 1846, and proceeded to Kingston in two divisions; -the first, consisting of three companies under Major -Norcott, leaving Quebec on May 1, and arriving at Kingston -on the 3rd; the remaining three companies leaving on the -8th, and arriving on the 11th.</p> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion itself left Toronto, where it had been -quartered since August 1847, in two divisions on May 22 -and 24, arriving at Kingston on the following days -respectively. Thus the Battalion and its Reserve were amalgamated; -and at Kingston reunited into one Battalion.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_193_193" id="Footnote_193_193"></a><a href="#FNanchor_193_193"><span class="label">[193]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> A wooded ravine or valley.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_194_194" id="Footnote_194_194"></a><a href="#FNanchor_194_194"><span class="label">[194]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Hardinge, retired.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_195_195" id="Footnote_195_195"></a><a href="#FNanchor_195_195"><span class="label">[195]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> A ford.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_196_196" id="Footnote_196_196"></a><a href="#FNanchor_196_196"><span class="label">[196]</span></a> Colonel Charles Vernon Oxenden died April 26, 1868.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_197_197" id="Footnote_197_197"></a><a href="#FNanchor_197_197"><span class="label">[197]</span></a> Major-General Alexander Macdonell, C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_198_198" id="Footnote_198_198"></a><a href="#FNanchor_198_198"><span class="label">[198]</span></a> ‘It was,’ says an historian of the war, ‘the useful green jackets, the untiring -Rifle Brigade, who worried Sandilli out of his hiding-place among the mountains.’ -(‘Five Years in Kaffirland,’ ii. 240, 2nd edition.)</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_199_199" id="Footnote_199_199"></a><a href="#FNanchor_199_199"><span class="label">[199]</span></a> ‘Five Years in Kaffirland,’ by Mrs. Ward, ii. 329-30.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_200_200" id="Footnote_200_200"></a><a href="#FNanchor_200_200"><span class="label">[200]</span></a> Hoek, <em>i.e.</em> an inlet from a plain to high land, and from which there is no outlet.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_201_201" id="Footnote_201_201"></a><a href="#FNanchor_201_201"><span class="label">[201]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> An enclosure, generally for cattle.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_202_202" id="Footnote_202_202"></a><a href="#FNanchor_202_202"><span class="label">[202]</span></a> Major-General Glyn, C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_203_203" id="Footnote_203_203"></a><a href="#FNanchor_203_203"><span class="label">[203]</span></a> ‘Annual Register,’ xc. 248.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_204_204" id="Footnote_204_204"></a><a href="#FNanchor_204_204"><span class="label">[204]</span></a> Colonel the Hon. H. H. Clifford, C.B., V.C.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_205_205" id="Footnote_205_205"></a><a href="#FNanchor_205_205"><span class="label">[205]</span></a> Colonel Evelyn (formerly of the Rifle Brigade) -in the ‘Journal <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'of the Roya United'">of the Royal -United</ins> Service Institution,’ vol. xiv. p. 103.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_206_206" id="Footnote_206_206"></a><a href="#FNanchor_206_206"><span class="label">[206]</span></a> Not the steam Troop-ship of that name; but a sailing Barque.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">During the year 1851, when the 1st Battalion was stationed -at the Western heights, their Colonel-in-Chief, the Duke of -Wellington, reviewed them for the last time. Arriving from -Walmer in September, he saw the Battalion put through a -field day by Colonel Buller.</p> - -<p>The fresh outbreak of the Kaffirs and the accounts which -reached England from the Cape having necessitated the despatch -of reinforcements to that colony, the 1st Battalion which -remained at Dover was, by letter from the Adjutant-General -dated December 17, 1851, directed to be formed into Service -and Depôt companies; and the former were desired to hold -themselves in readiness for immediate service. Accordingly -one Major (Horsford), 6 Captains, 6 First, and 6 Second Lieutenants, -with the usual Staff, 30 sergeants, 24 corporals, 11 -buglers and 614 privates were detailed for embarkation under -the command of Colonel Buller; and were on December 29 -inspected by Major-General Brown, Adjutant-General of the -Forces, on the Western heights, who expressed his satisfaction -at their appearance.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remained during the whole of this year -stationed at Kingston, Upper Canada.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On the morning of January 2, 1852, the Service companies -of the 1st Battalion were conveyed, in three small -steamers, on board H.M.S. ‘Megæra;’ which in the evening -proceeded to, and anchored in the Downs.</p> - -<p>Nothing could exceed the discomfort of this wretched -ship. The men were crowded; but Buller had wished his -whole Battalion to go out together; and, no doubt, eventually -this saved many lives. For the fate of the ‘Birkenhead,’ -which took out detachments of other regiments, and would -probably have taken Riflemen had not all been pushed into -the ‘Megæra,’ is well known.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> - -<p>The ‘Megæra’ steamed from the Downs on the morning -of the 3rd and off Beachy Head and the back of the Isle of -Wight encountered a heavy gale, which much damaged her. -She caught fire twice, but it was each time happily extinguished, -and on the 5th she put into Plymouth harbour utterly -disabled.</p> - -<p>Here intelligence reached the Riflemen of the disastrous -fight of November 6, 1851, when Colonel Fordyce of the -74th was killed and his regiment severely handled by the -Kaffirs. And the ‘Megæra,’ hardly refitted, was desired to -put to sea immediately. Stores were incomplete; but the -only reply to all such representations was the repetition, by -telegraph, of the order ‘Put to sea.’</p> - -<p>So on January 7, at ten at night, the ‘Megæra’ again -started; and arrived at Madeira on the 24th. After coaling, -and taking in supplies here, she left on the 27th and arrived -at Sierra Leone on February 6. She steamed from this at -midnight on the 7th and after some severe gales, and being -on fire again more than once, this unhappy ship at last reached -Simon’s bay on the night of March 24 having taken nearly -two months to make the passage.</p> - -<p>After coaling here, and landing women and children and -six sick men, who were sent to Cape Town in charge of a -sergeant, the ‘Megæra’ again put to sea on the 27th and -anchored in Algoa bay on the 30th.</p> - -<p>The Riflemen were immediately landed, by means of surf -boats and the help of Fingoes, as they had been at the same -place six years before. As soon as they were ashore they -marched by companies to the hill above Port Elizabeth where -they were encamped; each company pitching tents for that -following it, so that the men were at once under canvass as -soon as they reached the ground. At the back of the camp -was a sort of ravine, through which flowed a stream, in which -the men washed everything, great-coats, clothing kits, in order -to cleanse them from the smoke and dirt of the ‘Megæra.’ -On April 2 about two in the afternoon, camp was struck, -and the Battalion commenced its march for the frontier; -halting that night at the Swart Kop river.</p> - -<p>The next morning they resumed their march, the last -three hours being under heavy rain, and encamped. On the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> -Coega river on the 4th they started at half-past four in the -morning, and after marching about ten miles, halted for -breakfast, and then continued their march, the intention -being to cross Sunday river; but it was so swollen with the -rains as to be impassable. On its bank they remained -encamped therefore until the 8th. On that day about noon -the river was reported to be fordable, and the Battalion having -passed it, and marched about two miles and a half encamped -for the night at Commando’s kraal.</p> - -<p>On the 9th, starting very early, they halted for breakfast at -Addo bush. On this day’s march they passed a well where -the Battalion had halted during a similar march in November -1846, and where the date, then carved by them on a post, was -still to be seen; and at night encamped at Quagga Flats.</p> - -<p>On the next day again marching very early, they advanced -a good way over the flats, and then again continued to -ascend; for the road for the whole march had been almost a -constant rise, and after the usual halt for breakfast, and a -further march, arrived at Sidbury and encamped on a hill-side.</p> - -<p>On the 11th marching, as usual, about half-past four, they -went forward about eleven miles through the Assegai bush, -and halted for breakfast near a river of the same name; and -marching on about seven miles further encamped near the -Karraga river, which however was hid from the camp by a -wooded declivity.</p> - -<p>On the next day after the usual early march of about six -miles, in which they crossed the river, after a fatiguing -descent to it, and an equally fatiguing ascent on the opposite -side of a ravine, they halted for breakfast in a spot covered -with mimosa bushes, with fine grass between them, which had -rather the appearance of an artificial lawn than of unreclaimed -wilderness. Soon after starting again, they met such crowds -of people coming out from Graham’s-town to meet them, -that they fancied themselves close to it; but after a toilsome -march of six miles further, over a very rough road, they encamped -in the Drostdy barracks.</p> - -<p>During the two following days they halted; but on the -15th starting from Graham’s-town about eleven, accompanied -by numbers of the inhabitants, they marched to Botha’s Hill, -where they encamped for the night.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 16th marching about five, over the Ekka heights, -they entered the Fish river bush, by a newly-cut path called -the ‘Queen’s road.’ Proceeding about five miles, on emerging -from the bush, and passing over some flat country to Fort -Brown, they crossed the Fish river by a wooden bridge, and -proceeding about three miles further, they encamped about -three o’clock near the Koonap, a tributary of the Fish river.</p> - -<p>On the next day they marched about six miles to their -breakfast halt, on some very high ground; and after crossing -the Koonap at a shallow ford, ascended the Koonap heights; -and, after a short march, reached their camping ground at -Liew fontein early and untired.</p> - -<p>On the 18th starting at five, they had a long march to -Mildenhall, where they breakfasted, and where three houses -had recently been destroyed by the Kaffirs. After this halt -crossing the Chumie river, and afterwards the Kat river by a -shallow ford, they marched through the town of Fort Beaufort -amidst the hearty welcomes of its inhabitants, and encamped -on a plain on the other side of it.</p> - -<p>Here they halted for three days in very inclement weather; -the heavy rain on the 19th obliging the men to turn out at -night to dig trenches round the tents, and to bale out the -water which had flooded them.</p> - -<p>On arrival at Fort Beaufort the Battalion was placed in -the 1st brigade of the division under Major-General Somerset. -The brigade, which was commanded by Colonel Buller, was -composed of detachments of the 74th, Cape Corps, and -Artillery, with two six-pounders and rocket apparatus, and -some Fingoe levies.</p> - -<p>The Battalion, having been inspected by General Somerset -on April 21, marched about half-past six on the morning of -the 22nd for the Waterkloof, accompanied by eight of the Cape -Corps, and a detachment of Artillery with a six-pounder, -drawn by twelve oxen.</p> - -<p>They halted for breakfast at Gilbert’s farm ‘Klu-klu,’ -which had been burnt by the Kaffirs. Resuming their march -to Yellow-wood they encamped for the night on the Kroome -river, where plenty of long grass afforded them excellent beds. -The day’s march had been very fatiguing; for though part of -it was through a fine grassy country, and on a hard road, yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> -this had in places been broken up by mountain storms into -gullies, sometimes resembling steep steps of stairs, and sometimes -the loose <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">débris</i> of a stone quarry.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd they started soon after 5, and after passing -some ruined houses halted for breakfast at McMaster’s -canteen, which, like the buildings they had passed, bore -evident marks of Kaffir depredation and destruction. After -a rest of about two hours, they resumed their march towards -the banks of the Koonap, and pitched their tents at a place -called Haddon’s post; but which the men called Stony -camp, from the difficulty they experienced in driving in the -tent pegs; near a thickly wooded ravine called Bushneck.</p> - -<p>Hardly had the camp been pitched when a storm of wind, -rain and hail, accompanied with thunder and lightning, came -on, which threw tents to the ground, and obliged men and -officers to turn out with shovels and mallets to dig trenches, -and drive tent-pegs. And even after the violence of the -storm abated, rain continued at intervals during the night. -Kaffirs were seen at a distance on the hills near the camp.</p> - -<p>On the 24th when they were preparing to advance, the -conductor declared that the oxen could not go forward; consequently -the Battalion halted for the day; Captain Glyn’s -company going out on patrol, and bringing in a horse, which -was claimed by the Fingoes.</p> - -<p>On the 25th they started in a fog so thick that they lost -their way in the first half-hour; and had to halt. Then -resuming their march, they literally felt their way to the -banks of the Koonap, which they crossed five times in the -course of this day’s march. They halted for breakfast at -Nell’s Farm, where one end of the house only was standing. -On resuming their march, after twice crossing the Koonap, -they ascended a hill of exceeding steepness, by a road -formed by the dry and rocky course of a mountain torrent. -The advanced guard shot one Kaffir and made two women, -mother and daughter, prisoners. They burnt some Kaffir -huts also, but they were empty. On getting to the top the -Riflemen were halted to get their breath. This hill forms one -of the Winterberg Mountains, the Chumie range forming the -opposite side of the Waterkloof. After a short halt they resumed -their advance; and, after marching some distance, were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> -halted in a pretty but irregular valley, where it was intended -to camp. But it was found that the oxen with the tents and -baggage had been unable to ascend the hill as fast as was -expected; and consequently the Battalion was ordered to -countermarch (an unwelcome order, after so fatiguing a -march) and after descending again about a mile and a-half, -encamped on some stony and uneven ground. A strong -guard was formed round the camp, and the picquet were sent -down the hill with the dinners of the men at the bottom, and -to form a guard while they ate it. For one company was -sent down the hill to bring up the waggons, and all were -not up till 2 o’clock in the morning. On the next day the -Battalion marched forward to a place called Bear’s farm, -about 5 miles from the Waterkloof valley. To reach this it -was necessary to go down a road almost as steep as that ascending -the opposite side of the ridge from the Bushneck -valley, and equal difficulties were experienced in getting the -baggage forward.</p> - -<p>On April 29 Captains Somerset’s,<a name="FNanchor_207_207" id="FNanchor_207_207"></a><a href="#Footnote_207_207" class="fnanchor">[207]</a> Lord Alexander Russell’s<a name="FNanchor_208_208" id="FNanchor_208_208"></a><a href="#Footnote_208_208" class="fnanchor">[208]</a> -and Woodford’s companies (with some Fingoes, and -Cape Corps) fell in at 4 in the morning, and were ordered to -move forward in perfect silence. Somerset with a 6-pounder -went round by a road; while the remaining two companies -advanced over most rough and broken ground to the edge -of the Waterkloof, which, in consequence of its being perfectly -dark, rendered the march extremely difficult. Daylight -was just appearing when they caught sight of some -Kaffir fires. Colonel Buller passed the word to extend, and -the two companies advanced. The Kaffir ‘Whoop’ was -soon heard, and firing commenced when they were about 200 -yards from the first kraal. From this the Kaffirs fled to the -bush and the rocks, taking cover behind the rocks as the -Riflemen came on. They set fire to the huts, and still -advancing and searching every bush and hiding place, -emerged on the plain beyond. Somerset’s company with the -gun now joined them on the left. They soon came in sight -of another kraal, and the gun was unlimbered and a shell -thrown into it. The Riflemen still advanced; and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> -Kaffirs kept up a brisk fire from the bush, and from a hill -just beyond. Here the three companies made a halt; and -eventually returned to camp, as the force was not strong -enough to attempt the hill, where the Kaffirs greatly outnumbered -them.</p> - -<p>In this patrol, Lieutenant Godfrey and 3 men were -wounded. The place was called Mundell’s Krantz, and was -in fact the place where Colonel Fordyce had been killed.</p> - -<p>The three companies reached the camp about 2 o’clock after -a march of 18 miles. Kaffirs hovered on their rear during -their march back; but did not venture within range.</p> - -<p>On May 3 another patrol, consisting of four companies -started at half-past two <span class="fs70">A.M.</span>, as some Kaffirs were said to be -in Engelbrecht’s kloof. Of these one company joined a -party of the 74th Regiment at Post Retief; and starting -thence at 3 in the afternoon marched about 12 miles along -the Koonap, which they forded seven times; and occupied -for the night a ruined farm-house which they reached -at dark. On the next morning they marched about 5, -again crossing several streams, some of them very dangerous -from the slippery state of the rocks, in falling from which -one Rifleman dislocated his knee. At 9 o’clock they fell in -with the remaining companies, which were posted on a hill in -front of them; but the scouts came in with intelligence that -the Kaffirs had all left the kloof, and the patrol returned to -the camp at Bear’s farm.</p> - -<p>On the 5th one company proceeded with a party of the -74th as a covering party to protect those engaged in road-making -in the Blinkwater. The scouts reported traces of -cattle near Bushneck; and on the 6th Captains Rooper’s and -Woodford’s companies, accompanied by a party of the Cape -Corps and some Fingoes, started at 4 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> under command -of Major Horsford, and after marching round by the hills and -destroying many huts so hurriedly left by the Kaffirs that -they found them full of necklaces, and various utensils, and -even one young child left behind, they returned to camp -about 2 o’clock.</p> - -<p>On the 8th a patrol under command of Colonel Buller, -accompanied by two guns, proceeded early to the hills at the -mouth of the Waterkloof. However the Kaffirs, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> -occupying it in great strength, would not show themselves. -And after firing about twenty rounds from the guns into the -kloof, the patrol returned to camp. It seemed that the -Kaffirs by watching were aware of every movement made by -the Riflemen, and so avoided an attack. But it was thought -that these frequent patrols harassed them as much as if they -had been brought to an actual engagement.</p> - -<p>On the 17th four companies, Lord Alexander Russell’s, -Woodford’s, Hardinge’s and Glyn’s, moved before daylight for -the Waterkloof; and arriving near the scene of the skirmish on -April 29, burned several huts and captured three horses, several -shots being fired from the kloof. No enemy then appeared. -But as the patrol began to retire they showed themselves -in all directions. Several men had been left in ambush -near the burning huts; and they were soon busily engaged. -The patrol was extended, and retired by companies, each -company facing the enemy in turn, while the rest moved to -the rear. As soon as they left a position, or passed over rising -ground, it was taken possession of by the enemy who kept -up a smart fire from their large elephant pieces. Happily -their aim was generally too high; but three of the Riflemen -were wounded. They were about four hours engaged; and -retired fighting over about 5 miles. Twice they halted -and endeavoured to bring the Kaffirs to close quarters; but -they declined meeting them on the plain.</p> - -<p>The Battalion remained at Bear’s farm without any important -occurrence until the 27th, when three companies, Rooper’s, -Somerset’s and Glyn’s, proceeded on patrol at 5 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> under -the command of Major Horsford, for Ingilby’s farm; and -discovered numerous traces of cattle but did not come upon -any Kaffirs.</p> - -<p>On the 29th a patrol of 70 men with Lieutenants -Elliot<a name="FNanchor_209_209" id="FNanchor_209_209"></a><a href="#Footnote_209_209" class="fnanchor">[209]</a> and Coote Buller, proceeded to Ingilby’s farm, in order -to ascertain whether the spoor<a name="FNanchor_210_210" id="FNanchor_210_210"></a><a href="#Footnote_210_210" class="fnanchor">[210]</a> observed on the 27th was -caused by the Kaffirs grazing their cattle by night. They -had nearly reached the place where they were to make this -examination, when a sharp fire opened from an unseen enemy, -by which four men were wounded. The fire was immediately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> -returned into the bush, but its effect could not be ascertained; -and the patrol returned to camp.</p> - -<p>On the evening of the 30th the Battalion paraded for -patrol at tattoo, it being important to ascertain whether the -Kaffirs did, as reported by the scouts, bring out their cattle to -feed at night. Strict orders were given for perfect silence, no -lights were to be struck or pipes lighted. They marched -about 8 miles; and then were ordered to be ready to fall -in at three minutes’ notice. About 5 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> they stood to their -arms, extended, and advanced to the edge of the bush; where -they again halted and lay down till daylight. As soon as -it appeared they dashed rapidly into the bush downhill to -a valley. Two Kaffirs were seen, and both brought down by -the Riflemen. They came on smouldering fires, and many -traces of Kaffirs, but saw no more. The valley was well -cultivated as a garden; and full of fruit, with which the men -filled their haversacks. Having halted there for breakfast, -they marched back to camp; where they arrived about 10 -o’clock on the 31st, and were mustered as they stood, in their -accoutrements.</p> - -<p>On June 3, four companies, Lord Alexander Russell’s, -Woodford’s, Hardinge’s and Glyn’s, paraded at 6 in the -morning and marched towards the Waterkloof, in order to -meet General Cathcart, and to accompany him on a reconnaissance -to the Waterkloof and the Blinkwater. Having -reached the place fronting the Kloof called the Horse-shoe, -they piled arms and awaited the General. The Kaffirs were -soon seen in motion in every direction, wondering probably -what was intended by this demonstration by daylight; and -they lit two large fires on the opposite side of the Kloof -apparently as signals. On the General’s arrival, accompanied -by his Staff, some of the Cape Corps, and a troop of the 12th -Lancers, they proceeded with him to examine the different -parts of the Kloof to which the Riflemen had patrolled on -former occasions. As they moved along the Kaffirs accompanied -them, keeping within the edge of the Kloof. They -proceeded towards the Blinkwater, from whence the General -went on to Post Retief, while the Riflemen returned to their -camp, after a most fatiguing day’s march, in consequence of -the slipperiness of the grass, and the necessity of their keeping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> -up with the mounted force. On the 4th it was seen that the -Kaffirs had set fire to the grass round the camp; and watch -had to be kept all night to see that it did not approach too -close. On the morning of the 5th three parties were despatched -to beat out the fire with bushes; which they did -effectually owing to the shortness of the grass.</p> - -<p>On the 8th two companies proceeded on a reconnaissance -towards the Waterkloof, and returned without doing anything; -but one man was killed.</p> - -<p>On the 11th Lord Alexander Russell’s, Woodford’s and -Hardinge’s companies started at 4 in the morning in the -direction of Bushneck; not proceeding by the usual road, but -directly across country, up and down hills, some of them -extremely steep, with large projecting rocks, which the men -had to climb, and to slide down on the other side. Part of -the march also was over the burnt grass, the dust from which -was extremely annoying, and at times almost prevented their -seeing anything. They marched fully 18 miles, not even -halting for breakfast. They came on traces of Kaffirs, who -as usual disappeared, unless surrounded before daylight.</p> - -<p>On July 3 a patrol of Captain Somerset’s company -started at 5 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> and examined the valleys in the neighbourhood -of the Waterkloof in search of cattle; but the sun rose -before they had found them, and rendered their efforts unsuccessful.</p> - -<p>An escort marched towards the Blinkwater on July 5 to -deliver the guns to a party of the 91st and some of Lakeman’s -volunteers. As they were returning they saw some -Kaffirs driving off a cow. The officer in charge would not -allow the company to go, but gave permission for ten volunteers -to attack them; who immediately doubled to cover. -The Kaffirs observing the company did not see the detached -party, who cut them off from the bush. There were three men -and two women; who seemed so destitute and starved that it -was not worth while to make them prisoners.</p> - -<p>At midnight on the 6th a patrol left the camp, and after -marching a considerable distance, were halted, divided into -watches, and ordered to conceal themselves. The object was -to intercept cattle, supposed to be on the move. But after -lying down in concealment during a very cold morning, at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> -sunrise they returned to camp without having effected their -object.</p> - -<p>On the 7th the camp at Bear’s farm was struck, and the -tents and baggage placed in the farm-yard under the charge -of Captain Woodford’s company. The remainder paraded -a little before midnight, with coats and blankets and three -days’ rations, which the men were recommended to cook -before starting. Soon after they moved off; and marching, in -a cold sleet, by the southern heights of the Waterkloof, were -joined by another division under General Cathcart.<a name="FNanchor_211_211" id="FNanchor_211_211"></a><a href="#Footnote_211_211" class="fnanchor">[211]</a> They -then proceeded to the ridge separating the Waterkloof valley -from Fuller’s Hoek, and after firing shell, shot, and rockets -into the bush, bivouacked on the night of the 8th at the head -of the pass, after having been fourteen successive hours on the -move. They had seen many Kaffirs, who kept close in cover, -occasionally firing on our skirmishers. In this affair one Rifleman -was killed, shot through the brain while taking aim over -a rock. The weather during the time the Battalion was -engaged on this reconnaissance was extremely inclement, rain, -sleet and snow falling almost incessantly.</p> - -<p>During the absence of the Battalion the Kaffirs rushed out -of the Kloof, and drove off seven oxen feeding near Bear’s farm. -The company there immediately stood to their arms; but -could not leave their position, as the Kaffirs appeared in number -on the neighbouring hills. The waggoners were despatched -to secure the oxen; and the Kaffirs at first retired. But seeing -that they were only waggoners not soldiers, they returned and -made off with their prize.</p> - -<p>The Battalion returned about noon on the 9th and found -the tents pitched and everything made ready for them by -their comrades in charge. They were accompanied by two -12-pounders, with the men and horses.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 14th the Battalion finally left its -camping-ground at Bear’s farm, and proceeded to Mount-Misery, -marching by the edge of the Waterkloof into which -shells were occasionally dropped. The Riflemen had scarcely -reached their position, when a waggoner came running in and -informed them that his span<a name="FNanchor_212_212" id="FNanchor_212_212"></a><a href="#Footnote_212_212" class="fnanchor">[212]</a> of oxen had been seized by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> -Kaffirs. The cattle-guard which was in the act of mounting, -set off at the double; the best runners taking the lead, and -soon came up with the cattle, which they recovered, shooting -one Kaffir.</p> - -<p>Here a standing camp was formed, and two redoubts were -built, as a base from whence General Cathcart operated in the -final attacks on the Kaffirs. On the morning of the 15th the -outlying picket at the head of Fuller’s Hoek had just lit their -cooking fire at daybreak, when the fuel was knocked about by -a ball from the bush. Several more shots were fired; but no -mischief done. And some men of the picquet, crawling into -the bush, shot one Kaffir and took three horses.</p> - -<p>The Riflemen were engaged till the 23rd in assisting in -building the redoubts, and strengthening the camp; which -was placed on the ridge commanding and cutting the communication -between Fuller’s Hoek and the head of the Waterkloof.</p> - -<p>On the 24th the Battalion started at half-past four in the -morning accompanied by all the available force at Colonel -Buller’s command, leaving a party in charge of the forts. -They marched in the direction of Mundell’s Krantz, near -which they burned a number of Kaffir huts, and captured -several horses. Several shells were fired into the Kloof into -which the Kaffirs had fled, and from which they kept up a -smart fire by which two men of the Battalion were wounded; -one dangerously; the other, the Colonel’s orderly, shot in -the face and neck. Sergeant Green had a very curious -escape; the bullet passing behind his ball-bag, and bending -the brasses of his waist-belt.</p> - -<p>The General Order of which the following is an extract, -was issued by General Cathcart on the next day:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="fs80 pad2">‘General Order No. 59.</p> - -<p class="right fs80">‘Head-quarters, Fort Beaufort, July 25, 1852.</p> - -<p>‘3. The Commander of the Forces has received with much -satisfaction Colonel Buller’s report of his attack on the 24th -inst. at daylight on the Kaffir kraals of the Waterkloof near -Mundell’s Krantz, which were destroyed, as well those above -as those below the krantz.<a name="FNanchor_213_213" id="FNanchor_213_213"></a><a href="#Footnote_213_213" class="fnanchor">[213]</a></p> - -<p>‘In this attack, which Colonel Buller conducted with much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> -ability, a considerable loss of life was inflicted on the enemy, -many of their arms and some ammunition destroyed in -burning the huts, and twelve head of cattle and eight horses -taken.</p> - -<p>‘Colonel Buller speaks in terms of marked praise of the -manner in which Major Bedford, commanding the 60th rifles, -and Major Horsford, Rifle Brigade, led their battalions, -&c....</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr4">(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">‘A. J. Cloete,</span></span><br /> -‘Q. M. Gen.’</p> -</div> - -<p>On their return to camp the Riflemen were warned, that, -as they were to start on an expedition across the Kei river -against Kreili, they were to take out of their knapsacks any -article wanted for the road; and the knapsacks were to be -conveyed in waggons to Fort Beaufort, to be kept in store till -their return.</p> - -<p>At daybreak on the 25th four companies under the command -of Major Horsford started for Fort Beaufort, leaving -two companies with Head-quarters to occupy and complete -the fort.</p> - -<p>Horsford’s column, after bivouacking one night near the -Blinkwater, reached Fort Beaufort, by a mountain road, on the -16th. The band, which had been stationary at Beaufort, met -the Battalion about a mile from the fort; and the familiar -strains of ‘Ninety-five’ greeted and enlivened the men after -their fatiguing march. They encamped on the same spot -occupied by the Battalion in the war of 1847–9. And -remained there till the 29th, when they marched, returning to -and camping near the Blinkwater, where they were joined -by the remainder of the forces for the Kei expedition.</p> - -<p>On the 30th they marched at half-past six, and followed -the windings of the Kei river for about twelve miles; and, -after fording it, halted for breakfast about two o’clock. Resuming -their march, they halted at Fort Armstrong where they -encamped.</p> - -<p>On the next day having but a short march of seven miles -to accomplish, they did not start till after breakfast—and -encamped for the night in an acacia grove about a mile -from Eland’s post. On August 1, the Riflemen having to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> -escort the waggons, did not start till about eight; and after a -march of four miles, halted at the foot of the Winterberg -mountain. The ascent of this occupied the remainder of the -day; and the road after reaching the summit being very circuitous, -it was late before they reached their camping-ground.</p> - -<p>Marching the next day about eight o’clock, they passed -over an undulating plain, covered with burnt grass, and after -a very fatiguing march, though not more than eight miles, -encamped after dark at the Katsberg mountain. The place -was so utterly devoid of wood, that the men were obliged to -collect dry dung for the fires.</p> - -<p>On the 3rd they marched about ten o’clock, and after a -most fatiguing march, climbing and sliding down steep hills, -reached their camping-ground about six. During this march -twenty of the draught oxen were lost from fatigue and -starvation.</p> - -<p>The day following, marching early they crossed a sandy -plain, and in the course of the march passed near some -settlers’ houses and encamped on a fine stream near Shiloh.</p> - -<p>On the 5th starting about ten, and marching eight miles -over a fine grassy plain bounded on each side by ridges -of mountains, they encamped near the Klaas Smidts river, -which they crossed. And on the next day, accomplishing a -march of about twenty miles, encamped at Umvani. On the -7th after an easy day’s march of about eight miles which they -got over at a rapid pace they encamped for the night at -Balotta. During this day the Riflemen could see from the -high ground parties of burghers, levies, and waggons -making by different roads for the general <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rendezvous</i> of the -expedition.</p> - -<p>On the 8th at an early hour the ‘alarm’ and ‘assembly’ -were sounded; and in less than five minutes the Riflemen were -all under arms, standing in front of the tents, and expecting -the appearance of an enemy. It proved however only to be -a trial by General Cathcart of in how short a time he could -have his force under arms. Horsford’s party afterwards -formed line, and after being inspected by the General, were -dismissed and halted that day and the next.</p> - -<p>On the next morning a march of about ten miles brought -them to the Kei river, which they crossed at a very shallow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> -place, the stony bed being in some parts exposed. They -encamped at Sabella half a mile from the White Kei. The -General here manifested his extreme regard for the Regiment, -which continued till his death. Their tents were next to those -of the Staff, and the Riflemen were specially attached to his -person. The General divided his forces into two columns, one -under Colonel Michel, of the 6th Regiment; the other under -Colonel Napier. Each consisted of one regiment of infantry, -mounted burghers, and levies, Africandos, Dutch and English, -native levies, Cape Corps and Lancers. These two columns -were to patrol in Kreili’s country. The four companies of the -Regiment were to hold the camp; to act as the General’s -body-guard; and to form escorts for the cavalry-patrols and -cattle.</p> - -<p>On the 14th an alarm was given from the outlying picquet -that the Kaffirs were taking the cattle. The Riflemen were -cleaning their belts; but before the bugler could sound the -‘assembly’ they had slipped on their belts, seized their rifles, -and were off over the hill. It was a false alarm; a party of -mounted Fingoes coming in from Balotta had fired off their -pieces near where the cattle were grazing. On seeing the -Riflemen, they turned tail and fled, and were hotly pursued -by them. It was a fine chase, till Major Horsford, galloping -forward, ascertained the real state of the case, and brought -the Riflemen back to camp.</p> - -<p>They continued in this camp without any material -occurrence until the 20th; on which day two companies, -Somerset’s and Woodford’s, started at four o’clock in the -morning, carrying two days’ rations, to cover a patrol of -cavalry. They arrived about ten at Crouch’s post, and halted -in a large wood. As the cattle captured from the Kaffirs -were brought in by the mounted parties, the Riflemen in -parties of twelve or twenty taking them over, drove them to -the camp, where they arrived about sundown. About 12,000 -head of cattle were said to have been taken on this day.</p> - -<p>On the 21st the tents were struck and these companies -commenced their return march, in order to cross the Kei -before the rains set in. The Riflemen on reaching the river -were ordered to conceal themselves in ambush. About two -o’clock they made a rapid dash back to the site of the camp.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> -in the expectation that they might come upon some Kaffirs. -Some men were seen in the distance, who were immediately -pursued by some of the Cape Corps who accompanied the -Riflemen, while they took prisoners a few women who were -foraging about the place where the tents had stood. However -these were afterwards released; and the Riflemen, moving -off, reached Balotta about dark. The next day the column -halted, as a division of the captured cattle was made among -the burghers and others. On the 23rd resuming their march -about nine o’clock, after ascending the high ground from -which they had observed the assembling forces on the 7th, -leaving their old track to the right, they struck into a valley; -and after passing over an undulating country encamped -on the bank of the Swart Kei, having made a march of -about twenty miles. The Riflemen on this march presented a -curious appearance; many of them leading colts, calves or -kids.</p> - -<p>The following day they did not march till two o’clock in -the afternoon, being detained by the difficulty of getting the -waggons across the river. After fording it, they ascended the -steep range of the Windvogelberg. The Kaffirs still hung on -their rear, occupying their camping grounds as soon as the -Riflemen were out of range. They marched about eight -miles; the latter part of it in torrents of rain; and encamped -near the Windvogel river. On the 25th they marched at -eight o’clock; and still ascending, moved forward about -seven miles after reaching the top of the range of mountains, -and encamped on the Thorn river. During these marches -great difficulty was experienced in getting the waggons up -the hills. On this night some of them did not reach the -camping-ground till eleven o’clock, and as some of the Riflemen -had to escort, and some to help forward, the oxen, these -marches were most toilsome. After a halt on the 26th -devoted to cleaning arms and accoutrements and mending -clothing, they resumed their march on the 27th, and did not -reach their camping-ground on the Klip-plaatz river till after -dark. This day’s march was partly over snow-covered -ground; and the Kaffirs knowing where they would have to -halt for water, had burned the herbage, so that fodder and -wood were scarce. In consequence of these wants, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> -started at half-past five on the morning of the 28th and -refording the Klip, passed through a mountain ravine, the -Klipclowberg; and afterwards marched about four miles -through a bog; and after fording the Mud river, halted for -breakfast under Gaika’s kop, in order to allow the oxen, who -had had no food for two days, to graze. Resuming their -march they passed over the range; and descending a most -precipitous mountain-side about six miles in length, where -the Riflemen had to hang on to the rear of the waggons to -prevent their overturning, they encamped that night within -about a mile and a half of Eland’s post. From hence, proceeding -by the route by which they had advanced, and -encamping at the same points, they reached Fort Beaufort on -the 31st.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile the two companies and Head-quarters -had left their standing camp at the Waterkloof on August 29, -and had arrived at Fort Beaufort on the day following, where -they occupied quarters. The four companies which formed -part of the Kei expedition were encamped near the fort. -These men had not shaved since they started; and their -appearance and their patched and many-coloured garments -contrasted strangely with the neat aspect and new clothing -of the two Head-quarter companies. On the 26th Colonel -Buller had been appointed to succeed Major-General Somerset -in command of the 1st Division of the army; so that the -command of the Battalion devolved on Major Horsford.</p> - -<p>General Cathcart, commanding the forces, having decided -on a general operation in order to clear the Waterkloof, four -columns were appointed to move simultaneously from various -points, and to converge to a common centre. In accordance -with this arrangement the Battalion, having been re-equipped, -was ready to take the field again on September 6; but the -rains having rendered the rivers unfordable, they did not -move until the 10th. On which day, starting early, they breakfasted -at Klu-klu, and halted for the night at Yellow Wood. -On the 11th they marched at five; and after halting for -breakfast at McMaster’s canteen, reached Haddon’s post in -the evening. At all these stations the houses were in ruins; -the gardens devastated; and marks of the incursions of the -Kaffirs everywhere visible.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the morning of the 12th a strong patrol advanced into -the Bushneck to select a spot for a camp; and returned to -Haddon’s post in about an hour, having shot the only Kaffir -who was seen. On the 13th the Battalion marched at daylight -to Nell’s farm in the Bushneck, opposite the principal -entrance to the Waterkloof. General Cathcart came to look -at them on the march, and highly approved the appearance -of the Battalion. One Kaffir and three women were made -prisoners, and handed over to the Fingoe levies.</p> - -<p>On the 14th an order was given that one company should -always sleep fully accoutred, and ready to stand to their -arms at a moment’s notice. The remainder of the Battalion -were engaged in building a fort. On the 15th the Battalion -paraded two hours before daylight, with three days’ rations, -and moving up the Waterkloof reached Mundell’s Krantz, a -distance of about four miles, by daybreak. As soon as it was -light, they entered the Kloof and commenced burning the -huts and shooting the occupants. Some of the other troops -were above, pouring rockets and shell into the Kloof; and the -Riflemen picked off the Kaffirs, whom these missiles dislodged -from their cover. About sixty Kaffir women, besides -children, and some rebel Hottentots, were taken prisoners. -These last were immediately hung. The Riflemen, pushing -forward through the Kloof, met the 73rd, who had penetrated -from the head. These, their companions in the former war, -on first catching sight of the Riflemen from the top of a rock, -set up a ringing cheer, which was heartily returned by the -greenjackets. The troops on the Chumie and the adjoining -heights took it up, and the whole Kloof re-echoed it. The -columns had met in the centre, having penetrated from all -points. But the Kloof was not taken yet; the various -krantzes and gorges were to be searched.</p> - -<p>Later in the day, two companies, Somerset’s and Woodford’s, -accompanied by the Grenadier company of the 73rd, -proceeded to clear a krantz. The troops on the opposite -side of the Kloof could see the Kaffirs gathering on the top, -and shouted in warning to our men. Colonel Eyre, in command -of the party, desired the men to go slowly up, and to -keep their wind till they were fired on; then to give a cheer -and rush to the top. On a ledge about half-way up screened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> -from below by trees, they found a village, which they immediately -burned; and the ascending flames and smoke -from these burning huts seriously incommoded them as they -clambered up the remainder of the cliff. When they got near -the top firing commenced; and they dashed to the top -amidst the cheers of the troops on the opposite heights. The -Kaffirs flew before them into the adjoining bush. Lieutenant -Lindsay and four Riflemen pursued them, and had penetrated -some distance into the bush, before they realised the -weakness of their party, and the fact that they had lost their -way. After wandering about for some time, they caught the -sound of the bugle, and following its direction, they eventually -rejoined the Battalion, which bivouacked that night in -a small clump of trees on the Iron Rock.</p> - -<p>The 16th was occupied in searching for Kaffirs, most of -the huts having been already burnt. The Riflemen, guided -by Fingoes, searched the bush and the caves up the Kloof and -back again to their bivouack of the night before, which they -did not reach till a late hour, and in heavy rain.</p> - -<p>The Battalion was off before daylight on the 17th, the -men shivering with cold and wet. As they were passing -along the edge of the Kloof they were informed that Macomo -was in Fuller’s Hoek; and they immediately started to the -bush over Blakeway’s farm. Troops surrounded every part -of Fuller’s Hoek which men could reach; and the Riflemen -patrolled the ridges and Kaffir tracks in every direction; -sometimes passing over ground so steep that it was difficult -for them to keep their feet. Some huts were found securely -concealed, which were immediately burnt. Though numerous -traces of Macomo and his attendants were found, he himself -was not unearthed. For it was impossible to search every -foot of a kloof miles in extent, covered with dense bush, and -which abounded with places of concealment. The Riflemen, -much fatigued with this harassing work, bivouacked early in -Harris’ Kloof, and some cattle captured during the day were -killed and served out to the Riflemen by Major Horsford’s -order.</p> - -<p>On the 18th they started early, again taking the road to -the Hoek; but heavy rain coming on, Colonel Eyre’s intention -of again searching it was defeated, the ground being soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> -so slippery that neither men nor horses could stand. He -therefore dismissed the column; and the Riflemen turned -homeward, passing over the Iron Rock and the lower part of -the Waterkloof. It was a long way, and it took them six -hours’ quick marching to get over it. There was a short halt; -but the men’s rations being exhausted, there was nothing to -cook. The officers emptied their saddle-bags among the -men; but this was insufficient. However Horsford sent on a -Cape Corps man with an order to get the tents up, and as the -Riflemen came in sight of their old camping-ground at Nell’s -farm they found their houses all standing.</p> - -<p>The Battalion remained in their camp on the 19th, but -on the 20th four companies proceeded to the Waterkloof in -which they encamped at Brown’s farm at the foot of Mundell’s -Krantz; one company (Somerset’s) proceeding to the top of -the krantz; and Rooper’s company remaining at Nell’s farm, -in occupation of the fort built there.</p> - -<p>On the 22nd every available man started at two o’clock -<span class="fs70">A.M.</span> on a patrol to Stuart’s Kloof, a Hottentot prisoner -captured the day before being led in front by a halter as a -guide. Reaching the kloof about sunrise, and perceiving -smoke issuing from it, the Riflemen surrounded it and skirmished -through it; but finding nothing but Hottentot women -and children, returned to their camp at Brown’s farm about -two.</p> - -<p>Heavy and almost continuous rain prevented active operations -for some days; and the Riflemen were engaged in -building a fort near their camp, and in a very central position -in the Waterkloof.</p> - -<p>But on the 30th, spies having reported that Macomo was -in the Kroome hills, a patrol started soon after midnight; -and after fording a river and ascending the hills, scoured the -kloofs, but did not find any Kaffirs, and returned by the -Bushneck to camp about noon.</p> - -<p>On October 4 a patrol proceeded to the Iron Rock; two -companies going to the top of it, while the others extended -at its foot. Two Kaffirs were shot; one an amazingly powerful -man, quite six feet three in height.</p> - -<p>On the 10th and following days the Battalion was employed, -a company at a time, making roads through the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> -Waterkloof, and opening up communications between the -forts lately erected. The men for this duty starting at daybreak -and working till sunset.</p> - -<p>On the 14th the company left at Nell’s farm captured -several head of cattle, which were almost driven into their -hands by the Kaffirs, who appeared to be ignorant that a -party were there stationed.</p> - -<p>On the 20th all the available men started at three <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> over -Mundell’s Krantz, but were soon enveloped in a mist so -thick that they could not see many yards on any side. They -were compelled to halt till it cleared off; when they perceived -a party of the 91st and some of Lakeman’s volunteers in a -similar difficulty. They proceeded together to Post Retief, -which they reached about two; and were ordered to draw four -days’ rations, and to be ready to start again at ten o’clock at -night. Marching all night they reached, towards sunrise on -the 21st, the very steep range of the Zoorberg mountains. -The road was most difficult, and the ascent so sharp that -many men fell out. On reaching the summit the Riflemen -were ordered to fall in by comrades and to lie down to rest. -Afterwards the companies were despatched in different directions; -some to skirmish through the bush; others to extend -along its edge, keeping a good look-out for any Kaffirs who -might bolt out of it. This sort of patrolling continued during -the whole of the day and until late on the 22nd; the men -having lain down in their ranks and snatched a very few -hours’ sleep. Towards that evening the companies assembled -on one of the mountain ridges; and halted for a time to refresh -the men, wearied and thirsty from having been the greater -part of three days on the move. The Battalion then marched -on, and bivouacked in the night in a position where they -found plenty of wood and water.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd, starting about four <span class="fs70">A.M.</span>, they proceeded, at -a rapid pace and by the most direct route, to Mundell’s -Krantz, descended by the road made obliquely down the face -of the krantz by Captain Somerset’s company, and reached -their home at Brown’s farm in the afternoon.</p> - -<p>The Battalion continued engaged in road-making and the -usual duties of the camp till November 3; on which day Captain -Somerset’s company proceeded from Mundell’s Krantz<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> -to Fort Beaufort, where it arrived on the following day; -and on the 11th marched to Eland’s post, and was there -stationed.</p> - -<p>On the 5th Captain Woodford’s company marched for -the Blinkwater, where it arrived on the following day; and -having built huts, and entrenched the position, was there -stationed.</p> - -<p>On the 12th the Battalion, with the exception of these -companies, marched to Fort Beaufort and occupied quarters.</p> - -<p>On November 19 two companies, Lord Alexander Russell’s -and Captain Hardinge’s, marched to the Chumie-neck -and occupied that post.</p> - -<p>General Cathcart having determined to proceed with a -force to the North-Eastern Frontier, to demand satisfaction -from, or to punish, Moshesh, chief of the Basuto tribe, for his -incursions and depredations on the settlers near the Orange -river, had intended to take with him four companies of -Riflemen; but the Kaffirs and Hottentots having shown -themselves in force near Fort Beaufort, General Cathcart -resolved to take one company only as a camp body-guard. -Rooper’s company was the first for duty; and as he had lately -been appointed to an official situation in the colony, the -command of it devolved on Lieutenant the Hon. Leicester -Curzon.<a name="FNanchor_214_214" id="FNanchor_214_214"></a><a href="#Footnote_214_214" class="fnanchor">[214]</a> They were ordered rather unexpectedly late in -the evening of November 17, to march at daylight on the -following morning. The rest of the troops had started about -a week before under Colonel Eyre, and General Cathcart was -to overtake them at Burghersdorp, about 160 miles from Fort -Beaufort. The Riflemen therefore made forced marches, -their orders being that they must camp at night with the -General. The men’s packs were however carried for them in -mule-waggons.</p> - -<p>Passing the Blinkwater, Fort Armstrong, Eland’s post, -Whittlesea, and Shiloh, they crossed the Brak river, and -going through the rocky defile called Klaas Smidts Poort, and -over an extensive plain, ascended the Stormberg mountains. -After descending this lofty ridge and crossing the Stormberg -Spruit,<a name="FNanchor_215_215" id="FNanchor_215_215"></a><a href="#Footnote_215_215" class="fnanchor">[215]</a> a tributary of the Orange river, they arrived at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> -Burghersdorp, where the rest of the troops were assembled, -on the 27th.</p> - -<p>The whole force was inspected on the next day by the -Commander-in-Chief, and divided into brigades, the Riflemen -being attached to that under Major Pinckney of the 73rd, -consisting of that regiment, the 43rd, and two guns. This was -first in Colonel MacDuff’s division; but on his being left -behind at the Caledon river, was placed under the command -of Colonel Eyre. They marched at daybreak on the 30th, -and after a long and fatiguing march of 20 miles, during -which one of the Riflemen had a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">coup-de-soleil</i>, reached their -halting-place. On December 1 after another hot march they -forded the Orange river without much difficulty; it being -lower than it had been for many years. Yet the water -reached almost to the middle, and the men were obliged to -carry their pouches on their shoulders. They pitched their -tents in the plain a little beyond the river. They proceeded -the next day over a desert plain to a place called Ranakin, -and the day following forded the Caledon river at the Commissie -drift, and encamped on the other side. Here they -remained until the 8th, when they marched about five <span class="fs70">A.M.</span>, -and continuing their advance during the two following days, -encamped on the evening of the 10th, after twenty miles -fatiguing march, at Sanna Spruits. Marching on the following -morning through a country not quite so desert as that -passed over in the last few days, they forded the narrow but -rapid Lieuw river on the afternoon of the 12th, and encamped -on the opposite side. On the 13th they proceeded to the -Wesleyan Missionary Station of Platberg, and encamped on -a fine grassy plain near it. They were now not far from -Thaba Bossiou, the stronghold of Moshesh, situated on a -lofty hill, very defensible, and considered by his people to be -impregnable. During the halt here, which continued until -the 16th, Moshesh’s two sons, and afterwards the chief himself, -visited the camp. General Cathcart named as his <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">ultimatum</i> -that Moshesh should deliver 10,000 head of cattle -within three days, reckoning from the 16th, as a compensation -for the depredations he had committed. On the 16th -the General reviewed the whole force at six o’clock in -the morning; which, after marching past, was put through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> -various evolutions: no doubt as a demonstration to overawe -Moshesh.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J292" id="J292"></a> -<a href="images/i_292fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_292fp.jpg" width="400" alt="" /></a> -<p class="center fs60"><em>By Edward Stanton Lieut<sup>t</sup> R.E.</em> -<span class="pad40pc"><em>E. Weller, Litho</em></span></p> -<div class="center up fs60"><em>London, Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="lsp">SKETCH</span><br /> -Shewing the Site of Operations<br /> -<span class="smcap">Near THABA BOSIGO</span><br /> -Dec<sup>r</sup> 20<sup>th</sup> 1852. -</div></div> - -<p>On the afternoon of the 19th, the last of the three days, -a herd of cattle were brought into camp by an escort of -Basuto horsemen, under the command of one of Moshesh’s -sons. On their being counted and found to number only 3,500, -this Prince was desired by General Cathcart to inform his -father that, unless the remainder were delivered the next -morning, he would come and seize them. No more cattle -appearing, Cathcart, to show that he was in earnest, ordered -Eyre, with the cavalry, two guns and a brigade of infantry, -with the Riflemen to move forward on the 19th and form a -flying camp on the Caledon river. This demonstration being -unheeded, Eyre received orders to advance at dawn, to find his -way across the mountain of Berea, and, having swept the -plateau at the top, to join Cathcart, who with some other -troops proceeded round the base of the mountain by its -Southern and Western sides. About three therefore, on the -morning of the 20th, Eyre advanced, sending forward the -light company of the 73rd and the Riflemen. When they had -marched about four miles they saw a great number of Kaffirs -on the mountain on their right. This hill stands up isolated -in a plain, and its sides are steep and craggy. Eyre ordered the -light company of the 73rd under Lieutenant Gawler to mount -the hill, and halted the Riflemen. Then after a brief interval, -he ordered Curzon to lead them on, to get to the top, bring -his right shoulders forward, and take the cattle. Thus the -Riflemen were in echelon on the left of the company of the -73rd. The ascent was desperately steep, and in parts almost -impracticable; but the Riflemen pushed on. They had not -advanced far when the Kaffirs gave them a volley, which the -Riflemen avoided by lying down flat on the ground. Again -they pushed on, seeking cover among the rocks which dotted -the side of the mountain. While in this cover one of them, -armed with the Lancaster rifle, brought down a Kaffir as he -was taking deliberate aim at some of the Riflemen, who were -blown and could not climb up the steep mountain-side as fast -as their comrades. Three more Kaffirs were brought down -before the top was gained, without one Rifleman being hit. -On reaching the summit, a table-land of two or three square<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> -miles, they found the 73rd company on their right; and on -their advancing together the Kaffirs bolted, a number of them -being killed by the fire of the Riflemen, as they crossed their -front at about sixty yards. But as Curzon and Gawler found -themselves separated from the main body, they moved forward -in search of it, keeping together for mutual support. For they -were surrounded by hordes of mounted Basutos, who hovered -near, appearing and disappearing, and watching for any -straggling or irregularity in their formation, which might give -them a chance to charge. These were well mounted, organised, -and armed with assegais and elephant guns. And after -attempting to terrify the little band they almost encompassed, -with yells and pretended charges, they dismounted and fought -on foot. They were repulsed however, and driven off the -plateau, and Curzon and his Riflemen joined the main body in -the afternoon, to their great relief and satisfaction: a satisfaction -much enhanced when Eyre came up to them, and told them -that they had done their work well. But they had scarcely -joined the rest of Eyre’s division, when he was obliged to -descend the further side of the mountain with his whole -force (abandoning 30,000 head of cattle which he had driven -into a corner whence they could not escape), in order to -assist General Cathcart, who had gravely compromised himself. -The junction with Cathcart’s force was effected about -five in the afternoon; and the weary Riflemen thought they -were now to halt for the night, for they had been fighting -and without food for twelve hours. Far from it. They were -charged with great fury by about 7,000 mounted Basutos; -they had to fight retreating, and were in a critical position -till between eight and nine at night, when a round of canister -at point-blank range from two guns under Captain Stapylton -Robinson, Royal Artillery, effectually checked the Basutos -who were pressing on them, and who left the field. The -Riflemen bivouacked on the ground where they then halted; -Eyre telling them that, if attacked they must fight to the -death there, as he neither could nor would retreat further. -However they were left to their repose; much needed and -well earned after being under arms about eighteen hours, and -fighting during most of them.</p> - -<p>In this affair the Rifle company which numbered 90, lost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> -three men; Privates Boffin and Case, who were killed, and Acting-Corporal -Howard who died of his wounds on the next day. -Lieutenant H. G. Lindsay behaved with great gallantry; and -three Riflemen particularly distinguished themselves: Acting-Corporal -Bateman and Privates Ricketts and W. Hayward.</p> - -<p>Colonel Eyre in his despatch dated ‘Camp Platberg, -December 28, 1852,’ says, writing of Lieutenant Gawler and -Lieutenant the Hon. L. Curzon, ‘These two young and -promising officers led their companies in the most spirited -manner up ground all but inaccessible, though opposed and -immediately fired upon by the enemy above. Covering -themselves as they advanced, they reached the summit with -little loss, and drove the enemy before them in good style.’</p> - -<p>And he adds ‘I beg to return my thanks to’ (among -others) ‘Lieutenant the Hon. L. Curzon commanding a detachment -of the Rifle Brigade.’ And in the General Order issued -by Sir George Cathcart on December 22, ‘The noble conduct -of the company under Lieutenant the Hon. Leicester Curzon’ -is specially mentioned.</p> - -<p>‘Company No. 9 Letter I,’ writes General Smyth, ‘always -looked upon Berea as <em>the</em> day of their life; and were not a -little proud of the way Sir W. Eyre wrote of them and spoke -of them. For he was a man who worked hard and exacted -hard work; and soldiers had reason to exult when they -received his praise.’<a name="FNanchor_216_216" id="FNanchor_216_216"></a><a href="#Footnote_216_216" class="fnanchor">[216]</a></p> - -<p>In the course of the night a flag of truce arrived, bearing -a letter of submission written by Moshesh, and suing for -peace.</p> - -<p>The object of the expedition being thus fully attained, -the Riflemen after a few days’ halt, began their downward -march and reached Head-quarters at Fort Beaufort on -January 21, 1853.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the embarkation of the Service companies, the Depôt -companies of the 1st Battalion had been moved to Walmer, -where they arrived on January 1, 1852. During the time they -were there, the Colonel-in-Chief, the Duke of Wellington, when -at his adjacent residence, Walmer Castle, used frequently to -come into the barrack square with his grandchildren. These -were his last visits; for he died there on September 14. From -that day until November 10 a party consisting of 1 officer, -2 sergeants, 2 corporals, a bugler and 36 Riflemen, was daily -furnished by the Depôt to guard his honoured remains at -Walmer Castle. At nine o’clock on the night of November 10 -their great Chief was removed to London; and on that -occasion the whole Depôt escorted his body to the Railway -station at Deal by torchlight.</p> - -<p>The Depôt companies remained at Walmer during the -rest of this year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>In May the 2nd Battalion left Kingston and proceeded in -steam vessels to Quebec; where they embarked on June 1 on -board H.M.S. ‘Simoom;’ and starting for England on the 3rd -arrived at Portsmouth on the 26th. On disembarkation they -moved by Railway to Canterbury and occupied barracks.</p> - -<p>Soon after their arrival there the Battalion was inspected -(on July 13) by their former Lieutenant-Colonel, Sir George -Brown, then Adjutant-General of the Forces.</p> - -<p>On November 17 they proceeded to London in order to -be present at the funeral of the Colonel-in-Chief, the Duke of -Wellington, and were billeted at Chelsea. On the 18th they -headed the funeral procession from the Horse Guards to St. -Paul’s.<a name="FNanchor_217_217" id="FNanchor_217_217"></a><a href="#Footnote_217_217" class="fnanchor">[217]</a> And the following day they returned to their quarters -at Canterbury.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>Field Marshal His Royal Highness, Albert, Prince Consort, -succeeded the Duke of Wellington as Colonel-in-Chief on -September 23.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>No change took place in the stations of the 1st Battalion -until June 13, 1853, when Captain Glyn’s company, under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> -the command of Lieutenant the Hon. H. Clifford, marched -from Fort Beaufort to the Blinkwater post; relieving Captain -Woodford’s company which joined the Head-quarters on the -same day.</p> - -<p>On June 29, Captain Rooper’s company marched from -Fort Beaufort to the Chumie-neck; relieving Captain Hardinge’s -company, which left the Chumie on the next day and -joined Head-quarters.</p> - -<p>On October 8 the Battalion having received orders to -be concentrated previous to returning to England, Captains -Rooper’s, Somerset’s, Lord Alexander Russell’s, and Glyn’s -companies came in from their several detachments on the -10th, 11th and 12th, and joined Head-quarters at Fort -Beaufort.</p> - -<p>Previous to the Battalion quitting this Station the following -General Order was issued.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="fs80">‘General Order, No. 238.</p> -<div class="right up fs80"><span class="padr2">‘Head Quarters, Graham’s-town.</span><br /> -‘October 10, 1853.</div> - -<p>‘1. The Rifle Brigade, having been ordered to return to -England, will march to Port Elizabeth for embarkation on -board H.M. Steam Troop-ship ‘Simoom,’ under such arrangement -as will be made by the Deputy Quarter-Master -General.</p> - -<p>‘2. The departure of this distinguished Corps from the -command after their valuable services which contributed so -materially to the successful termination of the recent war, -calls forth the Commander of the forces’ warmest acknowledgments. -The uniform excellent conduct and high discipline -of the Corps in quarters have been only equalled by -their gallantry in the field.</p> - -<p>‘3. To Colonel Buller, C.B., who relinquishes the command -of the 1st Division, and his appointment of Colonel on -the Staff, in order to proceed with his Corps, His Excellency -is much indebted for the able, zealous, and soldier-like -manner in which he has conducted the command held by -him.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr2">‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">A. J. Cloete.</span></span><br /> -<span class="fs80">‘Colonel, Deputy Quarter-Master General.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>Accompanied by a large assemblage of the inhabitants of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> -Fort Beaufort, and amidst the expression of their best wishes, -the Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel -Horsford, started on the 20th and encamped the same day -at the Koonap river. On the 21st they forded the Koonap, -and proceeded to Fingoe Pole. The next day they encamped -on Graham’s-town Flats within about three miles of that place. -On the 22nd they halted, it being Sunday. The day following, -passing through Graham’s-town they encamped on the -Karrega river. On the 24th, passing Sidbury they reached -Quagga Flats. The next day, as it had been raining all -night, they pushed on to cross the Sunday river. It was -much swollen, the water being up to the men’s waists, and -rising fast. On the 26th, still pushing on they encamped -near the Swart Kop river. Having halted during the 27th, -they reached Salt Lake on the day following. The 29th -being Sunday they again halted, and on the 30th reached -Port Elizabeth; and, the ‘Simoom’ not having arrived, remained -encamped on the heights. Colonel Buller having -resumed command, the Battalion embarked on the 10th, -and sailed from Algoa bay on November 12, arriving at -Table bay on the 15th, and finally starting for England on -the 16th.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Depôt companies continued at Walmer till August -20, 1853, when they removed to Dover.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion proceeded by railroad to Guildford -on June 13, and marched from thence to Chobham, where -they encamped and formed part of the brigade under the -command of Major-General Sir De Lacy Evans. They continued -to take part in the evolutions of this camp of instruction -till July 14. On which day they marched from Chobham -to Woking; and proceeded thence by rail to Portsmouth, -where they occupied quarters in Clarence barracks.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_207_207" id="Footnote_207_207"></a><a href="#FNanchor_207_207"><span class="label">[207]</span></a> Major-General Edward Arthur Somerset, C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_208_208" id="Footnote_208_208"></a><a href="#FNanchor_208_208"><span class="label">[208]</span></a> Major General Lord Alexander Gordon Russell.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_209_209" id="Footnote_209_209"></a><a href="#FNanchor_209_209"><span class="label">[209]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Gilbert Elliot, died May 25, 1865.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_210_210" id="Footnote_210_210"></a><a href="#FNanchor_210_210"><span class="label">[210]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> track.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_211_211" id="Footnote_211_211"></a><a href="#FNanchor_211_211"><span class="label">[211]</span></a> Lieutenant-General the Hon. G. Cathcart had succeeded Sir Harry Smith -as Governor of the Cape.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_212_212" id="Footnote_212_212"></a><a href="#FNanchor_212_212"><span class="label">[212]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> team.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_213_213" id="Footnote_213_213"></a><a href="#FNanchor_213_213"><span class="label">[213]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> the upper rocky margin of a ravine.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_214_214" id="Footnote_214_214"></a><a href="#FNanchor_214_214"><span class="label">[214]</span></a> Now Major-General the Hon. Leicester Smyth, C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_215_215" id="Footnote_215_215"></a><a href="#FNanchor_215_215"><span class="label">[215]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> a rill, a rivulet.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_216_216" id="Footnote_216_216"></a><a href="#FNanchor_216_216"><span class="label">[216]</span></a> Letter of January 17, 1875. For the account of the affair at Berea, I am -indebted to Major-General the Hon. Leicester Smyth, with some information -gathered from Captain W. R. King’s ‘Campaigning in Kaffir-Land,’ and from -the ‘Correspondence of Lieutenant-General the Hon. Sir George Cathcart, -K.C.B.,’ published (after his death) in 1856. And a remarkable letter of Sir -William Eyre which appeared in the ‘Morning Herald’ of October 23, 1856 -(to which my attention was kindly drawn by General Smyth), commenting on -some statements in the ‘Cathcart Correspondence’ as to the action at Berea, has -also afforded me important information.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_217_217" id="Footnote_217_217"></a><a href="#FNanchor_217_217"><span class="label">[217]</span></a> A full-page engraving of the Battalion marching along Piccadilly is in the -‘Illustrated London News,’ vol. xxi. p. 477.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">The Service companies of the 1st Battalion arrived in Cowes -Roads on January 7, 1854, and disembarking on the 10th at -Portsmouth, proceeded direct by South Coast and South -Eastern Railways to Dover, where they joined the Depôt -companies and occupied the Western Heights barracks.</p> - -<p>On March 12 and 13 the Battalion moved, by railroad, to -Portsmouth in two divisions and occupied Clarence barracks.</p> - -<p>Previous to this move an order was received that a hundred -men should be transferred to the 2nd Battalion, then -under orders to embark for Turkey. The men readily volunteered -for this service, and many veterans who had served -through both Kaffir wars were thus added to the 2nd Battalion, -and formed a valuable nucleus of old soldiers in that -Battalion, which since Waterloo had not been engaged in the -field. The 1st Battalion being subsequently ordered to hold -itself in readiness for embarkation, received an augmentation -of 1 staff sergeant, 10 sergeants, 10 corporals, 1 bugler -and 240 rank and file. These numbers were made up by -a hundred volunteers from the 60th, and many from other -regiments. Most of these were very young soldiers; many -of them not dismissed drill.</p> - -<p>On May 16 the Battalion was augmented to twelve companies, -which were to be distributed as follows:—</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs80"><em>Augmentation, dated May 16, 1854.</em></p> - -<p class="pfs80"><span class="transnotex">(Part one)</span></p> - -<div class="fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"></td><td class="tdcx">Field Officers</td><td class="tdcx">Captains</td><td class="tdcx">Lieutenants</td><td class="tdcx">Ensigns</td><td class="tdcx br">Staff</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">8 Service companies</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">8</td><td class="tdrx">10</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx br">6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">4 Depôt companies</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">12</td><td class="tdrx">14</td><td class="tdrx">10</td><td class="tdrx br">6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p1 pfs80"><span class="transnotex">(Part two)</span></p> - -<div class="fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"></td><td class="tdcx">Staff Sergeants</td><td class="tdcx">Sergeants</td><td class="tdcx">Buglers</td><td class="tdcx">Corporals</td><td class="tdcx br">Privates</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">8 Service companies</td><td class="tdrx">7</td><td class="tdrx">50</td><td class="tdrx">21</td><td class="tdrx">50</td><td class="tdrx br">950</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">4 Depôt companies</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">20</td><td class="tdrx">8</td><td class="tdrx">20</td><td class="tdrx br">380</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"></td><td class="tdrx" rowspan="2">7</td><td class="tdrx" rowspan="2">70</td><td class="tdrx" rowspan="2">29</td><td class="tdrx">70</td><td class="tdrx br">1330</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"></td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="2"><span class="over"> 1400 </span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p1" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span></p> - -<p>On June 6, 1854, an order was issued that the junior -subalterns of the regiment should in future be ranked as -‘Ensigns’ and not ‘Second Lieutenants,’ as they had been -ever since the formation of the Regiment—a singularly inappropriate -designation: for Dr. Johnson defines as ‘Ensign’ -‘the officer of Foot who carries the flag;’ whereas this -regiment had never had any flag or colour to carry. This, -absurd anomaly continued until 1872.</p> - -<p>The Battalion having received orders to hold itself in -readiness to join the army under Lord Raglan in the East, -was inspected on June 9 by Major-General Simpson, who -expressed his entire satisfaction with its appearance and -discipline.</p> - -<p>At this time the Battalion, which hitherto had been armed -with the Brunswick rifle, received the Minié. In order to -supply a sufficient number, in this emergency, those which -had been issued on approval to various regiments at home -were handed over to the Riflemen.</p> - -<p>The Service companies of the Battalion under the -command of Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, embarked from -the Dock-yard at Portsmouth on July 13 on board the -steamship ‘Orinoco,’ and steamed out of harbour on the -14th. The strength of the Battalion on embarkation was -20 officers, 4 staff, 54 sergeants, 21 buglers, 50 corporals, -850 privates. Total non-commissioned officers and men 975.</p> - -<p>On the embarkation of the Battalion, the Depôt companies -under command of Captain and Brevet-Major Lord Alexander -G. Russell, removed from Clarence to Colewort barracks; -and continued at Portsmouth, occupying different quarters, -till about August 1855, when they moved to Winchester.</p> - -<p>The Battalion arrived at Malta on the 24th, and there -received orders to proceed at once to the East. The -‘Orinoco,’ having coaled, started the next day for Constantinople; -where having arrived on the 30th, orders were received -to proceed forthwith to Beicos bay, there to await further -instructions.</p> - -<p>On August 2 pursuant to orders then received the -‘Orinoco’ started for Varna; but after passing through the -Bosphorus she was recalled and returned to her former -anchorage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p> - -<p>The cholera having broken out on board, one Rifleman -dying on August 6 and another on the 9th, it was decided -to land the Battalion; on the 9th four companies, and -on the 10th the remainder of the Battalion disembarked, -and encamped on a range of heights on the Asiatic side.<a name="FNanchor_218_218" id="FNanchor_218_218"></a><a href="#Footnote_218_218" class="fnanchor">[218]</a> -The cholera however continued its ravages; and the Battalion -lost during its stay here 1 colour-sergeant (Brown), 1 -sergeant, 1 bugler and 24 privates. While in this camp the -Riflemen were frequently exercised in the use of the new -arm, which they had received before their departure from -England.</p> - -<p>On August 24 the Battalion was inspected by H.R.H. -the Duke of Cambridge, who expressed his satisfaction with -its state and its fitness for immediate service.</p> - -<p>On September 2 the ‘Orinoco’ having two transports in -tow, proceeded out of the Bosphorus; but on rounding the -point into the Black Sea, encountered so heavy a sea, and so -strong a head wind, that she was unable to proceed. And as -it became dark and the wind increased, she put back and -anchored in Buyukdere bay. The transports barely escaped -shipwreck, the tow-ropes having broken.</p> - -<p>On the 5th the ‘Orinoco’ again started, having now but -one transport in tow, and passing out of the Bosphorus, -arrived off Varna the following day, and anchored in the evening. -During this voyage the Battalion was in great jeopardy, -the ‘Orinoco’ having been on fire by the ignition of the -patent fuel which she was carrying. As she was conveying -the ammunition of the 4th Division, the danger for <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'a time wa very'">a time was -very</ins> great; and the transport in tow was cast off in order to -avoid the risk of her taking fire, or being destroyed by the -explosion of the ‘Orinoco.’ At Varna the rest of the expedition -was assembled; and the 1st Battalion was placed in -General Torrens’ brigade and attached to the 4th Division, -commanded by Sir George Cathcart: a great gratification to -the Riflemen, who had served under him at the Cape.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion being by this time at Varna, I have -now to trace its movements.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span></p> - -<p>On February 23 it was inspected at Portsmouth by -Major-General Simpson previous to embarkation. On the -next day the Head-quarters consisting of six companies under -the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence<a name="FNanchor_219_219" id="FNanchor_219_219"></a><a href="#Footnote_219_219" class="fnanchor">[219]</a> embarked on -board H.M.S. ‘Vulcan.’ The total numbers embarked were -20 officers, 6 staff, 37 sergeants, 12 buglers and 703 rank and -file. On the same day two companies proceeded to Southampton -and embarked there on board H.M.S.S. ‘Himalaya.’ -The numbers were 6 officers, 1 staff, 9 sergeants, 3 buglers and -195 rank and file.<a name="FNanchor_220_220" id="FNanchor_220_220"></a><a href="#Footnote_220_220" class="fnanchor">[220]</a></p> - -<p>The Head-quarters reached Malta on March 11, and immediately -disembarked and occupied quarters in the Rope-walk -barracks, where they found the two companies, from the -‘Himalaya,’ who had arrived previously.</p> - -<p>On the 17th the Battalion was inspected by Major-General -Ferguson. And on the 23rd it paraded in review -order for the inspection of the French General Canrobert.</p> - -<p>On the 30th the Battalion embarked on board the S.S. -‘Golden Fleece,’ with the exception of Captain Newdigate’s<a name="FNanchor_221_221" id="FNanchor_221_221"></a><a href="#Footnote_221_221" class="fnanchor">[221]</a> -company, which (for want of room) proceeded in the ‘Sir -George Pollock’ sailing transport.</p> - -<p>This expedition was commanded by their former Lieutenant-Colonel, -Sir George Brown, who, with his Staff, was on -board the ‘Golden Fleece.’</p> - -<p>On April 6 the Battalion arrived at Gallipoli, and disembarked -on the 8th. And each company as soon as assembled -on shore, marching eight miles to Balahar, near the Gulf of -Xeros, there encamped. The Riflemen were employed until -the 21st in making roads and digging wells. On the 18th -two regiments came up from Gallipoli and formed brigade -with the Battalion, of which Colonel Lawrence took command. -From the 21st the Riflemen were employed in the construction -of the English half of the Lines, from the Gulf of Xeros to the -centre of the position.</p> - -<p>On May 6 the Battalion marched to Gallipoli; and after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> -having been inspected by Sir George Brown with General -Canrobert and Prince Napoleon, re-embarked on board the -‘Golden Fleece.’ They arrived on the 7th at Scutari, and -having disembarked on the 9th occupied part of the new -barracks until the 11th, when they pitched camp between the -Hospital and the barracks, having been obliged to turn out of -the barracks, on account of the fleas by which they were -infested.</p> - -<p>On the 18th an order was received for the augmentation -of this Battalion (as well as the 1st) to twelve companies.</p> - -<p>At this time the Light Division was formed under the -command of Sir George Brown, and the Battalion was attached -to it.</p> - -<p>On the 25th being the celebration of the Queen’s birthday, -the Division was reviewed by the Sultan and Lord Raglan -Commanding the forces. On the 29th the Battalion re-embarked -on board the ‘Golden Fleece’ and proceeded to -Varna, where they arrived on the following day; and on disembarking, -the brigade encamped outside the town near the -Shumla gate, the Battalion being nearest to the town.</p> - -<p>On June 5 the Battalion marched to Aladyn nine miles -on the road to Shumla, where they encamped on a hill with a -lake in front and another in rear. And on the 30th marched -to Devna seven miles further inland, where they encamped -on a plateau near a marsh of some extent. On July 23 the -Battalion was reinforced by a draft of 1 subaltern (Lieutenant -Churchill), 2 sergeants and 150 rank and file, who arrived from -England. On the next day, cholera having appeared in the -Division, the Battalion marched four miles further to Monastir, -where it encamped on an elevated plateau in hopes of finding -healthier quarters. But without success; as on the 27th the -scourge broke out in the Battalion, and two Riflemen died. -And many others were ill. The men, probably to divert their -attention, were engaged in learning to make fascines and -gabions.</p> - -<p>On August 17 preparatory to moving to the Crimea, the -Battalion was inspected by Sir George Brown, who came up -from Varna to see them.</p> - -<p>On the 26th they marched to Yuksarood, and having -halted during the next day, on the 28th proceeded to Karagola,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> -and on the 29th marched into Varna, and embarked on -the same afternoon.<a name="FNanchor_222_222" id="FNanchor_222_222"></a><a href="#Footnote_222_222" class="fnanchor">[222]</a></p> - -<p>The Battalion was broken up into companies which embarked -in the following sailing transports:</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters under Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence -with Captain Hammond’s company in the ‘Pride of the -Ocean.’</p> - -<p class="noindent pad2"> -Capt. Elrington’s<a name="FNanchor_223_223" id="FNanchor_223_223"></a><a href="#Footnote_223_223" class="fnanchor">[223]</a> company in the ‘Monarchy.’<br /> -Capt. the Earl of Erroll’s in the ‘Echunga.’<br /> -Capt. Inglis’ in the ‘Caliope.’<br /> -Capt. Fyers’<a name="FNanchor_224_224" id="FNanchor_224_224"></a><a href="#Footnote_224_224" class="fnanchor">[224]</a> in the ‘Marianne.’<br /> -Capt. Newdigate’s in the ‘Harkaway.’<br /> -Capt. Forman’s in the ‘Lord Raglan.’<br /> -Capt. the Hon. W. J. Colville’s<a name="FNanchor_225_225" id="FNanchor_225_225"></a><a href="#Footnote_225_225" class="fnanchor">[225]</a> in the ‘Talavera.’<br /> -</p> - -<p>Three ships started on September 7 for Battchick and -three sailed on the 9th for the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rendezvous</i> at Cape Tarkan.</p> - -<p>On the 13th the whole fleet anchored in Kalamita bay; -and on the next day the landing commenced. Leaving their -knapsacks on board, and taking with them a light kit folded -in their blankets, the 1st Battalion landed about three in the -afternoon, and bivouacked on the beach. The men were -without tents; and heavy rain fell at night. The Battalion -remained in this position (save that the tents were landed) -until the 19th the Riflemen assisting in landing stores. On -the 16th Sir George Cathcart saw the Battalion, and presented -each man with a piece of black oil-cloth, which covered -the blanket, keeping it dry and concealing its colour. These -were also afterwards found very useful in keeping the men off -the damp ground, when spread under them. Sir George, in -addressing them, most kindly told them that he had considered -what he could give them; and had thought these the -most useful gift. On the 17th three companies, forming a -patrol, marched about twelve miles inland: as they had to -keep up with the cavalry they had little or no rest, the cavalry -starting again almost as soon as our men came up with them. -These companies did not get back till midnight, and the men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> -had suffered much, their feet being sore from the salt which -had got into their boots. However they brought back with -them carts, camels, &c., taken in a village which the Cossacks -had left about two hours before they reached it.</p> - -<p>On the 18th the tents were struck and sent on board the -fleet.</p> - -<p>On that night the whole Battalion, fully equipped for -the march, fell in to form a circle round some captured -horses. About midnight the men had leave to sit down, -front and rear rank alternately. This harassing duty continued -till the general advance on the morning of the 19th.</p> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion also landed on the 14th, and being -disembarked by eleven in the forenoon, and marching from -the left of the line along the front of the other regiments -towards the right, were sent on in advance, after being broken up -into wings; the right wing consisting of four companies under -Colonel Lawrence; the left wing, also of four companies, under -Major Norcott.<a name="FNanchor_226_226" id="FNanchor_226_226"></a><a href="#Footnote_226_226" class="fnanchor">[226]</a> They advanced about five miles, the former -moving to the eastward occupied the village of Kentúgan; -the left wing advancing to the northward occupied Kamishli. -On this march the right wing captured a convoy of seventy -arrabas (country carts) drawn by oxen, and laden for the -most part with flour. Colonel Lawrence appropriated two -dromedaries, part of the spoil, for the use of his wing; where -they did good service as baggage animals till the drivers contrived -to elope with them in the winter. During the time -that the Riflemen occupied Kentúgan and Kamishli they made -friends of the inhabitants. ‘Their chief favourites, it seems, -were the men of the Rifle Brigade. Quartered for a day or two -in one of the villages, these soldiers made up for the want of -a common tongue by acts of kindness. They helped the -women in their household work; and the women, pleased -and proud, made signs to the stately Rifles to do this and to -do that, exulting in the obedience which they were able to -win from men so grand and comely. When the interpreter -came, and was asked to construe what the women were -saying so fast and so eagerly, it appeared that they were -busy with similes and metaphors, and that the Rifles were -made out to be heroes more strong than lions, more gentle -than young lambs.’<a name="FNanchor_227_227" id="FNanchor_227_227"></a><a href="#Footnote_227_227" class="fnanchor">[227]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> - -<p>The wing at Kentúgan occupied the residence of a person -of some substance whose property they protected from the -ravages of the French, who however pillaged the village.</p> - -<p>During the stay of the Battalion in these villages, some -amusing alarms from Cossacks took place. They were seen -hovering about in the distance, and a night attack being -expected, the companies of the right wing manifested their -vigilance by very nearly firing into one of their own reliefs; -while in the left wing a stray horse or a cow was taken for -the expected Cossacks.</p> - -<p>On another occasion an Aide-de-Camp from the Commander -of the cavalry having demanded immediate assistance, -the four companies under Lawrence were soon under arms, and -went at the double to afford the required aid. They were -met however by a message of thanks, and an assurance that -their help was not needed. It appeared afterwards that the -vedettes had mistaken their front, and that the supposed -enemy was some of their own force.</p> - -<p>‘But,’ writes Sir Arthur Lawrence, to whom I am indebted -for these anecdotes, ‘we were all pretty new at soldiering at -that time; and we were kept on the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">qui vive</i> for some hours -before we marched on the 19th by the Russians burning forage -in our front.’ This Battalion, which had not seen a foreign foe -for nigh forty years, was to learn soldiering, and to attain the -prize of victory, in a severe school before the week was out.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On the 19th the whole army got into order of march at -daylight. The 1st Battalion was divided between the two -brigades of the 4th Division, four companies being attached -to each. As the protection of the rear of the army was -entrusted to this Division, the Riflemen did not leave their -ground till about nine <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> They then proceeded over the plain -in the rear and on the left of the army. This march, although -not more than twelve miles, was very fatiguing, on account of -the heat and want of water. Vast numbers of men fell out; -but those of the 1st Battalion all rejoined at nightfall after -the heat of the day. During the advance the left flank was -covered by Riflemen in skirmishing order, and a line of -their skirmishers protected the rear. The Battalion reached -the river Búlganak about six in the evening and bivouacked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> -for the night. One company, Major Rooper’s, being detached -to the left to protect that flank. On this night Lieutenant-Colonel -Beckwith was attacked by cholera, and Lieutenant-Colonel -Horsford assumed command of the Battalion.</p> - -<p>On the same day the 2nd Battalion advanced and were -present at the cavalry affair on the Búlganak. They were -moved forward in support of the cavalry and to protect the -guns, but were not engaged. The Battalion bivouacked on -the heights south of the river Búlganak.</p> - -<p>On the 20th the 1st Battalion, being provided with three -days’ rations, was ready to move at daylight, but did not -leave its ground till a little before eight. It then advanced, -covering, as on the day before, the left and rear of the army. -On approaching the banks of the river Alma, a large force of -the enemy’s cavalry was observed on the left flank, which he -repeatedly extended with the view, apparently, of turning the -flank; but Sir George Cathcart answered the movement by -throwing out skirmishers of this Battalion, which kept them -in check during the engagement. The enemy having been -repulsed at all points in the battle of the Alma, their cavalry -also retired. The Battalion then forded the Alma and ascended -the heights on its south side, the enemy being then in full -retreat. After a short halt the Battalion was ordered to -bivouack on the bank of the river, and redescending the hill -took up a position for the night. The 4th Division having -been in reserve, the Battalion was not actually engaged; -two men were however wounded.</p> - -<p>But the 2nd Battalion was actively engaged. They were -ordered to be ready to move by seven o’clock in the morning. -I will first follow the movements of the right wing, consisting -of four companies under Colonel Lawrence. At the hour -appointed he extended two companies to cover the advance. -But no order to move arrived for some hours; and it was not -till about noon that the army was ordered to advance. The -Riflemen then began to descend from the ridge the long -slope which led to the Alma, two companies extended in -skirmishing order, and two in support. As they drew near -it the village of Búrliúk which they had not before noticed, -for it was enfolded in a dip of the ground, burst into flames. -They were sharply plied with grape from the batteries on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> -opposite slope, and with musketry from the village; while -the smoke from the burning houses was so blinding that the -Riflemen could hardly fire a shot.</p> - -<p>As they could make no effectual use of their rifles, they -inclined to their left and got some shelter from a dip in the -ground. Meanwhile the Light Division behind them had -deployed into line, and were ordered to lie down. Then -Lawrence told his skirmishers to fix their bayonets, and to -take two or three houses which were near them with a rush. -On getting up to them however it was found that the enemy -had evacuated them; and the Riflemen found shelter behind -the smoking ruins. They then received the order to advance; -and the Riflemen rushed into the vineyards which line the -bank of the river, and which afforded some cover from the -enemy’s fire. Meanwhile Major Norcott with the four -companies of the left wing had attacked the Russians so -vigorously that he had made the place too hot for their -skirmishers, and the right wing skirmishers and supports -passed through the vineyards, and forded the river without -difficulty, though saluted with a shower of bullets in their -passage of it. The 19th Regiment followed them. After -passing the river they found some shelter under the slope of -a bank: shelter from the shot and musketry which the -enemy were pouring down from the redoubt, and the troops -on the slope which rose from the crest of the bank which sheltered -them: but not complete shelter; for the enemy had a -battery on their right, which enfiladed them. The left wing -of the Battalion had passed on, and the 19th Regiment was -preparing to advance. Lawrence therefore accompanied by his -Adjutant, Lieutenant Ross, rode up the bank and the Riflemen -followed, exposed to a tremendous fire; for as soon as they -left the shelter of the bank they came under the full fire of -the Russians. However they advanced up the slope. When -within a few yards of the redoubt Colonel Lawrence’s horse -was killed by a discharge of grape, nearly rolling its rider -under the breastwork of the redoubt, under which he found -shelter when he had extricated himself; as did his Adjutant -whose horse also was killed. These Riflemen were soon -mixed up with their comrades of the left wing and with -the men of the 19th Regiment, all firing indiscriminately at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> -an advancing column of Russians. For we must now accompany -Norcott’s wing, and see how he had got to the redoubt -where he met Lawrence’s four companies.</p> - -<p>Descending the slopes of the right bank of the Alma, -Norcott’s Riflemen entered the vineyards, and at once were -exposed to the fire of the Russian artillery and became -engaged with their light troops. Fyers’ company was -extended on the extreme left, with Lord Erroll’s company in -support. The Riflemen inclining to the left to avoid the -burning village of Búrliúk, which as we have seen had been -fired by the Russians, forded the river and, ascending the -other bank and passing through the vineyards, halted at a -wall: a low wall which separated the cultivated ground -from the slope beyond. Here Norcott moved up and extended -Erroll’s company on the right of Fyers’; and then, or -soon after, he advanced; and inclining to the right, on -observing that Codrington’s brigade had disarranged or lost -its formation and was threatened by a Russian column, he -poured such a searching fire from his line of skirmishers, that -the enemy were checked and hindered from taking full -advantage of the want of regular formation of Codrington’s -brigade. Still inclining to the right, the Riflemen approached -the proper right flank of the great redoubt, where as I have -said both wings met. As these Riflemen were rushing into -the redoubt Norcott’s horse was wounded. Soon after they -had attained the redoubt a Russian column was seen descending -the hill beyond. By a most unfortunate mistake these were -thought to be French, and some officer (of what regiment is -unknown) desired a bugler to sound the ‘cease fire;’ and (it is -said) afterwards the ‘retire.’ The men then began to leave the -redoubt when their very existence seemed to depend on clinging -fast to its bank, or boldly facing the enemy. In vain the officers -of the various regiments endeavoured to check the stream, -by calling on the men to halt or to return to the position they -had won. They slowly and orderly moved down the hill. The -Riflemen, carried along with this rolling mass, sought shelter -under the bank from which they had first emerged on the slope. -They rallied at the sound of the regimental call, and the companies -of both wings, Lawrence’s and Norcott’s, united and -advanced again to the redoubt. The enemy then fled. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> -on the final retreat of the Russians part of the 2nd Battalion -were ordered to take off their packs (or rather their coats and -blankets), to leave them there, and marched with the cavalry -and guns in pursuit of the retreating Russians; but after -proceeding about a mile they were recalled, and on their -return the Battalion bivouacked on the heights above the -Alma on the ground they had won.</p> - -<p>The casualties in this Battalion were 2 sergeants and 9 -rank and file killed; and Captain the Earl of Errol, 1 sergeant -3 buglers and 34 rank and file wounded.</p> - -<p>Lord Raglan in his despatch praises the conduct of the -Regiment, and states that the capture of the great redoubt -was ‘materially aided by the advance of four companies of -the Rifle Brigade under Major Norcott.’</p> - -<p>He was also recommended for the Victoria Cross by Sir -George Brown; who adds: ‘Major Norcott’s conduct on that -occasion was not only conspicuous to the whole Division, but -attracted the notice of the enemy; for the Officer in command -of the Russian Battery, who was subsequently made prisoner, -informed Lord Raglan, that he had laid a gun specially for -the “daring officer in the dark uniform on the black horse.”’</p> - -<p>On the 21st the 1st Battalion moved at daylight, and -ascending the heights halted on the ground which had been -occupied by the enemy’s right. Here they bivouacked; and -were engaged on this and the following day in burying the -dead and conveying the wounded to the field-hospitals. The -cholera, which had disappeared from the time the Battalion -left the Bosphorus, reappeared directly after they landed; and -the Battalion suffered much from it about this time; having lost -1 assistant surgeon (Mr. Shorrock) 1 sergeant and 9 privates.</p> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion on these two days was similarly -employed in the burial of the dead and the assistance of the -wounded.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd both Battalions, being under arms from seven -o’clock, left the heights of the Alma and advanced to the -Katchka, which they reached at sunset, and there bivouacked. -The 1st Battalion formed the rear-guard of the army. The -2nd Battalion, in front of the rest of the army, passed through -the vineyards and a village, and crossing the river, approached -the position with caution; but it was found to be evacuated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the next day both Battalions were under arms at seven -o’clock, but were kept hanging about till near twelve while a -reconnaissance was being made. The 2nd Battalion, again -covering the advance of the army, then mounted the ridge, -and advancing over a level plateau, descended to the valley -of the Belbek, through vineyards and gardens; fording the river -and pushing on, they covered with their skirmishers the crossing -of the Belbek by the army. They ascended the opposite height, -and at dusk their skirmishers were drawn in and they -bivouacked on these heights, and furnished a picquet of two -companies.</p> - -<p>On the 25th the army made a further advance; but the -1st Battalion (with the rest of the 4th Division) remained on -their ground to protect the wounded, and to cover the -supplies. The Riflemen were ordered to conceal themselves -in the bushes and to keep as quiet as possible. And at night -occupied the bivouack of the night before. On this day Sidney -Beckwith, who had been conveyed on board the ‘Orinoco,’ -died; and thus the roll of the Regiment for the first time since -its formation was without the honoured name of Beckwith.</p> - -<p>On this day the 2nd Battalion under the command of -Lawrence, its wings being now reunited, was ordered to place -itself at the disposal of Lord Lucan, and to cover the flank of -the cavalry on the advance from the Belbek towards Mackenzie’s -farm. The men were ordered to place their shirts -and boots wrapped in their great coats (for they had not their -packs) on the limbers of the guns; and starting at half-past eight -four companies preceded or were on the flank of the cavalry, -and four brought up the rear. Soon the wood became so thick -that it was with some difficulty that the connection between -the files—for they were in skirmishing order—could be kept -up. As they approached Mackenzie’s farm Lord Lucan and -Lord William Paulet, Deputy-Adjutant-General, dismounted -to look at a map; and while they were poring over it the -sound of a gun startled the party. A second soon succeeded, -the cavalry hurried forward, and the Riflemen followed, their -pace quickened not only by their desire to be ‘first in the -fight,’ but by a message from Lord Raglan to push on as -quickly as they could. A few minutes at the double brought -them out on the road, and on the baggage of Menchikoff’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> -column. They pursued the rear-guard, but not far; and the -men helped themselves to provisions, wine and whatever they -could lay hands on; some horses amongst the rest; of which -a piebald, taken out of a team, replaced Norcott’s charger -disabled at the Alma.</p> - -<p>Subsequently this Battalion crossed the Tchernaya by a -stone bridge and bivouacked on the height beyond. The -men were much fatigued, having been on the move from an -early hour till after dark without anything to eat.</p> - -<p>On the 26th the 1st Battalion moved at 5.30 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span>, and -throwing out skirmishers marched along the high road to -Sebastopol for about three miles. They then turned to the -left and proceeded with great caution through the forest to -Kútor Mackenzie, where they halted for a very considerable -time to allow the baggage and supplies of the army to -precede. From Mackenzie’s farm the Battalion descended -to the valley of the Tchernaya, the whole road covered with -loaded waggons and the remains of the Russian baggage -train, which had been surprised the day before. On arriving -at the banks of the Tchernaya about half-past six they -bivouacked; having been thirteen hours under arms.</p> - -<p>On this day the 2nd Battalion led the advance on Balaklava. -The approach was by a narrow gorge, with high bare hills on -each side. Colonel Lawrence detached his majors, Norcott -to the right, Bradford<a name="FNanchor_228_228" id="FNanchor_228_228"></a><a href="#Footnote_228_228" class="fnanchor">[228]</a> to the left, while he himself with two -companies kept the centre. Thus they approached Balaklava, -throwing out skirmishers. No opposition was offered till they -had advanced some distance, when some musketry fire was -opened; but this was only from a few men on the heights -who were soon driven in; and the advance continued. A -staff officer then reported to Lord Raglan that the road was -clear, and he rode forward and was just entering the gorge, -when Lawrence observed to him that he still saw some of the -enemy on the hills, and asked permission to send a company -in advance. This was granted, and Fyers’ company was -taken by Norcott towards the town. On their approaching it -and the Battalion appearing on the heights, a few harmless -shots were fired from the old Genoese fort; and soon after -on their advancing nearer a white flag was hoisted. Fyers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> -who mistrusted the sincerity of the Governor, directed his -subaltern to halt with one subdivision, whilst he, with the -other, advanced by a narrow road engineered between the high -ground and the sea. On Fyers’ men entering the fort, the -Governor left it by another side; and meeting Egerton and -Ross surrendered, handing his sword to the former. Then -Fyers taking his company into the town, a baker, evidently in -great terror, came out of his house and, notwithstanding the -early hour of the morning, produced a roast turkey which he -offered him, and a great number of loaves. These Fyers -desired him to break in two, and to give half to each man. -So that all the men of his company had a good meal.</p> - -<p>The Battalion subsequently occupied Balaklava, posting -sentries for the protection of the inhabitants; and at night -bivouacked among beautiful vineyards two miles outside the -town.<a name="FNanchor_229_229" id="FNanchor_229_229"></a><a href="#Footnote_229_229" class="fnanchor">[229]</a></p> - -<p>Some spoil was found in the fort; Lawrence became the -possessor of a fur coat, by gift from one of the Riflemen, and -Ross obtained a remount in place of his horse killed at the -Alma. On the next day this Battalion was moved about a -mile nearer to Sebastopol, and encamped for some days.</p> - -<p>On the 27th the 1st Battalion was under arms at half-past -six; but having to wait to allow the whole of the supplies -and all the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">impedimenta</i> of the army to pass over the Traktir -bridge, did not themselves move until ten o’clock. They then -followed, and advanced almost to Balaklava when they came -up with the rest of the army; and passing it ascended the -hill to the right and approached Sebastopol. They traversed -the valley, and the quarries afterwards occupied by the 3rd -Division, and advanced to the high ground overlooking the -south harbour, becoming thus the most advanced battalion -in front of the place. This was a great satisfaction to the -Battalion, which had been so long protecting the rear; and -the Riflemen greeted their change of position with hearty -cheers. Here they bivouacked, throwing out one company as -an outlying picquet. Shot and shell were thrown from the -town, some reaching so near the bivouack that some rifles piled -by the men were knocked down by the bursting of a shell.</p> - -<p>On September 28 a Russian column having issued from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span> -the place, the Riflemen with the 4th Division advanced to -meet it. The enemy however immediately retired, with the -evident intention of drawing Cathcart in pursuit under the -fire of the guns of the place; but finding the Riflemen declined -the fight he returned to his camp. This was situated -on a flattened limestone ridge extending in the direction of -the city, a ravine separating it from the Inkerman heights -and another from the ridge on which was placed the battery -of the English right attack.</p> - -<p>On the 28th, in consequence of the gunners of the place -having got the exact range of the position which the Battalion -occupied, it was moved about 100 yards to the rear -into a situation rather more sheltered.</p> - -<p>On the 29th the 2nd Battalion, leaving their bivouack -near Balaklava, advanced on Sebastopol, and took up ground -on the left of the position towards Kamiesh. And on -October 1 moved its position to the right of the Woronzow -road, and shortly after to near the Windmill, having a wing -on each flank of the Light Division.</p> - -<p>From the time the 1st Battalion left the position of the -Alma till its arrival before Sebastopol it had lost by cholera, -Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, Sergeant-Major Tucker, 1 -colour-sergeant, 1 corporal and 7 privates.<a name="FNanchor_230_230" id="FNanchor_230_230"></a><a href="#Footnote_230_230" class="fnanchor">[230]</a> Its strength on -October 1 was—</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdc">Field officer</td><td class="tdc">Captains</td><td class="tdc">Subalterns</td><td class="tdc">Staff</td><td class="tdc">Sergeants</td><td class="tdc">Buglers</td><td class="tdc">Rank and file</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">1</td><td class="tdc">5</td><td class="tdc">11</td><td class="tdc">5</td><td class="tdc">43</td><td class="tdc">19</td><td class="tdc">691</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>On October 2 the Battalion being still exposed to the -Russian fire, and many shells falling into the position, again -moved to the rear and east of the stone quarries, and took up -the position which it occupied during the remainder of the siege. -On the next day the 2nd Battalion was kept on the alert all -day by shot and shell thrown by the enemy into its position.</p> - -<p>On the 4th the Regiment, which had hitherto since September -18 bivouacked without shelter, received tents, which -the Riflemen brought up from Balaklava harbour.</p> - -<p>On the 5th the 1st Battalion furnished a party to escort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> -Engineer officers making a reconnaissance and marking ground -for the approaches. They started at three in the morning and -returned soon after daylight.</p> - -<p>On the 8th the 2nd Battalion furnished a picquet under -Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence, consisting of two companies, to -cover the working parties at the five-gun battery. These -companies held this battery for twenty-four hours under constant -fire without a man being touched. The Battalion also -furnished a covering party under Major Norcott at Gordon’s -battery.</p> - -<p>On the 9th a similar party was furnished by the 1st Battalion -to escort the Engineers marking ground at the Greenhill -battery. The Riflemen descended the ravine about a -mile, and lay down while the Engineers marked the ground. -They had scarcely retired when the Russians were out looking -at the same ground.</p> - -<p>On the 10th the right wing of the Battalion went down to -the trenches afterwards so memorable, to cover the working -parties. They remained on for twenty-four hours, and were -relieved at daylight on the 11th by the left wing. This duty -in the trenches was thenceforward performed by wings alternately, -with the other regiments of the Division.<a name="FNanchor_231_231" id="FNanchor_231_231"></a><a href="#Footnote_231_231" class="fnanchor">[231]</a></p> - -<p>On the 12th Private Francis Wheatley of the 1st Battalion, -being on duty in the trenches when a live shell fell among -the party, having unsuccessfully endeavoured to knock out the -fuze with the butt of his rifle, took up the shell with great -deliberation and flung it over the parapet. It had scarcely -fallen outside when it exploded. For this act of valour he -afterwards received the Victoria Cross, and the cross of the -Legion of Honour.<a name="FNanchor_232_232" id="FNanchor_232_232"></a><a href="#Footnote_232_232" class="fnanchor">[232]</a></p> - -<p>On October 13 a man of the 2nd Battalion, Herbert, -made a most remarkable shot. He was on outlying picquet, -and observing a Russian officer on a white horse he took a -shot at him, fixing the sight of his rifle at its extreme range. -The officer fell, while the horse moved on. The distance at -which he shot him has been variously estimated from 1300<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span> -yards<a name="FNanchor_233_233" id="FNanchor_233_233"></a><a href="#Footnote_233_233" class="fnanchor">[233]</a> downwards; the man himself told me that he thought -the Russian whom he shot was about 1000 yards from him.</p> - -<p>On the 14th the 1st Battalion lost its first man in the -trenches; he was killed by a fragment of a shell.</p> - -<p>On October 14 Fyers was with his company in the five-gun -battery when he observed a column of Russian infantry -advancing. Taking a rifle from one of the men, he put the -sight at what he considered their distance, and fired, carefully -watching the effect of the shot. When he perceived that it -struck the ground a little in front of the column, he ordered -his men to fix their sights for 750 yards, and to stand up on -the parapet and ‘give it them.’ They had not been long firing -when he found that he was under fire from the rear. Some -of the Russians had moved up the ravine towards a house -which was occupied by a picquet of another regiment, under -a sergeant, which had retreated on their approach, and the -Russians having taken possession of the house were firing on -Fyers’ party. He therefore sallied with his company out of -the battery and drove the Russians back, not before they had -eaten the dinners of the former occupants of the picquet-house, -and carried off their coats and blankets. Most of these -they dropped on their way back, as they probably impeded -their retreat, pressed as they were by Fyers and his party.</p> - -<p>In this affair Hugh Hannan, the tallest man in the Battalion, -was attacked by a Russian rifleman who turned upon -him. Hannan fired; the shot was returned, and the Russian -was preparing to fire again, but before he could find a cap, -Hannan rushed upon him, and with a tremendous blow -knocked him over a low wall, and leaped after him. They -grappled; and a fierce struggle ensued in which Hannan was -getting the worst of it. For the Russian had drawn his short -sword and was almost in the act of stabbing him in the thigh, -when Hannan’s friend and comrade, Ferguson, by a sure shot -brought the Russian down dead.<a name="FNanchor_234_234" id="FNanchor_234_234"></a><a href="#Footnote_234_234" class="fnanchor">[234]</a></p> - -<p>In this affair two Riflemen were wounded. Fyers took a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span> -sergeant and some men prisoners, of whom three were wounded; -several others were carried off by their companions, and many -were killed.</p> - -<p>On the alarm Sir De Lacy Evans had moved up two regiments, -and some of the 1st Division; and the rest of the -2nd Battalion were brought up and halted in rear of Gordon’s -battery, and some guns were ordered up; but before these -troops came into action, Fyers had repulsed and effectually -disposed of the Russian attack.</p> - -<p>On one occasion about this time, when a party of the -Regiment had been pushed forward, four Riflemen crept up to -within 500 yards of the place and fired into the windows -of the grand barracks of Sebastopol.<a name="FNanchor_235_235" id="FNanchor_235_235"></a><a href="#Footnote_235_235" class="fnanchor">[235]</a></p> - -<p>On the 16th, while the left wing of the 1st Battalion was in -the trenches, the enemy opened a murderous fire about ten <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> -on the whole length of the English trenches and continued -it for half-an-hour, apparently determined to drive them from -their position; however the Riflemen did not suffer much -loss, but one colour-sergeant, James Powell, was disabled.</p> - -<p>From this date the Riflemen were nightly thrown out in -advance of the intrenchments; whatever regiments found the -duties, they formed a line of double sentries, to watch and -report any suspicious movements in the place.</p> - -<p>On the 17th the Allies opened fire.</p> - -<p>On the 19th a man of the Regiment was seen to pick off -eight men from a Russian battery.<a name="FNanchor_236_236" id="FNanchor_236_236"></a><a href="#Footnote_236_236" class="fnanchor">[236]</a></p> - -<p>On the 25th the 1st Battalion was ordered out to repel -the attack on Balaklava. They fell in between eight and nine -o’clock, and starting at the double took up a position on the -side of a hill. The Russians had driven the Turks out of the -forts in their occupation. The Riflemen arrived just after -the heavy cavalry charge. After the light cavalry charge the -4th Division was ordered to advance, the 1st Battalion Rifle -Brigade leading by wings. The right wing under Colonel -Horsford took up a position with its left resting on the road -from Sebastopol to the Traktir bridge; the 68th being deployed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> -in line on its right; and the left wing under Major -Rooper being on the right of the 68th in support of Captain -Barker’s battery. The enemy brought forward a field battery -of six guns and opened fire on the line. This fire became -very troublesome on the right flank, and Lieutenant Godfrey -with a few men was sent to try to silence these guns. This -they did most effectually in a very short time. The task was -difficult, for the ground afforded no cover; the utmost shelter -they could get being some slight undulation in the surface. -However the Riflemen lay down on their stomachs and picked -off the gunners whenever they attempted to handle their guns; -and in about twenty minutes forced the Russian guns to retire.</p> - -<p>The Battalion remained in the same order and in the -same position until dark; but no further attack being made -by the enemy, and it having been resolved to abandon these -forts, the Battalion returned to its camp.</p> - -<p>One man was wounded, being struck in the leg by a round -shot.</p> - -<p>On the 26th at noon the Russians came out from -Sebastopol and attacked the extreme right of the English -position, which was occupied by the 2nd Division. The enemy -having advanced in a mass of columns, our guns opening upon -them within easy range caused them such loss that they -quickly retired. On this occasion the 1st Battalion, although -the most distant from the right of the position, turned out so -quickly, with Sir George Cathcart at its head, that it was -on the scene of action in a very short time, but not till the -enemy had retired.</p> - -<p>On this occasion a picquet, under Lieutenant W. T. Markham -of the 2nd Battalion,<a name="FNanchor_237_237" id="FNanchor_237_237"></a><a href="#Footnote_237_237" class="fnanchor">[237]</a> which was on duty in the five-gun -battery, joining some men of the Guards under Captain Goodlake -in the Careenage ravine, had an obstinate combat with a -strong Russian column. They kept them back for a considerable -time; and eventually the Riflemen succeeded in driving -them out of the cave there, known as the Magazine Grotto; but -not without a hard fight in which 5 Riflemen were wounded. -They however inflicted considerable loss on their opponents; -and a Russian officer and many men were taken prisoners.<a name="FNanchor_238_238" id="FNanchor_238_238"></a><a href="#Footnote_238_238" class="fnanchor">[238]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span></p> - -<p>On November 1 the morning state of the 1st Battalion -was as follows:—</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdc">Field officer</td><td class="tdc">Captains</td><td class="tdc">Subalterns</td><td class="tdc">Staff</td><td class="tdc">Sergeants</td><td class="tdc">Buglers</td><td class="tdc">Rank and file</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">1</td><td class="tdc">5</td><td class="tdc">11</td><td class="tdc">6</td><td class="tdc">38</td><td class="tdc">18</td><td class="tdc">550</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="noindent">showing a decrease of 5 sergeants, 1 bugler and 141 rank -and file since the arrival of the Battalion before the place.</p> - -<p>Early on the 2nd the enemy’s batteries opened a cannonade, -by which four men of the 2nd Battalion, forming part -of a company which was going to relieve in the trenches, were -wounded.</p> - -<p>On November 4, four companies of the 2nd Battalion, the -Earl of Errol’s, Hammond’s, Fyers’ and Colville’s, under -Major Bradford (Major Norcott being sick), proceeded to the -heights of Balaklava.</p> - -<p>On the morning of Sunday, November 5, an hour before -daybreak, the alarm was sounded through the English camp. -The greater part of the 1st Battalion had just returned from -the trenches, and were still accoutred, though wet through; -for it had rained the previous day, all through the night, and -even then there was dense damp fog, with frequent showers. -As they were passing the head of the ravine, a bugle was -heard sounding in camp, which these men at first fancied to -be the usual parade horn. It proved however to be the -‘assembly.’ The remainder of the Battalion was soon under -arms, and moved towards the fight, which the rattle of musketry -and the roar of guns told them was going on, at the -head of the 4th Division under Sir George Cathcart.</p> - -<p>In like manner General Codrington, the first to give the -alarm, turned out the Light Division, and the 2nd Battalion -assembled at once. Three companies only were on parade, -one wing having gone on the previous day, as we have seen, to -the heights of Balaklava, and Captain Forman’s company being -in the five-gun battery. Of these three companies, one had -just come in after being twenty-seven hours in the trenches. -However they at once advanced, and General Codrington -having placed his brigade on the Victoria ridge, these Riflemen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span> -extended along the left bank of the Careenage ravine on the -extreme left of the line. Soon after they took up their position -a column of Russians, part of Soimonoff’s force, advanced -up the Careenage ravine, and after opening fire on the Riflemen, -attempted to ascend its left bank; but Captain Elrington, -with two companies of the 2nd Battalion, at once attacked them, -and drove them down at the point of the bayonet; they retreated -by the bottom of the ravine, and did not again make -their appearance in that part of the fight. In this attack a -Rifleman named Hewitt, having put on a greatcoat and cap -late the property of a Russian soldier deceased, followed the -retreating Muscovites down the ravine, and picked off a -number of them. He narrowly escaped however being shot -by his own comrades. This man, as well as a brother in the -same Battalion, afterwards died in the Crimea. This repulse -occurred at the very beginning of the Russian attack. These -companies under Elrington lost 5 men killed and 10 wounded -in this gallant affair.<a name="FNanchor_239_239" id="FNanchor_239_239"></a><a href="#Footnote_239_239" class="fnanchor">[239]</a></p> - -<p>Meanwhile the 1st Battalion were advancing with Cathcart -towards the scene of the fight. As they approached the end of -the English line, manifest tokens of the battle greeted them. -The rattle of musketry in front, indeed apparently on every -side; dead lying about, and wounded carried by; and tents -thrown to the ground by the fire of the enemy’s guns. On -their arriving at the heights of Inkerman, where General -Pennefather was maintaining a hard and unequal fight, Sir -George Cathcart handed over to him the 1st Battalion which -he so much esteemed, telling him that he had brought him -‘a Battalion which could do anything.’ Pennefather riding -up to Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford, who was in command of -the Battalion, and paying it a high compliment, informed him -that he was hard pressed on the left of the centre ravine, and -wished a reinforcement sent there. The three leading companies -were immediately detached for that purpose under Major -Rooper who deployed them into line below the crest of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span> -hill. They soon were confronted by a Russian column, part -of Dannenberg’s force. They were at a short distance, and -the Riflemen halted and opened fire. For a short time the -enemy returned their fire, then began to waver and eventually -to retreat, hotly pursued by the Riflemen, who drove them -down into the Quarry ravine. Those of them who were -wounded, or who had not made good their escape into the -ravine, were in a state of extreme terror, and called upon the -Riflemen on their knees and with clasped hands raised in -prayer to spare their lives.<a name="FNanchor_240_240" id="FNanchor_240_240"></a><a href="#Footnote_240_240" class="fnanchor">[240]</a></p> - -<p>Soon after Rooper’s wing had been thus sent forward, the -remaining three companies under Horsford moved to the -right, deployed into line, and advanced to the Kitspur, and -thence by the head of St. Clement’s gorge they fought their -way to the Barrier. On their way they opened their files to -allow stragglers and wounded to pass through, and two companies -of the Guards who were then retiring. Finding themselves -without support, and their ammunition beginning to -fail, they halted. But eventually both wings, that under -Horsford which had worked round from the right, and that -under Rooper, were posted at the Barrier. From thence -Horsford with some men in extended order skirmished along -the right bank of the Quarry ravine. About half-past twelve, -Captain Somerset, who had been obliged to go to Head-quarters -on account of ill-health, with much difficulty found -his way to the front, and joined a party of the Battalion whom -he found in rear of the two-gun battery under Ensign Brett.<a name="FNanchor_241_241" id="FNanchor_241_241"></a><a href="#Footnote_241_241" class="fnanchor">[241]</a> -Soon Lieutenant Morgan brought him a message from Colonel -Horsford that he wished to collect all the Battalion in front -at the Barrier. Accordingly he brought up these men and -joined Horsford under the ridge. During this terrible conflict -many of the Riflemen fought independently, or by twos -and threes. Sometimes they found themselves mixed up -with men of other regiments, the mistiness of the day and -their being all in greatcoats rendering it not always easy to -distinguish their comrades. Some few Riflemen under Tryon -joined the 57th Regiment in resisting an attack on the ridge.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span> -The Riflemen got cover where they could among the scrub -oak on the rocks. Some of them running short of detonating -caps took them from dead Russians, and these, though large, -exploded their rifles. These Riflemen getting cover in the -brushwood on the left of the Barrier picked off the gunners of -the Russian battery on the Shell hill.</p> - -<p>About this period of the fight Colour-Sergeant Higgins,<a name="FNanchor_242_242" id="FNanchor_242_242"></a><a href="#Footnote_242_242" class="fnanchor">[242]</a> -collecting some thirty men of No. 2 company, formed them -up on the left of the French division, and with them drove the -Russians down the ravine.</p> - -<p>Later in the day, and towards the close of the fight, Horsford -with the remains of the Battalion, advanced from the Barrier, -and pushed up the Shell hill to where a Russian battery -had stood. Ascending the hill, almost hand to hand with the -enemy, these Riflemen fixed bayonets and charged, driving -the Russians from the ridge, on whose retiring masses they -kept up fire. Four tumbrils with ammunition remained in -their hands; but the Russians had withdrawn the guns.</p> - -<p>The Battalion, or the remnant of it, remained extended on -the heights till about nine at night, when being relieved by -picquets of the 2nd Division it marched to camp.</p> - -<p>No. 2 company was brought out of the field in command of -the Colour-Sergeant (Higgins), who indeed had been in charge -of it from the time its Captain (Cartwright) had been killed.</p> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion, after Elrington’s exploit in the -morning, continued posted on the left of Codrington’s force -on the Victoria heights. They kept up fire on the Russians -on the opposite height (Mount Inkerman) whenever they -came within range. Some Russian riflemen having come -into the Careenage ravine and as far as the Magazine caves, -took shelter there, and while the companies on the hill kept -up a constant fire as often as they showed themselves, to -prevent their emerging or escape, some of the Battalion -descended into the ravine and made them prisoners. Three -companies only of this Battalion were engaged, Elrington’s, -Inglis’ and Newdigate’s, mustering about 150 rifles. Forman’s -company was in the five-gun battery; and the other -four companies were at Balaklava.</p> - -<p>The losses of the Regiment were very severe. In the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span> -1st Battalion Captain Cartwright, 5 sergeants and 22 rank and -file were killed. And Brevet-Major Rooper and Lieutenant -Coote Buller<a name="FNanchor_243_243" id="FNanchor_243_243"></a><a href="#Footnote_243_243" class="fnanchor">[243]</a> were severely wounded, and 5 sergeants and -26 rank and file were wounded. Colour-Sergeant Noseley,<a name="FNanchor_244_244" id="FNanchor_244_244"></a><a href="#Footnote_244_244" class="fnanchor">[244]</a> -who was dangerously wounded, was taken prisoner.</p> - -<p>Cartwright was killed late in the day, while sitting under -the Barrier, which the men were then lining. He was shot -through the eye and also in the chest. Colonel Horsford -was also wounded by a shell, which exploded between his -legs, and lifted him off the ground; but not being disabled -he did not return himself as wounded.</p> - -<p>This Battalion also had to lament the loss of its kind friend -Sir George Cathcart, under whom it had fought in Kaffraria, -and who had from that time manifested great attachment to it.</p> - -<p>In the 2nd Battalion Lieutenant Malcolm and 8 rank -and file were killed and Captain Newdigate and 27 rank and -file wounded.<a name="FNanchor_245_245" id="FNanchor_245_245"></a><a href="#Footnote_245_245" class="fnanchor">[245]</a></p> - -<p>Of these Rooper died on the 11th on board the steamer -‘Golden Fleece,’ on his passage to Malta.</p> - -<p>For some days after the battle of Inkerman the Riflemen -were engaged in burying the dead. Their other duties also -were very severe. In consequence of four companies of the 2nd -Battalion having been moved to Balaklava the 1st Battalion -found duty both on the right and left attack. Even when -other regiments were in the trenches they furnished a party -a hundred yards in front; and wherever there was an alarm -or a position to be stormed the green-jackets were in request. -During this time and while the duties were so constant, the -men suffered much also from scarcity of rations. And even -those issued were such as the men could scarcely use. Until -the end of December the coffee was served out green; there -were no vegetables for a considerable time; the biscuit when -the weather was wet, was mouldy; and fuel was scarcely to -be procured. Even such supplies as were in Balaklava were -but scantily brought up owing to want of transport; and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span> -position of the 1st Battalion being the most distant from that -place, rendered their supply more scanty and precarious.</p> - -<p>On November 14 occurred the memorable gale. The -tents were blown down, and the hospital marquee of the -1st Battalion being torn to pieces the wounded had to be -carried to such of the companies’ tents as could be set up. -On this occasion an instance occurred of the good feeling -which has always existed in the Regiment between the -Riflemen and their officers. Coote Buller was lying in his -tent suffering from his wound, a broken thigh, at Inkerman. -The men of the company held his tent during the gale, and -thus, by preventing his exposure to the storm, rain and hail, -probably saved his life.</p> - -<p>The tents of the four companies of the 2nd Battalion at -Balaklava, and everything belonging to them, except what -they were standing in, were blown clean away, and were never -heard of afterwards. At the same time the four companies of -this Battalion on duty in the trenches were not relieved for -forty-eight hours. And one man of this Battalion died from -exposure to the cold and to the storm.</p> - -<p>The Russian riflemen having established themselves in -some rifle pits in front of the left attack along some rising -ground, annoyed our working parties as well as those of the -French on the opposite side of the ravine by their fire. Lord -Raglan determined to drive them back and to take possession -of the pits. These pits, caverns, or ‘ovens’ as they were -called by the men, are formed by the decay of softer portions -of the rock between the harder strata, leaving caves in the -sides of the hill. The duty of driving the Russians from -them was confided to the 1st Battalion; and on November 20 -a party consisting of Lieutenant Henry Tryon, in command, -with Lieutenants Bourchier<a name="FNanchor_246_246" id="FNanchor_246_246"></a><a href="#Footnote_246_246" class="fnanchor">[246]</a> and Cuninghame,<a name="FNanchor_247_247" id="FNanchor_247_247"></a><a href="#Footnote_247_247" class="fnanchor">[247]</a> 4 sergeants -and 200 rank and file, was detailed to carry it into execution. -It was kept a secret what the service was to be till the party -fell in about four o’clock in the afternoon. Then Tryon -wheeled them round him and told the men what they were -wanted for. He said that he intended to drive the Russians -out, and that he was sure that they could do it. And right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> -well they did it. Marching down to the trenches they lay -down till dark. They then advanced stealthily, creeping -along the broken ground which led first down a slight incline, -and then up towards the enemy, who were completely surprised -by the attack. Fifty men under Tryon formed the -storming column; 50 the supports under Bourchier and 100 -the reserve under Cuninghame. Eventually these parties -became practically one. They quickly drove the Russian -riflemen from their cover, though supported by a heavy -column of Russian infantry. The occupants of the pits were -evidently surprised. But soon the guns bearing on the pits -poured grape and canister on the Riflemen, who had no -cover, for the pits were open on the enemy’s side. In the -moment of taking possession of the pits the gallant Tryon -fell shot in the head; Bourchier, who succeeded to the -command of the party, maintained his advantage; and -Cuninghame greatly distinguished himself by the energy -with which he repulsed an attempt to turn the left flank of -the advanced party, and thereby ensured the success of -the capture. Repeatedly during that long night did the -Russians attempt to retake the pits; sometimes by sending -forward strong columns, sometimes by creeping up a few at a -time, and when they got near making signals for their companions -to come on. But this handful of Riflemen, under -the command of these two young officers, bravely withstood -them, and held the position until relieved next day by -another party of the Battalion. In this affair Lieutenant -Tryon and 9 men were killed, and 17 men were wounded. -This gallant feat of arms, the first of the kind during that -war, and never surpassed, was thus described in the despatch -addressed by Lord Raglan to the Duke of Newcastle:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Before Sebastopol, November 23, 1854.</p> - -<p>‘My Lord Duke,—The Russian advanced posts in front of -our left attack having taken up a position which incommoded -our troops in the trenches, and occasioned not a few casualties, -and at the same time took in reverse the French -troops working in their lines, a representation of which was -made to me both by our own officers and by General Canrobert, -a detachment of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> -Lieutenant Tryon, was directed on the night of the 20th to -dislodge the enemy; and this service was performed most -gallantly and effectively, but at some loss both in killed and -wounded, and at the cost of the life of Lieutenant Tryon, -who rendered himself conspicuous on the occasion: he was -considered a most promising officer, and held in the highest -estimation by all. The Russians attempted several times to -re-establish themselves on the ground before daylight on the -21st, but they were instantly repulsed by Lieutenant Bourchier, -the senior surviving officer of the party, and it now -remains in our possession. Brigadier Sir John Campbell -speaks highly of the conduct of the detachment, and of -Lieutenant Bourchier and Lieutenant Cuninghame, and he -laments the death of Lieutenant Tryon, who so ably led them -in the first instance. This little exploit was so highly prized -by General Canrobert that he instantly published an “<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Ordre -Général</span>” announcing it to the French army, and combining, -with a just tribute to the gallantry of the troops, the expression -of his deep sympathy in the regret felt for the loss -of a young officer of so much distinction.</p> - -<p class="right"> -‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">Raglan.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>The following General Order from Lord Raglan was also -issued:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘General Order, November 24, 1854.</p> - -<p>‘The Commander of the Forces cannot pass unnoticed the -attack, on the night of the 20th inst., of a detachment of the -1st Battalion Rifle Brigade under Lieutenant Tryon upon -the advanced posts of the enemy, which had been pushed -forward so as to enfilade the English trenches, and to take in -reverse those of the French troops.</p> - -<p>‘The advance was made in the most spirited and determined -manner, and was completely successful. And though -several vigorous attempts were afterwards made by the -enemy to dislodge the gallant band, they utterly failed, and -the ground remains in our possession.</p> - -<p>‘Lieutenant Tryon, whose conduct was most conspicuous, -was unfortunately killed, and several valuable soldiers shared -the same fate.</p> - -<p>‘The General-in-Chief of the French army so highly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span> -prized the achievement that he published a General Order -eulogising the conduct of the detachment, and paying a just -tribute to the officer who led it.</p> - -<p class="right"> -‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">J. B. B. Estcourt.</span><br /> -<span class="padr2 fs70">‘Adjutant-General.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>The following is the order referred to issued by the French. -General, a most honourable and unusual distinction:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot" lang="fr" xml:lang="fr"> - -<p class="center">‘<i>Ordre Général.</i></p> - -<p>‘Dans la nuit du 20 au 21, sur la demande de concours -que j’avais adressée au Commandant de l’Armée Anglaise, en -lui faisant observer que les tirailleurs Russes s’établissaient à -couvert en avant de ses lignes pour prendre à revers nos -travailleurs, cent riflemen, conduits par le capitaine Tryon, -sont sortis des tranchées Anglaises, ont tourné par la gauche -les positions occupées par l’ennemi, et les ont enlevées après, -l’avoir débusqué. Les Russes, formés en colonnes profondes, -ont tenté trois fois de les reprendre à la baïonnette, après -avoir fait pleuvoir la mitraille sur le détachment Anglais. -Nos alliés ont tenu ferme avec l’énergie que nous leur connaissons, -et sont restés maîtres de la position, où nous pouvons -les apercevoir ce matin.</p> - -<p>‘J’ai voulu rendre hommage devant vous à la vigueur avec -laquelle s’est accompli ce hardi coup de main, qui a malheureusement -coûté la vie au vaillant capitaine Tryon. -Nous lui donnerons les regrets dûs à sa fin glorieuse. Elle -resserrera les liens de loyale confraternité d’armes qui nous -unissent à nos alliés.</p> - -<p>‘Au quartier général, devant Sébastopol le 21 Novembre, -1854.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr6">‘Le Général en chef,</span><br /> -(Signé) <span class="smcap">Canrobert.</span><br /> - -<span class="padr50pc">‘Pour ampliation.</span><br /> -<span class="padr4">Le Général Chef d’Etat-Major général</span><br /> -E. de Martimprey.’<a name="FNanchor_248_248" id="FNanchor_248_248"></a><a href="#Footnote_248_248" class="fnanchor">[248]</a></p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span></p> - -<p>The following is the translation of the preceding General -Order which was appended to Lord Raglan’s orders on -this occasion:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Camp before Sebastopol, November 21, 1854.</p> - -<p>‘On the night of the 20th or 21st, on a request made by -me to Lord Raglan, Commander-in-Chief of the English army, -pointing out to him that the Russian riflemen had placed -themselves under cover in front of the lines, from whence they -could enfilade our workmen, one hundred Riflemen, under -the command of Lieutenant Tryon, left the English trenches -and, turning the flank of the enemy, charged and dispersed -them. The Russians, formed in deep columns, attempted -three times during the night to retake the place, after pouring -in grape and canister on the English detachment. With that -energy belonging to our allies, they held firmly their ground, -and we can now see them where the enemy once stood.</p> - -<p>‘I wish before you all to render the homage due to so -gallant an act, which unfortunately cost the life of the brave -officer Lieutenant Tryon. We will give him all the regrets -so glorious an end deserves. It will be an additional link to -the loyal fraternity of arms which unites us to our allies.</p> - -<p class="right">‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">General Canrobert.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>For their gallant conduct in this affair Lieutenant Bourchier -received the Victoria Cross, the Legion of Honour, the -5th Class of the Medjidie, and the Turkish Medal; Cuninghame -the Victoria Cross, the 5th Class of the Medjidie, and the -Turkish Medal; and Colour-Sergeant Hicks, who had volunteered -for this duty, and was close to Tryon when he fell, -obtained the French War Medal.</p> - -<p>The gallant captors of the pits were relieved a little before -daylight on the 21st by a party of the 1st Battalion, under -the command of Lieutenant Flower, and accompanied by -Lieutenant the Hon. G. B. Legge. The Russians kept up a -very heavy fire on them all day, by which several men were -wounded. So sharp was the fire, that it was impossible to go -from one of the pits to the other without great caution. The -ground, as we have seen, was rocky and crumbling, and most -of the men who were wounded were struck about the face -by fragments of rock. The position was so exposed to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> -enemy’s fire that it was difficult even to get away the -wounded; and Flower and Legge could only recover two -wounded men, struck in the face and eyes and nearly blinded, -by making them crawl on all fours into a pit where these -officers had taken shelter. This party held the pits till -nightfall, when they were relieved by another detachment of -the Battalion. And for some days these pits, captured by -Riflemen, were held by Riflemen, though occasionally a few -men of other regiments may have been added to eke out the -number required, which the diminished strength of the Battalion -could hardly furnish.</p> - -<p>The men of the 2nd Battalion were at this time called -upon for very hard work, the right wing having been on -duty on the 22nd three nights consecutively; and from the -26th the men were on duty five nights out of six. These -duties, which were almost as severe in the 1st Battalion; the -exposure to the weather; the shortness of food, rations being -sometimes wanting for two or three days together; began to -tell heavily on the Riflemen. Cholera and dysentery ravaged -both Battalions. On November 27 Lieutenant Godfrey died, -and the 1st Battalion, which had left England little more than -four months before nearly a thousand strong, could only -parade as fit for duty 275 men of all ranks.<a name="FNanchor_249_249" id="FNanchor_249_249"></a><a href="#Footnote_249_249" class="fnanchor">[249]</a> And this, notwithstanding -that it had received a draft from home of 154 -non-commissioned officers and men. This shows a deficiency, -even to this date, of 850 men.<a name="FNanchor_250_250" id="FNanchor_250_250"></a><a href="#Footnote_250_250" class="fnanchor">[250]</a> The men of the 2nd Battalion -at this time had for some days a ration of only a quarter of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span> -a pound of salt pork and a pound of biscuit, owing to the -difficulty of getting up supplies from Balaklava.</p> - -<p>On the morning of December 2, about five o’clock, the -Russians made a determined attempt to retake the ‘ovens.’ -They advanced in considerable numbers. Surprising the -sentries, they entered a trench which had been formed, after -Tryon’s party had taken the pits, into the second parallel, -and driving out a party of another regiment who occupied it, -took possession of it. At this moment a party of the 1st -Battalion under Captain Churchill,<a name="FNanchor_251_251" id="FNanchor_251_251"></a><a href="#Footnote_251_251" class="fnanchor">[251]</a> and accompanied by Lieutenant -Blackett<a name="FNanchor_252_252" id="FNanchor_252_252"></a><a href="#Footnote_252_252" class="fnanchor">[252]</a> and Ensign Brett, which formed the new -guard of the trenches, came up and found the others retiring -before the Russians. With the usual dash of the Riflemen, -unabated in its energy by the severity of the weather or the -urgency of their sufferings, they quickly attacked the Russians, -drove them out, and took possession of the trenches, which -they held as the guard for the day.<a name="FNanchor_253_253" id="FNanchor_253_253"></a><a href="#Footnote_253_253" class="fnanchor">[253]</a></p> - -<p>The Riflemen lost in this affair one killed and two -wounded; but the Russians left seven men dead on the field, -and carried off seven wounded.</p> - -<p>It was on this occasion that a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mot</i> is recorded of a non-commissioned -officer of the Battalion, who, being asked how -they came to be there, replied, ‘If you please, Sir, the Russians -relieved the —th, and we relieved the Russians.’</p> - -<p>On December 12 a party of the 1st Battalion, under -Captain Churchill (with Ensign Brett), being on duty in the -trench near the Woronzow road, was violently attacked during -the night by the enemy; but by showing a determined front -and delivering an efficient fire they were at once driven off, -and prevented from penetrating at this important point, which -was the key to the British position.</p> - -<p>On the 27th Colonel Horsford, who had commanded the -Battalion at the Alma and Inkerman, and since Beckwith’s fatal -illness, had to return to Balaklava, and thence home on sick -leave. And on the 29th Major Somerset, who had been on -sick leave on board ship, arrived and assumed the command.</p> - -<p>On the morning of December 30 the four companies of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> -the 2nd Battalion, which were stationed on the heights near -Balaklava, were ordered by Sir Colin Campbell to be under -arms at half-past six. They paraded accordingly under -Major Bradford, and after waiting till about eight o’clock, proceeded -with a regiment of Highlanders to cover the flank of -a considerable French force which made a reconnaissance. -The Riflemen marched on, skirmishing through the woods and -ravines. They advanced to Kamara, and the French troops -pushed on to the village of Tchorgúna, which they burned. -However, the Riflemen were not actively engaged; and after -being under arms till the afternoon, returned to their camp.</p> - -<p>The clothing which the Riflemen brought out from England -being worn or torn by hard service, they presented a -strange appearance. The greatcoat was always worn, and -the blanket, with a hole cut through for the head, was put on -under it. Over their shoulders they wore Cathcart’s oilskins; -and sand-bags, pieces of knapsacks, anything that would -bend, were wrapped round the legs by way of gaiters. Some -had loose Russian boots, which were worn over the trousers; -for the cold was intense and food and fuel scanty, and everything -that could give warmth, for comfort it could not be -called, was pressed into service.</p> - -<p>Great indeed were the sufferings of the men. During the -whole month of December fresh meat was only served out -two or three times, and they could not obtain vegetables of -any kind. Some warm articles of clothing were indeed supplied; -such as jerseys, drawers, blankets, socks and mitts; -but these were not in sufficient quantities. The men were -seven hours out of twenty-four in the trenches. Fifteen men -of the 1st Battalion were wounded in the trenches during the -month, of whom one died.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 4, 1855, by the efforts of the men of the 1st -Battalion, assisted by two carts and six ponies from Head-quarters, -put at the disposal of the Battalion by the kindness -of Lord Raglan and his Staff, the materials of the first wooden -hut were brought from Balaklava to the front, but not without -the loss of one horse, and the break-down of one cart; the -Battalion, though probably weaker in numbers than any -regiment at the front, showing a noble example, and proving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span> -the possibility (which some had doubted) of bringing a hut -up at this season from Balaklava to the plateau on which the -army was encamped. For driving snow and inclement weather -continued for some weeks. They proceeded as opportunity -admitted to get up the huts, the 2nd Battalion beginning to -erect theirs on the 22nd.</p> - -<p>During this time of suffering and disease (for diarrhœa, -dysentery and pulmonary complaints prevailed, and thirty-four -men of the 1st Battalion died during this month) the camp of -the Riflemen was frequently visited by Lord Raglan; who on -one occasion, finding a deficiency of port wine in the hospital -marquee, immediately sent down four bottles from his own -quarters.<a name="FNanchor_254_254" id="FNanchor_254_254"></a><a href="#Footnote_254_254" class="fnanchor">[254]</a></p> - -<p>On January 17, 1855, General Sir Andrew F. Barnard, -Colonel Commandant of the 1st Battalion, died at his residence -at Chelsea Hospital, of which he was Lieutenant-Governor. -On his death Sir Harry Smith became Colonel Commandant -of the 1st, and Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, -who had as Lieutenant-Colonel for seventeen years commanded -the 2nd Battalion, became its Colonel Commandant.</p> - -<p>On February 1, Colonel Norcott joined, and took command -of the 1st Battalion, to which he succeeded by Beckwith’s -death; and thus the son of one of the earliest officers -of the Regiment succeeded the nephew of another, both of -whom had commanded it in many bloody fields.</p> - -<p>On February 19 a party of the 2nd Battalion, under -Colonel Macdonell, formed part of a reconnaissance in force -under Sir Colin Campbell. They were under arms soon after -midnight, and about four in the morning moved down towards -the plain, and marched in the direction of Kamara and -Tchorgúna. It was snowing heavily when they started, and -the storm increased as the day broke. The Riflemen preceded -the advance in skirmishing order. Orders were given -not to fire if they came on the enemy, and it was hoped that -they might be surprised; but the density of the snow-storm -prevented the men seeing many feet to their front. However, -the skirmishers made three sentries prisoners, who were probably -part of the picquet at Kamara. And it seemed that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> -the alarm was given; for the vedettes fell back firing their -carbines into the darkness, the drums were heard beating to -arms, and through the snow their battalions were dimly seen -assembling on the heights over the Tchernaya. The snow -fell more thickly than ever; the men could scarcely hold -their rifles; the position and strength of the enemy were unknown; -and Sir Colin gave the word to return. The Riflemen -arrived in camp about eleven in the forenoon, suffering -much from cold and fatigue.</p> - -<p>On the 24th the 1st Battalion marched down to Balaklava -and exchanged the Minié rifle for the Enfield. This was -the long Enfield, for which the short Enfield was afterwards -substituted.</p> - -<p>On March 7 Major Macdonell took command of the four -companies of the 2nd Battalion at Balaklava, Colonel Bradford -having been promoted to the command of the 3rd Battalion, -which was now again raised.</p> - -<p>During this month the work in the trenches was, owing -to the shortness of the numbers effective, most severe and -harassing to the men. Many sank under it. But as regards -provisions and comforts, things began to mend. For these -were issued not only from Government stores, but were also -provided from private sources. About the middle of March -the climate much improved, and from that time, though the -duties were still severe, the sufferings of the Riflemen much -diminished.</p> - -<p>On March 23 the Russians made a great attack on the -whole length of the allied line. It was particularly severe on -the right attack; Captain Forman’s company formed part of -the trench guard, and was actively engaged. This attack was -led by a Greek in full dress who rushed at the magazine, and -fired his musket into it, but it was empty; and he was immediately -bayonetted in the trench.</p> - -<p>After this the enemy began firing shells into the camp -of the 1st Battalion, but without doing any material injury. -During the month of March three sergeants and 82 men died, -of whom 1 sergeant and 10 men died in camp; the remainder -at Scutari or Kulalie.</p> - -<p>During this month seven men of the 2nd Battalion were -wounded in the trenches.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span></p> - -<p>On March 19 the 1st and 2nd Battalions were augmented to -sixteen companies, and were to consist of the following -numbers:</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs70"><td class="tdc">Lieutenant-Cols.</td><td class="tdc">Majors</td><td class="tdc">Captains</td><td class="tdc">Lieutenants</td><td class="tdc">Ensigns</td><td class="tdc">Staff</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">2</td><td class="tdc">2</td><td class="tdc">16</td><td class="tdc">26</td><td class="tdc">14</td><td class="tdc">7</td></tr> -</table></div> -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs70"><td class="tdc"></td><td class="tdc">Staff-Sergeants</td><td class="tdc">Sergeants</td><td class="tdc">Buglers</td><td class="tdc">Corporals</td><td class="tdc">Privates</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc"></td><td class="tdc">9</td><td class="tdc">100</td><td class="tdc">41</td><td class="tdc">100</td><td class="tdc">1,900</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>On April 9, fire was reopened and kept up till the 12th, -and on the 13th volunteers were called for to man the rifle -pits in front of No. 7 battery. Lieutenant the Hon. A. -Anson<a name="FNanchor_255_255" id="FNanchor_255_255"></a><a href="#Footnote_255_255" class="fnanchor">[255]</a> and eighteen men of the 1st Battalion volunteered for -the duty. They occupied the pits from daylight until dark; -but suffered a heavy loss, Sergeant Devitt and four men being -killed. These pits were afterwards connected and formed the -fourth parallel.</p> - -<p>On April 22 a bandsman of the 2nd Battalion named -Wright, who was on duty in the trenches, going to fetch -water from a well in front of the advanced trench near the -Quarries, was killed; it being impossible to throw up any -cover near the well in consequence of the rockiness of the -soil. This man being a great favourite of his comrades, a -number of them rushed out determined to drive out the -Russian riflemen, by whose fire he had fallen, from the pits -which they occupied. Three men, Bradshaw, Humpston and -MacGregor, were the first to reach them, and drove the -Russians out, killing some while a few escaped. For this -gallant deed these three Riflemen received the Victoria Cross, -Bradshaw being also decorated with the French War Medal.<a name="FNanchor_256_256" id="FNanchor_256_256"></a><a href="#Footnote_256_256" class="fnanchor">[256]</a></p> - -<p>About this time clothing of a new pattern was served -out to both Battalions; a tunic being substituted for the old -coatee for the men, and taking the place of the jacket and -pelisse for the officers, which they had both worn with slight -variations since the formation of the Regiment.</p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion received their new clothing April 1855, -partly coatees and partly the new tunic.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span></p> - -<p>In April two men of the 1st Battalion died of wounds -received from the enemy.</p> - -<p>The left wing of the 2nd Battalion embarked on May 3 -as part of the Expedition destined for Kertch; but the order -having been countermanded after they had arrived at the -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rendezvous</i>, they landed again and joined the Head-quarters -before Sebastopol on May 8.</p> - -<p>On May 18 the Queen in person distributed the Crimean -Medal on the Horse Guards parade, when the following officers -and men of the Regiment received it from Her Majesty’s -hands:</p> - -<p>Lieutenant-Colonels Bradford and Horsford; Majors Elrington, -Hardinge, the Earl of Errol and the Hon. G. Elliott; -Captains Inglis, Newdigate, Ross, Drummond, Nixon, C. -Buller, Warren, Rowles, Lindsay, Bourchier, Deedes.</p> - -<p>Second Battalion: Corporal William Muggridge (wounded), -Privates Thomas Palmer (wounded), William Careless (wounded) -and T. Dulahan.</p> - -<p>Third Battalion: Colour-Sergeant Andrew Holdaway, -Sergeant James Johnson and Private John Titcombe.</p> - -<p>In May one man of the 2nd Battalion was killed; and 1 -officer and 12 men were wounded in the trenches; of whom 3 -died. One man was killed in action.</p> - -<p>On June 7 the 2nd Battalion was engaged in the attack -and capture of the Quarries, one of the principal outworks of the -enemy, and had one Rifleman killed and 11 wounded. On -that evening a working party of the 1st Battalion, consisting -of all the men off duty, were employed to turn the works thus -captured, and to make a covered way to the Mamelon. Several -attempts were made by the enemy during the night to retake -these works; and just before daylight a fierce attack was made. -It was at first almost a hand-to-hand fight, and the Riflemen -were for a time driven out of the works, but they eventually -repulsed their assailants. These frequent attacks however -seriously hindered their work, as the men were obliged to -stand to their arms as often as the advanced sentries fell -back.</p> - -<p>On the evening of the 17th orders were issued to the 4th -Division that it should attack the proper left face of the -Redan. The 1st Battalion furnished 100 men under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> -command of Captain the Hon. James Stuart,<a name="FNanchor_257_257" id="FNanchor_257_257"></a><a href="#Footnote_257_257" class="fnanchor">[257]</a> with Lieutenants -Boileau and Saunders,<a name="FNanchor_258_258" id="FNanchor_258_258"></a><a href="#Footnote_258_258" class="fnanchor">[258]</a> to act as a covering party. -They were to get as near the works as possible and to pick -off the Russians if they showed themselves above the parapet -while the storming party advanced. This party left the camp -at a quarter after one in the morning of the 18th, and occupied -the trench round the Quarries until daybreak. But instead of -issuing from the trench at once in extended order, they were -moved down to the left, and passing a narrow opening between -two rifle-pits, began to extend on the enemy’s side of the cover -afforded by the parapet of the trench. As soon as they appeared -the enemy poured grape and canister, and opened -musketry fire on them from the parapet of the Redan. The -Riflemen were mown down like grass, but pushing on to the -right advanced followed by the crew of the ‘Leander’ carrying -the scaling ladders. Boileau, sword in hand, and shouting out -‘Come on, Rifles!’ gallantly led on his party, and endeavoured -to get them below the line of fire from the guns. But these -brave men, not being supported, were eventually obliged to -withdraw. They had got up to an <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">abattis</i> in front of the -Redan and lay close under it until the middle of the day. -For unfortunately they did not discover in time that the attack -had failed; and there seemed no possibility of their crossing -the open ground between their then position and the trenches -in broad daylight without immense loss. Happily for them -a sand-storm swept across the ground about mid-day; and -screened by that they retired, regained the trenches, and -returned to their camp.</p> - -<p>The remainder of the Battalion, under Colonel Norcott, -left camp about an hour after the covering party and occupied -the trenches in front of the Redan, but were not moved -out against the enemy.</p> - -<p>The Light Division was directed to storm the right face -of the Redan. And the 2nd Battalion furnished a ladder -party of 100 men under Captain Blackett; a woolbag party -of the same number under Lieutenant Fremantle;<a name="FNanchor_259_259" id="FNanchor_259_259"></a><a href="#Footnote_259_259" class="fnanchor">[259]</a> a covering -party of the same number under Captain Forman; and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span> -working and gabion party under Colonel Macdonell. The -attack was led by Captain Forman, who was killed. But -these parties were only supported by the 34th Regiment; -thus this attack likewise failed, and the troops were recalled -and returned to their respective camps.</p> - -<p>In the 1st Battalion Lieutenant Boileau was wounded, and -died at Malta on August 1; one sergeant (Jerram) and 7 -men were killed; and 11 men were wounded. And in the 2nd -Battalion, besides Captain Forman, 2 sergeants and 23 rank -and file were killed; and Captain Blackett (who lost his leg), -Lieutenants Knox (who lost his arm) and Fremantle were -severely wounded; and 3 sergeants and 75 rank and file were -wounded.</p> - -<p>At night the enemy made a general attack on the English -lines; but were repulsed without any loss in the Regiment.</p> - -<p>When parties were sent out to collect the dead on the -19th (a flag of truce having come in at four <span class="fs70">P.M.</span>) the body of -Sir John Campbell, who had led the attack of the 4th Division, -was found inside the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">abattis</i>; and that of Private Flannery of -the 1st Battalion was found close to the ditch, and twenty -yards in advance of where Sir John lay.</p> - -<p>At night the cemetery was occupied and a communication -carried down to it from the caves.<a name="FNanchor_260_260" id="FNanchor_260_260"></a><a href="#Footnote_260_260" class="fnanchor">[260]</a></p> - -<p>On June 30 Lieutenant Woodford of the 2nd Battalion -was wounded when on duty in the trenches, and died on the -same day.</p> - -<p>On July 3 Captain Fyers was coming off picquet in the -advanced works with about 400 men. They were retiring -by a zig-zag which by some oversight of the Engineers was -directly enfiladed by a Russian gun. As soon as the men -were well in the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyau</i> a round shot was fired, which, bounding -along, knocked down 13 men, of whom 8 were killed or -died of their wounds.<a name="FNanchor_261_261" id="FNanchor_261_261"></a><a href="#Footnote_261_261" class="fnanchor">[261]</a> The wounded were removed by Fyers, -Colour-Sergeant Kemp, and some soldiers of another regiment -who came to their assistance. The rest of the men turned -into another zig-zag not exposed to this fire. The ball after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span> -this destructive course ran along the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyau</i> and stopped -against the bank of the parallel, a dead ball.<a name="FNanchor_262_262" id="FNanchor_262_262"></a><a href="#Footnote_262_262" class="fnanchor">[262]</a></p> - -<p>On July 3 the body of Lord Raglan, Commander-in-Chief, -who died on June 28, was conveyed on a gun-carriage to -Kazatch bay, and was embarked on board the ‘Caradoc’ and -taken to England. A party of 100 men of each Battalion -accompanied his remains to the place of embarkation.</p> - -<p>The siege continued during the months of July and -August. The duties in the trenches were constant, and the -Riflemen were engaged either in working parties or in -covering them.<a name="FNanchor_263_263" id="FNanchor_263_263"></a><a href="#Footnote_263_263" class="fnanchor">[263]</a> Almost nightly attacks were made on -these parties; and they were vigorously plied with shot and -shell.</p> - -<p>On the evening of September 1 a party of the 2nd Battalion -were ordered to cover a sap which was in course of -construction from the fifth parallel towards the flank of the -Redan.</p> - -<p>At 7.30 Captain Balfour,<a name="FNanchor_264_264" id="FNanchor_264_264"></a><a href="#Footnote_264_264" class="fnanchor">[264]</a> with one subaltern (Lieutenant -Cary), 2 sergeants and 48 rank and file, left the camp for that -duty. The Russians had erected a screen of stones about 80 -yards in front of the head of the sap, as a protection to their -sentries; and their reserves occupied a pit behind this screen -and also a ravine on their left in which there was a cave. -Captain Balfour detached Cary with one sergeant and 23 men -to proceed down the ravine and turn the Russian left; while -he himself with the remainder of the party made a rush at -the screen of stones behind which the Russian riflemen were -posted. After a short but sharp encounter the Russians -abandoned the screen of stones and the pit, and retired towards -the ditch of the Redan and to a small graveyard in the Karabelnaia -ravine.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Cary and Sergeant Henry Wood much distinguished -themselves in this affair, and were both wounded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span> -One Rifleman was killed and 14 were wounded. Cary died -at Malta, from the effects of his wounds, on November 9.</p> - -<p>On September 8, when the assault was to take place, one -half of the 1st Battalion being in the trenches under Colonel -Norcott, the remainder, consisting of about 280 men under -Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset, moved out of camp at eleven -<span class="fs70">A.M.</span> and took up a position in reserve on the Woronzow road.</p> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion furnished a covering party for the -assault of the Redan consisting of 100 men, under the command -of Captain Fyers, who were to cover the advance of the -ladder party, and to keep down the fire from the parapet; a -party, also of 100 men, under Captain Balfour, occupied some -broken ground and a Russian rifle-pit in front of and to the -right of our most advanced works, who were also directed to -keep down the fire from the parapet. With the same object -two parties of 50 men each under Lieutenants Baillie and -Playne, were stationed, one in the fifth parallel, and one in -the Woronzow road. The remainder of the Battalion, about 230 -men under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, -took part in the general attack.</p> - -<p>These men had to advance 150 yards, exposed to a most -terrible fire in front and flank. This attack, most gallantly -carried out, was not entirely successful; though, as is well -known, the operations of this day led to the abandonment of -the works by the Russians, and the fall of the place.</p> - -<p>During the night following this attack Major Woodford -(who had been slightly wounded) and Captain Balfour, with -about 150 Riflemen, occupied the stone screen, the rifle pit, -and the cave above mentioned. Major Woodford (it is said) -had obtained a promise from Sir Colin Campbell that, if his -Highlanders assaulted the Redan on the next morning, these -men should again form a covering party. But the dawn of -the 9th revealed the fact that the Russians were abandoning -the flaming town; and the services of these Riflemen, utterly -exhausted by the fighting and excitement of the assault, were -not required.</p> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion lost 2 officers, Captain Hammond -and Lieutenant Ryder, 4 sergeants and 19 rank and file -killed. And 8 officers, Major Woodford, Captain the Hon. -B. R. Pellew, Lieutenants Eyre, Riley, Eccles, Moore, Borough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span> -and Playne, 8 sergeants, 1 bugler and 128 rank and file -were wounded.<a name="FNanchor_265_265" id="FNanchor_265_265"></a><a href="#Footnote_265_265" class="fnanchor">[265]</a></p> - -<p>The following interesting account of Captain Hammond -and Lieutenant Ryder is extracted from a letter written by -Staff Assistant-Surgeon Walter Clegg, dated September 9, -1855:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘With Captain Hammond’s name you will be familiar, as I -frequently mentioned to you the many acts of kindness I -received from him when he commanded the Depôt at Fort -Cumberland. A braver soldier never on that day mounted -the Redan; a Christian of more unaffected piety never -entered the presence of God.</p> - -<p>‘He had only been in the Crimea forty-eight hours when -he was killed. When the Rifles were forming for the assault, a -young subaltern, going into action for the first time, who had -come out with Hammond, addressed him: “Captain Hammond, -how fortunate we are! we are just in time for Sebastopol.”</p> - -<p>‘Hammond’s eye was gazing where the rays of the sun -made a path of golden light over the sea, and his answer was -short and remarkable, and accompanied by the quiet smile -which those who knew him so well remember: “I am quite -ready,” said he.</p> - -<p>‘The next that was seen of Hammond was when his -sword was flashing at one of the embrasures of the Redan. -He was indeed at the head of his company, fighting to gain -an entrance for them.</p> - -<p>‘A dozen bayonets were at his heart and once he was -dragged in a prisoner. In a few minutes he was recognised -again outside the embrasure, still hacking with his sword. -The next morning at six o’clock Captain Balfour found him in -the ditch beneath a dozen of the slain, with a bayonet wound -through his heart.</p> - -<p>‘Hammond and Ryder were buried this afternoon in the -burial-ground of the division, rendered sacred long ago by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span> -sepulture of brave men. Ryder was barely eighteen years -old.</p> - -<p>‘Before the assault had lasted an hour he was shot in the -throat and fell, and was carried to the rear and consigned to -the surgeon. But as it happened the surgeon was engaged -at the moment that Ryder was brought in, and the young -Lieutenant tied his handkerchief round his throat, and was -seen again on the ladder, and when he was found the next day -in the ditch a bayonet thrust had transfixed his forehead.’<a name="FNanchor_266_266" id="FNanchor_266_266"></a><a href="#Footnote_266_266" class="fnanchor">[266]</a></p> -</div> - -<p>The English troops now took possession of the Redan and -the Karabelnaia district, and the Regiment took its share of -the duty in Sebastopol during the destruction of the dock-yard -and other works. Soon after the taking of the place a -detachment of the 2nd Battalion, consisting of 8 officers, 12 -sergeants and 200 men, under the command of Captain -Fyers, proceeded to Head-quarters, where they acted as -escort or body-guard to the Commander-in-Chief.</p> - -<p>On October 1 Colonel Norcott having proceeded to -England, the command of the 1st Battalion devolved on -Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset, who going to England on the -24th, Lord Alexander Russell took command. And on the 14th -Colonel Hill having arrived from England, assumed command -of the 2nd Battalion.</p> - -<p>A great attack on the Inkerman side having been expected -in consequence of telegraphic information from England, -both Battalions were under arms at an early hour on -the 16th and the following mornings for some time.</p> - -<p>On the 26th Colour-Sergeant Noseley, who had been -reported as killed at the battle of Inkerman, rejoined the -1st Battalion, he having been wounded and taken prisoner by -the Russians. He was the only man of the Battalion who -was in the hands of the enemy during the campaign.</p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion continued to occupy the ground on -which it was encamped. And early in November pannelled -huts began to be erected.</p> - -<p>On November 15, about two o’clock in the afternoon, a -tremendous explosion took place in the French siege train, -situated at the head of a ravine which ran down towards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span> -Careenage bay. Colour-Sergeant Pescott of the 1st Battalion, -who had gone down in charge of a fatigue party, received -injuries from a rocket, from the effects of which he died. And -Lieutenant Eccles and several men of the 2nd Battalion were -wounded, two of whom died from the injuries then inflicted.</p> - -<p>On the 17th Lieutenant Borough, 2nd Battalion, died of -fever.</p> - -<p>On the 26th no one was reported sick in the 1st -Battalion; this was the second time only that such an occurrence -had taken place since its arrival in the East.</p> - -<p>During the winter the Battalions were employed in road-making, -in fetching up huts, in furnishing picquets, or guards -in the town.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On February 24, 1856, the two Battalions (with the rest -of the army) paraded on the Telegraph hill above Balaklava -for the inspection of the Commander-in-Chief, General Codrington; -Marshal Pelissier was also present.</p> - -<p>Though the cold was very severe and much snow fell in -the early part of this year, the Riflemen, having the protection -of the huts and sufficient rations and fuel, were in far greater -comfort than during the preceding winter. A theatre was -erected with wood fetched from Sebastopol. Other amusements -beguiled the time not required for duties, and in a -foot race of the whole army on March 19, Lieutenant Palliser -of the 1st Battalion won the officers’ hurdle race, and Lieutenant -Thomas, 2nd Battalion, came in second.</p> - -<p>The whole English army paraded in the afternoon of -April 17 for the inspection of the Russian General Lüders. -The Generals having gone down the line the troops marched -past and returned to their camps.</p> - -<p>On the 25th the 1st Battalion paraded for the inspection -of General Vanlinsky, who had commanded the Russian -troops on Mackenzie heights on September 25, 1854.</p> - -<p>On May 9 a Rifleman (Private Connolly of the 1st Battalion) -died from the effects of a wound received on April 26, -by the explosion of a Russian shell, which was carelessly -dropped by a soldier of another regiment, while they were -gathering shells in Sebastopol.</p> - -<p>On the 24th the two Battalions were marched to Balaklava<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span> -plains to celebrate (with the rest of the troops) the Queen’s -birthday. On this occasion the medals granted by the -Emperor of the French were distributed.</p> - -<p>On June 4 the 1st Battalion marched to Balaklava at eight -in the morning, and embarked immediately in H.M.S. ‘Apollo,’ -and went out of harbour in tow of H.M.S. ‘Medusa;’ and -after touching at Scutari, Malta, Algiers and Gibraltar, -anchored off Corunna on the 27th. Here they were visited by -Spanish Generals, soldiers, ladies (upward of fifty of whom came -on board), and apparently everyone who could get a seat in a -boat. A strange contrast to the scene forty-seven years before, -when the Battalion embarked at Corunna!</p> - -<p>Leaving Corunna on the 28th the Battalion landed at -Portsmouth on July 7, and proceeding at once to Aldershot -by rail, encamped there.</p> - -<p>On June 8 the 2nd Battalion embarked at Balaklava on -board the sailing transport ‘King Philip,’ and arrived at -Portsmouth on July 11 and proceeded by rail to Aldershot.</p> - -<p>On the 1st Battalion leaving the Crimea the following -General Order was published by Major-General Garrett, -K.H., commanding the 4th Division:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Camp before Sebastopol, June 3, 1856. Division After-Order.</p> - -<p>‘Major-General Garrett regrets that the separation of the -1st Battalion Rifle Brigade from the 4th Division by their -embarkation to-morrow for England, calls on him to take -leave of them.</p> - -<p>‘The Major-General will look back with pride and -pleasure to those eventful days when they were under his -command, first as a Brigadier and afterwards commanding the -Division, for upwards of a year and a half. During that period -the willingness and smartness which the officers and the men -invariably evinced, whether on duties in camp or in the -trenches, clearly showed that that magnificent <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">esprit de corps</i> -which descended from their predecessors, the old 95th, still -animates the young soldiers, who were brought to supply the -heavy casualties of the late campaign; which they quickly -caught up from the fine old soldiers whose education had -been formed in the rough and arduous enterprises of two -Kaffir wars.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span></p> - -<p>‘That that noble <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">esprit de corps</i> may never fail them is the -sincere wish of the Major-General, who hopes soon to see -them exhibiting that spirit amongst their comrades in England.’</p></div> - -<p>On July 8 the 1st Battalion was reviewed by the Queen, -when the officers who disembarked with the Battalion, 8 sergeants, -7 buglers, 8 corporals and 9 privates, were selected to -be addressed personally by Her Majesty. And being (with -others) formed up round her carriage Her Majesty addressed -them in the following words:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘Officers, Non-commissioned officers, and soldiers: I -wish personally to convey to you, for the regiments assembled -here this day, my hearty welcome on their return to England -in health and full efficiency.</p> - -<p>‘Say to them, I have watched anxiously over their different -trials and hardships which they have so nobly borne; that -I mourn with deep sorrow for the brave men who have fallen -for their country; and that I have felt proud of that valour, -which with their gallant allies, they have displayed in the -field. I thank God that your dangers are over whilst the -glory of your deeds remains; but I know that should your -services be again required, you will be animated by the same -devotion which in the Crimea has rendered you invincible.’</p> -</div> - -<p>And on the 16th the 2nd Battalion was reviewed by Her -Majesty, when the 1st Battalion was also present. The appearance -of the Riflemen, all of whom wore the Crimean Medal, -with three or four clasps, many the Kaffir Medal, and some the -Sardinian and other decorations, specially attracted attention.</p> - -<p>The two Battalions were again reviewed by Her Majesty -on July 30.</p> - -<p>By letter from the War Office, dated August 11, the -strength of the 1st Battalion was reduced from 109 sergeants, -41 buglers, and 2,000 rank and file, to 57 sergeants, -25 buglers, and 1,000 rank and file. A similar reduction took -place in the 2nd Battalion.</p> - -<p>On April 1, 1855, a 3rd Battalion was, a second time, added -to the Regiment. They were formed at Haslar barracks, -under Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford, by transfers from the -Depôts of the 1st and 2nd Battalions; but as he very shortly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span> -afterwards exchanged with Colonel Hill,<a name="FNanchor_267_267" id="FNanchor_267_267"></a><a href="#Footnote_267_267" class="fnanchor">[267]</a> to the Royal -Canadian Rifle Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford -assumed the command and in fact made this new Battalion. -They were inspected on June 25 by Major-General Breton, -their strength then being 29 officers and 590 men.</p> - -<p>On August 3 they moved by rail to Aldershot. And -soon after 240 volunteers were received from the 1st Middlesex, -1st Surrey, and East Warwick, and on October 11, 180 -volunteers from the Royal Elthorne, Militia regiments. On the -22nd the Battalion was inspected by Major-General Knollys, -when its strength had increased to 39 officers and 947 men. -During the early part of 1856, volunteers continued to be -received from several Militia regiments; and on June 9 the -Battalion proceeded to Portsmouth, where, on their inspection -by Major-General Breton, the strength of the Battalion had -increased to 41 officers and 1,165 men.</p> - -<p>On August 3 the Battalion was divided into Service and -Depôt companies; the former returned to Aldershot, and -the latter (two companies) proceeded to Winchester.</p> - -<p>On September 30, in consequence of reductions, 170 men -of the 1st and 2nd Battalions were transferred to the 3rd.</p> - -<p>But on October 8 the establishment of the Battalion was -reduced to 1,000 rank and file.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion remained at Aldershot till July 27, 1857, -when they proceeded by rail to Edinburgh, where they -arrived on the 28th and occupied quarters in the Castle; one -company (Brevet-Major Oxenden’s) being detached to Greenlaw. -This detachment was relieved monthly.</p> - -<p>The following Brigade Order was issued by Major-General -the Hon. A. A. Spencer on the Battalion leaving Aldershot:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘Major-General Spencer takes leave of Lieutenant-Colonel -Somerset, the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of -the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade on their departure for Edinburgh, -with much regret.</p> - -<p>‘It is now upwards of two years since he became acquainted -and connected with the Battalion in the 4th Division before -Sebastopol, during which time he has had opportunities of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span> -judging of their soldierlike qualities and habits of discipline.</p> - -<p>‘The greatest proofs of these are the success which always -attended their separate important undertakings against the -enemy, and also their speedy recovery from the effects of -hardships they, as well as every other regiment in that army, -experienced in the winters of 1854–5.</p> - -<p>‘The Major-General now bids them farewell, and trusts it -may be his good fortune to meet them again in his military -career.’</p> -</div> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On August 5 a serious fire broke out in the old town of -Edinburgh, which the Battalion succeeded with great exertions -in extinguishing. Their conduct on this occasion elicited the -following letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset from the -Lord Provost:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Edinburgh, August 11, 1857.</p> - -<p>‘Sir,—I have the honour to convey a resolution unanimously -adopted by the magistrates and town council of this -city at their meeting to-day, to express their warm and cordial -thanks to the officers and men of your regiment for the valuable -and effective aid rendered by you in extinguishing the -late fire and preserving order.</p> - -<p class="right"> -‘(Signed) <span class="pad2"><span class="smcap">John Melvill,</span> Lord Provost.</span></p> - -<p class="fs70">‘Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset, C.B., Rifle Brigade.’</p> -</div> - -<p>During the time the Battalion was at Edinburgh the men -received the short Enfield and resumed the armament of the -sword bayonet, as of old.</p> - -<p>Riots of the mill-hands being apprehended, three companies -of the Battalion were hurriedly moved by rail to -Glasgow on November 11 in aid of the Civil power; and these -were reinforced by an additional company on December 1.</p> - -<p>A few days afterwards the Head-quarters and remaining -companies of the Battalion followed them to Glasgow, arriving -there on the 10th and detaching two companies to Ayr.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remained at Aldershot until June, on -the 26th of which month they proceeded to London. And -were present at the first distribution of the Victoria Cross by -Her Majesty Queen Victoria. On which occasion the following<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span> -officers and men of the Regiment received the cross from -the hands of Her Majesty:</p> - -<p class="noindent pad2"> -Brevet-Major the Hon. H. Clifford.<br /> -Brevet-Major C. T. Bourchier.<br /> -Captain William J. Cunninghame.<br /> -Lieutenant John Knox.<br /> -Private Francis Wheatley.<br /> -Private Joseph Bradshaw.<br /> -Private Roderic MacGregor.<br /> -Private John Humpston.<br /> -</p> - -<p>After taking part in the review which followed this ceremony, -the Battalion proceeded the same evening to Liverpool, -where they embarked the following day for Dublin. And on -their arrival there Head-quarters and five companies occupied -Beggar’s-bush barracks, and the other three companies Linen-hall -barracks.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>A letter was issued from the War Office, dated September -22, 1857, by which a 4th Battalion was directed to be added -to the Regiment. This Battalion was therefore immediately -formed at Winchester under Lieutenant-Colonel Elrington, -who was promoted from Senior Major on September 1.</p> - -<p>Recruiting at once commenced, and transfers were received -from the 1st and 2nd Battalions, and from some other -regiments, so that by the end of the year the Battalion had -attained a strength of 28 sergeants, 10 corporals, 15 buglers -and 413 privates.</p> - -<p>They proceeded by rail on December 15 from Winchester -to Chichester.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J347" id="J347"></a> -<p class="pad3 fs70">Plate IV.</p> -<img src="images/i_347fp.jpg" width="500" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -RIFLE BRIGADE,<br /> -1856 TO 1860. -</div> -</div> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_218_218" id="Footnote_218_218"></a><a href="#FNanchor_218_218"><span class="label">[218]</span></a> An engraving of this camp of the 1st Battalion will be found in the ‘Illustrated -London News,’ vol. xxv. p. 320.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_219_219" id="Footnote_219_219"></a><a href="#FNanchor_219_219"><span class="label">[219]</span></a> Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur J. Lawrence, K.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_220_220" id="Footnote_220_220"></a><a href="#FNanchor_220_220"><span class="label">[220]</span></a> Being a total of 33 officers, and 959 of inferior ranks. With these numbers -the ‘Medical History,’ i. 452, nearly agrees: it enumerates 32 officers and 961 of -inferior ranks.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_221_221" id="Footnote_221_221"></a><a href="#FNanchor_221_221"><span class="label">[221]</span></a> Colonel Newdigate, Commanding Rifle Depôt.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_222_222" id="Footnote_222_222"></a><a href="#FNanchor_222_222"><span class="label">[222]</span></a> During the months of July and August, while the Battalion was in Bulgaria, -it lost thirty men from cholera. ‘Medical and Surgical History of the British -Army,’ ii. 50.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_223_223" id="Footnote_223_223"></a><a href="#FNanchor_223_223"><span class="label">[223]</span></a> Major-General Elrington, C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_224_224" id="Footnote_224_224"></a><a href="#FNanchor_224_224"><span class="label">[224]</span></a> Colonel Fyers, C.B. (retired).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_225_225" id="Footnote_225_225"></a><a href="#FNanchor_225_225"><span class="label">[225]</span></a> Colonel the Hon. W. J. Colville.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_226_226" id="Footnote_226_226"></a><a href="#FNanchor_226_226"><span class="label">[226]</span></a> Major-General Norcott, C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_227_227" id="Footnote_227_227"></a><a href="#FNanchor_227_227"><span class="label">[227]</span></a> Kinglake, vol. ii. 187.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_228_228" id="Footnote_228_228"></a><a href="#FNanchor_228_228"><span class="label">[228]</span></a> Major-General W. H. Bradford.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_229_229" id="Footnote_229_229"></a><a href="#FNanchor_229_229"><span class="label">[229]</span></a> Sir Arthur Lawrence’s letters, and information from Colonel Fyers.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_230_230" id="Footnote_230_230"></a><a href="#FNanchor_230_230"><span class="label">[230]</span></a> Record of 1st Battalion, and see <a href="#Page_309">p. 309</a>. But Surgeon Bowen, in the -‘Medical and Surgical History of the British Army,’ states the total loss from -cholera during the month to be thirteen, and that all, with one exception, occurred -on the line of march.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_231_231" id="Footnote_231_231"></a><a href="#FNanchor_231_231"><span class="label">[231]</span></a> An engraving of ‘Riflemen in the Trenches’ is in the ‘Illustrated London -News,’ vol. xxv. p. 573.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_232_232" id="Footnote_232_232"></a><a href="#FNanchor_232_232"><span class="label">[232]</span></a> Wheatley entered my service as lodge-keeper at Bramshill Park on his discharge, -and died May 21, 1865.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_233_233" id="Footnote_233_233"></a><a href="#FNanchor_233_233"><span class="label">[233]</span></a> ‘Letters from Head-Quarters by a Staff Officer,’ [Colonel the Hon. S. Calthorpe], -p. 101.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_234_234" id="Footnote_234_234"></a><a href="#FNanchor_234_234"><span class="label">[234]</span></a> Hannan was one of a hundred men given by the 1st to the 2nd Battalion, -before they embarked for the Crimea. He had been noted for his daring in the -Kaffir War. He and Ferguson were fellow-countrymen, both being from the north -of Ireland.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_235_235" id="Footnote_235_235"></a><a href="#FNanchor_235_235"><span class="label">[235]</span></a> ‘Illustrated London News,’ vol. xxv. p. 466. The newspaper writer who -records this, while doubting the accuracy of the estimate of the number of the -enemy killed on the 19th, states this fact of the four Riflemen as ‘certain.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_236_236" id="Footnote_236_236"></a><a href="#FNanchor_236_236"><span class="label">[236]</span></a> Ibid. vol. xxv. p. 487.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_237_237" id="Footnote_237_237"></a><a href="#FNanchor_237_237"><span class="label">[237]</span></a> Captain Markham retired (from the Coldstream Guards) December 23, 1858.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_238_238" id="Footnote_238_238"></a><a href="#FNanchor_238_238"><span class="label">[238]</span></a> Nine men of the 1st Battalion were wounded in the trenches during the -month of October, of whom two died almost immediately, and one underwent -amputation of the left thigh; and of the 2nd Battalion four men were killed in the -trenches, and an officer and twenty-five men were wounded; of these five died.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_239_239" id="Footnote_239_239"></a><a href="#FNanchor_239_239"><span class="label">[239]</span></a> For this distinguished service Captain Elrington was recommended for the -Victoria Cross; but Sir George Brown demurred to forward the recommendation, -on the ground that the 2nd Battalion had not been engaged in the battle of Inkerman! -The fact being that three companies were there, and suffered the casualties -hereafter noted.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_240_240" id="Footnote_240_240"></a><a href="#FNanchor_240_240"><span class="label">[240]</span></a> Kinglake, vol. v. p. 298, quoting a letter from Lieutenant Bramston, Rifle -Brigade.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_241_241" id="Footnote_241_241"></a><a href="#FNanchor_241_241"><span class="label">[241]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel John Brett, retired full-pay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_242_242" id="Footnote_242_242"></a><a href="#FNanchor_242_242"><span class="label">[242]</span></a> Captain William Higgins, Quartermaster, half-pay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_243_243" id="Footnote_243_243"></a><a href="#FNanchor_243_243"><span class="label">[243]</span></a> Major Coote Buller died April 5, 1868.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_244_244" id="Footnote_244_244"></a><a href="#FNanchor_244_244"><span class="label">[244]</span></a> Major G. R. Noseley, Paymaster, half-pay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_245_245" id="Footnote_245_245"></a><a href="#FNanchor_245_245"><span class="label">[245]</span></a> ‘Malcolm was shot through the head; a finer and more gallant young fellow -never lived.... There is not an officer in the Regiment who does not sincerely -regret him.’—Ross’s Letter, November 7, 1854.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_246_246" id="Footnote_246_246"></a><a href="#FNanchor_246_246"><span class="label">[246]</span></a> Colonel Claude T. Bourchier, V.C., Aide-de-Camp to the Queen.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_247_247" id="Footnote_247_247"></a><a href="#FNanchor_247_247"><span class="label">[247]</span></a> Major Sir William J. M. Cuninghame, Bart., V.C., M.P., retired.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_248_248" id="Footnote_248_248"></a><a href="#FNanchor_248_248"><span class="label">[248]</span></a> I am indebted to Marshal Canrobert for a copy of this order, which conferred -so unusual and marked a distinction on the Regiment. In the letter which -accompanied the transcript the Marshal expresses his appreciation of ‘<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">la magnifique -conduite du détachment de la Rifle Brigade commandé par le Capitaine -Tryon.</span>’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_249_249" id="Footnote_249_249"></a><a href="#FNanchor_249_249"><span class="label">[249]</span></a> 105 men were employed on other duties connected with the service of the -army.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_250_250" id="Footnote_250_250"></a><a href="#FNanchor_250_250"><span class="label">[250]</span></a> In order to show the state to which the Battalion was reduced by sickness -and losses in the field, I may quote the Duty State of Woodford’s company -on January 19, 1855, which I owe to the kindness of the Hon. and Rev. -George B. Legge. By this it appears that the company which left England six -months before with a strength of about 100 men, had then present and nominally -fit for duty just <em>one sergeant and eight men</em>. Of these some were in an -exhausted and hardly efficient condition. Four non-commissioned officers and -25 privates were returned as ‘in or attending hospital,’ and 6 non-commissioned -officers, 1 bugler and 42 privates were at Balaklava or Scutari, wounded or sick. -</p> -<p> -The ‘Medical and Surgical History’ states that during the month of November -2 officers and 29 men of the 1st Battalion were killed in action or in the trenches; -and 3 officers and 131 men were wounded, of whom 13 died. -</p> -<p> -And that in the 2nd Battalion, 13 men were killed, and 1 officer and 33 men -were wounded, of whom three suffered amputation.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_251_251" id="Footnote_251_251"></a><a href="#FNanchor_251_251"><span class="label">[251]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel C. H. S. Churchill.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_252_252" id="Footnote_252_252"></a><a href="#FNanchor_252_252"><span class="label">[252]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. Blackett, half-pay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_253_253" id="Footnote_253_253"></a><a href="#FNanchor_253_253"><span class="label">[253]</span></a> ‘Letters from Head-quarters by a Staff Officer,’ 191, 3rd edition.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_254_254" id="Footnote_254_254"></a><a href="#FNanchor_254_254"><span class="label">[254]</span></a> During this month eight men of this Battalion were wounded in the trenches, -and one man, wounded in December, died of his wounds.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_255_255" id="Footnote_255_255"></a><a href="#FNanchor_255_255"><span class="label">[255]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Augustus H. A. Anson, V.C., retired.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_256_256" id="Footnote_256_256"></a><a href="#FNanchor_256_256"><span class="label">[256]</span></a> In the official notification of the grant of the Victoria Cross, MacGregor is -said to have performed this act of valour ‘in the month of July;’ but I have been -repeatedly assured by Bradshaw that he, Humpston and MacGregor were together, -and won their crosses on this occasion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_257_257" id="Footnote_257_257"></a><a href="#FNanchor_257_257"><span class="label">[257]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. James Stuart, died April 11, 1870.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_258_258" id="Footnote_258_258"></a><a href="#FNanchor_258_258"><span class="label">[258]</span></a> Captain Saunders (retired) died May 28, 1863.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_259_259" id="Footnote_259_259"></a><a href="#FNanchor_259_259"><span class="label">[259]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzroy Fremantle, Coldstream Guards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_260_260" id="Footnote_260_260"></a><a href="#FNanchor_260_260"><span class="label">[260]</span></a> One officer and 30 men of the 2nd Battalion were killed in action; and 4 officers -and 125 men wounded during the month of June. Of these 12 cases proved fatal.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_261_261" id="Footnote_261_261"></a><a href="#FNanchor_261_261"><span class="label">[261]</span></a> Three privates of the 2nd Battalion are returned in the ‘Gazette’ as killed -and 13 wounded on July 3.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_262_262" id="Footnote_262_262"></a><a href="#FNanchor_262_262"><span class="label">[262]</span></a> For his conduct on this occasion Fyers recommended Sergeant Kemp for the -Victoria Cross, but he did not receive it.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_263_263" id="Footnote_263_263"></a><a href="#FNanchor_263_263"><span class="label">[263]</span></a> Three men of the 2nd Battalion were killed, and 43 wounded during the -month of July, of these 6 terminated fatally. And 4 men, wounded in June, died -in this month. Fourteen men of the 1st Battalion were wounded in the trenches -in August, 2 of whom died. And 2 men of the 2nd Battalion were killed, and -more than 80 wounded, 6 of whom died.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_264_264" id="Footnote_264_264"></a><a href="#FNanchor_264_264"><span class="label">[264]</span></a> Major Walter Francis Balfour, retired March 10, 1857.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_265_265" id="Footnote_265_265"></a><a href="#FNanchor_265_265"><span class="label">[265]</span></a> Nineteen men of the 1st Battalion were wounded in action in September, of -whom 2 died. One of these (William Hardinge) was so much injured about the -head and face by the bursting of a shell (on September 5) that he died of lock-jaw -on the 11th. And 25 men of the 2nd Battalion were killed, and 7 officers and -181 men were wounded in action, of whom 15 died of their wounds.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_266_266" id="Footnote_266_266"></a><a href="#FNanchor_266_266"><span class="label">[266]</span></a> ‘Illustrated London News,’ xxvii. p. 394. A ‘Memoir of Captain M. M. -Hammond’ was published in 1858.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_267_267" id="Footnote_267_267"></a><a href="#FNanchor_267_267"><span class="label">[267]</span></a> Major-General Percy Hill, C.B.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">The Sepoy Mutiny having broken out, and troops being -despatched with all haste to quell it, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions -received orders to embark immediately for India.</p> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion embarked in three divisions:</p> - -<p>The first under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Woodford, -consisting of 3 captains, 5 subalterns, 21 sergeants, 7 buglers -and 322 rank and file, proceeded by rail from Dublin to Cork -on August 3, and embarked on board the ‘Lady Jocelyn’ -screw steamer. The second under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel -Fyers, consisting of 2 captains, 2 subalterns, 9 sergeants, 3 -buglers and 146 rank and file, proceeded by railway to Kingstown -and embarked on board the ‘United Kingdom’ on -August 4.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters with four companies under Lieutenant-Colonel -Hill, consisting of 3 captains, 8 subalterns, 5 staff, 30 -sergeants, 14 buglers and 292 rank and file, proceeded by -railway to Kingstown on August 6, and embarking on board -the ‘Sussex,’ hired transport, started for India on the next day.</p> - -<p>The first of these detachments (Woodford’s) arrived at -Calcutta on November 3, and disembarked.</p> - -<p>On the 7th they paraded at 3.30 to cross the Ganges, -which they did in a steamer, and at 9.30 in the evening -started by railroad for Raneegunge, where they arrived at 6.30 -on the following morning.</p> - -<p>From thence they proceeded on the 10th in carriages at -three <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> and arrived at Doomrhee at 7.30 on the next day; -whence starting at 10.30 and passing through Brohal, the -Dowah pass, and Bawa, reached Sherghotty at 8.45 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> on the -morning of the 12th.</p> - -<p>After a short halt there they started again at one <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> for -Barroon. Soon after which they crossed the river Sone, a -most tedious process; the river here being about two miles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span> -broad and reached by a long plain of sand. The carriages -had to be placed in boats; and having got over one bend of -the river, another long sandy plain had to be traversed and -then a still wider stream of water to be crossed. This -occupied a very long time; from midnight to 5.30 in the -morning; but having accomplished it they arrived at Sasseram -at 8.45 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> on the 13th. At five o’clock they started again, -and travelling through the night, were about ten <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> startled -by an alarm that they were about to be attacked. The -‘alarm’ was sounded; rifles and revolvers were got into readiness, -and some confusion occurred; but after a few minutes -it was ascertained that the alarm, from wheresoever originating, -was a false one. And on the 14th, about 10.20 in the morning, -they reached Annabad, where they halted till five, when -after passing Kurumnasa they reached the bank of the -Ganges, and crossing it in boats arrived at the Mint at -Benares about 4.45 on the morning of the 15th, where they -halted till the 18th; this being the first occasion on which they -had taken any of their things off since they left Raneegunge.</p> - -<p>On the 18th they started again at 4.15 <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> and reached -Gopeegunge at 1.45 <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> on the 19th, and after halting till -5.50 started again. Here Colonel Woodford was informed that -a rebel force of 300 or 400 cavalry, 6,000 or 7,000 infantry -and ten or twelve guns was encamped on his right, about -twenty miles from Gopeegunge. The march, or rather the -journey in bullock-carts, in the night was therefore made with -great caution and with every preparation to resist an attack. -But none was made, and on the 20th they reached the -Ganges at Allahabad about twelve <span class="fs70">P.M.</span>, and after great -difficulty in finding the camping-ground got into camp. On -that night they again had a false alarm.</p> - -<p>They halted at Allahabad till the 23rd, the intervening -time being employed in getting clothing for the men.</p> - -<p>Here the detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers, -which had sailed in the ‘United Kingdom,’ joined them; and -the whole started by rail at 8.30 on the 23rd and arrived at -Lohunga at 12.30. Here they again divided; Colonel Woodford’s -detachment proceeding by bullock-carts and Colonel -Fyers’ by route march. Woodford’s detachment started -about five, and after delays by break-down of waggons and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span> -restive oxen, arrived at Futtehpore at 4.45 on the 24th. -Starting again at eight they met a Sikh on the 25th bearing -a message from General Windham urging them to push on, -as they would be wanted. Making all speed therefore they -reached Cawnpore at 6.45 <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> and took up their quarters in -the Theatre for the night, being warned to go to camp at -four <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> on the following morning.</p> - -<p>On that morning (the 26th) they paraded at 2.30, and -shortly afterwards marched to General Windham’s camp, -which was formed near the bridge, on the road from Cawnpore -to Calpee, over the Ganges canal.</p> - -<p>They reached it about seven; and no breakfast being -provided, they received a dry biscuit and a ration of rum. -Hence they moved out to attack the Gwalior contingent, -which was posted in great force on the Pandoo Nuddee river. -They advanced, the three companies<a name="FNanchor_268_268" id="FNanchor_268_268"></a><a href="#Footnote_268_268" class="fnanchor">[268]</a> of Riflemen in front. -On approaching the enemy’s position the mutineers at once -opened fire about 9.30. ‘The battle on the part of the -British began with the companies of the Rifle Brigade. -These admirable troops at once advanced in skirmishing -order on the right of the road. The country was a good deal -encumbered with high standing corn, topes of trees, walls, -&c.’<a name="FNanchor_269_269" id="FNanchor_269_269"></a><a href="#Footnote_269_269" class="fnanchor">[269]</a> Some of the Riflemen got into ruined houses, and -having got the range picked off the enemy’s gunners. The -Gwalior contingent however held their position—a strong one, -on the right bank of the Pandoo Nuddee—for some time. -But at last the men advanced with a rush, and crossing the -almost dry bed of the river drove them back. The Riflemen -pursued them for some miles. One man only (Wolfe) was -killed in this day’s fight: he was shot through the head. At -a little before twelve the fight was over, and the Riflemen -returned towards their camp. After they had retired some -distance the mutineers pursued; and they were halted and -deployed. During this halt a ration of rum was served out -to the men. Resuming their march the Riflemen returned -to Cawnpore, and pitched their camp near the city across the -Calpee road and close to some brick-kilns. They arrived in -this camp about four <span class="smcap">P.M.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span></span></p> - -<p>On the 27th there was a false alarm at six in the morning; -but later it was found that the Gwalior contingent, with -a strength of about 25,000 men and forty guns, had commenced -a most determined attack on General Windham’s position, -both in front and on his right flank. The three companies of -Riflemen, Nixon’s, Dillon’s and Earle’s, were moved out about -noon, and posted on the right of the road to Calpee at its -junction with the Grand Trunk road to Delhi, and were immediately -under fire. ‘The heavy fighting in front, at the point of -junction of the Calpee and Delhi roads, fell more especially upon -the Rifle Brigade, ably commanded by Colonel Walpole.’<a name="FNanchor_270_270" id="FNanchor_270_270"></a><a href="#Footnote_270_270" class="fnanchor">[270]</a></p> - -<p>However the enemy were too strong for them, and they -were obliged to retire. Some officers and men occupied a -small tope of trees, but they were soon out of ammunition, -and Lieutenants George Curzon and Dugdale went back across -the open, exposed to the fire of two guns which plied them -with grape. However they succeeded in bringing up a camel -with a supply. A second, third and fourth time Curzon passed -the same ordeal in search of further ammunition or caps; -and after some unsuccessful ventures obtained a supply from -Captain Atherley of the 3rd Battalion, who with his company -after a forced march from Futtehpore (to be presently more -particularly mentioned) had arrived at Cawnpore.</p> - -<p>This retreat was covered in a most masterly manner by -the three companies under Woodford, who were extended in -a line of skirmishers over a space of nearly a mile, and for a -long time held back an enormous force of the enemy of all -arms. And had it not been for the stand made by this -detachment, it was generally supposed that the two guns of the -Naval Brigade, which had been left unprotected, would have -fallen into the enemy’s hands.<a name="FNanchor_271_271" id="FNanchor_271_271"></a><a href="#Footnote_271_271" class="fnanchor">[271]</a></p> - -<p>It was first observed by Corporal Suddlers of the 2nd -Battalion that these guns were deserted; and they were with -difficulty brought back by some Riflemen of Captain Nixon’s -company, under Lieutenant-Colonel Woodford, who took the -slings off their rifles for that purpose.<a name="FNanchor_272_272" id="FNanchor_272_272"></a><a href="#Footnote_272_272" class="fnanchor">[272]</a></p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J350" id="J350"></a> -<a href="images/i_350fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_350fp.jpg" width="400" alt="" /></a> -<p class="pad4 fs60"><em>Compiled & Drawn by Capt<sup>n</sup> H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brigade.</em></p> -<div class="right up padr4 fs60">E. Weller, <em>Litho.</em></div> -<div class="center fs70"><em>London, Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs90">PLAN OF</span><br /> -<span class="fs150 lsp2">CAWNPORE</span><br /> -in 1857. -</div> -</div> - -<p>I have now to trace the march of Fyers’ detachment of three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span> -companies, Captains the Hon. B. R. Pellew’s (commanded -by Lieutenant Grey<a name="FNanchor_273_273" id="FNanchor_273_273"></a><a href="#Footnote_273_273" class="fnanchor">[273]</a>), Warren’s, and the Hon. L. W. Milles’,<a name="FNanchor_274_274" id="FNanchor_274_274"></a><a href="#Footnote_274_274" class="fnanchor">[274]</a> -whom we saw were together with Woodford’s detachment -at Allahabad. They marched from Lohunga at midnight on -the 23rd-24th in charge of Commissariat stores; rum, rice, -sugar and ammunition on donkeys. They marched about -sixteen miles, and halted under a tope of trees till about two -the next morning; when they proceeded to Futtehpore, about -sixteen miles further, the stores in their charge being a great -impediment to their progress. They left Futtehpore again on -the 26th, and marched about seventeen miles. As the men -were pitching their tents, a messenger on a camel (the same -who had met Woodford) came in with a pencil note from -General Windham, addressed to the officer commanding the -detachment, urging him to make all speed, as troops were -wanted. The few tents already pitched were immediately -struck. Fyers placed the stores he was escorting in charge of -the police, and directed the men to carry only what was -absolutely necessary. After a halt of three hours in making -these arrangements, he started again, placing the most footsore -and the sick on elephants, and marched the men, weary as they -already were, about nineteen miles further, allowing them short -halts at intervals. Many of the men were so fatigued that -when a ‘halt’ was sounded, they fell asleep almost as soon as -they lay down on the ground. After a halt about midnight -for one hour, during which a ration of rum was issued, falling -in again, they marched forward till the morning, when Fyers -gave them another halt of an hour to prepare some breakfast. -Having had some tea and biscuit, they started again very -weary and footsore; but now the sound of heavy guns and the -rattle of musketry quickened the men. They pushed forward -with increased vigour, and arrived at Cawnpore when the -troops were retiring. They found the force engaged there in -full retreat; a mixed multitude of soldiers and civilians, these -last carrying property of various kinds, and endeavouring to -make their way to the intrenchment.</p> - -<p>The distance from Futtehpore to Cawnpore is forty-eight -miles and three-quarters. It was marched in about twenty-six<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span> -hours, the first stage with all the impediment of the -convoy of stores. The men were wearing the European dress: -cloth clothes and shakos. The march of this detachment -has never been exceeded in endurance and rapidity; and Dr. -Reade, who accompanied it, states that ‘all were well able for -any service when the march was over.’ It strikingly resembles -in more points than one the march of the 1st Battalion (with -the Light Division) from Calzada to Talavera in 1809. It -differs from it in this, that Fyers’ detachment came up in time -to take part in the fight of which the sounds had quickened -their advance.</p> - -<p>For on reaching Cawnpore Windham met them, on his -way from the front to the intrenchment, whither all were -retreating; and putting himself at their head, he led them -through the streets, ordering Fyers to fix swords, and prepare -to defend the intrenchment. This they did well, gaining the -high praise of General Windham, who then and long afterwards -expressed in strong terms how important the arrival -and the action of these companies had been to him. Footsore -and weary as they were on their march, their fatigue was -forgotten as soon as the sounds of fight told them that work -was to be done; and they fought in Cawnpore and in defence -of the intrenchment as if they were fresh from their camp. -When they got to the intrenchment they were refreshed with an -issue of grog, biscuits and tea, after which they were despatched -on outpost duty: another parallel to the march to Talavera.</p> - -<p>On this day Ensign Travers was wounded by a bullet in -the shoulder, 2 sergeants and 4 men were also wounded.<a name="FNanchor_275_275" id="FNanchor_275_275"></a><a href="#Footnote_275_275" class="fnanchor">[275]</a></p> - -<p>The companies took up their position for the night in a -ruined house.</p> - -<p>Captain Atherley’s company of the 3rd Battalion also -arrived at Cawnpore on the 27th. They had landed at Calcutta -on the 8th, and on the next day started by rail for -Raneegunge, and thence proceeded by bullock-cart up the -country. On nearing Cawnpore a messenger met them with -instructions that Atherley was not to advance, as the force at -Cawnpore was in retreat, and he might be cut off. A second -messenger informed him that he was to push on, as every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span> -man was wanted. A third soon followed with a repetition of -the first message. All this time for many hours, and while -marching many miles, the sound of heavy firing was heard. -About six in the evening a youth (a cadet), mounted on a -pony, met them, saying that the road was clear, and that -they were to hasten on and reach the town if possible. He -added that General Windham’s force was getting the worst of -it. Accordingly Atherley pushed on as fast as possible. The -firing seemed to become heavier and more furious. As the -company approached the bank of the canal, a mounted -officer, extremely agitated, rode up and said, ‘Leave all your -carts, except the ammunition; fix your bayonets, and I will -show you the way.’ Atherley, with great <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">sang-froid</i>, said, -‘We have not got any bayonets; we have swords.’ ‘Well,’ -said the other, ‘fix what you have got.’ Saying which he -galloped off and they saw him no more. Neither as they -advanced did they see any enemy; but they met some of the -2nd Battalion retiring in good order. Captain Atherley -found General Windham in or near the intrenchment, and -reported his arrival. Windham, expressing himself much -pleased at being reinforced with a hundred ‘fresh’ Riflemen -(they had just come off a fatiguing march), told him to patrol -during the night, and guard the house in which he was living. -He then asked if Atherley had had anything to eat; and being -answered in the negative, he gave him a bone with some meat -on it, which he and his two subalterns devoured in the verandah -of Windham’s quarters, cutting it off with their clasp knives.</p> - -<p>They patrolled all night in front of the intrenchment, and -guarded Major Bruce’s house, which General Windham occupied. -But the night passed without any attack from the -Sepoys or any alarm.</p> - -<p>On the 28th the Riflemen were ordered, about six in the -morning, to come into an outwork of the intrenchment; where, -having been supplied with some biscuit and tea, they were -ordered out to resist the enemy, who were expected to make -another attack. The Rifle companies, with part of the 82nd -Regiment and Captain Greene’s battery of Artillery, were -posted on the left of the canal looking from the intrenchments. -In moving to this position they were exposed to a -heavy fire of musketry and grape. The action itself began<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span> -about noon; and after hard fighting these troops repulsed -the enemy. When they arrived at their position it was discovered -that an ammunition waggon was missing, and Lieutenant -Curzon had to go back (as on the previous day) a -considerable distance in search of it, exposed to a heavy fire. -It could not be found; but he succeeded in bringing up a -camel loaded with ammunition. In the course of the fight, -Colonel Woodford, Lieutenants Playne<a name="FNanchor_276_276" id="FNanchor_276_276"></a><a href="#Footnote_276_276" class="fnanchor">[276]</a> and Nicholl, with three -Riflemen, were in a dip in the ground, in front of the enemy’s -guns, and were making good practice in picking off the gunners; -when Woodford, who was in the act of taking a shot with a -rifle at a Sepoy, was shot through the head, and, uttering an -exclamation, expired. A bugler, Bourne, carried him to a -tope<a name="FNanchor_277_277" id="FNanchor_277_277"></a><a href="#Footnote_277_277" class="fnanchor">[277]</a> of trees. Captain Dillon entered a house in which there -were some Sepoys, and his revolver missing fire, he was -bayonetted in the chest.</p> - -<p>The Riflemen took two long eighteen-pounder guns, and -the men having tackled to with ropes, drew them into the -intrenchment, a distance of more than three miles. On their -arrival they were greeted with a round of cheers for the guns, -and another for the Rifles, and, amidst great excitement, -civilians and soldiers pressed forward to offer congratulations -and refreshment to the gallant captors.</p> - -<p>Captain Atherley’s company was ordered to patrol the -native town and to clear it of any Sepoys who might be lurking -there. About four o’clock Atherley, having heard of the death -of Colonel Woodford, took his men to the front, leaving the -native town in charge of the 82nd Regiment. General Windham -ordered him to line the bank of the canal. Three guns -were brought to bear on these Riflemen, and several round -shot came amongst them, but without doing any hurt. Atherley -made his men take shelter along the bank; and selecting -two whom he knew to be excellent shots, he told them to pick -off the gunners of these guns, which were annoying the troops -from the bridges over the canal; and he desired some of their -comrades to load for them, and to hand them up rifles as fast as -they could. Thus aided, these Riflemen, creeping up near the -bridges, picked off the gunners, and effectually silenced the guns.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span></p> - -<p>As another instance of their excellence in shooting, I may -add that Atherley, in the course of this day’s fight, asked one of -his men, named Robertson, how far he estimated the distance -of the brick-kilns to be. The Rifleman replied that he did -not know; but calling Atherley’s attention to a man standing -on the top of the kiln, he put up his sight for 600 yards, fired, -and the man fell. His body was examined the next day by -Atherley, and the ball was found to have hit him in the -stomach.</p> - -<p>General Windham thus writes in his despatch of the conduct -of the Riflemen:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘On the left advance Colonel Walpole,<a name="FNanchor_278_278" id="FNanchor_278_278"></a><a href="#Footnote_278_278" class="fnanchor">[278]</a> with the Rifles, -supported by Captain Greene’s battery and part of the 82nd -Regiment, achieved a complete victory, and captured two -eighteen-pounder guns.</p> - -<p>‘The glory of this well-contested fight belongs entirely to -the above-mentioned companies and artillery. It was owing -to the gallantry of the men and officers, under the able leading -of Colonel Walpole and of my lamented relative Lieutenant-Colonel -Woodford, of the Rifle Brigade (who I deeply -regret to say was killed), and of Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, -82nd, and of Captain Greene, R.A., that this hard-contested -fight was won and brought to so profitable an end. I had -nothing to do with it beyond sending them supports, and at -the end of bringing some up myself.</p> - -<p>‘I repeat that the credit is entirely due to the above-mentioned -officers and men.’<a name="FNanchor_279_279" id="FNanchor_279_279"></a><a href="#Footnote_279_279" class="fnanchor">[279]</a></p> -</div> - -<p>The loss of the Riflemen on this day was Lieutenant-Colonel -Woodford and five men killed, and Captain Dillon -(severely), Lieutenant Lawton, 1 bugler, and 18 men wounded, -and 1 man missing.</p> - -<p>During the night of the 28th the enemy took entire possession -of the town, and on the 29th began a heavy fire -against the intrenchment; hitting the bridge of boats over -the Ganges several times, damaging the Hospital and destroying -stores. The Riflemen, who had during the night and -morning occupied the principal outwork of the intrenchment, -were ordered out by Sir Colin Campbell (who had arrived<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span> -from Lucknow on the previous evening), to endeavour to take -some guns which were doing much damage. Accordingly at -three <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> two companies of the 2nd Battalion and Atherley’s -company of the 3rd, under Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers, who -had succeeded to the command on Woodford’s death, made a -sortie. Running out over some very uneven ground, they -attacked some Sepoys who were in the Residency, and were -for some time exposed to a very severe fire. However, after -awhile they drove the enemy out of these buildings; and as -these were escaping by the back of the compound, some -Riflemen of Atherley’s company crept round stealthily under -the wall, and succeeded in catching the retreating rebels on -their swords as they leapt over it. They thus slew a large -number.</p> - -<p>However, as they did not receive reinforcements, they -were unable to take the guns, and returned to the intrenchment. -On this occasion Captain the Hon. Lewis Milles -was severely wounded, 1 man was killed, 1 sergeant and 6 -privates were wounded, of whom 1 died on December 1, and 1 -on December 7, and 1 was missing.<a name="FNanchor_280_280" id="FNanchor_280_280"></a><a href="#Footnote_280_280" class="fnanchor">[280]</a></p> - -<p>The Riflemen, or some of them at least, had not had their -clothes off since they left Allahabad; had been scantily fed, -often being for twenty-four hours with only one meal, and -sometimes that only of biscuit and tea or rum; exposed to -heat by day and great cold by night, and suffering from sore -feet. Yet they kept their spirits up, and did their work on -these four hard-fought days in a manner to elicit General -Windham’s marked approval repeatedly expressed to them.</p> - -<p>At this time the ladies and others rescued from Lucknow -were crossing the bridge of boats, an operation which occupied -about thirty hours, and Sir Colin with these and their escort -encamped near the Old Dragoon lines.</p> - -<p>From December 1 to 5 the Riflemen continued to occupy -the outwork of the intrenchment; the enemy keeping up an -occasional fire from guns planted about 450 yards from them.</p> - -<p>On the evening of the 1st Captain Warren and Lieutenants -Eccles and Grey went out with some men to recover<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span> -the body of Colonel Woodford, which they succeeded in -doing, though fired at by the Sepoys; and he was buried on -the morning of the 2nd in the intrenchment, where a tombstone -was subsequently placed over his remains by his -brother officers.</p> - -<p>On the 5th the women and children having started, the -Riflemen were ordered to move up to Sir Colin Campbell’s -camp. They started at four <span class="fs70">P.M.</span>, and did not reach their -camping-ground till after dark. Having got their tents -pitched they lay by their arms all night.</p> - -<p>Before I describe the events of December 6, it is necessary -that I should trace the movements of the 3rd Battalion which -took part in them.</p> - -<p>A detachment of that Battalion commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel -Julius Glyn, consisting of Captain Alexander’s<a name="FNanchor_281_281" id="FNanchor_281_281"></a><a href="#Footnote_281_281" class="fnanchor">[281]</a> -company and part of Captain Bourchier’s company, proceeded -from Aldershot and embarked on board the ‘Barham’ on -July 1, and after experiencing very bad weather on September -30 when south of the Cape, and a hurricane from -October 28 to 30 (during which seven of the crew were -struck by lightning), arrived at Calcutta on November 8. -They did not disembark till the 13th, and on the next day -proceeded by railway to Raneegunge, where they arrived on -the 15th at six <span class="fs70">A.M.</span></p> - -<p>On the 16th they started at 3.30 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span>, part of the detachment -being carried in bullock-carts, and part marching. They -arrived at Gyra at nine in the morning of the 17th, after a -march of thirty-eight miles. Leaving it again at three <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> -they made another march of thirty-eight miles, and reached -Doomrhee at half-past ten in the morning of the 18th. Halting -there till four <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> they arrived at Burkutta at 6.30 the next -morning, after a march of twenty-eight miles. Starting in -the afternoon at 3.30 <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> they reached Churparun at four in -the morning of the 20th. At Churparun rifles were ordered -to be loaded; and from thence they proceeded by daily -marches through Sherghotty, Norunagabad, Sasseram, Annabad, -Benares, Gopeegunge, to Allahabad, which they reached -on the 27th. On the 30th, thence proceeding by rail, they -encamped at Cheenee, the end of the railway then in course of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span> -construction. Proceeding thenceforward by route march, they -left Cheenee on December 1, and encamped on the 2nd -about six miles from Futtehpore. Starting from that in -the evening they arrived on the evening of the 3rd at a -bridge over the Pandoo Nuddee. Here they were to encamp; -and the men were set to work to pitch their tents, which they -were almost too tired to do, but which they had just accomplished, -and turned in, when the bugle sounded for ‘orders.’ -A message had been received from Sir Colin Campbell, -directing the detachment to make all speed to the front, as he -was about to engage the Gwalior contingent.</p> - -<p>The word was given to strike tents and to ‘fall in.’ This -the men did without a murmur, and resumed their march -cheerfully, weary as they were, when they knew that active -work was before them. Marching (of course with occasional -halts) the remainder of that night and the whole of the day -and night of the 4th, they arrived at Cawnpore at seven on -the morning of the 5th.</p> - -<p>This was a march of about seventy-five miles, accomplished -in a very short time; and considering that this detachment -consisted mostly of young soldiers, the Battalion having only -been formed two years before; that these men had disembarked -hardly three weeks, after being cooped up on board -ship during a four months’ voyage; that they had already -made long and fatiguing marches up the country; this -march, considering these circumstances of it, is perhaps -hardly paralleled in military history.</p> - -<p>The day of the 4th was very hot, and the men wore their -cloth European clothing. They did not however carry their -packs.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the 3rd Battalion, consisting of four -companies, under Colonel Horsford, left Aldershot on July 22 -by rail-road for Portsmouth, and embarking on board the -‘Sutlej’ sailing ship, sailed that afternoon and arrived at -Calcutta on November 8. From thence they were forwarded -to Raneegunge by rail-road, and thence proceeded in detachments, -some by bullock-train, some by horse-dâk, and some -by bearer-dâk, up the country by way of Benares and Allahabad. -Thence, as we have seen, there was rail-road communication -as far as Cheenee. I will trace from thence the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span> -progress of the Head-quarter division, consisting of 137 men -with the Staff, under Major Ross, which left Allahabad on -the 26th.</p> - -<p>After leaving Cheenee by bullock-train, some delay took -place on account of the badness of the road from this terminus -of the railway to the Great Trunk road, but they reached -Futtehpore at eight in the morning of the 27th. Major Ross -had been directed by Brigadier Campbell before leaving -Allahabad, in case the enemy were likely to interrupt him, -not to proceed beyond Futtehpore, but, in this event, to fall -back and reinforce a party of the 88th Regiment, which was -escorting the guns of Major Smith’s battery. These, however, -he had passed in the night, and in reply to inquiries -whether his escort was required, was informed by the Officer -Commanding of Windham’s engagement the day before, -and assured that there was no reason why he should not -move on.</p> - -<p>Accordingly he proceeded at three in the afternoon, and -they had advanced some twenty miles, when at about two in -the morning a camel messenger met them, with orders that -all troops moving up were to push on as fast as possible. -This opened their eyes and quickened their pulse, for it -meant that an enemy was in front. So Major Ross pushed -on as fast as he could to the next bullock-changing station, -got fresh bullocks, and gave his men some tea. Following -the Brigadier’s instructions, he awaited the artillery and 88th, -which various native travellers assured him were only five or -six miles behind him. Then he learned his first lesson of the -falsehood of native reports. For he waited in some suspense, -occupying a gravel pit, expecting every moment the appearance -of the artillery; but he waited in vain, for they had never -moved beyond Futtehpore. He had reduced at this place his -<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">impedimenta</i> from thirty-four waggons to twenty-three by re-packing; -but of these ten were filled with ammunition; rather an -onerous charge had the enemy attacked, for of his small party -about thirty were band and buglers without arms. While -waiting here, and longing for the appearance of the guns, a -messenger arrived about noon from the front, with peremptory -orders from General Windham, superseding all others, to fall -back on Futtehpore and to hold it to the last extremity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span> -before retiring further; and with intelligence that Windham -was so hard pressed by the fire of the enemy’s guns, that he -could not meet them in the open till reinforced from Lucknow. -Of course there was no alternative. Major Ross was -obliged to march his detachment back the twenty-four miles -they had come, to the no small disgust of the officers and -men, who had been within hearing of the guns at Cawnpore -(and in the night within sight of their flashes), and yet were -not to take part in the fight. However, the soldier must -obey, and they sorrowfully retraced their steps, keeping a -sharp look-out, and reached Futtehpore at about two in the -morning. They found that an attack was not unlooked for -there; for Colonel Maxwell of the 88th ordered them to -move their camp, which had been pitched about a mile and a -half from the Great Trunk road, to a position in the open -plain, where there had been a tank, now dry, the high banks -of which formed an excellent intrenchment.</p> - -<p>On December 1 came the joyful intelligence that they -were to proceed at once to the front. Accordingly, at three -in the morning of the 2nd they advanced (with the Head-quarters -of the 88th and Smith’s battery), and marching the -greater part of that day and the whole of the night (except a -two hours’ halt) arrived in camp at Cawnpore at three o’clock -next day; having done the distance in thirty-six hours. But -during the last fifteen miles of the march the officers and -men were very weary and footsore, and as they were overcome -with drowsiness from fatigue and want of sleep, the -scene was somewhat ludicrous; the men now and then lurching -from side to side till brought up by their neighbour’s -shoulder, or missing that prop, occasionally falling forward in -the road. The band, however, were wakeful enough to play -for the last quarter of a mile, and the inspiriting strains of -‘Ninety-five’ carried them cheerfully into camp, which was -pitched close to General Wheeler’s intrenchment. Once in -their tents the Riflemen were soon fast asleep. On the -morning of the 5th Colonel Horsford came up with the -remainder of the Battalion, 120 men. And that afternoon -the 2nd Battalion moved from their intrenched camp and -joined them.</p> - -<p>On the 6th tents were struck at seven in the morning, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> -the troops were formed in contiguous close columns, beyond -the canal, near the Old Dragoon lines. Here they were -halted till it was ascertained that Sir Colin Campbell was -engaged with the enemy at the bridge on their left. Then -about ten o’clock the two Battalions of Riflemen were ordered -to cross the canal by a bridge near their position. This they -did at the double with a ringing cheer, Captain Nixon’s -company of the 2nd Battalion leading in gallant style, and -forcing back the Sepoys. The 3rd Battalion were in quarter -distance column; and the first round shot fired at them -passed between the companies, doing no harm to them, but -wounding some native camp followers who were on the reverse -flank. However, the rebels had opened fire on them while -halting in a walled enclosure near the bridge, and on their -rushing out of the gate they were exposed to a sharp fire, -which brought down only one man as they were crossing the -bridge. Once over that the 3rd Battalion wheeled to the -right, both Battalions deployed into line, and fixing swords -advanced, and soon extended and cleared the woods and -houses between the canal and the body of the town. As they -advanced the enemy plied them with shot and shell, without -however doing much mischief; but Colonel Horsford, who was -leading his Battalion, was wounded by a fragment of a shell. -He continued however to lead his Battalion. In about ten -minutes the Riflemen had cleared the ground in their front, -and not a rebel was to be seen there. They then moved -towards their left to connect with the force which had crossed -by the other bridge, and where the enemy had some guns -and a body of infantry in open ground. As they approached -the Riflemen saw the rebels flying towards their camp, -pursued by Highlanders and other troops. So continuing -their advance in skirmishing order, the two Battalions swept -the ground between the town and the Great Trunk road, -passing the brick-field, and through suburbs and trees, till -they came in view of the enemy’s camp. They then closed -to their left, in order to hold possession of the camp which -the rebels had deserted, while other troops pushed on in -pursuit.</p> - -<p>However, later in the day, handing over the charge of the -captured camp to some other troops, three companies of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span> -3rd Battalion and some of the 2nd Battalion started again, -and bringing their left shoulders forward and extending, -advanced to the Subahdar’s tank, a position in rear of the -enemy’s left, and about a mile and a half in a direct line from -the intrenchments through the old cantonments. In front of -the tank the enemy had some heavy guns; some distance on -the right of the Riflemen was another gun; and two more a -little to their left. These were well protected by earthworks -or walls; a considerable body of rebels kept up a musketry -fire from topes of trees and enclosures; and the Riflemen -were exposed to showers of grape, canister and round shot. -They advanced, extended, about 300 yards on each side -of the road, slightly in advance of some heavy guns, while -the 93rd were kept in reserve. The fire of these guns soon -began to tell on the enemy. This, and the approach of the -long line of extended Riflemen, soon disheartened the enemy, -who began to give way immediately on the Riflemen passing -through the enclosures to the right and broken ground to the -left of the road. On reaching the entrance of the village, -called the Soldiers’ Burial Ground, the guns of Captain -Middleton’s battery were pushed through as rapidly as -possible, the Riflemen running up to support them. They -got very near the gun on their right and the two on their left, -and were in hopes of capturing them; but they were so much -delayed by having to climb over mud walls and pass through -enclosures to get at them, that the rebels succeeded in removing -them by the right and left, and took them among -some houses which the Riflemen had orders not to pass.<a name="FNanchor_282_282" id="FNanchor_282_282"></a><a href="#Footnote_282_282" class="fnanchor">[282]</a></p> - -<p>When it was getting late the Rifle Battalions, who were -still in pursuit of the enemy, now completely routed, were -ordered to halt, and got into some houses about five o’clock. -The night was extremely cold, and the men had nothing -but their usual clothing to cover them, not even their -great-coats. The 3rd Battalion suffered from hunger too, -as well as cold, being long without food. At last a lean cow -was discovered, and immediately killed and cut up; and the -men, roasting the tough morsels on the points of their swords, -ate them half-raw. The 2nd Battalion were in this respect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span> -more fortunate. For they got hold of a good many sheep, -and in fact regaled themselves so well on them, that they named -the house where they passed the night Mutton Bungalow.</p> - -<p>The casualties were: in the 2nd Battalion, 1 sergeant, 1 -corporal and 6 Riflemen wounded, and 1 man was killed -during the night in the town of Cawnpore, it was never known -how; in the 3rd Battalion Colonel Horsford was slightly -wounded, and 11 rank and file were wounded.</p> - -<p>At night Captain Henry R. L. Newdigate’s company, with -Major Ross, was on picquet in a Bazaar on the Bithoor road, -not far from the Subahdar’s tank. They were suddenly -startled by a noise in a large enclosure where some of the -Riflemen were posted. It turned out that some of the rebels, -mistaking their way, brought a string of camels laden with -ammunition right up to the Riflemen. The sentry challenged -rather too soon, and the mutineers fled and escaped; -but they left their camels and 20,000 rounds of ammunition -in the hands of the Riflemen. The next night the cartridges -having been broken up on the ground, a grand illumination -was produced by setting fire to the heap.</p> - -<p>On the 7th the Riflemen continued in the houses they -occupied: but some portion of the baggage of the 2nd -Battalion companies having come up, they were rather more -comfortable. The 3rd Battalion, however, were still without -food, except what the men found in native houses, till towards -evening when some rations were served out. The men were -allowed to go out to <em>loot</em>; and found much, and took many -arms and some prisoners. The night was again extremely -cold; and men and officers, not on duty, slept under a heap -of chopped straw in the hope of getting some warmth.</p> - -<p>On the 8th the companies of the 2nd Battalion were -ordered in the morning to come in and pitch camp, which -they did about half a mile from the town. But they had -hardly done so when they were ordered to move and to join -Sir Colin Campbell’s camp, some four miles in advance. -They arrived there and pitched camp shortly before dark.</p> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion also left the houses they had occupied -since the action of the 6th, and joined Sir Colin Campbell’s -camp.</p> - -<p>Before I describe the further operations of this force, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span> -must trace the movements of the Head-quarters of the 2nd -Battalion. They had embarked at Kingstown on August 6 -in the ‘Sussex,’ hired ship, consisting of 4 companies—17 -officers and 336 of other ranks, under Colonel Percy Hill. -Sailing the next day they arrived at Point de Galle, Ceylon, -on October 29; and were transhipped to the ‘Adventure’ -troop-ship, which started on November 1. The engines of -this ship were in a very faulty condition. They were frequently -stopped; and the services of a Rifleman named -Adwick were constantly called into operation to repair them. -This man had been bred an engine-maker or some such -trade, and ‘Pass the word for Adwick!’ became a well-known -signal that the engines were stopped and out of order.</p> - -<p>In consequence of these defects of her engines, the -‘Adventure’ did not reach Calcutta till November 17. On -disembarking the Riflemen went into quarters; and on the 20th -they proceeded by railway to Raneegunge, where they encamped -about a mile from the village and were detained for -some days, and whence they moved up in detachments by -bullock-carts to Benares. Here they were again detained. After -which they moved on to Allahabad, whence there were some -miles of railway towards Cawnpore, terminating at Cheenee.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters marched, as the other detachments -had, from this point. Leaving Cheenee at two in the morning -of the 11th December they arrived at Arrapore, a distance of -fourteen miles. Leaving it next day at four in the morning, -they reached Futtehpore at nine: from this they proceeded to -Kutteanpore, where they arrived at nine in the morning of -the 13th, after a march of seventeen miles and a half. On -the next day they made another march of seventeen to -Sirsour, and on the 15th arrived at Cawnpore, when they -marched in and encamped about half-past nine in the morning. -The whole of the Battalion were now reassembled; and -great was the cheering with which the detached companies -welcomed the new-comers; and with which these saluted their -comrades, who had since their separation seen so much fighting.</p> - -<p>On the 18th both Battalions, forming part of a force -under Brigadier Walpole, marched from camp at Cawnpore -and proceeded about twelve miles along the Calpee road to -Churbiere, where they arrived at four in the afternoon, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span> -halted in a capital camping-ground shaded by trees. Resuming -the march next morning about half-past six, they had in the -course of the day to cross the Pandoo Nuddee, the bridge -over which was broken. The Engineers, with great want -of forethought, had here placed two boats with one connecting -plank, so that the men were obliged to cross in single file. -There was ammunition in carts, and these, of course, had -to be unloaded, and the ammunition carried over by the men, -barrel by barrel. The consequence of this delay was that -the baggage did not reach the camp till five in the evening. -The march was about sixteen miles to Ukburpore, and the -Riflemen encamped near a large tank and close to some -trees. Here they halted till the 23rd. But on the 25th -the 3rd Battalion under Colonel Julius Glyn, with Captain -Thynne’s company of the 2nd Battalion, and some of the 9th -Lancers, went out on an expedition against the rebels, and -attacked two armed villages about eight miles distant. At -Putarah they were fired at, but captured five principal men. -They started at four in the morning, and did not return till -dark, having marched about eighteen miles, and taken eighteen -prisoners; and on the 22nd Captain Wilmot’s company, -with some of the 9th Lancers, went out on a similar expedition, -but returned to camp by ten o’clock. Among the -prisoners made on the first of these occasions were a brigadier -of the Gwalior contingent and his son, a man who had letters -about him addressed to Nana Sahib, and the Nana’s money-changer. -The first of these was said to have taken an active -part in the Cawnpore massacres. He was living in fancied -security in this village some miles off the road from Cawnpore -to Calpee, and must have been not a little disconcerted when -he found his hiding-place surrounded by Lancers and Riflemen. -He and the other prisoners were executed by order of -the Commissioner who accompanied the force.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd, starting soon after six, the Riflemen marched -eleven miles to Derapore, having in the way forded a branch -of the river Jumna, and encamped near some jungle. The -next day they made another march of about the same distance -to Secundra, where they encamped on some excellent and -well-wooded ground.</p> - -<p>They halted on Christmas day, but Nixon’s, Milles’<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span> -and Earle’s companies went out at nine in the morning -against the Rajah of Secundra, who was reported to be encamped -near the Jumna with 2,000 men. The Riflemen -started under the command of Colonel Fyers, but were joined -about four miles on their road by Colonel Hill, who had gone -out shooting, but who, on finding that an expedition was to -be made, changed clothes with one of the subalterns, and -assumed the command. Some cavalry accompanied them, the -whole being under Brigadier Walpole.</p> - -<p>However, the enemy fled at their approach, the last boat-load -crossing as the cavalry galloped up to the bank of the -river; and the Riflemen returned to camp at five o’clock. A -mess tent for their Christmas dinner was extemporised by -joining two, and the men were regaled with an extra ration.</p> - -<p>On the 26th, having struck tents at the usual hour, they -marched eleven miles to Ooryah, which they reached at ten -<span class="fs70">A.M.</span> And on the next day made a march of fourteen miles -to Serai Adjeet Mull, and encamped in a grain field.</p> - -<p>On the 28th they made a further march of twelve miles to -Buckbey Khanpore, where they encamped among some trees. -On this march Lieutenant Buckley, with some men of the 3rd -Battalion, found three armed rebels, who loaded to fire at -them. They were taken and executed.</p> - -<p>About midnight they received a sudden order to march -immediately; and, falling in, started in a very cold morning -for Etawah, where they arrived about half-past eight. It was -expected that they would find a body of about 1,500 rebels -with seventeen guns here; but they had heard of the approach -of the force, and had disappeared, except a few who had shut -themselves up in a fort. This was a quadrangular work, with -a kind of tower-bastion at each corner, standing on a sand-hill -on the bank of the Jumna. Two companies of the 2nd Battalion, -under the command of Colonel Hill, were ordered to -take the fort. The gate was blown open by the blank fire of -a gun which accompanied the force, and the Riflemen rushed -in. It was then found that the rebels occupied one of the -tower-bastions. Grey and Fryer with some men entered it. -A long dark passage led to a small court in the centre of the -bastion, which had dwellings round it. As they threaded -their way along this passage they received a fire of slugs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> -which whistled past, and they halted where a bend in the -passage afforded some cover. Colour-Sergeant Andrews and -some men climbed up on the flat roof of the dwelling; and as -he was looking over into the court, he was severely wounded -in the head, and also lost three fingers. Two other men were -also severely wounded. Eventually the bastion was blown up, -and its defenders made a rush out, but were all killed. It -was then found that two or three of them were women.</p> - -<p>The Riflemen halted at Etawah during the two following -days in a very good camping-ground, the people of Etawah -being friendly and well disposed. The force which had -escaped, and the remnant of which had defended the fort, -was part of the Nana’s army, and had come into the district -to levy tribute.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 1, 1858, the two Battalions marched from -Etawah to Kurhul, a distance of eighteen miles, which they -accomplished in little more than five hours, starting at five, -and reaching their camping-ground soon after ten. On the -next day they made a march of the same distance in the -same time to Mynpooree. And though they got in by half-past -ten, the men were not encamped after their long march till -one o’clock, the Quartermaster-General having at first selected -wrong camping-ground, from which he moved them.</p> - -<p>On the 3rd they started before six, and reached Bewur, a -distance of fourteen miles, at ten, and passing through the -town, encamped near a shady tope of trees.</p> - -<p>On the 4th they started from Bewur soon after three in -the morning, and, having crossed the Kallee Nuddee by a -bridge of boats about two miles from their camp, halted for -breakfast at the end of ten miles. After a halt of an hour -and a half they resumed their march, and went on to Futtehgurh, -which they reached between four and five in the afternoon. -The distance was twenty-six miles, and the day was -extremely hot; yet very few men fell out. On their arrival -here they joined the army under Sir Colin Campbell; and were -pleasantly encamped in the pleasure-grounds and gardens of -a Rajah’s palace on the banks of the Ganges. The Riflemen -had marched seventy-six miles from Etawah to Futtehgurh in -four days, or in about twenty-seven hours’ marching.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span></p> - -<p>They halted here till the 13th; but during that time a -detachment of the 3rd Battalion at Allahabad had been taken -out (with some other troops) by Colonel Campbell of the -Bays against some 300 Sepoys who were assembled in that -neighbourhood, and whom they defeated, inflicting very heavy -loss.</p> - -<p>And on the 11th Captain Hill’s company of the 3rd Battalion -went out with some sappers on an expedition.</p> - -<p>On the 13th the two Battalions, forming part of a force -under Brigadier Walpole, left Futtehgurh at nine in the morning, -and crossed the Ganges by a bridge of boats, which the -enemy had fortunately left uninjured. After a very fatiguing -march of nine miles, part of it through the deep sand adjacent -to the river, which in the rainy season it overflows, they -reached Allygurh on the right bank of the Ramgunga at two -in the afternoon, and found the enemy in force on the other -side. The march of the two companies on rear guard was -most fatiguing. They could not start till an hour and a half -after the Battalions had marched, as the elephants which were -to carry the tents had not arrived. Then with very slow progress -they arrived at the Ganges, which the native-carts took -a long time to cross; and the elephants obstinately refused to -enter the river, or to trust their ponderous weight to the -planks connecting the boats of the bridge. The tents had -therefore to be unloaded, and passed over in boats. However, -the recreant elephants subsequently rejoined. The rear-guard -had only made their way through the deep sand when -night came upon them, and they halted at half-past six. -Fortunately they found an old door near their halting-place, -which furnished a camp-fire; for the night was exceedingly -cold, and there was a high wind. Resuming their toilsome -march at half-past six on the 14th, they reached the camp at -Allygurh about noon, not having tasted food since early in -the morning before.</p> - -<p>At Allygurh the enemy had destroyed, a few days before -the Rifle Battalions arrived there, the bridge of boats by which -the road to Bareilly crossed the Ramgunga. Materials were -therefore to be obtained in order to throw it across again. -Accordingly on the 15th Colonel Hill was ordered to proceed -down the river with a party of the 2nd Battalion, in order to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span> -collect flat-bottomed boats for this purpose. Captains Warren -and Thynne, Lieutenant Grey, and others, proceeded on that -duty. They collected a number of boats, and brought them -up to within about two miles of Allygurh, when the enemy, -who, as I have said, occupied the opposite bank, opened fire -with such effect that a party under Grey, who were completely -exposed to it, were obliged to retire from the bank until the -enemy was driven back. This was no easy task, as the left -bank which he held was high, and the right bank a level -plain. Colonel Hill had received positive orders from the -Brigadier not to cross the river, or the enemy might have been -effectually repulsed; for the river was shallow, so much so, indeed, -that the boats frequently ran aground.</p> - -<p>Night coming on, the boats were secured, it not being -possible to move them farther up in the dark, and the party -bivouacked on the spot. At day-break the enemy brought -up some guns, and opened fire upon them; and as the ground -afforded no cover unless they had retired from the bank and -left the boats, the Riflemen formed shelter-trenches in the -sand. While making these they were exposed to fire, but -none were hit. And as the enemy did not venture within -range of their rifles, they were unable to return it. The fire -was heard in camp, and a battery of Field Artillery was sent -to the aid of the Riflemen. These guns soon silenced those of -the rebels. Colonel Hill received orders not to attempt to -take the boats farther up the river. And having passed a -second night in bivouack, this party marched back to camp.</p> - -<p>From this till the end of the month the two Rifle Battalions -furnished picquets at the boats (occasionally relieved -by the Line regiment which was in the brigade), some of the -men occupying the rifle-pits or shelter-trenches, and exchanging -shots with the Sepoys, who plied them with shot and shell -as well as with musketry.</p> - -<p>On February 1, Sir Colin Campbell having renounced his -intention of crossing the Ramgunga into Rohilcund, the two -Battalions returned to Futtehgurh, leaving Allygurh at 4.30, -and arriving at their camping-ground at 7.30. Four companies -of the 3rd Battalion, under Colonel Macdonell, were at -this time detached to Oonao, on the road from Cawnpore to -Lucknow, to keep open the communication. The 2nd Battalion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span> -and remaining companies of the 3rd halted at Futtehgurh -till the 4th; on which day, marching at six, they reached -Khodagunge, a distance of thirteen miles and a half, at ten. -On the day following they reached Jellalabad, nine miles and -a quarter, after crossing the Kallee Nuddee by the iron suspension -bridge of Urhow. And on the 6th marched ten miles and -a half to Meeranke Serai, a painful and tedious march; as the -baggage which had started before the troops got mixed up -with them on the road; and a halt of an hour and a half had -to be made. When they proceeded, the dust was so thick -that it was impossible to see many yards in front. So that, -though they started at 4.30, they did not reach their camping-ground -till nearly eleven.</p> - -<p>On the 7th they started at six and marched nine miles -and a half to Urroul, which they reached at nine. For the -night had been extremely cold, and the morning was cool -and fine, and the men got over the ground rapidly.</p> - -<p>On the 8th they proceeded to Poorah, ten miles and a -half; and on the day following to Chobeepore, thirteen miles -and a half; and passing the town encamped about two miles -beyond it. On the next day they marched to Kullianpore, -nine miles. This was near Bithoor, the palace of the Nana; -which however had been destroyed before the Riflemen visited -it on this march.</p> - -<p>On the 11th, starting at 5.45, they marched seven miles -to Cawnpore, which they reached before nine; passing over -the battle-fields of November 26, 27 and 28, and encamping -on the ground where they had fought on the 27th. At this -time the Oude force was formed, probably in number and -efficiency the most formidable army that had ever assembled -in British India. It consisted of one division (two brigades) -of Cavalry, and of three divisions (six brigades) of Infantry, -besides Artillery, etc.</p> - -<p>It is sufficient for my purpose to record that the two Rifle -Battalions (with a Punjaub native regiment) formed a brigade -under Colonel Horsford in the division commanded by -Brigadier Walpole; the Divisional General and the Brigadier -being thus both Riflemen.</p> - -<p>On February 13 the 2nd Battalion received a sudden order -at six in the morning to march, with the object of intercepting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span> -or catching the Nana, who, it was supposed, was about to -cross the Ganges. They started at 9.30, and retracing their -steps made the march to Chobeepore, sixteen miles, in one -day, arriving at 2.30. One man had a sunstroke on the -road.</p> - -<p>On the next day they marched at three in the morning, -and arriving at Sheorajpore, halted for two hours before it -was decided whether to continue the march or to remain -there. Eventually, however, they encamped and halted there -during the following day, it being reported that the Nana or -his brother had crossed the river and got away.</p> - -<p>On the 16th they resumed their march, and proceeding -six miles encamped at Poorah on the ground they had -occupied on the 8th.</p> - -<p>On the day following they received a sudden order to -march to Urroul. They started at 8.30, and passing by their -old camping-ground they pitched tents about three miles -beyond it, making the distance about thirteen miles. They -arrived about two after a fatiguing march, the day being -extremely hot.</p> - -<p>They halted here till the 21st. On the 20th the women -and children from Agra arrived, and passed through during -the night; and on the next day the Battalion returned -towards Cawnpore, halting that day at Poorah, on the next -at Chobeepore; and reaching Cawnpore at nine o’clock -on the morning of the 23rd, encamped on their former -ground.</p> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion during this expedition had remained at -Cawnpore; but on the departure of the 2nd Battalion on the -13th, they had shifted their camp nearer to Head-quarters. -They left Cawnpore on the 21st and marched to Oonao in -Oude; and on the 22nd to Nawabgunge,<a name="FNanchor_283_283" id="FNanchor_283_283"></a><a href="#Footnote_283_283" class="fnanchor">[283]</a> where they halted -for some days.</p> - -<p>Here they were reunited to their left wing, which they had -not seen since before their embarkation in the July preceding. -During their stay here numerous escorts were furnished by -this Battalion, which was mainly employed in keeping open -the road by which quantities of ammunition and stores were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span> -daily passing towards Lucknow. On the 28th, two companies -of this Battalion, with some Horse Artillery, proceeded to a -village about six miles distant, and brought in some of the -principal men; the villagers having attacked and beaten the -camel-drivers.</p> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remaining at Cawnpore, Captain Fremantle’s -company, made up to 100 men with Lieutenants -Baillie<a name="FNanchor_284_284" id="FNanchor_284_284"></a><a href="#Footnote_284_284" class="fnanchor">[284]</a> and Scriven, was sent as an escort with the ladies from -Agra; and starting with them at four o’clock on the morning -of the 25th, he marched to Maharajpore, ten miles, where he -encamped that night; and on the next day made a further -march of thirteen miles and a half, when he handed over his -charge to an escort of the Madras Fusiliers, and encamped. -On the next day he returned to Maharajpore, and on the 28th -arrived at Cawnpore, which the Battalion had left; but -Captains Thynne’s and R. Glyn’s<a name="FNanchor_285_285" id="FNanchor_285_285"></a><a href="#Footnote_285_285" class="fnanchor">[285]</a> companies had remained -there to await his arrival.</p> - -<p>Sir Colin Campbell having decided to undertake the siege -of Lucknow, the 2nd Battalion marched at five in the -morning of February 27 to Oonao, a distance of thirteen -miles, and on the following day to Nawabgunge, where they -rejoined the 3rd Battalion.</p> - -<p>The two Battalions marched on March 1 to Bunteerah, -twelve miles, and encamped in a broad plain. About midday -they were disturbed by an alarm that their enemy was close -upon them; but it turned out to be a false alarm, no enemy -appearing.</p> - -<p>Here the three companies from Cawnpore came up with -the Battalion. They had marched on the same day from -Cawnpore at three in the morning to Nawabgunge, doing the -twenty-three miles in one march, without the intermediate -halt at Oonao. Rain had fallen in the night, and the morning -was cool, and they reached Nawabgunge at 11.30. On March -2 they came on to Bunteerah, where, as I have said, they -rejoined their Battalion.</p> - -<p>On the 3rd the two Battalions received orders to march -towards Lucknow. Four companies of the 3rd Battalion, -under Major Bourchier, formed the advance, and starting at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span> -six o’clock in the evening reached the Dilkoosha at two -o’clock the next morning, a distance of twelve miles.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the two Battalions marched at 10.30 -<span class="fs70">P.M.</span>, and reached their bivouack about three on the morning -of the 4th. Four companies of the 2nd Battalion, Nixon’s, -Pellew’s, Earle’s, and Fremantle’s, with two companies of the -3rd Battalion, formed the rear-guard: a most arduous duty. -For the quantity of carts, laden with shot, shell, ammunition -and provisions, was innumerable, and extended many miles. -Though this rear-guard paraded with the Battalions it did -not start until half-past three on the morning of the 4th, nor -did they reach their destination till three o’clock on the -following afternoon. This twelve miles’ march was most -harassing, and the dust was intolerable.</p> - -<p>During this march, while the 2nd Battalion was halted -in a tope, a curious circumstance took place. There were a -number of skulls lying about, and bodies of rebels, killed, -no doubt, in a former encounter; some were skeletons, some -sun-dried and shrunk almost into mummies. A bugler gave -one of them a kick, and hearing a rattle, stooped down and -found in the body nine gold mohurs, wrapped in a rag. -It was supposed that the man had carried them, as natives -often do, in his cummerbund; and that this having perished, -the coins and their envelope had fallen on or into the remains -of the body. Sir Hope Grant, who mentions the circumstance,<a name="FNanchor_286_286" id="FNanchor_286_286"></a><a href="#Footnote_286_286" class="fnanchor">[286]</a> -supposes that the man had swallowed them in some -panic or alarm, rag and all; which seems incredible.</p> - -<p>The Battalions bivouacked near the Alumbagh from three -till six <span class="fs70">A.M.</span>, when they were moved to near the Dilkoosha, -where they encamped. But the ground was not good, and -very dusty. They were exposed, too, to the enemy’s fire -from a battery about 700 yards off, near the Martinière.</p> - -<p>On the 5th the Battalions furnished outlying picquets; -and four companies of the 2nd Battalion marched back to -Jellalabad (a small fort about three miles from the Dilkoosha), -in order to look after some carts that had strayed away from -the rear-guard the night before. They received there some -of the horses, and returned to camp at three o’clock, where -the 3rd Battalion had been under arms nearly all day.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 6th the two Battalions struck tents at 1.30 in the -morning, and marched an hour afterwards. They formed -part of Sir James Outram’s force, and crossed the Goomtee by -a bridge of boats which Sir Colin Campbell had ordered to -be thrown across, a little below the Dilkoosha. By some -error on the part of the Engineers, it was exposed to the fire -of the guns in the Martinière, yet the enemy did not attempt -to molest their passage. On reaching the left bank they -moved along the river, which curves here, for some distance. -Then four companies of the 2nd Battalion were sent to join -the force under Brigadier Hope Grant. The two Rifle -Battalions advanced extended in skirmishing order across a -plain, the line regiments following in quarter-distance column. -The appearance of this force was magnificent in the extreme. -The men had their European clothing, and the helmets of the -Bays shone, and the pennons of the 9th Lancers fluttered in -the morning sun. They made a circuit of about five miles, -keeping as near as possible to the river and the city. The -Riflemen skirmished through some dâl<a name="FNanchor_287_287" id="FNanchor_287_287"></a><a href="#Footnote_287_287" class="fnanchor">[287]</a> as high as their -heads, but they saw no enemy. They then halted for breakfast -and for the animals carrying ammunition to come up. -They then advanced, circling more to the left, across a plain, -till they came near the Fyzabad road.</p> - -<p>Here they found the enemy in some number, who came out -of the woods and villages on their left. The cavalry charged -them, and in the pursuit Major Percy Smith of the Bays was -killed. The Riflemen proceeding came upon some Sepoys, -who fired at them with a gun, but without doing any mischief.</p> - -<p>About half-past eleven they fell back and bivouacked in a -tope, with a pond or tank in the middle of it, on the Fyzabad -road, on the left bank of the Kookrail, a fordable tributary of -the Goomtee, at Ishmaelgunge, about half a mile in advance -of the village of Chinhut. But their baggage did not come -up till long after dark. They formed outlying picquets and -a guard or escort for the guns. On the left of their bivouack -was a wood, and an occasional shot at the picquet sentries -showed that it was occupied by the enemy.</p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J374" id="J374"></a> -<a href="images/i_374fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_374fp.jpg" width="650" alt="" /></a> -<p class="center fs70"><em>Compiled. &. Drawn by Capt<sup>n</sup> H. M. Moorsom, Rifle Brigade.</em> -<span class="pad30pc">E Weller, <em>Litho.</em></span></p> -<div class="center fs70"><em>London, Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs150 lsp2">LUCKNOW</span><br /> - -<span class="smcap">Note.</span> <em>The dotted line, Arrows, &c.<br /> -refer to Sir J. Outram’s positions<br /> -& operations in March, 1858.</em> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Captains R. Glyn’s and Dillon’s companies of the 2nd -Battalion and Captain Atherley’s company of the 3rd Battalion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span> -were on picquet. In the course of the night Lieutenant -Eyre, who was with this picquet, while out patrolling -came upon the body of Major Smith, beheaded and mutilated. -And in the morning of the 7th with a party of ten men, accompanied -by Captain Dillon, he went out, found the body, -and brought it in. They were fired at by the Sepoys, but did -not suffer any damage. During the night there were several -alarms, but without result; but about nine o’clock the enemy -attacked this picquet in great force. They were said to be -about 10,000 in number. They advanced, covered by the fire -of three guns placed in a tope of trees. The picquet at once -fell in, extended, and advanced, with two guns of the Royal -Horse Artillery, and drove the enemy back into the town, -capturing one ammunition waggon. The fire was very severe, -but the casualties were only one man of the 3rd Battalion -wounded. But there were some hair-breadth escapes. Lieutenant -Baillie’s sword was struck, and a Sergeant (Kemp) of -the 2nd Battalion had his trousers torn, but without being -wounded. The picquet continued to occupy the advanced -position to which they had moved until the evening, when they -were relieved about six o’clock.</p> - -<p>The two Rifle Battalions had been moved up about 150 -yards in front of their camp, into which the enemy pitched -round shot; but they halted there in reserve, and were not -actually engaged, the companies on picquet having repulsed -the attack and disposed of their assailants. On the morning -of the 7th they pitched the tents which had come up the night -before; and they continued in this camp during that day and -the 8th.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 9th the two Battalions paraded at -five at their alarm-posts. The object of the day’s work was -to drive the rebels out of the Yellow Bungalow, the key of -their position, and from its neighbourhood. From the -Kookrail to the Yellow Bungalow is a sandy plain, while the -ground from the Bungalow to the Iron bridge is occupied by -suburban villages and enclosed gardens. On the other side -of the Fyzabad road the ground is wooded. The two Battalions -advanced in skirmishing order, while other troops -followed in contiguous columns, three companies of the 3rd -Battalion under Colonel Macdonell, Lindsay’s being extended,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span> -pivoting on their left, and an equal number of the 2nd Battalion -prolonging the line. Moving forward, they forded the -Kookrail river (about knee-deep), and soon after found the -enemy. The Riflemen advanced to a small village in broken -ground and well wooded, a very strong position if the enemy -had availed himself of it; but the Sepoys retired without -firing a shot. Colonel Fyers took his company to attack -this village. The Riflemen then passed through this wooded -ground at the double, and came out into the open. The -skirmishers then brought their right shoulders forward, and -advanced, the enemy retiring before them until the right of -the line had moved up to the neighbourhood of the river. -They then came to the Yellow Bungalow, and the Riflemen -went at it with a rush. Lieutenant Cooper and Corporal -Bradshaw, V.C., were the first over the wall of the compound -surrounding it. There was a lane, with the Bungalow on one -side, and some outhouses on the other. Some of the 2nd -Battalion passed along the lane and came out in the open -country beyond, where was a village on the right. Captain -Nixon with part of his company passed through a lane which -ran along the village, while the remainder, under G. Curzon, -went forward. The Riflemen were here exposed to a smart -fire, but not of Artillery. There was a bungalow on the right, -which a company of the 3rd Battalion under Captain Deedes -occupied. Captain Fremantle, collecting as many men of -his company as were near him, kept away to the right, clearing -the houses in front of the guns, which were following him. -This was disagreeable work, as it was impossible to tell how -many of the Sepoys were in these houses; but the men backed -him up, and the houses were cleared. The guns then opened -at the gate of the Badshahbagh. Some additional guns moving -to the right, Fremantle with his company covered their -advance and lined a wall. They were here ordered to take a -house in their front, which they did with a rush, and held it -for an hour and a half, exposed to a heavy fire of musketry; -till they were ordered by General Walpole to set fire to some -villages, which they did under heavy fire, and then returned -to and lined the former wall.</p> - -<p>The enemy now gave way; and, though they showed some -cavalry (Lancers with a green flag), on a battery being brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span> -up and opening fire, they moved off in confusion along the -bank of the river. Unfortunately, there was some space -between the right of the line and the river, and some enclosures, -and they got away. But they were pursued by some -Horse Artillery; and Colonel Macdonell, carried away by the -ardour of the moment, charged with them. Captain Nicholl -killed one man with his revolver.</p> - -<p>The Battalions halted from 8.30 till two in the afternoon, -when they went under the shade of a tope; and they encamped -for the night on the ground they had so gallantly -won, in the open <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">à cheval</i> on the Fyzabad road, with their left -200 yards from the Goomtee.</p> - -<p>The casualties of the 2nd Battalion were 5 men wounded.</p> - -<p>On the 10th the Riflemen shifted their camp to near the -Yellow Bungalow. A party under Lieutenants Grey and -Dugdale, on escort to bring up the mortars, were engaged, -when 1 sergeant (Richards) and 1 private were wounded. -The two Battalions furnished outlying picquets, some of which -were not relieved for forty-eight hours.</p> - -<p>On the 11th the two Battalions paraded on the Fyzabad -road a little before six, in order to make a reconnaissance in -force to ascertain the possibility of crossing by a bridge to -Lucknow. The Riflemen, leading in skirmishing order, were -distributed among orchards, buildings of various kinds, and -narrow streets. They skirmished through these as well as -they could, each captain acting in a measure independently, -and handling his company as he thought best. The streets -were so intricate and the continuity of the Battalions so -broken that no other system was possible. The Riflemen -worked their way through these obstructions, and reached the -mosque on the Old Cantonment road, which commands the -approach to the Iron bridge. This bridge they were ordered -not to cross. But, leaving the mosque in charge of other troops, -they proceeded to fight their way to the Iron and Stone -bridges. At one place the skirmishers came to a high wall, -and dividing, passed some to the right and some to the left. -And coming to the other side, they found themselves in a -perfect labyrinth of streets, lanes and gardens. The enemy -retreated before them, hiding among the buildings and -enclosures, and were driven across the bridges. Major<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> -Bourchier’s company of the 3rd Battalion succeeded in getting -a commanding position, and killed some fifty of the enemy. -The camp of the rebel 15th Irregular Horse was surprised, -and two guns and the standard of that regiment were captured -by the Riflemen. As the 3rd Battalion were passing through -the narrow street of a village which had been set on fire, -they were blocked by one of the captured guns in their -front sticking fast or being overturned, and had some difficulty -in escaping the flames.</p> - -<p>On approaching the Iron bridge Captain Wilmot, 2nd Battalion, -found himself with only four men of his company at the -end of a street opposed to a large force of the enemy. One -of the men was shot through both legs, and was quite helpless. -Corporal Nash and Private David Hawkes took him up and -carried him to the rear; and though Hawkes was himself -severely wounded, he continued to carry him under fire from -the enemy, Captain Wilmot with his revolver keeping back -the enemy and covering their retreat.<a name="FNanchor_288_288" id="FNanchor_288_288"></a><a href="#Footnote_288_288" class="fnanchor">[288]</a> Eventually the Riflemen -cleared the whole of the suburbs near the Old Cantonment -road as far as the Iron bridge.</p> - -<p>The casualties of the 2nd Battalion were considerable. -Captain Thynne, while in a house drinking some water, was -struck by a round shot, which shattered his arm and leg. The -latter was at once amputated, but he died about two hours -after. He was buried that evening in a tope of trees close to -the camp of the Riflemen.</p> - -<p>His loss was much regretted by his brother-officers, by -whom he was much esteemed. ‘No one in the whole regiment,’ -writes one of them, ‘was more liked or could be more -regretted. He was always a cheerful and agreeable companion, -and a right good soldier besides.’</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Cooper was also severely wounded in the neck; -the ball passed out of his shoulder through the lung. He died -on the 19th, and was buried at the Dilkoosha. Five privates -were also wounded, of whom two died of their wounds.</p> - -<p>In his despatch Major-General Sir James Outram thus reports: -‘The enemy held the ground in great strength in front<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span> -of the Rifle skirmishers, commanded by Brevet-Major Warren, -Captains Wilmot and Thynne, and Lieutenant Grey, who all -behaved most gallantly.... The spirit and dash of the men -during this critical operation was most remarkable, and merits -my highest commendation.’ He also mentions with especial -commendation Brigadier-General Walpole, Brigadier Horsford, -Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, commanding 2nd Battalion, and -Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, commanding 3rd Battalion -Rifle Brigade. Major Ross, Captain Nixon, and Lieutenant -Eccles were also favourably mentioned in despatches.</p> - -<p>On the 12th there was an attack, or a threatened attack, on -the mortar batteries, and three companies of the 3rd Battalion -were sent down to protect them. There was still, too, some -fighting about the bridges. With this exception, the Rifle -Battalions were not engaged on this or the following day; -but furnished picquets and covering parties for guns.</p> - -<p>The picquet duty at this time and till the end of the -operations at Lucknow was very severe and harassing, the -picquets being sometimes on for forty-eight hours; one, indeed, -was not relieved for three days and nights. The weather -too was very hot; and swarms of flies by day and of mosquitos -by night made these duties anything but agreeable.</p> - -<p>On the 14th (the day Sir Colin Campbell took the -Imaumbarah and the Kaiserbagh), the two Battalions were -suddenly turned out at three in the afternoon, and marched -towards the Iron bridge, in order to prevent the Sepoys crossing -it; but no enemy appearing, they returned to their camp -at half-past five.</p> - -<p>On the 16th some Sepoys who remained in the town attacked -a picquet of the 3rd Battalion near the Iron bridge, -but were driven back.</p> - -<p>On the 18th the Riflemen moved their camp to near the -Badshahbagh.</p> - -<p>On the 19th the two Battalions were ordered, the 2nd to -hold the Iron bridge, the 3rd the Stone bridge, while the force -on the right bank cleared the town of Lucknow of the remaining -rebels. They took up their position at 7.30 in the -morning, and remained till 5.30 in the afternoon, when they -returned to their camp, much exhausted by the great heat, -but not having been actively engaged.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span></p> - -<p>The casualties during the operations at Lucknow were: -of the 2nd Battalion, Captain Thynne killed, and 13 men -wounded; of the 3rd, 6 men wounded.<a name="FNanchor_289_289" id="FNanchor_289_289"></a><a href="#Footnote_289_289" class="fnanchor">[289]</a></p> - -<p>On the 22nd the two Battalions were ordered to march on -a secret expedition; and parading at half-past ten at night, -moved to the Old Cantonment, about five miles from their -camp, which was left standing. Here they joined the cavalry -which was to act with them. Thence they proceeded in a -very dark night for a considerable time, but were at last -halted, and ordered to lie down in a dusty road ankle-deep in -sand. The night was excessively cold. At five in the morning -(March 23) the men having breakfasted, they marched on till -eleven, when they were halted for three hours under the shade -of a tope; and afterwards proceeded to the village of Koorsee, -about sixteen miles from Lucknow, a strong position. But the -enemy had for the most part evacuated it, and encamped about -six miles farther on. However, the force had a brush, killed -about 150 of the rebels, and took 15 guns, 70 camels, and 2 -elephants, besides some carts loaded with ammunition, which -was exploded during the night. The active part of this affair -fell principally on the cavalry, but the Riflemen were drawn -up in line, ready to support them if they had been wanted. In -his despatch on this occasion Sir Hope Grant mentions -Brigadier Horsford, commanding the infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel -Hill, commanding the 2nd Battalion, and Lieutenant-Colonel -Macdonell, commanding the 3rd Battalion. And on -the 24th, the objects of the expedition having been accomplished, -they started for their camp at seven, and halting as before -during the hottest part of the day, returned to their camp -at seven in the evening. Though the weather was very sultry, -the men were not wearied; marching cheerfully and singing -all the return march. This elicited the marked approval of -General Grant, who was in command.</p> - -<p>On the 30th the two Battalions moved camp to the Old -Cantonment.</p> - -<p>On April 5 the Camel Corps was formed by a draft of 4 -officers and 100 men from each of the Battalions, and 200<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> -Sikhs. The officers who were attached to it were Captain -Nixon, Lieutenants Scriven, Eyre, and G. Curzon of the 2nd -Battalion, and Major Ross, Captain H. Newdigate, Lieutenants -Austin, Buckley, and Jeames of the 3rd Battalion.</p> - -<p>On April 9 the 3rd Battalion moved camp to the Badshahbagh, -and on the 15th, taking three days’ provisions, six -companies started on an expedition. They marched out -beyond the Dilkoosha, and encamped. I cannot ascertain -whether they engaged the enemy during the time they were -in the field, but on the 24th these companies returned to the -camp at the Badshahbagh. And the Battalion soon afterwards -went into quarters at Lucknow.</p> - -<p>During the fighting from Cawnpore to Lucknow this young -Battalion had borne their part in action and in marching with -great determination, valour and endurance. But now that -excitement had passed away, and no amusement or interest -took its place, sickness assailed these young soldiers. Many, -both men and officers, fell ill, and numbers of the men died. -They were, therefore, left for some weeks in quarters at -Lucknow, to recruit their health.</p> - -<p>About this time the Riflemen gave up their European -clothing, and received instead of it dust-coloured linen, with -black facings.</p> - -<p>On April 11 the 2nd Battalion (forming part of a field -force under Sir Hope Grant) marched from Lucknow to Briesha -Talow. They started at half-past four in the morning, and -though the distance was but six miles, did not reach their -camping-ground till eight, the road being bad, and the progress -of the heavy guns consequently slow.</p> - -<p>On the next day they continued their march to Utterah, -thirteen miles, over a sandy track and through thick jungle, -and did not encamp till noon. The day was exceedingly hot, -with the thermometer at 110°.</p> - -<p>On the 13th they started early, and as it was getting light, -near Baree came on a force of the enemy with three guns, -occupying a ridge at the end of a level plain. Three companies -were immediately extended and advanced across it. -The rebels opened fire of matchlocks at about 800 yards, and -though it continued without intermission, no harm was done. -Colonel Hill had intended to go in without returning this fire,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span> -but when the line of skirmishers was about 400 yards from -the enemy, a hare started up, and one of the Riflemen, unable -to resist his sporting propensities, fired at it. Nothing -then remained but to go in with a rush, and the enemy at once -broke and fled. The Riflemen pursued them till ten o’clock, -when they encamped near the scene of the combat. There was -a cavalry skirmish; but the ground was broken and unfavourable -for them, and the rebels looted some of the baggage.</p> - -<p>On the 14th they marched to Burassie, eight miles; on -the 15th to Mamdabad, ten; on the 16th to Bilhir, also ten, -where they halted one day; resuming their march on the 18th -to Filwy, eight miles, they proceeded on the 19th to Ramnagurh, -eight miles, where there was another halt of a day. On -the 21st they moved to Massoulee, eight miles; and on the -day following to Nawabgunge, six miles, where they halted. -On the 23rd, 200 Riflemen, under the command of Colonel -Fyers (with other troops) went with Brigadier Horsford to -Jungerabad, about six miles from Nawabgunge, and took -and destroyed the fort at that place.</p> - -<p>Starting again on the 26th they marched thirteen miles to -Chinhut; on the 27th to the Dilkoosha; and on the 28th to -the Alumbagh; having in this expedition swept round that -portion of Oude north of Lucknow.</p> - -<p>But no rest was given the Battalion. On the day after -they marched into Lucknow they marched out of it; now to -the south, and halted at Bunnee bridge. On the next day -they proceeded seven miles to Kantha; and after one -day’s halt there, on May 2 marched ten miles to Poorwah. -Sir Hope Grant was anxious to come up with the force -under the rebel general Beni Madhoo. So starting again -on the 4th the Battalion marched seven miles to Moorawon. -On the 5th they halted, but a reconnoitring party was sent -out which took five hackeries laden with matchlocks and -ammunition. On the 6th they marched seven miles to -Dirgpalgunge, and on the 7th five miles to Parthan. Here -they halted on the 8th. During this march the men had -suffered much from the heat, many having died of sunstroke. -The duties, picquets, &c., fell hard too on the officers; for -three had been killed since their arrival in India, two had -been sent home wounded, and one sick; two were on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span> -General Walpole’s Staff, two left sick at Lucknow, and -one was sick in camp; so that there were only, besides -the Lieutenant-Colonel, five captains and ten subalterns -effective with the Battalion.</p> - -<p>They marched on the 9th from Parthan to Nuggur, eight -miles, and on the 10th to Doondia Khera, seven miles, where -they encamped in a shady tope of mango trees.</p> - -<p>From this place Sir Hope Grant thought that he could by -a night march of some twenty miles, come upon the rebels -under Beni Madhoo. Accordingly, at six in the evening the -Battalion received orders to march at half-past eleven. But -in the darkness of the night the various portions of the column -missed each other, and not being able to make out the track, -found themselves at daybreak near Nuggur, where they had -encamped on the 9th. Here, accordingly, they halted and -did not encamp till eight o’clock. They made a short halt -there, striking tents at two, and parading in a grove of mango -trees, marched at three in the afternoon. It was then fearfully -hot, the thermometer marking 118° in the tent. The -men were struck down by the sun every moment. ‘Shortly -after we marched,’ writes General Hill, ‘the Surgeon, Fraser, -rode up to me with the report, “There are fifteen men down; -all the doolies<a name="FNanchor_290_290" id="FNanchor_290_290"></a><a href="#Footnote_290_290" class="fnanchor">[290]</a> are full; what are we to do with the next?” -It was a puzzling question, but I suggested elephants; and -meanwhile sent to ask permission to make a sick depôt at the -first convenient spot, and to leave one company to protect it. -However, as the sun got lower the casualties were fewer, and -we were enabled to keep on till the enemy were in sight and -a halt was made.’</p> - -<p>This was after a march of five miles. The Battalion -advanced in skirmishing order; guns accompanying the skirmishers, -galloping forward and firing two or three rounds -until the Riflemen came up. Thus they went on to the bank -of a large nullah, where they had orders to halt. Sir Hope -Grant went off with the cavalry; and soon the sound of the -enemy’s baggage carts was so distinct that Colonel Hill asked -permission to take on his Battalion to capture them. But it -was too late, for the daylight only sufficed for a smart skirmish -across the open. Meanwhile Colonel Fyers, with two companies,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span> -Earle’s under Lieutenant Baillie, and R. Glyn’s, had -captured a gun. It was getting dark, the ‘retire’ had sounded, -and all had joined the main body except these two companies. -The gun was heavy; the ground bad; and the men worn out -by heat and fatigue. They made little way with their gun, -and it became quite dark. Then some horsemen appeared -on the left. A question arose what they were. The general -opinion was that they were Sikhs. At last they came near, -and Colonel Fyers challenged; the reply was not satisfactory, -and he fired his revolver. The Riflemen at once poured a -volley into them at thirty yards which emptied half the -saddles, and then fixed swords. But the horsemen fled, -their leaders were seen through the darkness endeavouring -to re-form them, but without success. The Riflemen, not -without difficulty in the pitchy darkness, rejoined the Battalion.</p> - -<p>In the course of this fight the enemy got in amongst our -sick. A smart young Sergeant (Pitt) was being carried in a -dooly insensible from sunstroke, when some of the enemy’s -troopers came upon it. The bearers fled, and this poor fellow -was beheaded; the rebels carrying off the head as a trophy. -The mess baggage had also a narrow escape, the Sergeant -in charge of it (Sergeant Cann) being obliged to run for -his life.</p> - -<p>I have said that the men were utterly exhausted by the -heat, by their march, and by the fight. They bivouacked on -the ground they occupied. But not to sleep the sleep of the -weary; for in the night an extraordinary panic arose. Men -cried out that the enemy were upon them. Some fired their -rifles; some clubbed them and struck out at everyone near -them. At last it wore itself out or was allayed; and except -some broken heads no injuries were inflicted, at least in the -Rifle Battalion. The origin of this panic remains a mystery; -the most probable solution is that either some grass-cutters’ -ponies or some cavalry horses had got loose and knocked -down the piled arms, and so caused an alarm. The loss of -the Battalion on this day was three men by sunstroke.</p> - -<p>On the 13th they returned to their old camping-ground -at Nuggur, where they halted two days. Here Sir Hope -Grant received intelligence of a large force of rebels being to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span> -the north of Lucknow; he therefore retraced his steps, and -the Battalion marched on the 15th to Parthan and encamped -under a tope of trees. They had not pitched their tents more -than a couple of hours when they were ordered to turn out, -the enemy having shown themselves and driven in the camels, -which were out feeding. However, the rebels disappeared. -On the next day the Battalion marched to Poorwah, seven -miles; on the 17th they halted, but on a false alarm they were -turned out under arms. On the 18th they moved to Mirree, -seven miles; on the 19th to Bunnee, ten miles; thence on the -20th to the Alumbagh; and on the 21st to the Dilkoosha, -where they pitched camp on the bank of the Goomtee. On -their arrival at Lucknow they sent fifty-three men to hospital; -among them the Sergeant-Major and the Quartermaster -Sergeant.</p> - -<p>They remained at Lucknow only three days, marching -again on the 24th to Jellalabad, and on the 25th to Bunnee. -In these marches, though the heat was very great, the Battalion -did not lose a man, while the regiment with them (53rd) -suffered much.</p> - -<p>They halted for a week at Bunnee, a respite much needed -after almost incessant marches for two months.</p> - -<p>On May 11, an attack on Lucknow being apparently -anticipated, a force took the field, in order to be ready to -move on any point to repel it. Three companies of the 3rd -Battalion, under Major Oxenden, therefore moved out of -Lucknow and encamped on the Chinhut road. The heat was -overpowering, and many men died every day during their -stay here, which was but short. For on the 15th they broke -up camp and returned to the Badshahbagh.</p> - -<p>Early in June, in consequence of repeated alarms of -attacks from the rebels, a camp was formed at Chinhut, -about seven miles from Lucknow, and four companies of the -3rd Battalion were moved to this camp. On June 8, an -attack being expected, they were under arms, but were not -engaged, no enemy appearing.</p> - -<p>The remainder of the Battalion, marching at about three -on the morning of the 12th from Lucknow, were joined at -Chinhut by these four companies, by the 2nd Battalion, and -the other troops enumerated <a href="#Page_386">p. 386</a>, and proceeding about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span> -two miles further on, encamped at Utterdowna. This march, -for it was the hottest season of the year, was most fatiguing. -Leaving the sick at Lucknow, this Battalion had started 702 -strong. And yet about 100 men out of that number were -more or less disabled in this one march.</p> - -<p>On June 1 the 2nd Battalion marched again at four in the -morning to Meemteker, six miles, but on their arrival found -that the enemy, whom it was expected to find there, had disappeared. -They therefore halted in a tope. On the 2nd -they proceeded five miles to Chumrowlee, a very hot and -dusty march, and encamped in the open. On the 3rd, starting -at three, they made a march of eleven miles to Poorwah, -where they halted for three days; on one of which they were -paraded for the inspection of the Rajah of Kuppurthullah, -who had arrived in camp with a force of his followers.</p> - -<p>Sir Hope Grant having received intelligence about this -time that a large rebel force was assembling to the north of -Lucknow, he resolved to leave the pursuit of Beni Madhoo, -and the Riflemen began to retrace their steps towards -Lucknow.</p> - -<p>Starting again on the 7th early in the morning they -marched to Mirzee, twelve miles, and on the 8th to Bunnee, -five miles. These marches were by a different route from -that by which they had marched through these places on -former occasions. On the 9th they marched to Bunteerah in -a very hot wind; on the 10th to Jellalabad; and on the 11th -to the Dilkoosha. On this occasion Brigadier Horsford had -procured for the Battalion the permission to halt in Lucknow -itself, and not merely to march through it as on some previous -occasions; which gave them the opportunity of obtaining -some much-needed supplies, which they had not had since -landing in the country. But the time even for this was short; -for on the afternoon of the 12th they marched at three o’clock -to Utterdowna, about two miles beyond Chinhut. Here -they were rejoined by the 3rd Battalion; and the force now -consisted of these two Battalions, and a regiment of Punjaub -rifles, part of the Bays, the 7th Hussars, and some Irregular -(Hodson’s) Horse.</p> - -<p>They started again, after a very short halt of the 2nd -Battalion, at about eleven at night. They took with them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span> -one day’s rations, cooked, some rum, and all their ammunition. -This march was one of the most fatiguing ever made. -The men had been without rest the night before, and the heat -of the tents by day was so intolerable that sleep was impossible. -The road was bad, cut up, and damaged; there was no -moon; and the dust was suffocating. So weary were the men -that whenever a halt occurred, by a block from a gun sticking -fast or turning over, they sank down on the road, many inches -deep with dust, and slept. Soon the water carried with the -column was exhausted; no wells were near or could be found; -and the cries of the men for water were pitiable in the extreme. -Numbers of doolies accompanied the column (the -3rd Battalion had sixty); but these were soon filled, and the -fainting soldiers were left on the road on the chance of -being picked up by the Hospital staff of other regiments, or -of rejoining when strength returned.</p> - -<p>At last daylight appeared, and they found that by dint of -marching all night they had arrived exactly where their -chief, Sir Hope Grant, wished them to be, close to Nawabgunge.<a name="FNanchor_291_291" id="FNanchor_291_291"></a><a href="#Footnote_291_291" class="fnanchor">[291]</a></p> - -<p>In this march and in the subsequent advance on the -enemy’s position, the 3rd Battalion led the column, not without -some murmurs from their fellow-Riflemen of the 2nd, -who held that as so much of the previous hard work had -fallen to them, the post of honour ought to have been theirs. -Nevertheless, honour and hard work were theirs before the -day was over.</p> - -<p>Having marched thus in darkness and suffering some nine -miles, they turned off the road near Nawabgunge, for the -enemy had seven guns in position, and halted.</p> - -<p>They sat down, and water having been procured by some -camels having come up, the men were given a dram of grog -each.</p> - -<p>Day having now fully broken, they fell in and advanced -to a large square plain broken up with nullahs and uneven -ground, and surrounded in the distance with topes of trees -and villages. The cavalry and guns crossed a small river to -the left, and were followed by the 3rd Battalion. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span> -advanced guard was soon engaged, and forced the bridge. -On crossing the river they came upon the enemy’s position. -They were formed in a kind of crescent, two regiments bearing -green flags being drawn up in the centre. The Riflemen -advanced in column, preceded by Major Bourchier’s company -extended in skirmishing order. As they approached the -enemy Colonel Glyn, who was in command of the Battalion, -directed the two rear companies to wheel to the right. -These were Major Atherley’s and one commanded by Lieutenant -Cragg. As they got near the enemy, Atherley found -himself facing one of the regiments with the green standard. -He extended the companies, and after advancing some -way ordered Cragg’s company to lie down, sheltered by -some rising ground, and directed Cragg if he saw him -retiring, to pass through his files, and charge the enemy. -Then forming up his own company in line, he fixed swords -and charged the regiment in his front. These were drawn -up in all the ‘pomp and circumstance’ of regular troops. -They planted their green standard, shouted ‘Deen, deen!’ -and stood their ground. The Riflemen engaged in a hand-to-hand -conflict, killing many with their swords. It is said -that 150 were thus disposed of. One Rifleman having -driven his sword fixed on his rifle through the shield of his -opponent, was unable to draw it back, and the man making -a cut at his hands, he was compelled to let it go, and it was -never recovered. Some terrible drawing cuts were inflicted. -One Rifleman’s hand was cut off at a blow, the next cut -severed the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, the -third cut him across the stomach, and killed him. Meanwhile -the enemy did not yield. Cragg’s company had come -up, and the Riflemen were nearly exhausted. Five of the -enemy surrounded Atherley; four of them were shot by -Percival with his revolver; the other was trampled on and -disposed of by the pony on which Atherley was mounted, -which was very vicious. Percival having fired all six barrels -of his revolver drew his sword, and resting it against his -thigh, began to reload. At that instant, looking round, -he saw a native aiming a lance at his side; he evaded it -and the man was killed. This sort of thing could not last for -ever. The Riflemen, whom the excitement of the fight had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span> -animated and borne up after their fatiguing night march, -were becoming exhausted. Yet their courage and steadiness -were not without their results, for their opponents began to -break off and retire. Then Quartermaster Harvey,<a name="FNanchor_292_292" id="FNanchor_292_292"></a><a href="#Footnote_292_292" class="fnanchor">[292]</a> who had -accompanied these companies on his pony, galloped to some -of Hodson’s Horse who were near, and urged them to come -and charge the regiment opposed to his comrades. He -urged in vain. In vain did their officers give the word to -advance. Not a man moved. It was well perhaps for him -that they did not understand the epithets with which Harvey -assailed them. But just then he saw some squadrons of -the 7th Hussars approaching. He galloped to them, and -told their commanding officer, Sir William Russell, who was -leading, that the Riflemen could maintain the unequal fight -no longer, and must be overpowered unless help was at hand. -‘We’ll soon clear them,’ was the answer. And in an instant -the Hussars were thundering along at the charge.<a name="FNanchor_293_293" id="FNanchor_293_293"></a><a href="#Footnote_293_293" class="fnanchor">[293]</a> An instant -more they were on the green-bannered regiment, cutting them -up as they fled at their approach.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, in other parts of the field and against the -other body with the green colours, the Riflemen of this -Battalion waged an unequal conflict. For they were far -outnumbered, and so weary from their night march and the -fierce blaze of an Indian sun, that they were scarce able to -load, and when loaded could fire only with a desultory aim. -Many were struck down by the sun in the fight; and it was -impossible to distinguish when a man fell, whether sunstroke -or a wound brought him to the ground.</p> - -<p>Sir Hope Grant, who commanded in this action, says: -‘I have seen many battles in India, and many brave fellows -fighting with a determination to conquer or die, but I never -witnessed anything more magnificent than the conduct of -these Zemindarees.’<a name="FNanchor_294_294" id="FNanchor_294_294"></a><a href="#Footnote_294_294" class="fnanchor">[294]</a></p> - -<p>So far we have seen the part borne by the 3rd Battalion, -which, as I have said, led the column. We must return to -the opening of the battle, and to the 2nd Battalion. In front -of it, as they drew near the field, were some large guns, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span> -the delay of getting them over the nullah allowed the other -and leading Battalion to get a quarter or half a mile to the -front. Before the 2nd Battalion had crossed, and while they -were still expecting orders to advance, an alarm was given in -the rear. A considerable force of the enemy had found their -way to the rear round the right flank, and were cutting up the -camp followers. The number of these was large, as the Bays -had brought on their camp-equipage; and there was no rear-guard, -so that the defence of all this baggage devolved on -the 2nd Battalion. At this time, too, Lieutenant Ames, -who was coming up with spare ammunition, was attacked. -Colonel Hill immediately gave the word, ‘Right-about turn,’ -and extended three companies in his now front, sending one -under Lieutenant Baillie to protect his right flank, which was -threatened. The camp followers were running in in a confused -mass, to escape from their pursuers. As soon as these -stragglers had passed the line of skirmishers and cleared the -front, the skirmishers opened fire, and advancing to the -nearest cover halted, awaiting the Artillery which Colonel -Hill had sent to ask from the Brigadier. Meanwhile, the -now left was enfiladed by two of the enemy’s guns, and -Captain Dillon was sent with two companies to take or to -silence them.</p> - -<p>The skirmishers were keeping up an incessant fire, which -the enemy briskly returned, at a distance of about 400 yards, -but as the Riflemen were well covered they did not much -suffer. As no Artillery made its appearance, Colonel Hill -ordered the men to make a rush on the enemy. They did -so, and the rebels retired through a village; when the Riflemen -were ordered to halt. Having waited there till the -enemy had disappeared, the Battalion moved to a tope of -mango trees not far from the river, and there awaited further -orders.</p> - -<p>Some time after, a large body of cavalry appeared in -their rear (the proper rear of the column). These were at -first taken for Hodson’s Horse; but infantry soon appeared, -and it was ascertained that they were enemies. Two companies -of Riflemen moved down into a hollow which afforded -good cover; and as the cavalry passed, gave them a volley -at about 500 yards. This the infantry returned with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span> -straggling fire and then turned and fled. The Battalion -remained in the tope during the day and till about six in the -evening, when they were ordered to join the rest of the -column, then two or three miles in advance. They reached -their camping-ground about seven, and pitched their tents.</p> - -<p>I may here note some of the incidents of this fight. As -some of the 3rd Battalion were advancing on the enemy, who -were receiving them with a sharp fire, some hares were started -between the opposing ranks. More than one Rifleman -aimed and fired at the hares, not at the foe.<a name="FNanchor_295_295" id="FNanchor_295_295"></a><a href="#Footnote_295_295" class="fnanchor">[295]</a></p> - -<p>One man, a Ghazee,<a name="FNanchor_296_296" id="FNanchor_296_296"></a><a href="#Footnote_296_296" class="fnanchor">[296]</a> being cut off from his companions, -seemed determined to make a desperate fight for it. Setting -his back to a tree, he stood, sword in hand, glaring fiercely -on his pursuers, for some officers and men had followed him -into the tope. Some shots were taken at him, which he tried -to avoid by dodging round the tree, but he was wounded and -made more desperate. At last a Pioneer of the 3rd Battalion, -Samuel Shaw, rushed at him and closed with him. The -Ghazee wounded him on the head with his tulwar, but Shaw, -drawing his Pioneer’s sword, sawed at him with the serrated -back and despatched him. Shaw rose from the ground -covered with blood, but his opponent was slain. Many who -witnessed it declared that this combat with a fanatic determined -to sell his life to slay his foe, was the greatest instance -of cool courage they ever saw. For this act Shaw received -the Victoria Cross.</p> - -<p>Quartermaster Harvey, on going into a tope of trees where -the Battalion were about to encamp, came upon a man who -seemed inclined to make off. On Harvey stopping him, he -fell at his feet and offered, if his life were spared, to show -him where a quantity of powder was concealed. Accordingly, -Harvey and Percival followed him, and he brought them to a -place where there was a bullock-cart laden with seven casks -of powder. This was exploded and the bullocks taken possession -of.</p> - -<p>The casualties of the Regiment on this day were: of the -2nd Battalion, Lieutenant Lawton severely wounded, and 1<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span> -corporal and 2 privates wounded; in the 3rd Battalion, 1 -corporal and 11 privates wounded, and 1 Rifleman missing.</p> - -<p>But far worse than the injuries done by the enemy’s fire, -were the sufferings of the men from exposure to the sun. The -3rd Battalion lost 14 men from sunstroke; in the 2nd Battalion -1 man died of sunstroke, and many others suffered -from it, of whom 2 died on the next day, and another on the -15th.<a name="FNanchor_297_297" id="FNanchor_297_297"></a><a href="#Footnote_297_297" class="fnanchor">[297]</a> Fortunately, the supply of water was plentiful, and the -bheesties<a name="FNanchor_298_298" id="FNanchor_298_298"></a><a href="#Footnote_298_298" class="fnanchor">[298]</a> assiduous in administering it. Some of the men -were raving; some lying on their backs as if dead, while the -bheesties sprinkled them with water. So great was the exhaustion, -that on Sir Hope Grant’s giving an order that tents -were to be pitched, Quartermaster Harvey went to Brigadier -Horsford to say that in the 3rd Battalion the men were so -utterly exhausted that they could not do it, and begged him -to allow the men to lie down in the shade. The Brigadier -replied that the General’s order must be obeyed, but consented -to take him to Sir Hope Grant, to make his report in -person to him. Sir Hope insisted, and said ‘the tents must -and shall be pitched.’ On Harvey’s return to his Battalion -the men turned to, and set about pitching the tents; but -many fell down through sheer fatigue, and slept on the tents -they were ordered to pitch. Yet they afterwards had reason -to see the wisdom of General Grant’s determination; for the -shelter of the tents perhaps saved many lives; and as the -enemy were still hovering about, and might again attack, it was -essential that the regiments should be in some formation.</p> - -<p>Thus at about six in the evening the two Battalions encamped -on the field of Nawabgunge.</p> - -<p>Sir Hope Grant, in his despatch dated June 17, 1858, -speaks most favourably of the Rifle Battalions.</p> - -<p>‘Brigadier Horsford,’ he writes, ‘I am much indebted to -for the very excellent way he led on the infantry, and for the -support he gives me upon all occasions.’</p> - -<p>He also mentions</p> - -<p>‘Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, who with his Battalion so -gallantly and successfully protected our rear: a most important -service.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span></p> - -<p>‘Lieutenant-Colonel Glyn, a most excellent officer, and -whose Battalion, the 3rd, behaved so well, being actively employed -during the whole day.’</p> - -<p>He also favourably notices ‘200 infantry under Major -Oxenden,’ and repeatedly mentions the ‘two companies of the -Rifles under Captain Atherley.’</p> - -<p>Yet in his published work ‘The Sepoy War,’ Sir Hope -Grant, or his editor, Captain Knollys, R.A., gives all the credit -of these gallant deeds to the 60th, which was not near -Nawabgunge at the time.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_268_268" id="Footnote_268_268"></a><a href="#FNanchor_268_268"><span class="label">[268]</span></a> Forty men under Ensign Travers were left to guard the canal bridge.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_269_269" id="Footnote_269_269"></a><a href="#FNanchor_269_269"><span class="label">[269]</span></a> ‘Defence of Cawnpore,’ by Lieutenant-Colonel Adye, C.B., p. 19.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_270_270" id="Footnote_270_270"></a><a href="#FNanchor_270_270"><span class="label">[270]</span></a> General Windham’s Despatch, November 30, 1857.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_271_271" id="Footnote_271_271"></a><a href="#FNanchor_271_271"><span class="label">[271]</span></a> Letter from General Payn.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_272_272" id="Footnote_272_272"></a><a href="#FNanchor_272_272"><span class="label">[272]</span></a> Captain Curzon’s notes.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_273_273" id="Footnote_273_273"></a><a href="#FNanchor_273_273"><span class="label">[273]</span></a> Major Grey (retired), died December 11, 1874.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_274_274" id="Footnote_274_274"></a><a href="#FNanchor_274_274"><span class="label">[274]</span></a> The Hon. Major Milles, died June 7, 1871.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_275_275" id="Footnote_275_275"></a><a href="#FNanchor_275_275"><span class="label">[275]</span></a> Lieutenant Pemberton, of the 60th, temporarily attached to the Rifle -companies, was also wounded.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_276_276" id="Footnote_276_276"></a><a href="#FNanchor_276_276"><span class="label">[276]</span></a> Captain F. C. Playne died at Hamilton, Canada West, December 18, 1863.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_277_277" id="Footnote_277_277"></a><a href="#FNanchor_277_277"><span class="label">[277]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> a grove or clump.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_278_278" id="Footnote_278_278"></a><a href="#FNanchor_278_278"><span class="label">[278]</span></a> Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Walpole died July 12, 1876.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_279_279" id="Footnote_279_279"></a><a href="#FNanchor_279_279"><span class="label">[279]</span></a> General Windham’s Despatch, November 30, 1857.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_280_280" id="Footnote_280_280"></a><a href="#FNanchor_280_280"><span class="label">[280]</span></a> Lieutenant Armstrong, who was attached to the Riflemen as interpreter, was -also wounded in this sortie, being shot through both legs, one of which was amputated.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_281_281" id="Footnote_281_281"></a><a href="#FNanchor_281_281"><span class="label">[281]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel B. F. Alexander, retired.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_282_282" id="Footnote_282_282"></a><a href="#FNanchor_282_282"><span class="label">[282]</span></a> Colonel Ross’ letters; and General Mansfield’s Despatch, December 10, 1857. -He specially mentions Brigadier Walpole, Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford, and -Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_283_283" id="Footnote_283_283"></a><a href="#FNanchor_283_283"><span class="label">[283]</span></a> A different place from that of the same name, where the battle subsequently -took place.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_284_284" id="Footnote_284_284"></a><a href="#FNanchor_284_284"><span class="label">[284]</span></a> Lieutenant Henry D. Baillie, died November 1858, on passage home.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_285_285" id="Footnote_285_285"></a><a href="#FNanchor_285_285"><span class="label">[285]</span></a> Captain Riversdale R. Glyn, died at Aden, December 11, 1859.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_286_286" id="Footnote_286_286"></a><a href="#FNanchor_286_286"><span class="label">[286]</span></a> ‘Sepoy War,’ 245.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_287_287" id="Footnote_287_287"></a><a href="#FNanchor_287_287"><span class="label">[287]</span></a> A kind of pea, which grows very thick and tangled.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_288_288" id="Footnote_288_288"></a><a href="#FNanchor_288_288"><span class="label">[288]</span></a> Major Sir Henry Wilmot, Bart., received the Victoria Cross for his gallant -conduct on this occasion. He has retired from the army. Nash and Hawkes -also obtained the Cross.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_289_289" id="Footnote_289_289"></a><a href="#FNanchor_289_289"><span class="label">[289]</span></a> I cannot conclude the mention of Lucknow without noting that Havelock, -whose name is indissolubly connected with it, was an old Rifleman. He entered -the Army in the 1st Battalion July 20, 1815, and served in it till 1821.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_290_290" id="Footnote_290_290"></a><a href="#FNanchor_290_290"><span class="label">[290]</span></a> Dooly, <em>i.e.</em> a litter.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_291_291" id="Footnote_291_291"></a><a href="#FNanchor_291_291"><span class="label">[291]</span></a> Called Nawabgunge-Burrabunkee to distinguish it from other places of the -same name.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_292_292" id="Footnote_292_292"></a><a href="#FNanchor_292_292"><span class="label">[292]</span></a> Major Harvey, Paymaster.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_293_293" id="Footnote_293_293"></a><a href="#FNanchor_293_293"><span class="label">[293]</span></a> The officers of Hodson’s Horse joined in this charge.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_294_294" id="Footnote_294_294"></a><a href="#FNanchor_294_294"><span class="label">[294]</span></a> ‘Sepoy War,’ 291.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_295_295" id="Footnote_295_295"></a><a href="#FNanchor_295_295"><span class="label">[295]</span></a> An exact counterpart, or repetition rather, of what occurred at Sabugal. See -<a href="#Page_82">p. 82</a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_296_296" id="Footnote_296_296"></a><a href="#FNanchor_296_296"><span class="label">[296]</span></a> A champion who fights against infidels.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_297_297" id="Footnote_297_297"></a><a href="#FNanchor_297_297"><span class="label">[297]</span></a> On the evening of the battle 24 men were buried in one grave.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_298_298" id="Footnote_298_298"></a><a href="#FNanchor_298_298"><span class="label">[298]</span></a> Water-carriers.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">The rains having come on, the 2nd Battalion was ordered -to remain at Nawabgunge, and proceeded to build huts for -shelter on raised platforms; but this was done but slowly, the -supply of Coolies for the work being scanty, the Government -having engaged them for other work; and before the huts -were completed the Battalion was moved, as will be presently -narrated.</p> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion marched from Nawabgunge on the 21st -at three in the morning, and proceeded to Chinhut, where they -encamped. Here they had left their sick on the 12th, and it -appeared that a fearful panic had occurred on the next day. -For some irregular cavalry and camp followers had fled from -the field while the battle was raging, and, passing through -Chinhut to Lucknow, had spread a report that we had been -cut up, and that the enemy were advancing. Some of the -sick, terrified by this intelligence, left their beds or their -doolies, and madly rushed about with scarce any clothing in -the sun. This was attended in some cases with fatal results. -However, these alarmists had better have faced the hostile fire -on the field of Nawabgunge than the face of the General at -Lucknow, who, knowing their reports to be false, ordered them -to be soundly flogged.</p> - -<p>On this march the Battalion brought with them five of the -six guns taken at Nawabgunge; and as their carriages were -old, and the road very bad, they much retarded their progress. -However, they succeeded in pitching their tents before -the sun was powerful.</p> - -<p>On the 22nd they marched again at three <span class="fs70">A.M.</span>, and -arrived at the Cantonments at Lucknow at nine, where they -encamped. Soon after this the rains set in, with a violent -thunderstorm which flooded the tents on July 8; and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span> -men were employed to build huts, partly out of the remains of -ruined bungalows which had been destroyed by the rebels, in -order to shelter them during the rainy season. But no such -provision was made for the officers, who continued in tents. -Here the Battalion remained for more than three months, -during which time the men suffered much from cholera and -from their recent exposure to the weather.</p> - -<p>On July 22 the 2nd Battalion left Nawabgunge for Fyzabad -in order to assist Maun Singh, who was besieged by -the rebels. They struck tents and marched eight miles to -Dundirah, many men falling out from fatigue. On the next -day they proceeded to Turkani, six miles, and on the 24th, -intelligence having been received that Maun Singh could not -hold out four days longer, they pushed forward to Derriabad, -thirteen miles, instead of halting at the end of eight miles, as -was intended. This was a most distressing march; the -weather was very hot, the thermometer being at 105° in the -tents; and numbers of men were taken ill on the way. They -halted on the 25th, it having rained all night, but started again -at four on the 26th, and encamped at Burehke Serai. On the -next day they proceeded to Begumgunge, and on the 28th -tents were struck at four in the morning; but in consequence -of the heavy rain they did not start till half-past-six. They -marched seven miles, and encamped at Samao, on the banks -of the Gogra. On the 29th they reached Fyzabad after a -march of thirteen miles, only to find that the rebels had left -it that morning, and crossed the Gogra; however, the Horse -Artillery got up to the bank in time to get a couple of shots -at the last boat-loads. The Battalion halted at Fyzabad for -a fortnight, during which time, on August 6, the camp was -shifted to platforms on account of the rain; but while this -was being done a violent storm came on, and the men were -drenched before the tents could be pitched.</p> - -<p>On the 9th Brigadier Horsford, with a portion of the 7th -Hussars, the Madras Fusiliers, a troop of Horse Artillery, and -some native troops, proceeded to Sultanpore; and the 2nd -Battalion, being ordered to reinforce him, started soon after -three on the morning of the 16th. It was a dreadful march. -Soon after starting, they lost their way in the dark. The -country being flooded from the rains, it was some time before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span> -they could find a track; and even on this the water was -ankle-deep. Having marched about four miles, they halted -for a rest. It came on to pour, and the rest of the way the -men were up to their knees, sometimes to their middle, in -water. The mud, too, on which they walked was slippery -and fetid. Under these circumstances they did not reach -their camping-ground at Butturpore, a distance of twelve -miles, till one o’clock in the afternoon. Even then their sufferings -were not at an end. The Commissariat carts were not -up, and it was three o’clock before the drenched Riflemen got -their tents pitched and broke their fast. On the 17th they -marched to Perownee, nine miles, a repetition of the discomforts -of the preceding day, save only that no rain fell. The -men frequently fell into holes that had been made for planting -trees; a source of merriment to his comrades, but of misery to -the unfortunate diver himself. On arrival at Perownee there -was considerable difficulty and delay in finding a spot dry -enough to pitch a camp. At last some rocky eminences were -fixed on, which cropped up above the plain and stood up above -the flooded ground. Here the tents were pitched without -order; for the men were obliged to place them wherever the -scanty ground afforded room.</p> - -<p>On the next day they marched to Burtenpore, six miles, -with less discomfort, the day being fine and the road tolerably -good. Here they halted on the 19th, to allow the Commissariat -hackeries, which had fallen two marches behind, to come -up. And on the 20th moved on to Sultanpore on the -Goomtee, by a very good road. They found the enemy, with -a force of about 10,000 men, occupying the opposite bank of -the river, here not more than a hundred yards broad. They -therefore halted, observing the enemy, and exchanging occasional -shots with them, until General Grant came up on the -23rd with reinforcements. On the 25th the Madras Fusiliers -began to cross the river without opposition. This occupied -some days. And on the 25th the 2nd Battalion was paraded at -three o’clock to cross; but the Madras Fusiliers not having -completed their passage, the Riflemen were ordered into bungalows -for shelter. Later in the evening, however, Sir Hope -Grant having received intelligence that the Madras Fusiliers -were hard pressed, ordered the Battalion to cross immediately.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span> -They were accordingly turned out at eight, and about two -hours after began to cross the river, much swollen by the rains, -on rafts. Of these there were only two, formed of old rum -barrels, each calculated to convey twenty-four or thirty men. -However, Colonel Hill got over as quickly as possible with two -companies, who reached the opposite bank about midnight; -and after a march of about two miles, reached the ridge occupied -by the Madras Fusiliers. But it appeared to have been -a false alarm, for there was no appearance of danger. The -men, therefore, piled arms and bivouacked; and the night -passed quietly, except that the rebels kept up a constant fire -on the picquets. On the next morning a couple of tents were -got over for the companies on the right bank, and the remainder -of the Battalion crossed and encamped on the plain. -On the 27th at sunset the enemy, who were about two miles -or more distant, turned out as if for an attack; but they did -not venture within 1,200 yards.</p> - -<p>On the 28th the rebels, by giving a gun great elevation, -and probably half burying it, contrived to throw a few shot -into the Riflemen’s camp; doing no damage to them, however, -though they killed an old woman, and knocked over an -elephant, by hitting him on the pad, but, except rolling him -over, doing him no hurt.</p> - -<p>On the 29th they paraded at two in the morning, and -marched at three to the cantonments, making a circuit to -get well round the enemy; but to their great disappointment -the enemy had gone off during the night. The Riflemen -waited under topes till the baggage came up, when -they pitched their tents, heavy rain coming on just as they -did so.</p> - -<p>The Battalion halted at Sultanpore for some weeks with -little change, such as, for instance, a company (under -Lieutenant Sotheby) recrossing the Goomtee to protect the -heavy guns.</p> - -<p>On October 4 six companies of the 3rd Battalion, under -Colonel Glyn, moved into Lucknow. And on the 5th Captain -Alexander’s company marched at nine in the evening to join -an expedition to Sundeelah (about forty miles from Lucknow), -commanded by Brigadier Barker.</p> - -<p>This party, consisting of 100 men, was in charge of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span> -Lieutenant Andrew Green,<a name="FNanchor_299_299" id="FNanchor_299_299"></a><a href="#Footnote_299_299" class="fnanchor">[299]</a> and accompanied by Ensign -Richards; for Captain Alexander had been ordered to take a -detachment up the country.</p> - -<p>On arrival at Sundeelah on the 7th, information was received -that a large force of rebels were about four miles off at -a place called Jamo.</p> - -<p>At daybreak on the 8th, therefore, the column marched to -Jamo. On approaching the enemy’s position, which was a -strong one, a village on high ground and surrounded with -dense jungle, fire was opened on them from guns posted in -the village and from matchlocks in the jungle. The Riflemen -were extended in skirmishing order on the right, and entered -the jungle. Lieutenant Green had warned the men not to -lose communication with their files; but in the thickness of -the jungle three men got separated, and were surrounded and -wounded by the enemy. Hearing firing, Lieutenant Green at -once made for the place, and was immediately surrounded by -six rebels. He shot two with his revolver. As he was in the -act of dismounting to attack the others, he was cut down and -hacked at while on the ground. Springing to his feet, however, -he managed to knock down two more of his assailants -with the butt of his revolver, and drawing his sword, he kept the -others at bay. While he was about to fall back in search of -some of his men, he was attacked by three more of the enemy -and a second time cut down. Again getting to his feet, he -contrived with his wounded right hand to shoot another man, -who was in the act of cutting at him with his tulwar, and whose -blow, descending as he fell dead, inflicted a deep wound on -Green’s head. Colour-Sergeant Mansel,<a name="FNanchor_300_300" id="FNanchor_300_300"></a><a href="#Footnote_300_300" class="fnanchor">[300]</a> meantime, had heard -the firing, and was making his way to the part of the jungle -the sounds seemed to proceed from, when he came on a Rifleman -wounded and retiring, who informed him that Lieutenant -Green had come to his assistance, and was then hard pressed -by several Sepoys. Hurrying on in the direction the man had -pointed out, the Sergeant soon was attacked by a rebel, whom -he succeeded in shooting; but before he could reload his rifle he -was set upon by another man, who cut at him with his tulwar.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span> -After a severe struggle Sergeant Mansel knocked him over by -a blow with the butt of his rifle, and soon after he came upon -Green lying bathed in blood outside the jungle, and with the -help of two Riflemen carried him fainting to the rear.</p> - -<p>Green received fourteen sabre cuts and one gunshot wound. -Four of these wounds were obliged to be sewn up on the -ground, and as soon as he was brought back to camp his left -arm was amputated below the elbow, and his right thumb -was taken off. Faint from loss of blood and from excessive -fatigue (for the Riflemen had been under arms from four in the -morning till three in the afternoon), it was not thought that he -could rally, and for some days his life was despaired of. He -was, however, moved to Lucknow on the 21st.</p> - -<p>Few men, probably, have ever survived so many and such -severe wounds.</p> - -<p>Besides Lieutenant Green, three Riflemen were (as I have -said) wounded on this day.</p> - -<p>It will be anticipated that Brigadier Barker speaks highly -of this gallant deed in his despatch of October 9.</p> - -<p>‘The party of the Rifle Brigade, under Lieutenant Green’ -he says, ‘gallantly rushed up the high position in front of the -village, and captured a six-pounder gun.’ ... ‘Among the -wounded (and I am sorry to say he is dangerously so) is -Lieutenant Green, Rifle Brigade.... This officer had behaved -so gallantly all through the day that I most deeply -lament this misfortune.’ Ensign Richards also was favourably -mentioned in this despatch.</p> - -<p>The Adjutant-General of the Army in India, also, in forwarding -this despatch to the Secretary of the Government, -by the direction of the Commander-in-Chief adds, ‘I am also -to request marked attention to the gallantry of Lieutenant -Green of the Rifle Brigade, who has been dangerously -wounded.’ And the Governor-General in his General Order -publishing these despatches, states his ‘great satisfaction’ at -the conduct of Lieutenant Green.<a name="FNanchor_301_301" id="FNanchor_301_301"></a><a href="#Footnote_301_301" class="fnanchor">[301]</a></p> - -<p>On the 12th Captain Alexander, who had returned to -Lucknow on the previous day, proceeded to take command of -his company, and arrived at Sundeelah on the 13th.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 13th this company were engaged in a daur<a name="FNanchor_302_302" id="FNanchor_302_302"></a><a href="#Footnote_302_302" class="fnanchor">[302]</a> -to the fort of Mandaula, which was blown up, and three guns -were taken. And on the 18th three more companies, Atherley’s, -Stephens’, and H. Newdigate’s, under command of Major -Oxenden, marched from Lucknow and joined it at Sandeelah.</p> - -<p>On the 21st the Brigade under Brigadier Barker proceeded -to attack the fort of Birwah, which was held by Gholab Singh -and about 700 rebels. The four companies of the 3rd -Battalion, commanded by Captains Alexander and Stephens, -and Lieutenants Percival and Cragg, and led by Major -Oxenden, accompanied this force. They paraded at two <span class="fs70">A.M.</span>, -and soon after marched in the direction of Birwah, and -arrived before it about seven in the morning. Brigadier -Barker had resolved to attack the west front. A few hundred -yards from the fort was a village on a mound, which was -intrenched and occupied by the enemy’s picquets. It was -surmised that, as in so many previous instances, the rebels -would not have awaited the approach of the column. But the -assailants were soon undeceived; for a puff of smoke issued -from a large circular bamboo jungle on the right, and a round -shot flew over the column. The Riflemen were then hurried -to the front; and with some native police and an eighteen-pounder -and mortars, gradually inclined to the right till they -came to the village, from which they drove in the enemy’s -picquets, and it and the intrenchments were at once abandoned. -They were then halted and ordered to lie down in -a wood beyond the village. In front was an impenetrable -bamboo jungle, out of which shots came now and then to -show where the fort was, but so thick was the mass of bush -and thorns that they could not see the walls; though from -the reports of the guns they did not seem to be more than -100 yards off.</p> - -<p>The mortars were placed in the village, and the gunners -were directed to pitch their shells over the Riflemen, and to -let them fall near a flag-staff which was supposed to mark -the centre of the fort; but the enemy foreseeing this had -moved the flag-staff to the further side, so that the shells -went over the fort altogether. The fire of the mortars appearing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span> -thus to produce no effect, the eighteen-pounder was -brought to where the Riflemen were lying down among the -trees, in order to endeavour to make a breach in the wall. -Lieutenant Percival was sent with twenty men of the company -in his charge into the jungle, with orders to move along the -ditch, to mount the breastwork of the outer defences, and to -clear it of the enemy. This was rapidly effected. They -drove the enemy before them, who abandoned the outer -works, leaving a gun in their hands, and escaping through -the jungle, retired to the fort. In this service two Riflemen -were killed.</p> - -<p>At this time a shell fell near Major Oxenden, who was on -horseback close behind the line of skirmishers, wounding his -horse; wounding also Colour-Sergeant Mansel in two places, -and knocking over one or two more Riflemen.</p> - -<p>The eighteen-pounder continued to be fired point-blank -through the jungle; and a lane was speedily cleared by its -fire, and the wall of the fort was discovered about seventy -yards distant.</p> - -<p>As the fire of the mortars appeared to produce no effect, -Brigadier Barker ordered the fort to be assaulted about half-past -two in the afternoon. Captain Alexander’s company, -which had left camp fifty of all ranks, increased by a section -of another company, was to act as the storming party; while -100 Riflemen were to keep down the fire from the place. At -the same time another regiment (the 88th) was sent round to -the opposite face of the fort, to force an entrance by blowing -open the gate; while the native police were to occupy a gate -on another side, by which it was anticipated the rebels might -attempt to escape. Some of the native police who were left -with the Riflemen were to carry the scaling ladders. Captain -Goodenough, R.A. Brigade Major (who had joined the -stormers as a volunteer), and Captain Alexander crept forward -through the jungle, close up to the ditch, to reconnoitre -it.</p> - -<p>All being thus prepared, Alexander’s company advanced -through the jungle, the natives carrying the long bamboo -ladders, till they came to a space clear of jungle, extending -thirty or forty yards from the ditch. The enemy opened a -heavy fire from the rampart, by which several Riflemen were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span> -shot down, Corporal Rudd being killed by a shot through the -head. The native police dropped the ladders and disappeared, -and the stormers had to carry them themselves. When they -were placed in the ditch, which was here about twelve feet -deep,<a name="FNanchor_303_303" id="FNanchor_303_303"></a><a href="#Footnote_303_303" class="fnanchor">[303]</a> and the Riflemen began to descend them, the rungs -gave way, and they had to let themselves down hand over -hand. The ladders were then tilted over to the other side to -help the stormers to get up the breach, which was very imperfect -and almost perpendicular. It seemed to them nearly -forty feet to the top of the breach, and they were almost up -to their waists in water in the ditch. Richards was the first -man at the top of the breach, and Sergeant Maloney closely -followed him. Just before they got to the top of the breach -a gun exploded over their heads, with which the enemy had -no doubt intended to welcome them on arrival, but which was -fired a few seconds too soon. When the stormers reached -the top of the wall the enemy ran away; and the Riflemen -having waited a minute or two there to allow the remainder -of the company to join them, moved forward, and found -themselves in a kind of broad street with houses on the right-hand -side, and the wall of the place on the left. At the -further end, near the entrance to a courtyard, were four -or five guns with some of the rebels near them. The Riflemen -went at them as hard as they could, and took the guns -before they could be discharged; and the enemy retreated -into the courtyard, meaning probably to escape by the other -gates. But at these the 88th and the native police met them -and headed them back. Then it was that the hardest fighting -took place. The rebels, being thus caught in a trap, fought -bravely for a time. Many of the Riflemen were hit. Richards, -while fighting hand to hand with a gigantic rebel, whom he -succeeded in thrusting through the eye with his sword, was shot -from a window, and received more than one wound. One -ball traversed the thigh, and passed out at the back of the -leg, just below the knee-joint. Sergeant Maloney picked -him up and carried him away bathed in blood. This youth, -barely eighteen years of age, had shown uncommon valour,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span> -both on this occasion and at Jamo a few days before. He -died of these wounds at Lucknow on December 8. Captain -Alexander was also slightly wounded at this time in the neck -by a pistol bullet and in the left shoulder by an arrow.</p> - -<p>The enemy broke up, however, and retreated into the -different houses; and as these were loopholed and fortified, it -was difficult to dislodge them. Some of the houses were -broken open; and the Riflemen, taking advantage of whatever -cover they could find, picked off the rebels whenever -they showed themselves; which they did on the roofs of the -houses, to hurl down stones or beams of wood on the assailants. -A Rifleman had his sword, which was fixed on his rifle, bent -nearly double by the blow of a great log of wood which fell -on it. Thus the fighting went on till night. Gholab Singh, it -was reported, and some of his followers had retreated to a -house in the centre of the fort, from which a smart fire was -kept up. This house was set on fire, and about ten o’clock -the greater part of it was blown up by the Engineers. Yet -Gholab Singh with twelve men escaped by making a rush, -jumping from the wall, and getting into the jungle, though -troops—not Riflemen—were left to prevent his escape. With -this exception the defenders were all killed.</p> - -<p>The casualties of the Riflemen were 2 officers (Alexander -and Richards) wounded; 1 corporal killed, 2 others wounded, -of whom 1 died; Colour-Sergeant Mansel dangerously -wounded, arm amputated; 1 bugler severely wounded; 1 -private killed, and 24 privates wounded: 3 dangerously and -12 severely. Captain Alexander and some of the men -were wounded by barbed arrows. A long procession of -doolies carrying these (and other) wounded soon after set -out from Sundeelah to Lucknow.</p> - -<p>Brigadier Barker, in his despatch dated October 24, 1858, -thus speaks of the conduct of the Riflemen:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘Major Oxenden, commanding Rifle Brigade, deserves -the greatest credit for the manner in which he handled his -men, and disposed them for the assault of the breach.... -Captain Alexander, Rifle Brigade, commanding the storming -party, deserves the greatest credit; and Lieutenant Cragg -and Ensign Richards, who accompanied him, displayed the -greatest courage; the latter, as I have stated, was the first at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span> -the top of the breach, but I regret to say was shortly after -dangerously wounded.... Assistant-Surgeon Storey, Rifle -Brigade [and others], deserve the greatest praise for their -attention to the wounded during the night.... The names -of the men mentioned in the margin<a name="FNanchor_304_304" id="FNanchor_304_304"></a><a href="#Footnote_304_304" class="fnanchor">[304]</a> have been brought to -my notice by their commanding officers as having particularly -distinguished themselves.’</p> -</div> - -<p>I have now to resume the account of the movements of -the 2nd Battalion after their halt of six weeks at Sultanpore. -On the morning of October 11 this Battalion struck tents at -four in the morning, and recrossing the Goomtee marched -with a force under Sir Hope Grant to the north-east, in the -direction of Tandah. They encamped that night at Itkowlie -after a march of five miles; on the next day they proceeded -to Rajahpore, nine miles; on the 13th, starting soon after -three, they made a march of fifteen miles on a very hot day, -and encamped at Dospore, where they halted till the 18th, -when they moved to Akberpore, ten miles. After a halt of -two days they resumed their march on the 21st; they encamped -that night at Simree, nine miles; moved to Jasingpore, -twelve miles, on the next day; and returned to Sultanpore, -fourteen miles, on the 23rd.</p> - -<p>They did not long remain here; for on the 26th they -marched on an expedition towards the fort of Amethie. -Starting at four in the morning, they encamped at Doadpore -after an eleven miles’ march. On the 27th they started at the -same hour; four companies of the Battalion formed the advanced-guard; -and as the rebels were expected to fight here, -the Battalion formed up before entering the jungle. The -enemy had erected two batteries on the road. There was a -river running through, with a bridge which the batteries -commanded. But before the troops came up, the enemy had -deserted this position. The cavalry pursued them; but the -country being full of jungle and intersected with ravines, could -not come up with them. At the end of a twelve-mile march -the Battalion encamped; but struck tents again at three in -the afternoon, and marched five miles further to Jugdespore. -They did not camp here till nine at night, when it was pitch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span> -dark; and the men were much wearied with their long and -fatiguing march.</p> - -<p>On the 28th, leaving their camp standing, they marched -at four in the morning, about six miles into the jungle to a -fort called Kataree. On arrival they found it deserted. The -fort was blown up, and they took five guns, one brass and -four iron. The former had an inscription in Persian, stating -that it had belonged to Rajah Buksh Ullah Khan Bahadoor. -It had been employed in the Sikh campaign. The iron guns, -being unserviceable, were destroyed.</p> - -<p>It appeared from the traces on the ground that the rebels -had occupied with considerable numbers the positions they -had gone over in the late marches. Many of these were -strong and commanding; and had the enemy dared to make -a stand they might have harassed our people considerably; -but their courage had failed them, and all were found unoccupied. -The Battalion returned to their camp at Jugdespore -about seven in the evening.</p> - -<p>On the 29th they marched to Gooreabad, nine miles. A -weary march, for the siege guns could not be got forward in -consequence of the frequent occurrence of nullahs and aqueducts -for irrigating the country. These were broken down by -coolies; yet the progress was very slow, and they did not -camp at Gooreabad, till after eleven.</p> - -<p>On the 30th they started at four in the morning; and it -was intended to make a march of seventeen miles. But from -the same difficulties in moving the heavy guns as occurred -the day before, the camp was pitched at Itterowah, after -marching nine miles, which it took six hours to accomplish.</p> - -<p>On the 31st the Battalion marched to Ettyah, eight miles, -and halted there for some days.</p> - -<p>On November 9 they marched at four o’clock in the -morning. The country being cultivated there was great -difficulty in getting the siege guns forward, and the treasure -chest broke down. Thus hindered, it took the Battalion -some thirteen hours to make a march of eighteen miles; and -they did not encamp, about a mile and a half from the fort of -Amethie, till five in the evening. Here they formed a junction -with the Commander-in-Chief’s army, which was encamped -about five miles from them, on the north-east of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span> -fort; while General Wetherall’s force was on the south-west. -The Riflemen expected to assault the fort on the morrow. -But when that morrow came, Loll Madhoo, the Rajah of -Amethie, came into camp and capitulated, declaring that he -had no power over his people, and that he had been compelled, -in order to save his own life, to fire on the English -troops the day before.</p> - -<p>But though the Rajah had himself surrendered, no doubt -to secure his personal safety, the occupants of the fort evacuated -it in the night, and disappeared through the jungle. -Wherefore on the 11th the Battalion received an order to -start in pursuit; and marched at three o’clock in the afternoon -through very dusty roads nine miles to Gowriegunge, -and did not reach their camping-ground till seven o’clock in -the evening. On the 12th they proceeded to Ettyah, nine -miles.</p> - -<p>On the 13th, starting at six in the morning, they marched -twelve miles to Pursaidepore, near Salone, where they arrived -at twelve, having on the march crossed the river Sie. At eight -o’clock at night they received a sudden order to move their -camp further; and accordingly on the 14th, at five in the -morning, marched four miles, and arriving at seven pitched -their camp at Secrian, near the entrance of the jungle, and -furnished strong outlying picquets.</p> - -<p>On the next day, starting early in the morning, they -marched fourteen miles by a very bad road and through -clouds of dust to Shunkerpore. This was a stronghold of -Beni Madhoo, and it was hoped that by concentrating the -columns on it, he might be caught. But however there was -a fresh disappointment. In the dark hours of the morning -he managed to evade the picquets, and to escape with his -followers, guns and baggage. As soon as his flight was discovered -on the morning of the 16th, the Battalion received a -sudden order to march in pursuit, and starting at seven o’clock -proceeded to Roy Bareilly, where they pitched camp about -two in the afternoon.</p> - -<p>On the 17th they made a march of sixteen miles to -Mohungunge, starting at six and not arriving till about two, -several long halts having been made for guns to come up, the -road leading through much thick jungle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 18th they made a long and tedious march of fourteen -miles to Jugdespore, where they halted for four days. -On the 20th they received an order to go on a reconnaissance, -leaving their tents standing, and paraded for that purpose; -but the order was countermanded.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd they resumed their movements; and starting -at six in the morning arrived at Inhona, after a short and easy -march of seven miles, at a little after nine.</p> - -<p>On the 24th the left wing of the Battalion, under Major -Warren, received during the night orders to move (with -part of the 7th Hussars and some guns) to the assistance of -Colonel Galwey’s column. That officer, it appeared, had -come to some fort which had no guns; but on its occupants -being called on to surrender they had refused, and had fired on -and killed an Engineer officer and some men. The Riflemen -marched at six in the morning to Koilee, twelve miles, but -on arrival there found that the garrison of the fort had during -the night crossed the Goomtee and disappeared. This wing, -therefore, after a day’s halt at Koilee, marched on the 26th to -Bekta, seven miles; and on the 27th, after a short march of -six miles, rejoined Head-quarters at Hydergurh.</p> - -<p>These had in the meanwhile had an encounter with the -enemy. For Brigadier Horsford had, before starting for -Koilee, directed Colonel Hill to march towards Lucknow, -taking with him the other wing of the Hussars and some -Horse Artillery, and to attack a force of rebels supposed to -be about two marches in that direction; and to protect the -baggage of the entire column.</p> - -<p>Colonel Hill came up with the rebels on the 26th near -Hydergurh. The Riflemen were first engaged, and as the -enemy were making a running fight of it, the cavalry and -Artillery galloped up through the skirmishers, and did considerable -execution. The Riflemen took a gun; and the -Hussars under Sir William Russell pursued the Sepoys and -cut them up. The Riflemen then encamped at Hydergurh; -and halted there till December 2, when they marched sixteen -miles to Monshegunge, and encamped there for the night. -And starting on the following morning at five o’clock, arrived -at the Dilkoosha, Lucknow, after a fourteen-mile march, at -half-past nine.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span></p> - -<p>On December 5 the 2nd Battalion, forming part of a force -under the command of Lord Clyde, started at six in the -morning from Lucknow, and made a march of twenty miles, -arriving at Newabgunge at about three or four in the afternoon, -when the men got their breakfasts.</p> - -<p>On the 6th they struck tents at five, and paraded at six, -but did not get off till seven, when, making a very long march -of twenty-two miles, they proceeded to Gunnespore, Byram -Ghât, which they reached about three. The men were very -tired and hungry, for they had had nothing to eat till about -five, when they got their breakfast. On the way intelligence -was received that the rebels were crossing the river. The -cavalry and Horse Artillery pushed forward; and sixteen -Riflemen and an officer (Lieutenant Sotheby<a name="FNanchor_305_305" id="FNanchor_305_305"></a><a href="#Footnote_305_305" class="fnanchor">[305]</a>) were mounted -on the limbers. They went as hard as they could go; but -when they came to the Ghât they found the rebels had been -too quick for them, and had crossed the river. However, the -Riflemen got a few shots at them. The 7th Hussars after -this chase were much astonished to hear the words, ‘The -Rifles to the front;’ for they fancied the whole Battalion was -coming up, and could not understand how they had kept up -with such a pace as the Hussars and guns had been going. -However, only Sotheby and his sixteen Riflemen then -answered this call. For it had been a joke with these -Hussars when they were an advanced guard with the Riflemen -(and they had been on many): on the part of the -troopers, ‘that they could not get rid of these little fellows;’ -on the part of the Riflemen, that they ‘marched the horsemen -down,’ and ‘could not make them march fast enough.’</p> - -<p>On the 7th some companies of the Battalion were suddenly -paraded at half-past one, and with the 7th Hussars went five -miles up the river in search of rebels; but returned unsuccessful -at seven in the evening.</p> - -<p>The great object was now to cross the Gogra; and as -there was a difficulty in forming a boat-bridge at Byram Ghât, -Lord Clyde determined to proceed to Fyzabad where a bridge -already existed. Accordingly on the 8th the Battalion, starting -at six in the morning, made a march of twenty miles to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[409]</a></span> -Derriabad, which they reached at three in the afternoon. On -the next day they marched seventeen miles to Begumgunge, -and on the 10th another long march of nineteen miles to -Fyzabad. In these long marches few Riflemen, if any, fell out, -though the marches lasted from six in the morning till two or -three in the afternoon, the hottest hours of the day.</p> - -<p>On the 11th the Battalion crossed the Gogra by a bridge -of boats. The river is here about 600 yards broad, having a -great expanse of sand on each side. The turn of the Battalion -to cross came at four in the afternoon, and they afterwards -marched about six miles on the other side to Newabgunge, -where they encamped about six. On the 12th, starting at six -in the morning, they arrived at Jamkapoorah at noon, and on -the next day marched to Dheras, fifteen miles. On the 14th -they proceeded to Secrora, another march of fifteen miles, -and on the day following to Kurrunpore, eleven miles. Mr. -Russell, the ‘Times’ correspondent, who was accompanying -the Commander-in-Chief’s column, thus writes of the Battalion -under this date: ‘The Rifle Brigade who are with us are as -hard as nails; faces tanned brown, and muscles hardened into -whipcord; and to see them step over the ground with their -officers marching beside them is a very fine sight for those -who have an eye for real first-rate soldiers. Lord Clyde is -greatly pleased with the officers because they do not ride on -ponies, as many officers of other regiments are accustomed to -do.’<a name="FNanchor_306_306" id="FNanchor_306_306"></a><a href="#Footnote_306_306" class="fnanchor">[306]</a></p> - -<p>On the 16th, though tents were struck at five in the morning, -the Battalion did not march in consequence of rain till -eleven, when they moved to Khariat, where, after a march of -ten miles, they encamped at three.</p> - -<p>On the next day they marched in heavy and constant rain -to Baraitch, where camp was pitched in a very beautiful spot -at eleven in the forenoon. Here they halted for five days: -the first halt they had had since they left Lucknow, nearly a -fortnight before; and very acceptable it was to the men, -though not without its discomforts. For the night after their -arrival was, as the day of their march had been, one of incessant -rain. And tents and everything men and officers had on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[410]</a></span> -or possessed were saturated with wet. The morning revealed -a swamp, rather than a camp; many of the tents stood in pools -of water in which the men waded ankle-deep. A dense fog, -too, came down from the hills, and took away all hope of -drying their clothes. Whether for this reason, or on account -of the increasing cold which now began to be severely felt, -the Riflemen resumed their cloth clothing on the next day. -However, the remaining days of their halt at Baraitch -were fine.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd they again started at six in the morning; but -soon after leaving Baraitch they were halted, and their route -altered. They then made a march of fifteen miles, in the -course of which they forded the river, and arrived at Jeta at -two.</p> - -<p>On the 24th the order was to march as usual in the morning; -but as the men turned out rain came on, and the ‘halt’ -was sounded, luckily before the tents were struck. Their halt -here gave them an opportunity of making their arrangements -for keeping Christmas on the morrow. But these were very -near being useless; for Lord Clyde issued an order that the -soldiers were to have their dinners at one, and march at two. -Great was the consternation; and fears of all the good things -they had provided being unconsumed or eaten half-raw pervaded -everyone. However, before the dreaded hour, staff -officers, who had been sent out to observe the roads, reported -that they were in too bad a state from recent rains for the -troops to move. The Commander-in-Chief, therefore, unwillingly -postponed his intended march. Serenity was restored -to hearts which knew no fear save that of losing the -one good dinner long hoped for; and the day was spent -happily, the more so as it was fine.</p> - -<p>But after this recreation, hard work soon began again. -The Battalion marched at six in the morning of the 26th. It -was very foggy, but cleared up about eight. After marching -some twelve miles, they were halted to allow them to eat their -breakfast. Here they stayed about two hours, resuming their -advance at half-past one. Two companies of the Battalion, -under Captain Fremantle, with cavalry, formed the advanced -guard.</p> - -<p>On their arrival near a jungle Sir William Russell, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[411]</a></span> -commanded the advance, ordered these two companies to the -front, and desired them to extend at the entrance of the jungle. -They did so, and advanced, and about four in the afternoon -found the enemy in a tope of trees, who opened upon them -with two guns. The advanced companies then, with the -cavalry, Horse Artillery, and five other companies of the Battalion, -formed line and advanced. The cavalry and Horse -Artillery soon distanced the Riflemen; and while the former -attacked the flank of the enemy, the Riflemen brought their -right shoulders forward, and went on at the double. They -pursued the enemy, who did not make any stand, for five or -six miles. The Battalion encamped at Churdah about eight -o’clock, the men being very weary; for they had marched -about twenty-one miles, and the latter part of it in pursuit of -the rebels had been got over at a very quick pace. The -Riflemen killed three Sepoys in this chase, and five guns were -taken.</p> - -<p>On the 27th it was understood that the Battalion was to -halt; but at nine o’clock they received orders to march in an -hour. They started, therefore, about ten, and after a march of -about six miles, came to a thick jungle, and were ordered to -assault the fort of Mejidia. The attack was confided to the -Riflemen. Brigadier Horsford’s orders to Colonel Hill were -to advance to within 400 yards of the fort: then to open fire -on the embrasures. Mortars and heavy guns were ordered to -the front, and cavalry to the flanks. This took some time. -Then the Battalion advanced to the front face; two companies -skirmishing; two supporting them; two moved to the left; -the remainder in support. A sharp fire was opened, and was -returned for some time by a fire of grape from the fort. The -Riflemen continued their fire for about two hours, picking off -the gunners at the embrasures. After that time the fire from -the place slackened; and Colonel Hill, having solicited and -obtained permission to advance, the Battalion moved forward. -A difficult thorny hedge interposed, which was soon cut down -by the swords of the Riflemen, and entrance was effected -into the fort, which was found to be evacuated. The Battalion -took possession of the stores and muniments of war, -powder, shot, etc., which were found there; and encamped -in the evening after a very hard day’s work. One sergeant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[412]</a></span> -and 6 rank and file were wounded, of whom one died on the -next day.</p> - -<p>On the 28th they were engaged in destroying the fort, and -securing the stores of grain, etc., found in it. In the course of -the day the Riflemen discovered two guns hidden in the -jungle within the fort.</p> - -<p>On the 29th the first orders were still to halt; but about -eleven they received orders to march, and did so about noon, -back to Nanparah, ten miles, but by a route different from that -by which they had come on the 26th.</p> - -<p>Here it was understood that they were to halt for three days. -And accordingly on the 30th many officers of the Battalion went -out shooting, the band played at five, and all things denoted -a halt; when a sudden order was issued that the Battalion -was to march at eight in the evening. They did so; half the -men were carried on elephants, five on each, and half marched, -turn about, ride and tie. The motion of the elephants was -strange to the men; some were made sick by the motion, and -some tumbled off; but gradually they settled down. The -night was pitch dark, and those marching occasionally fell into -holes and water-courses, undistinguishable in the darkness. -So they moved on till four in the morning; when, it being -ascertained that if they continued their march they would -reach the enemy’s position at Bankee (whither they were -bound) before daylight, a halt was ordered. And they remained -tormented by the cold and heavy dew; for no fires -were allowed, for fear of alarming the enemy whom Lord -Clyde hoped to surprise. This halt was probably continued -too long. At any rate, a march of five miles remained to be -got over; and the troops did not reach the enemy’s position -till eight. The cavalry (Carabiniers) were ordered to advance, -and soon found themselves in front of a thick jungle occupied -by the enemy’s skirmishers and guns; to whose fire they -offered an easy mark, without their being able to return it or -to dislodge them. They were therefore withdrawn; and the -Riflemen were hurried to the front, and ordered to skirmish -through the jungle. Three companies were extended under the -command of Major Warren, Captain Singer and Lieutenant -Lane,<a name="FNanchor_307_307" id="FNanchor_307_307"></a><a href="#Footnote_307_307" class="fnanchor">[307]</a> accompanied and directed by Colonel Hill, who dismounting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[413]</a></span> -accompanied the centre company, Lieutenant Lane’s. -On entering the wood they found a cart track, along which the -enemy were endeavouring to withdraw a gun. The Riflemen -pushed on at the double along this track, occasionally getting -a glimpse of the gun in their front, while the enemy’s -skirmishers were retiring rapidly before them, and turning off -into the jungle. Thus it happened that the advance of the -Riflemen in the cart track was very rapid, while that of those -in the jungle on each side of it was much slower, as they -could not force their way through the tangled wood nearly -so fast. The track was about a mile in length to the point -where it reached the end of the jungle. By the time the -Riflemen got there the gun had quite distanced them. On -arriving at the end of this belt of jungle the whole of the -enemy’s force was seen on an undulating plain beyond, some -few hundred paces distant.</p> - -<p>The Riflemen, hurrying along the track in pursuit of the -retreating gun, had arrived at the edge of the jungle completely -out of breath; and Colonel Hill, on counting them, -found himself accompanied by only twenty men, with Lieutenant -Lane and a Colour-Sergeant (Piper).<a name="FNanchor_308_308" id="FNanchor_308_308"></a><a href="#Footnote_308_308" class="fnanchor">[308]</a> As it was impossible -to know where the remaining skirmishers and the -supports were at the moment, it was necessary to act with -caution; and the small party were ordered to remain hidden -at the edge of the jungle, while the enemy’s movements were -observed. They seemed to be contemplating a retreat. At -this time three officers rode up from the rear; and one of them, -Sir Henry Norman, brought orders from Lord Clyde for the -Riflemen to retire. Colonel Hill pointed out to him that the -jungle was merely a belt; that if Lord Clyde was aware of -this he would probably wish to push on; and that as the -jungle was cleared, cavalry could now advance and act on the -plain. The staff officers accordingly galloped off, and soon -afterwards a squadron of the 7th Hussars came up. Meanwhile -Major Warren’s and Captain Singer’s companies had -made their way through the jungle, and joined their comrades -at the edge of it. Sir William Mansfield soon came up, and -by his permission Colonel Hill advanced with two companies, -Warren’s and Lane’s, in skirmishing order. While the rest of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[414]</a></span> -the Battalion, which had passed through the jungle, were -halted on the bank of a small but deep nullah, or river, which -intersected the plain, successive squadrons of the 7th passed -on their right flank; and though checked for a moment by the -nullah, and exposed to the fire of a battery of six guns, which -the enemy had placed on the opposite bank of the Raptee, -charged the enemy’s cavalry who were making for the ford of -the Raptee, caught them on the bank, and engaged them in -the river. The Riflemen, who were in an excellent position -to observe this charge across the plain, saw with admiration -this gallant feat of arms performed by their comrades of the -7th. Soon after this the Riflemen retired through the -jungle, and pitched their camp about four o’clock two miles -and a half from the scene of the action. But the men did -not get settled till the evening, and it was eight o’clock -before they got food. They had been under arms from -eight o’clock the night before; had marched twenty-nine -miles—most of it night marching—from Nanparah, and two -and a half back to Bankee; and had been engaged from an -early hour in the day.</p> - -<p>In this affair the 2nd Battalion had one man wounded.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>I have now to return to the 3rd Battalion, which we left -at Lucknow, where they were stationed from the time of the -battle of Nawabgunge. The Head-quarters left Lucknow at -four o’clock on the afternoon of November 22, four companies -being still with Major Oxenden at Sundeelah. They marched -to the Alumbagh, and halted there while the men had their -tea and the officers their dinners. They started again about -nine, and proceeded to Bunnee bridge, which they crossed, -and then halted again from about 2.30 to 5.30 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> They -then proceeded to Nawabgunge on the Cawnpore road, which -they reached about nine and encamped. The object of this -move was to intercept Beni Madhoo, who was said to be at -the head of a very large force of rebels. Here they halted -for a couple of days; and on the 26th they marched in light -order and leaving their camp standing, to Busserutgunge. -Soon after they had started, however, a note came in from -Colonel Glyn, who was in charge of a party some twenty -miles distant, conveying information of the supposed whereabouts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[415]</a></span> -of Beni Madhoo. This was opened by the Quarter-master, -who was in charge of the camp, who despatched a -messenger with it to Colonel Macdonell. The Battalion -returned to Nawabgunge on the morning of the 27th, not -having seen anything of Beni Madhoo or his army. On the -28th they marched to Bunteera, thirteen miles; and on the next -day to the Alumbagh, where they encamped. But in the -afternoon they received orders to start again and march into -the Cantonments at Lucknow, which they did not reach till -eight o’clock at night, when they had to put up their tents in -the dark. Their rest here was not long; for at four the next -morning they received an order to march and join the Head-quarter -division, a large force of the enemy being supposed -to be near. They moved, therefore, to Buxee-ke-talou, and -halted there on December 1. On that night, the detachment -under Colonel Glyn, consisting of three companies, rejoined -the Battalion, and the whole marched at daybreak the next -morning for the fort of Oomria. They kept the road for -some time, and then struck across country through thick -jungle. On approaching the fort, which on account of the -density of the wood surrounding it they could not see, they -were attacked, but soon drove their assailants back. They -then halted till the baggage came up. Later in the day, -the 5th Fusiliers, supported by the Riflemen, approached -the place, but were met by heavy fire from two of its -faces, which caused some loss. As the men had had a -long march and it was late in the day, they were withdrawn; -and arrangements were made to storm the fort on the next -day. Camp was therefore pitched, but unfortunately within -range of the guns of the fort. This made it uncomfortable, -and some damage was done; but it was too late to move -camp, and the men were tired. So they slept soundly, -though an occasional shot fell among the tents. In the -morning the usual discovery was made: the enemy had disappeared -in the night, leaving behind him ammunition and -most of his property. This fort had evidently been a residence -of the Rajah; for many articles of women’s furniture -and belongings were found in some of the apartments: the -property, no doubt, of some of his wives. It was as well that -the Rajah and his troops had preferred discretion to valour;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[416]</a></span> -for the works were very strong, one within the other, and -with two deep ditches. The loss, therefore, must have been -considerable if it had been defended with any tenacity.</p> - -<p>The Riflemen halted on the 4th and 5th, and were engaged -in demolishing the fort and blowing up the mud walls -round some fortified villages near it. At one of these a gun -was found concealed.</p> - -<p>On the 6th they marched to Futtehpore, and just before -their arrival there had a skirmish with some rebels, who -appeared to be a rear-guard protecting a gun which had -passed some time previously, and the tracks of which were -plainly visible. It was an eighteen-mile march; and the -skirmish at the end of it made the men weary enough. They -did not reach their camping-ground, in a field of tall dâl, till -after dark, and did not get their dinners till late at night. On -the 7th they marched to Betwa, where was a strong fort which -they found unoccupied, the enemy having evacuated it in the -morning. Their fires were still burning when the Riflemen -reached it in the afternoon. It was as usual surrounded by -thick jungle. They halted on the 8th and 9th to demolish -this fort.</p> - -<p>On the 10th they marched sixteen miles to Nawabgunge -on the Fyzabad road, the battle-field of June 13. In this -march they passed several small forts and intrenchments, -some of which had evidently been but recently evacuated; -and some had been strengthened and repaired at the expense -of much labour by those who had not the courage to defend -them.</p> - -<p>On the 11th they made a march of sixteen miles towards -Derriabad, which they passed through on the following day, -and after a dusty march of eighteen miles, halted for the night -at Burehke Serai.</p> - -<p>On the 13th they reached Mobaruckgunge on the Gogra -at one in the afternoon, after a hot, dusty and fatiguing -march of fifteen miles. For though the nights were cold, the -mid-day sun was very hot.</p> - -<p>On the 14th they marched to Fyzabad, and turning to -the left before they entered that town, encamped on the bank -of the river near a large mud fort.</p> - -<p>On the next day they crossed the Gogra by the bridge of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[417]</a></span> -boats, as their comrades of the 2nd Battalion had done four -days before; both forming part of the army assembled under -Lord Clyde, which was to drive the enemy into a corner, from -which it was hoped if Jung Bahadoor, the Chief Minister of -Nepaul, stood true to us, he could not escape, and so to terminate -the war. After passing the river and marching three -miles, they forded a river about three feet deep. This and its -sandy banks much retarded the baggage, which also had been -delayed by the obstinacy of the elephants, who would not -venture on the bridge, and were made to swim the river under -the lead or guidance of an old elephant. It was late, therefore, -before their baggage came up and they encamped at -Wuzeergunge.</p> - -<p>On the 16th they made another long march to Gonda, -where they encamped near some ruined bungalows, said to -have been once occupied by the officers of a native regiment, -who were murdered by their men.</p> - -<p>Here they remained till after the close of the year without -any incident of importance, save that two companies -(Major Bourchier’s and Captain Windham’s) went out on -a daur on the 21st and returned on the 23rd.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 3, 1859, the 2nd Battalion shifted camp to -Purainee, about a mile from Bankee.</p> - -<p>On the 6th they marched at seven in the morning to the -bank of the Raptee, and encamped at Sudheeria Ghât<a name="FNanchor_309_309" id="FNanchor_309_309"></a><a href="#Footnote_309_309" class="fnanchor">[309]</a> -about ten.</p> - -<p>On the 8th Lord Clyde and the greater part of the force -quitted the frontier; leaving the 2nd Battalion, the 7th -Hussars, and some native troops, under Brigadier Horsford, -to watch the fords of the Raptee.</p> - -<p>On the 12th the Battalion shifted camp to Ballapore, on -the banks of a tributary of the Raptee; and at eleven at -night three companies, Captains R. Glyn’s, Blackett’s and -Dillon’s, marched, under the command of Major Vaughan, -of the 5th Punjaub Regiment, and crossing the Raptee, proceeded -about sixteen miles, when they came on the rebels -and killed twenty-five out of about thirty. They returned -to camp on the 14th.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[418]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 26th they again shifted camp close to the Raptee.</p> - -<p>At last, on February 8, they received authority to cross -the frontier into Nepaul, Jung Bahadoor having given consent -to their entering that territory. On the 9th, therefore, they -marched at five in the morning and crossed the Raptee. They -then moved through about five miles of very dense jungle -with very large trees, and passed a mark like a mile-stone, -which denoted the boundary of Nepaul. They then went -round the spur of the mountains, and debouched on a large -plain. They went on some miles farther, when the Brigadier -ordered Colonel Hill, with a wing of the Battalion and some -native troops, to recross to the right bank of the Raptee, -where, at a crossing called Sidka Ghât, the enemy were -reported to be in force, with fifteen guns in position.</p> - -<p>This force was told off: two companies to proceed along -the river’s bank; two under Major Warren to press through -the jungle on the left, and to endeavour to intercept the -enemy or to fall on their right flank; and the native troops -under Major Vaughan to act in a similar manner, but on -ground farther removed from the river.</p> - -<p>The companies near the river extended in skirmishing -order, the right file resting on the river’s bank. After advancing -some distance they found themselves in front of a -hill, which they were obliged to file round along the water’s -edge. This was no easy work, for the ground was very -difficult, and interspersed with rocks and great boulders. As -they were thus proceeding, on reaching a bend of the river -they found themselves in front of the guns of the enemy, who -were in a strong position on some rising ground. These guns -immediately opened on them with grape, but did little mischief, -as the fire flew over their heads, wounding one man -only. The Riflemen moved rapidly forward, and as soon as -they were clear of the rocks formed and proceeded across the -shingle, keeping up a smart fire which did much execution.</p> - -<p>But the rebel gunners stood by their guns till the Riflemen -were close upon them. Then they bolted and escaped -into the jungle, giving the slip to Major Vaughan, whose -force had been sent round to intercept them. They left -fourteen guns and a mortar in the hands of Hill’s force.</p> - -<p>The other wing, with Brigadier Horsford, having given<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[419]</a></span> -the attacking party twenty minutes’ start, moved on along -the plain, keeping the Raptee on the left, till about three in -the afternoon, when they entered a dense forest. The ground -became hilly and the road bad. At half-past three they -made another halt of twenty minutes, and were just falling in -when they heard guns open in the front. They pushed forward, -and soon came to a very steep hill, which they ran -down, and found themselves on the bank of the river, and -saw the skirmishers of the other wing entering the jungle on -the opposite bank. They were ordered to halt; and after -their fight the other wing recrossed the Raptee and joined -them, and they then marched to camp, which they found -pitched about four miles off, and which they did not reach -till seven at night, after one of the hardest day’s work they -had ever had. For they had passed through dense and -difficult jungle; had scrambled over rough rocks, and had -moved over shingly and fatiguing ground; besides marching -not less than twenty miles. A non-commissioned officer -(Sergeant Braun) was very nearly drowned in crossing the -Raptee. He fell twice, but one of the men on the right bank -rescued him.</p> - -<p>They remained in this camp till the 12th, when it was -shifted to the tributary of the Raptee, near a jungle which -seemed to be interminable. The rain was very heavy, and -the camp-ground became a perfect swamp.</p> - -<p>In his despatch reporting this action, Horsford favourably -mentions Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, Major Dillon and Lieutenant -Fryer.</p> - -<p>On the 14th, very sudden orders were received at eleven -<span class="fs70">P.M.</span> for three companies, Captain Fremantle’s, one under -the command of Lieutenant Sotheby, and another, to start -on an expedition under command of Major Ramsay of the -Kumaon Battalion. These companies accordingly paraded -at half-past three in the morning; but owing to a delay in -the arrival of elephants did not move off till half-past four. -They crossed the Raptee five times, and as it was deep and -rapid, the men for the purpose of crossing were mounted on -elephants. They then marched forward; and at about six -arrived at the edge of the jungle and formed up. They -went on at a very brisk pace till half-past nine, when they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[420]</a></span> -halted for twenty minutes, sending on a spy to bring word if -he could see anything of the enemy. Starting again, they -marched through a gorge in the hill, and by the side and bed -of a mountain stream, till half-past eleven; when, it being -suspected that they had missed their way, a Goorka was -despatched, who soon returned with the intelligence that they -were on a wrong track. They therefore retraced their steps, -and soon meeting the spy, were disappointed at hearing -from him that the enemy had departed. At one o’clock they -came up to the ground they had occupied, and found the -ashes of their fires still smouldering. Here the Riflemen -bivouacked, no tents having been taken with this detachment; -but their rations did not come up till four o’clock. They had -marched about sixteen miles over bad ground at a very rapid -pace, and were much wearied.</p> - -<p>On the 16th they returned to the camp of the Head-quarters, -marching at half-past six, and arriving at one.</p> - -<p>On the 17th the Battalion, starting at six in the morning, -marched back to Sudheeria Ghât, where they camped about -half-past eleven.</p> - -<p>On the 21st the whole Battalion turned out early to take -leave of their friends and comrades of the 7th Hussars, -who had received the route for Umballa. They had been -together for twelve months, and fought together in many -brilliant affairs, and undergone together many weary days. -Officers and men felt great regret at this parting; for a feeling -had grown up between them of such comradeship as is not -usual between separate corps.</p> - -<p>On the 26th the Battalion marched to a place about three -miles on the other side of Bankee, and encamped there; the -whole march being about eight miles. On the next day, -Brigadier Horsford, under whom they had so long served, -started with his Staff for Gonda, to take command of the -troops there, and the command of those on the Raptee -devolved on Colonel Hill.</p> - -<p>On the 28th the Battalion marched to Nanparah, fourteen -miles, the country through which they passed being under -water from daily rain. For the next few days this rain was -so heavy, accompanied often by lightning and thunder, that -though daily orders were given to march, they were as regularly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[421]</a></span> -countermanded. The camping-ground became first a -swamp, then a perfect lake. At last, on March 6, they -marched at ten in the forenoon, and arrived at their old -camping-ground at Jeta at two in the afternoon. On the -next day they proceeded to Baraitch, arriving there at half-past -two in the afternoon. The rivers and nullahs, swollen -by the rains, were up to a short man’s hips.</p> - -<p>They remained at Baraitch till the 28th, when they -shifted camp; but the ground chosen being found to be infested -with reptiles, they were moved back on the 30th to -nearly their old ground.</p> - -<p>On April 3 an order was received from Brigadier Horsford -for two companies, with some native troops and guns, to proceed -to Bankee to watch the ford there, and defend the line of -the Raptee. Captain Singer and Lieutenant Nicholl went on -this duty.</p> - -<p>On the 4th two more companies were ordered to the -Raptee; and at half-past four on the morning of the 5th -Major Warren’s and Captain R. Glyn’s companies started, and -after marching fourteen miles, halted to get something to eat. -After which, marching about ten miles farther, they arrived at -Bhinga Ghât on the Raptee, their destination. On the 6th -they halted there, throwing out strong picquets. On the next -day these companies moved back to a tope on the Baraitch -road; and on the 8th they started on a reconnaissance at half-past -eight, and marched about eight miles. No two villages -which they passed through told the same tale. In one the -inhabitants had seen the <em>budmashes</em><a name="FNanchor_310_310" id="FNanchor_310_310"></a><a href="#Footnote_310_310" class="fnanchor">[310]</a> in thousands; in the next -they vowed that not one had been seen for six months. The -companies got back to their camp at half-past three in the -afternoon, having marched about sixteen miles in the heat of -the day.</p> - -<p>These companies halted during the 9th and 10th, and -marched back to Baraitch and joined Head-quarters on the -11th.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the remainder of the Battalion, with the -exception of Captain Fremantle’s company which was left -at Baraitch, marched at five <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> under Colonel Hill; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[422]</a></span> -after marching sixteen miles towards Rahdee, found that the -enemy, whom they expected to find there, had fled. They -therefore encamped about three <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> And on the next day -marched back at six in the evening to Baraitch, where they -arrived the following morning at five. The men were very -much fatigued, having had two nights’ marching, and having -been unable to sleep by day on account of the heat, the -thermometer standing at 102°.</p> - -<p>At midnight on the 8th-9th Captain Fremantle with his -company, 2 Horse Artillery guns, 80 Punjaub rifles, and 150 -native police, marched to join a force under Captain Cleveland, -98th Regiment, at Akouna. Halting every hour for ten -minutes to rest the men, this force arrived at Akouna, and -encamped in a tope at nine in the morning.</p> - -<p>On the next day this detachment marched at half-past -nine in the morning, some of the men being on gun-waggons -and some on elephants, and arrived at Khagupore at half-past -three. And on the following morning marched at six to -Dahnapore, where they arrived at half-past eleven.</p> - -<p>On the 12th they moved to Ramwapore, about five miles -distant, and arrived there at eight in the morning.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon reports came in that the rebels were encamped -about three miles off, and would probably remain -there during the night. Accordingly, Fremantle marched his -detachment at three <span class="fs70">P.M.</span>, leaving his camp standing. After -advancing for some time without seeing anything of rebels, -they came on a picquet of Hodson’s Horse, who were marching -westward, and who reported that rebels were close at hand. -It was then about six. They pushed on, and Captain Cleveland -directed Fremantle to take his company, the guns, and -some native horsemen round a jungle, and attack the rear of -the enemy. After marching about a mile, they turned off the -road into the jungle; and after about three quarters of a mile -emerged into a kind of plain, though surrounded with jungle -on all sides. Here the native guide said he could see a rebel -vedette. Fremantle accordingly ordered the Punjaub men to -form company and advance; and they had scarcely done so -when a volley was poured into them at about forty yards. It -was now half-past six, and nearly dark. The native police, -who were leading, fled at the first fire, carrying away in their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[423]</a></span> -flight a section of the Punjaub men. The remainder of these -sat down on the ground and fired at the enemy. Yet Fremantle -could neither induce them to face the hill and attack -the rebels, nor yet to clear off to the flank, and allow the guns -and the Riflemen to act. At last he succeeded in getting -them off to a flank; and then the guns opening with grape, -and the Riflemen pouring in a steady fire, the flashes from the -bushes and the hill in front soon ceased. Advancing up the -hill, they found the camp of the rebels, their fires burning, -and their bedding and grass for their horses unmoved; but -not a man was there. This little affair lasted exactly half-an-hour. -One Rifleman was severely wounded. Fremantle then -went round the jungle; and, regaining the Fyzabad road, rejoined -the main body under Captain Cleveland at nine. And -the Riflemen reached their camp at half-past eleven, much -fatigued by their marches and their fight.</p> - -<p>On the 13th they halted, and on the next day marched -back to Khagupore, and on the day following to Akouna, -where they halted during the 16th. On the 17th this company -marched to take up a position to cover the fords of the Raptee -at Gunespore. Here they remained till the 22nd; when, -being relieved by Sotheby’s company, which had started -from Baraitch the day before, they marched at 2.30 in the -morning of the 23rd; and encamping during that day at a -village, resumed their march at three o’clock the following -morning, and rejoined the Battalion soon after seven on -the 24th.</p> - -<p>During this time, however, other expeditions had taken -place. On the 9th one company, under Lieutenant Eccles, -had marched about eighteen miles towards Nanparah, but -returned on the 11th.</p> - -<p>On the 20th Colonel Hill, having received Brigadier -Horsford’s orders to meet him at Nanparah, proceeded thither -with three companies of the Battalion. The object was to -clear the Jugdespore jungles of a number of rebels who had -taken refuge there.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, these three companies started from Baraitch -in the afternoon of that day, and marched about seven miles. -And on the 21st, marching early, they reached Nanparah, after -a very long march, and found the Brigadier awaiting them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[424]</a></span> -On the next day they started soon after four, and marched -sixteen miles; and on the 23rd made a further march of -twelve miles to Hureeha, in the course of which they crossed -the Surjoo river, and encamped on its banks.</p> - -<p>On the 24th (Easter Sunday) they started soon after two -in the morning, and made a march of eighteen miles, nearly -half of it through thick jungle; and as the heat was now oppressive, -the march was very wearisome. They had now got -near the enemy, who was in a delta of the River Gogra. So -that on the 25th they struck tents at two. Soon after starting -they lost their way in the jungle, so that day broke before -they were fairly started. Colonel Hill commanded the infantry -of the force employed.</p> - -<p>The Rifle companies marched on until they came to a ford -of the Gogra. Here they were halted till the cavalry and -guns, which had proceeded by another route, came up. On -their arrival they crossed the river, which was at the ford -waist-deep, holding their pouches up to their shoulders. They -formed on the other side, and found the rebels in a large open -space in front of a thick jungle. They were evidently surprised, -and tried to make off. The Riflemen broke into extended -order, and after a very smart skirmish, drove the enemy -into a further jungle. Here Dr. Reade had a very narrow -escape of his life, being attacked with great audacity by two -of the enemy’s Sowars immediately in rear of the supports. -The rebels broke into three parties, and so gave the Riflemen -some trouble, as they had to pursue them through jungle so -thick that it seemed never to have been trodden by the foot -of man. However, as the enemy had taken refuge in it, and -it seemed impossible then to dislodge them, camp was pitched -about eight o’clock, and the Riflemen rested for the night, weary -and hungry; for they had received only half-a-pound of bread -and a dram of rum till they reached their camp; and they -had fought hard and marched far.</p> - -<p>On the next day orders were given to clear the jungle. -Accordingly Colonel Hill with his Riflemen scoured the whole -of the delta, on which these jungles were situated, to the river’s -bank. But the rebels forded the river, and made good their -escape. However, in the fight of the previous day a number -(it is said 200) of them were killed, and some prisoners taken.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[425]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 27th, having effected the object of their expedition, -they began their return, and marched eight miles. On the -next day they marched the same distance to Hureeha, -having recrossed the Gogra at a different point, where the -water was deeper and the current very strong. Some men -narrowly escaped drowning, and a bugler (Horton) saved the -lives of three men. It was a difficult and dangerous ford, and -a rifle and two swords were lost.</p> - -<p>On the 29th they marched ten miles to Doobra; on the -30th fourteen miles; on May 1 twelve miles; and on the -next day, after a march of sixteen miles, arrived at Nanparah.</p> - -<p>Here they halted during the 3rd. And on the following -day one company, accompanying the Brigadier and the -cavalry, returned to Baraitch. The remaining two companies -remained at Nanparah until June 6, when they started -on their return to Baraitch.</p> - -<p>I have now to return to the movements of Sotheby’s company, -which, as I have said, started from Baraitch on the 21st -to relieve Captain Fremantle. On that day they marched -twelve miles to Bamparah, and on the next seventeen miles -to Gunespore. On the 28th they turned out at night, the -picquets having been fired upon. From the 4th to the 10th -May they patrolled about the neighbourhood. On the 4th they -crossed the Raptee, and marched eight miles; on the 5th -marched nine miles to Pepree Ghât; on the next day thirteen -miles to Akouna, where they halted one day; and returned -on the 8th to Pepree Ghât; and on the 10th marched back to -their camp at Gunespore. On the 27th half the company -proceeded to Bhinga, but finding no rebels there, returned to -their camp the same evening. On June 2 the force under -Captain Cleveland was broken up, and Sotheby, with the company -under his command, marched for Baraitch, where they -arrived on the 3rd, and joined Head-quarters of the Battalion.</p> - -<p>The Mutiny was now virtually at an end. No enemy remained -in the field, and only a few scattered fugitives skulked -in the jungle, and these not in numbers sufficient to give uneasiness -to our posts, or to necessitate keeping an army on -the frontier or in the field. The 2nd Battalion, therefore, received -on June 13 an order to march towards Lucknow, halting -at Byram Ghât for Captain Singer’s detachment of two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[426]</a></span> -companies, which was still watching the fords of the Raptee. -On the 15th they left Baraitch at three in the morning, -arriving at Puckerpore at half-past eight. The next day they -were detained in the morning by heavy rains, but started at -half-past four in the afternoon: the heat was intense, and it -was like marching in a vapour bath, so that the men were -much knocked up. The baggage, too, went astray, and on -their arrival at their halting-place about nine at night, there -were neither tents, rations, nor grog. The men lay down on -the damp ground till two in the morning; and at three resumed -their march without refreshment, and at daylight reached -Hissampore; but no baggage appearing, they were obliged -to set out in search of it, and at half-past eight arrived at a -place where they halted, and sent for the baggage, having -made a twenty-mile march. But no sooner was their camp -pitched than a violent storm came on, blowing some of the -tents clean away from the ropes, and leaving their inmates -exposed to the full violence of the weather. On the 18th -they started again at two in the morning, and arrived at -Byram Ghât at seven. The river was much swollen, and -there was no bridge. Two companies embarked at half-past -seven, and attempted to cross; but the boats missed stays, -and did not succeed in getting over. And as in consequence -of the wind it was only practicable to cross in the morning or -evening, they could not make a fresh attempt till six in the -evening, when these two companies got across and landed at -6.20. The Regiment continued crossing on the 20th; and all -got across on the 21st, Captain Singer’s two companies from -Bankee, which had arrived on the previous day, bringing up -the rear. On the 22nd they marched at half-past four, and -encamped beyond Ramnaghur, a march of six miles, soon -after seven. On the next day they proceeded seven miles. -On the 24th seven more, and encamped at Nawabgunge. On -the 25th they were unable to continue their march on account -of the violence of the rain; but on the next day they made a -march of ten miles in the morning, and were ordered to march -again at four in the afternoon; but rain poured down steadily, -and continued all the evening. On the 27th they marched at -half-past four in the morning, and arrived at the Yellow Bungalow -at Lucknow at a quarter after eight. Here they encamped,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[427]</a></span> -but were ordered to parade again at four. It was so hot, -however, that this was postponed till five, when they moved -near the Dilkoosha. It had rained every day for some time, -the country they had marched through was very wet, and the -ground on which they now encamped was a perfect swamp.</p> - -<p>Here they remained, furnishing a detachment of three -companies to the Imaumbarah, till early in July, when the -men were placed in barracks: a comfort few if any of them -had enjoyed since they left Dublin two years before. The -officers, however, continued in tents. The men now suffered -much from their long exposure to the climate, and it is said that -in August there were 200 men in hospital. But not till their -work was over had they succumbed to fatigue, exposure, or -climate. For twenty months they had been in the field; often -bivouacked in the open; never once in quarters. They had -marched 1,745 miles in 161 marches (not including often shifting -their camp to distances less than four miles), and every -company-officer—save one who was lame—had accompanied -his men on foot in these marches. They were, I believe, the -only battalion which, from their landing in November 1857 to -their cantonment at Lucknow in July 1859, had not at some -time been in quarters; but had kept the field from the date of -their arrival till the last day of the Mutiny.</p> - -<p>Their casualties in that time may now be summed up.</p> - -<p>Of officers, 2 had been killed in action; 4 had been severely -wounded; 2 had died of their wounds; and 2 had died of -disease. A total of 10 officers.</p> - -<p>Of the Riflemen in the ranks there were</p> - -<div class="p1 fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"></td><td class="tdrx">Sergeants</td><td class="tdrx">Buglers</td><td class="tdrx">Privates</td><td class="tdrx br">Total</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Killed in action</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">10</td><td class="tdrx br">10</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Wounded severely</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">24</td><td class="tdrx br">31</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz pad4">” slightly</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">29</td><td class="tdrx br">29</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Died of wounds</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">7</td><td class="tdrx br">7</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz pad3">” disease</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">118</td><td class="tdrx br">132</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Invalided, and not included in the above</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">34</td><td class="tdrx br">37</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz pad6">Grand total</td><td class="tdrx">20</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">222</td><td class="tdrx br">246</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p1" /> -<p>There had landed in India, either with the Battalion or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[428]</a></span> -by drafts joining it, up to this period: 44 officers, 61 -sergeants, 25 buglers, and 1,147 men. So that in this campaign -nearly one-fourth of the officers, and a little more than -one-fifth of other ranks, were killed, wounded, or invalided.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On October 22 Lord Canning, the Governor-General, -made his entry into Lucknow; on which occasion the Battalion -escorted him through the town, parading for that purpose -at three <span class="fs70">A.M.</span>, and returning to their quarters at nine.</p> - -<p>On the 29th they were inspected by the Commander-in-Chief, -Lord Clyde, on which occasion there was a review and -march-past. And on that evening the Governor-General, -accompanied by their old Commander in the field, Sir Hope -Grant, visited and went round their barracks.</p> - -<p>We left the 3rd Battalion at Gonda in December 1858. -On January 9, 1859, Head-quarters, with four companies, -marched to Murajgunge, a distance of twenty-five miles; and -on the 10th proceeded to the bank of the Raptee and encamped -there. On the next day the Riflemen crossed the river on -rafts, the baggage elephants and camels being made to wade -across, and arrived at Tulsipore in the afternoon. The object -of this march was to take over and escort the guns which had -been taken at the Raptee and previously. Accordingly, on -their arrival at Tulsipore they received from a company of -Sikhs three guns and some treasure.</p> - -<p>After a day’s halt they started from Tulsipore on the -13th, and recrossing the Raptee arrived at Bulrampore after a -fatiguing march of eighteen miles. On the 14th they proceeded -to Cughar, seventeen miles; and on the next day -rejoined the remainder of the Battalion at Gonda.</p> - -<p>After one day’s halt the Battalion started on the 17th for -Agra, and passing through Secrora, recrossed the Gogra at -Byram Ghât on the 20th. They proceeded to Nawabgunge -on the 21st; and on the 23rd arrived at Lucknow. They -marched from there on the 25th, and reached Bunteerah on -the 27th, and Cawnpore on the 28th. Thence they proceeded -by daily marches by Chobeepore, Poorah, Urroul, Mukrundnuggur, -Chubramow, Bewar, Shekoabad, and Ferozabad to -Agra, which they reached on February 12, and were there -stationed.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_299_299" id="Footnote_299_299"></a><a href="#FNanchor_299_299"><span class="label">[299]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel Green, Captain of a company at Chelsea Hospital.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_300_300" id="Footnote_300_300"></a><a href="#FNanchor_300_300"><span class="label">[300]</span></a> Sergeant William Mansel was appointed Ensign in the 12th Foot, August -24, 1859.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_301_301" id="Footnote_301_301"></a><a href="#FNanchor_301_301"><span class="label">[301]</span></a> ‘London Gazette’ and MS. Narratives of Colonel Green and Mr. Mansel.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_302_302" id="Footnote_302_302"></a><a href="#FNanchor_302_302"><span class="label">[302]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> An expedition, literally, a run.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_303_303" id="Footnote_303_303"></a><a href="#FNanchor_303_303"><span class="label">[303]</span></a> It was found afterwards by measurement to be nearly forty feet wide, and -thirty feet deep, with three or four feet of mud at the bottom.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_304_304" id="Footnote_304_304"></a><a href="#FNanchor_304_304"><span class="label">[304]</span></a> ‘ ... Rifle Brigade—Colour-Sergeant Maloney; Private Etteridge.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_305_305" id="Footnote_305_305"></a><a href="#FNanchor_305_305"><span class="label">[305]</span></a> Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Sotheby.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_306_306" id="Footnote_306_306"></a><a href="#FNanchor_306_306"><span class="label">[306]</span></a> ‘My Diary in India,’ ii. 370.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_307_307" id="Footnote_307_307"></a><a href="#FNanchor_307_307"><span class="label">[307]</span></a> Captain G. C. Lane, half-pay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_308_308" id="Footnote_308_308"></a><a href="#FNanchor_308_308"><span class="label">[308]</span></a> Mr. Piper is now Paymaster of the 63rd Regiment.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_309_309" id="Footnote_309_309"></a><a href="#FNanchor_309_309"><span class="label">[309]</span></a> This seems to have been called also Sidhonia Ghât.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_310_310" id="Footnote_310_310"></a><a href="#FNanchor_310_310"><span class="label">[310]</span></a> <em>i.e.</em> blackguards, scoundrels: a name applied by the soldiers and the loyal -to the rebels.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[429]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">I have now to give some account of the Camel Corps, which, -as I have stated, was formed at Lucknow on April 5, 1858, -by drafts of 100 men from the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, to -which were eventually added 200 Sikhs. I have mentioned -(<a href="#Page_381">p. 381</a>) the names of the officers attached to this corps. The -command of it was first proposed to Lieutenant-Colonel -Julius Glyn of the 3rd Battalion; but on his declining it and -preferring to serve with his Battalion, it was conferred on -Major Ross<a name="FNanchor_311_311" id="FNanchor_311_311"></a><a href="#Footnote_311_311" class="fnanchor">[311]</a> of that Battalion.</p> - -<p>The men were to be mounted each on a camel, with a -native driver to guide the animal. On April 7 they made -their first attempt at camel-riding. The camel is, in fact, -rather a difficult animal to sit, and the effects of this first -lesson were rather ludicrous; the men clinging on in every -possible position and appearing most uncomfortable. On the -8th they had two hours more of this drill, and the men began -to sit much steadier; and this practice was repeated on the -next day.</p> - -<p>On the 10th the Camel Corps marched to the Dilkoosha -at 5.30 in the morning, and encamped there for the completion -of the formation of the Corps, and for camel-riding drill. But -the ground on which they were encamped being found to be -unhealthy—eight or ten men of the 3rd Battalion company -having sickened—the camp was moved on the 12th at five -in the afternoon to the front of and close to the Dilkoosha.</p> - -<p>The men now made good progress in riding the camels; -but with arms and accoutrements they found it harder to sit -the camels, or to sling or dispose of their rifles. On the 16th -Sir Colin Campbell inspected them, and seemed well pleased -at their progress. The Camel Corps were all this time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[430]</a></span> -without a surgeon; and as the men were sickening daily from -the climate, without a regular hospital or medical officer, this -was a serious evil.</p> - -<p>On the 27th they left the Dilkoosha at five in the morning, -and marched about five miles to Jellalabad, where they found -mud huts and plenty of mango trees to shelter them from -the sun.</p> - -<p>While here, at about nine in the evening they experienced -a dust storm, accompanied with vivid flashes of lightning. -This was followed by a heavy fall of rain, which cleared and -refreshed the atmosphere.</p> - -<p>On the 28th the Corps marched at four in the morning -eleven miles to Bunnee bridge. They halted on the 29th; -and on the 30th struck tents at four in the morning, and -marched seventeen miles to Bussarutgunge, and occupied some -out-buildings of a mosque. On this march they loaded, as -rebels were constantly crossing the road. It was found that -the pace of the camels was a little over four miles an hour.<a name="FNanchor_312_312" id="FNanchor_312_312"></a><a href="#Footnote_312_312" class="fnanchor">[312]</a></p> - -<p>On May 1 they marched to Cawnpore, fifteen miles, and -occupied cantonments near Wheeler’s intrenchment. They -had marched from the Dilkoosha to Cawnpore with the 200 -Riflemen only, and 250 camels. At the latter place they -found 150 camels awaiting them, which made up the mount -to 400; and steps were at once taken to raise the two companies -of Sikhs, of 100 each, to complete the Corps to its full -strength of 400 men.</p> - -<p>While here Major Ross received a letter from Sir Colin -Campbell, saying that the Camel Corps was a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Corps-d’élite</i>; -and that the officers were to be very carefully picked, as there -would be a great deal of independent command.</p> - -<p>On the 4th they were ordered to march at midnight to -Ukburpore, with stores for Sir Hugh Rose and mortars for -the column commanded by Colonel Maxwell, 88th Regiment. -The convoy did not arrive, however, till about two on the -morning of the 5th, when they started and marched with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[431]</a></span> -long train of hackeries. After proceeding fourteen miles they -halted and pitched tents at eight in the morning. This day -was most fearfully hot, the thermometer reaching 117°. At -half-past eleven at night they struck tents, and marched at -midnight. In about an hour they reached the Rind river -and began crossing; but the convoy and train of hackeries -was some two miles long, so that it was eight o’clock in the -morning before all were got over. Then they continued their -march to Ukburpore, about fourteen miles from their last -halting-place, and reached it about 11.30. This day, like -the last, was extremely hot; and as the men did not get -in till near noon, and the rear-guard not till 1.30, they -felt the heat extremely. They encamped on one side of the -canal (then dry) in a white burning plain, without a tree on it, -and only some small bushes.</p> - -<p>On the 8th the Camel Corps was taken out at a trot, -about two miles. The men were now beginning to get -accustomed to the action of the strange beasts they bestrode, -and they found sitting on them more easy.</p> - -<p>Up to this time no General Order had been issued for the -formation of the Camel Corps; one unpleasant consequence of -which was that no pay, regimental or otherwise, was issued to -the officers or to the men. They complained much, too, of -their native camel-drivers; a most ruffianly and undisciplined -set of men. As an instance of their ferocity, I may mention -that on the 11th one of these men shot another with his -carbine; and not content with thus wounding him, cut him -over the back of the neck with his sword. The health, too, -of the Rifle companies was unsatisfactory; sunstroke and -apoplexy carried off several men; and their loss in the week -ending May 12 was ten men.</p> - -<p>On the 13th, striking tents at half-past three in the -morning, they moved their camp about a mile and a half, -in the hope of finding a more healthy situation for it.</p> - -<p>On the 15th Colonel Maxwell, to whose column the -Camel Corps was at that time attached, received a communication -from Sir Hugh Rose, who was then advancing slowly -towards Calpee, which was said to be occupied by 8,000 rebels -with six guns. In consequence of this the Camel Corps was -ordered to march in the evening, but was afterwards countermanded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[432]</a></span> -However, further messages having been received -from Sir Hugh Rose, they were ordered off, and marched on -the 16th about half-past two in the morning. They were to -have marched about eight miles; but as the ammunition carts -which the 88th Regiment had with them were not able to get -across a river or nullah, the Camel Corps halted after a march -of two miles and pitched tents. Captain Nixon’s troop started -again at half-past six in charge of the convoy; and having -crossed the river, halted at about five miles and a half from -the starting-place at half-past ten. Major Ross with the remainder -of the Camel Corps came in about two. The whole -halted till half-past four, when they trotted into their camping-ground, -where they arrived by six o’clock. Lieutenant Eyre, -who had charge of the convoy of ninety-five carts of ammunition, -got them in with his escort about seven. The name -of this halting-place was Bhogneepore. A good deal of -firing had been heard in the direction of Calpee. They halted -on the 17th, and on the next day the Riflemen of the Camel -Corps were ordered to march at one the following morning, to -take a fort about twelve miles off, in which it was reported -that there were fifty or sixty fanatics; but the order was -countermanded in the evening.</p> - -<p>On the 19th a good deal of firing was heard. And the -Camel Corps was ordered to cross the Jumna. They struck -tents at half-past six, but as they were preparing to move off -the order was countermanded; and they halted during the -20th. But Major Ross, with some of his officers, crossed the -Jumna and visited Sir Hugh Rose’s camp.</p> - -<p>The Camel Corps moved at about one on the morning of -the 21st, to join Sir Hugh Rose’s force before Calpee. They -crossed the Jumna at a ford so deep that it was up to the -saddles of the camels. After crossing they joined the 2nd -Brigade of the force under Sir Hugh Rose, and encamped -about half-past seven.</p> - -<p>The camp was very inconvenient, especially on account of -the difficulty of getting water. For though they were not far -from the river, yet the ravines which intersected the country -and the steepness of the banks of the Jumna, made it impossible -to obtain water without going two or three miles round. -After the Riflemen had got over, 200 camels were sent back<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[433]</a></span> -under Lieutenant Eyre, to bring over part of the 88th Regiment. -Two Riflemen died of sunstroke on this march, for -the heat was very great, the thermometer standing at 117° in -the tents. The fort of Calpee, which stands on high ground, -unapproachable from the river, and surrounded on all sides -by ravines and a plain dotted only by a few topes of trees, -gave them an occasional round-shot, just to let them realise -that an enemy was close to them.</p> - -<p>On the 22nd they had just sat down to breakfast, when an -order came that they were to hold themselves in readiness to -turn out at a moment’s notice. That moment soon came; -the ‘assembly’ sounded, and mounting their camels they -formed up with the brigade to which they were attached. In -front of them were thousands of rebels advancing. Soon an -officer came up in great excitement, and ordered the two Rifle -companies of the Camel Corps to advance to the right. On -doing so they found the rebels driving before them the -picquet, or rather they had already driven it in, and were -almost on some heavy guns which were in position there. -The rebels were steadily advancing and within a hundred -yards. Then the Riflemen jumped off their camels, and -doubling up to where the picquet was, extended as best they -could, and with a ringing cheer went at the rebels. The fire -of musketry was very heavy; and the rebels let the Riflemen -get within eighty yards of them, but then they fled. In this -way the Riflemen went on in pursuit, doubling through the -ravines with which the country is much intersected, and availing -themselves of such cover as there was; but there was very -little. In this affair (called the battle of Goolowlee) the Rifle -companies had but three men wounded, but twenty-five men -were disabled by the sun, as was also one officer, Lieutenant -Eyre. For the heat was fearful; and the pace the Riflemen -went at up to the picquet, now charging, then pursuing the -rebels, was very exhausting. Yet, weary as they were, the -2nd Battalion company of the Camel Corps had to remain on -picquet.</p> - -<p>The help of these Riflemen on this occasion was most -opportune; for the enemy had crept up under cover of the -ravines to the battery, which was placed 500 or 600 yards -beyond the right of Sir Hugh Rose’s position; the picquet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[434]</a></span> -posted there had given way; and the rebels would assuredly -have had the guns, from which they were not more than fifty -yards distant, and in good cover from a ravine.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd, about two in the morning, ‘rouse’ sounded, -and their camels came up; but they were without orders. -After waiting about two hours a staff officer appeared, who -informed them that they ought to have been with Sir Hugh -Rose long before. They mounted their camels and the staff -officer undertook to show them the way; but as he could not -wait he left them to themselves. So proceeding in the dark -as best they could, they happily fell in with Sir Hugh Rose -about daybreak. They made a long circuit to the left, and -on arriving at a well which a cavalry picquet had just deserted, -the rebels opened on them from two guns with a brisk -fire of shot and shell; aiming well, but not hitting any of them. -These guns were so well concealed in a ravine that our artillery -could not touch them. They then dismounted and -covered the advance, Captain Nixon’s company forming the -reserve. They kept on advancing and returning the enemy’s -fire for some time. At length, when the rebels saw the skirmishers -working round their right flank, they fled, and the -Riflemen, on arriving at Calpee, about two miles distant, -found that the Sepoys had disappeared and that the place -was empty.</p> - -<p>They reached Calpee about ten, and put up in a house till -five in the afternoon, when they marched to their camping-ground; -a dusty place, but with plenty of water: a luxury -they had not had for some days. The force opposed to them -was the Gwalior Contingent, the same the Riflemen had met -at Cawnpore; and here, as there, they fought harder and -stood longer than any other enemy they had encountered in -India. They were commanded by Tantia Topee.</p> - -<p>In this action the Riflemen had one sergeant and two -privates wounded, one of them severely.</p> - -<p>In his despatch reporting these engagements, dated, -Gwalior, June 22, 1858, Sir Hugh Rose (Lord Strathnairn) -writes thus:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘The very important service rendered on this occasion by -Major Ross, commanding Camel Corps, requires that I should -make especial mention of the ability and resolute gallantry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[435]</a></span> -with which he led his brave Corps.... Lieutenant Buckley<a name="FNanchor_313_313" id="FNanchor_313_313"></a><a href="#Footnote_313_313" class="fnanchor">[313]</a> -of the same Corps attracted my attention by the spirit with -which his party attacked and bayonetted rebels; for which I -beg to mention him specially.’</p> -</div> - -<p>On the 24th, being the Queen’s birthday, they paraded at -sunrise, presented arms, and gave three cheers, while the -English flag was hoisted on the fort of Calpee.</p> - -<p>They halted during the next day; and on the 26th they -marched at two in the morning, and moving along through -the ravines, reached the ford of the Jumna by which they had -crossed on the 21st, but which was now (owing to rain on the -preceding day) running with a strong current. Four natives -were drowned in crossing. On reaching the other side they -marched to Bhogneepore, which they reached about half-past -eight, having made a march of about fifteen miles; and they -rejoined Maxwell’s column.</p> - -<p>On the 29th they marched to Ukburpore, about sixteen -miles, and encamped in the same tope of trees they had -occupied on their march from Cawnpore to Calpee.</p> - -<p>On the 30th they marched to Suchendee, about fifteen -miles, and arriving at about seven o’clock pitched their camp -in a cool and pleasant place under some trees.</p> - -<p>On the 31st they moved at the usual hour, and reached -Cawnpore about half-past six. They occupied barracks near -Wheeler’s intrenchment.</p> - -<p>They halted at Cawnpore for some weeks, during which -time they received orders to equip for fresh service; and -Sikhs having now been enlisted, two companies of the 80th, -which had been for a short time attached to the Camel Corps, -now returned to their regiment. The camel-drivers were -also drilled by non-commissioned officers sent from the Lahore -regiments, and gradually became somewhat more like soldiers -and obedient to discipline. The Riflemen were ordered to -draw from Allahabad capes and yellow gaiters, which added -somewhat to their appearance, and very much to their comfort.</p> - -<p>On June 8 they were inspected by Sir Colin Campbell, -who expressed himself well pleased with their appearance, and -gave them final orders for their equipment and completion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[436]</a></span> -He also complimented them on their conduct at Calpee. They -had received up to this time 80 volunteers from Sikh regiments, -and 50 Sikh recruits. And 180 Riflemen were effective.</p> - -<p>It was intended that they should remain at Cawnpore -during the rainy season; but the rains having been unusually -late this year, they received a telegraphic message on July 20, -directing them to be prepared to move at a moment’s notice, -as they were wanted for special service. And on the 22nd -they marched at four in the morning, and encamped about -thirteen miles on the road to Allahabad. On the next day -(or rather in the night) they marched at midnight and made -a march of about twenty miles. On the 24th they reached -Futtehpore after a march of fifteen miles; and on the 25th -proceeded to Khaga, about twenty miles. It had rained, and -the roads were very slippery; one camel came down, and the -long march had to be gone over carefully. On the 26th they -made a march of sixteen miles. The rains had now set in, -and their camp and their clothes were in a perpetual state of -moisture. On the next day they marched seventeen miles; -and on the 28th reached Allahabad after a march of twenty -miles, and occupied barracks. On the 29th they were inspected -by the Governor-General (Lord Canning) and Sir -Colin Campbell, who expressed themselves well satisfied with -their appearance and performances: a very satisfactory result -of the pains they had taken with their drill and with their -drivers while at Cawnpore.</p> - -<p>On the 31st the Camel Corps began crossing the Ganges -in boats, which, with the transfer of the baggage across the -river, occupied the whole day and part of the next, for the -Ganges is here about three miles broad. In this passage two -or three camels were lost.</p> - -<p>On August 2 they made a march of eighteen miles, which, -being performed at a jog-trot, was soon got over; yet their -tents were not pitched till eleven o’clock. On the 3rd they -proceeded to Gopeegunge, about sixteen miles. On the next -day they made a long march of twenty-four miles. And on -the 5th reached Benares, after a march of fifteen miles, and -encamped on the parade-ground in front of the cantonments.</p> - -<p>They remained here during the 6th. On the 7th the -camels were got across the river, a slow and difficult operation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[437]</a></span> -as the boats drifted some three miles down the stream from -the strength of the current. And on the 9th they marched at -five in the morning to the Raj Ghât, a distance of about four -miles. On arrival there an order was received from Colonel -Turner, commanding the force on the Great Trunk road, to -send fifty men, with a proportionate number of officers, to -Mohuneea, which was about thirty-seven miles distant, and to -be there by twelve o’clock that night. Captain Newdigate, -Lieutenants Austin and Eyre, were selected for this duty. -They chose the best camels; and, having crossed the river, -immediately started off. They halted for two hours at Noubutpore, -twenty-seven miles south-east from Benares, having -travelled at the rate of seven miles and a-half an hour: a -great pace for even a swift camel to maintain. Remounting, -they finished their march at Mohuneea, tired and wet through. -They there found Colonel Turner, who had intended to start -them off immediately for a place six miles farther, and across -country. But a tremendous shower coming on about one -o’clock in the morning (of the 9th), this intention was abandoned, -or rather postponed. Besides, the camels were so tired -that they could not have gone farther without rest. The -officers and men, therefore, sought shelter and repose in carts, -or wherever they could find it, till nine in the morning. They -then started, having received some biscuit and tea; but they -soon found the road impassable for the camels. In two miles -they had six casualties, two camels having to be dug out of the -mud. They therefore dismounted, and marched forward, up -to their knees in mud and slush. After proceeding about two -miles and a quarter farther they halted, having information -that the enemy, who had intelligence of their approach, had -disappeared. Some cavalry were sent on to ascertain whether -this report was correct, and on their return in about an hour -with information that it was so, the camel detachment began -to retrace their steps. And up to the middle in water, and -with a burning sun beating on their heads, they marched back -to Mohuneea. On their arrival there they had no change of -clothes, so that they spent the rest of the day and night in -great discomfort.</p> - -<p>But at six in the morning of the 10th the remainder of the -Camel Corps came up with their baggage. On the 11th they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[438]</a></span> -marched at half-past two in the morning, and proceeded fifteen -miles and a half to Jehanabad, a large village, about -fifteen miles from Sasseram. An order was received in the -afternoon for two officers and fifty men to be left at this place, -as the enemy was expected. Captain Nixon and Lieutenant -Buckley remained with this party, which rejoined the Corps at -the camp of Kurroundea on the 17th.</p> - -<p>On the 12th the Camel Corps started at one in the morning, -and marched twenty miles to Kurroundea, about four -miles beyond Sasseram, where they formed a standing camp, -and the Engineers built sheds for the men. The rebels were -expected to cross the Great Trunk road, and to endeavour to -escape into a range of hills about four miles from Sasseram. -The camp stood close under a spur of these hills. A picquet, -consisting of an officer and thirty men, was posted about a -mile from the camp, to watch the road from the north. This -picquet was relieved every third day. Altogether this standing -camp of Kurroundea was a pleasant change for the officers and -men; after their long moving about in the plains, the sight of -hills was refreshing; and the grazing being excellent, the -camels enjoyed the change as much as their riders.</p> - -<p>On the 15th a detachment of the Camel Corps, consisting -of twenty-five Riflemen and fifty Sikhs, under command of -Lieutenant Eyre, marched from Kurroundea at six in the -morning, <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en route</i> for Shergotty. They proceeded on camels -about six miles to Dearee, where they halted for breakfast. -At three in the afternoon they crossed the river Sone in flat-bottomed -boats. It is here about three miles broad, and the -crossing took about an hour and a half. On reaching the -other side they found bullock-waggons awaiting them; into -which the men being placed, four in each, with one walking -beside every waggon as a guard, they proceeded through the -night, and arrived at three in the morning of the 16th at -Norungabad, about thirteen miles from the river.</p> - -<p>They left it again at half-past three in the afternoon, and -arrived at Shergotty about six in the morning of the 17th, -where this detachment continued for some time.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the Camel Corps continued at -Kurroundea, and soon after, on the 20th, an order arrived at -noon for every available man of the Camel Corps to accompany<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[439]</a></span> -Colonel Turner. Accordingly eighty Riflemen and -some Sikhs under Major Ross started from Kurroundea at -half-past one in the afternoon, and marched about twenty -miles to Nassreegunge on the Sone, where rebels were reported -to have been sent by Oomar Singh to collect revenue. -On arrival they found that 150 rebels had been at Nassreegunge -in the morning, but had quitted it, leaving about twenty -men behind in charge of the place. These were taken quite -by surprise, and sixteen were killed; and two, who were -slightly wounded, escaped. The Riflemen bivouacked near -an old indigo plantation.</p> - -<p>In the night a detachment of the 37th Regiment arrived; -and in the morning Colonel Turner started with twenty-five -men of the Camel Corps on four elephants, under Lieutenant -Austin, some Sikh Cavalry, and the party of the 37th. But -this party of the Camel Corps returned to Kurroundea on the -23rd, having only captured two or three prisoners. The other -portion of the Camel Corps marched back from Nassreegunge -to Kurroundea on the 21st.</p> - -<p>On the 25th Lieutenant Jeames, with twenty-five men of -the Camel Corps, marched on foot to Nassreegunge, as the -rebels were expected to return and destroy it. This detachment -returned to camp on the 30th.</p> - -<p>On September 3 Lieutenant Scriven was sent with thirty -men to join Colonel Turner at Bikrumgunge, as the troops at -that place had been attacked by the rebels, whom, however, -they had driven off.</p> - -<p>On September 5 Major Ross, with 50 of the Camel Corps, -two guns, a few Sikh Cavalry, and 40 of the 37th Regiment, -started from the camp to join Colonel Turner, who was -twenty-six miles distant towards Jugdespore.<a name="FNanchor_314_314" id="FNanchor_314_314"></a><a href="#Footnote_314_314" class="fnanchor">[314]</a> Their first -day’s march was about twenty miles to Sunjowlee Khas, and on -the 6th they reached Bikrumgunge early in the morning, and -effected their junction with Colonel Turner and the party -under Scriven. After halting for breakfast, they paraded -again at half-past ten, and leaving all their baggage under a -guard, proceeded to a village, Surajpore, about five miles off. -This was a large and strong place, and about 500 rebels occupied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[440]</a></span> -it. But, notwithstanding the disparity of the attacking -force, they abandoned it after firing a few shots at the -advanced guard of cavalry. The Camel Corps pursued them -as far as Kullanee, but could not come up with them. And the -rebels having disappeared, they returned to Bikrum in the -afternoon, where they halted during the next day. The Riflemen -had a hard day’s marching and skirmishing, sometimes -up to their hips in water.</p> - -<p>On the 8th, Colonel Turner having received intelligence -that some rebels were likely to cross the main road about four -miles farther towards Jugdespore, they started early to intercept -them. After about an hour and a half’s march they came -in sight of a large body of rebels posted in a village on the -right. The Camel Corps, the cavalry, and the two guns started -to attack them. But owing to the rains the roads were deep -with mud; the rice fields on each side were under water, with -a thick deposit of mud beneath it, and it was impossible for -camels, or horses, or guns to move rapidly; so that the rebels -escaped before these troops could reach them. Whilst they -were engaged at this work, a party of the rebels made an attack -on Bikrum, and came up within a few hundred yards of the -trenches there thrown up for protection. However, several of -them were killed or wounded, and amongst them the leader -of the attack. On receiving intelligence of Bikrum being assailed, -the force in the field fell back, and pitched their tents -there just before dark; having been out from half-past three in -the morning till six in the evening, during great part of which -time the sun was extremely overpowering.</p> - -<p>On the 9th they started about an hour before day on their -return, and marched back ten miles to Nokah, and encamped; -and on the 10th, after a march of sixteen miles, reached their -camp at Kurroundea.</p> - -<p>On the 12th Captain Nixon and Lieutenant Jeames, with -20 Riflemen and 30 Sikhs, were detached to Sunjowlee Khas, -and did not rejoin Head-quarters at Kurroundea till October 26.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd the Camel Corps (forming part of Colonel -Turner’s force) marched to Nassreegunge, where they halted -on the 24th. On the next day they moved to Behta, some -miles farther up the Sone, and were occupied on that day -and the 26th in destroying several boats which the rebels had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[441]</a></span> -concealed under boughs of trees and in the mud. On the -latter day Captain Newdigate, with thirty men of the Camel -Corps, was sent to Sukreta, where a rebel Rissaldar, Unjoor -Singh, was said to be. But he had left the evening before, and -this detachment returned to Behta. On the 27th, having intelligence -that some rebels were not far off they marched -some distance to Khurona; and a spy having come in while -they were halting for breakfast, and having reported that the -enemy were close at hand, they started in pursuit, the cavalry -taking one direction and the Camel Corps another. The -former, 120 Sikhs, under Mr. Baker, found the rebels in a -village, and by making a feint of retiring, drew them out into -the open; when wheeling round, they attacked them, and succeeded -in killing about 100, all mutinied Sepoys, with small -loss to themselves. Their opponents numbered 700. The -Camel Corps came up at the close of this engagement, but the -rebels had then fled so far that it was useless to pursue them, -and they encamped near Suhejne.</p> - -<p>They halted on the 28th to allow supplies to come up from -Bikrumgunge; and on the 29th marched to the westward and -south of Jugdespore, in order to drive the rebels from the -surrounding villages into that place; and in the afternoon -came to Kooath, a village which had been occupied just before -by some 300 of the enemy; but who, on hearing of their approach, -had fled in such hot haste that it was impossible to -overtake them. They encamped at Dawuth, where they halted -on the 30th, and were occupied in collecting arms from the -villages in the neighbourhood. During the last four days they -had been exposed to heavy rains.</p> - -<p>On October 1 they moved on to Roopsaugor, about thirty -miles north of Sasseram, whence they moved towards Soombursa. -But, as usual, the enemy fled at the first approach of the -Camel Corps, and they returned to the camp at Roopsaugor.</p> - -<p>And on the 3rd proceeded on their route to two large -villages, Dinareh and Kochus, which were said to be occupied -by rebels. They reached the former on the 4th, after a most -fatiguing march, the country being under water and deep in -mud; and on the 5th arrived at Kochus. Great difficulty -was experienced in obtaining information. The populations -of the villages, which in this part of the country are scattered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[442]</a></span> -about at distances of scarcely half a mile, were evidently -friendly to the rebels; and all knowledge of their whereabouts -or of having seen them was persistently denied. Yet it afterwards -turned out that a body of rebels, under a chief they were -in search of, were hiding in a village within a mile of their track. -On arriving at Kochus it was ascertained that the darogah -or headman of the village had been actively collecting supplies -for Oomar Singh; and after pitching camp a visit was made -to his house, which was full of grain. This having been given -to the natives, his residence was burned. But they had no -sooner marched from Kochus than Oomar Singh and his gang, -who had been hiding in the high sugar-cane fields, entered it.</p> - -<p>On the 7th the Camel Corps made a long march, and returned -to their camp at Kurroundea. But their respite from -work was not long; for on the 8th they were ordered to start -again, and marched at four in the afternoon. And after halting -at Nokah three or four hours during the night, reached -Bikrumgunge at seven in the morning of the 9th. And on -the next day moved towards Jugdespore; encamping that -night at Deonar, and on the 11th at Sukreta. For the next -fortnight the Camel Corps were on the move, often day and -night, to harass the rebels in the Jugdespore jungles and the -Kinsey hills, and to endeavour to prevent their escape from -Jugdespore.</p> - -<p>Thus on the 15th Newdigate started with 13 Riflemen and -13 Sikhs at a quarter to six for Nurainpore, about nine miles -from Sukreta, with orders to bring in two rebel Zemindars; -but he found that they had escaped. So after burning their -houses, he returned to the camp at Sukreta.</p> - -<p>On the 16th Brigadier Douglas entered Jugdespore, but -the enemy eluded him and escaped. However, on the 18th -they were driven out of the jungle. On the 20th Colonel -Turner directed Colonel Ross to push on with part of the -Camel Corps. Taking with him Major Newdigate and 2 -other officers, and 55 Riflemen, he came on the enemy. -As they approached them another body appeared on their -right flank flying before some cavalry. The enemy were in -force, upwards of 100 cavalry and 600 infantry. The Riflemen -at once dismounted from their camels and skirmished up -to the village of Sukreta, which the enemy occupied. Here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[443]</a></span> -they had a hard fight; for besides the superiority of the rebels -in numbers, the village, being surrounded by bushes, formed -a strong position; and the rebels, finding they could not get -away, fought better than their usual wont.<a name="FNanchor_315_315" id="FNanchor_315_315"></a><a href="#Footnote_315_315" class="fnanchor">[315]</a> This fight lasted -for nearly an hour, when the rest of the Camel Corps and of -Turner’s column came up. Among these was Lieutenant -Scriven of the 2nd Battalion, who, rushing up to the assistance -of his comrades, was shot immediately. Besides his loss one -Rifleman of the 2nd Battalion was killed and two were -wounded severely, of whom one afterwards died; and of the -3rd Battalion two Riflemen were killed, and one sergeant and -three privates wounded. The Adjutant of the Camel Corps -(not a Rifleman) was also wounded. Of the enemy 70 dead, -all rebel Sepoys, were counted in the village; and two or -three times that number in the surrounding fields. The -survivors fled towards the hills, and being pursued by some -Horse under Major Havelock, were cut up and dispersed. -On the next day the Camel Corps proceeded up the Sone and -prevented the rebels crossing to the right bank of that river. -They afterwards returned to their camp at Kurroundea.</p> - -<p>Captain Newdigate, however, was detached with thirty-two -Riflemen on camels, to join Major Havelock’s force, -which consisted of about 200 men of the Military Train, some -Sikh Cavalry, and some of the 10th Foot mounted on ponies. -The Riflemen had no baggage.</p> - -<p>On the 21st they marched to Sydha, and after halting -there two hours proceeded to Khooath Khas, where about four -in the afternoon they came on the rebels, who fled at their -approach; the Camel Corps pursued them till after dark, the -cavalry cutting up a good many, and encamped at Sethan. -At sunrise on the 22nd this detachment marched by Suhejne -to Jendonee, whence, after a short halt, they proceeded to -Dinareh. They there halted two hours, and on the 23rd -reached Kochus, and thence proceeded to Kyree, where they -halted for breakfast. But intelligence of rebels being in the -vicinity being brought in they started without it. They found -the rebels in about three miles, and on their flying lost trace -of them for two or three hours, but again came upon them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[444]</a></span> -near Khurgurh. They pursued them till they fled across the -Great Trunk road about nine miles to the north of Sasseram. -This was the very place where they had been ordered to drive -them across, and where they were to have been intercepted -by the Native Cavalry; but unfortunately these had been deceived -by false intelligence of the rebel movements, and were -not in the right place. The Camel Corps detachment went -on to Jehanabad, their camels being quite exhausted. Here -Newdigate found Major Ross with 100 men of the Camel -Corps; and leaving the greater part of his detachment there -he proceeded to Kurroundea with the wearied camels and ten -men.</p> - -<p>The Camel Corps were soon again in pursuit of the rebels, -who, after crossing the Great Trunk road, got into some hills -above Sasseram. On the 27th they marched, 120 Riflemen -and 80 Sikhs, at half-past twelve to Akbarpore, near Rotas, -where they arrived about ten at night. On the next day they -marched to Khyrwa, where they breakfasted, and in the -afternoon proceeded to Jeelokhur, and encamped; but Captain -Nixon with about half the men went on to Nowadah. -This detachment on the next day proceeded to Jadoonathpore, -where they were followed on the 30th by the remainder -of the Camel Corps. This place was about fifty miles from -Sasseram, and on the Sone. Their position here was to -guard one of the passes to the hills and to prevent the rebels -coming down.</p> - -<p>On November 3 and 4 the Camel Corps crossed the -Sone, the bed of which is here some two miles broad and -fringed with a range of high hills on each bank. On the 6th -they marched to Purtee; on the 7th to Muktowar; on the -8th towards Kotah Ghât, when, finding rations running short, -and no supplies likely to come up, they returned to some distance -beyond their camping-ground of yesterday. On the -9th they marched to Pandoochoona; and on the following day -recrossed the Sone to Jadoonathpore, and encamped, sending -a detachment to Nowadah. On September 13 Newdigate -was sent on a patrol to Jaca, about seven miles from the -top of the pass through the hills. Incessantly moving in -pursuit of the rebels, the Camel Corps again crossed the river -on the 14th and 15th; marching on successive days to Pipra,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[445]</a></span> -Gao Ghât, Hurdee, and Choopan. Leaving this on the 20th, -they recrossed the river at daylight and marched to Robertgunge, -where they arrived at half-past three in the afternoon, -and leaving it again at ten at night, reached Pannoogunge at -two in the morning of the 21st and encamped. Here patrols -reported that the rebels had escaped into Oude; they therefore -turned back to their camp at Kurroundea, where they -arrived on the 30th. They were soon ordered to follow the -rebels; and starting on December 3 in five days arrived at -Benares, where they encamped and halted till the 10th.</p> - -<p>They then marched with orders to join Sir Hope Grant’s -column at Fyzabad. They arrived at Jounpore on the 13th, -and proceeded by Sultanpore to Fyzabad, which they reached -on the 20th. Here a letter from the Chief of the Staff -awaited Colonel Ross, directing him to join Brigadier Barker’s -column, about sixty miles north of Lucknow. They left -Fyzabad, therefore, on the 21st, and marched into Lucknow -on the 24th, where they halted for Christmas Day. They -marched on the 26th, and encamped about eighteen miles -north of Lucknow. The object of their movement was to -watch the right bank of the Gogra, and while Lord Clyde -and Sir Hope Grant were driving the rebels into a corner -between Baraitch and the Nepaul frontier, to intercept any -rebels who might attempt to cross the Gogra. However, on -all this march the Corps was short of camels, many having -died in the neighbourhood of Sasseram, where the climate is -said to be very injurious to these animals. They were therefore -ordered to Agra to procure remounts. They proceeded -by Seetapore, Futtehgurh, and Mynpooree to Agra, where they -arrived on January 23, 1859. Having obtained the camels -they required to remount the Corps, they started again on the -26th, under Brigadier Showers, whose force consisted, besides -the Camel Corps, of two squadrons of the Carabiniers and -two squadrons of Irregular Cavalry. The object of this force -was to capture Tantia Topee, who, with Ferozeshah and a -force of some 3,000 or 4,000 horsemen, was giving trouble to -the west and north-west of Agra. On the 27th the Camel -Corps encamped at Bhurtpore. On February 4 they encamped -at Loorkee in the Jeypore district. On the next day -they marched at one in the morning, and reached their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[446]</a></span> -camping-ground at eleven. On the 6th they started again at -midnight, and arrived at Futtehpore at half-past eleven, -where they halted during the two following days. Tantia -Topee now doubled behind them to the southward, passing -by Nagpore, and with a portion of his followers gave his -pursuers the slip, and it was for some time uncertain in what -direction he had gone.</p> - -<p>The Camel Corps, therefore, leaving Futtehpore on the -9th, moved southward, marching daily from twenty to thirty -miles till the 15th, when they halted for that day at Burroo. -Next day they made a march of twelve miles; and on the -17th, passing through the range of hills which runs from -north-west to south-east through Rajpootana, arrived at -Ajmeer. In all these marches they started about midnight, -often marching till one or two o’clock the next day; and -seldom halting for a day, and then only because the horses -of the cavalry required rest. From Ajmeer the Camel Corps -proceeded to Nusseerabad, where they halted for two days; -and on the 21st marched still southward, and arrived at -Boondee on the 26th.</p> - -<p>Thence inclining to the south-east, they encamped at Barah -in the Kotah district on March 2. They then moved towards -Agra to receive some supplies forwarded from thence, and on -the 13th were encamped at Madhoopoora in the Jeypore district. -Thence retracing their steps and crossing the Chumbul river, -they encamped on the 22nd at Etawah, and on the 29th at -Bilowa in the Gwalior district. This country was full of -jungle, of which the rebels well knew how to take advantage; -so that to trace them, or to dislodge them when tracked, was -a most difficult operation. The Camel Corps marched into -Goonah on April 7. On the 8th Tantia Topee was captured -(by Colonel Meade’s column) about ten miles from Goonah -and four from the camp of the Camel Corps. Though he did -not actually fall into their hands, there is no doubt that his -inexorable pursuit by Brigadier Showers’ force led to his -capture, and so indeed he himself stated. For though reserved -and uncommunicative to the officers, he spoke freely with the -men; and said that had it not been for the incessant chase of -Showers’ force, which had run him to earth, he would have -cared little for any other troops. He admitted that he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[447]</a></span> -been so closely pressed by them that on one occasion he hid -under a bridge they were actually passing over.</p> - -<p>During their few days’ halt at Goonah, Colonel Ross had -the Riflemen’s clothing, which was dilapidated and of many -colours from patches, dyed.</p> - -<p>The Camel Corps halted for a week at Goonah, and left it -on the 14th at four o’clock in the afternoon to look for -Ferozeshah, who with some force was about fifty miles to the -south. They came upon him on the 16th near a village, and -killed some of his followers; but the rebels scattered at once -and with Ferozeshah escaped into the jungle. However, they -took nine waggons laden with provisions and eleven prisoners, -whom the Sikhs of the Camel Corps immediately shot. They -then moved to Supree, where Tantia Topee had been hanged -on the 15th. On their arrival there Brigadier Showers left -them, and the cavalry which had hitherto formed part of the -column also moved off, so that the Camel Corps, under -Colonel Ross, alone began their march towards Agra. They -proceeded by Kallarus and Gwalior, where they arrived on -the 30th, and reached Agra on May 5, where they went into -quarters for about four months.</p> - -<p>On September 15 they left Agra <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en route</i> for Saugor, and -passing through Muneeah and Dholpore encamped on the -banks of the Chumbul on the morning of the 17th. Colonel -Ross having endeavoured to find a ford with elephants, but -without success, found it necessary to get his Corps across in -boats; a difficult operation, as from the camels’ dislike to -water it is no easy matter to get them into boats. There -were twenty-two boats, most of which held each three, and -some few four camels. The stream was wide and rapid, and -the ravines which border its banks (as they do many of the -large rivers of India) had become water-courses; for much rain -had recently fallen. On the morning of the 18th Colonel -Ross took over a party with shovels and improved the -landing-place, which was knee-deep with mud. He then -passed over the two Sikh companies, to find fatigue parties -and to establish a camp. This had to be pitched about two -miles from the river’s bank, as the ravines extend nearly that -distance. Before dark he had succeeded in getting over the -camels of three out of the four troops, besides many baggage-animals.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[448]</a></span> -Early on the 19th the two Rifle companies crossed; -by four on that day the whole Corps, with its baggage, was in -camp. Thus, besides the men, 600 camels were got over in -two days, and the baggage, which had to be unloaded on one -bank and loaded on the other. And much time was lost by -the rapidity of the current carrying the boats down-stream. -On the 22nd they arrived at Gwalior, where they halted the -next day. On the 26th they had some difficulty in crossing -the Sinde river; for though the water was not deep the further -bank was steep and slippery. On the 27th they encamped -at Datia; and on the 28th arrived at Jhansi. On leaving -it on the next day they had to cross the Betwa river, about -six miles’ distance; which, though less troublesome and tedious -than the passage of the Chumbul, was not without its difficulties; -and they encamped about four miles beyond it.</p> - -<p>The Camel Corps arrived at Saugor on October 9.</p> - -<p>The object of the operations now about to be commenced -was to hunt all the jungles from the southward up towards -the river Betwa, the line of which was to be closely watched. -Ferozeshah was somewhere to the east of Saugor at the head -of a body of rebels, or rather robbers and others of the evil -classes, and was keeping the district in a state of unquiet.</p> - -<p>With this view seven small columns were formed, and the -command of one of them, consisting of his own Corps, an -Irregular Cavalry Regiment, and a regiment of Punjaub -Infantry, was conferred on Colonel Ross. Two companies of -the Camel Corps, however, under Major Nixon, were attached -to another column.</p> - -<p>Both portions of the Corps marched from Saugor on the -14th, and Colonel Ross moved to a position about fifty miles -from it. The country through which he was to operate was -covered with wild jungle, which clothed hills of moderate -elevation, the valleys being watered by clear streams. After -pursuing the rebels in and through the jungle, where, from -their invariably decamping as soon as the troops approached, -and from their knowledge of the paths, it was impossible to -catch or intercept them, Colonel Ross with his party reached -Dergowah, about seventy miles to the north of Saugor, early -in December. He proceeded to Heerapore on the 3rd, and -halted till joined by Major Nixon with the other portion of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[449]</a></span> -the Camel Corps. These had been attached to a column -under Colonel Primrose of the 43rd Light Infantry; and on -October 27 fifty men of the Camel Corps, twenty-five Riflemen -and twenty-five Sikhs, under command of Lieutenant -Ramsbottom, were engaged at the village of Mitharden, -where some rebels were killed. The Riflemen on this occasion -had not their camels, and fought dismounted.</p> - -<p>The seven columns employed in scouring the jungle were -broken up, and returned to their quarters; but the Camel -Corps remained out still in pursuit of rebels.</p> - -<p>Leaving a small detachment at Heerapore, the Camel -Corps marched on December 11 to Shahgurh, nine miles, -and leaving part of the Corps there, Colonel Ross with the -remainder marched about sixteen miles further to the banks -of the Dessaun river, where he encamped. Here he was -joined by Captain Browne, the Assistant-Commissioner; and -on the 12th, accompanied by him, marched at about seven in -the morning. They had advanced some way when a shot -was heard in front, and near a village about a quarter of a -mile distant. Word was also passed from the front that -rebels were in the village. Accordingly they pushed on with -all speed, and soon spied a few mounted and some dismounted -men in the jungle. After proceeding about a mile they came -on a riding camel, belonging to the Assistant-Commissioner. -Then the shot heard was explained: some rebels, headed by -a noted miscreant, Dowlat Singh, had murdered the driver of -the camel and the servant of the Commissioner riding behind -him, whom he had sent forward with some despatches. -Colonel Ross requested the Assistant-Commissioner to send -forward a few mounted police, to keep on the track of the -rebels, and to hold them in check till the Camel Corps came -up, as these police could ride faster than the pace of the camels. -But they soon returned, saying that the enemy were too many -for them to approach them. If these men had done their -duty the Camel Corps might have come up with them and -caught many of the rebels. As it was, they were delayed -for some time in passing two ravines, the banks of which were -thickly covered with jungle. They followed them for a considerable -distance, but could not come up with them. The -Camel Corps proceeded to Marowra, where they encamped.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[450]</a></span></p> - -<p>They continued engaged in this jungle warfare, or rather -harassing of the rebels, till April 1860, when, returning to -Agra by the same route by which they had moved to Saugor, -they arrived there on April 30.</p> - -<p>During the seven or eight months the Camel Corps were -engaged in this service their duties were most harassing. -They marched at short notices in every direction, wherever -and whenever they had intelligence of an enemy; and almost -always without the satisfaction of finding or engaging one. -Often detachments of forty or fifty men were ordered to mount -at a moment’s notice, and to ride thirty or forty miles as fast -as they could, only to find that the enemy they expected to -fight had fled before they approached his lair, or had scattered -into jungle where it was hopeless to pursue.</p> - -<p>Soon after their arrival at Agra they received information -that the Camel Corps was to be broken up. They were disbanded -on June 1. The company of the 3rd Battalion joined -their Head-quarters at Agra, where the Battalion was quartered; -the company of the 2nd Battalion proceeded by -bullock-cart to Subathoo, where they joined Head-quarters -of the Battalion on June 12. The men of the two Sikh -companies were allowed to volunteer into any native corps -they wished to join.</p> - -<p>Colonel Ross, in alluding to his unsolicited and unexpected -appointment to a Companionship of the Order of the Bath, -assumes that it was meant as a recognition not only of his -personal services, but of those of all who were in the Camel -Corps; and adds this high testimony: ‘And well do they -deserve this recognition of their services. For we had lots of -hard, tedious work, and never once all the time I was in -command had I to speak a second time to either officers or -men. Each seemed to take pleasure in doing what he had to -do, and in assisting me in every way.’<a name="FNanchor_316_316" id="FNanchor_316_316"></a><a href="#Footnote_316_316" class="fnanchor">[316]</a></p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_311_311" id="Footnote_311_311"></a><a href="#FNanchor_311_311"><span class="label">[311]</span></a> Now Brigadier-General John Ross, C.B., commanding Brigade in Bengal, -and lately commanding a Brigade in the Malay Peninsula.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_312_312" id="Footnote_312_312"></a><a href="#FNanchor_312_312"><span class="label">[312]</span></a> This walking pace was fast for the camel, whose walk does not generally -exceed three English miles an hour. The Heirie (or swift camel) can travel, at a -trot, eight or ten miles an hour, and maintain this speed for many hours; but that -pace is very rough and fatiguing to the rider (‘Illustrated Natural History,’ by the -Rev. J. G. Wood, i. 706). We shall see hereafter what long and what rapid marches -were made by the Camel Corps.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_313_313" id="Footnote_313_313"></a><a href="#FNanchor_313_313"><span class="label">[313]</span></a> Captain Buckley was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun, when out -shooting November 1868.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_314_314" id="Footnote_314_314"></a><a href="#FNanchor_314_314"><span class="label">[314]</span></a> This (Jugdespore on the Sone) is a different place from Jugdespore in Oude, -the scene of the operations of the 2nd Battalion <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'in April, 185'">in April, 1858</ins>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_315_315" id="Footnote_315_315"></a><a href="#FNanchor_315_315"><span class="label">[315]</span></a> This affair is also said to have taken place at Nonadee (‘London Gazette’) -or Hoadeh.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_316_316" id="Footnote_316_316"></a><a href="#FNanchor_316_316"><span class="label">[316]</span></a> Private letter, January 6, 1861. For this account of the actions and movements -of the Camel Corps I am indebted to the journals of Captains George -Curzon and Eyre; to information from Captain Austin, and Sergeants Carroll -and Walsh; and especially to the letters of Colonel Ross.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[451]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">Having thus brought down the account of the services of -the two Battalions in India, and of the companies of those -Battalions which formed the Camel Corps, to the end of the -Mutiny, I now resume the account of the movements of the -other Battalions, which, in order not to interrupt the narrative -of the operations in India, I had left aside.</p> - -<p>The 1st Battalion moved from Glasgow to Newcastle-on-Tyne -by rail on September 24, 1858, detaching four companies -to Sunderland.</p> - -<p>On October 9 Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Smith, -Colonel-Commandant of the Battalion, inspected it; and after -the inspection and march past in the barrack-square, took -them to the open ground near the barracks, where he put -them through several rapid manœuvres. On their returning -to the barracks, forming them in square, he addressed them -as follows:</p> - -<p>‘Riflemen: I have had you out, and have given you some -rough handling; but I find that I cannot take either Colonel -Somerset or yourselves by surprise. I did this to see if the -old stuff was still awake, for I saw that you could go steadily -when you marched past in the square. This is the only -Regiment or Battalion in which I took my place in the ranks. -Your assistance at the Cape—in fact, in three quarters of the -globe I have fought with you, and I always found you worthy -of the green jacket. There is no one here who has soldiered -so long as I have—fifty-three years. Your hardships (which -I heard of) in the Crimea; your comrades now in India; -your doings in the Peninsula, when you still wore the green -jacket; and, since that, in all quarters where fighting was to -be done; your officers—your everything, in fact—will never -be forgotten.’ He then desired the men to let him get out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[452]</a></span> -the square; observing that he well knew he never could get -into it if they wished to prevent him.</p> - -<p>The following letter was addressed to Sir Harry Smith -by the Adjutant-General of the Forces:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Horse Guards, November 2, 1858.</p> - -<p>‘Sir,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of -your highly favourable and creditable report for the second -period of the current year upon the 1st Battalion Rifle -Brigade.</p> - -<p>‘The General Commanding-in-Chief deems the absence -of crime very remarkable; and desires me to express his -satisfaction at your finding your old Corps so worthy of you; -and further requests that you will assure Colonel Somerset -and all the officers that they have merited His Royal Highness’ -warmest commendation.</p> - -<p class="right"> -‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">W. F. Foster, D.A.G.</span></p> - -<p class="fs70">‘Lieutenant-General Sir H. Smith, Bart., G.C.B.,<br /> -<span class="pad4">‘Commanding Northern District.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>Colonel Somerset having been appointed to the Staff, -Lord Alexander Russell became Lieutenant-Colonel, and -assumed command of the Battalion on December 17.</p> - -<p>During the stay of the Battalion at Newcastle, the officers -and men received the Turkish War Medal for service in the -Crimea.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion at Chichester, having between January -1 and March 31 received 161 recruits, and 102 volunteers -from the Militia, had attained a strength of 34 sergeants, 18 -corporals, 15 buglers, and 649 privates. On April 19 they -proceeded from Chichester to Shorncliffe, and were quartered -in that camp.</p> - -<p>This Battalion was at first armed with the common or -long Enfield rifle; but in June of this year received the short -Enfield and sword.</p> - -<p>Having received a further increase of 86 recruits, and 24 -volunteers from Militia regiments, they embarked in August -for Malta, having then a strength of 756 non-commissioned -officers and privates.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[453]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Head-quarters, with eight companies, proceeded -from Shorncliffe to Portsmouth by rail on August 11, and -embarked on board the ‘Urgent’ troop-ship, and landed at -Malta on the 22nd.</p> - -<p>Two companies embarked at Portsmouth on board H.M.S. -‘Perseverance’ on the 13th, and reached Malta on August -25. The remaining two companies forming the Depôt proceeded -to Winchester, and were attached to the Depôt Battalion -there.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On May 6, 1859, the 1st Battalion was moved by rail from -Newcastle and Sunderland to Portsmouth, where it arrived -on the afternoon of the 7th, and occupied quarters: Anglesey -barracks, two companies; Colewort barracks, two companies; -Cambridge barracks, three companies; Clarence barracks, -three companies.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion remained at Malta, moving its quarters -in September from Lower St. Elmo barracks to Fort -Ricasoli.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On March 27, 1860, the 1st Battalion removed by rail from -Portsmouth to Aldershot, and occupied huts in the North -Camp.</p> - -<p>On which occasion the following order was issued by -Major-General the Hon. Sir James Y. Scarlett, K.C.B.:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Portsmouth, March 26, 1860.</p> - -<p>‘His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, having -ordered the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade to be removed from -this garrison and district to Aldershot, Major-General Sir -James Scarlett cannot allow the Corps to quit his command -without doing them that justice which is due to them, in -expressing his great regret in parting with them, and offering -his best thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Alexander -Russell, and the officers and the men under his command, for -the orderly and soldier-like conduct of the Battalion during -the period they have served in this garrison (excelled by no -Corps in smartness in the field and in quarters). The conduct -of both officers and men has been such as to make their -departure felt as a great loss, both in a military and a social<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[454]</a></span> -point of view. They carry with them the best wishes of the -Major-General wherever their duty may lead them; and he -believes his feelings towards them are shared by both the -civil and the military members of the garrison and the -district.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr30pc">‘By order,</span><br /> -‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">J. C. Thackwell, A.A.G.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>Their old companion-in-arms, Sir Harry Smith, having -died in London on October 12, was succeeded as Colonel-Commandant -of the Battalion by their former Lieutenant-Colonel, -Major-General Sir George Buller, K.C.B.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remained at Lucknow till January 3 -in this year, when they marched <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en route</i> for Delhi by the -following route:</p> - - -<div class="fs90"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="90%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdr">Jan. 3</td><td class="tdl">to</td><td class="tdl">Bunteerah</td><td class="tdr">10 </td><td class="tdl">miles.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">4</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Nawabgunge</td><td class="tdr">12 </td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">5</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl"><ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: '5 ” Oomao'">Oonao</ins></td><td class="tdr">13 </td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">6</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Cawnpore</td><td class="tdr">12 </td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="5"><p>Here they halted until the 19th, when, being relieved by the 52nd, they marched for Subathoo, to which station their destination was changed:</p></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">Jan. 19</td><td class="tdl">to</td><td class="tdl">Kullianpore</td><td class="tdr">8 </td><td class="tdl">miles.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">20</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Chobeepore</td><td class="tdr">8 </td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">21</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Poorah</td><td class="tdr">12 </td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">22</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Urrowl</td><td class="tdr">13·3</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">23</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Meeran-ke-Serai</td><td class="tdr">9·5</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">24</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Goorsuhagunge</td><td class="tdr">13·3</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">25</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Chubramow</td><td class="tdr">14·5</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">27</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Bewar</td><td class="tdr">13·3</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">28</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Sultangunge</td><td class="tdr">14·6</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">29</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Kurrowlee</td><td class="tdr">8·3</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">30</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Mullown</td><td class="tdr">12 </td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">31</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Eytah</td><td class="tdr">11·1</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">Feb. 2</td><td class="tdl">”</td><td class="tdl">Bhudwas</td><td class="tdr">12·5</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">3</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Secundra Rao</td><td class="tdr">9·2</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">4</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Akburabad</td><td class="tdr">10·3</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">6</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Allygurh</td><td class="tdr">13·6</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[455]</a></span> - 7</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Somnagunge</td><td class="tdr">14·2</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">8</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Khoorja</td><td class="tdr">13·4</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">9</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Chorla</td><td class="tdr">8 </td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">10</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Secundrabad</td><td class="tdr">10·3</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">11</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Dadree</td><td class="tdr">10·1</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">12</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Gazeeoodeenuggur</td><td class="tdr">11·4</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">13</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Delhi</td><td class="tdr">12·4</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="5"> They halted at Delhi till the 18th, when, resuming their march,</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">they proceeded</td><td class="tdl">to</td><td class="tdl">Allypoor</td><td class="tdr">10·6</td><td class="tdl">miles.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">Feb. 19</td><td class="tdl">to</td><td class="tdl">Raie</td><td class="tdr">10 </td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">20</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Lursowlee</td><td class="tdr">11·2</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">21</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Sumalka</td><td class="tdr">10·4</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">22</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Paneeput</td><td class="tdr">11·4</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">23</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Gourrunda</td><td class="tdr">9·6</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">24</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Kurnal</td><td class="tdr">11·1</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">26</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Bootanah</td><td class="tdr">10·6</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">27</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Peeplie</td><td class="tdr">8·7</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">28</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Shahabad</td><td class="tdr">13·3</td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">29</td><td class="tdl"> ”</td><td class="tdl">Umballa</td><td class="tdr">13 </td><td class="tdl pad2">”</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>Leaving the left wing, 5 companies under Lieutenant-Colonel -Fyers, at Umballa for target practice, the Head-quarters -marched on March 2 for Subathoo, where they arrived -on the 7th; and where the left wing joined them on -the 30th. The Battalion had thus made a march of more -than 440 miles, from Lucknow to Subathoo.</p> - -<p>Here they remained until December, when, marching in -three divisions on the 4th, 6th, and 12th, they arrived at Umballa -on the 8th, 13th, and 16th respectively, and were there -stationed for musketry instruction and target practice.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion remained at Agra during the whole of -this year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion remained at Malta during this year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>In the latter part of this year the Regiment received a -cloth shako of a new pattern, that known by the name of the -‘Albert shako’ being discontinued.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion left Aldershot by rail on the afternoon of -April 9, 1861, for Liverpool, where they embarked for Dublin,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[456]</a></span> -which they reached on the 10th, and landing on the 11th -occupied Richmond barracks.</p> - -<p>On the 29th they marched by route to Naas, and thence -on the next day to the Curragh camp.</p> - -<p>During their stay at the Curragh they marched to Dunamase -near Maryborough; where they encamped, using the -‘<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">tentes d’abri</i>’ for the first time, and returned to the Curragh -on the next day.</p> - -<p>On September 17 the Battalion left the Curragh, marching -that day to Naas, and on the next to Dublin, where they re-occupied -Richmond barracks.</p> - -<p>During the time the Battalion was in the garrison of -Dublin, a question arose as to the Castle guard, which is -mounted at the residence of the Lord Lieutenant, when -furnished by the Rifle Brigade carrying a colour. One of the -colours of regiments of the line is ‘trooped’ and carried -by this guard; but the Rifle Brigade having no colours, the -attempt to make the subaltern for guard carry it was of course -resisted. Sir George Brown, who then commanded in Ireland, -though he had served many years in the Regiment, wished to -insist on the colour being carried. But the officer commanding -the Battalion referred the matter to His Royal Highness -the Colonel-in-Chief; and in consequence the following memorandum -was issued from the Horse Guards June 10, 1861:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief -has received the commands of the Queen to notify that Her -Majesty is pleased to dispense with the use of colours when -guards of honour or guards over the Royal person are furnished -by Regiments which do not ordinarily carry colours.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr30pc">‘By command,</span><br /> -‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">J. Yorke Scarlett, A.G.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>The American ship ‘San Jacinto’ having boarded the Royal -Mail Packet ‘Trent’ and forcibly removed Messrs. Mason and -Slidell, Commissioners from the Southern Confederate States -proceeding to London and Paris, the Government, having resolved -to demand reparation for this outrage on the British flag, -ordered a force to proceed to Canada for the defence of that -country in the event of a war. The Battalion was therefore -ordered on December 4 to hold itself in readiness for active<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[457]</a></span> -service, and having been inspected on the 7th by Major-General -Ridley, embarked on the 11th at the North Wall, Dublin, in -two divisions on board the ‘Windsor’ and ‘Trafalgar,’ under -the command of Lord A. G. Russell, for Liverpool. They -arrived there on the following day and were immediately -transferred to the hired steam-ship ‘Australasian.’ Their -strength being</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdc">Field-officers</td><td class="tdc">Captains</td><td class="tdc">Subalterns</td><td class="tdc">Staff</td><td class="tdc">Staff-Sergeants</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">3</td><td class="tdc">10</td><td class="tdc">21</td><td class="tdc">6</td><td class="tdc">5</td></tr> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdc">Sergeants</td><td class="tdc">Buglers</td><td class="tdc">Corporals</td><td class="tdc">Privates</td><td class="tdc">Total</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">38</td><td class="tdc">16</td><td class="tdc">37</td><td class="tdc">738</td><td class="tdc">874</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>At 7 <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> on December 13 the ‘Australasian’ started, -with orders to make the passage of the St. Lawrence, if -possible; which was, however, doubtful in consequence of the -ice in the depth of winter. They had fair weather till the -23rd, when they sighted Cape Race. But at midnight it came -on to blow a gale, with snow, or rather ice, falling so thick -that it was impossible to see a foot before them. The -‘Australasian’ continued tacking all the 24th, and at midnight -it was found she was off the southern coast of Anticosti. The -captain now declaring that he was averse to trying to enter -the St. Lawrence in such weather, it was resolved (after consultation -with the commanding officer and the officer of the -Royal Navy on board) to make for Halifax, which, after a -dangerous passage between Cape Ray and St. Paul’s Island, -they reached at midday on the 26th.</p> - -<p>During the voyage each man was supplied with warm -clothing.</p> - -<p>On December 14 the lamented death of Field Marshal His -Royal Highness the Prince Consort, Colonel-in-Chief, took -place at Windsor Castle. He was succeeded by Field Marshal -Lord Seaton; who, though not a Rifleman, had as colonel -of their old comrades of the Light Division, the 52nd, and as -commanding a brigade in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, -fought beside the Riflemen in many actions.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion returned to Subathoo, marching from -Umballa on March 11 and arriving at Subathoo on the 16th.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[458]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion marched from Agra on March 6 for -Bareilly, where they arrived on the 21st and occupied quarters.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion continued at Malta, changing their -quarters from Fort Ricasoli to Fort Manoel, Valetta, on -March 27.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>By order dated Horse Guards, January 22, 1862, it was -intimated that the Queen “desiring to perpetuate the remembrance -of her beloved Husband’s connection with the Rifle -Brigade, and feeling sure that it will be gratifying to the -Corps to have the name of one who, as its Colonel-in-Chief, -took such deep and constant interest in its welfare, had been -pleased to command that it should in future bear the designation -of ‘The Prince Consort’s Own Rifle Brigade.’”</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion did not disembark at Halifax, and after -remaining there a week in order to coal the ship, left it in the -‘Australasian,’ on January 1, 1862; and, after encountering -another severe gale and snowstorm in the Bay of Fundy, -reached St. John’s, New Brunswick, on the 3rd at two <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> and -immediately landed, and occupied quarters in the permanent -barracks. The heavy baggage was left in store at St. John’s; -but the Battalion proceeded in detachments of five officers and -about 100 men daily from the 6th to the 14th. They were -conveyed in sleighs: one for the officers, one for every eight -men, and two for rations, ammunition and baggage. The -men received a field ration. Previous to starting they had -breakfast and half their meat; at the midday halt a pint of -tea and half the ration of grog; the remainder of their ration -on their arrival at the halting place for the night. They were -dressed in great-coats, fur caps and mocassins, with the -accoutrements outside the coat: the pouch being in front for -the convenience of sitting in the sleighs; the cape of the -great coat being turned up, and tied with a woollen comforter -outside. Over all a blanket with a hole cut for the head as a -‘poncho.’</p> - -<p class="noindent pad2"> -The first day’s journey was from St. John’s to Fredericton, 60 miles.<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[459]</a></span>The second, Fredericton to Tilley’s Hotel, Dumfries, 29 miles.<br /> -The third, Tilley’s to Woodstock, 32 miles.<br /> -The fourth, Woodstock to Florenceville, 23 miles.<br /> -The fifth, Florenceville to Tobique, 23 miles.<br /> -The sixth, Tobique to Grand-Falls, 24 miles.<br /> -The seventh, Grand-Falls to Little-Falls, 36 miles.<br /> -The eighth, Little-Falls to Fort Ingall, 37 miles.<br /> -The ninth, Fort Ingall to Rivière-du-Loup, 42 miles.<br /> -</p> - -<p>The men were placed at night in such rooms or shelter as -the halting places afforded, lying down on pine branches. Very -great hospitality was manifested by the scattered inhabitants. -Owing to the precautions taken no casualty occurred, save a -few slight cases of frost-bite. One being that of Captain -Playne, who, as well as two other officers who had recently -joined from the Battalions in India, specially felt the extreme -cold.</p> - -<p>From Rivière-du-Loup, each detachment proceeded on the -following morning by the Grand Trunk railway to Montreal, -where the Battalion was assembled and occupied the College -which had been given up by the Roman Catholic Bishop for -the use of the troops.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the Battalion, consisting of 5 companies, -left Montreal by special train at 8.45 <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> on January -31, and arrived at Hamilton, Canada West, at 4.30 <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> on -the succeeding day, and were received with a perfect ovation -by its inhabitants. The left wing followed, leaving Montreal -on February 10 and arriving at Hamilton on the next day.</p> - -<p>As there were no barracks at Hamilton the Battalion was -quartered in four different stores which had been hired for their -occupation. The overland journey from St. John’s to Hamilton -was completed without the loss of a single man. This is -most creditable to the Riflemen, as numerous agents of the -United States offered them many temptations to desert.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion continued at Subathoo, sending detachments -of two and three companies at a time to Umballa for -musketry training during the months of December 1861, and -January and February of this year. These having all returned -the Battalion was again concentrated at Subathoo at the end -of March, and continued there during the remainder of the -year.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[460]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion continued at Bareilly, detaching one -company to Loohoo Ghât on March 13.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion remained at Malta during the whole of -this year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Colonel-in-Chief, Field Marshal Lord Seaton, died on -April 17, 1863, and was succeeded by General the Right Hon. -Sir George Brown, who had, as Lieutenant-Colonel, commanded -the 2nd Battalion for seventeen years.</p> - -<p>By a General Order, dated ‘Horse Guards, September 3, -1863,’ Her Majesty the Queen, in commemoration of the -services of the Rifle Brigade in Her Majesty’s Indian dominions, -was graciously pleased to command that the word -‘Lucknow’ should be borne on the appointments of the -Brigade.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion remained at Hamilton during this year, -its establishment being reduced on April 1 to—</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdc">Field Officers</td><td class="tdc">Captains</td><td class="tdc">Subalterns</td><td class="tdc">Staff</td><td class="tdc">Sergeants</td><td class="tdc">Buglers</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">3</td><td class="tdc">12</td><td class="tdc">24</td><td class="tdc">5</td><td class="tdc">58</td><td class="tdc">25</td></tr> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdc"></td><td class="tdc">Corporals</td><td class="tdc">Rank and File</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc"></td><td class="tdc">50</td><td class="tdc">750</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On February 2 the 2nd Battalion marched from Subathoo, -and arrived at Delhi on the 20th.</p> - -<p>Three companies, under Captain F. Seymour, marched -from Delhi to Meerut on November 22, and returned to Delhi -on December 4.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion marched from Bareilly on January 15 -(the detachment from Loohoo Ghât having previously rejoined), -and formed part of the Governor-General’s escort -at Agra on the 30th, and then marched to Umballa, where it -was inspected by the Commander-in-Chief in India on March -30; after which it proceeded to Meon Meer, arriving there -on April 16.</p> - -<p>In the latter part of this year some of the tribes on the -north-western frontier, between British India and Afghanistan, -manifested a disposition to be troublesome; they made incursions -into our territory, and pillaged some villages. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[461]</a></span> -force under Sir Neville Chamberlain was therefore sent up -to chastise them. Unfortunately, the difficult nature of the -mountain passes, and the warlike nature of the tribes occupying -these hills, proved insuperable obstacles to the troops -originally sent forward. Reinforcements were required; and -with this object the regiments at some of the adjacent stations -were despatched to the frontier under Sir John Garvock. -The 3rd Battalion was in consequence sent up to occupy the -place of one of these regiments. Accordingly they left Meon -on November 25, and proceeded to Googerat, which they -reached on December 1. On the 4th they arrived at Jhelum, -on the 18th at Rawul Pindee, and on the 19th reached Hoti -Murdan, a frontier fort situated beyond the Indus. About -the middle of December Sir John Garvock, in two engagements, -had completely defeated the offending tribes to the -north, and had (as it was supposed) terminated this frontier -war. The Riflemen of the 3rd Battalion, therefore, not unnaturally -concluded that their long and rapid march had -been, so far as fighting went, to no purpose, and that they -should return without having fired a shot. At any rate, they -expected to eat their Christmas dinner at Hoti Murdan in -peace. But on that very morning of the 25th, at three o’clock, -they were startled by hearing the bugle sound for ‘Orders.’ -They were to march at once for Shubkudder, another of the -frontier forts, pushed up, indeed, to the very border of our -north-eastern boundary. The Mohmund tribe had shown -signs of disquiet, and had not long before made an incursion -to Shubkudder, and killed an officer of Irregular Cavalry, -who attempted with a party to cut them off before they could -return to their mountains. The Battalion started at once, and -marched on Christmas Day eighteen miles to their camping-ground -at Nowshera. On the 26th they made a double march -of twenty-four miles to Peshawur, and on the 27th reached -Shubkudder, after a march of twenty-one miles, where they -encamped. The Fort of Shubkudder is situated at the foot of -a spur of the Bajour mountains, in a fork formed by the -junction of the Lundye river with the Cabool, and not very far -to the north of the Khyber Pass.</p> - -<p>On the 30th the Mohmund tribes were seen assembling -on the low hills which bound the plain, and advancing in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[462]</a></span> -considerable numbers. They did not, however, on that -occasion come down from their mountain fastnesses; but the -spies reported that an attack might be expected, as they had -sworn to engage the force at Shubkudder.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, on January 2, 1864, they were seen from the -fort, early in the morning, descending the mountain paths, and -collecting on a ridge about two miles off. Colonel Macdonell, -who was in command of the force, sent Colonel Ross with a -company of Riflemen and one of Ghoorkas, to occupy a village -about 800 yards in front of the fort, to endeavour to -entice them down. They accepted the invitation, and were -soon seen creeping down from the hills in twos and threes; -taking cover under every bank and inequality of the ground. -They opened fire, which mostly whistled over the heads of -the Riflemen, who returned it, probably with better effect. -Meanwhile their main body came down towards our left, and -planted their standards on a mound about 1,000 yards off. -Colonel Macdonell, seeing that they were not disposed to -come on, sent a small body of cavalry<a name="FNanchor_317_317" id="FNanchor_317_317"></a><a href="#Footnote_317_317" class="fnanchor">[317]</a> and some skirmishers -to turn their right. Three guns were sent to the left of the -village and opened on them. They could not stand their -fire; the flags soon disappeared from the mound, and the -Mohmunds retreated in a disordered crowd. Then the remaining -companies of the Battalion, with Ross’s party and the -Ghoorkas, formed a long line in extended order, and with the -guns, advanced across the plain, and followed the retreating -enemy over the ridge and to a valley beyond. There the -cavalry charged from the left right into them, and completed -their defeat. The Riflemen gave them a hot fire as they -ascended the passes into their hills. Whilst the cavalry and -guns withdrew, the Battalion retired in alternate lines of -skirmishers; but the enemy were so disorganised and disheartened -that they made no attempt to disturb their retreat. -On reaching the plain, the Riflemen closed; and they reached -their camp at dusk. The Mohmunds occupied an extent of -some two miles from right to left, and are supposed to have -numbered about 7,000.<a name="FNanchor_318_318" id="FNanchor_318_318"></a><a href="#Footnote_318_318" class="fnanchor">[318]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[463]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion left Malta on September 17, and landed -at Gibraltar on the 21st, where they were inspected on -December 18 by Major-General Sir Robert Walpole, K.C.B., -who had so long served in the Regiment, and under whose -command the Riflemen had often fought in India.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion moved by rail on May 31, 1864, from -Hamilton to Kingston, where they arrived on June 1 and were -quartered, seven companies in Tête-de-Pont barracks, and -three companies at Fort Henry.</p> - -<p>During the stay of the Battalion at Kingston the men -were allowed freely to boat on Lake Ontario, restrictions -which had formerly been placed on the troops through fear -of desertion being removed by the commanding officer, in -perfect confidence in the loyalty of the Riflemen. Every -company had a boat; and excursions on the lake and boat -races were common among the men. Nor was this confidence -misplaced, no desertions having, by this means, taken -place.</p> - -<p>Previous to leaving Hamilton the following Brigade-order -was received:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Toronto, May 28, 1864.</p> - -<p>‘Major-General Napier cannot allow the 1st Battalion of -the P. C. O. Rifle Brigade to leave his district without conveying -to Colonel Lord Alexander Russell, the Officers, Non-commissioned -Officers, and Privates, his unqualified approbation -of the good conduct of the Regiment, during the time -they have been serving under his command in Canada West. -Major-General Napier has often served with the 1st Battalion, -and in bidding them farewell for the present trusts that he -may at some future period have the Regiment once more -under his command.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr30pc">‘By order,</span><br /> -‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">J. E. Hall.</span><br /> -<span class="fs70">‘Major of Brigade.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>On September 8 and 9 the Battalion embarked at Kingston<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[464]</a></span> -in two divisions on board the steam-boats ‘Banshee’ and -‘Grecian,’ and proceeded to Montreal, where they arrived -on the 9th and 10th, and occupied quarters in the Victoria -barracks. Where they were inspected on the 19th by Lieutenant-General -Sir W. F. Williams, Bart., K.C.B., Commanding -British North America.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>Colonel Julius Glyn, C.B., assumed command of the 2nd -Battalion at Delhi on January 18, Colonel Hill having been -appointed to the command of a brigade.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters marched from Delhi on March 26 to -Meerut, where they arrived on the 29th. The left wing followed -on April 1, and arrived at Meerut on the 4th.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>We left the 3rd Battalion at the Camp of Shubkudder, -after the fight of January 2. They remained there until the -middle of February, when they moved to Rawul Pindee, -where they arrived on the 15th. In about a month they left -Rawul Pindee, and marching by Khairabad and Akorah, -reached Peshawur on the 20th, and there occupied quarters.</p> - -<p>On December 30 they moved to Nowshera, where they -arrived on January 1, 1865.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion remained at Gibraltar during the whole -of the year.</p> - -<p>In September Whitworth rifles were issued to the men of -this Battalion, forty short Enfields being retained for the use -of the sergeants.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion continued in quarters at Montreal, where -on March 9, 1865, a letter was received, of which the following -is an extract:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Horse Guards, February 15, 1865.</p> - -<p>‘The resistance of the men of the 1st Battalion Rifle -Brigade to the great temptations held out to them to -desert has elicited the expression of His Royal Highness’s -highest commendation.’<a name="FNanchor_319_319" id="FNanchor_319_319"></a><a href="#Footnote_319_319" class="fnanchor">[319]</a></p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[465]</a></span></p> - -<p>On May 2 the Battalion embarked at Montreal in the -steamboat ‘Europa,’ and proceeded to Quebec; and arriving -there the following day, occupied the citadel.</p> - -<p>The Battalion having been inspected by Major-General -the Hon. James Lindsay, a letter was received, which contained -the following approval:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Horse Guards, August 11, 1865.</p> - -<p>‘The Duke of Cambridge has received with much pleasure -Major-General the Honourable James Lindsay’s very favourable -account of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, which His -Royal Highness desires may be highly commended, more -particularly for the shooting.’</p> -</div> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remained at Meerut during the whole of -the year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 1 the 3rd Battalion arrived from Peshawur at -Nowshera, and occupied quarters until December 13, when -they left it for Rawul Pindee, where, arriving on the 19th, -they occupied quarters.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion embarked at Gibraltar on board the -‘Himalaya’ troop-ship on July 7 for Canada; and arrived at -Point Levis on the 22nd, where they were encamped, and -employed in erecting fortifications until October; on the 19th -of which month they proceeded to Montreal, and occupied -quarters in the Victoria barracks.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>In this year the Regiment lost its Colonel-in-Chief, Sir -George Brown, G.C.B., who died at Linkwood, Morayshire, on -August 27. His remains were interred in the Cathedral -burial-ground at Elgin on the 31st, being borne to the grave -by five old Riflemen, who had served under him.</p> - -<p>He was succeeded by Field-Marshal Sir Edward Blakeney, -G.C.B., who had never served in, nor been connected with the -Regiment.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion remained in the citadel of Quebec during -the whole of the year 1866.</p> - -<p>On June 9 a railway-van, containing 2,000 pounds of -ammunition, on its way from Quebec to Kingston, under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[466]</a></span> -charge of a sergeant and a guard of the Battalion, was discovered -to be on fire on reaching Danville Station. It had -been ignited by a spark from the engine. The van was immediately -shoved down the line away from the station, and -the alarm given. The people living in the vicinity fled from -their houses, in fear of the explosion. Private Timothy -O’Hea of this guard ran down to the van, forced open the -door, removed the covering from the ammunition, discovered -the source of the fire, ran for water, and extinguished it. A -braver or more daring act it is impossible to imagine. A subscription -was immediately set on foot, and a purse handed to -the brave Rifleman; and he subsequently received the Victoria -Cross for this courageous act.</p> - -<p>On October 14 occurred the great fire at Quebec; and -the Riflemen took a very active part in endeavouring to suppress -it, to save life, and to rescue property from the flames. -One man of the Battalion, named William Berry, distinguished -himself by rescuing a child from a house, which the engineers -were about to blow up, to prevent the extension of the fire. The -train had been laid; and the fuse was already burning, when -this brave man rushed in, and brought out the child in safety. -For this gallant act Berry was recommended for the Victoria -Cross; and though he did not obtain it, he was specially mentioned -in General Orders issued at Montreal on May 7, 1867.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion continued at Meerut until November 2, -when it moved <em>viâ</em> Ghazeeabad, to Agra, where it arrived on -the 5th, and was encamped during the durbar held by the -Governor-General, Sir John Lawrence; till December 1 to 5, -when it proceeded in detachments, by rail, to Fort William, -Calcutta.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion continued at Rawul Pindee until the -1st, when they were employed in the construction of a road -from Murree to Abbottabad. This work continued till November -5, and on the 10th they returned to Rawul Pindee.</p> - -<p>The Battalion, having been ordered to be increased by -128 privates, received volunteers from the 34th, 51st, 97th and -98th Regiments.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion, continuing at Montreal, detached three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[467]</a></span> -companies, with the band, to Ottawa on May 21, and they -continued to be quartered there during the stay of His Excellency -the Governor-General.</p> - -<p>On the Fenians from the United States crossing the -frontier into Canada, two companies proceeded from Montreal -on June 2 to St. John’s (Canada East), and were joined there -by a company from Chambly, and were encamped at St. -John’s till the 9th; when, being reinforced by the Head-quarters, -consisting of four companies, under Major Nixon,<a name="FNanchor_320_320" id="FNanchor_320_320"></a><a href="#Footnote_320_320" class="fnanchor">[320]</a> -they proceeded by rail to St. Armand, and were about to -encamp, when Lieutenant Acland,<a name="FNanchor_321_321" id="FNanchor_321_321"></a><a href="#Footnote_321_321" class="fnanchor">[321]</a> who in the disguise of a -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">habitant</i> had gone amongst the Fenians, brought word that a -considerable party of them had crossed the Canadian boundary. -A small force, with two guns, to which Captains Norris’<a name="FNanchor_322_322" id="FNanchor_322_322"></a><a href="#Footnote_322_322" class="fnanchor">[322]</a> and -Moorsom’s companies were attached, started to find them; -but the Fenians seem to have had intelligence of their -approach; for although the guns, escorted by a company of -Riflemen, pushed on at a trot, they disappeared in the wood, -or crossed the boundary. On Major Nixon, with the rest of -the force, coming up, he led the skirmishers through some -thick wood and cedar-swamp, and some shots were fired. A -few Fenians, half-starved and partly armed, were taken -prisoners. As it was then near evening, Colonel Elrington -ordered the force back to St. Armand; but Moorsom’s company -was sent to Freligsburgh, about 11 miles from St. -Armand. On arrival there, they found that the town had -been sacked by the Fenians, and it was with some difficulty -that the Riflemen obtained any provisions. This company -returned to St. Armand on the 10th, but was again detached -on the 15th to guard a block-house, in which the Fenian -prisoners were confined, at Phillipsburgh, on Lake Champlain.</p> - -<p>The whole of these companies, except one which proceeded -to Chambly for musketry instruction, returned to Montreal on -June 19.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 30, 1867, the 1st Battalion received the Snider -breech-loading rifle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[468]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Battalion proceeded on June 10 across the St. Lawrence -to Point Levis, leaving one company at Quebec. They -encamped at Point Levis, and were employed during the -summer in the construction of fortifications at that place.</p> - -<p>On October 7 Head-quarters and two companies moved -by rail to Ottawa, the remaining companies returning to -Quebec. On November 20, however, two of these companies -joined the Head-quarters at Ottawa.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion, having embarked at Calcutta on board -H.M. Troop-ship ‘Jumna,’ proceeded to Suez. And re-embarking -at Alexandria on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Crocodile,’ -disembarked at Portsmouth on November 23, and proceeded -at once by rail to Devonport, and occupied quarters.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion, being still at Rawul Pindee, on May 1 -a working party of 238 privates, under a field officer, were -employed, as in the preceding year, on the road from <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'Murree to Abottabad'">Murree -to Abbottabad</ins>, and rejoined Head-quarters at Rawul Pindee -on November 3.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 4 the 4th Battalion at Montreal received the -breech-loading short Snider, in place of the Whitworth rifle.</p> - -<p>On September 5 the Battalion left Montreal, and on the -next day embarked on board the Troop-ship ‘Serapis,’and -started for England. They arrived at Portsmouth on the -17th, and disembarked on the 18th, five companies with Head-quarters -proceeding to Chichester, and three companies to -Winchester, whence the Depôt companies joined Head-quarters. -The Battalion made but a short stay in the south -of England; for on December 23 the three companies at -Winchester, with one from Chichester, moved to Weedon. -And on the 26th the Head-quarters and remaining six companies -followed, arriving at Weedon on the next day. Three -companies were detached to Leeds, and one to Northampton.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Head-quarters of the 1st Battalion continued at -Ottawa during the year 1868, where the companies remaining -at Quebec joined on June 6.</p> - -<p>In consequence of the proceedings of the Fenians in the -United States, one company of the Battalion proceeded to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[469]</a></span> -Coburg on October 1, and was followed by two other companies -on the 5th.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion continued at Devonport during the -whole year 1868.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 10 the 3rd Battalion left Rawul Pindee, and -began its march to Moradabad and Seetapore. The left wing -marched into quarters at Moradabad on March 14, and the -right wing and Head-quarters at Seetapore on the 30th.</p> - -<p>On November 30 the left wing, under Captain Moore, -left Moradabad, and marched into quarters at Dinapore on -December 14.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion continued at Weedon, Leeds and -Northampton, and furnished yet another detachment of one -company to Warwick on January 14. The company at -Northampton, however, joining Head-quarters at Weedon on -February 7.</p> - -<p>On May 21 the Head-quarters and five companies proceeded -to Chester, and were quartered in the Castle; and the -detachments from Leeds and Warwick joining the company -left at Weedon formed the left wing, and were quartered -there.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Colonel-in-Chief, Sir Edward Blakeney, died on -August 2, and the Regiment had the honour of receiving -as his successor General His Royal Highness Albert Edward, -Prince of Wales, who was appointed Colonel-in-Chief -August 3.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion, continuing at Ottawa, on March 1 and -15, 1869, furnished parties of 200 men each time to dig out the -mail-trains imbedded in snow between Montreal and Ottawa, -the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">employés</i> of the railway being insufficient for that purpose. -The men carried their rations with them on these occasions.</p> - -<p>On August 5 one company, and on the 17th a second -company, proceeded by steamboat to Montreal on detachment. -They were followed by the remainder of the Battalion -in two divisions on September 9 and 10.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[470]</a></span></p> - -<p>On October 8 His Royal Highness Prince Arthur joined -the Service companies at Montreal, having been appointed -Lieutenant on August 3.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On the 24th five companies of the 2nd Battalion, under -the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, embarked at -Plymouth on board H.M.S. ‘Urgent’ for Portsmouth, and on -arrival there marched to Aldershot, <em>viâ</em> Bishop’s Waltham and -Alton.</p> - -<p>And on the 14th the Head-quarters embarked on board -H.M. Troop-ship ‘Simoom,’ and arriving at Portsmouth, on the -16th, proceeded by rail to Farnborough; and marching to -Cove Common, there encamped until the 23rd, when they -occupied huts in the North Camp at Aldershot.</p> - -<p>On July 14 the Battalion marched to Chobham, forming -part of a flying column, under Major-General Sir Alfred -Horsford. They encamped there that night, and on the next -day marched to Bushy Park, and encamped. Having taken -part in a review at Wimbledon, they returned to Aldershot -by the same route, and reached it on the 22nd, having taken -part in a sham fight.</p> - -<p>On August 18 the Battalion, forming part of a flying -column under Colonel Elrington of the 4th Battalion, marched -to Bramshill Park, and encamped there; they remained there -during the 19th, and on the 20th returned to Aldershot, having -taken part in a sham fight on Hartfordbridge Flats on their -way. On October 1 the Glengarry cap was taken into wear, in -place of the forage cap.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On January 7 the right wing and Head-quarters of the -3rd Battalion left Seetapore; and arriving at Dinapore on the -19th, marched into quarters on the 20th, and joined the left -wing, which had arrived there from Moradabad in the previous -month.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On May 17 two companies of the left wing of the 4th -Battalion at Weedon left that station, proceeding by rail to -Bicester, and thence marching by Oxford, Wallingford, and -Reading to Aldershot, where they arrived on the 20th. Two -other companies followed on June 2, proceeding by the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[471]</a></span> -route, and (with the fifth company, which proceeded by rail, -and joined them at Reading) arrived at Aldershot on the 5th.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters and right wing of this Battalion -marched from Chester to Birkenhead on May 31; and embarked -there on board the ‘Urgent’ Troop-ship for Portsmouth, -where they landed on June 4, and proceeded to Farnborough. -From whence they marched to Cove Common, where the -Battalion encamped.</p> - -<p>The Battalion was thus reunited for the first time -since its arrival in England, its detachments having been -widely separated; and for more than a year its two wings -having been stationed 120 miles from each other.</p> - -<p>This Battalion, as well as the 2nd, formed part of the -flying column to Bramshill Park, mentioned above.</p> - -<p>On September 4 the Battalion removed from the camp -at Cove Common, and occupied quarters in the Permanent -barracks at Aldershot.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On April 1, 1870, the establishment of the 1st Battalion, -then, at Montreal, was reduced to</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs70"><td class="tdc">Field Officers.</td><td class="tdc">Captains.</td> - <td class="tdc">Lieutenants.<a name="FNanchor_323_323" id="FNanchor_323_323"></a><a href="#Footnote_323_323" class="fnanchor">[323]</a></td><td class="tdc">Staff.</td><td class="tdc">Staff-Sergeants.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">4<a name="FNanchor_324_324" id="FNanchor_324_324"></a><a href="#Footnote_324_324" class="fnanchor">[324]</a></td><td class="tdc">10</td><td class="tdc">14</td><td class="tdc">3</td><td class="tdc">9</td></tr> -<tr class="fs70"><td class="tdc"></td><td class="tdc">Sergeants.</td><td class="tdc">Buglers.</td><td class="tdc">Corporals.</td><td class="tdc">Privates.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc"></td><td class="tdc">40</td><td class="tdc">21</td><td class="tdc">40</td><td class="tdc">460</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>On July 7 one company proceeded on detachment to -Hochelaga.</p> - -<p>On August 30 two companies proceeded, by the steamer -‘Montreal,’ to Quebec, and embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship -‘Tamar’ on the following morning. And on the 31st -the Head-quarters and remaining companies, under the command -of Lieutenant-Colonel Manningham Buller, embarked -at Montreal on board the steamboat ‘Quebec’; and arriving -at Quebec, went on board the ‘Tamar,’ which started in the -evening, and anchored a few miles down the river at nightfall. -On the following morning she proceeded on her course; but -owing to heavy fogs and bad weather on September 3, did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[472]</a></span> -not get clear of the Gulf of St. Lawrence until the next day. -After which the weather was favourable during the voyage, -which ended on the 16th, when the ‘Tamar’ arrived at -Portsmouth about ten <span class="fs70">A.M.</span> Here orders were received to -proceed to Gravesend, and at three <span class="fs70">P.M.</span> she started, arriving -there at midday on the 17th. But the Battalion did not disembark -until the 19th (Monday), when they landed, partly in -the ship’s boats, and partly in a small steamer; and proceeded -at once to Woolwich, where they occupied the Royal Marine -barracks.</p> - -<p>On August 24 the establishment of the Battalion was increased -to 760 privates, other ranks remaining as before.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remained in the North Camp, Aldershot; -and on February 1 was equipped with the valise instead -of the knapsack.</p> - -<p>On August 4 the Battalion marched (forming part of a -flying column, under Major-General Dalrymple White) to -Bramshill Park, where they encamped. And, as in the previous -year, after remaining the next day, marched back to -Aldershot on the 6th. On the intervening day the infantry -of the column were put through a very pretty field-day by -Colonel Elrington, of the 4th Battalion.</p> - -<p>On August 24 the establishment of this Battalion was -raised from 570 to 870 privates.</p> - -<p>On the 30th the Battalion left Aldershot, and proceeded -by rail to Dover, where they arrived the same afternoon, and -were quartered, Head-quarters and five companies in the -South-front barracks, and the remaining five companies (under -Lieutenant-Colonel Walker) in the Castle Hill fort.</p> - -<p>The following letter was communicated by Major-General -Russell, Commanding at Dover, to Colonel Glyn:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Horse Guards, August 31, 1870.</p> - -<p>‘Sir,—I am directed by the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief -to inform you that the Lieutenant-General Commanding -at Aldershot has reported that the 2nd Battalion -Rifle Brigade marched out with great regularity and sobriety, -and maintained the high character of the Corps whilst in this -command. And I am to request that you will have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[473]</a></span> -goodness to inform the officer commanding the Regiment of -His Royal Highness’ satisfaction at receiving so favourable a -report.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr6">‘I have the honour, &c., &c.,</span><br /> -‘(Signed) <span class="smcap">J. Hope Grant, Q.M.G.</span></p> - -<p class="fs70">‘Major-General Russell, &c., &c.,<br /> -<span class="pad6">‘Dover.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>On November 12 the left wing of the 3rd Battalion, under -the command of Major Maclean, left Dinapore by rail for -Allahabad, followed by the Head-quarters and right wing, -under Colonel Ross, <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en route</i> for Bombay; where they arrived -on the 21st, and embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship -‘Euphrates.’ On the 30th they arrived at Aden, and two -companies disembarked at Steamer-point. On December 1 -the remainder of the Battalion disembarked; and they were -stationed, two companies at Steamer-point, two at Isthmus -position, and the remainder of the Battalion in cantonments.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion continued to occupy quarters in the -Permanent barracks, Aldershot.</p> - -<p>On August 4 they formed part of the flying column, with -the 2nd Battalion, which proceeded to Bramshill Park, and -returned to Aldershot on the 6th.</p> - -<p>They moved from Aldershot to Shorncliffe by rail on -August 31.</p> - -<p>In November this Battalion was again broken up, four -companies proceeding to Chatham on the 11th, for duty in -that garrison.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion continued to occupy the Marine barracks -at Woolwich; and on February 1, 1871, the number of -privates was again altered, being reduced to 560.</p> - -<p>On May 23 the Battalion was inspected by His Royal -Highness the Duke of Cambridge.</p> - -<p>On August 2 they proceeded by march-route to Wimbledon; -on the next day to Hounslow, on the 4th to Chobham, -and on the 5th to Aldershot, where they encamped on Cove -Common. On each of these days they had encamped at -their halting-places.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[474]</a></span></p> - -<p>They remained here till September 12, when (taking part -in the autumn manœuvres of that year) they marched to -Chobham ridges; on the 13th to Chobham; and were employed -in constructing field-works on the 14th. On the next -day they marched to Pirbright; and after pitching camp -proceeded to the Hog’s-back and remained on outpost duty -for the night. On the 16th they marched to Chobham ridges -and remained there during the next day, Sunday; on the -18th they moved to Chobham and were encamped there till -the 21st, when they returned to Cove Common and were encamped -on their former ground.</p> - -<p>During this time the Battalion daily took part in sham -fights, and encamped at night, and in fact acted as in an -actual campaign.</p> - -<p>On September 27 the Battalion marched to Farnborough -and proceeded by rail to Dover, and was quartered in the -Shaft barracks.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion at Dover on February 1 had its establishment -increased from 870 to 920 privates.</p> - -<p>On September 26 the Head-quarters and three companies -marched from Dover to Shorncliffe, and on the 29th three -other companies followed, and the remaining four companies -on October 2, and were there quartered.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The Service companies of the 3rd Battalion, under the -command of Major Maclean, embarked at Aden on December -7, on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Serapis,’ and arrived at Portsmouth -on the 30th.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion continued at Shorncliffe, with four companies -at Chatham; and on July 22 furnished another -detachment of a company to Upnor Castle.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters and remaining five companies moved -from Shorncliffe to Chatham on August 1; furnishing detachments -to the Isle of Grain and to Gravesend.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>At the commencement of the year, 1872, the head-dress -of the Regiment was changed; the fur-busby with a bag being -substituted for the shako.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[475]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J474" id="J474"></a> -<p class="right fs70 padr10pc">Plate V.</p> -<img src="images/i_474fp.jpg" width="500" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -RIFLE BRIGADE,<br /> -1871. -</div> -</div> - -<p>On the recovery of His Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief -from his dangerous illness in the winter of 1871–2, Sir -George Buller, Colonel-Commandant, addressed the following -letter to the Comptroller of His Royal Highness’s household:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘23 Bruton Street, Berkeley Square, March 5, 1872.</p> - -<p>‘Sir,—I have the honour by the desire of Lieutenant-Colonel -Manningham-Buller, and the officers of the 1st Battalion -Rifle Brigade, to request you will be pleased to lay -before His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief -of the Rifle Brigade, their most respectful and sincere -congratulations on the recovery of His Royal Highness from -His late dangerous illness, and in which congratulations I beg -to add that I most cordially concur.</p> - -<p>‘An unavoidable delay has occurred in the transmission -of this address of the officers of the 1st Battalion Rifle -Brigade in consequence of the letter on this subject having -been sent to my house in London, and not forwarded to me, -by error.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr4">‘I have the honour to be,</span><br /> -<span class="padr6">&c. &c. &c.,</span><br /> -<span class="padr2">‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">George Buller.</span></span><br /> -<span class="fs70">‘General, Colonel-Commandant 1st Battalion<br /> -<span class="padr4">Rifle Brigade.</span></span></p> - -<p class="fs70">‘General Sir William Knollys, K.C.B.<br /> -<span class="pad4">&c. &c. &c.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>To which the following gracious reply was received:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right fs70">‘Marlborough House, Pall Mall, March 9, 1872.</p> - -<p>‘Sir,—I have the honour to inform you that in compliance -with your request, I have laid before the Prince of Wales, -Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifle Brigade, the congratulations -which you have been good enough to forward of Colonel -Manningham-Buller, and the officers of the 1st Battalion Rifle -Brigade, on His Royal Highness’s recovery from His late -dangerous illness, with your own cordial concurrence in them.</p> - -<p>‘His Royal Highness requests you will accept for yourself -and convey to Colonel Buller and the officers under his -command His sincere thanks for their congratulations, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[476]</a></span> -assures you how gratifying it is to His Royal Highness to -receive them.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr4">‘I have the honour to be,</span><br /> -<span class="padr6">&c. &c. &c.</span><br /> -<span class="padr2">‘(Signed) <span class="pad2 smcap">William Knollys,</span></span><br /> -<span class="fs70">‘General.</span></p> - -<p class="fs70">‘General Sir George Buller, G.C.B., Colonel-Commandant<br /> -<span class="pad6">1st Battalion Rifle Brigade.’</span></p> -</div> - -<p>On May 1 the establishment of the 1st Battalion was -further reduced to 520 rank and file.</p> - -<p>On May 25 the Battalion was inspected by Field-Marshal -His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.</p> - -<p>The Battalion remained at the Shaft barracks, Dover, -during the whole of this year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion at Shorncliffe on May 1 received -orders to reduce its establishment from 49 to 47 sergeants; -21 to 19 buglers; and from 850 rank and file to 820.</p> - -<p>On August 16 Head-quarters and eight companies of -the Battalion, under command of Major Stephens (Colonel -Glyn having been selected to command a brigade) proceeded -by rail to Aldershot, in order to take part in the autumn -manœuvres. On their arrival they encamped on Cove Common -until the 26th, when they marched to Hazeley Heath -and encamped. On the 27th they marched to Silchester, -passing by Strathfieldsaye, where they marched past the monumental -statue of their great Colonel-in-Chief, Arthur, Duke -of Wellington. On the 28th they marched to Greenham -Heath, where they halted next day, and on the 30th proceeded -to camp near Wilton. On the following day they marched -to camp at Rushall Park, where they remained till the commencement -of the manœuvres on September 4.</p> - -<p>But on August 24 the two companies of the Battalion -remaining at Shorncliffe, with the women, children and baggage, -were conveyed by train from Shorncliffe to Dover and -embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Tamar,’ and arrived -at Kingstown on the 29th, whence they proceeded on the same -day by rail to Birr, there to await the arrival of the Battalion.</p> - -<p>On September 4 the Head-quarters marched from Rushall -Park to Stapleford, where they encamped until the 8th, during<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[477]</a></span> -which time they were employed on outpost duties, and daily -took part in sham-fights at Wishford, Steeple-Langford and -Wiley. On the 9th they marched to Darrington-field. On -the 10th they took part in the defence of the river Avon, and -on the 12th were in the march past, which concluded these -autumn manœuvres.</p> - -<p>During this time the Battalion was always encamped, as -mentioned in the autumn manœuvres of the preceding year. -They also furnished their regimental transport, having received -waggons and field equipment at Woolwich, where a -party of about 60 men with two officers had proceeded, after -being instructed by the Land Transport Corps.</p> - -<p>On September 13 the Battalion marched from Darrington-field -to Salisbury, and thence proceeded by train to Portsmouth, -where they embarked in the evening, six companies on -board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Orontes’ and two on board H.M. -Troop-ship ‘Jumna,’ for conveyance to Ireland.</p> - -<p>On the 16th they disembarked at Kingstown and proceeded -by train to Birr, detaching a company and a half to -Nenagh; a company to Roscrea; and half a company to -Portumna.</p> - -<p>But the regimental transport marched from the camp at -Darrington-field, by Andover, Basingstoke, Guildford, and -Epsom to Woolwich, where they arrived and handed over -equipment on the 25th. On the next day they marched with -the horses to Aldershot, where they arrived on the 28th and -remained till October 12, when they returned to Woolwich, -arriving on the 16th; and after giving up the horses to the -Control department were attached to the Army Service Corps -at Woolwich till the 23rd. They embarked on that day on -board the ‘Lady Eglinton,’ and joined the Battalion on -the 28th.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion, which had arrived from India on -December 30, 1871, landed at Portsmouth on January 1, and -occupied quarters in the Clarence barracks, and was joined -by the Depôt companies from Chatham.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On February 27, 14 officers and 599 of other ranks of -the 4th Battalion, under command of Colonel Elrington, proceeded -from Chatham to London, to take part in the thanksgiving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[478]</a></span> -for the recovery of His Royal Highness, the Colonel-in-Chief.</p> - -<p>In June Colonel Elrington, who had formed the Battalion, -and commanded it from its formation, retired on half-pay; -and Colonel Ross, C.B., succeeded to the command.</p> - -<p>The Head-quarters with eight companies removed from -Chatham to Blandford by rail, and took part in the autumn -manœuvres.</p> - -<p>The Battalion being destined for Ireland, the remaining -two companies embarked at Sheerness on August 24, on -board the ‘Orontes’ Troop-ship, and landed at Kingstown on -the 28th, and proceeded to Richmond barracks.</p> - -<p>At the conclusion of the autumn manœuvres the Head-quarters -marched from camp near Amesbury to Salisbury on -September 14, and thence proceeded by rail to Portsmouth -and embarked on board the ‘Jumna’ Troop-ship. They -landed at Kingstown on the 16th and marched to Dublin, -where for the remainder of the year they occupied Richmond, -Ship-street, and Linen-hall barracks.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion proceeded by rail from Dover to Aldershot -on June 5, 1873, and were encamped on Rushmoor -bottom until July 28, when they occupied quarters in the -Permanent barracks.</p> - -<p>On June 24 the Battalion proceeded by rail to Egham, and -thence marched to Windsor Park and took part in a review -before Her Majesty and the Shah of Persia. On this occasion -His Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief marched past in the -uniform of the Regiment, at the head of the Battalion. After -the conclusion of the review they returned by the same route -to their camp at Rushmoor which they reached about ten <span class="fs70">P.M.</span></p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remained at Birr, occasionally relieving -the detachments; and in June the establishment was reduced -from 820 to 700 rank and file.</p> - -<p>On July 31 the Battalion and the detachments proceeded -by rail to the Curragh for the autumn manœuvres, and encamped. -The Battalion returned to Birr on August 29, -replacing the detachment at Portumna, the others being discontinued.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[479]</a></span></p> - -<p>On September 3 the Battalion received orders to prepare -for service on the Gold Coast of Africa, in the expedition -against Ashantee under Sir Garnet Wolseley.</p> - -<p>Colonel Glyn having been appointed Adjutant-General of -Auxiliary Forces in Ireland, Lieutenant-Colonel Warren took -command of the Battalion.</p> - -<p>On November 13 they were inspected by Lieutenant-General -Sir Thomas Steele, K.C.B., previous to embarkation; -and on the next day they received definite orders to hold -themselves in readiness to embark on any day after the 16th.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, on the 21st, the Battalion proceeded by -wings, by railway from Birr to Cork. The left wing, under -the command of Major J. Plumtre Glyn, started from Birr at -three in the morning of that day; and the right wing, under -Major Stephens, at half-past three for Cork, where they were -to embark. Colonel Warren and the Staff of the Battalion -accompanied the left wing.</p> - -<p>The climate of the Coast of Africa necessitating the disuse -of their European clothing, the men and officers were -provided with two grey frocks, a pair of grey tweed trousers, -a pair of duck trousers, two flannel shirts, two flannel belts, -a pith helmet with <em>puggaree</em> attached, and a pair of canvas -gaiters.</p> - -<p>On arrival at Cork they embarked on board the Troop-ship -‘Himalaya,’ and sailed at four in the afternoon. The -officers who embarked were:—</p> - -<p><em>Lieutenant-Colonel</em> Warren; <em>Majors</em>, Stephens and Plumtre -Glyn; <em>Brevet-Majors</em>, Nicholl and Sotheby; <em>Captains</em>, -Slade, Dugdale, Somerset, Robinson, Cary and H. Lascelles; -<em>Lieutenants</em>, the Honourable T. Scott, Stopford-Sackville,<a name="FNanchor_325_325" id="FNanchor_325_325"></a><a href="#Footnote_325_325" class="fnanchor">[325]</a> -Maberly,<a name="FNanchor_326_326" id="FNanchor_326_326"></a><a href="#Footnote_326_326" class="fnanchor">[326]</a> Taylor, Hopwood, the Honourable A. Grosvenor, -Thompson, (<em>Adjutant</em>), Harrington, Smyth,<a name="FNanchor_325a_325a" id="FNanchor_325a_325a"></a><a href="#Footnote_325_325" class="fnanchor">[325]</a> the Honourable -J. Constable-Maxwell,<a name="FNanchor_325b_325b" id="FNanchor_325b_325b"></a><a href="#Footnote_325_325" class="fnanchor">[325]</a> Prideaux-Brune, Parke and Turnor; -<em>Sub-Lieutenants</em>, the Honourable Otway Cuffe, Sherston, the -Honourable E. Noel and the Honourable H. O’C. Prittie.</p> - -<p>Captain Harvey (<em>Paymaster</em>), Quarter-master Stanley, -Surgeon-Major Wiles and Surgeon Macrobin.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[480]</a></span></p> - -<p>The ‘Himalaya’ arrived at Funchal, Madeira, on the 27th. -Here they found in garrison at Funchal one of the regiments -of Caçadores which had been brigaded with them sixty years -before in the Peninsula. After coaling, the ‘Himalaya’ -started on the evening of the same day, and reached St. -Vincent on December 1, whence after coaling again, she started -on the 2nd, and arrived at Cape Coast Castle on December 9. -Here nothing was ready for their reception; and it was -decided that the ‘Himalaya’ should put to sea again until -the end of the month. Accordingly, on the 13th she started -on a cruise. To be thus for three weeks longer cooped up -on board ship under a tropical sun was a sore trial to the -soldiers. However everything was done that could be done -to amuse the men, and relieve the monotony of their enforced -and unexpected cruise. A newspaper was started, readings -and theatricals were extemporised, and a <em>quasi</em> band which -had been got up (the band of the Battalion having been left -at the Depôt) played daily. At last on December 30, the -‘Himalaya’ arrived at Cape Coast Castle, and the Battalion -was allowed to disembark.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile Captain Robinson had been appointed -Brigade-Major to Brigadier Sir Archibald Alison, commanding -a brigade; and Captain Cope, who had been detailed for -the Depôt, started on December 4 in the ‘Sarmatian’ (which -took out the Brigadier and the 42nd Regiment), and having -arrived at Cape Coast Castle on the 17th, awaited the arrival -of the Battalion, and took over Captain Robinson’s company -on its landing.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On July 19 the 3rd Battalion left Portsmouth by rail-road -for Exeter, and on arrival there encamped at Duck’s Marsh, -about two miles and a half from that station, until the 21st; -on which day they proceeded by route march to Maiden -Down; on the next to Merripit Hill, and on the 23rd to -Yannaton Down, Dartmoor, encamping each day at their -halting-places. They took part in the autumn manœuvres, -being in the brigade commanded by Colonel Lord Alexander -G. Russell.</p> - -<p>On the conclusion of the manœuvres, this Battalion was -present at the review and march-past at Roborough Down on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">[481]</a></span> -August 22, before His Royal Highness, the Colonel-in-Chief. -At its conclusion they marched seven miles to Plymouth, -whence they proceeded at ten o’clock the same night, <em>viâ</em> -Exeter, to Winchester, and arriving there on the morning of -the 23rd, occupied barracks; detaching, on December 13, -three companies to Portsmouth, who were quartered in the -Clarence barracks.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion continued in Dublin; but were concentrated -from the various quarters they occupied, in the -Royal barracks in July.</p> - -<p>Having received orders to embark for India, the Depôt -and Service companies were formed, and transfers made and -received to complete its establishment for foreign service -(886 non-commissioned officers and privates). And on -October 19 and 20 the Service companies proceeded by rail -to Queenstown and embarked on the 21st in the ‘Jumna.’ -They started on the 22nd and arrived at Bombay on -November 23. They landed on the 24th and 25th, and proceeded -by rail to Deolalee.</p> - -<p>From Deolalee they moved on November 28 and 30, and -following day to Umballa, and on arrival occupied quarters -there.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On March 12, 1874, the 1st Battalion proceeded by rail-road -from Aldershot to London, in order to be present at the -entry of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. They lined -Regent Street during the progress of the Royal procession, -and returned to their quarters at Aldershot in the evening.</p> - -<p>On May 19 this Battalion was present at a review and -march-past before the Emperor of Russia. The brigade to -which they were attached was composed of three Battalions -of the Regiment (the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd), and one of the 60th, -and was commanded by Major-General Lord Alexander -Russell, their former Lieutenant-Colonel.</p> - -<p>After taking part in the summer drills of this year, during -the month of June, this Battalion proceeded to the forts on -the Gosport side of Portsmouth harbour, which they occupied -from July 3 and 4 until November 20, when they moved to -Winchester, on the embarkation of the 2nd Battalion for -Gibraltar, and were there quartered.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_317_317" id="Footnote_317_317"></a><a href="#FNanchor_317_317"><span class="label">[317]</span></a> Colonel Macdonell had with him at Shubkudder three troops of the 7th Hussars -and some Native Cavalry.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_318_318" id="Footnote_318_318"></a><a href="#FNanchor_318_318"><span class="label">[318]</span></a> ‘Colonel Ross’ letters.’ While this sheet is passing through the press, a -letter has been received by the Officer Commanding the 3rd Battalion, informing -him that a Medal will be granted for this action: a tardy recognition of the -services of the Battalion, more than twelve years after the occurrence.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_319_319" id="Footnote_319_319"></a><a href="#FNanchor_319_319"><span class="label">[319]</span></a> I may add the following extract from a letter to a former officer of the -Regiment from an officer then serving in America: ‘The only regiment which -did not lose any men by desertion was the Rifles. Indeed, you have great reason -of being proud of your Corps.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_320_320" id="Footnote_320_320"></a><a href="#FNanchor_320_320"><span class="label">[320]</span></a> Colonel Elrington was in command of the whole force employed.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_321_321" id="Footnote_321_321"></a><a href="#FNanchor_321_321"><span class="label">[321]</span></a> Lieutenant F. G. Dyke Acland, died Aug. 24, 1874.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_322_322" id="Footnote_322_322"></a><a href="#FNanchor_322_322"><span class="label">[322]</span></a> Captain William Norris, died January 1874.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_323_323" id="Footnote_323_323"></a><a href="#FNanchor_323_323"><span class="label">[323]</span></a> Four of the Lieutenants were on Ensign’s pay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_324_324" id="Footnote_324_324"></a><a href="#FNanchor_324_324"><span class="label">[324]</span></a> The Colonel-Commandant is included.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_325_325" id="Footnote_325_325"></a><a href="#FNanchor_325_325"><span class="label">[325]</span></a> Volunteered from the 3rd Battalion, to complete the number of -<ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'officer required'">officers required</ins>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_326_326" id="Footnote_326_326"></a><a href="#FNanchor_326_326"><span class="label">[326]</span></a> Volunteered from the 1st Battalion.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">[482]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2> - - -<p class="noindent">We left the 2nd Battalion on board the ‘Himalaya’ at Cape -Coast Castle. On January 1, 1874, ‘rouse’ sounded soon -after midnight, and the parade was at 1.20 in the morning. -The left wing, consisting of four companies (17 officers and -352 men), landed in surf boats, the first company reaching -the shore at a quarter after three, the fourth company in -about a quarter of an hour afterwards. The whole disembarkation -occupied about forty minutes, and elicited the -warm approval of the Brigadier, Sir Archibald Alison. The -companies fell in immediately on landing, and at once -marched for Inquabim, seven miles, which they reached about -half-past six; the Battalion heading the advance up the -country.</p> - -<p>The right wing, consisting of the remaining four companies -(16 officers and 300 men) disembarked at about the -same hour on the morning of the 2nd, and started for Inquabim, -which they reached about half-past five. On this march no -men fell out. On their arrival they found an excellent encampment -of bamboo huts, 65 men being in each hut.</p> - -<p>The left wing had on this day preceded them to Accroful, -another march of seven miles, to which the right wing proceeded -on the 3rd, starting at half-past four, and arriving at -half-past six, without a man falling out. On this day the -left wing advanced to Yancoomassie-Fanti.</p> - -<p>On the 4th the right wing, starting at the usual hour of -half-past four, marched to Yancoomassie-Fanti, a distance of -about ten miles and a quarter, where they arrived at eight -o’clock. Not a man fell out; but the climate began already -to tell on some of the officers, two of whom had to be carried -during this day’s march. The left wing had marched to -Mansu; and it may suffice, once for all, to state that they -preceded the march of the right wing by one day.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">[483]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 5th the right wing started at a quarter to four, -and after a fearfully hot march of eleven miles reached Mansu -at eight. The road was hilly, the weather extremely close, and -four men fell out during the march.</p> - -<p>It is well known that it is supposed that horses, mules -and animals of carriage or draught will not live in the climate -of this part of Africa. This idea is perhaps exaggerated. -But its existence caused inconvenience to the mounted officers -of the Regiment. Major Stephens, who was in command of -the right wing, was obliged to content himself with a donkey, -which had been brought up to Accroful by an officer of the -Staff.</p> - -<p>From Yancoomassie an officer with the Quarter-master-Sergeant -started somewhat before the companies, to take over -the camping ground. The sergeant started first, but soon -returned with a tale that, in the darkness of the morning and -of the woods, he had seen a monstrous beast which he took -for a rhinoceros; that he had at first intended to shoot it, -but had, on the whole, considering the size and probable -fierceness of the animal, determined to retire. However, reinforced -by the officer who was to accompany him, he started -again. Both were determined; both held their revolvers -ready to bring down the wild beast which barred the way. -But when they came to the corner at which they were to find -him, they stalked not a rhinoceros,—but the Major’s charger.</p> - -<p>On the 6th the right wing started at twenty minutes after -three, and after a very cool and pleasant march of eleven -miles, reached Sutah.</p> - -<p>On the 7th, having a long march before them, they started -at half-past two in bright moonlight. The road was for the -first four miles very bad, being across swamps, over which a -path had been made of small trees laid down. The cooks -had been sent on about six miles to Faisoowah to prepare -breakfast, and the men were glad after this fatiguing march -to find cocoa and biscuit ready for them. Resuming their -march they found the remainder of the road good; the men -marched well, and stepped out cheerfully; and they got into -their camp at Yancoomassie-Assin at seven. The distance -was about thirteen miles.</p> - -<p>The right wing halted at this camp until the 19th. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">[484]</a></span> -left wing also halted for some days at Barracoo, to which they -had marched on the 7th. During this time the Riflemen -were engaged in clearing the bush and in other fatigue duties -in the mornings and evenings. The desertion of the native -carriers, the only means of transport, increased, and threatened -serious evil; and the Riflemen were ordered when on sentry -over them to have their rifles loaded, and, if necessary, to -shoot any carriers attempting to desert. Owing to this halt -probably, and the want of interest and activity to the men, -fever and dysentery, the scourges of the climate, began to -make their appearance.</p> - -<p>As it was found that the camp at Barracoo was from its -situation particularly unhealthy, the left wing marched on the -17th to Prahsu, a distance of seven miles.</p> - -<p>But the right wing did not leave Yancoomassie-Assin till -the 19th, when starting at five in the morning they reached -their camp at Barracoo at half-past eight. They found it -the worst camp they had hitherto occupied; the huts very -small, and the position, as has been above stated, very unhealthy. -Seventeen men of these four companies were sent -back, mostly ill with fever, and they found at Barracoo seven -men of the other wing who had been left behind sick.</p> - -<p>On the 20th the right wing marched to Prahsu, and the -whole Battalion was once more reunited. On their march -they heard in the front what they believed to be the report -of three cannon, and much wondered why they should be fired. -On arrival they found that these were the report of three -volleys fired over the grave of Captain Huyshe of the 1st -Battalion. He had died the day before of fever and dysentery. -The left wing of the Battalion was at Prahsu, and paid the -last sad honours to his remains.</p> - -<p>He was a man of great promise, and a most well-informed -as well as talented officer. The early part of his career had -been in the 83rd Regiment, from which he exchanged into -the Rifle Brigade. He had accompanied Sir Garnet Wolseley -in the expedition to the Red River in 1870, and had written -an interesting account of it.<a name="FNanchor_327_327" id="FNanchor_327_327"></a><a href="#Footnote_327_327" class="fnanchor">[327]</a> He had entered the Staff -College, and after a few months’ study there, had, on the -Ashantee Expedition being determined on, been offered the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">[485]</a></span> -post of Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster General of the force, -which he most gladly accepted. He had come to the Gold -Coast with Sir Garnet Wolseley in September. He had -started from Cape Coast with diarrhœa, had exposed himself -a good deal to the weather in surveying and sketching -country; and dysentery and fever supervened and carried -him off. His talents, his fund of information, his sweetness -of disposition, and his gentlemanly manners had endeared -him to his brother officers, who have erected a handsome -memorial to him in the Cathedral of Winchester; but to -none more than to the writer of these lines.<a name="FNanchor_328_328" id="FNanchor_328_328"></a><a href="#Footnote_328_328" class="fnanchor">[328]</a></p> - -<p>Hitherto the Battalion had found at their camping, or -rather halting stations, huts built of bamboo, and thatched -with plantain or palm leaves. The men’s huts contained -about seventy men; those of the officers were, of course, -smaller. In all of them were bedsteads, constructed of -bamboo, keeping the sleepers about two feet from the -ground.</p> - -<p>On the 21st the Battalion crossed a narrow bridge, which had -been made across the Prah, here about eighty yards wide, and -marched to Essiaman, about thirteen miles and a half. Cocoa -had, however, been prepared for them at Attobiasse, about -half-way. The morning was very dark when they started; -but it was cooler, the bush much more open, and the road -good. On their arrival, they no longer found the huts which -had been prepared for them on the other side of the Prah. -At Essiaman the men were in long open sheds, covered with -palm leaves, while the officers built themselves shelters of -bushes and <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">tentes d’abri</i>, in which they could sling their field-hammocks.</p> - -<p>On the 22nd, starting at half-past five, the Battalion -marched to Accrofoomu, about fourteen miles, which they -reached about a quarter to eleven. Some fourteen men fell -out, mostly from fatigue; for the heat was excessive and the -march long. The sheds here were insufficient to accommodate -the Battalion; so that lean-tos had to be built and tents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">[486]</a></span> -pitched. As at Essiaman, the officers had to construct huts -for themselves.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd they started at a quarter to six, and marched -to Moinsey, at the foot of the Adansi hills, a distance of about -eight miles. It was a pleasant march, for the road was good, -the bush much more open, and the air cooler. There were -no huts nor sheds, and the men had to build them.</p> - -<p>The next day they started at the same hour, and ascended -the Adansi range. The ascent, which is steep, occupied about -half an hour. They halted at the top, and saw the sun rise -over the trees below, while the mists hanging between the hills -had the appearance of lakes. Resuming their march, they -passed through Quisah, a large village about five miles on the -way, deserted by the Ashantees. They arrived at Foomanah -at about nine. This was a considerable town, containing the -house or palace of the King of Adansi. The men and officers -were quartered in the so-called houses, built of yellow baked -clay, and rather resembling ovens with roofs over them. In -some of them were found dead bodies.</p> - -<p>An envoy from the King of Ashantee had here met Sir -Garnet Wolseley; and the Battalion, with the Naval Brigade, -paraded at five in the afternoon, and lined the road north of -the town, by which he was to return to Coomassie, the ranks -facing inwards.</p> - -<p>They halted at Foomanah till the 29th. But on the 25th -the Battalion was inspected by Sir Garnet Wolseley, and on -the 26th Major Nicholl’s company formed part of a reconnaissance -in force to the village of Kiang Boassu, about four or -five miles to the front, where Ashantee tom-toms had been -heard the day before. The Riflemen on this reconnaissance -were under the command of Major Stephens. They started -at a quarter to six, and returned soon after nine. The -Ashantees fired on them; they returned the compliment, -killed two Ashantees, and made two prisoners, besides burning -the village.</p> - -<p>As usual during a halt, sickness again appeared. Captain -Slade was sent down to the coast on the 28th, seriously ill -from dysentery, and Lieutenant the Honourable Thomas Scott -took command of his company.</p> - -<p>On the 29th the Battalion paraded at half-past five, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">[487]</a></span> -marched to Ahkankuassie, a distance of about ten miles. -Here the men built huts for themselves; while the officers, or -some of them, found houses in the village. But these were -filthy places, and overrun with lizards. The Battalion furnished -an outlying picquet, Major Sotheby’s company, at -Adadwassie, about a mile and a half in advance of Ahkankuassie. -Rations were served out for the following day, which -the men were to carry on the march.</p> - -<p>On the 30th the Battalion moved forward to Insarfu, -passing through Adadwassie, where the picquet joined them. -The distance to Insarfu was only about four miles, and the -Riflemen reached it about ten o’clock, having formed the rear-guard -of the European brigade.</p> - -<p>It being generally expected that the Ashantees would -make a stand on the next day, and that there would be a -fight, the Captains of the Battalion were assembled at the -Commanding Officer’s quarters, to receive instructions for the -operations of the morrow. It was explained to them that they -were to form the rear face of a hollow square, in which formation -the Commanding General intended to advance. Nor -was this, they were informed, to be considered less the point -of honour than the front, as the tactics of the Ashantees were -to envelop the flanks and fall upon the rear. At evening -parade these orders were explained by the Captains to the -Riflemen, who listened with interest and eagerness to the information. -Rations for the next day were issued. The men -were camped under <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">tentes d’abri</i> in quarter-distance column -in a plaintain ground; the officers, some of them, built huts -near their men; some found shelter in the houses in the -village, which, if less filthy than those at Ahkankuassie, were -only a fraction of a degree nearer cleanliness.</p> - -<p>On the 31st the Battalion paraded at twenty minutes after -six, and about half-an-hour afterwards marched from Insarfu. -The 42nd led, the Rifle Brigade forming the rear of the -hollow square or order of battle, which was thus disposed:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">[488]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_488.jpg" width="650" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p>After advancing about a mile and a half, firing was heard -in front, the 42nd having engaged the Ashantees, who were -posted on ground rising from a muddy stream, which flowed -through a swampy ravine. The action commenced about -eight; but it was not till more than an hour and a half later -that the Riflemen became engaged. Then Major Nicholl’s -company was sent to the right column, under Lieutenant-Colonel -Wood, and Major Sotheby’s and Captain Cope’s companies -were extended on the east and south-east of Egginassie, -fire having been opened by the enemy from the bush in -that direction. The bush was dense and thick; consisting of -great cotton trees, with a high undergrowth, and interlaced -everywhere with creepers, so that the men could not see -more than fifteen or twenty yards before them, and had often -to cut a way with their swords. Sotheby’s left touched the -Bonnymen of the right column, while the connection between -his right and the road or path was kept up by Cope’s company,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">[489]</a></span> -who entered the bush, and threw his right back to the -road. These companies were exposed to a heavy fire; and -Lieutenant Sherston, one of Sotheby’s subalterns, was very -severely wounded through the right shoulder. Captain Cary -was sent up to support a native company of the left wing on -the left of Egginassie; but on Major Stephens reporting to Sir -Garnet Wolseley that there was a gap between the left and -centre columns, which ought to be filled, Lieutenant Taylor, -with part of Cary’s company, was sent to fill it up; while -Captain Cary himself with the remainder moved towards the -left flank, to support the native troops, which were hard -pressed. Captain Lascelles was directed by Sir Garnet -Wolseley to take his company to occupy some heights to the -north of Egginassie, and so to connect Wood’s natives with -the path. He passed through the bush, which had been -partially cleared round the village by the Engineer labourers, -and took up this position, extending three sections, and -keeping the fourth in support under Lieutenant the Honourable -E. Noel.<a name="FNanchor_329_329" id="FNanchor_329_329"></a><a href="#Footnote_329_329" class="fnanchor">[329]</a></p> - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<a name="J488" id="J488"></a> -<a href="images/i_488fp-large.jpg"> -<img src="images/i_488fp.jpg" width="400" alt="" /></a> -<p class="center fs60"><em>Drawn by B. Major C. W. Robinson, Rifle Brigade.</em> -<span class="pad30pc">E. Weller, <em>Litho.</em></span></p> -<div class="center fs60"><em>London, Chatto & Windus.</em></div> -<div class="caption"> -<span class="fs150 lsp smcap">ACTION of AMOAFUL</span><br /> -31<sup>st</sup> Jan<sup>y</sup> 1874. -</div> -</div> - - - <div class="fs80"> - -<p class="right fs80"><em>To face Plan of Battle.</em></p> - -<p class="p4 center">BATTLE OF AMOAFUL.</p> - -<p class="p1 center">ABOUT 10.30 A.M.</p> - -<p class="p1 center"><em>DETAILED DESCRIPTION.</em></p> - -<hr class="r10" /> - -<p class="p1 center smcap">Centre Column.</p> - -<p class="negin2">The 42nd carrying the enemy’s main position north of the swamp. Rait’s -artillery in action. 23rd in support.</p> - -<p class="negin2"><em>Rifle Brigade.</em>—No. 1 company in action in the clearing to the east of -the path (with the Right Column). No. 3 company leaving Egginassie -to support the 42nd. The remainder in action around -Egginassie.</p> - - -<p class="p1 center smcap">Right Column.</p> - -<p class="negin2">Naval Brigade engaged in the clearing east of the main path. (Lieut. -Knox’s rockets playing into a hollow to the north-east.)</p> - -<p class="negin2">Wood’s Regiment in action round Egginassie.</p> - - -<p class="p1 center smcap">Left Column.</p> - -<p class="negin2">Russell’s Regiment has taken the heights west of Egginassie.</p> - -<p class="negin2">Col. M’Leod, with the Naval Brigade, is cutting his way to try and -connect with the Centre Column.</p> - - -<p class="p1 center smcap">Rifle Brigade Companies.</p> - -<p class="negin2">1. Nicholl; 2. Sotheby; 3. Somerset; 4. Dugdale; 5. Lascelles; -6. Cope; 7. Slade (Scott); 8. Cary.</p> - </div> - -<p class="p1" /> -<p>Soon afterwards Sir Archibald Alison, who was in the front -with the 42nd, asked for ‘a support of half a Battalion of -Rifles.’ The half-Battalion being, as we have seen, ‘otherwise -engaged,’ Captain Somerset’s company was sent forward -by the road or path to him. Starting at the double, this -company advanced to the swamp about half a mile in front, -where Sir Archibald had fought his way with the 42nd. Here -Somerset found Sir Archibald Alison, with the detachment of -the 23rd Fusiliers, awaiting his arrival. The company was -posted here to keep up communication with the rear, and to -advance when required. Sir Archibald crossed the marsh -with the Fusiliers, and advanced towards Amoaful. Somerset’s -company remained in this position till nearly the close of -the day, keeping communication with the Fusiliers, who were -some hundred yards to their north, and furnishing occasional -escorts to staff officers passing along the path. Somerset’s -men were exposed to the fire of Ashantees, who, creeping up -to the edge of the bush, discharged their pieces at them. By<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">[490]</a></span> -this fire Lieutenant Smyth was wounded in the thigh, and two -other Riflemen were hit. But the Riflemen soon silenced this -annoying fire; Sergeant Bills especially making good use of -his rifle.</p> - -<p>But before Captain Somerset’s company had moved up to -the front, about twenty Riflemen had been detached from it, -and attached to Major Nicholl’s company, which, as we have -seen, was on the right, supporting the Naval Brigade and the -native levies under Colonel Wood. By noon the Ashantees -had been driven from the ridge which they occupied beyond -the stream, their camp had been taken, and the village of -Amoaful carried by the 42nd Regiment. The direction of the -combat was now changed; and, as far as the front and left -faces of the square formation were concerned, it had terminated, -and the fire, which had been kept up without cessation -from eight in the morning, was now lulled. But about -one it began again, and the brunt of the fight now fell on the -Riflemen; for the Ashantees, pursuing their usual tactics, -swept round and fell on the right flank and rear, attacking -the village of Egginassie on the north-east.</p> - -<p>About one o’clock the fire was renewed. Captain Cope’s -company was sent into the village, and lined one side; and -Captain Cary, with a portion of his company, was sent through -Egginassie, and extended to the east of it. This attack of the -Ashantees was most determined; they came up in numbers, -and were shot down by the Riflemen. The din was tremendous. -Besides volleys and file-firing, and the heavy report -of the Ashantee guns, tom-toms, horns, and the yells of the -Ashantees and of the native troops, made the bush and all the -surroundings hideous. In this fire a man of Cary’s company -was shot in the face by a slug fired by an Ashantee in a tree; -but two of his comrades soon brought his assailant down, and -killed him. After about an hour of this work, during which -the Ashantees kept up a fire as continuous and heavy as it had -been during any part of the fight, their fire slackened. Then -an advance was made by Major Sotheby’s and Captain H. -Lascelles’ companies, and part of Captain Cary’s. The line -advanced towards the north-east up the valley; and pivoting -on the left, bringing up the right, moved forward to the edge -of a clearing, which had been made by the right column.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">[491]</a></span> -‘This was admirably executed. Skirmishing as quietly and -steadily as if on parade, the men of the Rifle Brigade searched -every bush with their bullets, and in five minutes from the -commencement of the advance the Ashantees were in full and -final retreat.’<a name="FNanchor_330_330" id="FNanchor_330_330"></a><a href="#Footnote_330_330" class="fnanchor">[330]</a></p> - -<p>The Ashantees having been thus driven from the high -ground to the northward of Egginassie, Captains Lascelles’ -and Cary’s companies were withdrawn; and passing by their -left, regained the main path, and by it the village of Egginassie, -which they at once began to entrench and fortify; the -other portion of Cary’s company, which had been detached -under Lieutenant Taylor, being called in to assist in this -work.</p> - -<p>But the day was not over for the Riflemen. Hardly had -the firing lulled about Egginassie, when heavy firing was heard -in the rear. A large force of Ashantees, sweeping round from -the west, had attacked Quarman, about a mile to the south, -on the line of communication, which was held by a detachment -of the 2nd West India Regiment, and a few Europeans, under -Captain Burnett, of the 15th Foot. Captain Dugdale’s company, -which formed the rear-guard of the Battalion, was at -once ordered to Quarman, and on the way was somewhat exposed -to the fire of the detachment there, who did not know -of his approach to relieve them, and whose bullets whistled -over the heads of the Riflemen as they passed through some -low ground on the way. The bush had been cleared round -Quarman, and Dugdale at once extended his company, and -drove the Ashantees who were attacking it back into the bush -with considerable loss. He then entered the village, and -being senior officer assumed the command. The position was -very important, for it connected the front at Egginassie and -Amoaful with Insarfu. Soon after Dugdale had entered -Quarman, Captain Slade’s company, under Lieutenant the -Honourable T. Scott,<a name="FNanchor_331_331" id="FNanchor_331_331"></a><a href="#Footnote_331_331" class="fnanchor">[331]</a> joined him. The attack was soon renewed; -the Ashantees now not venturing into the clearing, but -firing from the surrounding bush. This attack had just been -repulsed, when Major Sotheby with his company reached -Quarman. He had started from Egginassie, escorting a long<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">[492]</a></span> -train of hammocks containing wounded, and also some -wounded men who were able to walk, and had passed through -Quarman on his way to Insarfu, when he heard firing in his -rear. Colonel Colley, who was passing through Quarman at -this time, directed Captain Dugdale to take his company out; -who, marching about half a mile towards Egginassie, and -turning into the bush, outflanked the Ashantees, and fired -several volleys which effectually drove them off. Major -Sotheby, finding that Quarman was again attacked, turned -back when near Insarfu. His bearers flung down the wounded, -and fled into the village. Colonel Colley was also attacked -as he was bringing up a convoy from Insarfu. As soon as -Dugdale knew of this attack, he detached Scott with his company -to help him. The enemy occupied the side of the path -and kept up a heavy fire, wounding two of Scott’s men. -However, he kept up the fight till after six; when, as it was -getting dark, Dugdale recalled him to Quarman, which these -two companies occupied during the night. Thus Dugdale -had saved and retained this important post, connecting the -front with Insarfu, whence the supplies were to be drawn, and -to which the wounded were to be escorted.<a name="FNanchor_332_332" id="FNanchor_332_332"></a><a href="#Footnote_332_332" class="fnanchor">[332]</a></p> - -<p>Major Sotheby, finding that it was considered of importance -that ammunition should be conveyed to the front from -Insarfu, left that place about eight in the evening with his -company, and having some carriers with him picked up some -of the baggage abandoned by the cowardly bearers, and -having parked it at Quarman, reached Egginassie at eleven -at night. Here the Head-quarters and, on Sotheby’s arrival, -six companies of the Battalion were camped. For Somerset’s -company had been about six o’clock withdrawn from the -marsh to higher ground in the rear, and had, with Nicholl’s -company, rejoined the Battalion about eight, while Cary’s, -Lascelles’, and Cope’s companies, after their fight, were employed -in clearing the bush about Egginassie. This was very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">[493]</a></span> -hard work. The men and officers had no food but the biscuit -and sausage issued the day before, which they carried in their -pockets. But happily there was no hot sun, so that the -Riflemen were able to clear a considerable space, and to -throw up a breast-work. Three officers, Major Stephens, -Lieutenants Smyth and Sherston, and 6 Riflemen, were -wounded on this day.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The main position of the Ashantees on this day was at the -camp on the ridge north of the stream, which was carried by -the 42nd; and they had other advanced positions and smaller -camps on the right and left of the path by which the troops -advanced. Their design seems to have been, while holding -their main position, to turn the flanks and attack the rear. -Directly the advance was made on the main position, the -Ashantees attacked in strength against the left; failing in -this they fell on the right, and made a furious effort to get to -Egginassie and so to establish themselves in rear. Foiled at all -these points, they attempted to capture Quarman, and cut the -line of supplies. This attack was repelled by Captain Dugdale -and his company.</p> - -<p>Though the central column forced the Ashantee camp -and took the village of Amoaful, and so had the most conspicuous -share in the events of the day, yet before the fight -was over almost all the troops were engaged more or less; -the Riflemen heavily and successfully before the close of it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Six companies, as I have said, camped at Egginassie, Captain -Lascelles’ company being on outlying picquet; and two -occupied Quarman.</p> - -<p>During the night a panic took place among the native carriers, -for a native sentry on outpost duty having fired his piece -about four in the morning, the carriers were terrified. One officer -was awakened by these cowards jumping over him; another -sleeping in a hammock was overset by them. They knocked -down the piled rifles, and were running in every direction in -abject and contemptible terror. At last order was restored.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">[494]</a></span></p> - -<p>On February 1 the six companies of the Battalion at -Egginassie were extended to line the road from that village -to Insarfu (the 42nd continuing the line from Egginassie to -Amoaful) in order to allow supplies to be brought up from -Insarfu to the front. On the same day the village of Becqua -was destroyed by some of the other troops. In this affair -the Battalion was to have been employed; but orders had -been given to Colonel Warren as soon as he had assembled -his six companies at Egginassie to ascertain if there was any -force of Ashantees in the bush near the road between Quarman -and Insarfu, and if they were found, to clear the bush with -his Riflemen. No enemy were there; but in consequence of -this delay, the Battalion did not reach Amoaful till after one -o’clock, at which hour the expedition to Becqua had started. -Part of the 42nd were therefore substituted for the Riflemen.</p> - -<p>On their arrival at Amoaful they remained under arms -in the broad street or central place until the destruction of -Becqua was ascertained. Then they were dismissed; and, -after assisting in burying the dead Ashantees, encamped.</p> - -<p>On the 2nd the Battalion advanced; Lord Gifford and -his scouts preceding with some native troops, Captain Cary’s -company guarded Captain Rait’s guns, and Captain Lascelles’ -company was in support. These formed the advanced guard -under Colonel M’Leod. The Battalion followed, Captain -Somerset’s company forming an escort to Sir Archibald Alison. -The other regiments brought up the rear. They moved off -between six and seven o’clock, and soon came up with the -rear of the Ashantees, on whom the native troops immediately -opened fire, but with so little effect that Colonel M’Leod -halted them and brought up Cary’s company to the front. -But the enemy made no stand, merely firing wildly and then -flying. The road was strewed with food, clothing, and weapons, -evidencing the precipitate flight of the enemy. On the march, -Cary’s company still leading, the Riflemen passed through -three villages and a camp all deserted by the Ashantees; -though in some fires still burning and cooking materials at -hand showed how short a time they had been abandoned. -As a flank attack was not unlikely, Somerset’s company was -extended and searched the forest paths on each side of the -road. Sir Archibald Alison, as whose escort they had acted,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">[495]</a></span> -signified through Captain Robinson, his Brigade-Major, his -marked approval of the way in which they had skirmished, -and of the individual intelligence of these Riflemen.</p> - -<p>The Battalion reached Aggemamu, a distance of eight -miles, about three in the afternoon, and halted there.</p> - -<p>But Cary’s and Lascelles’ companies were pushed on about -two miles and a half to the village of Adwabin, which they -occupied.</p> - -<p>Sir Garnet Wolseley having resolved to take on his forces -to Coomassie as a flying column, determined to leave his -baggage at Aggemamu, and to make that place a temporary -base, through which his communications might be kept open -with the rear. The Battalion was therefore ordered to find a -captain to take charge of this post, and the duty fell to -Captain Cope. At Aggemamu the roads to Coomassie -bifurcate; one leading to the right or east, and one the longer, -but it was reported the best road, forking to the left. This -Sir Garnet resolved to follow.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>‘The importance of Aggemamu could scarcely be overestimated. -From it two roads led to Coomassie, by the -longer of which we were about to march, disregarding the -shorter or easternmost of the two. It was of course of vital -importance that the point at the junction of the roads should -be securely held, as a base for our flying column, and as a -point of support upon which, if necessary, to fall back.’<a name="FNanchor_333_333" id="FNanchor_333_333"></a><a href="#Footnote_333_333" class="fnanchor">[333]</a></p> -</div> - -<p>Lieutenants Bell and Hare, with native labourers, were -engaged in the evening of this day, under the superintendence -of Captain Home, in making a clearing round Aggemamu.</p> - -<p>Sir Garnet Wolseley having thus determined to push on -to Coomassie without <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">impedimenta</i>, enquired of the soldiers -on this evening whether, as it might take six days to advance -to Coomassie and to return to Aggemamu, and there were but -four days’ rations in hand, they were willing to do the -six days’ work on four days’ rations. The response was a -unanimous assent. The General told them at the same time -that they might probably get a fortnight sooner to the coast -by this sacrifice than if they halted at Aggemamu for further -supplies to come up. Eventually one day’s additional ration -of preserved meat, biscuit, and tea, came up.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">[496]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 3rd the Battalion started at half-past five, Major -Nicholl’s company leading, and on reaching Adwabin, the -advanced guard, with which were Cary’s and Lascelles’ companies -which had passed the night there, were pushed forward. -They soon felt the enemy, with whom they became engaged -about half-past eight. The first point at which he made a -decided stand was in a hollow through which flowed a stream, -a tributary of the Ordah. The overloaded guns of the -Ashantees carrying high, they chose positions, as in this case, -below the attacking force. They were in cover behind a large -fallen tree from which they kept up a heavy fire. Nicholl’s -company was sent forward to reinforce the two companies -already with the advance. On the road was a gun with an -escort of part of Lascelles’ company and some natives. On -the left of the road was the remainder of Lascelles’ company -and Cary’s; further on the left was Nicholl’s company, part -advanced beyond the stream and part on its left bank. -Lieutenant the Honourable T. Scott’s company was afterwards -moved up in support, and these four companies were -hotly engaged at this point, when about noon a flag of truce -came in, and the firing ceased on our side, though the Ashantees -continued their fire and actually wounded a native while -the envoy was being passed to Head-quarters. However, his -mission was fruitless, and he was very soon passed beyond -the front. The fire was then renewed, and eventually -slackened after lasting for about five hours. The advance -then pushed on followed by the other troops; but the progress -was slow; for the Ashantees, finding we could beat them -fighting in the bush, now tried ambuscades, and a good many -men were thus wounded. The other troops followed the -advanced guard, which about three o’clock in the afternoon -reached the bank of the river Ordah, here about three feet -deep and forty yards wide. Here they hutted themselves; -Captain Dugdales company being on picquet.</p> - -<p>In this affair eight Riflemen were wounded. The men -carried their great-coats, which they found an incumbrance in -skirmishing in the bush, and on the next day they were handed -over to the carriers. Colonel M’Leod, who commanded the -advance, praised the manner in which Cary’s company had -fought on this day.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">[497]</a></span></p> - -<p>Some captive Ashantees had stated that 10,000 of the -enemy were around, and every precaution was taken to protect -the camp from a sudden assault. A chain of sentries -was posted at twenty yards apart at about 100 yards from -the camp. A tremendous thunderstorm came on about six -in the evening and lasted till two in the morning. The Riflemen -had indeed built huts; but as no banana, plantain, or -palm leaves were at hand to thatch them, they afforded a very -insufficient shelter against the storm. However a cask of -rum was brought in about three, and a ration of that spirit -helped to revive the soldiers, while fires were lit to dry their -clothes.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the Engineers and blue jackets had been busy -in making a narrow bridge over the river, which was ready -for their advance in the morning.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, about seven in the morning of the 4th, the -force crossed the bridge; the advance was led by some -native troops; a gun with some rockets followed, with three -companies of the Battalion; Captain Cope’s commanded in -his absence at Aggemamu by Lieutenant Stopford-Sackville, -Captain Slade’s under Lieutenant the Honourable T. Scott, -and Major Sotheby’s. This advance was under the command -of Colonel M’Leod. The rest of the troops followed, -the remaining companies of the Battalion leading. Soon after -passing the bridge the native troops became actively engaged. -But as the native soldiers were firing wildly and ineffectively, -Colonel M’Leod halted them, and passed Sackville’s company -through them to the front, and ordered him to extend to the -right of the road. The gun was also brought up with Scott’s -company in support on the road. As the first company was -extending two or three men were wounded. One, Brown, -was badly hit in the side, but refused for some time to go to -the rear, and went on skirmishing. The road or path rose -from the river, and after running for some distance along a ridge -with ravines on each side, descended again, and finally rose -to the village of Ordahsu. The gun having been brought up -was fired up the road and into the bush on each side. It -was advanced gradually by the native bearers as ground was -gained, the Riflemen in support lying down on each side of it -while it was in action, and then with it resuming the advance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">[498]</a></span> -Colonel M’Leod had asked for and obtained a reinforcement -of three companies of the Battalion, and Captain Cary’s company -was extended in the bush on the right of Sackville’s. -Sotheby’s company was also sent by Colonel M’Leod into -the bush on the left of the road.</p> - -<p>Major Stephens with Scott’s company pushed steadily on -by the road, one section of this company supporting the gun. -At last they reached the clearing which surrounded the village -of Ordahsu. ‘Then the Rifles gave a cheer, and with a -sudden rush cleared the way to the open, and carried the -village without a check.’<a name="FNanchor_334_334" id="FNanchor_334_334"></a><a href="#Footnote_334_334" class="fnanchor">[334]</a> This was Scott’s company, or part -of it; and Lieutenant Harington, with the remainder, swept -round the edge of the clearing, and having thus outflanked the -Ashantees in the village, also rushed into it. The village -was held by fifty or sixty of the enemy, who fought bravely, -and were most of them killed. Major Stephens, with Scott -and his portion of the company, passed through the village -and to the edge of the clearing beyond it where the Riflemen -lying down kept up a constant fire on the enemy. Sackville -also brought up his company, one section being still with the -gun, and as Scott’s party had purposely left the road clear -the gun made good practice to the front. It was afterwards -taken forward beyond the village to where Major Stephens, -with Scott and his party, were, and a heavy fire of shell and -of rockets was kept up. The Ashantees here made a most -determined resistance, coming up to the very edge of the -clearing and discharging their pieces. Sackville shot one -with one of the men’s rifles. Meanwhile Major Sotheby was -steadily advancing through the bush on the left of the road, -and soon came up on the left of Scott’s company. Here -Private Taylor of Sotheby’s company observed a chief and -two other Ashantees in a tree about fifteen yards from him. -He shot one man, and the other fled into the bush. The -chief tried to hide himself in the leaves, and brought up his -piece to his shoulder; but Taylor was too quick for him, and -rushing up, ran him through with his sword before he could -fire. For this act of valour Taylor received the medal for -gallant conduct in the field.</p> - -<p>Cary’s company had at the same time been advancing on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">[499]</a></span> -the extreme right, and was engaged in keeping back the -Ashantees who were pressing on to the east of the village. -This company was afterwards moved over to the left of the -village, and the ground between it and Sotheby’s on the extreme -left was occupied by Captain Somerset’s company; -which, as well as Major Nicholl’s, Captain Lascelles’, and -Captain Dugdale’s, had been pushed on to Ordahsu.</p> - -<p>It was now after eleven, and a halt was ordered, in order -(it is said) that the baggage might be brought up to the -village, and disposition made for its defence. But the enemy, -who had been held or driven back until then, at once made a -fresh and furious attack, rushing up as before to the very edge -of the bush, shouting and yelling, and opening a very heavy -fire. The Riflemen who were standing in the village or -sheltering from the sun under the trees were at once extended, -Dugdale’s company on the right, and Nicholl’s on the left of -the village.</p> - -<p>Sir Archibald Alison, considering that it would take too -much time to withdraw the Riflemen from the bush round the -village, and that as the enemy were making a vigorous attack -it would be difficult to do so, brought up the 42nd to the front -by the road the Riflemen had won, and were still guarding. -The leading companies of the Riflemen, on seeing the 42nd -advancing, sprang up, believing that a general advance was to -be made, and were most anxious to push forward; but they -were stopped by Colonel M’Leod, who advanced with his own -regiment, the 42nd. But little more was done. The Ashantees -had had enough of it; and though the 42nd received -some fire by which a few men were wounded, the enemy -made no further stand in the front.</p> - -<p>Scott, with his company, followed the 42nd. And -Lascelles and Sackville also advanced. And the firing about -Ordahsu gradually ceased.</p> - -<p>In these five hours’ fighting the Battalion had 17 men -wounded. Four officers were also hit: Major Sotheby in the -face, Sackville in the leg, Scott on the right breast, and -Surgeon Wiles. Sergeant-Major Stretch was also slightly -wounded. But these officers, not wishing to add up a great -list of casualties or to parade their wounds, were not reported -as wounded, but went on with their work. One Sergeant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">[500]</a></span> -(Sumner) was missing. In the hard fighting between the -river and Ordahsu he had sent two men to the rear with a -wounded comrade; and probably in the gap thus formed in -extended order the Ashantees had rushed in and killed him. -He was never afterwards heard of.</p> - -<p>Sir Archibald Alison, in a dispatch dated Ahkankuassie, -February 9, 1874, thus speaks of the conduct of the Battalion -at Ordahsu: ‘This was the first day upon which (with the -exception of one company) I had the pleasure of seeing the -Rifle Brigade in action under my orders. It is needless for -me to speak of the steadiness and high discipline of the Rifle -Brigade; but I must express my satisfaction at the way in -which they were handled by Lieutenant-Colonel Warren, and -under him by Major Stephens and Major Glyn.</p> - -<p>‘On every occasion when I had an opportunity of seeing -it, I had to remark on the excellent way in which the company -officers commanded their companies.’</p> - -<p>The Riflemen were much fatigued by their five or six -hours’ hard and incessant fighting under an African sun, and -hungry too; for only a little biscuit had been served out, and -few of them had had a meat ration the day before. But -Coomassie was to be reached, and they pressed on from -Ordahsu. Two rivers were forded in the way, and at the -entrance of the town the road was through a marsh, and was -covered with filthy water. At last Coomassie was entered -about half-past five. Many Ashantees were hanging about, -watching the entrance of the English force, but they offered -no resistance. Indeed, their courage did not then seem great. -For the Battalion on marching in had formed quarter-distance -column. When they were to wheel into line, of course they -opened out to company-distance on the leading company. -But this simple parade manœuvre struck terror into the -surrounding Ashantees, who ran back as the rear companies -retired.</p> - -<p>When the line was formed, Sir Garnet Wolseley rode to -the front, and three cheers were given for the Queen, which -added wings to the flight of the gazing Ashantees. It was -now nearly dark, and after the ceremony, the Riflemen were -dismissed, and quarters told off to them, with orders not to -leave their quarters, and to be ready to turn out at a moment’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">[501]</a></span> -warning. A meat ration was served out, but many of the -Riflemen were too tired to cook it. Captain Cary’s company, -made up to a hundred men by Riflemen of Captain Somerset’s -company, formed a guard over the King’s palace. Captain -Brackenbury was the staff officer appointed to accompany -Captain Cary with orders for this guard. ‘Some idea,’ he -says, ‘of the size of the building, and of its irregularity, may -be gained from the fact that we posted thirteen sentries in -such positions that they were only just able to protect all the -inlets to the building. After having apparently been all round -the building once, we again marched round to see whether a -sentry could not be economised; and though in one place we -were enabled to remove one, we found that the whole of a -long gallery, evidently the women’s quarters, had been -omitted, and we had to place another at the entrance of this. -The guard of 100 men was placed in the great central -court.’<a name="FNanchor_335_335" id="FNanchor_335_335"></a><a href="#Footnote_335_335" class="fnanchor">[335]</a></p> - -<p>Captain Dugdale was the prize Commissioner on behalf of -the European troops, and he and the other Commissioners -worked all night in securing what articles of value they could -find in the palace, or the carriers at their disposal enabled -them to remove. Here were found, among other curious and -costly articles, the gold masks, of which the 2nd Battalion -subsequently purchased and possess one.</p> - -<p>In the course of the night fires broke out in two or three -places in Coomassie, which were kindled by the native followers, -who were prowling about and plundering. Many of -the Riflemen were turned out to assist in putting out these -fires, and were engaged from two till four in the morning in -assisting the Engineers to pull down houses and to extinguish -the flames. This was hard work on the soldiers after their -hard fight and march of the day before. One section of each -company was ordered not to take their belts off, but to be -ready to turn out instantly in case of an attack. In the course -of the night the palace guard captured an Ashantee chief, -who was endeavouring to escape with gold dust, nuggets, and -jewels about him.</p> - -<p>On the 5th the Battalion paraded at ten o’clock in the -street of Coomassie. The wounded were sent down, escorted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">[502]</a></span> -by Cope’s company, under Lieutenant Sackville, and some -native troops.</p> - -<p>On the 6th the Battalion paraded at half-past six, and -marched out of Coomassie about an hour afterwards. The -palace was to be blown up, and the town burned. As soon -as the Engineers reported that all was ready at the palace, -the guard of the Rifle Brigade was marched off, with orders -to rejoin its Battalion, and orders were given for the palace to -be blown up.</p> - -<p>Heavy rains had now set in. The marsh at the entrance -of the town was knee deep, and the rivers, trifling streams on -the march up, were now wide torrents, five feet deep in mid-channel. -The Engineers made a bridge with a felled tree, but -the men had often to wade, almost waist deep. On arrival at -Ordah about three in the afternoon, the bridge was found to -be submerged some two or three feet deep, and the Riflemen -had to wade across it. This was so slow a process that the -rear companies did not get over till six. The Battalion then -camped on the ground it had occupied on the 3rd.</p> - -<p>They started at a quarter-past six on the morning of the -7th, and marched to Aggemamu. The stream before entering -this village had been bridged over by Captain Cope, and -steps had been cut by him in the steep path ascending -from it.</p> - -<p>We left him detailed to the charge of Aggemamu on the -2nd. He had with him 17 sick or weakly Riflemen, and 15 -sick men of the other regiments, 100 native troops, 50 or 60 -labourers, under a sergeant of Engineers, a few native police, -and 5 officers. But the men were so ill, that had he been -attacked, he could barely have mustered 20 Europeans fit to -fight. As soon as the force had marched, he set to work to -make his post defensible. He pulled down the greater part -of the village, keeping only a small square of houses, which he -loop-holed; and built small redoubts and a kind of redan at -the fork of the roads, in which he placed his native soldiers. -He brought the baggage into his enclosure, and, indeed, used -some of it in building his defences. In levelling the outside -of the village, the native labourers most foolishly, and in direct -violation of his orders, set fire to some houses. The fire came -raging towards the intrenchment; but he happily succeeded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">[503]</a></span> -in making a gap, and thus saving the stockade and the -baggage from the flames. Scouts informed him that the -Ashantees were in force all round, and that he would most -probably be attacked. After the troops had left, he heard -heavy firing in front, and his patrols brought in a prisoner, -who stated that the king would fight at Kasie.</p> - -<p>On the 4th he still continued his work of fortifying his -post. No news came to him from the front, but heavy firing -was heard to the north and north-west. Five prisoners were -brought in. On the 5th he went on with his work, and sent -some of his blacks out into the woods to gather plantains for -food, thus utilising them as outposts; for on the approach of -an enemy they would have fled back, and given the earliest -intimation of danger. He was short of rations too, and was -obliged to keep his men on half-rations. He had another -cause of anxiety, besides being without any intelligence from -the front: that though the road was clear to the rear, no -convoy of provisions came up; and he feared the troops on -their return from Coomassie might find Aggemamu unprovisioned. -He sent out a reconnaissance of 30 men, under -Lieutenant de Hoghton, 10th Foot, who went three miles along -the right-hand road, and brought in a good deal of corn. They -burned a large village, but saw no Ashantees.</p> - -<p>At last, in the middle of the night between the 5th and -6th, Colonel Colley came in from the front, ‘in thunder, -lightning, and in rain,’ with intelligence of the proceedings of -the last three days. This was the first communication Cope -had received from the front since the troops left Aggemamu -on the morning of the 3rd. It was a most anxious time; but -his exertions were rewarded, for ‘Sir Garnet on his return -complimented Captain Cope much on the measures he had -taken for defence; and added that they were so good that he -could not have wished him better fortune than to have been -attacked.’<a name="FNanchor_336_336" id="FNanchor_336_336"></a><a href="#Footnote_336_336" class="fnanchor">[336]</a></p> - -<p>‘We found,’ says Colonel Brackenbury, ‘that a perfect -fortress had been constructed by Captain Cope, which would -have defied the attacks of an army. In the execution of his -duty he had spared no person and no thing; and we shall not -soon forget the despairing face of one non-combatant officer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">[504]</a></span> -who with tears in his eyes complained that his baggage had -been built into the fortification, and that he was told he could -not have it out.’<a name="FNanchor_337_337" id="FNanchor_337_337"></a><a href="#Footnote_337_337" class="fnanchor">[337]</a></p> - -<p>In the same way Mr. Henty observes, ‘I found [Aggemamu] -changed beyond recognition; the whole place, in fact, -having been levelled with the ground, except the principal -group of houses, which had upon the way up been used as -Head-quarters. These had been loop-holed, and formed an -interior citadel, which could have been defended by the -garrison had the breast-work round the village been carried.’<a name="FNanchor_338_338" id="FNanchor_338_338"></a><a href="#Footnote_338_338" class="fnanchor">[338]</a></p> - -<p>On Colonel Colley’s information that the force was on its -way back, Captain Cope set his people to build huts for the -troops.</p> - -<p>On the same day his company came in as escort to the -wounded, and on the 7th proceeded to Biposu, and on the -8th to Ahkankuassie. On that day he started from Aggemamu -with the Naval Brigade; and leaving them at Amoaful, -pressed on and joined his company at Ahkankuassie. This -was a march of about eighteen miles, a long one in that -climate.</p> - -<p>On the 11th he crossed the Prah. And on the 12th -reached Barracoo with his convoy, who were thence to proceed -by forced marches to Cape Coast, while he was ordered -to take his company down by the regular marches by which -they had come up to this point. Accordingly he reached -Cape Coast at about half-past eight on the morning of the -19th, and at once embarked in surf-boats, and got on board -the ‘Himalaya’ at half-past nine, where his company awaited -the arrival of the Battalion.</p> - -<p>They had moved from the camp at the Ordah as I have -stated on the 7th, and marched to Aggemamu; whence, -after a few hours’ halt, Captain Somerset’s company was sent -forward as an escort of sick to Amoaful. But the convoy -being large, and the progress slow, night fell while they were -still some miles from Amoaful. And the road being bad, -and the night very dark, great difficulty was experienced in -getting through the forest.<a name="FNanchor_339_339" id="FNanchor_339_339"></a><a href="#Footnote_339_339" class="fnanchor">[339]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">[505]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 8th the Battalion left Aggemamu, and proceeding -by daily marches, with the same halting or camping-stages as -on going up the country, reached Cape Coast Castle at six in -the morning of the 22nd, where they embarked immediately -on board the ‘Himalaya.’ The whole Battalion, with its -baggage, was on board by half-past seven. The total strength -of the Battalion on embarkation (including Captain Cope’s -company, which was already on board) was 22 officers, and -408 non-commissioned officers and private Riflemen, of -whom only 16 officers and 277 of other ranks were reported -as ‘fit for duty.’<a name="FNanchor_340_340" id="FNanchor_340_340"></a><a href="#Footnote_340_340" class="fnanchor">[340]</a></p> - -<p>The casualties of the campaign may be thus summarised:</p> - -<div class="p1 fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"></td><td class="tdcx">Officers</td><td class="tdcx br">Non-commissioned<br />officers and<br />privates.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Landed at Cape Coast Castle, fit for duty</td><td class="tdrx">33</td><td class="tdrx br">652</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Wounded</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">30</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Died of wounds</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Admitted in hospital while on the Coast</td><td class="tdrx">22</td><td class="tdrx br">298</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Invalided to England</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">47</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Left sick on board the ‘Victor Emmanuel’</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">42</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Left sick at Gibraltar</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">48</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Died on passage home</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">3</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Landed in England</td><td class="tdrx">27</td><td class="tdr bl br">483<a name="FNanchor_341_341" id="FNanchor_341_341"></a><a href="#Footnote_341_341" class="fnanchor">[341]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>Nor is this statement by any means a perfect record of -what the Battalion suffered from this deadly climate. After -their return to England, and even after their arrival at Gibraltar, -many officers and men suffered from the effects of their African -campaign, and some men died.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>On the 23rd the ‘Himalaya’ sailed for England at six in -the morning.</p> - -<p>On March 4 she arrived at St. Vincent, where she remained -till the 7th. On the 16th the green clothing was taken into -wear again, and on the next day the ‘Himalaya’ arrived at -Gibraltar. Here the Battalion was welcomed by Major-General<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">[506]</a></span> -Somerset, an old Rifleman, who came off to see them, -and during their stay showed them every attention. They -left Gibraltar on the 20th. These stoppages had been made, -and the rate of speed diminished purposely, in order not to -bring the men from so hot a climate into the coldest portion -of an English spring.</p> - -<p>However, the ‘Himalaya’ reached Spithead about half-past -two in the morning of the 26th. She came into harbour -in the forenoon; the crews of the various ships manned the -yards and cheered, their bands playing ‘Ninety-five.’ The -Battalion landed at the Dock-yard Wharf about half-past one, -many officers of the 1st Battalion (then stationed in the Gosport -Forts) and some old Riflemen being assembled to greet them. -They marched thence through streets decorated with flags, -and every disposable expression of welcome, to the Governor’s -Green,’ where they were welcomed by Lieutenant-General -Lord Templetown, Commanding at Portsmouth, the -Mayor, and others. Thence they marched to the station, -where a repast had been provided for them. They left by -special train for Winchester, where an ovation awaited them. -A welcome from the Mayor and Corporation at the railway -station; streets decorated with every flag, flower, and allusive -ornament that could be put into requisition; and escorts of -County Yeomanry and City Volunteers.</p> - -<p>On the 28th the Battalion was inspected by His Royal -Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who expressed himself -much satisfied with the appearance of the Battalion. After -they had marched past and formed square, His Royal Highness -addressed some kind words to them; congratulating them -on their conduct in the field and on their endurance on the -march to and from Coomassie, adding that from what he then -saw of their appearance, he considered that they were even -now fit to go anywhere.</p> - -<p>On the 30th the Battalion proceeded to Windsor, where -the troops which had been employed in the Ashantee expedition -were reviewed by Her Majesty the Queen. The Prince -of Wales (Colonel-in-Chief) and His Royal Highness Prince -Arthur met the Battalion at the Windsor Station, and in a -few kindly words the Colonel-in-Chief welcomed the Battalion -home. His Royal Highness marched past at the head of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">[507]</a></span> -Battalion. Sir Archibald Alison also addressed the Riflemen, -and complimented them on the soldierlike qualities they had -shown in the field while under his orders. The Battalion returned -to Winchester that night at nine by rail.</p> - -<p>Sir Archibald Alison issued the following order on resigning -command of the Brigade. After stating that he had amply -complimented the 42nd Regiment in an order on board the -‘Sarmatian’ on his return voyage, he proceeds: ‘Before now -taking leave of the other regiments of the Brigade, he desires -to express to Lieutenant-Colonel Mostyn, commanding 23rd -Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and to Lieutenant-Colonel Warren, -commanding 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, his appreciation of -the gallantly displayed by their regiments in the field, and -his perfect satisfaction with the excellent conduct which characterised -them in camp and on the line of march. No words -of his could convey more to these regiments than that, in his -opinion, they fully sustained at Amoaful and Ordahsu, and -throughout the campaign, the historical reputation with which -they entered it. In resigning his connection with the Brigade, -the Brigadier-General desires to express his warm acknowledgment -of the consistent support he has received from all -ranks.’</p> - -<p>An order was also received from His Royal Highness the -Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, conveying Her Majesty’s -approval of the conduct of her troops engaged on the Gold -Coast.</p> - -<p>On May 16 Sergeant Armstrong and Private Taylor received -the Medal for distinguished conduct in the field from -the hands of the Queen at Windsor; the former for having -with some unarmed natives repelled an attack, and having -himself killed two Ashantees on February 2, in the advance -from Amoaful; and Taylor for his gallant conduct at Ordahsu, -which I have already mentioned.</p> - -<p>On May 19 the Battalion, consisting of 20 officers and 493 -of other ranks, left Winchester at half-past five in the morning, -by rail for Aldershot, and took part, with the 1st and 3rd Battalions, -in a review before the Czar of Russia. They returned -to Winchester the same evening, arriving at ten o’clock.</p> - -<p>On October 24 the Battalion was armed with the Martini-Henry -rifle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">[508]</a></span></p> - -<p>They received orders to prepare for embarkation for -Gibraltar, and two companies were selected to form the -Depôt.</p> - -<p>On November 7 Captain Dugdale’s company embarked on -board Her Majesty’s Troop-ship ‘Tamar’ for Gibraltar. And -on the 16th and 17th the remaining companies of the Battalion -embarked at Portsmouth on board Her Majesty’s Troop-ship -‘Simoom,’ and sailed for Gibraltar, where they arrived on the -24th, and on disembarkation were encamped at the North -front until the 28th, when they moved to Buena Vista barracks, -and were there quartered.</p> - -<p>The total strength on disembarkation was 18 officers, 40 -sergeants, 40 corporals, 17 buglers, and 585 private Riflemen.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion moved from Winchester and Portsmouth -by rail-road on March 13, and occupied quarters in the Permanent -barracks with the 1st Battalion. They took part in -the summer drills held this year in June and July, and were -encamped at Woolmer forest from the 20th to the 29th of -the latter month. During the June drills the Battalion, with -the 1st Battalion, one of the 60th, and a Militia battalion, -formed a brigade commanded by Lord Alexander Russell.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion remained at Umballa during this year, -with the exception that, in consequence of an outbreak of -fever at Umballa, they were moved out under canvas to camp -at Jundlee, and afterwards nearer Umballa, from November -18 to December 12.</p> - -<p>On February 24 and 25 they had been inspected by -Major-General Percy Hill, and on August 8 by Lord Napier -of Magdala, Commander-in-Chief in India.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion continued at Winchester during the year -1875, moving to Aldershot for the summer manœuvres.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remained at Gibraltar during the whole -of the year.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon, commanding the 3rd Battalion, -died near Aldershot on March 31, 1875. He had served in -the Regiment twenty-eight years, and had accompanied the -2nd Battalion to the Crimea and India, and I have recorded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">[509]</a></span> -his services and gallantry at Cawnpore and Lucknow, and -with the Camel Corps, and the approval of those in command -which they elicited. He was deservedly and universally -esteemed by his brother officers, and his sudden premature -death excited sincere regret. His funeral on April 5, at Hale -Church, near Aldershot, was attended not only by the officers -of the 1st Battalion, who also sent their band from Winchester, -but by many old Riflemen. He was succeeded in the command -of the Battalion by Lieutenant-Colonel Maclean, who -was promoted from Senior Major.</p> - -<p>This Battalion, after taking part in the summer drill and -manœuvres near Aldershot in the months of June and July, -including a review and march-past for the Sultan of Zanzibar -before his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, left Aldershot -on July 27 for Chatham, where it occupied St. Mary’s barracks, -detaching (in November) one company to Upnor Castle.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 4th Battalion left Umballa on March 3 for Delhi, -where it arrived on the 13th, and formed part of the Governor-General, -Lord Northbrook’s, camp, during the durbar held -there. It returned to Umballa on the 30th.</p> - -<p>On the approach of the visit of the Prince of Wales to -India, the 4th Battalion again marched from Umballa on -November 26, and arrived at Delhi on December 8, in order -to take part in the manœuvres to take place there during the -Prince’s stay. While His Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief -was at Delhi, the Battalion furnished a personal guard -of honour of 100 men; and on his visit to Agra a similar -guard of honour accompanied him. After the review and -march-past on January 12, 1876, the Prince gave a dinner to -the men of both his regiments, the 10th Hussars and the 4th -Battalion, on the 16th, and dined at the mess of the Battalion -on the 13th.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 1st Battalion left Winchester by rail-road on June 6, -1876, and embarking at Portsmouth on board the ‘Simoom’ -Troop-ship, started on the same day for Dublin, where they -arrived on the 9th, and occupy the Royal barracks, having a -present strength of</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs70"><td class="tdc">Officers.</td><td class="tdc">Sergeants.</td><td class="tdc">Buglers.</td><td class="tdc">Corporals.</td><td class="tdc">Privates.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">33</td><td class="tdc">46</td><td class="tdc">18</td><td class="tdc">40</td><td class="tdc">758</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">[510]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 2nd Battalion remain at Gibraltar, their strength -being</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs70"><td class="tdc">Officers.</td><td class="tdc">Sergeants.</td><td class="tdc">Buglers.</td><td class="tdc">Rank and File.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">33</td><td class="tdc">39</td><td class="tdc">17</td><td class="tdc">624<a name="FNanchor_342_342" id="FNanchor_342_342"></a><a href="#Footnote_342_342" class="fnanchor">[342]</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The 3rd Battalion left Chatham by rail-road on July 26, -and proceeded to Shorncliffe camp, where they occupy -quarters. Their strength on July 28, when inspected by -Colonel the Hon. F. Thesiger, commanding that camp (who -had served in the Regiment), being:—</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs70"><td class="tdc">Officers.</td><td class="tdc">Sergeants.</td><td class="tdc">Buglers.</td><td class="tdc">Rank and file.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">30</td><td class="tdc">45</td><td class="tdc">19</td><td class="tdc">528</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On the conclusion of the manœuvres and the departure of -the Prince of Wales from Delhi, the 4th Battalion returned on -January 27 to Umballa, where they continue to be stationed; -their strength being on the 1st October</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr class="fs70"><td class="tdc">Officers.</td><td class="tdc">Sergeants.</td><td class="tdc">Buglers.</td><td class="tdc">Corporals.</td><td class="tdc">Privates.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">34</td><td class="tdc">49</td><td class="tdc">17</td><td class="tdc">40</td><td class="tdc">801<a name="FNanchor_342a_342a" id="FNanchor_342a_342a"></a><a href="#Footnote_342_342" class="fnanchor">[342]</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>On October 7, 1876, His Royal Highness the Duke of -Connaught, who had served upwards of four years in the 1st -Battalion as Lieutenant and as Captain, and had left it in -April 1874, took command of that Battalion at the Royal -barracks, Dublin, as Lieutenant-Colonel.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>On October 31 it was notified that Her Majesty had been -graciously pleased to permit the word ‘Ashantee’ to be -borne on the plates of the pouch-belts.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>I have thus inadequately recorded the services of the -Regiment, which as the Rifle Corps, as the 95th, and as the -Rifle Brigade, has, in the seventy-five years of its existence, -served in the field in Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, -Holland, Denmark, Germany, and Russia; in South and -Western Africa; in North and South America; and in Asia. -In these services it has been engaged in 22 General Actions, 30 -Lesser Combats, 11 Sieges or Assaults of fortified places, and -in skirmishes and affairs of posts too many to enumerate. In -them it has won the commendation of all those commanders<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">[511]</a></span> -under whom it has served. Nor have its discipline and conduct -in quarters in more peaceful times less elicited the approbation -of Generals who have commanded the stations it has occupied. -And if I have not always recorded this, it is because I have -been unwilling to load my pages with what no Rifleman can -doubt, and what can scarcely interest any other reader.</p> - -<p>Of the tone and <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">prestige</i> of its officers I need not speak. -One honourable fact I must record: No officer of this Regiment -has ever been brought to a Court-Martial.</p> - -<p>Whatever future services it may be called to, whatever -changes regiments or the army may undergo, I am confident -that as long as the number 95 or the name Rifle Brigade -exist in English Military History, the same love of the green -jacket and the same <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">esprit-de-corps</i> which have animated its -past, and animate its present, will still animate its future -members—officers, non-commissioned officers, and private -Riflemen.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_327_327" id="Footnote_327_327"></a><a href="#FNanchor_327_327"><span class="label">[327]</span></a> The ‘Red River Expedition,’ London, 1871.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_328_328" id="Footnote_328_328"></a><a href="#FNanchor_328_328"><span class="label">[328]</span></a> The funeral of Captain Huyshe is the subject of a water-colour picture by -M. Norie (from a drawing I believe by Colonel Colley). I am assured by -those who were present that it is a faithful representation of the scene and of the -surroundings.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_329_329" id="Footnote_329_329"></a><a href="#FNanchor_329_329"><span class="label">[329]</span></a> This was in every case the position of all these companies of Riflemen acting -more or less independently in this fight: a section at least being held in reserve -while the greater part extended in skirmishing order.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_330_330" id="Footnote_330_330"></a><a href="#FNanchor_330_330"><span class="label">[330]</span></a> Henty’s ‘March to Coomassie,’ 384.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_331_331" id="Footnote_331_331"></a><a href="#FNanchor_331_331"><span class="label">[331]</span></a> Captain Slade had been sent back sick from Foomanah.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_332_332" id="Footnote_332_332"></a><a href="#FNanchor_332_332"><span class="label">[332]</span></a> It is impossible to record this affair at Quarman without noticing that -Captain Dugdale remains without any official recognition of his services on this -occasion; while the officer whom he so materially assisted, or rather extricated -from his dangerous position at Quarman, received the brevet of Major, Captain -Dugdale obtained no promotion. The former had then not thirteen years service; -Dugdale had served nearly twenty years, and I have on more than one occasion -noted in this record his services during the Indian mutiny. As promotion was -dealt out with no unsparing hand for the Ashantee campaign, this neglect seems -the more remarkable. I may add that I make these remarks on the facts which -I have recorded without any communication with Captain Dugdale, with whom, -indeed, I am scarcely acquainted.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_333_333" id="Footnote_333_333"></a><a href="#FNanchor_333_333"><span class="label">[333]</span></a> ‘The Ashantee War,’ by Captain Brackenbury, ii. 199.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_334_334" id="Footnote_334_334"></a><a href="#FNanchor_334_334"><span class="label">[334]</span></a> Henty’s ‘March to Coomassie,’ 401.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_335_335" id="Footnote_335_335"></a><a href="#FNanchor_335_335"><span class="label">[335]</span></a> ‘The Ashantee War,’ ii. 236.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_336_336" id="Footnote_336_336"></a><a href="#FNanchor_336_336"><span class="label">[336]</span></a> ‘Colburn’s United Service Magazine,’ September, 1874, p. 74.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_337_337" id="Footnote_337_337"></a><a href="#FNanchor_337_337"><span class="label">[337]</span></a> ‘The Ashantee War,’ ii. 246.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_338_338" id="Footnote_338_338"></a><a href="#FNanchor_338_338"><span class="label">[338]</span></a> ‘March to Coomassie,’ 417.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_339_339" id="Footnote_339_339"></a><a href="#FNanchor_339_339"><span class="label">[339]</span></a> This difficulty is graphically described by Mr. Henty, p. 419.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_340_340" id="Footnote_340_340"></a><a href="#FNanchor_340_340"><span class="label">[340]</span></a> I derive the particulars of the Ashantee Expedition from the letters and -journal of my son, Captain Cope; from three papers (‘The Rifle Brigade in the -Ashantee Expedition’) in ‘Colburn’s United Service Journal,’ July-September, -1874; and from a detailed MS. Memoir on the Battle of Amoaful, kindly communicated -to me by Major Robinson, Rifle Brigade, who has also favoured me with -the plan.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_341_341" id="Footnote_341_341"></a><a href="#FNanchor_341_341"><span class="label">[341]</span></a> Of these ten men were at once sent to Netley Hospital.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_342_342" id="Footnote_342_342"></a><a href="#FNanchor_342_342"><span class="label">[342]</span></a> Exclusive of Depôt.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_512" id="Page_512">[512]</a></span><br /> - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_513" id="Page_513">[513]</a></span></p> -<p class="p6" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="APPENDIX_I" id="APPENDIX_I">APPENDIX I.</a></h2> - - -<p class="p1 pfs80 lsp2">COLONELS-IN-CHIEF.</p> - -<div class="p1 fs90"> -<p>Colonel COOTE MANNINGHAM, August 25, 1800.</p> - -<p>General SIR DAVID DUNDAS, August 31, 1809.</p> - -<p>Field Marshal ARTHUR, DUKE OF WELLINGTON, K.G., -G.C.B., February 19, 1820.</p> - -<p>Field Marshal H.R.H. ALBERT, PRINCE CONSORT, K.G., -G.C.B., September 23, 1852.</p> - -<p>Field Marshal JOHN, LORD SEATON, G.C.B., December -15, 1861.</p> - -<p>General SIR GEORGE BROWN, G.C.B., April 18, 1863.</p> - -<p>Field Marshal SIR EDWARD BLAKENEY, G.C.B., August 28, -1865.</p> - -<p>Field Marshal H.R.H. ALBERT EDWARD, PRINCE -OF WALES, K.G., G.C.B., August 3, 1868.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_514" id="Page_514">[514]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="p1 pfs80 lsp2 pg-brk">COLONELS COMMANDANT.</p> - -<div class="p1 fs90"> -<p><em>FORBES CHAMPAGNÉ</em>, August 31, 1809. To 70th Foot, -May 21, 1816.</p> - -<p><em>SIR BRENT SPENCER</em>, G.C.B., August 31, 1809. To -40th Foot, July 2, 1818.</p> - -<p>Hon. SIR WILLIAM STEWART, G.C.B., August 31, 1809. -Died January 7, 1827.</p> - -<p><em>SIR G. T. WALKER</em>, G.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Champagné</span>), May 21, -1816. To 34th Foot, May 13, 1820.</p> - -<p><em>SIR JOHN OSWALD</em>, K.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Spencer</span>), July 2, 1818.</p> - -<p><em>SIR EDWARD BARNES</em>, K.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Walker</span>), May 13, -1820. To 78th Foot, August 25, 1822.</p> - -<p>SIR ANDREW F. BARNARD, G.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Barnes</span>), August -25, 1822. Died, January 17, 1855.</p> - -<p><em>SIR T. S. BECKWITH</em>, K.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Stewart</span>), January 7, -1827. Died, January 19, 1831.</p> - -<p><em>SIR GEORGE R. BINGHAM</em>, K.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Beckwith</span>), -June 18, 1831. Died, June 3, 1833.</p> - -<p><em>SIR J. S. BARNES</em>, K.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Bingham</span>), January 7, 1833. -To 20th Foot, April 25, 1842.</p> - -<p>SIR D. L. GILMOUR, K.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">J. S. Barnes</span>), April 25, -1842. Died, March 22, 1847.</p> - -<p>SIR HARRY G. W. SMITH, G.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Gilmour</span>), April -16, 1847. Died, October 12, 1860.</p> - -<p>SIR GEORGE BROWN, G.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Barnard</span>), January 18, -1855. To 32nd Foot, April 1, 1863.</p> - -<p>SIR GEORGE BULLER, G.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Smith</span>), October -13, 1860.</p> - -<p><em>SIR CHARLES YORKE</em>, G.C.B. (<em>vice</em> <span class="smcap">Brown</span>), April -1, 1863.</p> -</div> - -<p class="fs70">⁂ The names in italics are those of officers who had not served in the -Regiment.</p> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_515" id="Page_515">[515]</a></span></p> -<p class="p6" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="APPENDIX_II" id="APPENDIX_II">APPENDIX II.</a></h2> - -<p class="pfs80">ON THE ARMAMENT OF THE REGIMENT.</p> - -<div class="fs80"> -<p class="noindent">On the presentation of the report of Colonels Manningham and -Stewart (see <a href="#Page_1">p. 1</a>), a committee of field officers was directed to assemble -at Woolwich on February 1, 1800, in order to select a rifle -to be used by the Rifle Corps. The principal gun-makers in England -were invited to attend; and rifles from America, France, Germany, -Spain, and Holland were produced and tried. This committee reported -in favour of a rifle submitted by Ezekiel Baker, a gun-maker -in London, which was adopted for the Rifle Corps, and was known -as the ‘Baker rifle.’ This arm was 2 feet 6 inches long in the -barrel; seven-grooved, and rifled one quarter turn; the balls were 20 -to the pound, and the weight of the arm was 9½ pounds. It had, of -course, a flint lock. It was sighted to 100 yards, and by a folding -sight to 200 yards. This rifle was loaded with some difficulty, and -at first small wooden mallets were supplied to the Riflemen to assist -in ramming down the ball. These were found inconvenient and an -incumbrance to the soldier, and were soon discontinued. The Rifle -Corps originally carried a horn for powder, as well as the pouch. The -Baker rifle had a brass box in the stock to contain the greased rag -in which the ball was wrapped.<a name="FNanchor_343_343" id="FNanchor_343_343"></a><a href="#Footnote_343_343" class="fnanchor">[343]</a> A picker to clear the touch-hole and -a brush were also carried by the Riflemen, suspended by brass chains -to the waist-belt.</p> - -<p>Ezekiel Baker, the inventor of this rifle, published in 1803 a book -entitled ‘Twenty-two Years’ Practice with Rifle Guns;’ a tenth edition -of which, expanded from 8 pages of the original <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">brochure</i> to 238, -appeared in 1829. His coloured prints of Riflemen aiming standing, -kneeling, lying down on the face, and on the back, are curious, though -the costume is rather fanciful. He gives diagrams showing that out -of 34 shots at 100 yards with this rifle, 32 penetrated a human figure -painted on a 6-ft. target; and of 24 shots at 200 yards, 22 penetrated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_516" id="Page_516">[516]</a></span> -a similar figure. Baker does not mention whether these were fired -from the shoulder, or from a fixed rest.</p> - -<p>To this rifle a triangular sword bayonet, 17 inches long in the -blade, was affixed by a spring.</p> - -<p>When the Rifle Corps was first formed, a few rifles were issued to -it of the same bore as the musket then in use, viz. 14 balls to the -pound; under the impression that there would be an advantage in the -Riflemen being able to use the ammunition of soldiers of the line; -but this arm was strongly objected to by Colonel Manningham and his -officers, and was almost immediately done away with.</p> - -<p>Some improvements were subsequently made in the Baker rifle; -a chamber was introduced to hold the powder, and a flat-blade sword -was substituted for that originally issued. With these and some -other trifling changes, the Baker rifle continued till about the year -1837 or 1838. In the year 1836 a Board was assembled at Woolwich -to report on various improved rifles. Of this Board Colonel Eeles, -then commanding the 1st Battalion, was a member; and Captain -Walpole, with a sergeant and twelve Riflemen of that Battalion, was -sent to Woolwich to try the rifles submitted to the Board. These -men fired daily for some weeks; and eventually the Brunswick rifle -was fixed upon for the armament of the Rifle Brigade, and was issued -to it (both Battalions being then at home) soon afterwards. This -arm was 2 feet 6 inches long in the barrel, which was two-grooved, -with complete turn in the length of the barrel; the ball was spherical -and belted, and, to ensure the belt dropping into the grooves, two -notches were cut at the muzzle. The ball weighed 557 grains, being -about 12 to the pound. The rifle weighed nearly 2 pounds more -than the Baker, its weight being 11 lbs. 5½ oz. It had a detonating -lock; a straight sword, 22 inches long, was affixed to it by a spring. -The Brunswick rifle, like the Baker, had a brass box in the stock. -It was sighted, by means of a folding sight, to 300 yards; and it was -found, in the trials made at Woolwich, that it made as good practice -at 300 yards as the Baker at 200.</p> - -<p>This rifle continued in use for nearly twenty years; but it was -found difficult to load, the belt of the ball being after much firing -difficult to force down the grooves; and in action the necessity of -fitting the belt to the grooves hindered rapidity of loading, notwithstanding -the notches at the muzzle.</p> - -<p>While the 1st Battalion were at the Cape, and at the conclusion -of the war with the Kaffirs in 1846–7, Lancaster rifles were received -at King William’s-town for four or six men in each company. These -were two-grooved, like the Brunswick, and of the same bore and -length. They had a patent breech; and were sighted to 900 yards. -The ball was conical, with a flat base, and a rib on each side to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_517" id="Page_517">[517]</a></span> -fit the grooves. It was very heavy, and the flight was found to be -uncertain. Nevertheless, these rifles were used with good effect -against the Boers at Boem Plaatz, and against the Basutos at Berea. -In the Kaffir War of 1851–2, the Riflemen armed with this Lancaster -were occasionally formed into a party during night-marches, -and on the attacks on the Waterkloof.</p> - -<p>On the embarkation of the Regiment for the Crimea the Riflemen -were armed with the Minié rifle, not differing from those carried by -soldiers of line regiments. And while in the Crimea they received -the long Enfield and bayonet, the same as those issued to troops of -the line. These long weapons were also issued to the 3rd and 4th -Battalions on their being raised. But subsequently, and before the -embarkation of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions for India, the short Enfield -and the sword was substituted. This was the three-grooved Enfield. -But this being found an imperfect weapon, the five-grooved short -Enfield, Naval pattern, a much superior arm, was issued to the various -Battalions about the years 1861–2.</p> - -<p>This continued in use till the issue of five-grooved short Enfields -converted to breech-loaders on the Snider principle, which were -afterwards replaced by the Snider proper, in 1867. The 4th Battalion, -however, had received in 1864 Whitworth rifles in place of the -short Enfield, and these were retained until the issue of breech-loaders -in 1867.</p> - -<p>The Snider was replaced by the Martini-Henry, which was issued -to the several Battalions towards the close of the year 1874.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> - -<p>The various changes in the uniform of officers and men are -sufficiently indicated by the plates in this volume, taken from the -drawings deposited in the Adjutant-General’s office, or from original -drawings or portraits in my own possession.</p> - -<p>The pouch-belt originally had only a whistle and chain affixed to -a lion’s head. I do not know when the Maltese cross was first -adopted; probably when the names of victories were first granted to -the Regiment. It was at first surmounted with a sitting figure of -Fame; and it appears, from Sir W. Stewart’s correspondence, that -in 1821 it was in contemplation to replace this (which he calls an -Angel) by ‘an Eagle, or Britannia, or Minerva, or Amazon.’<a name="FNanchor_344_344" id="FNanchor_344_344"></a><a href="#Footnote_344_344" class="fnanchor">[344]</a> An -Eagle was, I believe, adopted for a time; but the Cross was soon -after surmounted with a Royal Crown. When the present Imperial -Crown was substituted I do not know. It has been in use, however, -for forty years.</p> -</div> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_343_343" id="Footnote_343_343"></a><a href="#FNanchor_343_343"><span class="label">[343]</span></a> The powder horn and the brass box in the stock are shown in <a href="#FP">Plate I</a>. -The Regulations for the exercise of Riflemen, issued in 1803, do not mention the -mallet, which had probably been already discontinued; but they do mention ‘the -powder measure and the loose ball:’ <em>i.e.</em> <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'the using the'">using the</ins> powder-horn in loading.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_344_344" id="Footnote_344_344"></a><a href="#FNanchor_344_344"><span class="label">[344]</span></a> Cumloden Papers, 131.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_518" id="Page_518">[518]</a></span></p> -<p class="p6" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="APPENDIX_III" id="APPENDIX_III">APPENDIX III.</a></h2> - -<p class="pfs80">ACTIONS AND CASUALTIES OF THE REGIMENT.</p> - - -<div class="fs80"> -<p class="noindent">Colonel Leach, in concluding his ‘Brief Sketch of the Field Services -of the Rifle Brigade,’ observes:—‘I regret exceedingly that I -am not in possession of returns of losses sustained by my old Corps -in its numerous actions with the enemy, and by sickness. Such a -document would have, perhaps, but few (if any) parallels in the -Service; and it would be seen, moreover, that the Peninsular army -had other formidable enemies to contend with besides the sword, in -the form of pestilential fevers, ague, &c.’</p> - -<p>No means, I believe, exist of giving any account of the losses of -the Regiment by climate or disease; but I will endeavour to give an -approximate return of the losses in the field, and at the same time I -shall be able to enumerate the various actions in which the Regiment -has been engaged.</p> -</div> - - -<div class="p1 fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Date</td><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Action</td><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Officers</td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="2">Other ranks</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt">Wounded</td><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt br">Wounded</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 25, 1800</td><td class="tdlz">Ferrol</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 26, 1800</td><td class="tdlz">Ferrol</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 2, 1801</td><td class="tdlz">Copenhagen</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx br">6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 16, 1807</td><td class="tdlz">Maldonado</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 20, 1807</td><td class="tdlz">Suburbs of Monte Video</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx br">25</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 3, 1807</td><td class="tdlz">Monte Video</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">10</td><td class="tdrx br">19</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 2, 1807</td><td class="tdlz">Passo Chico</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">22</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 7, 1807</td><td class="tdlz">San Pedro</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">27</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 4, 1807</td><td class="tdlz">Suburbs of Buenos Ayres</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx br">4</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 5, 1807</td><td class="tdlz">Buenos Ayres</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">9</td><td class="tdrx">90</td><td class="tdrx br">129</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 17, 1807</td><td class="tdlz">Near Copenhagen</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 29, 1807</td><td class="tdlz">Kioge</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdr bl">A </td><td class="tdrx"> few.</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 15, 1808</td><td class="tdlz">Obidos</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 17, 1808</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Roleia</span></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">17</td><td class="tdrx br">30</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 21, 1808</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Vimiera</span></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">37</td><td class="tdrx br">43</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Carried forward</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">30</td><td class="tdrx">169</td><td class="tdrx br">321</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="p2 fs80 pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_519" id="Page_519">[519]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Date</td><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Action</td><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Officers</td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="2">Other ranks</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt">Wounded</td><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt br">Wounded</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Brought over</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">30</td><td class="tdrx">169</td><td class="tdrx br">321</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 3, 1809</td><td class="tdlz">Cacabelos</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">19</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 4, 1809</td><td class="tdlz">Between Villa Franca</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdr bl">A </td><td class="tdrx"> few.</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 5, 1809</td><td class="tdlz">Constantino</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 10, 1809</td><td class="tdlz">Near Betanzos</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 12, 1809</td><td class="tdlz">El Burgo</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 16, 1809</td><td class="tdlz">Corunna</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Returned to England</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">33</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 31, 1809</td><td class="tdlz">Near Flushing</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">10</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 9-15, 1809</td><td class="tdlz">Flushing</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx br">21</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 19, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Barba del Puerco</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">10</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 4, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Bridge of Marialva</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 24, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">The Coa</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">9</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx br">55</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 23-24, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Celorico to Busaco</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 25, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Mala Morta</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 26, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Sula</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 27, 1810</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Busaco</span></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 10, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Alemquer to Arruda</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 18, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Alcalá de Gazules</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 14, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Sobral</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="2">Several</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 19, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Valle</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdcx">Slight</td><td class="tdcx">loss.</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 20, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Tarifa</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx br">16</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 31, 1810</td><td class="tdlz">Tarifa</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 5, 1811</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Barrosa</span></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx">19</td><td class="tdrx br">76</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 8, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Paialvo</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 9, 1811</td><td class="tdlz"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 11, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Pombal</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 12, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Redinha</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdr bl br">9<a name="FNanchor_345_345" id="FNanchor_345_345"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 14, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Casal Nova</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdr bl br"><a name="FNanchor_345a_345a" id="FNanchor_345a_345a"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 15, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Foz d’Aronce</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdr bl br"><a name="FNanchor_345b_345b" id="FNanchor_345b_345b"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 18, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Ponte da Murcella</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 28, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Freixadas</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdr bl br"><a name="FNanchor_345c_345c" id="FNanchor_345c_345c"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 3, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Sabugal</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx br">14</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 12, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">San Pedro</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 23, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Bridge of Marialva</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">May 2, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Fuentes d’Onor</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">May 5, 1811</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Fuentes d’Onor</span></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">13</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">May 12, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Near Espeja</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 27, 1811</td><td class="tdlz">Near Aldea de Ponte</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 8, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">San Francisco</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">7</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 19, 1812</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Ciudad Rodrigo</span></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx">9</td><td class="tdrx br">47</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 19, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">Before Badajos</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 26, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">La Picurina</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 6, 1812</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Badajos</span></td><td class="tdrx">9</td><td class="tdrx">14</td><td class="tdrx">57</td><td class="tdrx br">225</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 17, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">Rueda</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 17, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">Castrejon</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 19, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">On the march</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 22, 1812</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Salamanca</span></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">24</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Carried forward</td><td class="tdrx">27</td><td class="tdrx">78</td><td class="tdrx">329</td><td class="tdrx br">891</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="p2 fs80 pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_520" id="Page_520">[520]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Date</td><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Action</td><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Officers</td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="2">Other ranks</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt">Wounded</td><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt br">Wounded</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Brought over</td><td class="tdrx">27</td><td class="tdrx">78</td><td class="tdrx">329</td><td class="tdrx br">891</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 23, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">Near the Tormes</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 24, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">San Lucar</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 26, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">Seville</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 29, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">Aranjuez</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">Nov. 15-19, 1812</td><td class="tdlz">Retreat to Portugal</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">11</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 12, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Near the Hormuza</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 18, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">San Millan</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx br">13</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 21, 1813</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Vittoria</span></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx br">61</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 23, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Echarri-Aranaz</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 24, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">On the Araquil</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 15, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Sta. Barbara</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 1, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Bridge of Yanci</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdr bl">A </td><td class="tdrx br"> few.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 2, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Echalar</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 31, 1813</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">St. Sebastian</span></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">8</td><td class="tdr bl br">16<a name="FNanchor_345d_345d" id="FNanchor_345d_345d"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx">” ”</td><td class="tdlz">Bridge of Vera</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">18</td><td class="tdrx br">53</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 7, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Pass of Vera</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">31</td><td class="tdrx br">161</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 9, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Nivelle</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">10</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx br">76</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 23, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Arcangues</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 10, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Nive</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">9</td><td class="tdrx br">75</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 13, 1813</td><td class="tdlz">Bussassari</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 13, 1814</td><td class="tdlz">Before Antwerp</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 1, 1814</td><td class="tdlz">Donk</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 2, 1814</td><td class="tdlz">Merxem</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdr bl br">6<a name="FNanchor_345e_345e" id="FNanchor_345e_345e"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 4, 1814</td><td class="tdlz">Sortie from Antwerp</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 24, 1814</td><td class="tdlz">Villeneuve</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 27, 1814</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Orthez</span></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 20, 1814</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Tarbes</span></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx br">75</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 27, 1814</td><td class="tdlz">Tournefeuille</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">A</td><td class="tdrx br">few.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 18, 1814</td><td class="tdlz">Toulouse</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">14</td><td class="tdr bl br">26<a name="FNanchor_345f_345f" id="FNanchor_345f_345f"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 22, 1814</td><td class="tdlz">Before New Orleans</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">23</td><td class="tdrx br">59</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 28, 1814</td><td class="tdlz">Before New Orleans</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">4</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 1, 1815</td><td class="tdlz">Before New Orleans</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 8, 1815</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Lines of New Orleans</span></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx br">94</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 16, 1815</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Quatre Bras</span></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">8</td><td class="tdrx br">51</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 18, 1815</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Waterloo</span></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">31</td><td class="tdrx">57</td><td class="tdrx br">339</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 31, 1846</td><td class="tdlz">Near the Kei river</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 11, 1847</td><td class="tdlz">Near the Kei river</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February, 1847</td><td class="tdlz">Patrol on the Fish river</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 29, 1847</td><td class="tdlz">Boem Plaatz</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx br">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 29, 1852</td><td class="tdlz">Mundell’s Krantz</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">May 17, 1852</td><td class="tdlz">Mundell’s Krantz</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">3</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">May 29, 1852</td><td class="tdlz">Ingilby’s farm</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">4</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 8, 1852</td><td class="tdlz">Waterkloof</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 24, 1852</td><td class="tdlz">Waterkloof</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 14, 1852</td><td class="tdlz">Waterkloof</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Carried forward</td><td class="tdrx">44</td><td class="tdrx">172</td><td class="tdrx">559</td><td class="tdrx br">2048</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="p2 fs80 pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_521" id="Page_521">[521]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Date</td><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Action</td><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Officers</td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="2">Other ranks</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt">Wounded</td><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt br">Wounded</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Brought over</td><td class="tdrx">44</td><td class="tdrx">172</td><td class="tdrx">559</td><td class="tdrx br">2048</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 20, 1852</td><td class="tdlz">Berea</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 20, 1854</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">The Alma</span></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx br">38</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 14, 1854</td><td class="tdlz">Picquet</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 25, 1854</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Balaklava</span></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 26, 1854</td><td class="tdlz">Careenage ravine</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October, 1854</td><td class="tdlz">In the trenches</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx br">27</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 5, 1854</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Inkerman</span></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">30</td><td class="tdrx br">58</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 20, 1854</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">The Ovens</span></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">9</td><td class="tdrx br">17</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 9, 1855</td><td class="tdlz">Rifle pits</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 18, 1855</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">The Redan</span></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">33</td><td class="tdrx br">89</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">July 3, 1855</td><td class="tdlz">In the trenches</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">8</td><td class="tdrx br">5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 1, 1855</td><td class="tdlz">In the trenches</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">15</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 8, 1855</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Sebastopol</span></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">8</td><td class="tdrx">23</td><td class="tdrx br">137</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 15, 1855</td><td class="tdlz">Explosion</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdr bl br">Several. </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">1854–5</td><td class="tdlz">In the trenches,<br />or not otherwise <br />accounted for</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">175</td><td class="tdr bl br">143<a name="FNanchor_346_346" id="FNanchor_346_346"></a><a href="#Footnote_346_346" class="fnanchor">[346]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 26, 1857</td><td class="tdlz">Cawnpore</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 27, 1857</td><td class="tdlz">Cawnpore</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 28, 1857</td><td class="tdlz">Cawnpore</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx br">19</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 29, 1857</td><td class="tdlz">Cawnpore</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 1, 1857</td><td class="tdlz">Cawnpore</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 6, 1857</td><td class="tdlz">Cawnpore</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">19</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 25, 1857</td><td class="tdlz">Putarah</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 29, 1857</td><td class="tdlz">Etawah</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">3</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Near Allahabad</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 1858</td><td class="tdlz">On the Ramgunga</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 6-11, 1858</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Lucknow</span></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx br">17</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 23, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Koorsie</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 13, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Baree</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">May 11, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Nuggur</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">May 22, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Goolowlie</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">May 23, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Calpee</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">June 13, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Nawabgunge</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">15</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 20, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Nassreegunge</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">August 20-29, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Sultanpore</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 6, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Surajpore</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 8, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Jamo</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">3</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 13, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Mandaula</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">September 21, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Fort of Birwah</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx br">27</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 20, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Sukreta</td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx br">5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 21, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Khooath Khas</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 23, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Khurgurh</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">November 26, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Hydergurh</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 3, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Fort of Oomria</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 6, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Futtehpore</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Carried forward</td><td class="tdrx">58</td><td class="tdrx">197</td><td class="tdrx">897</td><td class="tdrx br">2704</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="p2 fs80 pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_522" id="Page_522">[522]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Date</td><td class="tdcx" rowspan="2">Action</td><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Officers</td><td class="tdcx br" colspan="2">Other ranks</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt">Wounded</td><td class="tdcx bt">Killed</td><td class="tdcx bt br">Wounded</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Brought over</td><td class="tdrx">58</td><td class="tdrx">197</td><td class="tdrx">897</td><td class="tdrx br">2704</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 6, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Byram Ghât</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 26, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Near Churdah</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 27, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Fort of Mejidia</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">1</td><td class="tdrx br">6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 31, 1858</td><td class="tdlz">Bankee</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 9, 1859</td><td class="tdlz">Sidka Ghât</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">March 16, 1859</td><td class="tdlz">Near Supree</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 12, 1859</td><td class="tdlz">Akouna</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">April 25-26, 1859</td><td class="tdlz">Jugdespore jungles.<br />Not otherwise<br />accounted for<br />to this date<a name="FNanchor_347_347" id="FNanchor_347_347"></a><a href="#Footnote_347_347" class="fnanchor">[347]</a></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx br">2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">October 27, 1859</td><td class="tdlz">Mitharden</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">December 11, 1859</td><td class="tdlz">Shahgurh</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 2, 1864</td><td class="tdlz">Shubkudder</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">January 31, 1874</td><td class="tdlz">Amoaful</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 2, 1874</td><td class="tdlz">Between Amoaful<br />and Aggemamu</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 3, 1874</td><td class="tdlz">Near the Ordah</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">February 4, 1874</td><td class="tdlz">Ordahsu</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx br">19</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Died of wounds</td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl"></td><td></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdcx" colspan="2">Total</td><td class="tdrx">58</td><td class="tdrx">200</td><td class="tdrx">902</td><td class="tdrx br">2748</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb"></td><td class="bl bb br"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p1 fs80"><span class="smcap">Note.</span>—In instances where no casualties are entered, it does not necessarily -follow that there were no killed or wounded; but that I have been unable to -ascertain their number. In skirmishes (and occasionally in greater actions) -aggregate returns have frequently been made, in which it was impossible to separate -the losses of the Regiment. I have noted occasions only where the Riflemen -have been engaged or under fire.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_345_345" id="Footnote_345_345"></a><a href="#FNanchor_345_345"><span class="label">[345]</span></a> Return imperfect.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_346_346" id="Footnote_346_346"></a><a href="#FNanchor_346_346"><span class="label">[346]</span></a> Return of wounded imperfect. 648 Riflemen died of disease in the Crimea -and in Turkey.—‘Medical and Surgical History,’ i. 449-57.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_347_347" id="Footnote_347_347"></a><a href="#FNanchor_347_347"><span class="label">[347]</span></a> Two Officers and 132 Riflemen of other ranks of the 2nd Battalion died of -disease during the Indian Mutiny Campaign.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_523" id="Page_523">[523]</a></span></p> -<p class="p6" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk fs100"><a name="APPENDIX_IV" id="APPENDIX_IV">APPENDIX IV.</a></h2> - - -<p class="p1 negin1 fs80 wsp lht">NAMES OF OFFICERS AND OTHER RIFLEMEN WHO -HAVE OBTAINED SPECIAL MARKS OF DISTINCTION -FOR SERVICES IN THE FIELD.</p> - -<div class="p2 fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdcx">Name and Rank</td><td class="tdcx">Honour received</td><td class="tdcx br">Action or Campaign<br />for which granted</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Andrews</span>, Sergeant J.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Anson</span>,<a name="FNanchor_348_348" id="FNanchor_348_348"></a><a href="#Footnote_348_348" class="fnanchor">[348]</a> Lieut.-Col. Hon. A. H. A.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Armstrong</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for distinguished conduct in the Field</td><td class="tdlz br">Ashantee</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Arthur, Nathaniel</span><a name="FNanchor_349_349" id="FNanchor_349_349"></a><a href="#Footnote_349_349" class="fnanchor">[349]</a></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Bailey, H.</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Balvaird</span>, Lieut.-Col. <span class="smcap">William</span></td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal and Clasp, C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Barnard</span>, Gen. Sir A. F.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal<a name="FNanchor_350_350" id="FNanchor_350_350"></a><a href="#Footnote_350_350" class="fnanchor">[350]</a> - and 4 Clasps, G.C.B., G.C.H., Maria Teresa (Austria), 4th class St. George (Russia)</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Beckwith</span>, Lieut.-Col.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Toulouse</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"> <span class="smcap">Charles</span></td><td class="tdlz">C.B</td><td class="tdlz br">Waterloo</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Beckwith</span>, Lieut.-Gen. Sir T. S.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal and Clasp, K.C.B., Knight Commander of Tower and Sword (Portugal)</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Ben</span>, Corporal M.</td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Blackett</span>, Lieut.-Col. E. W.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="p2 fs80 pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_524" id="Page_524">[524]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdcx">Name and Rank</td><td class="tdcx">Honour received</td><td class="tdcx br">Action or Campaign<br />for which granted</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Bourchier</span>, Col. C. T.</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span>, Legion of Honour, Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">The ‘Ovens’</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Bradshaw, Joseph</span></td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span>, French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Rifle-pit, Sebastopol</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Bramston</span>, Capt. T. H.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Brett</span>, Lieut.-Col. J.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Brown</span>, Gen. Sir <span class="smcap">George</span></td><td class="tdlz">G.C.B., Grand Cross of Legion of Honour, 1st class Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Brown, J.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Buller</span>, Gen. Sir <span class="smcap">Geo.</span></td><td class="tdlz">G.C.B., Commander of Legion of Honour, 2nd class Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Kaffraria and Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Burge</span>, Sergeant T.</td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Burrows</span>, Sergeant J.</td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Cameron</span>, Major-Gen. Sir Alexander</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal and 2 Clasps, K.C.B., St. Anne 2nd class (Russia)</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Cherry, J.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Clements</span>, Corporal T.</td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Clifford</span>, Col. Hon. H. H.</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span>, C.B., Legion of Honour, Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Colville</span>, Col. Hon. W. J.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour, Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Collins, Timothy</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Cornelius</span>, Sergt.-Major</td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal, Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Cox</span>, Major-Gen. John</td><td class="tdlz">K.H.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Cox</span>, Major-Gen. William</td><td class="tdlz">K.H.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Cullum</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Silver Medal for gallantry in the storming of</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Cuninghame</span>, Major Sir W. J. M., Bart.</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span>, Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">The ‘Ovens’</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Davies, T.</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Denser, Charles</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Dillon</span>, Col. <span class="smcap">Martin</span></td><td class="tdlz">C.B., C.S.I.</td><td class="tdlz br">India, China, and Abyssinia</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Eagle, W.</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal, Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="p2 fs80 pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_525" id="Page_525">[525]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdcx">Name and Rank</td><td class="tdcx">Honour received</td><td class="tdcx br">Action or Campaign<br />for which granted</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Eeles</span>, Lieut.-Col. W.</td><td class="tdlz">K.H.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula, Holland,<br />and Waterloo</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Elliot</span>, Lieut.-Col. Hon. <span class="smcap">Gilbert</span></td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Elrington</span>, Major-General F. R.</td><td class="tdlz">C.B., Legion of Honour, Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Fair</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Fisher</span>, Colour-Sergt. D.</td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Fitzmaurice</span>, Major-Gen. W.</td><td class="tdlz">K.H.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Fitzroy</span>, Capt. C. V.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Fraser</span>, Surg.-Gen. J.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">India</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Fremantle</span>, Lieut.-Col. <span class="smcap">Fitzroy</span></td><td class="tdlz">Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Fullerton</span>, Col. J.</td><td class="tdlz">C.B., K.H.</td><td class="tdlz br">Waterloo</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Fyers</span>, Col. W.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour, Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">India</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Gilmour</span>, Major-Gen. Sir D. L.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Cross, K.C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Glyn</span>, Major-Gen. J. R.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour, Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">India</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Haines, G.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hannan, Hugh</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hardinge</span>, Lieut.-Col. H.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Harrington</span>, Quarter-Master<br />Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Harrywood</span>, Sergeant J.</td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Harvey</span>,<a name="FNanchor_351_351" id="FNanchor_351_351"></a><a href="#Footnote_351_351" class="fnanchor">[351]</a> Paymaster-<br />Sergeant H.</td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hawkes, David</span></td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span></td><td class="tdlz br">Lucknow</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hawkesford</span>, Sergt. T.</td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hawkins, E.</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hicks</span>, Colour-Sergt. J.</td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">The ‘Ovens’</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hill</span>, Major-Gen. <span class="smcap">Percy</span></td><td class="tdlz">C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">India</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Himbury</span>, Sergt. <span class="smcap">John</span></td><td class="tdlz">Silver Medal and Clasp for gallantry at </td><td class="tdlz br">St. Sebastian</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hogger, S.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hope</span>, Lieut.-Col. J. C.</td><td class="tdlz">K.H.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Horsford</span>, Lieut.-Gen. Sir A. H.</td><td class="tdlz">G.C.B., Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea and India</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="p2 fs80 pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_526" id="Page_526">[526]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdcx">Name and Rank</td><td class="tdcx">Honour received</td><td class="tdcx br">Action or Campaign<br />for which granted</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hough, Charles</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Hoult</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Humpston, R.</span></td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span></td><td class="tdlz br"><span class="nowrap">Rifle-pit, Sebastopol</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Ingram, Henry</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">King, J.</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Kingscote</span>, Capt. <span class="smcap">Fitz-H.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Knox</span>, Capt. J. S.</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua">Victoria Cross</span>, Legion of Honour</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="nowrap"><span class="smcap">Lawrence</span>, Lieut.-Gen. Sir A. J.</span></td><td class="tdlz">K.C.B., Officer Legion of Honour, 3rd class Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Legge</span>, Hon. G. B.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Leighfield, J.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Lewis, P.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">McCann, P.</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">McCormick, M.</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">McGibbon</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">McGregor, Roderick</span></td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span></td><td class="tdlz br">Rifle-pit, Sebastopol</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">McKay</span>, Sergeant.</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">McKechie</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">McLeod</span>, Major-Gen. <span class="smcap">Norman</span></td><td class="tdlz">C.B</td><td class="tdlz br">Corunna</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">McMahon, B.</span></td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Macdonell</span>, Major-Gen. A.</td><td class="tdlz">C.B., Legion of Honour, Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Manners</span>, Lieut.-Col. H. H.</td><td class="tdlz">K.H</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Walcheren</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Marriott, E.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Miller</span>, Col. <span class="smcap">George</span></td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal, C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Mitchell</span>, Lieut.-Col. <span class="smcap">Samuel</span></td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal and Clasp, C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Moore</span>, Capt. J. C.</td><td class="tdlz">Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Munro</span>, Colour-Sergt. C. F.</td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Murphy</span>, Colour-Sergt. J.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour, Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Nash</span>, Corporal W.</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span></td><td class="tdlz br">Lucknow</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Nesbitt</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Newdigate</span>, Col. E.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour, Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Nixon</span>, Lieut.-Col. A. J.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="p2 fs80 pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_527" id="Page_527">[527]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdcx">Name and Rank</td><td class="tdcx">Honour received</td><td class="tdcx br">Action or Campaign<br />for which granted</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Norcott</span>, Major-Gen. Sir <span class="smcap">Amos</span> G.</td><td class="tdlz">Medal and Clasp, C.B., K.C.H., St. Anne (Russia), Maximilian Joseph (Bavaria)</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="nowrap"><span class="smcap">Norcott</span>, Major-Gen. W. S. R.</span></td><td class="tdlz">C.B., Legion of Honour, Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Nutt</span>, Sergeant <span class="smcap">James</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">O’Hare</span>, Major P.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">O’Hea T.</span>,</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span></td><td class="tdlz br">Danville Station</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Percival</span>, Lieut.-Col. W.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal and 2 Clasps, C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Promby</span>, Corporal H.</td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Raines, Charles</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Ross</span>, Major-Gen. Sir <span class="smcap">John</span></td><td class="tdlz">Cross, K.C.B., St. Wladimir 4th class (Russia), Wilhelm 4th class (Netherlands)</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Ross</span>, Colonel <span class="smcap">John</span></td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">C.B</td><td class="tdlz br">India</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Ross</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Russell</span>, Major-General Lord A. G.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Saunders</span>, Capt. G. R.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Scott</span>, Surgeon J.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Shaw</span>, Corporal <span class="smcap">Saml.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span></td><td class="tdlz br">Nawabgunge</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Small</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Smith</span>, General Sir H. G. W.</td><td class="tdlz">G.C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">India and Kaffraria</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Smyth</span>, Major-General, Hon. L.</td><td class="tdlz">C.B., Legion of Honour, Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Somerset</span>, Major-Gen. E. A.</td><td class="tdlz">C.B., Legion of Honour, Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Staples</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Stewart</span>, Major <span class="smcap">Archibald</span></td><td class="tdlz">K.H.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Stewart</span>, Lieut.-Col. Hon. J. H. R.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal and Clasp, C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Stewart</span>, Major John</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Busaco</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Stewart</span>, Lieut.-Gen. Hon. Sir W.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal and 2 Clasps, G.C.B. San Fernando (Spain), Tower and Sword (Portugal)</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Struck</span>, H.</td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="p2 fs80 pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_528" id="Page_528">[528]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr class="fs80"><td class="tdcx">Name and Rank</td><td class="tdcx">Honour received</td><td class="tdcx br">Action or Campaign<br />for which granted</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt"></td><td class="bl bt br"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="nowrap"><span class="smcap">Stuart</span>, Lieut.-Colonel Hon. J.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Tainst, Edward</span></td><td class="tdlz">Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Taylor</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Ashantee</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Thorpe</span>, Sergeant</td><td class="tdlz">Medal for gallantry</td><td class="tdlz br">Monte Video</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Tilbey, T.</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Travers</span>, Major <span class="smcap">James</span></td><td class="tdlz">K.H</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />New Orleans</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Travers</span>, Major-Gen. Sir R.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal, C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Turner</span>, Corporal W.</td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Wade</span>, Colonel H.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal, C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Walker-Myln</span>, Lieut.-Col. H.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Waller</span>, Sergt.-Major</td><td class="tdlz">French military Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Walpole</span>, Lieut.-Gen. Sir R.</td><td class="tdlz">K.C.B</td><td class="tdlz br">India</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Warren</span>, Lieut.-Col. A. F.</td><td class="tdlz">Medjidie</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz">C.B</td><td class="tdlz br">Ashantee</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Wheatley, Francis</span></td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span>, Legion of Honour Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Trenches, Sebastopol</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Wilkins</span>, Lieut.-Col. G.</td><td class="tdlz">Gold Medal, C.B.</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Netherlands</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Wilmot</span>, Major Sir <span class="smcap">Henry</span>, Bart.</td><td class="tdlz"><span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span></td><td class="tdlz br">Lucknow</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Wiseman</span>, Corporal R.</td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Wood, Joseph</span></td><td class="tdlz">Distinguished conduct Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Woodford</span>, Lieut.-Col. C. J.</td><td class="tdlz">Legion of Honour, Sardinian Medal</td><td class="tdlz br">Crimea</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlz"><span class="smcap">Yorke</span>, Gen. Sir <span class="smcap">Chas.</span></td><td class="tdlz">G.C.B</td><td class="tdlz br">Peninsula and<br />Waterloo</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p2 fs80"><span class="smcap">Note</span>—The non-commissioned officers and men of a detachment of the Rifle -Corps engaged at Copenhagen in 1801 were presented with a Silver Medal -specially given by Lord Nelson.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_348_348" id="Footnote_348_348"></a><a href="#FNanchor_348_348"><span class="label">[348]</span></a> Colonel Anson received the <span class="antiqua bold">Victoria Cross</span> for gallantry at Bolandshuhur, -shortly after he had left the Rifle Brigade. I have noted only in this list the -honours obtained by Riflemen while in the Regiment.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_349_349" id="Footnote_349_349"></a><a href="#FNanchor_349_349"><span class="label">[349]</span></a> Where no rank is indicated, the name is that of a Private Rifleman.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_350_350" id="Footnote_350_350"></a><a href="#FNanchor_350_350"><span class="label">[350]</span></a> These medals and crosses were granted to general and field officers (according -to the recommendation of the Duke of Wellington), ‘for important actions -only, and to those engaged in them in a conspicuous manner,’ Despatches, viii. -94. I have of course not recorded medals which were granted indiscriminately -to all present in an action or campaign.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_351_351" id="Footnote_351_351"></a><a href="#FNanchor_351_351"><span class="label">[351]</span></a> Captain Harvey, Paymaster.</p> -</div></div> - - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_529" id="Page_529">[529]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2 class="no-brk lsp2"><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX">INDEX.</a></h2> - -<div class="fs80"> -<p class="drop-capy">Acland, F. G. Dyke, <a href="#Page_467">467</a><br /> -‘Adventure,’ troop-ship, faulty engines of, <a href="#Page_364">364</a><br /> -<br /> -Africa, South, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">West Coast, <a href="#Page_482">482</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Aggemamu, <a href="#Page_495">495</a>, <a href="#Page_502">502</a>, <a href="#Page_503">503</a>, <a href="#Page_504">504</a><br /> -<br /> -Akouna, fight at, <a href="#Page_422">422</a><br /> -<br /> -Alba de Tormes, <a href="#Page_118">118</a><br /> -<br /> -Albert, Prince Consort, Colonel-in-Chief, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_457">457</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Aldershot, Camp, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_453">453</a>, <a href="#Page_469">469</a>, <a href="#Page_470">470</a>, <a href="#Page_478">478</a>, <a href="#Page_481">481</a>, <a href="#Page_508">508</a><br /> -<br /> -Alemtejo, sojourn of the 95th there, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a><br /> -<br /> -Alexander, Boyd Francis, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_403">403</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Alison, Sir Archibald, <a href="#Page_480">480</a>, <em>et seq.</em><br /> -<br /> -Allix, W., killed, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> -<br /> -Allygurh, <a href="#Page_368">368</a><br /> -<br /> -Alma, battle of the, <a href="#Page_306">306</a><br /> -<br /> -Alten, Baron Charles, <a href="#Page_112">112</a><br /> -<br /> -Amatolas, expedition to, <a href="#Page_253">253</a><br /> -<br /> -Americans attempt to induce Riflemen to desert; replies of the Riflemen forcible rather than courteous, <a href="#Page_190">190</a><br /> -<br /> -American commandant, excellent advice given to, <a href="#Page_193">193</a><br /> -<br /> -American officer, while plundering, shot by a Rifleman, <a href="#Page_191">191</a><br /> -<br /> -Ames, F., <a href="#Page_390">390</a><br /> -<br /> -Amethie fort, <a href="#Page_404">404-406</a><br /> -<br /> -Amoaful, battle of, <a href="#Page_488">488-493</a><br /> -<br /> -Amphlett, J., <a href="#Page_216">216</a><br /> -<br /> -Andrews, J., <a href="#Page_523">523</a><br /> -<br /> -Anson, the Hon. A. H. A., <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_523">523</a><br /> -<br /> -Aranjuez, <a href="#Page_120">120</a><br /> -<br /> -Araquil, skirmish near the, <a href="#Page_139">139</a><br /> -<br /> -Arbuthnot, Hon Duncan, killed, <a href="#Page_82">82</a><br /> -<br /> -Arcangues, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a><br /> -<br /> -Armstrong, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_507">507</a>, <a href="#Page_523">523</a><br /> -<br /> -Army of Occupation in France, <a href="#Page_212">212-215</a><br /> -<br /> -Arrhunes, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">La Petite, carried, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Arthur, Nath., <a href="#Page_523">523</a><br /> -<br /> -Ashantee expedition, <a href="#Page_480">480</a><br /> -<br /> -Atherley, F. R., <a href="#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a>, <a href="#Page_393">393</a><br /> -<br /> -Austin, G. L., <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_437">437</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Backhouse, William, killed, <a href="#Page_190">190</a><br /> -Badajos, siege, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">stormed, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">casualties at, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">events after, <a href="#Page_108">108-111</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">plunder of, sold or burned, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Bailey, H., <a href="#Page_523">523</a><br /> -<br /> -Baillie, H. D., <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>, <a href="#Page_390">390</a><br /> -<br /> -Balaklava captured, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">battle of, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Balfour, W. F., <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a><br /> -<br /> -Balvaird, W., <a href="#Page_523">523</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Barba del Puerco, fight at, <a href="#Page_51">51</a><br /> -<br /> -Baree, fight at, <a href="#Page_381">381</a><br /> -<br /> -Barker, Brigadier, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>, <a href="#Page_400">400</a><br /> -<br /> -Barker, Robert, wounded, <a href="#Page_190">190</a><br /> -<br /> -Barnard, General Sir Andrew, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_523">523</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his care for the wounded, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">death, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Barrosa, battle of, <a href="#Page_68">68</a><br /> -<br /> -Basutoland, expedition to, <a href="#Page_290">290</a><br /> -<br /> -Battalion, 2nd, its formation, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">services in India, <a href="#Page_427">427-8</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Battalion, 3rd, its formation, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">disbanded, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">again raised, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Battalion, 4th, raised, <a href="#Page_346">346</a><br /> -<br /> -Bayou Catalan, landing at, <a href="#Page_182">182</a><br /> -<br /> -Bear’s farm, camp at, <a href="#Page_274">274-279</a><br /> -<br /> -Beckwith, Charles, wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">account of, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_523">523</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Beckwith, Lieut.-Colonel Sidney, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_310">310</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Beckwith, Sir Thomas Sidney, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_523">523</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his magnanimity, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his system of command, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his coolness in action, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_530" id="Page_530">[530]</a></span><span class="pad1">gives up command of the 1st Battalion, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his character, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his death, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Bedell, W. D., <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Beni Madhoo, pursuit of, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>, <a href="#Page_406">406</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a><br /> -<br /> -Benn, M., <a href="#Page_523">523</a><br /> -<br /> -Bennett, L. H., killed, <a href="#Page_39">39</a><br /> -<br /> -Berea, battle of, <a href="#Page_292">292-294</a><br /> -<br /> -Bermuda, <a href="#Page_240">240</a><br /> -<br /> -Bewar, crossing the, <a href="#Page_448">448</a><br /> -<br /> -Bikrumgunge, <a href="#Page_439">439</a><br /> -<br /> -Birmingham, riots at, <a href="#Page_236">236</a><br /> -<br /> -Birwah, fort captured, <a href="#Page_400">400</a><br /> -<br /> -Blackett, E. W., <a href="#Page_523">523</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Blakeney, Sir Edward, Colonel-in-Chief, <a href="#Page_465">465</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_469">469</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Blatchington, Rifle Corps trained at, <a href="#Page_4">4</a><br /> -<br /> -Boemplaats, battle of, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a><br /> -<br /> -Boers, rebellion of, <a href="#Page_257">257</a><br /> -<br /> -Boileau, C. A. P., <a href="#Page_335">335</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Borough, R., wounded, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Bourchier, Claude T., <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Bradford, Major-General W. H., <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a><br /> -<br /> -Bradshaw, Joseph, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Bramston, T. H., <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Brett, Lieut.-Col. John, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Brown, Sir George, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">colonel-commandant, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Colonel-in-Chief, <a href="#Page_460">460</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_465">465</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Brown, J., <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Brussels, <a href="#Page_197">197</a><br /> -<br /> -Buckley, C. E., <a href="#Page_381">381</a><br /> -<br /> -Budgen, J. R., wounded, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><br /> -<br /> -Buenos Ayres, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br /> -<br /> -Buildings erected by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_261">261</a><br /> -<br /> -Búlganak, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a><br /> -<br /> -Buller, Coote, wounded, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a><br /> -<br /> -Buller, Lieut.-Gen. Sir George, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_454">454</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Bunbury, Ralph, killed, <a href="#Page_24">24</a><br /> -<br /> -Burge, T., <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Búrliúk, <a href="#Page_306">306</a><br /> -<br /> -Burrows, J., <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Busaco, battle of, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a><br /> -<br /> -Byram Ghât, <a href="#Page_408">408</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Cacabelos, fight at, <a href="#Page_33">33</a><br /> -Cadoux, D., <a href="#Page_65">65</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Caledon River, <a href="#Page_291">291</a><br /> -<br /> -Calpee, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">capture of, <a href="#Page_434">434</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Camel corps formed, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">operations of, <a href="#Page_429">429-450</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Sikhs added to, <a href="#Page_435">435</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">arduous duties of, <a href="#Page_450">450</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">broken up, <a href="#Page_450">450</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Camel drivers, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>, <a href="#Page_435">435</a><br /> -<br /> -Camels, drill in riding, <a href="#Page_429">429-431</a><br /> -<br /> -Cameron, Sir Alexander, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177-178</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his address to the 1st Battalion, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cameron, D., wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br /> -<br /> -Campbell, Alexander, killed, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><br /> -<br /> -Campbell, L., killed, <a href="#Page_138">138</a><br /> -<br /> -Campbell, W., wounded, <a href="#Page_69">69</a><br /> -<br /> -Canada, dangerous voyage to, <a href="#Page_457">457</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">service in, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_465">465</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Canning, Lord, <a href="#Page_428">428</a><br /> -<br /> -Canrobert, General, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his general order about the ‘ovens,’ <a href="#Page_325">325</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a> <a href="#Footnote_248_248"><em>n.</em></a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cape Coast Castle, <a href="#Page_481">481</a><br /> -<br /> -Cape of Good Hope, <a href="#Page_243">243</a><br /> -<br /> -Cartwright, A. A., killed, <a href="#Page_321">321</a><br /> -<br /> -Cary, A., killed, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a><br /> -<br /> -Cary, G., <a href="#Page_158">158</a><br /> -<br /> -Cary, L. S. T. M., <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded and death, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cary, L., <a href="#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="#Page_498">498</a><br /> -<br /> -Casal Nova, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_75">75</a><br /> -<br /> -Cathcart, Hon. Sir George, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his regard for the Riflemen, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cawnpore, battles of, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a><br /> -<br /> -Chawner, E., wounded, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br /> -<br /> -Cherry, J., <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Chinhut, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">camp at, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">panic at, <a href="#Page_394">394</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Chobham, camp at, <a href="#Page_297">297</a><br /> -<br /> -Christmas dinners, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_410">410</a><br /> -<br /> -Chumbul, crossing the, <a href="#Page_447">447</a><br /> -<br /> -Church, J., taken prisoner, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">escapes, <a href="#Page_178">178</a> <a href="#Footnote_143_143"><em>n.</em></a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Churchill, C. H. S., <a href="#Page_329">329</a><br /> -<br /> -Churdah, fight near, <a href="#Page_411">411</a><br /> -<br /> -Circular directing the formation of a Rifle Corps, <a href="#Page_1">1</a><br /> -<br /> -Ciudad Rodrigo, siege, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">casualties at, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">stormed, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Clements, T., <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Clifford, the Hon. H., <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Clyde, Lord, <a href="#Page_409">409</a>, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>, <a href="#Page_428">428</a><br /> -<br /> -Coa, combat at the, <a href="#Page_56">56</a><br /> -<br /> -Coane, A., wounded, <a href="#Page_57">57</a><br /> -<br /> -Coane, J., wounded, <a href="#Page_16">16</a><br /> -<br /> -Cochrane, R., wounded, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a><br /> -<br /> -Cochrane, Thomas, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Colbert, General, picked off by a Rifleman, <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br /> -<br /> -<a name="COL" id="COL"></a> -Colborne, Col. (Lord Seaton), <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">Colonel-in-Chief, <a href="#Page_457">457</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_460">460</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Collins, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Colours not to be carried by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_456">456</a><br /> -<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_531" id="Page_531">[531]</a></span>Colville, Hon. W. J., <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Connaught, Duke of, joins as lieut., <a href="#Page_469">469</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">as lieut.-col., <a href="#Page_510">510</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Coomassie, <a href="#Page_500">500-502</a><br /> -<br /> -Cooper, Sir Astley Paston, <a href="#Page_262">262</a><br /> -<br /> -Cooper, L. E., <a href="#Page_376">376</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_378">378</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cope, A., <a href="#Page_488">488</a>, <a href="#Page_495">495</a>, <a href="#Page_502">502-504</a><br /> -<br /> -Copenhagen, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a><br /> -<br /> -Cornelius, Sergeant-Major, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Coronation of Queen Victoria, Riflemen at, <a href="#Page_235">235</a><br /> -<br /> -Corunna, retreat to, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">battle of, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">casualties during retreat, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">revisited, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cox, John, <a href="#Page_524">524</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cox, William, <a href="#Page_524">524</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Coxen, E., <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cragg, C. W., <a href="#Page_388">388</a>, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>, <a href="#Page_403">403</a><br /> -<br /> -Crampton, J., <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Craufurd, Major-General Robert, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his severity, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his strict standing orders, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his complimentary orders on Barba del Puerco, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">defended by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his last address to the, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his death and funeral, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">anecdotes of him, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Creagh, J., killed, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a><br /> -<br /> -Crimean war, <a href="#Page_299">299-342</a><br /> -<br /> -Croudace, C., killed, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a><br /> -<br /> -Cullum, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Cuninghame, Sir William, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Curragh camp, <a href="#Page_456">456</a><br /> -<br /> -Curzon, George, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a><br /> -<br /> -Curzon, Hon. Leicester, <a href="#SMY"><em>see</em> Smyth</a>.<br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Davies, T., <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -Deedes, William, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a><br /> -<br /> -Denmark, expedition to, <a href="#Page_19">19</a><br /> -<br /> -Denser, Charles, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Dickenson, Captain, killed, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br /> -<br /> -Diggle, T. A., <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Dilkoosha, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>, <a href="#Page_427">427</a>, <a href="#Page_429">429</a><br /> -<br /> -Dillon, Martin, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_419">419</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_354">354</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Dinner, first regimental, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">second, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Dixon, F., wounded, <a href="#Page_170">170</a><br /> -<br /> -Doyle, killed, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a><br /> -<br /> -Drummond, A. M., <a href="#Page_334">334</a><br /> -<br /> -Dublin, <a href="#Page_456">456</a>, <a href="#Page_477">477</a><br /> -<br /> -Dugdale, H. G., <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>, <a href="#Page_491">491</a>, <a href="#Page_492">492</a>, <a href="#Page_501">501</a><br /> -<br /> -Duncan, John, killed, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Eagle, W., <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -Eaton, Charles, wounded, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Eccles, W. H., wounded, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a><br /> -<br /> -Echalar, capture of the hill of, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a><br /> -<br /> -Eeles, Charles, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Eeles, William, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_234">234</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Egginassie, <a href="#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="#Page_494">494</a><br /> -<br /> -El Burgo, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_37">37</a><br /> -<br /> -Elder, Sir George, wounded, <a href="#Page_16">16</a><br /> -<br /> -Elliot, the Hon. G., <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a><br /> -<br /> -Elrington, Major-General F. R., <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_477">477</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Engineers, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a><br /> -<br /> -Erroll, Earl of, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Etawah, <a href="#Page_366">366</a><br /> -<br /> -Etteridge, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>, <a href="#Footnote_304_304"><em>n.</em></a><br /> -<br /> -Executions, military, <a href="#Page_101">101</a><br /> -<br /> -Explosion before Sebastopol, <a href="#Page_340">340</a><br /> -<br /> -Eyre, H., <a href="#Page_375">375</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_432">432-438</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Eyre, R. C., wounded, <a href="#Page_209">209</a><br /> -<br /> -Eyre, Sir William, <a href="#Page_290">290-294</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Fair, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -Farmer, W. J. G., wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a><br /> -<br /> -Felix, O., wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br /> -<br /> -Fenian raid into Canada, <a href="#Page_467">467</a><br /> -<br /> -Fensham, D., wounded, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Ferey, General, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his death, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">buried by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Ferguson, R., <a href="#Page_227">227</a><br /> -<br /> -Ferozeshah, pursuit of, <a href="#Page_447">447</a><br /> -<br /> -Ferrol, expedition to, <a href="#Page_3">3</a><br /> -<br /> -Fisher, D., <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Firman, E. R., killed, <a href="#Page_336">336</a><br /> -<br /> -Fitzgerald, R. H., wounded, <a href="#Page_178">178</a><br /> -<br /> -Fitzmaurice, J., <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></span><br /> -<br /> -FitzRoy, C. V., <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Flinn, shoots a hare at Sabugal, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">shoots Frenchman at Fuentes d’Onor, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Flower, C. T., <a href="#Page_327">327</a><br /> -<br /> -Flushing, siege of, <a href="#Page_49">49</a><br /> -<br /> -Flying columns, <a href="#Page_469">469</a>, <a href="#Page_470">470</a>, <a href="#Page_471">471</a><br /> -<br /> -Foomanah, reconnaissance from, <a href="#Page_486">486</a><br /> -<br /> -Forbes, Daniel, wounded, <a href="#Page_185">185</a><br /> -<br /> -Forster, J. G., wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> -<br /> -Foz d’Aronce, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br /> -<br /> -France, south of, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a><br /> -<br /> -Fraser, J., <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Freixadas, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_79">79</a><br /> -<br /> -Fremantle, FitzRoy, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>, <a href="#Page_419">419</a>, <a href="#Page_422">422</a>, <a href="#Page_423">423</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_532" id="Page_532">[532]</a></span>Fremantle, Mr. W. H., his opinion of the Rifle Corps, <a href="#Page_3">3</a><br /> -<br /> -French officers, conversations with, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a><br /> -<br /> -Fry, J., wounded, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a><br /> -<br /> -Fryer, E. J., <a href="#Page_419">419</a><br /> -<br /> -Fuentes d’Onor, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">battle, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Fukes, Sergeant Thomas, turns the tables on an American hero, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a><br /> -<br /> -Fullerton, J., <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Futtehpore, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_416">416</a><br /> -<br /> -Fyers, Colonel W., <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Gairdner, J. P., wounded, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br /> -Gallipoli, <a href="#Page_301">301</a><br /> -<br /> -Gardiner, J., <a href="#Page_116">116</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Gardner, T. C., <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_16">16</a> <a href="#Footnote_31_31"><em>n.</em></a></span><br /> -<br /> -Genappe, <a href="#Page_200">200</a><br /> -<br /> -Germany, expedition to, <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br /> -<br /> -Gibbons, G., killed, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><br /> -<br /> -Gibraltar, service at, <a href="#Page_463">463</a>, <a href="#Page_508">508</a><br /> -<br /> -Gibson, J., his death, <a href="#Page_249">249</a><br /> -<br /> -Gilmour, Sir D. L., <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Glasgow, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">riots at, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Glyn, J. Plumtre C., <a href="#Page_479">479</a>, <a href="#Page_500">500</a><br /> -<br /> -Glyn, Major-General Julius, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a>, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>, <a href="#Page_429">429</a>, <a href="#Page_479">479</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Glyn, R. R., <a href="#Page_374">374</a>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a><br /> -<br /> -Godfrey, Arthur William, wounded, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Gogra, crossing the, <a href="#Page_395">395</a>, <a href="#Page_409">409</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>, <a href="#Page_425">425</a>, <a href="#Page_426">426</a><br /> -<br /> -Gold Coast, embarkation for, <a href="#Page_479">479</a><br /> -<br /> -Goolowlie, battle of, <a href="#Page_433">433</a><br /> -<br /> -Goomtee, crossing the, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>, <a href="#Page_397">397</a><br /> -<br /> -Gosset, John, wounded, <a href="#Page_190">190</a><br /> -<br /> -Grant, J. A., his death, <a href="#Page_7">7</a><br /> -<br /> -Grant, Sir J. Hope, <a href="#Page_373">373</a> <em>et seq.</em>, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>, <a href="#Page_428">428</a><br /> -<br /> -Gray, C. G., wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> -<br /> -Gray, Loftus, wounded, <a href="#Page_170">170</a><br /> -<br /> -Green, A., wounded, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>, <a href="#Page_399">399</a><br /> -<br /> -Grey, G. H., <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a><br /> -<br /> -Guns taken by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Haggup, W., wounded, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -Haines, G., <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hallen, William, gallant defence of his picquet near New Orleans, <a href="#Page_184">184</a><br /> -<br /> -Hamilton, William, wounded, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a><br /> -<br /> -Hammond, Maximilian, killed, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">account of, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Hannan, Hugh, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hardinge, H., <a href="#Page_334">334</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Hares shot in action, <a href="#Page_82">82</a> <a href="#Footnote_101_101"><em>n.</em></a>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>, <a href="#Page_391">391</a><br /> -<br /> -Harrington, Quarter-Master-Sergeant, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Harrywood, J., <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hart, J. B., <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Harvey, H., <a href="#Page_389">389</a>, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hastings, <a href="#Page_231">231</a><br /> -<br /> -Hawkes, David, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hawkesford, T., <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hawkins, E., <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hawksley, R., killed, <a href="#Page_93">93</a><br /> -<br /> -Herbert shoots a Russian at long range, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> -<br /> -Hewan, Michael, wounded, <a href="#Page_174">174</a><br /> -<br /> -Hewitt imposes on the Russians, <a href="#Page_319">319</a><br /> -<br /> -Hicks, J., <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Higgins, William, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a><br /> -<br /> -Hill, Sir D. St. L., wounded, <a href="#Page_28">28</a><br /> -<br /> -Hill, John, killed, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><br /> -<br /> -Hill, Major-Gen. Percy, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a> <em>et seq.</em>, <a href="#Page_423">423</a>, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>, <a href="#Page_464">464</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Himbury, John, <a href="#Page_148">148</a> <a href="#Footnote_126_126"><em>n.</em></a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hogger, S., <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Holland, expedition to, <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br /> -<br /> -Hope, J. C., <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hopwood, J., <a href="#Page_62">62</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Hormuza, slight affair at, <a href="#Page_131">131</a><br /> -<br /> -Horsford, Lieut.-Gen. Sir Alfred, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>, <a href="#Page_469">469</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Horsham, Rifle Corps first formed at, <a href="#Page_2">2</a><br /> -<br /> -Hough, Charles, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hoult, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hovenden, T., wounded, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Howell, Assist.-Surgeon, <a href="#Page_249">249</a><br /> -<br /> -Huebra River, <a href="#Page_124">124</a><br /> -<br /> -Humbley, William, captures a French picquet, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Humpston, R., <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a><br /> -<br /> -Hussars, 7th, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>, <a href="#Page_408">408</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>, <a href="#Page_462">462</a><br /> -<br /> -Huyshe, G. L., death of, <a href="#Page_484">484</a><br /> -<br /> -Hydergurh, fight at, <a href="#Page_407">407</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Île au Poix, landing at, <a href="#Page_182">182</a><br /> -India, service in, <a href="#Page_454">454</a>, <a href="#Page_455">455</a><br /> -<br /> -Indian Mutiny, <a href="#Page_347">347-425</a><br /> -<br /> -Ingilby’s farm, <a href="#Page_276">276</a><br /> -<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_533" id="Page_533">[533]</a></span>Inglis, J. C., <a href="#Page_334">334</a><br /> -<br /> -Ingram, Henry, <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Inkerman, battle of, <a href="#Page_318">318</a><br /> -<br /> -Insarfu, <a href="#Page_487">487</a>, <a href="#Page_492">492</a>, <a href="#Page_494">494</a><br /> -<br /> -Ionian Islands, service in, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a><br /> -<br /> -Ireland, service in, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_476">476</a><br /> -<br /> -Irish insurgents routed by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a><br /> -<br /> -Ishmaelgunge, <a href="#Page_374">374</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Jamo, <a href="#Page_398">398</a><br /> -Jeames, E., <a href="#Page_381">381</a><br /> -<br /> -Jenkins, J., <a href="#Page_65">65</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Jenkinson, Captain, killed, <a href="#Page_18">18</a><br /> -<br /> -Jones, Loftus, wounded, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Johnson, J., wounded, <a href="#Page_28">28</a><br /> -<br /> -Johnston, E. D., wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Johnston, William, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Journey from St. John’s, N. B., to Rivière de Loup, <a href="#Page_458">458</a>, <a href="#Page_459">459</a><br /> -<br /> -Jugdespore jungles, operations in, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>, <a href="#Page_442">442</a><br /> -<br /> -Jumna, crossing the, <a href="#Page_432">432</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Kaffir War, 1846–1848, <a href="#Page_245">245-261</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">1851–1852, <a href="#Page_269">269-294</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Kalamita Bay, landing at, <a href="#Page_303">303</a><br /> -<br /> -Kamara, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a><br /> -<br /> -Kamishli, <a href="#Page_304">304</a><br /> -<br /> -Kataree fort, <a href="#Page_405">405</a><br /> -<br /> -Katchka, <a href="#Page_309">309</a><br /> -<br /> -Kemp, Sergeant, recommended for the Victoria Cross, <a href="#Page_336">336</a><br /> -<br /> -Kempt, Sir James, <a href="#Page_112">112</a><br /> -<br /> -Kentúgan, <a href="#Page_304">304</a><br /> -<br /> -Khooath Khas, <a href="#Page_443">443</a><br /> -<br /> -Kincaid, Sir John, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></span><br /> -<br /> -King, J., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Kingscote, Fitz-H., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Kioge, <a href="#Page_21">21</a><br /> -<br /> -Kirkman, J., wounded, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Knipe, W. H., killed, <a href="#Page_69">69</a><br /> -<br /> -Knox, J. S., <a href="#Page_526">526</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Kokral, <a href="#Page_374">374</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> -<br /> -Koorsie, expedition to, <a href="#Page_38">38</a><br /> -<br /> -Kurroundea, camp at, <a href="#Page_438">438</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Lane, G. C., <a href="#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a><br /> -Lascelles, H. A., <a href="#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="#Page_496">496</a><br /> -<br /> -Lawrence, Sir Arthur J., <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Lawson, S. H., wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> -<br /> -Lawton, H., wounded, <a href="#Page_391">391</a><br /> -<br /> -Layton, J., <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br /> -<br /> -Leach, Jonathan, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a><br /> -<br /> -Legge, Hon. G. B., <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a> <a href="#Footnote_250_250"><em>n.</em></a>, <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Leighfield, T., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Lewis, P., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Lindsay, Henry Gore, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a><br /> -<br /> -List of the first officers of the Regiment, <a href="#Page_5">5</a><br /> -<br /> -Lister, W., killed, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br /> -<br /> -Llewellyn, H., wounded, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><br /> -<br /> -Logan, J., <a href="#Page_212">212</a><br /> -<br /> -Lucknow, <a href="#Page_373">373-379</a><br /> -<br /> -Lynam, J., wounded, <a href="#Page_209">209</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -McCann, P., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -McCormick, M., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -M’Cullock, J. G., wounded and taken prisoner, <a href="#Page_56">56</a> <a href="#Footnote_78_78"><em>n.</em></a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">account of, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></span><br /> -<br /> -M’Dermid, J., wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> -<br /> -Macdonald, Peter, <a href="#Page_234">234</a><br /> -<br /> -Macdonald, Robert, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a><br /> -<br /> -Macdonell, Alexander, killed, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a><br /> -<br /> -Macdonell, Major-Gen. Alexander, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>, <a href="#Page_462">462</a>, <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -McGibbon, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -MacGregor, R., <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -M’Gregor, A., <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></span><br /> -<br /> -McKay, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -McKechie, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Mackenzie’s farm, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a><br /> -<br /> -MacLeod, J. M. D., wounded, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></span><br /> -<br /> -M’Leod, N., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -McMahon, B., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Macnamara, T., <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></span><br /> -<br /> -M’Pherson, D., wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his death, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Madden, E. M., wounded, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><br /> -<br /> -Madrid, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a><br /> -<br /> -Maldonado, landing at, <a href="#Page_13">13</a><br /> -<br /> -Maloney, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_404">404</a> <a href="#Footnote_304_304"><em>n.</em></a><br /> -<br /> -Malta, <a href="#Page_227">227-231</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238-241</a>, <a href="#Page_452">452</a>, <a href="#Page_453">453</a><br /> -<br /> -Mandaula fort, <a href="#Page_300">300</a><br /> -<br /> -Manners, H. H., <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_526">526</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Manningham, Coote, proposes the formation of a corps of Riflemen, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">is appointed colonel of the Rifle Corps, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">delivers and publishes lectures, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">account of, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Manœuvres, autumn, <a href="#Page_473">473</a>, <a href="#Page_476">476</a>, <a href="#Page_480">480</a>, <a href="#Page_481">481</a>, <a href="#Page_508">508</a>, <a href="#Page_509">509</a><br /> -<br /> -Mansel, W., <a href="#Page_398">398</a>, <a href="#Page_401">401</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_403">403</a></span><br /> -<br /> -March of the Light Division from Navalmoral to Talavera, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_534" id="Page_534">[534]</a></span><span class="pad1">march from Futtehpore to Cawnpore, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">march from Cheenee to Cawnpore, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">march to Nawabgunge, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">march to Sultanpore, <a href="#Page_395">395</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">march to Bankee, <a href="#Page_412">412</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Marialva, bridge of, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_83">83</a><br /> -<br /> -Markham, W. T., his picquet at Inkerman, <a href="#Page_317">317</a><br /> -<br /> -Marriott, E., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Massena, Marshal, his retreat from Portugal, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br /> -<br /> -Medals for Copenhagen, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">for Monte Video, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></span><br /> -<br /> -‘Megæra,’ troop-ship, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a><br /> -<br /> -Mejidia, fort captured, <a href="#Page_411">411</a><br /> -<br /> -Merxem, fights at, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a><br /> -<br /> -Miller, G., <a href="#Page_526">526</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Milles, Hon. Lewis, wounded, <a href="#Page_356">356</a><br /> -<br /> -Mitchell, Samuel, <a href="#Page_526">526</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">taken prisoner, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Mitharden, fight at, <a href="#Page_449">449</a><br /> -<br /> -Mohmunds, expedition against, <a href="#Page_461">461</a><br /> -<br /> -Mohuneea, <a href="#Page_437">437</a><br /> -<br /> -Mohurs, gold, found in the corpse of a Sepoy, <a href="#Page_373">373</a><br /> -<br /> -Molloy, J., wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br /> -<br /> -Monte Video, <a href="#Page_13">13</a><br /> -<br /> -Moore, Sir John, commands the camp at Shorncliffe, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">proceeds to Sweden, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">in Portugal, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his partiality for the Riflemen, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Moore, J. C., <a href="#Page_526">526</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Morgan, Hon. F. C., <a href="#Page_320">320</a><br /> -<br /> -Moshesh, <a href="#Page_291">291-294</a><br /> -<br /> -Mount Misery, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a><br /> -<br /> -Mundell’s Krantz, fights at, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a><br /> -<br /> -Munro, C. F., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Murphy, T., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Murray, A. S., killed, <a href="#Page_259">259</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Nana Sahib, pursuit of, <a href="#Page_371">371</a><br /> -Napier, Charles, <a href="#Page_7">7</a><br /> -<br /> -Nash, W., <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Nawabgunge, battle of, <a href="#Page_388">388</a><br /> -<br /> -Nelson, Lord, praises the Rifle Corps, and gives them medals, <a href="#Page_8">8</a><br /> -<br /> -Nepaul, operations in, <a href="#Page_418">418</a><br /> -<br /> -Nesbitt, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_526">526</a><br /> -<br /> -Netherlands, embarkation for, <a href="#Page_195">195</a><br /> -<br /> -New Brunswick, service at, <a href="#Page_230">230</a><br /> -<br /> -Newdigate, E., <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_526">526</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Newdigate, H. R. L., <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>, <a href="#Page_437">437</a><br /> -<br /> -New Orleans, expedition to, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">attack on the lines before, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Nicholl, C. R. H., <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a>, <a href="#Page_488">488</a>, <a href="#Page_496">496</a><br /> -<br /> -Ninety-fifth, the Rifle Corps numbered, <a href="#Page_9">9</a><br /> -<br /> -Nive, battle of, <a href="#Page_159">159</a><br /> -<br /> -Nivelle, battle of, <a href="#Page_155">155</a><br /> -<br /> -Nixon, A., <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_432">432-450</a>, <a href="#Page_467">467</a>, <a href="#Page_526">526</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_508">508</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Noble, C., wounded, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Noel, Hon. E., <a href="#Page_489">489</a><br /> -<br /> -Nonadee, <a href="#Page_443">443</a> <a href="#Footnote_315_315"><em>n.</em></a><br /> -<br /> -Norcott, Major-Gen. Sir Amos G., <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_526">526</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Norcott, Major-Gen. W. S. R., <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Noseley, G. R., taken prisoner, <a href="#Page_321">321</a><br /> -<br /> -Nova Scotia, service in, <a href="#Page_226">226-233</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a><br /> -<br /> -Nuggur, fight near, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">panic at, <a href="#Page_384">384</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Nutt, James, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Obidos, <a href="#Page_24">24</a><br /> -O’Hare, Major P., <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></span><br /> -<br /> -O’Hea, I., <a href="#Page_466">466</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Oomria, fort captured, <a href="#Page_415">415</a><br /> -<br /> -Orange river, <a href="#Page_291">291</a><br /> -<br /> -Ordah, fight near, <a href="#Page_495">495</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">crossing the, <a href="#Page_496">496</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Ordahsu, fight at, <a href="#Page_497">497</a>, <a href="#Page_499">499</a><br /> -<br /> -‘Orinoco,’ steamship, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">on fire, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Orthez, battle of, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a><br /> -<br /> -Oude Field Force, <a href="#Page_370">370</a><br /> -<br /> -Outposts of Riflemen, their good understanding with their opponents, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">sometimes interrupted, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Outram, Sir James, <a href="#Page_374">374</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> -<br /> -‘Ovens’ taken, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">maintained, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Oxenden, C. V., <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Paialvo, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br /> -Pakenham, Hon. H. R., wounded, <a href="#Page_24">24</a><br /> -<br /> -Pandoo Nuddee, fight at the, <a href="#Page_349">349</a><br /> -<br /> -Paris, Riflemen enter, <a href="#Page_213">213</a><br /> -<br /> -Passo Chico, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_16">16</a><br /> -<br /> -Patrols in Kaffraria, <a href="#Page_289">289</a><br /> -<br /> -Pellew, Hon. B. R., wounded, <a href="#Page_338">338</a><br /> -<br /> -Perceval, James, wounded, <a href="#Page_147">147</a><br /> -<br /> -Percival, L., <a href="#Page_388">388</a>, <a href="#Page_400">400</a><br /> -<br /> -Percival, William, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Piper, F., <a href="#Page_413">413</a><br /> -<br /> -Pitt, Sergeant, killed, <a href="#Page_384">384</a><br /> -<br /> -Playne, F. C., <a href="#Page_354">354</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_535" id="Page_535">[535]</a></span>Plunket, T., shoots General Colbert, <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br /> -<br /> -Pombal, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_72">72</a><br /> -<br /> -Ponte da Murcella, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_78">78</a><br /> -<br /> -Prah, crossing the, <a href="#Page_485">485</a><br /> -<br /> -Pratt, M., killed, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a><br /> -<br /> -‘Prince Consort’s Own,’ Rifle Brigade designated, <a href="#Page_458">458</a><br /> -<br /> -Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief, <a href="#Page_469">469</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">address to, <a href="#Page_474">474</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and answer, <a href="#Page_475">475</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Guard of Honour furnished by Riflemen in India, <a href="#Page_509">509</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Promby, H., <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Puente Larga, defence of, <a href="#Page_120">120</a><br /> -<br /> -Putarah, <a href="#Page_365">365</a><br /> -<br /> -Pyrenees, <a href="#Page_143">143</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Quarman, <a href="#Page_491">491</a>, <a href="#Page_492">492</a><br /> -Quatre Bras, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br /> -<br /> -Quebec, fire at, <a href="#Page_466">466</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Raglan, Lord, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">letter, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">general order, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his kindness to the Riflemen, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his funeral, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Rains, Charles, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Ramgunga, operations on, <a href="#Page_368">368</a><br /> -<br /> -Raptee, fight at the, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">operations on, <a href="#Page_418">418</a> <em>et seq.</em></span><br /> -<br /> -Redan, attack on the, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a><br /> -<br /> -Redinha, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_73">73</a><br /> -<br /> -Reilly, P., killed, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a><br /> -<br /> -Reserve battalion formed, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">disbanded, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Retreat to Portugal, <a href="#Page_123">123-125</a><br /> -<br /> -Return of the Rifle Corps on its formation, <a href="#Page_2">2</a><br /> -<br /> -Reviews by the King of the Netherlands, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">by the Allied Sovereigns, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">by the Duke of Clarence, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">after the coronation of Queen Victoria, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">by French generals, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">by Russian generals, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">by the Shah of Persia, <a href="#Page_478">478</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">by the Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_480">480</a>, <a href="#Page_509">509</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">by the Czar of Russia, <a href="#Page_481">481</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">by the Sultan of Zanzibar, <a href="#Page_509">509</a>.</span><br /> -<span class="pad1"><a href="#VIC"><em>See</em> Victoria</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Reynolds, John, wounded, <a href="#Page_190">190</a><br /> -<br /> -Ribton, Sir John, wounded, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a><br /> -<br /> -Richards, H. E., <a href="#Page_398">398</a>, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>, <a href="#Page_403">403</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Ridgway, J. A., wounded, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br /> -<br /> -Rifle, Baker, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_515">515</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">Brunswick, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_516">516</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Lancaster, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_516">516</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Minié, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_516">516</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Enfield, long, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_452">452</a>, <a href="#Page_517">517</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Enfield, short, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_452">452</a>, <a href="#Page_517">517</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Whitworth, <a href="#Page_464">464</a>, <a href="#Page_467">467</a>, <a href="#Page_517">517</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Snider, <a href="#Page_467">467</a>, <a href="#Page_517">517</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Martini-Henry, <a href="#Page_507">507</a>, <a href="#Page_517">517</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Rifle Corps, its formation, <a href="#Page_1">1-4</a><br /> -<br /> -Riflemen mounted on gun-limbers, <a href="#Page_408">408</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">on horses, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Riley, F. A., wounded, <a href="#Page_338">338</a><br /> -<br /> -Roleia, <a href="#Page_25">25</a><br /> -<br /> -Rooper, E., <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Rose, Sir Hugh, <a href="#STR"><em>see</em> Strathnairn</a><br /> -<br /> -Ross, Sir J., <a href="#Page_527">527</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Ross, Col. John, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_429">429</a>, <a href="#Page_450">450</a>, <a href="#Page_462">462</a>, <a href="#Page_477">477</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Ross, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Rowles, J., <a href="#Page_334">334</a><br /> -<br /> -Rueda, <a href="#Page_115">115</a><br /> -<br /> -Russell, Lord A. G., <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_452">452</a>, <a href="#Page_480">480</a>, <a href="#Page_481">481</a>, <a href="#Page_508">508</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Russian picquet <em>relieved</em> by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_329">329</a><br /> -<br /> -Ryder, H. S., killed, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">account of, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></span><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Sabugal, combat of, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">panic at, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></span><br /> -<br /> -St. Sebastian stormed, <a href="#Page_147">147</a><br /> -<br /> -Salamanca, battle of, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">retreat to, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Lieut. Firman killed there, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></span><br /> -<br /> -San Francisco stormed, <a href="#Page_92">92</a><br /> -<br /> -San Millan, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_133">133</a><br /> -<br /> -San Munoz, fight at, <a href="#Page_124">124</a><br /> -<br /> -San Pedro, <a href="#Page_16">16</a> <a href="#Footnote_31_31"><em>n.</em></a><br /> -<br /> -San Pedro, in Portugal, <a href="#Page_83">83</a><br /> -<br /> -Sasseram, <a href="#Page_438">438</a><br /> -<br /> -Saugur, <a href="#Page_448">448</a><br /> -<br /> -Sault Ste. Marie, Riflemen shipwrecked at, <a href="#Page_262">262</a><br /> -<br /> -Saunders, G. R., <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Scanlan, C., wounded, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br /> -<br /> -Scott, Henry, wounded, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Scott, J., <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Scott, Hon. T. C., <a href="#Page_491">491</a>, <a href="#Page_495">495</a>, <a href="#Page_498">498</a><br /> -<br /> -Scriven, H. A., <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_435">435</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_443">443</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Seaton, Lord, <a href="#COL"><em>see</em> Colborne</a><br /> -<br /> -Sebastopol, <a href="#Page_312">312</a><br /> -<br /> -Seville, skirmish at the bridge, <a href="#Page_120">120</a><br /> -<br /> -Shaw, S., <a href="#Page_391">391</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Shenley, G. H., wounded, <a href="#Page_209">209</a><br /> -<br /> -Shenley, William, wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br /> -<br /> -Shergotty, <a href="#Page_438">438</a><br /> -<br /> -Sherston, C. D., wounded, <a href="#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="#Page_493">493</a><br /> -<br /> -Shots, remarkable, by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a><br /> -<br /> -Shubkudder, fight at, <a href="#Page_462">462</a><br /> -<br /> -Sidka Ghât, fight at, <a href="#Page_418">418</a><br /> -<br /> -Simmons, George, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a> <a href="#Footnote_167_167"><em>n.</em></a>;<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_536" id="Page_536">[536]</a></span><span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Simmons, Joseph, <a href="#Page_124">124</a><br /> -<br /> -Simpson, Sergt.-Major, obtains a commission, <a href="#Page_77">77</a><br /> -<br /> -Sinde, crossing the, <a href="#Page_448">448</a><br /> -<br /> -Singer, J., <a href="#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a><br /> -<br /> -Small, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Smith, Sir Harry, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">last inspection of Riflemen, <a href="#Page_451">451</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_454">454</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Smith, Lady, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a><br /> -<br /> -Smith, Major P. (of the Bays), killed, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his body recovered by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_375">375</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Smith, Thomas, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Smith, Charles, <a href="#Page_195">195</a><br /> -<br /> -Smyth, C., wounded, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></span><br /> -<br /> -<a name="SMY" id="SMY"></a> -Smyth, Hon. Leicester, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Smyth, W. J., wounded, <a href="#Page_490">490</a>, <a href="#Page_493">493</a><br /> -<br /> -Sobral, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_62">62</a><br /> -<br /> -Soita, retreat to, <a href="#Page_91">91</a><br /> -<br /> -Somerset, A. H. T. H., <a href="#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="#Page_494">494</a><br /> -<br /> -Somerset, Major-General Edward, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_452">452</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Sotheby, F. E., <a href="#Page_408">408</a>, <a href="#Page_419">419</a>, <a href="#Page_425">425</a>, <a href="#Page_488">488</a>, <a href="#Page_492">492</a><br /> -<br /> -Soult, Colonel, captured by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_72">72</a><br /> -<br /> -Soult, Marshal, <a href="#Page_235">235</a><br /> -<br /> -Spaniards recruited for Riflemen, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">their ferocity, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Standing orders of the Regiment, <a href="#Page_6">6</a><br /> -<br /> -Staples, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Stephens, A. H., <a href="#Page_400">400</a>, <a href="#Page_486">486</a>, <a href="#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="#Page_500">500</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_493">493</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, Archibald, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, Allen, wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a> <a href="#Footnote_166_166"><em>n.</em></a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, D., wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, James, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his death and character, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, Hon. J. H. K., <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, Major John, <a href="#Page_527">527</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, the Hon. W., proposes the formation of a corps of Riflemen, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">account of him, <a href="#Page_6">6-8</a> <a href="#Footnote_23_23"><em>n.</em></a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_515">515</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his death, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Stilwell, J., killed, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br /> -<br /> -Stokes, J. M., killed, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> -<br /> -Stopford-Sackville, L. R., <a href="#Page_497">497</a><br /> -<br /> -Storey, Assist.-Surgeon, <a href="#Page_404">404</a><br /> -<br /> -<a name="STR" id="STR"></a> -Strathnairn, Lord, <a href="#Page_430">430</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> -<br /> -Strode, Lieut., killed, <a href="#Page_75">75</a><br /> -<br /> -Struck, H., <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Stuart, the Hon. James, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Subhadar’s tank, <a href="#Page_362">362</a><br /> -<br /> -Suddlers, Corporal, <a href="#Page_350">350</a><br /> -<br /> -Sufferings of Riflemen, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>, <a href="#Page_426">426</a><br /> -<br /> -Sukreta, fights at, <a href="#Page_441">441</a>, <a href="#Page_442">442</a>, <a href="#Page_443">443</a><br /> -<br /> -Sundeehlah, <a href="#Page_397">397</a><br /> -<br /> -Sunstroke, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>, <a href="#Page_433">433</a><br /> -<br /> -Supper, French, eaten by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_77">77</a><br /> -<br /> -Surtees, William, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a> <a href="#Footnote_55_55"><em>n.</em></a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a> <a href="#Footnote_58_58"><em>n.</em></a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Sweden, detachment of Riflemen embark for, <a href="#Page_22">22</a><br /> -<br /> -Swinley, Rifle Corps encamped there, <a href="#Page_3">3</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Tainst, Ed., <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -Tantia Topee, pursuit of, <a href="#Page_445">445</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">captured, <a href="#Page_446">446</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">hanged, <a href="#Page_447">447</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Tarbes, battle of, <a href="#Page_169">169</a><br /> -<br /> -Tarifa, <a href="#Page_65">65</a><br /> -<br /> -Tarsac, combat of cavalry at, <a href="#Page_168">168</a><br /> -<br /> -Taylor, <a href="#Page_498">498</a>, <a href="#Page_507">507</a>, <a href="#Page_527">527</a><br /> -<br /> -Taylor, M. B. W., <a href="#Page_489">489</a><br /> -<br /> -Tchernaya, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a><br /> -<br /> -Tents first provided in the Peninsula, <a href="#Page_129">129</a><br /> -<br /> -Thorpe, Sergeant, <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Thynne, W. F., killed, <a href="#Page_378">378</a><br /> -<br /> -Tilbey, T., <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Torres Vedras, <a href="#Page_61">61</a><br /> -<br /> -Toulouse, battle of, <a href="#Page_173">173</a><br /> -<br /> -Tournefeuille, skirmish at, <a href="#Page_172">172</a><br /> -<br /> -Travers, James, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Travers, Nicholas, wounded, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a><br /> -<br /> -Travers, Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Travers, W. S., wounded, <a href="#Page_352">352</a><br /> -<br /> -‘Trent’ affair, <a href="#Page_456">456</a><br /> -<br /> -Tryon, Henry, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a><br /> -<br /> -Turner, Brigadier, <a href="#Page_437">437</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> -<br /> -Turner, P., killed, <a href="#Page_18">18</a><br /> -<br /> -Turner, W., <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Uniacke, J., wounded, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his funeral, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his character, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Uniform, change of, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_435">435</a>, <a href="#Page_455">455</a>, <a href="#Page_470">470</a>, <a href="#Page_474">474</a>, <a href="#Page_479">479</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Vandeleur, Sir H., <a href="#Page_112">112</a><br /> -Varna, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a><br /> -<br /> -Vera, bridge of, defended by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_149">149</a><br /> -<br /> -Vera, pass of, forced, <a href="#Page_151">151</a><br /> -<br /> -Vickers, Gentle, wounded, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><br /> -<br /> -<a name="VIC" id="VIC"></a> -Victoria, Queen, guards furnished by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">distributes Crimean medals to Riflemen, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">reviews them, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_478">478</a>, <a href="#Page_506">506</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Victoria Cross won by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>;<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_537" id="Page_537">[537]</a></span><span class="pad1">distributed by the Queen to eight Riflemen, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">recommendations for, <a href="#Page_309">309</a> <em>n.</em>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a> <a href="#Footnote_239_239"><em>n.</em></a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_466">466</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Victories, names of, to be borne, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_509">509</a>, <a href="#Page_460">460</a>, <a href="#Page_510">510</a><br /> -<br /> -Vimiera, battle of, <a href="#Page_27">27</a><br /> -<br /> -Vittoria, battle of, <a href="#Page_135">135</a><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Wade, Hamlet, <a href="#Page_10">10</a> <a href="#Footnote_26_26"><em>n.</em></a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -Walcheren, expedition to, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">effects of the climate of, <a href="#Page_50">50</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Wales (South), disturbances in, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a><br /> -<br /> -Walker-Myln, H., <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Waller, Sergt.-Major, <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Walpole, Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Walsh, J. P., wounded, <a href="#Page_209">209</a><br /> -<br /> -Warren, A. F., <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a>, <a href="#Page_479">479</a>, <a href="#Page_494">494</a>, <a href="#Page_500">500</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Waterkloof, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a><br /> -<br /> -Waterloo, <a href="#Page_201">201</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> -<br /> -Webb, Vere, wounded, <a href="#Page_209">209</a><br /> -<br /> -Wellington, Duke of, first service of Riflemen under, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">praises them, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">present with them in action, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">orders them rations, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">orders them into houses, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">inspects them, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">for the last time, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">protected by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">severe order after the retreat from Portugal, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">escorted by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">appointed Colonel-in-Chief, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">certifies the names of their victories, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his death, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his body guarded by Riflemen, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his funeral attended by them, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Weymouth, Rifle Corps trained there, <a href="#Page_8">8</a><br /> -<br /> -Wheatley, Francis, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Wilbraham, Richard, <a href="#Page_234">234</a><br /> -<br /> -Wilkins, G., <a href="#Page_528">528</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Wilmot, Sir Henry, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Windham, General, <a href="#Page_349">349</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> -<br /> -Wiseman, R., <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Wives of Riflemen outraged, <a href="#Page_223">223</a><br /> -<br /> -Wolseley, Sir Garnet, <a href="#Page_479">479</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> -<br /> -Wood, J., <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -<br /> -Woodford, Charles J., <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">killed, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Woodford, E. S. G., killed, <a href="#Page_336">336</a><br /> -<br /> -Worsley, T. T., wounded, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a><br /> -<br /> -Wright, William, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a> <a href="#Footnote_147_147"><em>n.</em></a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">wounded, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></span><br /> -</p> -<p class="p2 drop-capy"> -Yanci, bridge of, fight at, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a><br /> -Yellow bungalow, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a><br /> -<br /> -Yorke, General Sir Charles, <a href="#Page_528">528</a><br /> -</p> -</div> - - -<p class="p6 pfs60"> -LONDON: PRINTED BY<br /> -SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE<br /> -AND PARLIAMENT STREET<br /> -</p> - - -<p class="p6 pg-brk" /> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_539.jpg" width="150" alt="" /></div> -<p class="p6" /> - - -<div class="transnote pg-brk"> -<a name="TN" id="TN"></a> -<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</strong></p> - - -<p> -Footnote <a href="#Footnote_325_325" class="fnanchor">[325]</a> is referenced three times from page <a href="#Page_479">479</a>.<br /> -Footnote <a href="#Footnote_342_342" class="fnanchor">[342]</a> is referenced twice from page <a href="#Page_510">510</a>.<br /> -Footnote <a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a> is referenced seven times from pages <a href="#Page_519">519</a>, <a href="#Page_520">520</a>.<br /></p> - -<p> -Footnote <a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> is referenced from inside Footnote <a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a>.<br /> -Footnote <a href="#Footnote_127_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> is referenced from inside Footnote <a href="#Footnote_126_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a>.<br /></p> - -<p> -The Table on page <a href="#Page_4">4</a> had many column headings, printed sideways; -this has been rendered as a two-column list in this etext.</p> - -<p> -The Table on page <a href="#Page_298">298</a> had many column headings, printed sideways; -this has been split into two parts with the first column duplicated.</p> - -<p> -Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been -corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within -the text and consultation of external sources.</p> - -<p> -Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, -and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained: for example, -rear-guard, rear guard; McCleod, Macleod, M’Leod; farm-house, -farmhouse; midday, mid-day; inspirited; sate; woful; havresack; -pannelled; hackeries.</p> - -<p> -<a href="#Page_xvii">Pg xvii:</a> ‘Tom Plunkett’ replaced by ‘Tom Plunket’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_22">Pg 22</a> Footnote <a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a>: ‘died April 31, 1835’ is an invalid date; unable to ascertain the correct date.<br /> -<a href="#Page_44">Pg 44:</a> ‘moved to Gaviaō’ replaced by ‘moved to Gavião’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_48">Pg 48:</a> ‘Maravaō, after’ replaced by ‘Maravão, after’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_61">Pg 61:</a> ‘rains, proceded to’ replaced by ‘rains, proceeded to’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_215">Pg 215:</a> ‘through Aberchicourt’ replaced by ‘through Auberchicourt’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_261">Pg 261</a> Footnote <a href="#Footnote_205_205" class="fnanchor">[205]</a>: ‘of the Roya United’ replaced by ‘of the Royal United’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_300">Pg 300:</a> ‘a time wa very’ replaced by ‘a time was very’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_429">Pg 429:</a> ‘(p. 38)’ replaced by ‘(p. 381)’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_439">Pg 439</a> Footnote <a href="#Footnote_314_314" class="fnanchor">[314]</a>: ‘in April, 185’ replaced by ‘in April, 1858.’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_454">Pg 454:</a> ‘5 ” Oomao’ replaced by ‘5 ” Oonao’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_468">Pg 468:</a> ‘Murree to Abottabad’ replaced by ‘Murree to Abbottabad’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_479">Pg 479</a> Footnote <a href="#Footnote_325_325" class="fnanchor">[325]</a>: ‘officer required’ replaced by ‘officers required’.<br /> -<a href="#Page_515">Pg 515</a> Footnote <a href="#Footnote_343_343" class="fnanchor">[343]</a>: ‘the using the’ replaced by ‘using the’.<br /> -</p> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Rifle Brigade (the -Prince Consort's Own) Formerly the 95, by William Henry Cope - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE *** - -***** This file should be named 60048-h.htm or 60048-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/0/4/60048/ - -Produced by MWS, John Campbell and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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