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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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